Kailey Hansen

Kailey Hansen Kailey is a Chicago-based writer with a passion for all things theater, cats and coffee. She graduated with a B.A. in English and a minor in theater, studied plays for a term in England and Ireland, and interned at an opera house. Today, she's a communications specialist and freelance writer.




MOST POPULAR ARTICLES

BWW Review: THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA's New Production Breathes the Music of the Night Back to Life
BWW Review: THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA's New Production Breathes the Music of the Night Back to Life
December 19, 2016

As one of the most successful shows of all time, The Phantom of the Opera continues to draw in audiences who are already familiar with the music of the night. Despite being an age-old tale, Cameron Mackintosh's astounding new production boasts revamped staging and a fresh set design that sweeps both first-timers and Phantom 'phans' into the depths of the Paris Opera House.

BWW Interview: CURIOUS INCIDENT Star Gene Gillette Discusses the Show's 'Spectacle and Storytelling'
BWW Interview: CURIOUS INCIDENT Star Gene Gillette Discusses the Show's 'Spectacle and Storytelling'
December 12, 2016

The National Theatre production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time has captured the hearts of many across the globe. Based on Mark Haddon's popular novel, the Tony Award-winning play tells the story of young Christopher Boone, a student with an exceptional mind, struggling to relate to the world (and the people) around him.

BWW Review: A Young Man's Brain is our Stage in THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME
BWW Interview: Chicago Native Artis Olds Returns to Stomping Ground for Limited Engagement of STOMP
BWW Interview: Chicago Native Artis Olds Returns to Stomping Ground for Limited Engagement of STOMP
November 22, 2016

Rusty trash cans and old shopping carts become music in the 'international percussion sensation', Stomp. Coming to Chicago this holiday season is a unique musical experience that's sweeping the globe. Performer Artis Olds returns to his 'stomping ground' for a limited engagement at the Broadway Playhouse.

BWW Interview: Broadway's Kevin Kern Stars in FINDING NEVERLAND, Flying to Chicago This Fall
BWW Interview: Broadway's Kevin Kern Stars in FINDING NEVERLAND, Flying to Chicago This Fall
November 18, 2016

Neverland is no longer the 'second star to the right and straight on till morning.' Instead, it's tucked into Chicago's Loop district on West Randolph Street. Fresh off a run on the Great White Way, Finding Neverland comes to the Windy City to share the story of J.M. Barrie, the writer behind the beloved 'boy who never grew up'. Broadway actor Kevin Kern (Barrie) discusses bringing this captivating tale to the stage.

BWW Interview: An Exclusive Q&A with A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS's Veronica Garza
BWW Interview: An Exclusive Q&A with A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS's Veronica Garza
November 15, 2016

What would Charlie Brown say to a cold Chicago winter? Probably, 'good grief!'

BWW Review: Drury Lane's CRAZY FOR YOU Brings a Much-Needed Dose of Broadway Magic
BWW Review: Drury Lane's CRAZY FOR YOU Brings a Much-Needed Dose of Broadway Magic
November 14, 2016

This holiday season, the intimate Drury Lane Theatre receives a dash of Broadway magic. George and Ira Gershwin's classical music comes to life in a dazzling revue. Big dance numbers, familiar tunes and slapstick comedy make for a wondrous, two-hour escape from reality.

BWW Interview: ANNIE's Gilgamesh Taggett Discusses the Show's Hopeful 'American Spirit'
BWW Interview: ANNIE's Gilgamesh Taggett Discusses the Show's Hopeful 'American Spirit'
November 7, 2016

This fall, Broadway's beloved classic finds a home in Chicago. Annie, Sandy and the gang appear at the Cadillac Palace Theatre for Annie's acclaimed national tour. Gilgamesh Taggett, the production's original Oliver Warbucks, joins Broadway World for an exclusive interview on bringing this heartfelt story across the nation.

BWW Interview: Melissa Glasgow Spreads Holiday Cheer in RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER: THE MUSICAL
BWW Interview: Melissa Glasgow Spreads Holiday Cheer in RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER: THE MUSICAL
November 1, 2016

We all know Dasher, Dancer, Prancer and Vixen--but they hardly compare to their red-nosed counterpart. The 'most famous reindeer of all' flies through Chicago this winter, and along with him comes a dose of incomparable holiday magic. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical brings this classic tale to life at the Chicago Theatre. Actress Melissa Glasgow gives Broadway World the inside scoop on translating this beloved story to the stage.

BWW Interview: Broadway's Robert Petkoff Discusses the Meaningful Magic of FUN HOME
BWW Interview: Broadway's Robert Petkoff Discusses the Meaningful Magic of FUN HOME
October 24, 2016

For two weeks only, the biggest musical of 2015 takes up residence in the Windy City. Fun Home, based on Alison Bechdel's acclaimed graphic novel, brings a woman's memories to life as she looks back on her relationship with her father. Joining Broadway World for an exclusive interview is stage and screen actor, Robert Petkoff, who tackles the dynamic role of Bruce Bechdel.

BWW Interview: Winter Is Coming! Comedian Ali Brice Discusses Bringing GRAEME OF THRONES to the Windy City
BWW Interview: Winter Is Coming! Comedian Ali Brice Discusses Bringing GRAEME OF THRONES to the Windy City
October 18, 2016

'Winter is coming' a little early this year. Graeme of Thrones, West End's hilarious parody of George R.R. Martin's smash-hit series, arrives in Chicago for a run that's as short as the lives of many characters on Game of Thrones.

BWW Interview: Sarah Sirota of CHEERS LIVE Talks Bringing TV's Beloved Classic to the Stage
#HamiltonCHI Takes Over Twitter
#HamiltonCHI Takes Over Twitter
September 15, 2016

These days, Chicago might just be 'the greatest city in the world.' Why? #HamiltonCHI.

BWW Interview: Tiffany Engen Talks Shoes and the Magic of KINKY BOOTS
BWW Interview: Tiffany Engen Talks Shoes and the Magic of KINKY BOOTS
August 29, 2016

For one week only, the mega-hit musical Kinky Boots returns to its hometown. Known for sweeping the 2013 Tony Awards (where it won Best Musical, Best Original Score and Best Choreography), this popular Broadway smash originally took flight in Chicago back in 2012. The pre-Broadway run premiered at the Bank of America Theatre, and four years later the show is returning to the Windy City for a newly-minted national tour. Broadway star and Kinky Boots cast member, Tiffany Engen, gives Broadwayworld.com an inside look at what makes this show so dazzling:

BWW Interview: Lauren Molina Dishes on Broadway, The Skivvies, and Goodman's WONDERFUL TOWN
BWW Interview: Lauren Molina Dishes on Broadway, The Skivvies, and Goodman's WONDERFUL TOWN
August 25, 2016

In the upcoming revival of Leonard Bernstein's 1953 classic, Lauren Molina plays a young woman who dreams of making it big in New York City. In reality, she's swapped the Big Apple for the Windy City to star in Tony Award-winner Mary Zimmerman's production of Wonderful Town, premiering at the Goodman this September. Though portraying an aspiring actress, Molina has already belted Sondheim on the Broadway stage and tours as one-half of a popular musical duo. Between rehearsals, she took some time for an exclusive BroadwayWorld Q&A:

BWW Review: NEWSIES Delivers 'Something to Believe In'
BWW Interview: Chicago Native Anthony Norman Discusses Life on NEWSIES National Tour
BWW Interview: Chicago Native Anthony Norman Discusses Life on NEWSIES National Tour
July 25, 2016

Extra! Extra! Read all about it! Broadway's favorite newsboys are dancing their way into the heart of the Windy City. With music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Jack Feldman, and book by Harvey Fierstein, Newsies has become a popular success across North America (not to mention it has a few Tony Awards in its back pocket). Cast member and Chicago native, Anthony Norman, discusses being part of a national tour and the magic of this beloved story.

BWW Review: Drury Lane's DEATHTRAP Lures Audiences in with Psychological Thriller
BWW Interview: Broadway Veteran Merwin Foard Discusses THE SOUND OF MUSIC's Timeless Impact
BWW Interview: Broadway Veteran Merwin Foard Discusses THE SOUND OF MUSIC's Timeless Impact
June 13, 2016

This June, the city is alive with the familiar sound of Rodgers and Hammerstein's iconic music. Making their rounds on a critically-acclaimed national tour, the latest production of The Sound of Music plays the Cadillac Palace Theatre until June 19. This memorable limited engagement brings audiences the classic tale of a free-spirited nun and her chance encounter with a hard-hearted captain and his seven children. Broadway veteran and Disney actor Merwin Foard (Max Detweiler) gives us the inside scoop on bringing this unforgettable story back to life.

BWW Review: CHICAGO Brings its City a 'Splendiferous' Show
BWW Review: CHICAGO Brings its City a 'Splendiferous' Show
May 12, 2016

There's a moment during the ritzy, jazzy smash hit, Chicago, when charming lawyer Billy Flynn compares a murder trial to a dazzling, show-stopping circus: 'Give'em a show that's so splendiferous,' he says. And that Chicago truly did.



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