Paul W. Thompson, a contributor to BroadwayWorld.com since 2007, is a Chicago-based singer, actor, musical director, pianist, vocal coach, composer and commentator. His career as a performer, teacher and writer is centered at Paul W. Thompson Music, located in Chicago’s historic Fine Arts Building, where he teaches the great songs of Broadway to the next generation of musical theater performers. A native of Nashville, Tennessee, Paul was raised in a family of professional musicians and teachers, steeped in classical, gospel, country, pop, sacred and show music. Dubbed a “thin, winsome lad” at the age of 13 by a critic for the Nashville Banner, he earned two degrees in musical theater (a B.F.A. with Honors from Baylor University and an M.M. from the University of Miami, Florida), plus an M.B.A. with Distinction from DePaul University. Paul’s memberships include Actors’ Equity Association, the American Guild of Musical Artists, the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (proud voter for the Grammy Awards!), the National Association of Teachers of Singing and New York’s Drama League.Moving easily between the worlds of classical music, religious music, classic pop and musical theater, Paul has appeared onstage or in the orchestra pit in concerts, musicals, operettas and operas in 30 states and in Europe, in a career spanning more than 35 years. His Chicagoland stage credits include “Forever Plaid” at the Royal George Theater and twenty mainstage productions at Light Opera Works. Paul joined the Chicago Symphony Chorus in 1995 (he was Tenor I Section Leader for four years and sings on two Grammy-winning recordings), and is one of Chicago’s foremost liturgical singers, marking 20 years as a member of the choir at St. James Cathedral (Episcopal) in 2011.He has composed and arranged a number of anthems, hymns and songs for worship and concert use, and collaborates on the creation of new works of musical theater. Paul can be found on Monday nights watching showtune videos at the world-famous Sidetrack nightclub, the inspiration for his weekly column, “The Showtune Mosh Pit.” His proudest achievement is that he has seen the original Broadway production of every Tony Award-winning Best Musical since “Cats.” No, really. Since “Cats!”
You're Invited to the FALL THEATER PREVIEW PARTY On Wednesday, August 28th!
August 24, 2013
August 24, 2013
This coming Wednesday night, August 28, 2013, is the FALL THEATER PREVIEW PARTY from BroadwayWorld Chicago. It's from 8:00 pm to midnight, and YOU'RE invited!
'The Showtune Mosh Pit' for August 21st, 2013
August 21, 2013
August 21, 2013
The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'Jungle Book' and 'Flashdance' depart, 'Pageant' and 'Ruthless!' appear, two musicals celebrating black music begin September 14 at BET and the Goodman, two Gary Griffin shows get their leading ladies, plus 'Hank Williams' and much more!
'The Showtune Mosh Pit' for August 14th, 2013
August 14, 2013
August 14, 2013
The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Three major local premieres begin this week ('Next To Normal,' '9 To 5' and 'The Color Purple'), plus coverage of LOW's 'Cabaret,' two Cole Porter revues, busy Circle Theatre, 'Persuasion' is back, and 'In The Heights' and 'Hello, Dolly!' get their casts. It's a big Mosh Pit!
BWW Chicago's Fall Theater Preview Party: Call For Theaters To Participate!
August 9, 2013
August 9, 2013
Wednesday, August 28, 2013 (8:00 pm-12:00 midnight) is the FALL THEATER PREVIEW PARTY. All theater fans are invited to drop by. And all theater companies are invited to participate!
'The Showtune Mosh Pit' for August 7th, 2013
August 7, 2013
August 7, 2013
The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. BIC's Summer Concert, Lyric casts 'Sound Of Music,' Munster's 'Godspell,' youth productions of 'Ragtime' and 'Legally Blonde,' '48 Hour Musicals,' the world premiere musical 'The Lockout,' the Dramatists Guild conference and more!
'The Showtune Mosh Pit' for July 31st, 2013
July 31, 2013
July 31, 2013
The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. ChiShakes' 'Shrek,' BIC in Millennium Park, the casts of 'Flashdance' and 'We Will Rock You,' outdoor movies in Chicago and Aurora, classical music in the theater, a new 'Into The Woods' and a farewell to a friend of the Mosh Pit.
'The Showtune Mosh Pit' for July 24th, 2013
July 24, 2013
July 24, 2013
The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Two shows called 'Whistle,' plus 'Superman,' 'Hedwig,' 'Seussical,' 'All Shook Up,' '9 To 5' and 'Teen Beach Movie,' a trip to England and the latest in summer concerts!
'The Showtune Mosh Pit' for July 17th, 2013
July 17, 2013
July 17, 2013
The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'Spelling Bee,' 'The Bee Gees,' 'The Jungle Book' and 'Phantom' extend, 'Cabaret,' 'Uptown Opera' the Aguilars in 'Double Trouble,' 'Elf' and more!
'The Showtune Mosh Pit' for July 10th, 2013
July 10, 2013
July 10, 2013
The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. The Summer Birthday Showtune Blowout, 'The Last Five Years,' 'A Chorus Liine,' 'Whistle Down The Wind,' the casts of 'The Color Purple' and 'Next To Normal,' three new shows announced by Broadway In Chicago, and more!
'The Showtune Mosh Pit' for July 3rd, 2013
July 3, 2013
July 3, 2013
The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'Jungle Book' reviews, 'Oklahoma!' on the radio, Broadway In Chicago's Park preview, 'Hedwig' and 'Rooms' rock, Team StarKid is back, community theater in Glenview, a children's musical in Mundelein, plus the 'Summer Birthday Showtune Blowout' July 10th!
July 10th is BroadwayWorld Chicago's SUMMER BIRTHDAY SHOWTUNE BLOWOUT: Musical Theater Trivia and More!
July 1, 2013
July 1, 2013
Paul W. Thompson turns 52 this summer, and his popular column, the 'Showtune Mosh Pit' turns four years old, also passing its milestone 200th weekly edition! Anyone with a birthday or other occasion to celebrate in the summertime can come to The Call on July 10th and celebrate in style, with showtune videos from 8:00 pm to 2:00 am. We'll have cake! Got an anniversary? An out-of-town guest? Sounds like a reason to party!
'The Showtune Mosh Pit' for June 26th, 2013
June 26, 2013
June 26, 2013
The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. It's the TOP TEN HOT TOPIX in the Mosh Pit for January through June, 2013! And our 203rd weekly column. Check out what YOU've been talking about!
'The Showtune Mosh Pit' for June 19th, 2013
June 19, 2013
June 19, 2013
The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'The Jungle Book' opens, Audra and Sondheim visit, Stephen Wallem's St. Louis 'Shrek,' Make Music Chicago, 'The Land Of Smiles,' the Auditorium's cabaret series, Idina in Aurora and more!
'The Showtune Mosh Pit' for June 12th, 2013
June 12, 2013
June 12, 2013
The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. The Tony Awards (aka New York thanks Chicago), 'Motown,' Cole and 'Kiss,' next season from BoHo, Marriott's latest, a new 'Rent,' The Second City and more!
THIS IS NOT OVER YET: Paul W. Thompson's Set List for June 13th Released!
June 5, 2013
June 5, 2013
Last month, Chicago's St. James Cathedral announced its fourth summer of free concerts, the "Music in the Neighborhood" series. And for the third straight year, BroadwayWorld Chicago's Regional Editor, Paul W. Thompson, author of the weekly column, "The Showtune Mosh Pit," will be performing on the series! This year, Thompson's concert will take place on Thursday, June 13, 2013, at 5:30 pm at 65 E. Huron Street in Chicago's Magnificent Mile neighborhood. His show is called, 'This Is Not Over Yet: Broadway Songs of the Millennial Era (1995-2003)." And today, his set list is being released!
'The Showtune Mosh Pit' for June 5th, 2013
June 5, 2013
June 5, 2013
The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. The Jeff Awards, the Tony Awards (and our BWW Chicago Tony Award Viewing Party!), the return of two special events, 'West Side Story,' upcoming seasons of musicals, and my June 13th cabaret concert, plus more!
BWW Reviews: KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN Burrows Under the Skin in BoHo's New Staging
June 3, 2013
June 3, 2013
I hardly know where to begin with this review of the Bohemian Theatre Ensemble's gutsy, stripped-down and yet somehow epic production of “Kiss of the Spider Woman,” the musical by John Kander, Fred Ebb and Terrence McNally that is running at Theatre Wit through June 30, 2013. There, I guess I just began. I'm a jumble of thoughts and feeling right now. Come to think of it, so are the three principal characters.
Summer Parties? BWW Chicago Has Three Big Events at The Call This Summer! Tony Viewing Party, 6/9
May 29, 2013
May 29, 2013
Paul W. Thompson, Chicago Regional Editor for BroadwayWorld.com, author of the weekly column, 'The Showtune Mosh Pit,' and owner of Paul W. Thompson Music in the Chicago Loop, announces three fun summer events at The Call Bar for 2013. He's hosting one each month!
SUMMER STAGES: Top 10 Picks for Chicago Summer Theatre
June 14, 2013
June 14, 2013
Here's a listing of the top ten places that are really burning it up in theater this summer, in Chicago and the region nearby. Seek them out, and enjoy!
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