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Paul W. Thompson - Page 24

Paul W. Thompson 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!”

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An Astounding 'Miss Saigon' for Drury Lane Oakbrook

January 12, 2009

A helicopter very nearly lands on stage every night at the astounding, frequently breathtaking production of 'Miss Saigon' now on view at the Drury Lane theater in Chicago?s western suburb of Oakbrook Terrace.

Petersen/Morton 'Dublin Carol:' Sadness and a Wish for Hope

November 18, 2008

The very first snowflakes of Chicago?s coming winter season started to fall on me this past Sunday afternoon, as I made my way out of Steppenwolf Theatre Company?s Near North Side complex and a press performance in the Upstairs Theatre of Conor McPherson?s ?Dublin Carol.

John Herrera Anchors the Engaging, Tricky 'Medium at Large'

October 22, 2008

After extensive development in New York at the York Theatre and the Vineyard Theatre, the world premiere of the musical 'The Medium at Large' took place Sunday afternoon, October 19, 2008, at the Village Players Performing Arts Center in Oak Park, Illinois, just over Chicago's western border.

Tommy Tune's 'Turn:' It's Good and Could Be Great!

October 3, 2008

Where to begin? I have so many things to say about the world premiere production of the musical 'Turn of the Century' at Chicago's Goodman Theatre, a show with more than a dash of incisive sophistication, that I hardly know how to start this review.

'The Producers:' Old-School Hilarity Recreated Live!

September 22, 2008

There is a big, steaming bowl of borscht on display in northwest Indiana, where Theatre at the Center's production of the 2000-2001 hit stage musical 'The Producers' is playing now through October 19th.

Porchlight's 'Candide' a Delightful, Tuneful Romp

September 17, 2008

For the zippiest and most whimsical performance on the boards in Chicago this fall, look no further that the under-two-hours, no intermission production of the legendary 'Candide,' produced by Porchlight Music Theatre at Lakeview's Theatre Building Chicago.

'Love/Middle Ages' Premiere: Writers Proud, Audiences Agree

August 24, 2008

In development since 2003, and with three showcase productions in its hip pocket, the original musical 'Love in the Middle Ages' had its fully-staged world premiere Friday night, August 22, 2008, much to the pride and delight of the opening crowd of well-wishers at the suburban Oak Park Village Play

Marriott's 'Monty' a Musical Theater Summit!

July 25, 2008

The eight-year-old musical 'The Full Monty' is receiving what is surely one of its very best productions to date, now through September 21st at the Marriott Theatre in the far north Chicago suburb of Lincolnshire, Illinois.




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