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!”
'The Showtune Mosh Pit' for September 19th, 2012
September 19, 2012
September 19, 2012
The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Those dueling 'Assassins,' Broadway In Chicago's spring series, 'I Love Lucy' opens, a pre-Broadway tryout poll to take, two events at Northlight, plus Feinstein, Peters, McDonald and more!
'The Showtune Mosh Pit' for September 12th, 2012
September 12, 2012
September 12, 2012
The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'Grease,' 'Godspell,' 'Jesus Christ Superstar,' 'The Rocky Horror Show' and 'Xanadu' bring back the 70s! Plus more, including a big '42nd Street,' two announcements from Light Opera Works, and a weekend with Lonny Price.
“The Last Five Years” for the Next Four Weeks: Invest In It, and It Will Reward You
September 9, 2012
September 9, 2012
This month, a modest production of this powerful but modest show is running on the weekends at Stage 773 in Lakeview, brought to us by a new production company, Another Production Company. The company was founded by Raymond K. Cleveland and Toma Tavares Langston, two men who cut their theatrical teeth in Chicago companies like Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre, and who serve as co-producers and co-directors for "The Last Five Years." And the show is in The Cab, the smallest of 773's performance spaces, running through October 5, 2012.
'The Showtune Mosh Pit' for September 5th, 2012
September 5, 2012
September 5, 2012
The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'A Class Act' and 'Dreamgirls' open, two takes on 'Singin' In The Rain,' 'The Book Of Mormon' and 'Sexy Baby' extend, Bailiwick Chicago's 'Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson,' and more!
POLL Results: The Most Anticipated September Musical in Chicago is?....
September 2, 2012
September 2, 2012
On August 23rd, BroadwayWorld Chicago opened voting on a new poll, entitled, 'What new Chicago area musical production is the one you are most eager to see next month?' And now that it IS next month, we figured we should take a look at the results!
Chaplin Career Launcher Essanay Studios Hosts October 6 Gala Event and Preservation Plan
September 2, 2012
September 2, 2012
Chicago's St. Augustine College has announced that it is hosting a gala evening with a reception, dinner and dancing, on Saturday, October 6, 2012, at which a 'historic structures report/preservation and reuse plan' will be unveiled for its historic Essanay Studios buildings. These two structures, at 1333 and 1345 W. Argyle Street in Chicago, housed an early, influential motion picture studio from 1907-1917, and represent an important part of the history of the film industry in the United States.
BWW Reviews: Marc Robin’s DREAMGIRLS Keeps It Moving at the Marriott
August 31, 2012
August 31, 2012
It's quite an achievement for any theater company to mount a credible "Dreamgirls," frankly, with its casting challenges, costume budget and high energy performance level. But Robin's Marriott "Dreamgirls" succeeds on many levels. It never stops moving, and it frequently moves the audience as well....
'The Showtune Mosh Pit' for August 29th, 2012
August 29, 2012
August 29, 2012
The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. One more Jeff Awards category, new musicals at the Fringe Festival, Broadway Playhouse, Stage 773 and Northwestern, and a cabaret spotlight on Davenport's, Petterino's, 3160 and more!
POLL: What new Chicago area musical production is the one you are most eager to see next month?
August 23, 2012
August 23, 2012
New BroadwayWorld.com Poll - What new Chicago area musical production is the one you are most eager to see next month?
'The Showtune Mosh Pit' for August 22nd, 2012
August 22, 2012
August 22, 2012
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 2012 Equity Jeff Award nominees, 'Xanadu' at Drury Lane, upcoming shows at Porchlight and Theo Ubique, dueling 'Assassins,' a summer theater surprise and more!
'The Showtune Mosh Pit' for August 15th, 2012
August 15, 2012
August 15, 2012
The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Casting news for ChiShakes' 'Sunday,' TATC's '42nd Street' and Paramount's 'Grease,' plus ALW and the eye-popping Marriott season, Chicago's first 'Q,' Super September along Belmont Avenue and much more!
'The Showtune Mosh Pit' for August 8, 2012
August 8, 2012
August 8, 2012
The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to New York. The BIC preview concert in Millennium Park, concerts by Barbra Streisand, Olivia N-J and Levi Kreis, 'Man Of La Mancha,' 'Dreamgirls,' 'A Class Act' and so much more!
'The Showtune Mosh Pit' for August 1, 2012
August 1, 2012
August 1, 2012
The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Cyndi Lauper and 'Kinky Boots' for free, Darren Criss and Team StarKid, 'Little Shop,' lots of 'Legally Blonde,' a 'Rocky Horror' book and much, much more!
'The Showtune Mosh Pit' for July 25th, 2012
July 25, 2012
July 25, 2012
The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'Oklahoma!' at Lyric Opera, 'Assassins,' Lake County shows like 'Sweeney Todd,' summer musical theater camps, summer show extensions, 'Bunheads' and more!
'The Showtune Mosh Pit' for July 18th, 2012
July 18, 2012
July 18, 2012
The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Patti LuPone, composer tributes, new musicals in Chicago and New York, 'Beauty And The Beast' and 'The Jungle Book,' yet another 'Reefer Madness' and more....
Broadway’s Luker, Mazzie, Danieley and McGillin Star in Grant Park’s Frank Loesser Concert, July 13-14
July 13, 2012
July 13, 2012
Among all the summer-time concerts taking place in the Chicago area this month, one concert stands out--free, accessible, chock-full of hit songs and performed by an unmatched quartet of Broadway stars. And it's only in Chicago. "Perfectly Frank: From Broadway to Hollywood" isn't happening anywhere else except the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park, courtesy of the Grant Park Music Festival. It's this weekend, and early arrival is recommended.
'The Showtune Mosh Pit' for July 11th, 2012
July 11, 2012
July 11, 2012
The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Divas on parade: Menzel, Cook, Hudson, Luker and Mazzie, plus the new year's offerings from Broadway In Chicago and local productions of 'Fame,' 'Little Shop' and more!....
Broadway’s Luker, Mazzie, Danieley and McGillin to Star in Grant Park’s Frank Loesser Concert, July 13-14
July 9, 2012
July 9, 2012
Among all the summer-time concerts taking place in the Chicago area this month, one concert stands out--free, accessible, chock-full of hit songs and performed by an unmatched quartet of Broadway stars. And it's only in Chicago. "Perfectly Frank: From Broadway to Hollywood" isn't happening anywhere else except the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park, courtesy of the Grant Park Music Festival. It's this weekend, and early arrival is recommended.
'The Showtune Mosh Pit' for July 4th, 2012
July 4, 2012
July 4, 2012
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 for the first half of 2012! Is your favorite production on the list?
HERO: A World-Premiere Comic Book Musical That’s Ready For Its Grown-Ups
July 1, 2012
July 1, 2012
Opening this past Wednesday, the latest new work at the Marriott Theatre is "Hero," conceived and written by Aaron Thielen (the theater's Lead Artistic Director) and based somewhat on his childhood in Milwaukee and the neighborhood he grew up in. The show has music and lyrics by Michael Mahler, an actor, musical director, guitarist and keyboardist about town, who has written seven previous musicals and makes quite a mark with this one. The pair has been working on and workshopping the show since early 2009, and the work has paid off. It's a funny, engaging, likeable, tuneful and moving mid-sized musical.
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