'The Showtune Mosh Pit' for June 9th, 2010

THE LATEST IN UNAUTHORIZED GOSSIP AND BUZZ

FROM THE HEART OF CHICAGO'S SHOWTUNE VIDEO BARS,

AND MUSICAL THEATER NEWS FROM CHICAGO TO BROADWAY

by Paul W. Thompson

Overheard last weekend under the showtune

video screens at Sidetrack and the Call: 

Congratulations to all the recipients of the Non-Equity Jeff Awards, handed out Monday night, June 7, 2010, at the Park West in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood! And special kudos to those affiliated with the recent production of "Chess" at Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre (in association with Michael James, owner of the troupe's home, Rogers Park's No Exit Café). "Chess" walked off with seven Jeffs, a very impressive and somewhat surprising near-sweep of the musical awards. And no other musical production won more than one award. The voters were clearly of one mind this year!

Besides the Production--Musical award, "Chess" also won awards for Fred Anzevino and Brenda Didier (Director, and his third straight award in this category), Didier again (Choreography), Courtney Crouse (Actor in a Principal Role, for his Freddie, the American), Maggie Portman (Actress in a Principal Role, for Florence, her second Jeff in a row for work with TUCT), John B. Leen (Actor in a Supporting Role, for his Molokov), and Ryan Brewster (for his Music Direction). 

Other awards received by musical productions were given to Kate Garassino for the revue "Bombs Away!" at Bailwick Repertory Theatre (Actress in a Supporting Role), Theresa Ham for her Costume Design for "The Glorious Ones" at Bohemian Theatre Ensemble, and James T. Scott, whose puppets won him an Artistic Specialization award for Quest Theatre Ensemble's "Evolution/Creation." And last, but not least, Circle Theatre, a big producer of musicals, was given a Special Award marking its 25th anniversary, certainly a major milestone for any performing arts organization. 

Note that many of the winners, nominees and presenters ended up at Sidetrack on Monday night after the awards show wrapped up (no surprise there), and a grand time was had by all. The Equity wing of the Jeff Awards will present its awards in October, at the Drury Lane Theatre in Oakbrook Terrace. Wonder who will make it to Sidetrack from there??? 

Jeff Awards recipients HERE 

Oh, yes, and apparently there is another theater awards show going on further east of here, next Sunday night. The Tony Awards are upon us! And I have absolutely no idea what's going to happen. The predictors and prognosticators don't seem to have much of a consensus about the winners of the musical categories, and so, unlike in other years, I will be watching the webcasting and the CBS broadcast with surprise in my eyes and wonder in my heart. My feet, of course, will be dancing. 

What about you? Do you have any sure-fire Tony predictions? "Fela?" (Because it has the most nominations.) "Memphis?" (Because it is the most traditional new musical.) "American Idiot?" (Because it plays the best for new audiences?) "Million Dollar Quartet?" (Because it is the hometown Chicago sentimental favorite?) And those revivals--"La Cage Aux Folles" leads the pack, but is by no means a sure thing. One thing is sure--we will see clips from the broadcast for many years to come, in our very own Showtune Mosh Pit! Starting next Monday night. The Tonys themselves are Sunday, June 13th, with webcasting beginning at 5:00 Central Time, and the CBS-TV broadcast airing here at 7:00. Where's that afterparty?? 

TonyAwards.com - The American Theatre Wing's Tony Awards 

In new local productions, there is a grab-bag of musical theater in the works right now. The aforementioned Drury Lane Theatre has the musical "Sugar" running now (through August 1st), opening this week after a week of previews. Directed by Jim Corti, this show isn't one of Jule Styne's best, but it's a funny script and a show-bizzy score. Will the Drury Lane continue have another hit on its hands? We'll find out shortly! 

Drury Lane Oakbrook - Now Playing 

The Richard Maltby, Jr., and David Shire musical "Baby" is opening this weekend at Theatre Building Chicago, courtesy of the Actors Theatre Company. The run is three weekends only (June 10 through 27) and features Rick Rapp and Katherine Condit-Ladd as the older couple, Jason Jackson and Christine Pfenninger as the middle one and Patrick Tierney and Hannah Sielatycki as the young couple (I can never remember all the characters' names). Marlon Barden directs, and Jack Cameron musical directs. The big suspense: is the song "Patterns" in or out?

Actors Theatre Company 

As "The Drowsy Chaperone" winds down up in Lincolnshire, the Marriott Theatre is readying its summertime production of "Once On This Island," from the "Ragtime" and "The Glorious Ones" team of Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty. It opens June 30th. Chaston Harmon (from the Broadway revival cast of "Hair") will star as the poor peasant girl Ti Moune, with Brandon Koller as the upper class boy of her dreams, Daniel (bravo for him). Michael James Leslie, Jesse Means and Melody Betts are also featured in the cast, directed and choreographed by David H. Bell. 

Marriott Theatre In Lincolnshire 

And speaking of "Hair," it was confirmed this week that the current Broadway revival, the winner of last year's Best Revival Tony Award, will be coming to Chicago for two weeks next March. There's no cast announced, and there's no tickets for sale, or theater named. But we have a commitment!!! This is major news. Now, if we can just get "Next To Normal" in here. The latest speculation is for next April, probably for two weeks also. Just get it done! Just get it done! 

HAIR 2011 - Broadway in Chicago 

And, last but not least, it's not a musical, but it's a sure harbinger of summer in these here parts. The "Free Night of Comedy" is back at the ComedySportz Theatre on Belmont Avenue, starting tonight and running through September 1st. Running from 7:00 pm to 11:00, we especially like the 9:00 pm "Battle-Prov" and the 10:00 pm "Improv Open Mike," in which, ahem, certain musical comedy actors get in on the improv action and live to tell about it. And, hey, if you don't like it, it's free........ 

Free Night of Comedy 

So, as the awards season reaches its conclusion, and as summer travel and entertainment plans are upon us, I know you will make some time to hang out at your favorite showtune watering hole. And there, I'll see you under the video screens.....Take care!--PWT

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