'The Showtune Mosh Pit' for November 18th, 2015

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:

Warm weather may be over in a couple of days, but the theater just keeps coming! Showtune theater, to be exact. There is no shortage of singing and dancing on our stages as we head into "the holidays." So, what's got you excited?

Well, the internet almost broke last week when dual announcements came out from the Goodman Theatre. First came word that director Mary Zimmerman's new production of the Bernstein/Comden and Green musical "Wonderful Town" would be postponed from next summer to next fall. Well, ok. A couple of hours later, another announcement came out which seemed to explain why WT is being delayed. Two double-Tony winning musical actresses will be appearing in a world premiere musical by some award-winning writers, and it's about a pair of iconic real-life women. And so, the internet broke. Patti LuPone and Winnetka native Christine Ebersole will be appearing in "War Paint," by Scott Frankel and Michael Korie, book by Doug Wright, directed by Michael Greif. The show is about cosmetics tycoons Helena Rubinstein and Elizabeth Arden, and will play beginning June 28, 2016. Subscribers and groups can get tickets now! You know you want to....

Patti-LuPone-and-Christine-Ebersole-Will-Lead-Premiere-of-WAR-PAINT-at-Chicagos-Goodman-Theatre

As far as holiday entertainment for this year goes, Kokandy Productions is getting us ready with "A Kokandy Christmas," playing December 3-23 at Theater Wit in Lakeview. Michael Potsic directs, Aaron Benham music directs, and they both claim responsibility, er, credit, for the musical arrangements. Emily Grayson, Christina Hall, Garrett Lutz, Jaymes Osbourne and Sasha Smith star. And it promises to be "a hilarious and touching evening." No, really, it does. Wonder what it's all about?

http://www.kokandyproductions.com/kokandy-christmas/

I know of two theatrical productions of "It's A Wonderful Life" as a radio play with songs, and they are both perennial favorites at the theaters producing them. "It's A Wonderful Life" is at the Oil Lamp Theater in Glenview from November 19 (that's tomorrow) through December 20. Martin Hughes and Amanda Meyer play George and Mary, with Joe Page as Mr. Potter and Marshall Kious as Clarence. Marisa Lerman, Stephen Smith and Traci Cidlik round out the cast, and artistic director Keith Gerth directs.

http://oillamptheater.org/calendar/its-a-wonderful-life-a-live-radio-play/

But the better known of these shows is the 14th such annual presentation by American Blues Theater, running at Lincoln Park's Greenhouse Theatre Center from November 20 (that's Friday) through December 27 and directed originally by Marty Higginbotham (now by Gwendolyn Whiteside). Now billed as having an original score by Austin Cook, the music direction is by Michael Mahler. The cast of eight is headed by Mahler as pianist and announcer, with Zach Kenney as George, Amanda Tanguay as Mary, and John Mohrlein as both Mr. Potter and Clarence.

http://americanbluestheater.com/season-30/its-a-wonderful-life/

For less traditional holiday fare, the Greenhouse Theatre Center is also where you can find "Barney The Elf," which previews on December 2nd and runs the 3rd through the 20th. A presentation by The Other Theatre Company, its script is by company member Bryan Renaud. Carin Silkaitis directs, with choreography by Tommy Rivera-Vega. The show stars Yando Lopez and drag star Dixie Lynn Cartwright, leading a cast of 13, and is a satire of "Elf" (the musical now at the Marriott Theatre which is pretty much a satire to begin with). We are promised musical numbers, but I don't find a composer or musical director credited. Hm.

The-Other-Theatre-Company-to-Present-BARNEY-THE-ELF

Also in the satire vein, Stage 773 in Lakeview is the location once again for "It's A Wonderful Santaland Miracle Nut-Cracking Christmas Story...Jews Welcome." Directed by Brian Posen, the interactive revue runs November 19-December 27 (another show starting tomorrow!). Social media tells me that the cast consists of Brad Bosma, Marco Braun, Chrissy Bruzek, Caitlin Cavannaugh, Dylan Guzman, David Kaplinsky, Teresa Leahey, Megan Leahey, Amanda McWorter, Kristen Rau and Mollie Rehner, with musical direction by Jack Short.

http://stage773.com/Show?id=394

For non-holiday entertainment, Porchlight Music Theatre is doing a rare thing for them, reviving a production! It's their Jeff Award and BroadwayWorld Chicago Award-winning staging of the Tony-winning "Fats" Waller tuner, "Ain't Misbehavin'," and it's back at Stage 773 from now through December 20th (a popular closing date this year). With last year's cast and creative team intact, the show really could have run longer last year, and is doing so now. If you missed it, don't miss it.

First-Look-at-Porchlights-AINT-MISBEHAVIN

Looking forward again to December, the Tony and Pulitzer-Prize-winning "Rent" (about to turn 20 years old, and don't YOU feel old?) will be performed for one night only as a commemoration of World AIDS Day, on December 1 at the Athenaeum Theatre. A production by Artists Giving Back, the show will feature Billboard sensation and Chicagoan Steve Grand singing a special version of "Seasons Of Love," the show's breakout hit song. The night's proceeds will benefit the AIDS Foundation Of Chicago.

https://web.ovationtix.com/trs/pr/951387

Northwestern University has announced that in January, its student-led Dolphin Show series will be producing "Gypsy." You can never have enough productions of this legendary title, apparently. Dates: January 22-30, 2016. Location: Evanston's Cahn Auditorium. The cast of 26 will be directed by Aaron Simon Gross. It's "Gypsy!"

Northwestern-Presents-GYPSY

Lastly for this edition of the Mosh Pit, I draw your attention to Broadway, where two show began previews last week, a revival of "The Color Purple" and the world premiere of a new Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, "School Of Rock." That's news enough. But were you aware that Chicagoans are in the casts of both productions? Chicago native and resident Jennifer Hudson (yes, the Oscar-winning one) is making her Broadway debut in "The Color Purple" in the somewhat surprising role of Shug. And Second City Training Center music faculty member Jonathan Wagner is making his Broadway debut in the ensemble of "School Of Rock," and is understudying the lead, Adam Brightman. (Millikin University alumna Sierra Boggess ["Love Never Dies"] is the female lead, FYI.) And how was your week?

Jennifer-Hudson-Talks-Starring-on-Broadway-for-the-First-Time

SCHOOL-OF-ROCK-Finds-Full-Broadway-Cast

And so, there is snow in the forecast. You knew it was going to happen! So, you find some indoor activities to do, like maybe go to the theater! And later, I'll see you under the video screens.....-PWT

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