Amanda Roeder

The Factory Theater opens its 27th season with Oh Sh#t! It's Haunted! September 27 a?" November 9, written by Factory Theater Ensemble Member Scott OKen and directed by Factory Theater Co-Artistic Director Manny Tamayo at the Factory Theater, 1623 W. Howard St.

Lifeline Theatre's KidSeries presents Lester's Dreadful Sweaters, a world premiere musical adaptation with script by Lifeline Theatre ensemble member Aly Renee Amidei; lyrics by Aly Renee Amidei, Julie Tallarida and Scott Tallarida; music by Scott Tallarida; and directed by Lifeline Theatre ensemble member Heather Currie, based on the book by K.G. Campbell. One terrible morning, Cousin Clara presents young Lester with the gift of a hand-knit sweater... and it is DREADFUL: shriveled yet saggy and smothered with pom-poms. Lester (who likes things just so) is mortified to wear it, but his parents insist and the kids at school tease him relentlessly. When he ruins the sweater 'by accident,' Clara just makes others, each more ghastly than the last. To restore his neatly ordered life and save face on the playground, Lester must find a way to stop the endless parade of horrifying sweaters once and for all. Enter a fashion nightmare and embrace your inner clown in this world premiere musical based on the charming 2012 book by K.G. Campbell. This production is recommended for children ages five and up (children under two not permitted), and runs approximately one hour with no intermission.

Lifeline Theatre's KidSeries presents Lester's Dreadful Sweaters, a world premiere musical adaptation with script by Lifeline Theatre ensemble member Aly Renee Amidei; lyrics by Aly Renee Amidei, Julie Tallarida and Scott Tallarida; music by Scott Tallarida; and directed by Lifeline Theatre ensemble member Heather Currie, based on the book by K.G. Campbell. One terrible morning, Cousin Clara presents young Lester with the gift of a hand-knit sweater… and it is DREADFUL: shriveled yet saggy and smothered with pom-poms. Lester (who likes things just so) is mortified to wear it, but his parents insist and the kids at school tease him relentlessly.

To accommodate ticket demand, Lifeline Theatre announces eight added performances of its KidSeries production of Mr. Popper's Penguins, a world premiere musical adaptation by Lifeline Theatre ensemble member Robert Kauzlaric, with music and lyrics by George Howe, and directed by Lifeline Theatre ensemble member Paul S. Holmquist, based on the novel by Richard and Florence Atwater. Money is tight and times are tough in the town of Stillwater. With no houses to paint till spring, Mr. Popper is stuck at home daydreaming of adventures in far-off lands, while Mrs. Popper must scrimp and save just to put beans on the table. But with the unexpected arrival of a spirited penguin named Captain Cook, a new horizon opens before them. As a quiet partnership expands into a boisterous flock, the Poppers learn that there's no problem that can't be solved with steady determination, lots of love, and a dash of unconventionality. This production is recommended for children ages five and up (children under two not permitted), and runs one hour with no intermission.

Lifeline Theatre's KidSeries presents Mr. Popper's Penguins, a world premiere musical adaptation with script by Lifeline Theatre ensemble member Robert Kauzlaric (Non-Equity Jeff Awards: New Adaptation, The Island of Dr. Moreau and Neverwhere), music and lyrics by George Howe (Non-Equity Jeff Award: New Work-Musical, Queen Lucia), and directed by Lifeline Theatre ensemble member Paul S. Holmquist (Non-Equity Jeff Award: Best Production-Play, The Island of Dr. Moreau; Non-Equity Jeff nomination: Director-Musical, The Robber Bridegroom, Griffin Theatre), based on the novel by Richard and Florence Atwater. This production is recommended for children ages five and up (children under two not permitted), and runs approximately one hour with no intermission.

Factory Theater presents Hey! Dancin'! Hey! Musical!, written by Kirk Pynchon and Mike Beyer*, with music/lyrics by Laura McKenzie* (with additional lyrics by Kirk Pynchon). Directed by Matthew Gunnels and choreographed by Brigitte Ditmars, the show opens Today, April 25 8pm and continues through May 31, 2014.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Hold onto your hats! Shows beginning in late April include 'Avenue Q,' 'Ragtime,' 'Juno,' 'Hey! Dancin'! Hey! Musical!,' 'How To Succeed...,' 'Hair,' 'The Sound Of Music,' 'Motown' and 'The Wizard Of Oz!' AMAZING! Plus news from The Second City, the Goodman, that JCS arena tour, a 2015 'Little Shop' and the return of the Mormons! Whew!

Factory Theater presents Hey! Dancin'! Hey! Musical!, written by Kirk Pynchon and Mike Beyer*, with music/lyrics by Laura McKenzie* (with additional lyrics by Kirk Pynchon). Directed by Matthew Gunnels and choreographed by Brigitte Ditmars, the show opens Friday, April 25 8pm and continues through May 31, 2014.

To accommodate ticket demand, Lifeline Theatre announces eight added performances of its KidSeries production of The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs!, a family musical based on the popular children's book by Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith, with script and lyrics by Lifeline Theatre ensemble member Robert Kauzlaric (two-time Non-Equity Jeff Award-winning adaptor), music by Paul Gilvary and William Rush, and directed by Lifeline Theatre ensemble member Amanda Link. Scroll down for photos from the production!

There are two sides to every story and the long-suppressed account of the Big, Bad Wolf is finally brought to light in Piggsylvania's Trial of the Century. Can a lone wolf get a fair trial in a corrupt piggy court? And will anyone believe that all the 'huffing and puffing' nonsense was just a cover-up for a simple story about a sneeze and a cup of sugar?

Lifeline Theatre's KidSeries presents The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs!, a family musical based on the popular children's book by Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith, with script and lyrics by Lifeline Theatre ensemble member Robert Kauzlaric (two-time Non-Equity Jeff Award-winning adaptor), music by Paul Gilvary and William Rush, and directed by Lifeline Theatre ensemble member Amanda Link. Since its inception at Lifeline Theatre in 2007, The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs! has been produced all over the country, by companies such as Children's Theatre of Charlotte, Oregon Children's Theatre, Dallas Children's Theatre, and Atlantic Theater Company (whose production the New York Times called "One of the best children's shows of the year. Case closed."). After being seen in 36 states across the U.S. the past seven years, this production marks the first time the show returns to the Chicago area since its premiere.

Hartford Stage's Summer Studio Youth Ensemble presents The Summer of Seuss featuring productions of Seussical the Musical, Jr. at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. today, August 3.

Hartford Stage's Summer Studio Youth Ensemble presents The Summer of Seuss featuring productions of Seussical the Musical, Jr. at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on August 3, and The Seussification of A Midsummer Night's Dream at 7 p.m. on August 1 and August 2.

To accommodate extraordinary ticket demand, Lifeline Theatre will add four additional performances to the run of its family musical, The Emperor's New Threads: A Fashion Statement, based on the folktale The Emperor's New Clothes by Hans Christian Andersen. The additional performances are Saturday, May 4, and Sunday, May 5, at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

'You're gonna need a bigger boat." Stay out of the water as Erin Lane, Keenan Camp, Logan Dean and Chris Gorton present ALL THAT JAWS. The production is a re-interpretation of one of the most infamous movies of all time. Performances are every Friday night from tonight, October 19 - December 7 at 10:30 PM at Theatre Wit (1229 W. Belmont).

Erin Lane, Keenan Camp, Logan Dean and Chris Gorton present ALL THAT JAWS. The production is a re-interpretation of one of the most infamous movies of all time. Performances are every Friday night October 19 - December 7 at 10:30 PM at Theatre Wit (1229 W. Belmont). Theatre Wit is accessible via the CTA Red Line (Belmont Stop), #77 Belmont bus and #22 Clark bus. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the production below.

'You're gonna need a bigger boat." Stay out of the water as Erin Lane, Keenan Camp, Logan Dean and Chris Gorton present ALL THAT JAWS. The production is a re-interpretation of one of the most infamous movies of all time. Performances are every Friday night October 19 - December 7 at 10:30 PM at Theatre Wit (1229 W. Belmont).

Inspired by the Woody Allen joke, "If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans", Sean Grennan's newest work, MAKING GOD LAUGH, made its Chicago Premiere at Theatre at the Center. Produced in association with First Folio Theatre, this heartwarming comedy runs through June 10 at 1040 Ridge Road, Munster, Indiana. Directed by William Pullinsi, MAKING GOD LAUGH stars Chicago favorites Peggy Roeder, Craig Spidle, Kevin McKillip, Joe Foust and Erin Noel Grennan.