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John B Leen

BIO

I have a number of stage, screen, small screen, and voiceover credits. These resumes are available upon request. Below is a bit of basic information on me.
Equity Membership Candidate

Height: 6’0” Weight: 160 lbs Hair: Light Brown Eyes: Blue

TRAINING:
Improv for Actors 2 with Michael Gellman – The Second City Training Center
Improv for Actors with Jack Bronis – The Acting Studio
Monologue with Kurt Naebig – The Acting Studio
First Folio Monologue with Susan Hart – Chicago Shakespeare Theatre
B.A. in Vocal Performance and Mixed Media Communications (double major) – Clarke University

SPECIAL SKILLS:
Bass/Baritone singing voice, range low C to g above middle c; sight singing; baseball and basketball skills; Russian, Irish ,Scottish, English, Southern (drawl and twang), Minnesota, and Chicago dialects; German, Italian and Spanish pronunciation; basic tap dancing; darts; basic piano and guitar; fire eating.

News


Photo Flash: Inside The 5th Annual CHICAGO MUSICAL THEATRE FESTIVAL
by Julie Musbach - Feb 5, 2019

Underscore Theatre Company is pleased to present its 5th annual CHICAGO MUSICAL THEATRE FESTIVAL, created to showcase and support the growing field of musical theatre creators from Chicago and beyond.
Theo Ubique's SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET Extends By Three Weeks
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 2, 2018

Theo Ubique's SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET, originally scheduled to close on April 29, has been extended and will now run through Sunday, May 20. The production earned rave reviews and has been playing to sold-out audiences since its opening on March 12. Philip Torre, Jacquelyne Jones and most of the original cast will remain with the production for the extension. Performance schedules remain unchanged, with the musical playing Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30 pm and Sundays at 7 pm.  Tickets for the additional weeks are now on sale at www.theo-u.com.
Review: Theo Ubique's Chillingly Exciting SWEENEY TODD
by Misha Davenport - Mar 19, 2018

Review: Theo Ubique's Chillingly Exciting SWEENEY TODD
Theo Ubique's SWEENEY TODD Opens 3/2 at No Exit Café
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 14, 2018

Philip Torre, a baritone who has appeared on the stages of Lyric Opera of Chicago, New York City Opera, Boston Lyric Opera and others, will perform the title role of Stephen Sondheim's SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET. The production's Mrs. Lovett will be Jacquelyne Jones, who just completed a run in Firebrand Theatre's acclaimed production of LIZZIE and appeared in Theo Ubique's HONKY TONK ANGELS as well as Kokandy Productions' HEATHERS last season.
Cast Announced For Theo Ubique's SWEENEY TODD, Opening 3/12
by A.A. Cristi - Jan 19, 2018

Philip Torre, a baritone who has appeared on the stages of Lyric Opera of Chicago, New York City Opera, Boston Lyric Opera and others, has been cast in the title role of Stephen Sondheim's SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET. The production's Mrs. Lovett will be Jacquelyne Jones, who just completed a run in Firebrand Theatre's acclaimed production of LIZZIE, and appeared in Theo Ubique's HONKY TONK ANGELS as well as Kokandy Productions' HEATHERS last season. Theo Ubique Artistic Director Fred Anzevino, who will direct the production, announced the full cast today.
Photo Flash: Inside Opening Night of Porchlight's CHESS
by Tyler Peterson - May 5, 2016

Porchlight Music Theatre and Artistic Director Michael Weber are proud to announce the final production in the third smash season of Chicago's 'lost' musicals in staged concert series, Porchlight Revisits Chess, music by Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus, lyrics by Tim Rice and Bjorn Ulvaeus and book by Tim Rice, with direction by Porchlight Artistic Director Michael Weber, choreography by Porchlight Artistic Associate Brenda Didier and music direction by Jimmy Morehead. Porchlight Revisits Chess is presented for three-nights-only Tuesday, May 3 through Thursday, May 5 at 7:15 p.m. and is performed on the set of Porchlight's Dreamgirls (previews begin April 8) on nights when there are no performances at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. Tickets for Chess are $30 in advance and $35 at the door the night of the performance. All tickets include access to the popular pre-performance event, Behind the Show Backstory, a multi-media presentation, created and hosted by Weber, that discusses that evening's production including the show's creative history, juicy backstage gossip and more. Single tickets to Chess are available at porchlightmusictheatre.org or by calling the Stage 773 box office, 773.327.5252.
BWW Review: Porchlight Finds New Moves to Invigorate CHESS
by Misha Davenport - May 4, 2016

CHESS, Porchlight Musical Theatre's final staged reading in the third season of its 'lost' musicals-as- staged-concert series manages to present the show's glorious, pop opera score in all its glory and nearly succeeds in covering up the fault lines that run through the book.
Photo Flash: First Look at Porchlight Revisits CHESS, Opening Tonight
by BWW News Desk - May 3, 2016

Porchlight Music Theatre and Artistic Director Michael Weber present the final production in the third smash season of Chicago's 'lost' musicals in staged concert series, PORCHLIGHT REVISITS CHESS, music by Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus, lyrics by Tim Rice and Bjorn Ulvaeus and book by Tim Rice, with direction by Porchlight Artistic Director Michael Weber, choreography by Porchlight Artistic Associate Brenda Didier and music direction by Jimmy Morehead. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast onstage below!
Porchlight Music Theatre to Revisit CHESS as Part of Ongoing Series, 5/3-5
by Tyler Peterson - Apr 12, 2016

Porchlight Music Theatre and Artistic Director Michael Weber are proud to announce the final production in the third smash season of Chicago's "lost" musicals in staged concert series, Porchlight Revisits Chess, music by Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus, lyrics by Tim Rice and Bjorn Ulvaeus and book by Tim Rice, with direction by Porchlight Artistic Director Michael Weber, choreography by Porchlight Artistic Associate Brenda Didier and music direction by Jimmy Morehead. Porchlight Revisits Chess is presented for three-nights-only Tuesday, May 3 through Thursday, May 5 at 7:15 p.m. and is performed on the set of Porchlight's Dreamgirls (previews begin April 8) on nights when there are no performances at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. Tickets for Chess are $30 in advance and $35 at the door the night of the performance. All tickets include access to the popular pre-performance event, Behind the Show Backstory, a multi-media presentation, created and hosted by Weber, that discusses that evening's production including the show's creative history, juicy backstage gossip and more. Single tickets to Chess are available at porchlightmusictheatre.org or by calling the Stage 773 box office, 773.327.5252.  The 2016 - 2017 season subscriptions to Porchlight Revisits includes The Rink (October 4 - 6), Little Me (February 28 - March 2, 2017) and On a Clear Day You Can See Forever (May 9 - 11, 2017) are also available at porchlightmusictheatre.org. 
Porchlight Revisits Staged Concert Series to Close with CHESS
by Tyler Peterson - Mar 30, 2016

Porchlight Music Theatre and Artistic Director Michael Weber are proud to announce the final production in the third smash season of Chicago's "lost" musicals in staged concert series, Porchlight Revisits Chess, music by Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus, lyrics by Tim Rice and Bjorn Ulvaeus and book by Tim Rice, with direction by Porchlight Artistic Director Michael Weber, choreography by Porchlight Artistic Associate Brenda Didier and music direction by Jimmy Morehead. Porchlight Revisits Chess is presented for three-nights-only Tuesday, May 3 through Thursday, May 5 at 7:15 p.m. and is performed on the set of Porchlight's Dreamgirls (previews begin April 8) on nights when there are no performances at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. Tickets for Chess are $30 in advance and $35 at the door the night of the performance. All tickets include access to the popular pre-performance event, Behind the Show Backstory, a multi-media presentation, created and hosted by Weber, that discusses that evening's production including the show's creative history, juicy backstage gossip and more. Single tickets to Chess are available at porchlightmusictheatre.org or by calling the Stage 773 box office, 773.327.5252. 
'The Showtune Mosh Pit' for September 14th, 2011
by Paul W. Thompson - Sep 14, 2011

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 Book Of Mormon' heads for a Chicago sit-down, two big season announcements, my top five fall productions, a Sondheim rarity, a new work for Mary's Attic and more...
Voting Deadline Approaches For The BroadwayWorld Chicago Awards (And Don’t Forget That Party)!
by Paul W. Thompson - Dec 11, 2010

The deadline is almost here! Monday, December 20, 2010, is the final date you can cast your vote for the first ever Theatre Fans' Choice Awards from BroadwayWorld Chicago. We're honoring productions which opened between September 1, 2009 and August 31, 2010 with awards in 25 categories, all voted on by you!
Voting Opens for 2010 Broadway World Chicago Awards!
by Robert Diamond - Nov 1, 2010

BroadwayWorld, the biggest theater site on the web, today announces nominations for the Chicago Theatre Fans' Choice Awards! The 121 nominees in the 25 categories are all listed below, representing 57 different theater productions in the Chicago area which opened between September 1, 2009 and August 31, 2010. These productions were mounted by 33 separate theaters or companies.
'The Showtune Mosh Pit' for August 10, 2010
by Paul W. Thompson - Aug 10, 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. Happy Anniversary To 'The Showtune Mosh Pit,' 'Annie Get Your Gun,' 'Godspell,' 'La Tragedie de Carmen,' A Hate Crime and more....
BWW Blogs: 'The Showtune Mosh Pit' for July 7th, 2010
by Paul W. Thompson - Jul 7, 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. The Mosh Pit 'Top Ten Hot Topics' for the first six months of 2010!
'The Showtune Mosh Pit' for June 9th, 2010
by Paul W. Thompson - Jun 9, 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. Jeff Awards, Tony Awards, 'Sugar,' 'Baby,' 'Once On This Island,' more....
Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre's CHESS Wins Multiple Jeff Awards
by Gabrielle Sierra - Jun 8, 2010

Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre in association with Michael James swept the Jeff Awards Non-Equity last night with its spring production of Chess. It led in all categories as a multiple recipient with its 7 awards for Chess-the most for any theatre company, the most for a single production and the only individual to receive two awards.
Non-Equity Jeff Awards Nominations Announced
by Charlie Piane - May 13, 2010

The Jeff Awards have announced 105 nominations in 24 categories for Non-Equity Jeff Awards, which honor excellence in Chicago theatres not under a union contract, for productions that opened between April 1, 2009, and March 31, 2010. The Jeff Awards judged the opening nights of 116 productions offered by 55 non-Equity producing organizations and recommended 51 shows for further judging, making those 51 eligible for Non-Equity Jeff Award nominations in all categories.
CHESS and THE GLORIOUS ONES Lead in Non-Equity Jeff Award Nominations
by Lauren Wolman - May 6, 2010

The Jeff Awards today announced 105 nominations in 24 categories for Non-Equity Jeff Awards, which honor excellence in Chicago theatres not under a union contract, for productions that opened between April 1, 2009, and March 31, 2010. The Jeff Awards judged the opening nights of 116 productions offered by 55 non-Equity producing organizations and recommended 51 shows for further judging, making those 51 eligible for Non-Equity Jeff Award nominations in all categories.
Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre Scores 11 Jeff Noms
by Gabrielle Sierra - May 6, 2010

Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre in association with Michael James is among the three Rogers Park theatre companies leading with the most Jeff Awards Non-Equity nominations, garnering a total of 11 nominations with 8 of these for its just-closed production of Chess. All three productions produced during the 2009-2010 season received nominations.

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