Mark Swanson

Synchronicity Theatre has announced their appointment of the new staff and board. Dynamic arts administrator & educator Dawn Eskridge joins Synchronicity Theatre as the Donor & Patron Services Manager, while Taryn Carmona remains with the organization in a new, expanded position.

The award-winning musical, A SCYTHE OF TIME, was the darling of the New York Musical Festival in 2016 and will get a concert presentation starring original cast Lesli Margherita (Broadway: Matilda. West End: Zoro, Olivier Award) and PJ Griffith (Sleep No More, American Idiot) on Thursday, October 26 at 9:30pm at 54 Below (254 W 54 Street).

Stage Rights announced this week that A Scythe of Time is the recipient of the 2016 Stage Rights/NYMF Publishing Award. Stage Rights presented the award to book writer Alan Harris and composer/lyricist Mark Swanson at Sunday night's star-studded gala. Stage Rights and The New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF) created the publishing award in 2013, and it is presented annually to one or more of the musicals taking part in the festival. Performance rights for A Scythe of Time will be available through Stage Rights in 2017.

Kokandy Productions is pleased to celebrate its fifth anniversary with an expanded season featuring four fully produced musicals, including two Chicago premieres and two guest directors. The 2017/18 Season will also include numerous readings and workshops - adding fresh voices to Kokandy's "New Works Initiative" and emphasizing the company's commitment to becoming an increasingly relevant part of Chicagoland's musical theater and new work development communities. The new season also marks Kokandy's transition to a not-for-profit organization.