Michael Metcalf

THE PRODUCERS to Close BrightSide Theatre's 14th Season
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 27, 2026

BrightSide Theatre announced the cast and production team for THE PRODUCERS, the 12-time Tony Award-winning Mel Brooks musical, closing the company's 14th season in Naperville.

Photos: First Look at Music Theater Works’ ANNIE
by Nicole Rosky - Dec 19, 2025

Music Theater Works’ Annie, in the George Van Dusen Theatre, at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie, 9501 Skokie Blvd, Skokie, is now playing through January 4, 2026. Annie, with music by Charles Strouse, lyrics by Martin Charnin, and book by Thomas Meehan, is directed by Producing Artistic Director Kyle Dougan-LeBlanc, choreographed by Mollyanne Nunn and music directed by Michael McBride. Check out photos here.

Music Theater Works Reveals Cast And Creative Team For ANNIE At North Shore Center
by A.A. Cristi - Nov 3, 2025

Music Theater Works will close its 2025 season with a new production of Annie, running December 18, 2025 through January 4, 2026, at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts.

Video: First Look at The Marriott Theatre's TITANIC
by Joshua Wright - Apr 22, 2025

Marriott Theatre continues its 50th Anniversary Season celebration with the epic production of Titanic The Musical, directed and choreographed by Connor Gallagher with Musical Direction by Jeff Award winner Ryan T. Nelson. Watch extended clips from the production.

Video: TITANIC THE MUSICAL At Marriott Theatre
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 15, 2025

Marriott Theatre continues its 50th Anniversary Season celebration with the epic production of Titanic The Musical, directed and choreographed by Connor Gallagher with Musical Direction by Jeff Award winner Ryan T. Nelson. Check out video highlights from the production below!

TITANIC THE MUSICAL Continues Marriott Theatre's 50th Anniversary Season
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 18, 2025

Marriott Theatre, continues its 50th Anniversary Season celebration with the epic production of Titanic The Musical, directed and choreographed by Connor Gallagher (Marriott Theatre debut! Broadway: Beetlejuice; Off-Broadway: The Big Gay Jamboree, The Robber Bridegroom, Into the Woods; Beauty and The Beast, Disney’s Tale of Moana, Tangled) with Musical Direction by Jeff Award winner Ryan T. Nelson.

Photos: MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET: THE MUSICAL At Circa '21 Dinner Playhouse
by A.A. Cristi - Nov 7, 2024

Circa '21 Dinner Playhouse is presenting the long-awaited return of a seasonal favorite in MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET: THE MUSICAL. See photos from the production.

Steppenwolf, Goodman Theatre, and More Take Home Equity Jeff Awards
by Stephi Wild - Oct 1, 2024

The winners have been announced for the 2024 Joseph Jefferson Equity Awards, more commonly known as the Equity Jeff Awards. These awards are given for theatre arts produced in the Chicago area.

AVENUE Q Comes to Raue Center For The Arts
by Stephi Wild - Aug 19, 2024

Sesame Street meets South Park in the Tony Award Best Musical of the Year, smash-hit, “Avenue Q,” September 13 to October 20, 2024, at Raue Center For The Arts in Crystal Lake, IL.

56th Jeff Awards Nominations Revealed
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Aug 6, 2024

The Jeff Awards revealed nominations for their 56th anniversary, celebrating excellence in Chicago's Equity theaters. Learn more!

JERSEY BOYS Begins Its Final Weeks At Mercury Theater Chicago
by A.A. Cristi - Jul 3, 2024

Catch the final weeks of JERSEY BOYS at Mercury Theater Chicago.

JERSEY BOYS Welcomes David Sajewich and Amanda Hanedgan to the Cast
by Blair Ingenthron - May 19, 2024

Mercury Theater will welcome new cast members to the critically-acclaimed, first built-in Chicago Production of Jersey Boys, the Tony Award-winning story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons.

JERSEY BOYS Extends Run at Mercury Theater Through Late July
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 2, 2024

Mercury Theater has revealed additional dates for the first built-in Chicago Production of Jersey Boys. Learn how to purchase tickets.

Review: JERSEY BOYS at Mercury Theater Chicago
by Rachel Weinberg - Mar 29, 2024

Mercury Theater Chicago has staged a “homegrown” production of JERSEY BOYS full of Chicago heart. The bio jukebox musical has graced Chicago tour stages over the years (in fact, I had a chuckle looking back at the review of the first national tour I wrote for my high school newspaper), but this is the first staging to showcase Chicago talent — and it definitely accomplishes that goal.

Brightside Theatre To Perform CHESS IN CONCERT February 9-18
by A.A. Cristi - Jan 23, 2024

Artistic Director Jeffrey Cass and Executive Director Julie Ann Kornak are excited to continue BrightSide Theatre's SEASON 12 – The Season of Passion – with the masterful musical CHESS IN CONCERT.

Review: Not Just a Kids' Show: SHREK THE MUSICAL Full of Inspiration and Whimsy at Music Theater Works
by Kathleen Anwar - Dec 26, 2023

What did our critic think of SHREK THE MUSICAL at Music Theater Works?

Photos: Music Theater Works SHREK: THE MUSICAL Now Playing Through December 31
by A.A. Cristi - Dec 22, 2023

Music Theater Works’ final production of its 2023 season, Shrek: The Musical, in the Center Theatre at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts In Skokie, 9501 Skokie Blvd, Skokie, is now playing through December 31. Shrek: The Musical is directed by Johanna McKenzie Miller, choreographed by Laura Savage and music directed by Linda Madonia.

BrightSide Theatre Presents CHESS In Concert
by A.A. Cristi - Dec 19, 2023

BrightSide Theatre presents Chess in Concert, a professional theatre performance in Naperville's Historic Downtown District. Don't miss this captivating production of Chess in Concert.

Cast and Creative Team Set for for the 'Built in Chicago' Premiere of JERSEY BOYS at Mercury Theater
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Dec 15, 2023

Mercury Theater has revealed the cast and creative team for the first built-in-Chicago production of Jersey Boys, the Tony Award winning story of Frankie Vallie and The Four Seasons.

Music Theater Works Announces Cast And Creative Team For SHREK: THE MUSICAL, December 21 - 31
by A.A. Cristi - Nov 8, 2023

Music Theater Works, currently presenting Lerner & Loewe’s Brigadoon through November 12,is proud to announce the cast and creative team for the final production of its 2023 season, Shrek: The Musical, in the Center Theatre at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts In Skokie, 9501 Skokie Blvd, Skokie, December 21 – December 31.