Patrick Blashill

Review: THE MUSIC MAN at NIACC Performing Arts
by Jared Fessler - Mar 5, 2026

Seeing The Music Man in Mason City just feels right. When the new national tour came through the North Iowa Area Community Auditorium, it felt a little different than seeing a typical touring Broadway show. This is the town where the musical’s creator, Meredith Willson, was born and raised, so the story has a real connection here.

Video: First Look at 'Trouble' From THE MUSIC MAN National Tour
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 27, 2026

Watch Elliott Andrews as Harold Hill perform "Trouble" in the 2026 national tour of Meredith Willson's The Music Man, directed by Matt Lenz.

THE MUSIC MAN National Tour Set to Perform at Lied Center in March
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 18, 2026

Meredith Willson’s THE MUSIC MAN will march into to the Lied Center for Performing Arts for 5 performances on March 5-8, 2026. Tickets are on sale now!

The Jeff Awards Reveals Nominations for 52nd Non-Equity Theater Awards
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 5, 2026

The 57th Jeff Awards ceremony will recognize outstanding achievements in Chicago's Equity theater scene, celebrating over 40 artists from the 2024-25 season.

Video: THE MUSIC MAN National Tour- Watch Highlights
by Nicole Rosky - Feb 2, 2026

Meredith Willson's The Music Man will hit the road on a National Tour in 2026, helmed by director Matt Lenz. Emmy Award winning and Tony Award nominated choreographer Joshua Bergasse will bring the story's celebrated production numbers to life on stage. Get a first look at highlights here!

Photos: First Look at the National Tour of THE MUSIC MAN
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 23, 2026

Meredith Willson's The Music Man will hit the road on a National Tour in 2026, helmed by director Matt Lenz. Choreographer Joshua Bergasse will bring the story's celebrated production numbers to life on stage. Get a first look at photos here!

Nicholas Carroll and Elizabeth D'Aiuto to Lead THE MUSIC MAN 2026 Tour
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Dec 4, 2025

Meredith Willson's THE MUSIC MAN will hit the road on a National Tour in 2026, helmed by director Matt Lenz. The tour will star Nicholas Carroll and Elizabeth D'Aiuto.

AS YOU LIKE IT to be Presented at Writers Theatre This Fall
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 26, 2025

Writers Theatre will continue its 2025/26 Season with a musical adaptation of William Shakespeare’s As You Like It, adapted by Shaina Taub and Laurie Woolery. Learn more!

Lifeline Theatre Reveals New Members of its Board of Directors and Artistic Ensemble
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 13, 2025

Lifeline Theatre has revealed three new members of its Board of Directors and seven new members of its Artistic Ensemble. Learn more about the company here!

Photos: NETWORK at Invictus Theatre Company
by Blair Ingenthron - Aug 17, 2024

Invictus Theatre Company’s Chicago premiere of NETWORK will run through September 29. Check out production photos here!

Lifeline Theatre Unveils 2024-2025 Season Featuring A KidSeries World Premiere & More
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jul 31, 2024

Lifeline Theatre has revealed its 2024-2025 season featuring a KidSeries world premiere, and more. See full programming and learn how to purchase tickets.

Griffin Announces Concert Staging Of HOUSE WITHOUT A CHRISTMAS TREE
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 12, 2024

Get full details for the upcoming concert staging of THE HOUSE WITHOUT A CHRISTMAS TREE by Griffin Theatre Company.

Casting Announced For Lifeline Theatre's Adaptation Of Vonnegut's Classic CAT'S CRADLE
by A.A. Cristi - Aug 17, 2023

Lifeline Theatre and Artistic Director ILesa Duncan announce the casting for the revival of ensemble member John Hildreth's adaptation of Kurt Vonnegut's classic Cat's Cradle.

SKUNK AND BADGER World Premiere & More Set for Lifeline Theatre 2023-24 Season
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 15, 2023

Lifeline Theatre has revealed its 2023-24 season of Big Stories, Up Close. It’s an exciting year of unforgettable stories brought to life, from beloved classics to modern titles.

Lifeline Theatre Welcomes New Production and Operations Managers to Staff
by Stephi Wild - Jun 8, 2023

Lifeline Theatre will welcome Addoris Davis as Production Manager and John Craig as Operations Manager, beginning in May 2023.  Reporting to Artistic Director Ilesa Duncan and working in partnership with the Operations Manager, Davis will be responsible for managing the overall production of all of Lifeline’s programming.  

Lifeline Theatre Welcomes Three New Staff Members
by Stephi Wild - Oct 5, 2022

Lifeline Theatre welcomes Paige Keedy as Production Manager, Nathan Crawford as Operations Manager/Accessibility Coordinator, and Merissa Stewart as Education Director, beginning in Summer 2022.  Reporting to Artistic Director Ilesa Duncan and working in partnership with the Operations Manager, Keedy will be responsible for managing the overall production of all of Lifeline's programming. 

World Premiere of EXTRA YARN & More Announced for Lifeline Theatre 2022-2023 Season
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 13, 2022

Lifeline Theatre announced their 2022-23 season of Big Stories, Up Close. It’s a monumental year of unforgettable stories brought to life, from beloved classics to modern titles. The 2022-23 MainStage season features the Midwest premiere sequel Miss Holmes Returns, followed by a retelling of Dr. Endesha Ida Mae Holland’s From the Mississippi Delta.

Lifeline Theatre to Resume its Production of MIDDLE PASSAGE
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 16, 2022

Lifeline Theatre is presenting Middle Passage directed by Lifeline Artistic Director Ilesa Duncan April 25 – June 5 at Lifeline Theatre, 6912 N. Glenwood Ave. 

Amelia Ablan Joins Lifeline Theatre As Production Manager
by A.A. Cristi - Jun 16, 2021

​​​​​​​Lifeline Theatre welcomes Amelia Ablan to her new staff position as Production Manager, beginning June 2021. Reporting directly to Artistic Director Ilesa Duncan and Managing Director Allison Cain, Ablan will be responsible for overseeing the production processes for the company, collaborating closely with directors and the Artistic Director to fulfill the production needs for Lifeline's future live and digital programming.  Ablan succeeds Jennifer McClendon, who served as Production Manager since 2016, now heading to Providence, Rhode Island to Trinity Repertory Company as their new Producing Director.

BWW Review: MIDDLE PASSAGE at Lifeline Theatre
by Emily McClanathan - Feb 28, 2020

In Lifeline Theatre's MIDDLE PASSAGE, the intimate Rogers Park venue transforms into the scene of a 19th century maritime epic. Artistic Director Ilesa Duncan and David Barr III adapt Charles Johnson's award-winning 1990 novel for the stage, and Duncan directs. The sprawling tale follows a recently freed slave as he journeys from the gambling dens of New Orleans to the heart of the African slave trade and back again.