Phil Swann

World premiere of Neil Simon's Musical Fools a?" Reopens Jan. 11 for a limited 3-week run through Jan. 26. 2020.

Open Fist's clever, hilarious World Premiere musical adaptation of Neil Simon's MUSICAL FOOLS is a hilarious musical adaptation of his play, Fools, with book and lyrics by Simon, and music and lyrics by Phil Swann and Ron West, a veteran comedy genius from Chicago's Second City, who has directed the laugh fest like a Monty Python version of Fiddler on the Roof performed by the original Not Ready for Prime Time Players. Off-the-wall hysterical choreography by Louisa Kendrick Burton greatly enhances the comedy, with musical direction by Jan Roper often adding in the flavor of Eastern European Klezmer music.

Dumba?? dumbera?? dumbest? Open Fist Theatre Company presents the world premiere of Neil Simon's Musical Fools, an adaptation of the Simon play Fools, with book and lyrics by Neil Simon and music and lyrics by Phil Swann and Ron West (deLEARious, The People Vs Friar Laurence). West also directs, with music direction by Jan Roper and choreography by Louisa Kendrick Burton. Neil Simon's Musical Fools opens Oct. 12 at Atwater Village Theatre, where performances will continue through Nov. 17; pay-what-you-want previews begin Oct. 4.

Dumb... dumber... dumbest? Open Fist Theatre Company presents the world premiere of Neil Simon's Musical Fools, an adaptation of the Simon play Fools, with book and lyrics by Neil Simon and music and lyrics by Phil Swann and Ron West (deLEARious, The People Vs Friar Laurence). West also directs, with music direction by Jan Roper and choreography by Louisa Kendrick Burton. Neil Simon's Musical Fools opens Oct. 12 at Atwater Village Theatre, where performances will continue through Nov. 17; pay-what-you-want previews begin Oct. 4.

Two-time Academy Award winner and Tony Nominee, Al Kasha. Two-Time Tony winner producer Ron Dante, multiple award-winning hit songwriter Phil Swann, acclaimed author and poet, Sam Bennett, and director-choreographer Kay Cole have woven the two-year courtship of Ronald Reagan and Nancy Davis into a funny and touching two-character musical that is both poignant, and endearing.  A true Hollywood love story made both human and timeless.

In a Booth at Chasen's/The Real-Life Hollywood Romance of Ron and Nancy Reagan/book by Sam Bennett/music and lyrics by Al Kasha and Phil Swann/directed by Kay Cole/El Portal Theatre, Debbie Reynolds Mainstage/through December 16 Hollywood romances come and go, but certainly not that of Ron and Nancy Reagan. Those of us who witnessed Reagan's rise from movie actor in the 40s to president of SAG, then on to Governor of California and eventually to President of the United States where he served two terms from 1981 to 1989, know that he was not always the greatest politician...but certainly in comparison to today's standards, a good man...one who honestly loved his country. Nancy Davis had been a B actress in films and, it is often said, ran the White House for her husband during the 80s. We know the politics of those latter years and the rumors; what we do not know is how their relationship began...In a Booth at Chasen's restaurant in 1949. Now in a one-act musical that world premiered Sunday November 11 on the El Portal Mainstage, In a Booth at Chasen's plays on unti

On November 15, 1949, in Hollywood, California, an up-and-coming young actress met a handsome movie star for dinner -- a blind date that changed history.

On November 15, 1949, in Hollywood, California, an up-and-coming young actress met a handsome movie star for dinner -- a blind date that changed history.

On November 15, 1949, in Hollywood, California, an up-and-coming young actress met a handsome movie star for dinner -- a blind date that changed history.

deLEARious Extended through Jan. 27. Tragedy meets hilarity and King Lear gets a happy ending in a madcap musical romp la Mel Brooks and Monty Python.

Open Fist Theatre Company's revival of Ron West and Phil Swann's musical comedy DELEARIOUS has a lot going on. The production contains three storylines in three different time periods twisted together in a fast-paced, boisterous style that was an award-winning hit for the company in 2008. Nine years later, it still packs in more story than you can possibly keep straight but it also offers up plenty of laughs to go along with it.

Tragedy meets hilarity and King Lear gets a happy ending in a madcap musical romp la Mel Brooks and Monty Python. Open Fist Theatre Companyrevives its smash hit production of deLEARious, an award-winning play-within-a-play by Second City'sRon West and composer Phil Swann. West directs for a Nov. 10 opening at Atwater Village Theatre, where performances will continue through Dec. 16. Pay-what-you-want previews begin Nov. 3.

Tragedy meets hilarity and King Lear gets a happy ending in a madcap musical romp la Mel Brooks and Monty Python. Open Fist Theatre Company revives its smash hit production of deLEARious, an award-winning play-within-a-play by Second City's Ron West and composer Phil Swann. West directs for a Nov. 10opening at Atwater Village Theatre, where performances will continue throughDec. 16. Pay-what-you-want previews begin Nov. 3.

Steppenwolf's LookOut and Second City Theatricals have teamed up to re-create a staged-reading of the smash hit musical, 'The People vs. Friar Laurence, the Man Who Killed Romeo and Juliet' as part of Shakespeare 400 Chicago tonight, June 25 and tomorrow, June 26 at 8:00pm.

Steppenwolf's LookOut and Second City Theatricals have teamed up to re-create a staged-reading of the smash hit musical, "The People vs. Friar Laurence, the Man Who Killed Romeo and Juliet" as part of Shakespeare 400 Chicago on Saturday, June 25 and Sunday, June 26 at 8:00pm.  

Steppenwolf Theatre Company announced today the summer lineup for LookOut, a new multi-genre performance series, presenting a wide variety of work from a diverse array of voices, artists emerging and established alike. LookOut programming will take place throughout the summer in the 1700 Theatre, Steppenwolf's new 80-seat black box space at 1700 N Halsted St, which connects to the existing building.

The Open Fist Theatre Company presents their fourth annual FIRST LOOK FESTIVAL OF NEW PLAYS, with new works written by Neil LaBute, Elizabeth Berger, Maia Madison, and Joseph Fisher, along with staged readings by Jim Knable, Melanie Marnich, Sheldon Bull, Phil Swann & Ron West, Jason Paige and Dean Moira and Jessica Goldschmidt.

Mark Winkler is set to host a double CD Release Party in Hollywood & NYC! Wednesday Aug., 17th Catalina's & Thur., Sept. 8th Laurie Beechman Theatre