Sondra Johnson

Bailiwick Chicago launched its 2013-14 season with the Chicago premiere of the thrilling musical drama DESSA ROSE by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, the Tony Award-winning team behind Ragtime, Once on This Island and Seussical!, directed by Artistic Director Lili-Anne Brown with music direction by Collective Member James Morehead. DESSA ROSE plays through April 5, 2014 at the Victory Gardens Richard Christiansen Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Ave. in Chicago. Tickets are available at www.victorygardens.org, by calling (773) 871-3000 or in-person at the Victory Gardens Box Office. Check out a first look beow!

Bailiwick Chicago will launch its 2013-14 season with the Chicago premiere of the thrilling musical drama DESSA ROSE by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, the Tony Award-winning team behind Ragtime, Once on This Island and Seussical!, directed by Artistic Director Lili-Anne Brown with music direction by Collective Member James Morehead. DESSA ROSE plays March 6 - April 5, 2014 at the Victory Gardens Richard Christiansen Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Ave. in Chicago. Tickets go on sale Wednesday, January 15, 2014 at and www.victorygardens.org, by calling (773) 871-3000 or in-person at the Victory Gardens Box Office. The press performance is Sunday, March 9 at 7 pm.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. It's the Mosh Pit's 'Top Ten Hot Topix' for the second half of 2013!!

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Holiday perennials 'The Christmas Schooner,' 'Winter Pageant,' 'Christmas In Chicago' and more, plus 'The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,' 'Carrie' casting, Griffin's 'Bee,' two from Disney and NBC's 'The Sound Of Music!'

Bailiwick Chicago has announced casting for its 2013-14 Season, which features two stunning musicals in their Chicago premieres. Leading the cast of the stirring musical drama DESSA ROSE are Sydney Charles as Dessa Rose (The Color Purple, The Mercury Theatre; Smokey Joe's Cafe, Theo Ubique) and Collective Member Harmony France as Ruth (Violet, Bailiwick Chicago-Jeff nomination; Tell Me on A Sunday, Bailiwick Repertory) with special guest artist Jayson "JC" Brooks as Nathan (Passing Strange, Bailiwick Chicago). The 2012 Off-Broadway revival version of the infamous 1988 musical CARRIE will star Callie Johnson (Pal Joey, Porchlight Music Theatre-Jeff Award; Next to Normal, Drury Lane Oak Brook) as Carrie and Katherine L. Condit as Margaret White (Chess, Original Broadway Company; Joseph and A Chorus Line, National Tours).

Mercury Theater Chicago, 3745 N Southport Ave., announces that the hit musical THE COLOR PURPLE, based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Alice Walker, is extended through Sunday, November 10 due to popular demand.

On Wednesdays and Thursdays through October 25, Mercury Theater Chicago, 3745 N Southport Ave., is featuring complimentary dinner for two at Cullen's Irish Pub, adjacent to the theater, with the purchase of two tickets to the Broadway musical THE COLOR PURPLE. The offer is available before the performances on Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m., Thursdays at 2 p.m., and Thursdays at7:30 p.m. To make a reservation, call 773.325.1700 and ask for the 'Dinner's on Us' promotion. Gratuity is not included, this offer cannot be combined with other discounts, and it is not valid for use with previously purchased tickets. Hailed as "A genuinely eye-popping achievement!" by The Chicago Tribune and called "Lustrous…Superbly directed…Marvelous!" by the Chicago Sun-Times, THE COLOR PURPLE is based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Alice Walker and runs through October 27, 2013.

You know you are in for some truly great singing when a featured soloist knocks it out of the park.

Mercury Theater Chicago's production of THE COLOR PURPLE, based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Alice Walker, opened last night, Monday, August 26 at 7:30p.m., and will continue through October 27, 2013. THE COLOR PURPLE stars Trisha Jeffrey (Broadway's Rent, All Shook Up, and Little Shop of Horrors and the first National Tour of Sister Act) as 'Celie,' Jasondra Johnson (Crowns at Goodman Theatre) as 'Sophia,' and Adrienne Walker (Marriott Theatre's Dreamgirls) as 'Shug.' This highly anticipated production is led by multiple Jeff Award winners L. Walter Stearns (Director), Eugene Dizon (Musical Director), and Brenda Didier (Choreographer). Check out a look back at last night's festivities below!

Mercury Theater Chicago, 3745 N Southport Ave., presents the Broadway musical THE COLOR PURPLE, based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Alice Walker, opening Monday, August 26 at 7:30p.m., and running through October 27, 2013. THE COLOR PURPLE stars Trisha Jeffrey (Broadway's Rent, All Shook Up, and Little Shop of Horrors and the first National Tour ofSister Act) as 'Celie,' Jasondra Johnson (Crowns at Goodman Theatre) as 'Sophia,' and Adrienne Walker (Marriott Theatre's Dreamgirls) as 'Shug.' Check out a first look at the cast below!

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Three major local premieres begin this week ('Next To Normal,' '9 To 5' and 'The Color Purple'), plus coverage of LOW's 'Cabaret,' two Cole Porter revues, busy Circle Theatre, 'Persuasion' is back, and 'In The Heights' and 'Hello, Dolly!' get their casts. It's a big Mosh Pit!

Mercury Theater Chicago, 3745 N Southport Ave., presents the Broadway musical THE COLOR PURPLE, based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Alice Walker, previewing tonight, August 14, opening Monday, August 26 at 7:30p.m., and running through October 27, 2013.

Mercury Theater Chicago, 3745 N Southport Ave., presents the Broadway musical THE COLOR PURPLE, based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Alice Walker, previewing tonight, August 14, opening Monday, August 26 at 7:30p.m., and running through October 27, 2013.

Mercury Theater Chicago, 3745 N Southport Ave., presents the Broadway musical THE COLOR PURPLE, based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Alice Walker, previewing August 14, opening Monday, August 26 at 7:30p.m., and running through October 27, 2013. THE COLOR PURPLE stars Trisha Jeffrey (Broadway's Rent, All Shook Up, and Little Shop of Horrors and the first National Tour of Sister Act) as 'Celie,' Jasondra Johnson (Crowns at Goodman Theatre) as 'Sophia,' and Adrienne Walker (Marriott Theatre's Dreamgirls) as 'Shug.' This highly anticipated production is led by multiple Jeff Award winners L. Walter Stearns (Director), Eugene Dizon (Musical Director), and Brenda Didier (Choreographer).

Mercury Theater Chicago, 3745 N Southport Ave., presents the Broadway musical THE COLOR PURPLE, based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Alice Walker, previewing August 14, opening Monday, August 26 at 7:30p.m., and running through October 27, 2013. THE COLOR PURPLE stars Trisha Jeffrey (Broadway's Rent, All Shook Up, and Little Shop of Horrors and the first National Tour of Sister Act) as 'Celie,' Jasondra Johnson (Crowns at Goodman Theatre) as 'Sophia,' and Adrienne Walker (Marriott Theatre'sDreamgirls) as 'Shug.' This highly anticipated production is led by multiple Jeff Award winners L. Walter Stearns (Director), Eugene Dizon (Musical Director), and Brenda Didier (Choreographer).

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 Summer Birthday Showtune Blowout, 'The Last Five Years,' 'A Chorus Liine,' 'Whistle Down The Wind,' the casts of 'The Color Purple' and 'Next To Normal,' three new shows announced by Broadway In Chicago, and more!

Mercury Theater Chicago, 3745 N Southport Ave., presents the Broadway musical THE COLOR PURPLE, based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Alice Walker, previewing August 14, opening Monday, August 26 at 7:30p.m., and running through October 27, 2013.

Goodman Theatre Artistic Associate and "triple threat" Playwright/Director/Actor Regina Taylor brings her musical Crowns, based on the book by Craig Marberry with photographs by Michael Cunningham, back to the Goodman stage. For her all-new 10th anniversary production, Taylor has engaged community partners and used workshops to explore and deepen the spoken word, dance and music elements in Crowns. Crowns runs now through August 5, 2012 (Opening Night is July 9) in the Goodman's Albert Theatre. Get a first look at the cast on stage in the photos below!

Goodman Theatre Artistic Associate and "triple threat" Playwright/Director/Actor Regina Taylor brings her musical Crowns, based on the book by Craig Marberry with photographs by Michael Cunningham, back to the Goodman stage. For her all-new 10th anniversary production, Taylor has engaged community partners and used workshops to explore and deepen the spoken word, dance and music elements in Crowns. Crowns runs June 30 - August 5, 2012 (Opening Night is July 9) in the Goodman's Albert Theatre. Check out photos of the cast and creative team in rehearsal below!

Regina Taylor brings her musical Crowns - based on the book by Craig Marberry with photographs by Michael Cunningham-back to the Goodman stage.