Aaron Benham News

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'Anything Goes,' 'A Funny Thing...' and 'Billy Elliot' prepare to open, 'Les Mis' racks up the raves, season announcements from the Paramount, Kokandy, The Hypocrites and Chicago Shakes, plus another Austen adaptation, and legs for Ethel Merman. Enjoy the warmth!

Kokandy Productions is pleased to announce its 2016 season -- plus an added holiday production for the 2015 season. The 2016 season kicks off with the Chicago premiere of the dark 'mean teen' comedy HEATHERS: THE MUSICAL, based on the hit 1980s cult film of the same name, with book, music and lyrics by Kevin Murphy and Laurence O'Keefe, directed by Co-Artistic Director Allison Hendrix and music direction by Aaron Benham.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Ravinia's summer season announced, plus the 'Mormon' and 'Merman' rivalry/revelry. 'The Addams Family' and 'Mr. Burns' extend, 'That's Weird' goes musical, Annaleigh Ashford and 'Tyler's Songs' bow on March 21, and Joan Curto and 'Finishing The Birthday Hat' honor Sondheim's 85th birthday!

Porchlight Music Theatre and Artistic Director Michael Weber present the next production in the second season of Chicago's hit 'lost' musicals in staged concert series, Porchlight Revisits... City of Angels, featuring book by Larry Gelbart (A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, M*A*S*H), music by Cy Coleman (Sweet Charity, Barnum) and lyrics by David Zippel (The Goodbye Girl, Disney's Mulan) with direction by Christopher Pazdernik and music direction by Aaron Benham. City of Angels will be presented again tonight, March 4 at 8:00 p.m. BroadwayWorld has a look at last night's opening festivities 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. BIC's fall season schedule, plus Theo's 'JCS,' Woodstock's 'Chaperone,' Kokandy's 'Full Monty' and the Paramount's 'Les Mis.' Also four recent contemporary operas, early and late Sondheim comparisons, this month's 'Option Up,!' and Linda Eder and Jessie Mueller hit the suburbs!

Porchlight Music Theatre and Artistic Director Michael Weber present the next production in the second season of Chicago's hit 'lost' musicals in staged concert series, Porchlight Revisits... City of Angels, featuring book by Larry Gelbart (A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, M*A*S*H), music by Cy Coleman (Sweet Charity, Barnum) and lyrics by David Zippel (The Goodbye Girl, Disney's Mulan) with direction by Christopher Pazdernik and music direction by Aaron Benham. City of Angels is presented for two-nights-only tonight, March 3 and Wednesday, March 4 at 8:00 p.m. and is performed on the set of Porchlight's Sondheim on Sondheim (February 6 - March 15) on nights when there are no performances at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave.

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 Mosh Pit's Oscar wrap-up, plus BIC's 'First Wives Club,' 'Book Of Mormon' and 'For The Record,' Theater Wit's 'Mr. Burns,' Porchlight's 'City Of Angels' and Bailiwick's 'Murder Ballad.' Upcoming, The Hypocrites' 'American Idiot,' a new theater in the Wisconsin Dells, and two evenings with The Improvised Sondheim Project!

Piven Theatre Workshop announces the Midwest Premiere of Melancholy Play: a chamber musical by Sarah Ruhl, with new music by Todd Almond, directed by Polly Noonan. The production will run May 2 - June 7, 2015 at Piven Theatre Workshop, 927 Noyes Street. Previews are April 30 & May 1. Press opening is Saturday, May 2 at 7:30PM.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Musical television series abound! Also special nights for 'Allegro' and 'Reefer Madness,' that Dolphin show at Annoyance, Mercury's 'Addams Family,' a big children's premiere, the return of 'Option Up!' and a surprising, real live 'Beauty!'

Option Up!, the acclaimed musical theater cabaret and talk-show, celebrates its one-year anniversary on Sunday, February 8, 2015 in The Cab at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Avenue, Chicago. Featuring Aaron Benham and Christopher Pazdernik, Option Up! runs the second Sunday of each month through May 10 at 7:30 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. The BroadwayWorld Chicago Awards Celebration was great! Now onward to '50 Shades,' 'Mr. Burns' and 'Book Of Merman,' plus two from Christopher Pazdernik,' 'Ordinary Days,' 'First Wives Club,' tributes to John Hughes and Stephen Sondheim and a showtune film cameo!

Porchlight Music Theatre and Artistic Director Michael Weber have announced the next production in the second season of Chicago's hit 'lost' musicals in staged concert series, Porchlight Revisits... City of Angels, featuring book by Larry Gelbart (A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, M*A*S*H), music by Cy Coleman (Sweet Charity, Barnum) and lyrics by David Zippel (The Goodbye Girl, Disney's Mulan) with direction by Christopher Pazdernik and music direction by Aaron Benham. City of Angels is presented for two-nights-only Tuesday, March 3 and Wednesday, March 4 at 8:00 p.m. and is performed on the set of Porchlight's Sondheim on Sondheim (February 6 - March 15) on nights when there are no performances at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave.

It's your last week to vote for the 2014 BroadwayWorld Chicago Regional Awards! Check out the latest live stats as of December 26th. Voting closes at the end of the year, in under one week!

Time is ticking on your last chance to vote for the 2014 BroadwayWorld Chicago Regional Awards! Check out the latest live stats as of December 19th. Voting closes at the end of the year!

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Two weeks of voting left for the BroadwayWorld Chicago Awards! The 'Annie' film and 'The Merry Widow' open, 'Patsy Cline' extends, 'Sherlock Holmes' sings, 'Cupid' has a heart, and MCL Chicago, Drury Lane Oakbrook and Black Ensemble Theater plan new works for 2015, including 'Beaches' and a tribute to Roger Ebert!

Voting has now opened for the 2014 BroadwayWorld Chicago Regional Awards! Check out the latest live stats as of December 4th.

The Music Theatre Company is pleased to launch its 2014-15 season with THE 48-HOUR MUSICALS: ENCORE!, featuring four 15-minute musicals originally written and rehearsed in just 48 hours by Scotty Arnold, Diana Lawrence, Michael Mahler and J. Oconer Navarro plus the world premiere of a 20-minute musical by Smashing Pumpkins frontman and Chicagoland native Billy Corgan. Scroll down for a first look!

Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre will extend its current hit show, Always... Patsy Cline beyond its originally announced closing date of December 28th with seven extra performances including a New Year's Eve show at 7:30 pm on Wednesday, December 31. The musical by Ted Swindley about country singer Patsy Cline and her unlikely friendship with a Houston fan opened on November 17.

Voting has now opened for the 2014 BroadwayWorld Chicago Regional Awards! Check out the latest live stats as of December 4th.

The Music Theatre Company will launch its 2014-15 season with THE 48-HOUR MUSICALS: ENCORE!, featuring four 15-minute musicals originally written and rehearsed in just 48 hours by Scotty Arnold, Diana Lawrence, Michael Mahler and J. Oconer Navarro plus the world premiere of a 20-minute musical by Smashing Pumpkins frontman and Chicagoland native Billy Corgan.