Adam Fane News

American Idol alumni and real-life married couple Diana DeGarmo and Ace Young take the stage in SKATES: A New Musical. While Christine Rea and Rick Briskin’s musical bills itself on the whole as an exercise in nostalgia, the most nostalgic part of SKATES for me was seeing DeGarmo and Young perform; I rooted hard core for DeGarmo back in her AMERICAN IDOL days. Here, she shows why— she has a tremendous powerhouse voice and an appealing stage presence that make her a consummate performer. Director Brenda Didier and choreographer Christopher Chase Carter work with a cast of Chicago musical theater veterans who perform alongside DeGarmo and Young.

American Idol favorites Diana DeGarmo and Ace Young lead the incredible cast of the new musical, Skates, featuring Adia Bell, Adam Fane, Kelly Felthous, Cory Goodrich, Emma Lord, Jason Richards, Kelvin Roston, Jr., Zach Sorrow, and Trey Deluna. Check out all new photos and video

Rehearsals are underway for the world premiere musical Skates! American Idol favorites Diana DeGarmo and Ace Young lead the incredible cast of the new musical featuring Adam Fane, Kelly Felthous, Cory Goodrich, Emma Lord, Jason Richards, Kelvin Roston, Jr., Michelle Lauto, Zach Sorrow, Trey Deluna and Adia Bell. 

America’s next big musical sensation has its cast! American Idol favorites Diana DeGarmo and Ace Young will lead the incredible cast of the new musical, Skates.

Voted Best Comedy for Couples, Sex Tips for Straight Women from a Gay Man, presented by Matt Murphy and Shawn Nightingale, has announced the cast for its Chicago debut. The show will star Adam Fane as Dan, Emma Jo Boyden as Robyn, and Bradley Allen Meyer as Stefan.

Academy and Grammy Award Winning composer, Stephen Schwartz (Music and Lyrics), John Caird (Book), and an A-list Chicago artistic team are in collaboration to mount a revamped production of Children of Eden, a musical freely based on the Book of Genesis, in the Chicago area, scheduled to open Summer 2021.

HIT HER WITH THE SKATES, a new musical about life, love and the roller rink starring American Idol power couple Diana DeGarmo and Ace Young, has announced full casting for the world premiere of the Chicago production at the Royal George Theatre, 1641 North Halsted St., Chicago, IL, on Wednesday, March 18, 2020. Preview performances are slated to begin March 10.

A perfect night of theatre it ain't, but for Meghan Murphy's powerhouse diva and a communal bout of well-earned chuckles, SPAMALOT will leave you choosing wisely.

Walter Stearns, Executive Director of Mercury Theater Chicago, announced today the cast and creative team of the upcoming MONTY PYTHON'S SPAMALOT, running on the main stage from August 30 through November 3.

Award-winning performers Robert Deason (dueling pianist extraordinaire) and Lauren Paris (most recently seen in a critically acclaimed performance as Percy in THE SPITFIRE GRILL, Refuge Theatre Project) are back with their fourth round of Chi-Town Sings over the past year, after their sold-out performances honoring Lady Gaga, Demi Lovato, and Sara Bareilles. CHI-TOWN SINGS: BRITNEY VS. CHRISTINA will be performed at 8PM on June 10th, and the series is moving from The Den Theatre to City Winery in the West Loop. Food and drink can be enjoyed throughout the evening. An anonymous producer is signed on to the project. 2

Before attending THE PRODUCERS at Paramount Theatre, I had a disturbing dream in which this production cut everything deemed offensive or politically incorrect from the original: tap-dancing Nazis, sex-crazed old ladies, grossly stereotyped portrayals of, well, everyone. 'But what will they have left?' my dream-self protested. Fortunately, my fears were allayed upon seeing Paramount's production; director Jim Corti stages a madcap romp that revels in the irreverent humor of Mel Brooks.

Paramount Theatre opened its new Broadway Series production of Mel Brooks's The Producers on Saturday, February 9 to a full house, an instant standing ovation and uniformly critical acclaim. 

Porchlight Music Theatre, currently running the critically-acclaimed A Gentleman's Guide to Love & Murder through March 16 is proud to announce the conclusion of its Mainstage 2018 - 2019 season with the Tony and Pulitzer Prize- winning A Chorus Line, April 10 - May 26 at The Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn Street.

Award-winning performers Robert Deason (dueling pianist extraordinaire) and Lauren Paris (most recently seen in a critically acclaimed performance as Percy in THE SPITFIRE GRILL, Refuge Theatre Project) are back with another round of Chi-Town Sings, after their sold-out performances of CHI-TOWN SINGS SARA BAREILLES and CHI-TOWN SINGS DEMI LOVATO. CHI-TOWN SINGS LADY GAGA will be performed at 8PM on March 4th at The Den Theatre. Previously, the series occupied the beloved 100 seat Haven Cabaret space, but have been upgraded to a 300 seat venue: The Heath. An anonymous producer has also signed on to the project.

Under the right circumstances, a producer could make more money with a flop than he could with a hit. And so begins one of the most hilarious cons in musical theater history.

Mercury Theater Chicago, 3745 N. Southport Avenue, is pleased to announce that Stephen Schwartz's PIPPIN will run from October 11th through November 18th in Venus Cabaret Theater. Press opening is Sunday, October 14th at 7:30pm.

Porchlight Music Theatre and Artistic Director Michael Weber are proud to announce the second extension of Billy Elliot the Musical through Sunday, Dec. 31. Billy Elliot the Musical with music by Elton John and book and lyrics by Lee Hall is directed and co-choreographed by Porchilght Artistic Associate Brenda Didier, with Co-Choreographer Craig V. Miller and music direction by Porchlight Artistic Associate Linda Madonia at Porchlght's new home, the Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn Street. The current and extendsion performance schedule is included below.

BroadwayWorld presents a comprehensive weekly roundup of regional stories around our Broadway World, which include videos, editor spotlights, regional reviews and more. This week, we feature THE LITTLE MERMAID, THE LION KING, SOMETHING ROTTEN and More!

Under the direction of frequent company collaborator Brenda Didier, BILLY ELLIOT THE MUSICAL electrifies the mainstage at the Ruth Page Performing Arts Center, Porchlight's new home. Based on the eponymous film about an adolescent boy from a working class British mining town who aspires to be a ballet dancer, this production finds the deep emotional core in its story about community and acceptance. With music by Elton John and book and lyrics by Lee Hall, this BILLY ELLIOT bursts with heart and passion.

Porchlight Music Theatre and Artistic Director Michael Weber have just announced the extension of Billy Elliot the Musical through Sunday, Nov. 26. Check out photos from opening night below!