Alex Goodrich 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. Our biggest musical theaters check in: Broadway In Chicago, the Marriott, the Drury Lane, the Paramount and Munster's TATC, plus Victory Gardens' special events, BoHo's 2015 season, 'The Book Of Merman' and new works from Jane Austen and the Everleigh Club!

From the bustling streets of "New York, New York" comes the first major Chicago production of the iconic musical comedy, ON THE TOWN, previewing August 13, opening August 20, and running through October 12 at The Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire, IL. With an unparalleled musical score by Leonard Bernstein and book and lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green, ON THE TOWN tells the hilarious story of three American sailors on a whirlwind 24-hour leave in New York City. Eleven time Jeff Award winner David H. Bell directs, with choreography by Alex Sanchez and Music Direction by Ryan T. Nelson.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) brings the humor and magic of Dr. Seuss to life onstage this summer for young audiences and their families in the Broadway musical comedy Seussical. Playful, energetic and full of whimsy,Seussical engages the imagination with clever lyrics and melodies, unforgettable characters and the colorful world ofDr. Seuss. Seussical is written by the Tony Award®-winning team of Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, whose works include Ragtime, Once on This Island and the current Broadway production of Rocky, The Musical. Eric Idle ofMonty Python and Spamalot fame co-conceived the musical. Directed by Scott Weinstein with musical direction byMichael Mahler, Seussical will be performed July 5 through August 17 in CST's Courtyard Theater. Every performance features special opportunities for audiences to interact with the actors for one-on-one conversations and photo opportunities. On Wednesdays and Thursdays, CST partners with the Chicago Children's Museum (CCM) to offer hands-on craft activities in CST's Lobby. Check out a first look below!

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) brings the humor and magic of Dr. Seuss to life onstage this summer for young audiences and their families in the Broadway musical comedy Seussical. Playful, energetic and full of whimsy, Seussical engages the imagination with clever lyrics and melodies, unforgettable characters and the colorful world of Dr. Seuss. Seussical is written by the Tony Award®-winning team of Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, whose works include Ragtime, Once on This Island and the current Broadway production of Rocky, The Musical. Eric Idle of Monty Python and Spamalot fame co-conceived the musical. Directed by Scott Weinstein with musical direction by Michael Mahler, Seussical will be performed July 5 through August 17 in CST's Courtyard Theater. Every performance features special opportunities for audiences to interact with the actors for one-on-one conversations and photo opportunities. On Wednesdays and Thursdays, CST partners with the Chicago Children's Museum (CCM) to offer hands-on craft activities in CST's Lobby. Check out highlights below!

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) brings the humor and magic of Dr. Seuss to life onstage this summer for young audiences and their families in the Broadway musical comedy Seussical. Playful, energetic and full of whimsy, Seussical engages the imagination with clever lyrics and melodies, unforgettable characters and the colorful world of Dr. Seuss. Seussical is written by the Tony Award-winning team of Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, whose works include Ragtime, Once on This Island and the current Broadway production of Rocky, The Musical. Eric Idle of Monty Python and Spamalot fame co-conceived the musical. Directed by Scott Weinstein with musical direction by Michael Mahler, Seussical will be performed July 5 through August 17 in CST's Courtyard Theater.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'Brigadoon' and 'The Last Ship' bust their moves, 'Kinky Boots' and 'Jersey Boys' announce returns, midsummer closings loom, 'Marvelettes,' 'Spelling Bee' and 'Seussical' open, the new shows 'Jim And Dave' and 'Apes Of Wrath,' plus a noteworthy trio at Davenport's and more!

Route 66 Theatre Company is pleased to present the first of it's 2014 Concert Series events: Michael Mahler and The Lincoln Squares performing The Joshua Tree by U2 along with special musical theater guest performers. Tickets are currently on sale through the Route 66 Theatre Company website: www.route66theatre.org. The concert will be a one night only special event on Sunday, June 15 at 7 pm. Doors open at 6:30PM.

Route 66 Theatre Company will present the first of it's 2014 Concert Series events: Michael Mahler and The Lincoln Squares performing The Joshua Tree by U2 along with special musical theater guest performers. Tickets are currently on sale through the Route 66 Theatre Company website: www.route66theatre.org. The concert will be a one night only special event on Sunday, June 15 at 7 pm. Doors open at 6:30PM

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Michael Urie ignites the night, 'Mamma Mia!' returns, the original musicals 'One Hit Wonders,' 'The Last Ship' and 'Hey! Dancin'!,' a new 'Big Fish' and 'Seussical,' plus all the latest on showtune movies, TV shows and more!

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) brings the humor and magic of Dr. Seuss to life onstage this summer for young audiences and their families in the Broadway musical comedy Seussical. Playful, energetic and full of whimsy, Seussical engages the imagination with clever lyrics and melodies, unforgettable characters and the colorful world of Dr. Seuss. Seussical is written by the Tony Award-winning team of Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, whose works include Ragtime, Once on This Island and the current Broadway production of Rocky, The Musical. Eric Idle of Monty Python and Spamalot fame co-conceived the musical. Directed by Scott Weinstein with musical direction by Michael Mahler, Seussical will be performed July 5 through August 17 in CST's Courtyard Theater.

Lyric Opera of Chicago presents The Family Barber, a special performance for youngsters ages 5-10 and their families, on Saturday, March 22, at 2pm at the Civic Opera House in downtown Chicago.

Now in its fifth month at the Royal George Theatre, 1641 N. Halsted Street, the hit comedy, OLD JEWS TELLING JOKES continues to make news, by eliminating winter parking woes and offering free valet parking at the theater on weeknights!

Now in its fifth month at the Royal George Theatre, 1641 N. Halsted Street, the hit comedy, OLD JEWS TELLING JOKES continues to make news, by eliminating winter parking woes and offering free valet parking at the theater on weeknights!

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'Gypsy' at CST and 'Into The Woods' from The Hypocrites begin, Paula Scrofano honored, Bernadette performs, another out-of-town tryout announced, a Barrel Of Monkeys revue, casting news from the Paramount and the Lyric, the Sarah Siddons Society show and more!

Author, humorist and panelist on National Public Radio's Wait Wait, Don't Tell Me program Roy Blount, Jr., plus Chicago media personalities Janet Davies (ABC7) and Steve Downes (WDRV-FM, The Drive) are the latest not-so-old, not-necessarily-Jewish joke tellers making one-night-only appearances in the hit comedy, OLD JEWS TELLING JOKES at the Royal George Theatre, 1641 N. Halsted Street, to raise funds for the charities of their choice. A popular addition to the hit comedy production since launching in mid-December, celebrities are making a cameo appearance with their own comedic shtick during the OLD JEWS TELLING JOKES show, with a portion of proceeds from that performance donated to the non-profit charity of the celebrity's choice.

Nationally acclaimed authors Scott Turow and Sara Paretsky, Illinois Senate President John Cullerton (6th District), Illinois State Representative (12th District) Sara Feigenholtz and Chicago society scribe "Candid Candace" Jordan are among some of Chicago's favorite not-so-old, not-necessarily-Jewish joke tellers making one-night-only appearances in the hit comedy, OLD JEWS TELLING JOKES at the Royal George Theatre, 1641 N. Halsted Street, to raise funds for the charities of their choice. Officially launching on Tuesday evening, Dec. 17, and continuing at various performances through the coming months, a local celebrity will make a cameo appearance with their own comedic shtick during the OLD JEWS TELLING JOKES show, and a portion of proceeds from that performance will be donated to the non-profit charity of the celebrity's choice.

The laughs will keep emanating from the Royal George Theatre for an additional 12 weeks as OLD JEWS TELLING JOKES announces a new block of tickets on sale for performances through Sunday, February 16, 2014. The hit off-Broadway comedy, now playing on the Main Stage of the Royal George Theatre, 1641 N. Halsted Street, features a quintet of Chicago favorites: Dara Cameron, Alex Goodrich, Tim Kazurinsky, Renee Matthews and Gene Weygandt.

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 release of the Equity wing Jeff Award nominations, 'Double Trouble' and 'Hank Williams' open, '50 Shades' and 'Frog And Toad' return, plus 'Heartbeat Of Home,' 'Sweet Smell Of Success,' a new musical theater magazine and more!

Five world premiere plays and three new adaptations seen first by Chicago audiences received Jeff nominations by the Jeff Awards Committee and are among the 166 nominations in 36 categories announced for Chicago Equity theatrical productions opened between August 1, 2012 and July 31, 2013.

Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning and Leadership proudly presents an evening of storytelling and laughs with Peter Gethers and Dan Okrent, the creators of the off-Broadway hit comedy, OLD JEWS TELLING JOKES, at Spertus, 610 S. Michigan Avenue, Thursday, Oct. 3, at 7pm. The program will be moderated by Chicago's own humorist Mike Leiderman, and will feature video excerpts from the Chicago stage production which begins performances here at the Royal George Theatre, Sept. 24, and officially opens Oct. 2.