Allison Hendrix News

Pride Films and Plays has announced the results of our LezPlay contest. The judges have named five finalists, including a teleplay and four stage plays. and these writers will have their scripts presented as staged readings during LezPlay Weekend, which runs September 11-13 at the Hoover-Leppen Theatre of Center on Halsted.

 Kokandy Productions is pleased to continue its 2015 season with LOVING REPEATING, a musical tribute to the life and loves of celebrated American author Gertrude Stein. Using Stein's own works as lyrics, LOVING REPEATING is adapted by Frank Galati (The Grapes of Wrath, The Accidental Tourist), with music by Stephen Flaherty (Ragtime, Once on This Island, Seussical) direction by Co-Artistic Director Allison Hendrix, music direction by Resident Music Director Kory Danielson and choreography by Andrea Louise Soule.  LOVING REPEATING will play July 18 - August 30, 2015 at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago. Tickets are currently available at www.kokandyproductions.com, by calling (773) 975-8150 or in person at the Theater Wit Box Office.  The press opening is Monday, July 20 at 7:30 pm.

Kokandy Productions will continue its 2015 season with LOVING REPEATING, a musical tribute to the life and loves of celebrated American author Gertrude Stein. Using Stein's own works as lyrics, LOVING REPEATING is adapted by Frank Galati (The Grapes of Wrath, The Accidental Tourist), with music by Stephen Flaherty (Ragtime, Once on This Island, Seussical) direction by Co-Artistic Director Allison Hendrix, music direction by Resident Music Director Kory Danielson and choreography by Andrea Louise Soule. LOVING REPEATING will play tonight, July 18, through August 30, 2015 at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'Into The Woods,' 'Company,' 'Oklahoma!' and 'South Pacific' receive local stagings, as do 'Loving Repeating' and 'Goblin Market.' New shows include 'Stanley In The Name Of Love' and the musical episode of 'Buffy.' Plus the latest on new screen versions of 'Lucky Stiff,' 'The Wiz' and 'Grease!'

Writers Theatre Artistic Director Michael Halberstam and Executive Director Kathryn M. Lipuma announce casting for the Inaugural Season in the company's new theatre center.

Kokandy Productions will continue its 2015 season with LOVING REPEATING, a musical tribute to the life and loves of celebrated American author Gertrude Stein. Using Stein's own works as lyrics, LOVING REPEATING is adapted by Frank Galati (The Grapes of Wrath, The Accidental Tourist), with music by Stephen Flaherty (Ragtime, Once on This Island, Seussical) direction by Co-Artistic Director Allison Hendrix, music direction by Resident Music Director Kory Danielson and choreography by Andrea Louise Soule. 

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'Once' and 'On Your Feet!' arrive, Kooman and Dimond try one out, 'Loving Repeating' returns, 'The Fantasticks' grows its orchestra, local 'Spider Woman' and 'Idiot' productions, two new works about the deaths of pop musicians, and the real-life death of PJ Paparelli.

Kokandy Productions is pleased to announce casting for LOVING REPEATING, a musical tribute to the life and loves of celebrated American author Gertrude Stein. Using Stein's own works as lyrics, LOVING REPEATING is adapted by Frank Galati (The Grapes of Wrath, The Accidental Tourist), with music by Stephen Flaherty (Ragtime, Once on This Island, Seussical) direction by Co-Artistic Director Allison Hendrix, music direction by Resident Music Director Kory Danielson and choreography by Andrea Louise Soule. LOVING REPEATING will play July 18 - August 30, 2015 at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago. Tickets are currently available at www.kokandyproductions.com, by calling (773) 975-8150 or in person at the Theater Wit Box Office. The press opening is Monday, July 20 at 7:30 pm.

On the heels of its hit production of The Full Monty, Kokandy Productions is pleased to continue its 2015 season with LOVING REPEATING, a musical tribute to the life and loves of celebrated American author Gertrude Stein. Using Stein's own works as lyrics, LOVING REPEATING is adapted by Frank Galati (The Grapes of Wrath, The Accidental Tourist), with music by Stephen Flaherty (Ragtime, Once on This Island, Seussical) direction by Co-Artistic Director Allison Hendrix, music direction by Resident Music Director Kory Danielson and choreography by Andrea Louise Soule.

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.

Tympanic dares you to brave The Den and explore several dystopias with us for the final show in our eighth season: TODAY WE ESCAPE: Plays Inspired by OK COMPUTER. Enter a sterilized future inspired by one of the most haunting -- and touching -- albums ever recorded.

Tympanic dares you to brave The Den and explore several dystopias with us for the final show in our eighth season: TODAY WE ESCAPE: Plays Inspired by OK COMPUTER. Enter a sterilized future inspired by one of the most haunting -- and touching -- albums ever recorded.

The Ruckus continues its 2014-15 season with the Midwest premiere of BARBECUE APOCALYPSE, Matt Lyle's acclaimed comedy about adulthood, insecurity, and the transformative possibilities of total disaster. The Thomas Murray-directed production of the play called 'a show I enjoyed so much ... that I actually paid to see it again' (Lindsey Wilson, American Theatre) will run February 15 - March 15, 2015 at the Athenaeum Theatre (2936 N Southport Ave.) in Chicago. Tickets are available at AthenaeumTheatre.org, by calling 773-935-6875, or in person at the Athenaeum Theatre box office. A limited number of tickets are also available through Chicago Theatre Week, which runs from February 12 - 22. Press performances will take place on Sunday, February 15 at 4 p.m., and Monday, February 16 at 8 p.m.

Kokandy Productions is pleased to announce the 20-member cast for its 2015 season opener, the hilarious and heartfelt musical comedy THE FULL MONTY with music and lyrics by David Yazbek, book by Terrence McNally, direction by Co-Artistic Director John D. Glover, choreography by Danny Spagnuolo and musical direction by Resident Music Director Kory Danielson. THE FULL MONTY will play March 10 - April 12, 2015 at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago.

Following a successful fifth season with productions at The Side Project Theatre and Collaboraction, The Ruckus Theater is proud to announce its sixth season in Chicago, as well as the appointment of a new Artistic Director and Executive Director. Outgoing Artistic Director Allison Shoemaker, who will now serve as the company's Director of Marketing and Publicity, and incoming Artistic Director Derek Van Barham release today a season of two plays, each investigating the impact of cataclysm on a community. In addition to announcing Barham's appointment, the company also proudly announces the appointment of Catherine Bullard as Executive Director.

Kokandy Productions present their Season 2014 closer - ASSASSINS, directed by Rachel Edwards Harvith with music direction by Kory Danielson and choreography by Mike Ford. ASSASSINS opened on Saturday, June 14 at 8:00pm, and runs at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont in Chicago, and continues through Sunday, July 20, 2014. Scroll down for photos from the show's opening night celebrations!

Kokandy Productions has announced casting for ASSASSINS, directed by Rachel Edwards Harvith with music direction by Kory Danielson and choreography by Mike Ford. ASSASSINS begins performances today, June 13, 2014 with Press Opening on Saturday, June 14th, and runs at Theater Wit in Chicago through Sunday, July 20, 2014.

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 latest Jeff Award nominations, 'Brigadoon' gets cast, 'The Sound Of Music' and 'Motown' light up the Loop, new musicals from Writers Theatre and American Theater Company, 'Nunsense,' 'The Wild Party,' a new web series to support and more!

The Jeff Awards Committee today announced 128 nominations in 24 categories of Non-Equity Jeff Awards for productions that opened between April 1, 2013, and March 31, 2014. The Non-Equity Awards honor excellence in Chicago theatres not under a union contract. Jeff judges attended opening nights of 147 productions offered by 65 Non-Equity producing organizations. The judges recommended 66 of those shows, making them eligible for Non-Equity Jeff Award nominations. Thirty theatre companies received nominations.