Andra Velis Simon News

The Hypocrites are pleased to announce their 2015-16 Season, featuring an unprecedented seven productions for Chicago audiences! The season kicks off this summer with the triumphant return engagement of the critically acclaimed ALL OUR TRAGIC, an unparalleled twelve-hour theatrical adaptation that combines all 32 surviving Greek tragedies into a single epic narrative, adapted and directed by Artistic Director Sean Graney and featuring most of the original cast.

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.

The Hypocrites will launch their 2015-16 season with the Chicago premiere of the smash Broadway musical AMERICAN IDIOT, featuring music by Grammy Award-winning punk rock band Green Day, book by Green Day frontman/guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong and Michael Mayer and lyrics by Armstrong, direction by Steven Wilson, musical direction by Andra Velis Simon and choreography by Katie Spelman. AMERICAN IDIOT will play August 28 - October 25, 2015 at The Den Theatre Mainstage, 1329 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago's Wicker Park neighborhood. Tickets are currently available at at www.the-hypocrites.com. The press opening Sunday, September 6 at 3 pm.

Co-founders John Stoops and Tim Evans proudly announce the third season of the Three Oaks Theater Festival, an annual summer event that brings limited-engagement runs of highly- acclaimed, professional productions to audiences in Harbor Country, Michigan. This season will be performed at the Acorn Theater with a staged reading to take place at the Vickers Theatre.

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!

The Hypocrites are pleased to announce their 2015-16 Season, featuring an unprecedented seven productions for Chicago audiences! The season kicks off this summer with the triumphant return engagement of the critically acclaimed ALL OUR TRAGIC, an unparalleled twelve-hour theatrical adaptation that combines all 32 surviving Greek tragedies into a single epic narrative, adapted and directed by Artistic Director Sean Graney and featuring most of the original cast.

Building on its national and international reputation as a home for talented artists, Berkeley Repertory Theatre proudly announces its 48th season -- a trove of rich theatrical experiences featuring critically acclaimed productions and exhilarating new works.

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!

The Hypocrites are thrilled to launch their 2015-16 season this fall with the Chicago premiere of the smash Broadway musical AMERICAN IDIOT, featuring music by Grammy Award-winning punk rock band Green Day.

Theater Wit announced today a three-week extension of the company's smash hit production of Mr. Burns, a post-electric play, Anne Washburn's comedy/drama/musical about a post-apocalyptic world comforted by memories of 'The Simpsons.'

Broadwayworld reviews Theater's Wit's production of 'Mr. Burns, a Post-Electric Play.'

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!

On the heels of their critically acclaimed hit ALL OUR TRAGIC, The Hypocrites are pleased to continue their 2014-15 Season with another world premiere: a playful re-imaging of Gilbert and Sullivan's comic opera H.M.S. PINAFORE, adapted and directed by Founding Artistic Director Sean Graney, co-directed by Thrisa Hodits with new arrangements by Matt Kahler* and Andra Velis Simon. Check out pictures below!

On the heels of their critically acclaimed hit ALL OUR TRAGIC, The Hypocrites are pleased to continue their 2014-15 Season with another world premiere: a playful re-imaging of Gilbert and Sullivan's comic opera H.M.S. PINAFORE, adapted and directed by Founding Artistic Director Sean Graney, co-directed by Thrisa Hodits with new arrangements by Matt Kahler* and Andra Velis Simon. In what has become an annual celebration of the Gilbert and Sullivan canon, H.M.S. PINAFORE will run in repertory with remounts of the company's wildly popular productions of THE MIKADO and THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE, also adapted and directed by Graney. All three promenade-style productions will be helmed by ten creatively cast performers acting as their own orchestra, with music direction by Andra Velis Simon.

On the heels of their critically acclaimed hit ALL OUR TRAGIC, The Hypocrites are pleased to continue their 2014-15 Season with another world premiere: a playful re-imaging of Gilbert and Sullivan's comic opera H.M.S. PINAFORE, adapted and directed by Founding Artistic Director Sean Graney, co-directed by Thrisa Hodits with new arrangements by Matt Kahler* and Andra Velis Simon. In what has become an annual celebration of the Gilbert and Sullivan canon, H.M.S. PINAFORE will run in repertory with remounts of the company's wildly popular productions of THE MIKADO and THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE, also adapted and directed by Graney. All three promenade-style productions will be helmed by ten creatively cast performers acting as their own orchestra, with music direction by Andra Velis Simon.

On the heels of their critically acclaimed hit ALL OUR TRAGIC, The Hypocrites are pleased to continue their 2014-15 Season with another world premiere: a playful re-imaging of Gilbert and Sullivan's comic opera H.M.S. PINAFORE, adapted and directed by Founding Artistic Director Sean Graney, co-directed by Thrisa Hodits with new arrangements by Matt Kahler* and Andra Velis Simon. In what has become an annual celebration of the Gilbert and Sullivan canon, H.M.S. PINAFORE will run in repertory with remounts of the company's wildly popular productions of THE MIKADO and THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE, also adapted and directed by Graney. All three productions will be helmed by ten creatively cast performers acting as their own orchestra, with music direction by Andra Velis Simon. Scroll down for a first look at the latter two shows!

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. December is here, and 'Peter Pan' is finally live! Plus Light Opera Works and The Hyprocrites tackle operettas, 'Newsies' and 'Mary Poppins' have significant holiday runs, 'Stomp' and 'Schooner' return, Billy Corgan and Patti Lupone strut their stuff, and the community schedules a tribute to Sheldon Patinkin.

On the heels of their critically acclaimed hit ALL OUR TRAGIC, The Hypocrites are pleased to continue their 2014-15 Season with another world premiere: a playful re-imaging of Gilbert and Sullivan's comic opera H.M.S. PINAFORE, adapted and directed by Founding Artistic Director Sean Graney, co-directed by Thrisa Hodits with new arrangements by Matt Kahler* and Andra Velis Simon. In what has become an annual celebration of the Gilbert and Sullivan canon, H.M.S. PINAFORE will run in repertory with remounts of the company's wildly popular productions of THE MIKADO and THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE, also adapted and directed by Graney. All three promenade-style productions will be helmed by ten creatively cast performers acting as their own orchestra, with music direction by Andra Velis Simon.

On the heels of their critically acclaimed hit ALL OUR TRAGIC, The Hypocrites are pleased to continue their 2014-15 Season with another world premiere: a playful re-imaging of Gilbert and Sullivan's comic opera H.M.S. PINAFORE, adapted and directed by Founding Artistic Director Sean Graney, co-directed by Thrisa Hodits with new arrangements by Matt Kahler* and Andra Velis Simon.

On the heels of their critically acclaimed hit ALL OUR TRAGIC, The Hypocrites are pleased to continue their 2014-15 Season with another world premiere: a playful re-imaging of Gilbert and Sullivan's comic opera H.M.S. PINAFORE, adapted and directed by Founding Artistic Director Sean Graney, co-directed by Thrisa Hodits with new arrangements by Matt Kahler* and Andra Velis Simon.