Andra Velis Simon News

Firebrand Theatre's ALWAYS...PATSY CLINE is both a lovely tribute to female friendship and Patsy Cline's iconic song catalog (the musical features more than 25 of Patsy's songs). Ted Swindley's show, here directed by Brigitte Ditmars, is based on the real-life friendship between Patsy and one of her most fervent fans, Louise Seger. After a chance encounter at one of Patsy's concert engagements in 1961, Louise and Patsy struck up a friendship that lasted the rest of the singer's life. Because the musical incorporates so many of Patsy's iconic country songs, however, it manages to avoid becoming too trite in relaying its story. Instead, ALWAYS...PATSY CLINE becomes unquestionably enjoyable as it's presented more as a concert with a storyline. It's a format that works, and works well.

Firebrand Theatre has launched its 2019-20 season with a limited engage ment of ALWAYS… PATSY CLINE, featuring Artistic Director Harmony France and Christina Hall, who have both previously played the titular music legend. France and Hall will alternate in the roles of Patsy Cline and Louise Seger – so if you love the show, come see it again with the cast flipped!

The 2019-2020 season at People's Light features world premiere musicals, hilariously relatable characters, big questions, hard truths, and the most talked-about new plays in American theatre.

Firebrand Theatre is pleased to launch its 2019-20 season with a limited engagement of ALWAYSa?? PATSY CLINE, featuring Artistic Director Harmony France and Christina Hall, who have both previously played the titular music legend. France and Hall will alternate in the roles of Patsy Cline and Louise Seger a?' so if you love the show, come see it again with the cast flipped!

Raven Theatre is pleased to launch its 2019-20 season with the Chicago premiere of Rachel Bonds' drama SUNDOWN, YELLOW MOON, featuring music and lyrics by The Bengsons, directed by Artistic Director Cody Estle with music direction by Andra Velis Simon. This warm and delicate play with music is an honest look at the hard work of holding a family together and reconnecting with what we've left behind.

Eleven world premiere plays and musicals seen first by Chicago audiences were among those receiving nominations by the Jeff Awards, announced today. A total of 192 nominations were made in 34 categories that honor Chicago Equity theatrical productions that opened between August 1, 2018 and July 31, 2019. During the 2018-19 season, Jeff Awards judges attended opening nights of 132 Equity productions offered by 43 producing organizations and from these openings, 112 productions were a?oeJeff Recommendeda?? and eligible for award nominations.

Firebrand Theatre is pleased to launch its 2019-20 season with a limited engagement of ALWAYSa?? PATSY CLINE, featuring Artistic Director Harmony France and Christina Hall, who have both previously played the titular music legend. France and Hall will alternate in the roles of Patsy Cline and Louise Seger a?" so if you love the show, come see it again with the cast flipped!

Raven Theatre announces casting for its Chicago premiere of Rachel Bonds' drama SUNDOWN, YELLOW MOON, featuring music and lyrics by The Bengsons, directed by Artistic Director Cody Estle with music direction by Andra Velis Simon. This warm and delicate play with music is an honest look at the hard work of holding a family together and reconnecting with what we've left behind.

Raven Theatre launches its 2019-20 season with the Chicago premiere of Rachel Bonds' drama SUNDOWN, YELLOW MOON, featuring music and lyrics by The Bengsons, directed by Artistic Director Cody Estle with music direction by Andra Velis Simon. This warm and delicate play with music is an honest look at the hard work of holding a family together and reconnecting with what we've left behind. Casting will be announced shortly.

Northlight Theatre announces casting for its 45th season, opening with Mother of the Maid by Jane Anderson, directed by BJ Jones and featuring Kate Fry (Isabelle Arc), Kareem Bandealy (Jacques Arc), Hayley Burgess (Moniqueus Joan), Ricardo Gutierrez (Father GilbertChamberlainGuardScribe), Casey Morris (Pierre Arc), Grace Smith (Joan Arc) and Penelope Walker (Lady of the Court).

Writers Theatre, under the leadership of Artistic Director Michael Halberstam and Executive Director Kathryn M. Lipuma, announces an additional one-week extension of the Pulitzer Prize-winning musical Next to Normal, with music by Tom Kitt, book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey, directed by Tony Award winner David Cromer (The Band's Visit), music directed by Andra Velis Simon and choreographed by Eamon Foley. Next to Normal now runs through June 30, 2019, in the Alexandra C. and John D. Nichols Theatre at 325 Tudor Court, Glencoe.

Writers Theatre, under the leadership of Artistic Director Michael Halberstam and Executive Director Kathryn M. Lipuma, announces a one-week extension of the Pulitzer Prize-winning musical Next to Normal, with music by Tom Kitt, book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey, directed by Tony Award winner David Cromer (The Band's Visit), music directed by Andra Velis Simon and choreographed by Eamon Foley. Next to Normal runs through June 23, 2019, in the Alexandra C. and John D. Nichols Theatre at 325 Tudor Court, Glencoe.

Under the direction of David Cromer, Writers Theatre presents a NEXT TO NORMAL that is raw and electric. Tom Kitt's music and Brian Yorkey's book and lyrics have an utter immediacy to them in this production (and each note sounds great thanks to the music direction of Andra Velis Simon and the six-piece band.) It's beautifully cast and even more beautifully delivered. Each member of the cast rises to the dual challenge of conveying the messy, deeply personal experience of emotional pain while also hitting the notes of Kitt's complex score with precision.

Writers Theatre concludes its 201819 season with the Pulitzer Prize-winning musical Next to Normal, with music by Tom Kitt, book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey, directed by Tony Award winner David Cromer

Writers Theatre concludes its 2018/19 season with the Pulitzer Prize-winning musical Next to Normal, with music by Tom Kitt, book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey, directed by Tony Award winner David Cromer

Chicago Children's Theatre, Chicago's largest professional theater company devoted exclusively to children and young families, winner of the 2019 National TYA Artistic Innovation Award, has announced its 2019-2020 season: the Chicago debut of The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show, the holiday season return of The Beatrix Potter Holiday Tea Party, the new "mom & tot" show Wake Up, Brother Bear!, a new Red Kite, Brown Box production for children on the autism spectrum, and the Chicago premiere of Me...Jane: The Dreams & Adventures of a Young Jane Goodall.

Writers Theatre, under the leadership of Artistic Director Michael Halberstam and Executive Director Kathryn M. Lipuma, concludes its 2018/19 Season with the Pulitzer Prize-winning musical Next to Normal, with music by Tom Kitt, book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey, directed by Tony Award winner David Cromer (The Band's Visit) and music directed by Andra Velis Simon. Next to Normal runs May 8 - June 16, 2019 in the Alexandra C. and John D. Nichols Theatre at 325 Tudor Court, Glencoe. The Press Opening is Wednesday, May 15, 2019 at 7:30 p.m.

Firebrand Theatre presents the Chicago premiere of QUEEN OF THE MIST, based on the sensational true story of Anna (Annie) Edson Taylor, the first woman to go over Niagara Falls.

Porchlight Music Theatre's production of the 2014 Tony Award-winning Best Musical A Gentleman's Guide to Love & Murder has been extended through Saturday, March 16  at The Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn Street. A Gentleman's Guide to Love & Murder stars Matt Crowle and features music by Stephen Lutvak, lyrics by Robert L. Freedman and Steven Lutvak, and a Tony Award-winning book by Robert L. Freedman, is directed and choreographed by Stephen Schellhardt and music directed by Andra Velis Simon.