Louis Prima and Keely Smith shared a larger-than-life marriage and a groundbreaking Las Vegas act featuring unforgettable songs like "That Ol' Black Magic," "Pennies from Heaven," and "Embraceable You." These songs and many others are featured in the production which has grown from a local Los Angeles-created hit at Sacred Fools Theater Company to a national musical phenomenon. After earlier award-winning and extended productions in Los Angeles and more recent acclaim in Chicago, these outsized personalities and talents have returned to the city in which the show was born. The current production is directed by Taylor Hackford, who also wrote the show with Vanessa Clair Stewart and Jake Broder, and is presented by Hershey Felder (a musical talent in his own right).
LOUIS & KEELY 'LIVE' AT THE SAHARA returns to the Geffen Playhouse this month in a revamped production produced by the award-winning Hershey Felder. Written by Vanessa Claire Stewart, Taylor Hackford and Jake Broder and directed by Taylor Hackford, it is the story of Louis Prima and Keely Smith whose larger-than-life marriage and groundbreaking Las Vegas act featured an amazing cavalcade of hits that would forever secure their place in American musical history.
The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Today's fire at The Second City, and last week's Jeff Award nominations! Plus 'Glory Days' and the Refuge Theatre season, new musicals in focus with Schonberg and Boublil, Chicago Children's Theatre and more, Joan Curto, Hershey Felder, 'Bat Boy,' and Theatre At The Center's 2016 season!
Chicago stage, TV and film star Michael Shannon did the honor of announcing the nominees for the 2014-2015 Equity Jeff Awards. A video of the presentation is available at www.JeffAwards.org.
Hershey Felder presents Taylor Hackford's Louis & Keely: 'Live' at the Sahara, written by Vanessa Claire Stewart, Taylor Hackford and Jake Broder, directed by Taylor Hackford. Featuring Anthony Crivello (Tony Award Kiss of the Spider Woman) and Vanessa Claire Stewart who originally created the part of Keely Smith, performances are scheduled December 30 through January 17 (press opening Wednesday, January 6) at the Gil Cates Theater at the Geffen Playhouse.
Today we are revisiting one of Kander & Ebb's most awarded musicals in honor of its opening more than 20 years ago this week, KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN.
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 Jeff Awards stir things up, 'Louis & Keely' and 'Sounds So Sweet' evoke mid-century entertainment, Waa-Mu takes on the Berlin Olympics, a new Chicago-based revue in Edgewater, 'Chaperone' and 'Music Man' in the suburbs, 'The Boy From Oz' in a local production, 'Matilda' will tour, 'Amazing Grace' sets a Broadway run, and Circle Theatre re-emerges. Whew!
With about a zillion original musicals to their name, most of which made it to Broadway, this pair is one of the most famous Broadway songwriting teams of the modern era. Below, revisit their five longest-running Broadway musicals!
The T. Schreiber Studio for Theatre & Film, one of the country's foremost professional actor training and performance programs, just celebrated its 46th Anniversary Gala yesterday, April 26, 2015. The event honored Academy Award-nominee and T. Schreiber alumnus, Edward Norton, recently seen in the Oscar-winning films 'Birdman' and 'The Grand Budapest Hotel.'
The Chicago stage premiere of Academy Award winning director Taylor Hackford's LOUIS & KEELY 'LIVE' AT THE SAHARA has been extended by popular demand through Sunday, May 17 at the Royal George Theatre, 1641 North Halsted Street. Hackford, best known for his films An Officer and a Gentleman, Against All Odds, The Devil's Advocate,.
The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Lyric's 'Carousel' and the 'Sound Of Music' movie keep R&H front and center, plus 'Show Boat' from San Francisco and 'The Wiz,' 'Rocky Horror' and 'Grease' coming on television. COT has Ricky Ian Gordon, the Royal George has Louis Prima, more 'First Date' and 'Ordinary Days,' 'On Your Feet' and Broadway In Chicago's summer concert get set, and more!
The T. Schreiber Studio for Theatre & Film, one of the country's foremost professional actor training and performance programs, will celebrate its 46th Anniversary Gala on Sunday April 26, 2015. The event will honor Academy Award-nominee and T. Schreiber alumnus, Edward Norton, recently seen in the Oscar-winning films "Birdman" and "The Grand Budapest Hotel." The evening will also pay tribute to alumni Jonny Orsini (Fish In The Dark) and Julie Halston (You Can't Take It With You), who will serve as mistress of ceremonies. Mary-Louise Parker and Roma Torre are this year's Honorary Chairs. Tickets for individual seating ($450-$750) can be purchased by visiting http://tschreiber.org/2015-spring-soiree/
Continuing in a tradition of storytelling and music, Hershey Felder announces the star cast for the Chicago stage premiere of Academy Award winning director Taylor Hackford's LOUIS AND KEELY, 'LIVE' AT THE SAHARA.
The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Musicals in unlikely places! 'Carousel' and mariachi opera at Lyric, 'Louis And Keely' at the Royal George, plus one-off shows at the Northlight, Chopin and Court Theatres and Mary's Attic. Coming in 2016: Lifeline, Writers and the Goodman produce 'Northangar Abbey,' 'Company' and 'Wonderful Town!'
In the musical theatre today, it seems the world goes 'round the shows of composer John Kander & lyricist, the late Fred Ebb. On Broadway, one of their final musicals 'The Visit,' starring Chita Rivera with a book by Terrence McNally, begins previews next Month and opens in April.
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 Paramount's 'Tommy,' Drury Lane's 'West Side' and the Marriott's 'La Cage.' Plus 'Stomp' puts its foot down, 'Gent's Guide' books the fall, new shows in development and rewrite, plus 'Louis And Keely' at the Royal George, 'Titanic' at Northwestern and 'Grease' on FOX!
