Benjamin Weiss News

Performances begin this week for The York Theatre's second production of its Spring 2025 “New2NY” series – Who is Jimmy Pants? Check out photos of the cast here!

The York Theatre has revealed the cast and creative team for the second production of its Spring 2025 “New2NY” series – Who is Jimmy Pants?, with music and lyrics by Joseph Church, and book and lyrics by Jeff Bienstock.

The York Theatre has unveiled its 2025 Spring Season with a new “New2NY” series. See full programming, learn more about the season, and see how to purchase tickets.

The Beautiful City Project's November Musical-in-Concert production of WE WILL ROCK YOU took place earlier this week. Check out photos from the production here!

The Beautiful City Project revealed the cast for WE WILL ROCK YOU, a fundraising event at McGrath Family Performing Arts Center, benefiting Chicago's Season of Concern through a silent auction. Learn how to purchase tickets.

The Beautiful City Projected presented JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR on Monday evening, raising funds for the Chicago organization Intentional Sports. See photos from the show. 

The Beautiful City Project will present JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR on 6/24 at McGrath Family Performing Arts Center in Wilmette, IL. Proceeds benefit Intentional Sports. Learn how to purchase tickets.

Town Hall Theater has announced the launch of AddisonArts.org, a comprehensive digital arts calendar for Addison County.

The Beautiful City Project held it's Holiday fundraising event A NOT-SO-SILENT NIGHT, with proceeds to benefit Season of Concern, on Friday, December 19th at Floating World Gallery.

The Beautiful City Project has announced the cast of it's Holiday fundraising event A NOT-SO-SILENT NIGHT, with proceeds to benefit Season of Concern, an incredible Chicago organization dedicated to providing financial assistance to Chicagoland theater practitioners.

The York Theatre Company, in association with Jim Kierstead, Executive Producer, will present a presentation of the new musical Pants! The Jimmy Pants Musical with music and lyrics by Joseph Church (York’s Rothschild and Sons, The Lion King, The Who's Tommy) and book and lyrics by Jeff Bienstock (Legendale).

Recently, Broadway Records released FRANKIE! THE MUSICAL (Studio Cast Recording). The bubbly album is made up of highlights from the new musical, features music and lyrics by teen writer Elise Marra, and it stars Caitlin Kinnunen, who is best known for playing Emma Nolan in THE PROM on Broadway.

Below, listen as Caitlin Kinnunen sings 'Take a Deep Breath' from Frankie! The Musical.

Need something new to listen to, read, or watch? Check out this week's list of new and upcoming releases, including Frankie! The Musical (Caitlin Kinnunen), Royalties (Darren Criss), The Perfect Fit: The Musical (Laura Benanti), Robbie Rozelle and more!

Broadway Records announced that Tony Nominee Caitlin Kinnunen will sing the title role of Frankie in the upcoming Cast Concept Album for FRANKIE! THE MUSICAL, featuring music and lyrics by teen writer Elise Marra.

Tony-Award Nominee Caitlin Kinnunen (The Prom) will sing the title role of Frankie in the upcoming Cast Concept album of Frankie! The Musical with Music & Lyrics by teen writer Elise Marra.

On Monday, August 19th Ashley Kate Adams (La Cage Aux Folles) of AKA Studio Productions will present a reading of FRANKIE! The Musical with Book, Music & Lyrics by teen prodigy Elise Marra and directed by Joe Barros (NY Theatre Barn). 

The nationally regarded Fulton Theatre is proud to present the riveting family drama and electrifying rock musical, Next to Normal, in the Tell Studio Theatre May 16 through June 2, with Previews May 14 and 15. An emotional powerhouse, Next to Normal is the recipient of the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for Drama.

We are called millennials, generation Y, generation me, the internet generation, and much more. Whether we are ready or not, young people are carving the pathway for the future. Our song cycle, Breaking Ground, focuses on the unique issues facing our generation such as social media, hook up culture, college debt, job scarcity, and gun violence on campuses, to name a few. Through a wide variety of genres and styles, Breaking Ground explores how the millennial generation engages and tries to fit in this ever-changing, modern world.

The Orchard has acquired U.S. rights to the jazz-inspired drama THE SONG OF SWAY LAKE. Directed by Ari Gold (Adventures of Power), who co-wrote the film with Elizabeth Bull, the film stars Rory Culkin (Signs), Robert Sheehan (Geostorm) and Mary Beth Peil (Tony nominee for Anastasia). THE SONG OF SWAY LAKE will be released in theaters on September 21st and on VOD and Digital HD on September 25th.