Berger News

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Our very own Tony Award Viewing Party (you're invited), new takes on 'Hair' and 'Myths And Hymns,' tryouts of 'Amazing Grace' and 'On Your Feet!,' that reading of 'Bedknobs And Broomsticks,' Chicago originals 'Mister Kelly' and 'Caged Dames,' more film news, the Chicago Gay Men's Chorus and more!

The French Institute Alliance Francaise (FIAF), New York's premiere French cultural center, is thrilled to welcome renowned French stage actor Nicolas Bouchaud for the U.S. premiere of The Exercise Was Beneficial, Sir (La Loi du marcheur) directed by Eric Didry tonight, May 21 and Thursday, May 22 in FIAF's Florence Gould Hall. The performance is presented in conjunction with a special CineSalon series at FIAF celebrating the Cahiers du Cinema in May and June.

MOON OVER BUFFALO: Ken Ludwig's riotous show biz romp, Moon Over Buffalo, takes to the Heritage Center stage in Morrisville for three weekends, from late May until the middle of June.

Working Artists Theatre Project, in collaboration with the David Lynch Foundation, presents a staged play reading benefit of James McLure's companion comedies Lone Star and Laundry and Bourbon under the title '1959 Pink Thunderbird', featuring a cast of Broadway talent. All proceeds will benefit the Operation Warrior Wellness Project in teaching War Veterans with PTSD Transcendental Meditation.

AMC announced today that it has greenlit three new unscripted series as it continues to build its slate of unique and distinctive shows to fit alongside the network's scripted originals and premium movies. AMC has ordered three new series:

The Boston Modern Orchestra Project (BMOP), the nation's premier orchestra dedicated exclusively to commissioning, performing, and recording new orchestral music, partners with The Fine Family, The Irving Fine Society, and Brandeis University and its Department of Music to pay tribute to three central figures of the mid-century Boston musical landscape - Irving Fine, Harold Shapero and Arthur Berger. Celebrating Irving Fine's (1914-1962) centennial, BMOP spotlights this trio of lifelong friends and composers who advanced a unique vision for American music that incorporated the neoclassicism of Stravinsky, the clean elegance of Copland, and the edginess of serialism, all with a highly personal stamp. Click here to view program details.

The Public Theater will begin performances for Public Studio's two inaugural plays, THE URBAN RETREAT by A. Zell Williams, and MANAHATTA, by Mary Kathryn Nagle, tonight, May 15. The two plays will be presented as pared-down productions and run in repertory through Sunday, May 25 in The Public's Shiva Theater.

MEET & GREET, a new comedy play by tv veterans Stan Zimmerman (The Golden Girls, Roseanne, Gilmore Girls) & Christian McLaughlin (Married with Children, Desperate Housewives) and directed by Stan Zimmerman (Entertaining Mr. Sloane, Blink & You Might Miss Me, A Tuna Christmas), will be presented by Combined Artform at Hollywood Fringe 2014.

Three Cat Productions announces the extension of the world premiere of 'Hang Your Hat at Mister Kelly's' book by Jarrin Davis, original music and arrangements by Gary Gimmestad, original lyrics by Rob Dorn, directed by Artistic Director Jason Paul Smith. The productions opened on April 25, 2014 and will be extended through May 24, 2014. Cast members include Jason Michael Hammond, Nicole Haskins, Todd Neal, Paul Pasulka, Sara Reinecke, and Demetrous White, Jr. Performances are held at the Chicago Park District's Berger Park Coach House Theater at 6205 N. Sheridan Road (Edgewater by Granville el stop on Red Line).

It's been rumored, talked about, discussed and we've been reporting on it for what feels like forever -- and now, it's official! Roundabout Theatre Company has announced that it will present Tony & Emmy Award winner Kristin Chenoweth as 'Lily Garland' and Golden Globe & SAG Award winner & Tony nominee Peter Gallagher as 'Oscar Jaffe' in a new Broadway production of the classic musical ON THE TWENTIETH CENTURY, directed by Scott Ellis and choreographed by Warren Carlyle. ON THE TWENTIETH CENTURY features music by Cy Coleman and book & lyrics by Betty Comden & Adolph Green.

The French Institute Alliance Francaise (FIAF), New York's premiere French cultural center, is thrilled to welcome renowned French stage actor Nicolas Bouchaud for the U.S. premiere of The Exercise Was Beneficial, Sir (La Loi du marcheur) directed by Eric Didry on Wednesday, May 21 and Thursday, May 22 in FIAF's Florence Gould Hall. The performance is presented in conjunction with a special CineSalon series at FIAF celebrating the Cahiers du Cinema in May and June.

Mercedes Ellington, the renowned dancer/director-choreographer and founder and artistic director of The Duke Ellington Center for the Arts in New York City, will be an Honored Guest and one of the featured speakers at the 22nd International Duke Ellington Study Group Conference, which will be held May 14- May 18,2014 in Amsterdam in The Netherlands. Ms. Ellington, granddaughter of the legendary American composer and musician whose more than 3,000 musical compositions make him the 20th century's most prolific composer, will discuss her relationship with 'The Duke,' as well as his growing popularity today, 40 years after his passing on May 24, 1974.

The network has confirmed that the country music drama series will return for a 22-episode third season

Back by popular demand, Broadway Melodies returns to the West End Theater for an all-new comedy spectacular. The show will consist of three 20-minute musical sketch comedies. This month's event will include Shock'd by Aaron Salley, Sleuthical the Musical by Leah Thomas, and Disney Grew Up by Kirrilee Berger.

The Group Rep presents the world premiere musical 'The Ghost of Gershwin,' with music by Wayland Pickard, book by Doug Haverty, lyrics by Laura Manning, directed by Jules Aaron, choreographed by Michele Bernath, and produced by Richard Alan Woody. The play runs today, May 9 through June 22, 2014, Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 2pm at the Lonny Chapman Theatre at the edge of the NoHo Arts District.

American Theater Company concludes the 2013-2014 Season with Hair, book & lyrics by James Rado & Gerome Ragni and music by Galt MacDermot. Hair is directed by Artistic Director PJ Paparelli with additional direction by JR Sullivan and Music Direction by Austin Cook, and runs May 6 - June 29, 2014 at American Theater Company, 1909 W Byron St, Chicago, IL. Check out highlights of the show below!

Lincoln Center Theater (under the direction of Producing Artistic Director, Andre Bishop) has announced that it will extend the run of its critically-acclaimed production of THE CITY OF CONVERSATION, a new play by Anthony Giardina, directed by Doug Hughes, through Sunday, July 6 at the Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater.

ATC's production of HAIR, directed by Artistic Director PJ Paparelli with musical direction by Austin Cook runs through June 29 at ATC, 1909 W Byron Ave, Chicago.

Bernard Haitink will return to the New York Philharmonic to conduct two weeks of performances highlighting works by Austrian composers - Berg, Webern, and Mahler - and Beethoven, who spent much of his career in Austria. In the first program, Mr. Haitink will conduct Webern's Im Sommerwind, Berg's Violin Concerto with Leonidas Kavakos, and Beethoven's Symphony No. 3, Eroica, tonight, May 8, 2014, at 7:30 p.m.; Friday, May 9 at 8:00 p.m.; and Saturday, May 10 at 8:00 p.m. Bernard Haitink's appearances are part of an international, season-wide celebration of the 60th anniversary of his conducting debut with the Netherlands Radio Union Orchestra (now the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra) and his 85th birthday.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Welcome to the '60s, with 'How To Succeed,' 'Motown,' 'Cabaret' and 'Hair,' plus tributes to Jack Lemmon and the Carpenters, the upcoming 'Jersey Boys' film, 'Option Up!,' that one-night 'Parade' concert and the BroadwayWorld Chicago Tony Award Viewing Party!