Brandon Dahlquist News

Join Route 66 Theatre Company at the The Den Theatre THIS MONDAY for an extra February Driver's Seat Reading with an awesome cast! 

Creatives - a darkly comic pop opera with an original book by Irvine Welsh and Don De Grazia and a score including songs from some of the most popular rock bands of recent decades - reveals the desperation that fuels the passion to create. The score will include songs by Simple Minds, New Order, Iggy Pop, Oasis, Happy Mondays and others, along with original songs by Laurence Mark Wythe.

Chicago Theatre Workshop (CTW), in association with Susan Jack and Helen R. Jack, present "Creatives," a darkly comic pop-opera beginning February 19 at the Edge Theatre (5451 N. Broadway) under the direction of CTW's Artistic Director Tom Mullen.

When we know tomorrow will just bring more tragedy, why do we get out of bed? Emerging playwright K.M.C. explores that question with humor, a fistful of feathers, and a plethora of plums in  Jocasta, or The Three Plums  by exploring Jocasta's last day behind the scenes of Sophocles' Oedipus Rex. 

Creatives - a darkly comic pop opera with an original book by Irvine Welsh and Don De Grazia and a score including songs from some of the most popular rock bands of recent decades - reveals the desperation that fuels the passion to create. The score will include songs by Simple Minds, New Order, Iggy Pop, Oasis, Happy Mondays and others, along with original songs by Laurence Mark Wythe.

The 'Driver's Seat' Monthly Reading Series  continues with... THE LAST MATCH by Anna Ziegler.

Played out under the bright lights of the U.S. Open Semifinals, The Last Match is a battle for the ages. Rising Russian star Sergei Sergeyev is pitted against American great Tim Porter in an epic showdown that follows two tennis titans through pivotal moments in their lives both on-and-off the court.

For 15 years, the American Blues Ensemble has treated Chicago audiences to a live 1940s radio broadcast of holiday favorite It's a Wonderful Life. The incredible cast recreates the entire town of Bedford Falls with Foley sound effects, an original score and holiday carols.

American Blues Theater continues its 2016-2017 Season with the 15th Anniversary Production of the holiday favorite It's a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago! The production, based on the beloved Frank Capra's film, is directed by Producing Artistic Director Gwendolyn Whiteside with music direction by Michael Mahler. It's a Wonderful Life runs November 18 - December 31, 2016 at the Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave. in Chicago.  

Route 66 Theatre Company continues its 'Driver's Seat' Monthly Reading Series at Mrs. Murphy and Sons Irish Bistro (3905 N. Lincoln Ave) with CHANGING CHANNELS by John Reeger on Monday, November 7th at 7:30 p.m.

Be in the 'Driver's Seat' for THE MAKING OF A MODERN FOLK HERO, a new play by Martin Zimmerman, next up in Route 66 Theatre Company's monthly reading series at Mrs Murphy and Sons Irish Bistro.

Route 66 Theatre Company is pleased to announce the appointment Rachel Wendte and Deborah Blumenthal as its new Managing Director and New Play Development Director, respectively. 

American Blues Theater continues its 2016-2017 Season with the 15th Anniversary Production of the holiday favorite It's a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago! The production, based on the beloved Frank Capra's film, is directed by Producing Artistic Director Gwendolyn Whiteside with music direction by Michael Mahler. It's a Wonderful Life runs November 18 - December 31, 2016 at the Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave. in Chicago.  

Porchlight Music Theatre and Artistic Director Michael Weber are proud to announce the extension and additional performances of Dreamgirls, book and lyrics by Tom Eyen, music by Henry Krieger. This production is directed and choreographed by Porchlight Artistic Associate Brenda Didier and music directed by Porchlight Artistic Associate Doug Peck, now April 8 - May 22. Previews are Friday, April 8 at 8 p.m., Saturday, April 9 at 8 p.m., Sunday, April 10 at 2 p.m. and Monday, April 11 at 7:30 p.m. with opening night Tuesday, April 12 at 7:30 p.m. at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. The regular performance times are Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 4 and 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m., with no Thursday performances on April 14 with added performances Thursday, May 5, 12 and 19 at 1:30 p.m. and Sunday, May 8 at 7 p.m. Single tickets may be purchased at porchlightmusictheatre.org or 773.327.5252. Groups of ten or more may receive discounts on tickets purchased via Group Theater Tix at 312.423.6612 or grouptheatertix.com.

Stand-up comedian, actor and writer Mark Roberts returns home for the Midwest Premiere of The New York Times' Critics' Pick NEW COUNTRY at The Den Theater, 1333 N. Milwaukee Ave. The no-holds-barred show, described by Stage and Cinema as a"...hilarious, poignant, and at times heart-wrenching comedic drama," previews February 20, 2016 and runs through May 14, 2016.  Under the direction of Ian Streicher, the uncensored comedy about a country star's Nashville bachelor party going wildly amiss is sure to entertain audiences looking to push the proverbial envelope for a moving and hilarious night out.

Route 66 Theatre Company, in association with the LA-based VS. Theatre Company, is pleased to announce the transfer of its hit Chicago production NO WAKE to Los Angeles. Written by William Donnelly and directed by Kimberly Senior, NO WAKE's West Coast premiere will play tonight, February 25, through March 19, 2016 at VS. Theatre Company, 5453 W. Pico Blvd. in Los Angeles. The press opening is Saturday, February 27 at 8 pm.

Porchlight Music Theatre's production of FAR FROM HEAVEN marks the musical's Chicago premiere--the show debuted Off-Broadway at Playwrights Horizons in 2013 and takes the titular 2002 Todd Haynes-directed film as its source material. And while this musical from composer-lyricist team Scott Frankel and Michael Korie was written three years ago, FAR FROM HEAVEN touches on issues of gender, sexuality, and race in 1957 suburban Connecticut that poignantly resonant with the present moment. At the center of the musical is Cathy Whittaker (the superb and stunning Summer Naomi Smart), a 1950s housewife and mother--decked out in Bill Morey's outstanding period-authentic dresses and residing in Grant Sabin's charming set. At the top of the show, she catches her husband, Frank (Brandon Springman) cheating on her--with a man. Stunned by this secret, Cathy is forced to confront the reality of what happens when her life cannot conform to the societal pressures and ideals coming at her from both the media and friends--a matter which is further complicated when she strikes up an unexpected friendship with her black gardener, Raymond Deagan (Evan Tyrone Martin).

Route 66 Theatre Company, in association with the LA-based VS. Theatre Company, is pleased to announce the transfer of its hit Chicago production NO WAKE to Los Angeles. Written by William Donnelly and directed by Kimberly Senior, NO WAKE's West Coast premiere will play February 25 - March 19, 2016 at VS. Theatre Company, 5453 W. Pico Blvd. in Los Angeles. The press opening is Saturday, February 27 at 8 pm.

Route 66 Theatre company begins its 2016 season with the Midwest premiere of NO WAKE, by William Donnelly, directed by Kimberly Senior, playing now through February 7, 2016 at its resident home, The Greenhouse Theater Center (Downstairs Main Stage), 2257 N. Lincoln Ave. in Chicago. The press opening is Sunday, January 10 at 3 pm. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. It's the very last Mosh Pit! Paul is leaving BroadwayWorld Chicago, and he's prepared a few thoughts on who we all are and what it all might mean. Thanks for reading, peeps! See you around the Chicagoland showtune community!