Breon Arzell News

The Jeff Awards announced, via a special video presentation, a total of 127 nominations in 26 categories for the 44th Annual Non-Equity Jeff Awards for productions that opened between April 1, 2016, and March 31, 2017.  Hosting the video presentation were Alexis Roston and Lillian Castillo, who will be this year's Mistresses of Ceremonies at the Awards event on June 5 at The Athenaeum.

Today, The Hypocrites announced an exciting phase of maturation for the organization. A whole new non-profit business model leading to a stronger connection with our audiences and therefore more successful art being brought into the world.

The world premiere of Objects in the Mirror, which was developed through the Goodman's  New Stages Festival, appears April 29 through June 4 (opening night is May 8) in the 856-seat Albert Theatre.

Due to popular demand, Kokandy Productions hit revival of THE WIZ will add one additional week of performances, extending through April 23, 2017 at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago. BroadwayWorld has a fresh batch of production photos below!

Under the direction of Lili-Anne Brown, Kokandy Productions' staging of THE WIZ radiates joy, and at the performance I saw Saturday night, the audience was soaking up every single joyful moment. From my vantage point, I can say that the audience reaction comes from the satisfaction of watching a solid musical theater production that leans into the musical numbers and embraces this all-black version of the classic THE WIZARD OF OZ to milk it for every possible ounce of delight and vibrancy. All of the ensemble members onstage seem to be truly enjoying themselves, and that energy is undeniably infectious.

Kokandy Productions is pleased to launch its fifth anniversary season with a revival of the Tony Award-winning Best Musical THE WIZ, with book by William F. Brown, music and lyrics by Charlie Smalls, directed by guest director Lili-Anne Brown, music direction by Jimmy Morehead and choreography by Breon Arzell. THE WIZ will play March 5 - April 16, 2017 at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago. Tickets are currently available at www.kokandyproductions.com, by calling (773) 975-8150 or in person at the Theater Wit Box Office. The press opening isSaturday, March 11 at 8 pm. 

The cast and creative team is complete for Objects in the Mirror, a Goodman Theatre-commissioned world premiere by Charles Smith. Directed by Resident Director Chuck Smith, Objects in the Mirror is inspired by the playwright's real-life friendship with a Liberian refugee-turned-actor, Shedrick Yarkpai-portrayed by Daniel Kyri, in his Goodman debut. The production was developed through the 2015 New Stages festival and features a 5-member cast who brings to life the gripping account of one Liberian refugee's attempts to find peace by exposing a potentially dangerous lifelong secret. Objects in the Mirror appears April 29 through June 4 (opening night is May 8) in the Albert Theatre. Tickets ($20-$75; subject to change) are now on sale and available at GoodmanTheatre.org/Objects, the box office (170 N. Dearborn) or by phone at 312.443.3800.

The cast of Raven Theatre Company's premiere of Tennessee Williams' Not About Nightingales has been announced, with Raven Founding Artistic Director Michael Menendian directing. The play's action revolves around the tyrannical prison warden Boss Whalen's inhumane treatment of the inmates in his island prison.  Deciding they have had enough, and inspired by their de facto leader Butch, the inmates of Hall C fight back by waging a hunger strike. When it garners media attention, Boss Whalen responds with torture.  All the while, Whalen's inmate assistant Jim and new secretary Eva struggle with the moral dilemma of either exposing the strike and losing their jobs or assisting Whalen in keeping it under wraps. 

Porchlight Music Theatre announces the Chicago premiere of the Broadway musical The Scottsboro Boys, February 3 - March 12, featuring music and lyrics by John Kanderand Fred Ebb, book by David Thompson, direction by Samuel G. Roberson, Jr, music direction by Doug Peck and choreography by Florence Walker-Harris with Breon Arzellas associate choreographer, at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave.

Porchlight Music Theatre announces the Chicago premiere of the Broadway musical The Scottsboro Boys, February 3 - March 12, featuring music and lyrics by John Kander and Fred Ebb, book by David Thompson, direction by Samuel G. Roberson, Jr, music direction by Doug Peck and choreography by Florence Walker-Harris with Breon Arzell as associate choreographer, at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. The performance schedule is Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 4 and 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. There is an added matinee performance Thursday, March 2 at 1:30 p.m. NOTE: *There are no Thursday 7:30 p.m. performances February 9 and March 2. Tickets for previews are $38 and for the regular run $45 - $51. Single tickets may be purchased at 773.327.5252 or at PorchlightMusicTheatre.org.

Kokandy Productions is pleased to launch its fifth anniversary season with a revival of the Tony Award-winning Best Musical THE WIZ, with book by William F. Brown, music and lyrics by Charlie Smalls, directed by guest director Lili-Anne Brown, music direction by Jimmy Morehead and choreography by Breon Arzell. THE WIZ will play March 5 - April 16, 2017 at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago. Tickets are currently available at www.kokandyproductions.com, by calling (773) 975-8150 or in person at the Theater Wit Box Office. The press opening isSaturday, March 11 at 8 pm. 

Porchlight Music Theatre announces the Chicago premiere of the Broadway musical The Scottsboro Boys, February 3 - March 12, featuring music and lyrics by John Kander and Fred Ebb, book by David Thompson, direction by Samuel G. Roberson, Jr, music direction by Doug Peck and choreography by Florence Walker-Harris with Breon Arzell as associate choreographer, at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave.

The Theatre School at DePaul University presents Night Runner, a world premiere by Ike Holter and directed by Lisa Portes, with musical direction by Mikel Patrick Avery, choreography by Breon Arzell, and fight choreography by Katherine Coyl. Night Runner is a part of The Theatre School's Chicago Playworks for Families and Young Audiences Series.

The Theatre School at DePaul University presents Night Runner, a world premiere by Ike Holter and directed by Lisa Portes, with musical direction by Mikel Patrick Avery, choreography by Breon Arzell, and fight choreography by Katherine Coyl. Night Runner is a part of The Theatre School's Chicago Playworks for Families and Young Audiences Series.

Kokandy Productions will launch its fifth anniversary season with a revival of the Tony Award-winning Best Musical THE WIZ, with book by William F. Brown, music and lyrics by Charlie Smalls, directed by guest director Lili-Anne Brown, music direction by Jimmy Morehead and choreography by Breon Arzell. 

Porchlight Music Theatre announces the Chicago premiere of the Broadway musical The Scottsboro Boys, February 3 - March 12, featuring music and lyrics by John Kander and Fred Ebb, book by David Thompson, direction by Samuel G. Roberson, Jr, music direction by Doug Peck and choreography by Florence Walker-Harris with Breon Arzell as associate choreographer, at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave.

Just in time for the holidays, The Hypocrites presents the second play of its 20th Anniversary Season, the world premiere of CINDERELLA AT THE THEATER OF POTATOES. Experience the classic fairy-tale heroine, Cinderella, in a completely new light in Andra Velis Simon's brand new musical adaptation, based on the opera Cendrillon and other compositions by Pauline Viardot-Garcia and directed by Artistic Director Sean Graney. BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at the star below! 

Kokandy Productions has announced casting for its upcoming revival of the Tony Award-winning Best Musical THE WIZ, directed by guest director Lili-Anne Brown with music direction by Jimmy Morehead and choreography by Breon Arzell, playing March 5 - April 16, 2017 at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago.

Pegasus Theatre Chicago presents the world premiere of Rutherford's Travels, the adaptation of Charles Johnson's beloved National Book Award-winning novel, 'Middle Passage,' now through December 4 at Pegasus's resident home Chicago Dramatists, 773 N. Aberdeen. Rutherford's Travels is co-adapted and directed by Pegasus Theatre Producing Artistic Director Ilesa Duncan and co-adapted by David Barr, III, music directed and composed by Shawn Wallace and choreographed by Nicole Clarke-Springer. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Chicago -Pegasus Theatre Chicago announces the world premiere of Rutherford's Travels, the adaptation of Charles Johnson's beloved National Book Award-winning novel, "Middle Passage," November 2 - December 4 at Pegasus's resident home Chicago Dramatists, 773 N. Aberdeen. Rutherford's Travels is co-adapted and directed by Pegasus Theatre Producing Artistic Director Ilesa Duncan and co-adapted by David Barr, III, music directed and composed by Shawn Wallace and choreographed by Nicole Clarke-Springer.