Callie Johnson 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. Three major local premieres begin this week ('Next To Normal,' '9 To 5' and 'The Color Purple'), plus coverage of LOW's 'Cabaret,' two Cole Porter revues, busy Circle Theatre, 'Persuasion' is back, and 'In The Heights' and 'Hello, Dolly!' get their casts. It's a big Mosh Pit!

Drury Lane Theatre will present the regional premiere of the recent Broadway sensation NEXT TO NORMAL, previewing August 15, opening August 22, and running through October 6, 2013. NEXT TO NORMAL stars Jeff Award nominee Susie McMonagle as 'Diana' ('Fantine' in Les Miserables on Broadway and the first National Tours of Billy Elliot and Mamma Mia) and Jeff Award winner Rod Thomas as 'Dan' (Big at Drury Lane Theatre and Little Shop of Horrors at Theatre at the Center).The production is directed by Drury Lane Theatre Artistic Director William Osetek (Drury Lane Theatre's smash hit production of Spamalot and Jeff Award nominee for Best Director and Best Production for Thoroughly Modern Millie.)

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 Summer Birthday Showtune Blowout, 'The Last Five Years,' 'A Chorus Liine,' 'Whistle Down The Wind,' the casts of 'The Color Purple' and 'Next To Normal,' three new shows announced by Broadway In Chicago, and more!

According to the Chicago Tribune, Susie McMonagle and Rod Thomas are set to lead Next to Normal at Drury Lane Oakbrook, running August 15 - October 6, 2013. Also set to star are Skyler Adams, Callie Johnson, Colte Julain and Josh Tolle.

Peninsula Players Theatre, America's oldest professional resident summer theater and Door County's theatrical icon, opens its 78th season June 11 with the Wisconsin premiere of "Saloon" by Terry Twyman, a gritty, often raucous, cowboy tale set in the Old West with a real never-say-die spirit.

Porchlight Music Theatre presents Pal Joey, book by John O'Hara, music by Richard Rodgers and lyrics by Lorenz Hart, April 20 - May 26, at Stage 773, 1225 West Belmont Ave. Directed by Porchlight Music Theatre's Artistic Director, Michael Weber with music direction by Porchlight Artistic Associate Doug Peck (reuniting with Weber for the first time since their collaboration on Porchlight's triumphant production of Assassins) and choreography by Porchlight Artistic Associate Brenda Didier, Pal Joey stars Adrian Aguliar, 'Joey Evans,' Susie McMonagle, 'Vera Simpson,' Laura Savage, 'Linda English,' Matt Orlando, 'Ludlow Lowell' and Sharriese Hamilton, 'Gladys Bumps.'

Porchlight Music Theatre presents Pal Joey, book by John O'Hara, music by Richard Rodgers and lyrics by Lorenz Hart, April 20 - May 26, at Stage 773, 1225 West Belmont Ave. BroadwayWorld has a first look at highlights from the show below!

Porchlight Music Theatre presents Pal Joey, book by John O'Hara, music by Richard Rodgers and lyrics by Lorenz Hart, April 20 - May 26, at Stage 773, 1225 West Belmont Ave. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the production below.

Porchlight Music Theatre presents Pal Joey, book by John O'Hara, music by Richard Rodgers and lyrics by Lorenz Hart, tonight, April 20 - May 26, at Stage 773, 1225 West Belmont Ave. Directed by Porchlight Music Theatre's Artistic Director, Michael Weber with music direction by Porchlight Artistic Associate Doug Peck (reuniting with Weber for the first time since their collaboration on Porchlight's triumphant production of Assassins) and choreography by Porchlight Artistic Associate Brenda Didier, Pal Joey stars Adrian Aguliar, 'Joey Evans,' Susie McMonagle, 'Vera Simpson,' Laura Savage, 'Linda English,' Matt Orlando, 'Ludlow Lowell' and Sharriese Hamilton, 'Gladys Bumps.'

Porchlight Music Theatre presents Pal Joey, book by John O'Hara, music by Richard Rodgers and lyrics by Lorenz Hart, April 20 - May 26, at Stage 773, 1225 West Belmont Ave. Directed by Porchlight Music Theatre's Artistic Director, Michael Weber with music direction by Porchlight Artistic Associate Doug Peck (reuniting with Weber for the first time since their collaboration on Porchlight's triumphant production of Assassins) and choreography by Porchlight Artistic Associate Brenda Didier, Pal Joey stars Adrian Aguliar, 'Joey Evans,' Susie McMonagle, 'Vera Simpson,' Laura Savage, 'Linda English,' Matt Orlando, 'Ludlow Lowell' and Sharriese Hamilton, 'Gladys Bumps.'

BroadwayWorld collected as many of yesterday's evening Saturday Intermission Pics as we could to bring you Part 2 of our March 9th SIP round-up. Yesterday evening's photos featured NEWSIES' Andrew Keenan-Bolger 'passing the crutch' to Andy Richardson, and first SIPs from MATILDA on Broadway, as well as pictures from WEST SIDE STORY, CINDERELLA, CATCH ME IF YOU CAN, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, FLASHDANCE, HAIR, KINKY BOOTS, NICE WORK, LES MISERABLES and more!

BroadwayWorld collected as many of yesterday's evening Saturday Intermission Pics as we could to bring you Part 2 of our March 2nd SIP round-up. Yesterday evening's photos featured a preview of Laura Osnes' 'slippers' for CINDERELLA's opening tonight, a cute video from the cast of NEWSIES, FLASHDANCE meets 'Saved By The Bell', the KINKY BOOTS factory boys at the show's final dress rehearsal, and pics from THE BOOK OF MORMON, THE ADDAMS FAMILY, CHICAGO, THE WIZARD OF OZ in Toronto, ANYTHING GOES, A GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER at The Old Globe and more!

Porchlight Music Theatre presents Pal Joey, book by John O'Hara, music by Richard Rodgers and lyrics by Lorenz Hart, April 20 - May 26, at Stage 773, 1225 West Belmont Ave. Directed by Porchlight Music Theatre's Artistic Director, Michael Weber with music direction by Porchlight Artistic Associate Doug Peck (reuniting with Weber for the first time since their collaboration on Porchlight's triumphant production of Assassins) and choreography by Porchlight Artistic Associate Brenda Didier, Pal Joey stars Adrian Aguilar, 'Joey Evans,' Susie McMonagle, 'Vera Simpson,' Laura Savage, 'Linda English,' Matt Orlando, 'Ludlow Lowell' and Sharriese Hamilton, 'Gladys Bumps.' Meet the cast in the photos 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. Three shows make a PR appearance at Sidetrack, ATC plans a 'Hair' re-do, 'Camelot,' 'Floyd Collins,' three new mainstage musicals, a reading, a benefit and more!

Dance-the quality of performance, the merits of the performers, the creativity of the choreographers-at Middle Tennessee State University has certainly improved since the last time I reviewed the fall dance concert at MTSU. Of course, it was 32 years ago and the dance program at the university has grown by leaps and bounds.