Cassie Slater 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. 'Into The Woods' finally opens tomorrow! Plus Porchlight's Sondheim season continues, TMTC's 'Allegro' at Ravinia, Laura Osnes is coming to town, 'Galavant' and the BroadwayWorld Chicago Awards arrive in early January, followed by 'Tommy' in Aurora, 'First Date' at the Royal George, 'The Full Monty' at Theater Wit and more!

FIRST DATE, Broadway's new musical comedy about the most dangerous human endeavor in existence, the dreaded blind date previews at the Royal George Cabaret, 1641 North Halsted, Chicago previewing on Feb. 5 and opening Feb. 12 for a limited engagement. FIRST DATE features a book by Austin Winsberg ('Gossip Girl') and Music and Lyrics by Alan Zachary and Michael Weiner (Secondhand Lions, Twice Charmed).

TimeLine Theatre Company concludes its 2013-14 season with the Chicago premiere of the musical JUNO, book by Joseph Stein, music and lyrics by Marc Blitzstein, based on the play JUNO AND THE PAYCOCK by Sean O'Casey, directed by TimeLine Associate Artistic Director Nick Bowling with music direction by Doug Peck and Elizabeth Doran. JUNO will run at TimeLine Theatre, 615 W. Wellington Avenue in Chicago, tonight, May 1 - July 27, 2014. Press opening is Friday, May 2 at 7:30 p.m.

TimeLine Theatre Company concludes its 2013-14 season with the Chicago premiere of the musical JUNO, book by Joseph Stein, music and lyrics by Marc Blitzstein, based on the play JUNO AND THE PAYCOCK by Sean O'Casey, directed by TimeLine Associate Artistic Director Nick Bowling with music direction by Doug Peck and Elizabeth Doran. JUNO will run at TimeLine Theatre, 615 W. Wellington Avenue in Chicago, May 1 - July 27, 2014 (previews today, April 23 - 30). Press opening is Friday, May 2 at 7:30 p.m.

TimeLine Theatre Company concludes its 2013-14 season with the Chicago premiere of the musical JUNO, book by Joseph Stein, music and lyrics by Marc Blitzstein, based on the play JUNO AND THE PAYCOCK by Sean O'Casey, directed by TimeLine Associate Artistic Director Nick Bowling with music direction by Doug Peck and Elizabeth Doran. JUNO will run at TimeLine Theatre, 615 W. Wellington Avenue in Chicago, May 1 - July 27, 2014 (previews April 23 - 30). Press opening is Friday, May 2 at 7:30 p.m.

'Sunday in the Park with George,' a Pulitzer Prize winning musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by James Lapine, begins performances today, July 24, 2013 at Peninsula Players Theatre, America's oldest professional resident summer theater and Door County, Wisconsin's theatrical icon. 'Sunday in the Park with George' has a three week run with performances Tuesday through Sunday through August 11, 2013.

"Sunday in the Park with George," a Pulitzer Prize winning musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by James Lapine, begins performances July 24, 2013 at Peninsula Players Theatre, America's oldest professional resident summer theater and Door County, Wisconsin's theatrical icon. "Sunday in the Park with George"" has a three week run with performances Tuesday through Sunday through August 11, 2013.

Dixon Place has announced its October 2012 events lineup. See full details below!

Jeremy Kushnier (Jesus Christ Superstar, Footloose), Eden Espinosa (Wicked, Brooklyn), Rachel York (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Victor/Victoria) and Jack Noseworthy (A Chorus Line, Sweet Smell of Success) lead the cast of New York Musical Theater Festival's 'Stealing Time,' the latest work of writers/composers Tor Hyams and Lisa Neubauer. 'Stealing Time' will play as a special event in the 2012 New York Musical Theater Festival at the PTC Performance Space. 'Stealing Time' is the second NYMF project for Hyams coming off the success of 'Greenwood' starring Andrea McArdle in the 2011 New York Musical Theater Festival.

Direct from his engagement at Birdland, Niko Tsakalakos' THE NIKO SONGBOOK played Barrington Stage Co.'s newly opened Mr. Finn's Cabaret at the Blatt Performing Art Center in downtown Pittsfield, Mass., on July 6 and 7. BroadwayWorld brings you photos from the evening below!

Today, July 3, the New York Musical Theatre Festival hosted a press preview day in which several shows treated the audience to special performances. On hand to represent 'Stealing Time' was Jesus Christ Superstar alum Jeremy Kushnier, who performed the show's title number. Click below to see him in action!

As previously announced, Jeremy Kushnier (Jesus Christ Superstar, Footloose), Eden Espinosa (Wicked, Brooklyn), Rachel York (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Victor/Victoria) and Jack Noseworthy (A Chorus Line, Sweet Smell of Success) lead the cast of New York Musical Theater Festival's 'Stealing Time,' the latest work of writers/composers Tor Hyams and Lisa Neubauer. 'Stealing Time' will play as a special event in the 2012 New York Musical Theater Festival at the PTC Performance Space. 'Stealing Time' is the second NYMF project for Hyams coming off the success of 'Greenwood' starring Andrea McArdle in the 2011 New York Musical Theater Festival. Yesterday, the company previewed the show in a special concert. Click below to hear Kushnier in action and stay tuned for more following the official NYMF preview next week!

Jeremy Kushnier (Jesus Christ Superstar, Footloose), Eden Espinosa (Wicked, Brooklyn), Rachel York (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Victor/Victoria) and Jack Noseworthy (A Chorus Line, Sweet Smell of Success) lead the cast of New York Musical Theater Festival's 'Stealing Time,' the latest work of writers/composers Tor Hyams and Lisa Neubauer. 'Stealing Time' will play as a special event in the 2012 New York Musical Theater Festival at the PTC Performance Space. 'Stealing Time' is the second NYMF project for Hyams coming off the success of 'Greenwood' starring Andrea McArdle in the 2011 New York Musical Theater Festival.

The BMI-Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop announces its Spring Smoker, a semi-annual showcase for new songs from Workshop writers. The event will be held in the 30th Floor Media Room of BMI's New York office at 7 World Trade Center/250 Greenwich Street tonight, April 26, at 5:30PM and is open to members of the entertainment industry as well as Workshop members. Reservations are a must: Ssantana@bmi.com or 212 220-3177. Running time is 70 minutes.

The BMI-Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop announces its Spring Smoker, a semi-annual showcase for new songs from Workshop writers. The event will be held in the 30th Floor Media Room of BMI's New York office at 7 World Trade Center/250 Greenwich Street on Thursday, April 26, at 5:30PM and is open to members of the entertainment industry as well as Workshop members. Reservations are a must: Ssantana@bmi.com or 212 220-3177. Running time is 70 minutes.

The Broadway at Birdland concert series has announced the addition of The Niko Songbook - the songs of composer-lyricist Niko Tsakalakos on Monday, March 12 at 7:00pm. The concert will be held at Birdand - 315 West 44th St. - Admission is $25 and doors open at 5:00pm.