Christina Hall 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. Local Tony and Jeff Award events, 'Shining Lives' shines, major productions of 'City Of Angels' and 'The Secret Garden,' original shows at Lifeline and Theo Ubique, two suburban theaters program 'Spamalot,' House updates 'The Bacchae' and New York gets its talent from where?

Lifeline Theatre presents a world premiere musical adaptation of Austin Grossman's 2007 novel, Soon I Will Be Invincible, by Lifeline Theatre ensemble member Christopher M. Walsh (Non-Equity Jeff nomination: New Adaptation, A Tale of Two Cities, Lifeline Theatre), with music and lyrics by Christopher Kriz (Jeff Award and Non-Equity Jeff Award-winner for Sound Design; three-time Non-Equity Jeff Award nominee for Original Incidental Music), and directed by Lifeline Theatre ensemble member Paul S. Holmquist (Non-Equity Jeff Award: Best Production-Play, The Island of Dr. Moreau, Lifeline Theatre; Non-Equity Jeff nomination: Director-Musical, The Robber Bridegroom, Griffin Theatre). The devious Doctor Impossible has escaped from prison and legendary superhero CoreFire has vanished without a trace. With the fate of the world in their hands, the New Champions have mere hours to recover their fallen comrade and stop their arch-nemesis before his doomsday device is complete. Joined by Fatale, a cyborg with an arsenal of deadly hardware and a host of self-esteem issues, the mighty super-team must face their darkest hour - and the truths buried in their deeply troubled pasts. A thrilling new musical about power and identity set in a vibrant world of heroes and villains, in a world premiere adaptation. The production runs approximately two and a half hours with one intermission. The book will be on sale in the lobby.

Sean Graney, who recently returned to Chicago to resume his post as Artistic Director of The Hypocrites, informed the Joseph Jefferson Awards Committee that he just learned the theater company had been operating under an Equity CAT-N contract for the duration of the 2014-2015 Non-Equity season.  Over the past year, requests for judging its productions were made to the Non-Equity Wing without the committee having knowledge of the company's Equity status. The Jeff Committee was aware that two of the productions had Equity performers (as indicated in the program); however, the committee has now confirmed that these were not guest contracts.  As such, the company's productions are not eligible for consideration in the Non-Equity Wing, and all related Non-Equity Jeff Award nominations have been rescinded.  The productions in question will be shifted to the Equity Wing for awards consideration during its current season, which commenced on August 1, 2014 and will end on July 30, 2015.

The Jeff Awards Committee today announced 118 nominations in 24 categories for the 42nd Annual Non-Equity Jeff Awards for productions that opened between April 1, 2014, and March 31, 2015. The Non-Equity Awards honor excellence in Chicago theatres not under a union contract. Jeff judges attended opening nights of 133 productions offered by 56 Non-Equity producing organizations. The Jeff Committee recommended 62 of those shows, making them eligible for Non-Equity Jeff Award nominations. Of the 62 Jeff Recommended productions, 46 received nominations, representing 23 theatre companies.

Theater Wit announced today a three-week extension of the company's smash hit production of Mr. Burns, a post-electric play, Anne Washburn's comedy/drama/musical about a post-apocalyptic world comforted by memories of 'The Simpsons.'

Broadwayworld reviews Theater's Wit's production of 'Mr. Burns, a Post-Electric Play.'

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 BroadwayWorld Chicago Awards Celebration was great! Now onward to '50 Shades,' 'Mr. Burns' and 'Book Of Merman,' plus two from Christopher Pazdernik,' 'Ordinary Days,' 'First Wives Club,' tributes to John Hughes and Stephen Sondheim and a showtune film cameo!

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Two weeks of voting left for the BroadwayWorld Chicago Awards! The 'Annie' film and 'The Merry Widow' open, 'Patsy Cline' extends, 'Sherlock Holmes' sings, 'Cupid' has a heart, and MCL Chicago, Drury Lane Oakbrook and Black Ensemble Theater plan new works for 2015, including 'Beaches' and a tribute to Roger Ebert!

Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre will extend its current hit show, Always... Patsy Cline beyond its originally announced closing date of December 28th with seven extra performances including a New Year's Eve show at 7:30 pm on Wednesday, December 31. The musical by Ted Swindley about country singer Patsy Cline and her unlikely friendship with a Houston fan opened on November 17.

Intimate production of one of Chicago's favorite musicals starring Christina Hall and 2014 Jeff Award-winner Danni Smith begins performances tonight, November 14 Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre's show for the upcoming holiday season will be Always...Patsy Cline, the touching story of the crossover country singer's friendship with one of her fans.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Dee Snider's Christmas show starts, and 'First Wives Club' and 'N' get their stars. Patsy Cline comes round again, as do the Q Brothers and 'Christmas Schooner.' Peeps gear up for 'Into The Woods,' 'Phantom' inspires television, and 'Billy Elliot' dances into movie theaters and into the Drury Lane Oakbrook!

Intimate production of one of Chicago's favorite musicals starring Christina Hall and 2014 Jeff Award-winner Danni Smith begins performances November 14 Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre's show for the upcoming holiday season will be Always…Patsy Cline, the touching story of the crossover country singer's friendship with one of her fans.

Bailiwick Chicago launches its 2014-15 season with the Tony Award-nominated Broadway musical THE WILD PARTY, with music and lyrics by Michael John LaChiusa, book by LaChiusa and George C. Wolfe, based on the 1928 poem by Joseph Moncure March, directed and choreographed by Brenda Didier, with musical direction by Aaron Benham*. THE WILD PARTY will play through November 1, 2014 at the Victory Gardens Richard Christiansen Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Ave. in Chicago.

Bailiwick Chicago will launch its 2014-15 season with the Tony Award-nominated Broadway musical THE WILD PARTY, with music and lyrics by Michael John LaChiusa, book by LaChiusa and George C. Wolfe, based on the 1928 poem by Joseph Moncure March, directed and choreographed by Brenda Didier, with musical direction by Aaron Benham*. THE WILD PARTY will play tonight, October 2 - November 1, 2014 at the Victory Gardens Richard Christiansen Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Ave. in Chicago.

Wit's eleventh season launches November 21-December 28 with The Santaland Diaries by David Sedaris, adapted by Joe Mantello, directed by Theater Wit Artistic Director Jeremy Wechsler, once again starring Mitchell Fain.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Remembering Bernie Yvon and honoring Bebe Neuwirth. And the show goes on with Route 66's Alanis Morissette tribute, 'Cats' at the Paramount, Bailiwick's 'Wild Party' and BoHo's 'Parade,' music improv at MCL Chicago, the new Refuge Theatre Project, and Chicagoans on tour with 'Sister Act!'

Bailiwick Chicago will launch its 2014-15 season with the Tony Award-nominated Broadway musical THE WILD PARTY, with music and lyrics by Michael John LaChiusa, book by LaChiusa and George C. Wolfe, based on the 1928 poem by Joseph Moncure March, directed and choreographed by Brenda Didier, with musical direction by Aaron Benham*. THE WILD PARTY will play October 2 - November 1, 2014 at the Victory Gardens Richard Christiansen Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Ave. in Chicago. Tickets are currently on sale at www.victorygardens.org, by calling (773) 871-3000 or in-person at the Victory Gardens Box Office. The press opening is Sunday, October 5 at 7 pm.

Bailiwick Chicago Theater has announced its 2014-15 Season, launching this fall with the Tony Award-nominated Broadway musical THE WILD PARTY, with music and lyrics by Michael John LaChiusa, book by LaChiusa and George C. Wolfe, based on the 1928 poem by Joseph Moncure March, directed by Brenda Didier and musical direction by Aaron Benham*. The season continues this winter with the world premiere of the fierce new play PRINCESS MARY DEMANDS YOUR ATTENTION by Resident Playwright Aaron Holland, directed by Artistic Director Lili-Anne Brown*. Next spring, Bailiwick Chicago presents the Chicago premiere of the intense off-Broadway rock musical MURDER BALLAD, conceived by and with book and lyrics by Julia Jordan, music and lyrics by Juliana Nash and directed by James Beaudry.

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 Jeff Awards, Theo Ubique's future plans, Jennifer Hudson performs, 'Damn Yankees' at LOW, 'The Beverly Hillbillies,' 'Coraline,' 'The Last Ship' and the Chicago Musical Theatre Festival debut, 'Spelling Bee' starts, 'Avenue Q' extends and BroadwayWorld Chicago hosts a Tony Party!