Christopher Chase Carter News

Porchlight Music Theatre was joined by nearly 200 people to launch its 28th season, honor the 2022 ICON Award recipient, one of Broadway’s foremost singing and dancing leading ladies, Tony Award winner Donna McKechnie,  present The Luminary Award to Dan Ratner and The Genevieve and Daniel Ratner Foundation and raise funds for its artistic and educational programs. Check out photos!

Cortney Hall and Matthew Rodrigues of “Chicago Today” on NBC5 will be hosting Award-winning Porchlight Music Theatre fundraising event, the ICONS Gala. The ICONS Gala, chaired by Joe Higgins and Scott Hoesman, will be Friday, Sept. 23 at 5:30 p.m. at The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago.

Mercury Theater has announced the cast and creative team for the murder mystery comedy Clue. This Chicago Premiere is adapted from the beloved motion picture by Jonathan Lynn and Sandy Rustin, with additional material by Hunter Foster and Eric Price, with original music by Michael Holland directed by executive producer Walter Stearns.

What did our critic think of REVIEW: MERCURY'S MAGICAL PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT at Mercury Theater Chicago?

Skates A New Musical will continue to play at the beautifully renovated Studebaker Theater through Sunday, June 26, 2022.

Mercury Theater Chicago has announced Kristi J. Martens as its new managing director. Martens, who has been the production stage manager at Mercury Theater Chicago for the past ten years, joins the leadership team of Artistic Director Christopher Chase Carter and Executive Producers L. Walter Stearns and Eugene Dizon. 

American Idol alumni and real-life married couple Diana DeGarmo and Ace Young take the stage in SKATES: A New Musical. While Christine Rea and Rick Briskin’s musical bills itself on the whole as an exercise in nostalgia, the most nostalgic part of SKATES for me was seeing DeGarmo and Young perform; I rooted hard core for DeGarmo back in her AMERICAN IDOL days. Here, she shows why— she has a tremendous powerhouse voice and an appealing stage presence that make her a consummate performer. Director Brenda Didier and choreographer Christopher Chase Carter work with a cast of Chicago musical theater veterans who perform alongside DeGarmo and Young.

Mercury Theater Artistic Director Christopher Chase Carter, Managing Director Kristi J. Martens and Executive Producers Walter Stearns and Eugene Dizon announce the cast and creative team for the much-anticipated production of the summer, Priscilla Queen of the Desert. The musical features a book by Stephan Elliot and Allan Scott and is based on the film “The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert” by Stephan Elliot. 

Rehearsals are underway for the world premiere musical Skates! American Idol favorites Diana DeGarmo and Ace Young lead the incredible cast of the new musical featuring Adam Fane, Kelly Felthous, Cory Goodrich, Emma Lord, Jason Richards, Kelvin Roston, Jr., Michelle Lauto, Zach Sorrow, Trey Deluna and Adia Bell. 

The Marriott Theatre, located at 10 Marriott Dr. Lincolnshire, is presenting THE SOUND OF MUSIC, now in previews, officially opening April 20 at 7:30 p.m., and closing June 5, 2022.

America’s next big musical sensation has its cast! American Idol favorites Diana DeGarmo and Ace Young will lead the incredible cast of the new musical, Skates.

The Marriott Theatre, located at 10 Marriott Dr. Lincolnshire, will welcome spring with THE SOUND OF MUSIC, previewing Wednesday, April 13, opening April 20 at 7:30 p.m., and closing June 5, 2022.

The Sarah Siddons Society, dedicated to funding scholarships for promising theater arts students at top Chicago area universities, is pleased to announce the formation of the Siddons Artistic Council.

Music Theater Works is proud to announce the cast for its spring production of the Tony-Award winning La Cage Aux Folles, music and lyrics by Jerry Herman, book by Harvey Fierstein, directed by Producing Artistic Director Kyle Dougan and music directed by Kyra Leigh with choreography by Christopher Chase Carter. 

Artistic Director Christopher Chase Carter, Managing Director Shane Murray-Corcoran, and Executive Producers Walter Stearns and Eugene Dizon announce the cast and creative team for the next Mainstage production of the 2021-2022 Mercury Theater Chicago season, Women of Soul, featuring a special tribute to Aretha Franklin.

American Idol favorites Diana DeGarmo and Ace Young return to lead a stellar cast in this completely original, family-friendly musical, co-created by Christine Rea (book/lyrics) and Rick Briskin (music/lyrics), with direction by Brenda Didier, choreography by Christopher Chase Carter and music direction by Daniel A. Weiss. 

The Beautiful City Project, led by Founder and Artistic Director David Fiorello, in collaboration with Mercury Theater Chicago Artistic Director Christopher Chase Carter, presents the full-length feature film Intersect, which beautifully marries dance, storytelling and music.

Disco diva Deloris Cartier and the Sisters of Our Mother of Perpetual Faith are getting into the Christmas habit at Mercury Theater Chicago with the final weeks of performances of the hit musical Sister Act. The critically acclaimed production, perfect for the whole family, must close on January 2, 2022, at Mercury Theater Chicago, 3745 N. Southport Avenue. 

Mercury Theater Chicago Executive Producers Walter Stearns and Eugene Dizon, Artistic Director Christopher Chase Carter and Managing Director Shane Murray-Corcoran reopened the theater with the first Mainstage production of the 2021-2022 Mercury Theater Chicago season, Sister Act, based on the 1992 film. 

Mercury Theater Chicago returns with SISTER ACT - and it's pure musical theater elation. This 'Joyful, Joyful' (SISTER ACT II reference intended) production, with direction from Reneisha Jenkins and choreography by Mercury's new Artistic Director Christopher Chase Carter, meets the goal of delighting audiences. This is musical theater that's designed to entertain and not make audiences think too deeply, and Mercury's production capitalizes on the show's capacity for fun. While the material is not at all serious, the talent in this company is stacked, and the actors take their responsibility to deliver this fun seriously.