David Hess News

Chicagoland's longest running musical theatre, The Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire, IL, kicks off their 40th anniversary 2015 season with one of Broadway's all-time biggest hits, La Cage aux Folles. The 11-time Tony Award-winning musical, the first to win Best Musical three times, opens tonight, February 4, and runs through March 22, 2015. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Chicagoland's longest running musical theatre, The Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire, IL, kicks off their 40th anniversary 2015 season with one of Broadway's all-time biggest hits, La Cage aux Folles. The 11-time Tony Award-winning musical, the first to win Best Musical three times, is currently in previews and opens February 4, running through March 22, 2015. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action 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. The Paramount's 'Tommy,' Drury Lane's 'West Side' and the Marriott's 'La Cage.' Plus 'Stomp' puts its foot down, 'Gent's Guide' books the fall, new shows in development and rewrite, plus 'Louis And Keely' at the Royal George, 'Titanic' at Northwestern and 'Grease' on FOX!

Chicagoland's longest running musical theatre, The Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire, IL, kicks off their 40th anniversary 2015 season with one of Broadway's all-time biggest hits, La Cage aux Folles. The 11-time Tony Award-winning musical, the first to win Best Musical three times, previews January 28, opens February 4, and runs through March 22.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Five different musicalized adaptations of 'A Christmas Carol' will put holiday cheer into your playgoing! Also 'Plaid Tidings,' a new 'Hansel And Gretel,' our first touch of 'Hands On A Hardbody,' the cast of the upcoming 'La Cage Aux Folles' at the Marriott, and Idina Menzel schedules an appearance in the Loop!

On Saturday night July 26, songwriters / co-creators Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman paid a visit to Wichita to see Music Theatre Wichita's all-new production of "Catch Me If You Can," and had many compliments for director / producer Wayne Bryan, choreographer Linda Goodrich, and all the cast members, including Thom Sesma ("The Times They Are A-Changin'," "Miss Saigon," "Sweeney Todd") as FBI agent Carl Hanratty, and Skyler Adams (Pippin understudy in the upcoming national tour of "Pippin") as Frank Jr. Special praise also went to Broadway veterans David Hess and Paula Leggett Chase as Frank's parents, and to Carolyn Anne Miller as love interest Brenda. Scroll down for photos of Shaiman and Wittman backstage, plus images from the production!

Music Theatre Wichita continues its impressive summer with another show stopper. Catch Me If You Can, directed by MTW's own Wayne Bryant, is a slick little number with a host of unforgettable performances.

Continuing the 43rd season for Music Theatre Wichita, the fourth of this summer's five large-scale productions is the Kansas premiere of "Catch Me If You Can," at Century II Concert Hall in downtown Wichita, KS.

Music Theatre Wichita opened its 43rd summer season this week with the first of its five large-scale productions, Rodgers and Hammerstein's South Pacific. Check out a video of the cast and crew backstage below!

Music Theatre Wichita opened its 43rd summer season this week with the first of its five large-scale productions, Rodgers and Hammerstein's South Pacific. Check out highlights below!

Music Theatre Wichita opened its 43rd summer season this week with the first of its five large-scale productions, Rodgers and Hammerstein's South Pacific.

Paper Mill Playhouse continues its 75th Anniversary Season with the classic Charles Dickens musical Oliver!, with a holiday 'twist' for the entire family. With a book, music and lyrics by Lionel Bart, Oliver! is directed by Paper Mill Playhouse Producing Artistic Director Mark S. Hoebee with original choreography by JoAnn M. Hunter. Oliver! features David Garrison (Fagin), best known for his role as Steve Rhoades on the hit television series Married...with Children, Betsy Morgan (Nancy), John Treacy Egan (Mr. Bumble), Jose Llana (Bill Sikes), David Hess (MR. Brownlow), Ethan Haberfield (Artful Dodger) and introducing Tyler Moran as Oliver. Oliver! also features 16 local boys from across the state of New Jersey who auditioned from a pool of over 200. Oliver! plays the Millburn, New Jersey theater through December 29. The official press opening was last night, December 1, 2013, and BroadwayWorld was there for the festivities. Check out photos from the after party below!

Paper Mill Playhouse continues its 75th Anniversary Season with the classic Charles Dickens musical Oliver!, with a holiday 'twist' for the entire family. With a book, music and lyrics by Lionel Bart, Oliver! is directed by Paper Mill Playhouse Producing Artistic Director Mark S. Hoebee with original choreography by JoAnn M. Hunter. Oliver! features David Garrison (Fagin), best known for his role as Steve Rhoades on the hit television series Married...with Children, Betsy Morgan (Nancy), John Treacy Egan (Mr. Bumble), Jose Llana (Bill Sikes), David Hess (MR. Brownlow), Ethan Haberfield (Artful Dodger) and introducing Tyler Moran as Oliver. Oliver! also features 16 local boys from across the state of New Jersey who auditioned from a pool of over 200. Oliver! plays the Millburn, New Jersey theater through December 29. The official press opening was last night, December 1, 2013, and BroadwayWorld was there for the festivities. Check out photos from the curtain call below!

Paper Mill Playhouse continues its 75th Anniversary Season with the classic Charles Dickens musical Oliver!, with a holiday 'twist' for the entire family. With a book, music and lyrics by Lionel Bart, Oliver! is directed by Paper Mill Playhouse Producing Artistic Director Mark S. Hoebee with original choreography by JoAnn M. Hunter. Oliver! plays the Millburn, New Jersey theater through December 29. The official press opening night is Sunday, December 1, 2013, at 7:00pm. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Paper Mill Playhouse continues its 75th Anniversary Season with the classic Charles Dickens musical Oliver!, with a holiday 'twist' for the entire family. With a book, music and lyrics by Lionel Bart, Oliver! is directed by Paper Mill Playhouse Producing Artistic Director Mark S. Hoebee with original choreography by JoAnn M. Hunter. Oliver! features David Garrison (Fagin), best known for his role as Steve Rhoades on the hit television series Married...with Children, Betsy Morgan (Nancy), John Treacy Egan (Mr. Bumble), Jose Llana (Bill Sikes), David Hess (MR. Brownlow), Ethan Haberfield (Artful Dodger) and introducing Tyler Moran as Oliver. Oliver! also features 16 local boys from across the state of New Jersey who auditioned from a pool of over 200. Oliver! plays the Millburn, New Jersey theater through December 29. The official press opening night is Sunday, December 1, 2013, at 7:00pm. Check out highlights of the production below!

Paper Mill Playhouse has announced two initiatives to help the needy in New Jersey this holiday season. For the 17th year Paper Mill Playhouse will partner with Jersey Cares as a collection site for their winter coat drive. New and gently used coats can be dropped off during the run of Paper Mill Playhouse's production of OLIVER! through December 29. The Millburn theater will also be collecting non-perishable food items to be distributed to area food pantries for their 'Food, Glorious Food' Drive. Any person that donates a coat or non-perishable food item will be rewarded with a Paper Mill Playhouse 75th Anniversary scratch-off game ticket for a chance to win valuable prizes. Items will be collected in the main lobby at Paper Mill Playhouse, 22 Brookside Drive in Millburn, New Jersey.

Paper Mill Playhouse will continue its 75th Anniversary Season with the classic Charles Dickens musical Oliver!, with a holiday 'twist' for the entire family. With a book, music and lyrics by Lionel Bart, Oliver! will be directed by Paper Mill Playhouse Producing Artistic Director Mark S. Hoebee with original choreography by JoAnn M. Hunter. Oliver! will feature David Garrison (Fagin), best known for his role as Steve Rhoades on the hit television series Married...with Children, Betsy Morgan (Nancy), John Treacy Egan (Mr. Bumble), Jose Llana (Bill Sikes), David Hess (MR. Brownlow), Ethan Haberfield (Artful Dodger) and introducing Tyler Moran as Oliver. Oliver! will also feature 16 local boys from across the state of New Jersey who auditioned from a pool of over 200. Oliver! will play the Millburn, New Jersey theater from tonight, November 21 through December 29. The official press opening night is Sunday, December 1, 2013, at 7:00pm.

The cast met the press earlier this week and you can check out photos from the performance preview below!