David Simmons 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. 'The Sound Of Music' and 'The Wizard Of Oz' live, a local 'Ragtime' and 'Avenue Q,' premieres of 'Juno' and 'The Next Thing,' 'Hit The Wall' and 'Waa-Mu' return, CCT announces two world premieres, and Illinois has its high school musical theater champs--plus even more!

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Hold onto your hats! Shows beginning in late April include 'Avenue Q,' 'Ragtime,' 'Juno,' 'Hey! Dancin'! Hey! Musical!,' 'How To Succeed...,' 'Hair,' 'The Sound Of Music,' 'Motown' and 'The Wizard Of Oz!' AMAZING! Plus news from The Second City, the Goodman, that JCS arena tour, a 2015 'Little Shop' and the return of the Mormons! Whew!

Big Noise Theatre Company will present the Tony Award-winning epic musical RAGTIME, opening April 25 and playing weekends through May 11, 2014. Performances will be held at Prairie Lakes Theatre in Des Plaines, IL. The cast, featuring 37 actors from the Chicagoland area, is directed by Stacey Flaster, with musical direction by Robert Deason of Chicago.

As the classic Cole Porter musical sings, 'Another Opening, Another Show,' Arizona Broadway Theatre (ABT) is set to open another crowd-pleasing spectacle with Kiss Me, Kate tonight, February 28.

As the classic Cole Porter musical sings, 'Another Opening, Another Show,' Arizona Broadway Theatre (ABT) is set to open another crowd-pleasing spectacle with Kiss Me, Kate on February 28.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'Ain't Misbehavin' and 'Ragtime' get ready, the 'Lyle' and 'Schoolhouse' kids' musicals, two stagings of 'Cabaret,' The Phantom and Raoul to visit Stage 773, KT Sullivan in Hyde Park, the Belmont Theater District is born, and more!

Black Ensemble Theater announces It's All-Right To Have A Good Time: The Story of Curtis Mayfield produced and written by Black Ensemble Theater Founder and CEO Jackie Taylor with Co-Direction by Jackie Taylor and Daryl D. Brooks. The Story of Curtis Mayfield will be presented at the new Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center, 4450 N. Clark Street in Chicago as an open run, with previews beginning September 14, 2013. The official press opening is scheduled for Sunday, September 22, 2013 at 3:00PM. Scroll down for a first look at the cast in action!

Black Ensemble Theater announces It's All-Right To Have A Good Time: The Story of Curtis Mayfield produced and written by Black Ensemble Theater Founder and CEO Jackie Taylor with Co-Direction by Jackie Taylor and Daryl D. Brooks. The Story of Curtis Mayfield will be presented at the new Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center, 4450 N. Clark Street in Chicago as an open run with previews beginning September 14, 2013. The official press opening is scheduled for Sunday, September 22, 2013 at 3:00PM.

Black Ensemble Theater presented the world premiere of From Doo Wop to Hip Hop, written and directed by Black Ensemble Theater Founder and CEO Jackie Taylor and Associate Director Rueben Echoles and produced by Jackie Taylor, earlier this month. Below, BroadwayWorld has photos from the VIP reception!

Black Ensemble Theater presents the world premiere of From Doo Wop to Hip Hop, written and directed by Black Ensemble Theater Founder and CEO Jackie Taylor and Associate Director Rueben Echoles and produced by Jackie Taylor. From Doo Wop to Hip Hop will be presented at the new Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center, 4450 N. Clark Street in Chicago, February 15 - April 14, 2013. The official press opening is scheduled for Sunday, February 24, 2013 at 3:00PM. Check out the video highlights below.

From Doo Wop to Hip Hop, written and directed by Black Ensemble Theater Founder and CEO Jackie Taylor and Associate Director Rueben Echoles, features choreography by Rueben Echoles and musical director Robert Reddrick. The production opens tonight, February 24, and runs through April 14, 2013 at the Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center, 4450 N. Clark Street. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Black Ensemble Theater presents the world premiere of From Doo Wop to Hip Hop, written and directed by Black Ensemble Theater Founder and CEO Jackie Taylor and Associate Director Rueben Echoles and produced by Jackie Taylor. From Doo Wop to Hip Hop will be presented at the new Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center, 4450 N. Clark Street in Chicago, February 15 - April 24, 2013. The official press opening is scheduled for Sunday, February 24, 2013 at 3:00PM.

Black Ensemble Theater presents the return of holiday favorite The Other Cinderella, written, produced and directed by Black Ensemble Theater Founder and CEO Jackie Taylor, with choreography by Rueben Echoles. The Other Cinderella will be presented at the new Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center, 4450 N. Clark Street in Chicago, today, November 29 - January 13. The official press opening is scheduled for Sunday, December 2, 2012 at 3:00PM.

Black Ensemble Theater presents the return of holiday favorite The Other Cinderella, written, produced and directed by Black Ensemble Theater Founder and CEO Jackie Taylor, with choreography by Rueben Echoles. The Other Cinderella will be presented at the new Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center, 4450 N. Clark Street in Chicago, November 29 - January 13. The official press opening is scheduled for Sunday, December 2, 2012 at 3:00PM.

Opening Mixed Blood Theatre's 37th season is the winner of the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for drama, NEXT TO NORMAL, described as 'a breathtaking rock production that reveals one family's struggle with mental illness.' Artistic Director Jack Reuler directs the powerhouse musical, which was also nominated for 11 Tony Awards. Next to Normal, with book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey and music by Tom Kitt, opens October 5 and runs through November 11 at Mixed Blood's historic firehouse theatre on the West Bank, 1501 S. Fourth St. in Minneapolis.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company held a one-night performance of WILL THE CIRCLE BE UNBROKEN; Death, Rebirth, and Hunger for a Faith, on May 21, and we have a first look at the photos below!

Steppenwolf Theatre Company previously announced the addition of three vocalists-Tina Brown, Rhonda Preston and David Simmons-to the cast of Will the Circle Be Unbroken: Death, Rebirth, and Hunger for a Faith.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company announces the addition of three vocalists-Tina Brown, Rhonda Preston and David Simmons-to the cast of Will the Circle Be Unbroken: Death, Rebirth, and Hunger for a Faith.

Black Ensemble Theater, under the direction of founder & CEO Jackie Taylor, will host a special one night-only Valentine's Day event featuring some of the most famous love songs of all time performed by Black Ensemble performers Rick Stone, Dawn Bless, RaShawn Thompson, Lyle Miller, Melanie McCullough, David Simmons, Theo Huff, Katrina Miller, Lawrence Williams, Rueben Echoles, Carrie Abernathy, Stori Johnson and Daryl Brooks. The one-night only cabaret is February 14, 2012 at 7:30pm at the Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center, 4450 N. Clark Street.

Black Ensemble Theater, under the direction of founder & CEO Jackie Taylor, will host a special one night-only Valentine's Day event featuring some of the most famous love songs of all time performed by Black Ensemble performers Rick Stone, Dawn Bless, RaShawn Thompson, Lyle Miller, Melanie McCullough, David Simmons, Theo Huff, Katrina Miller, Lawrence Williams, Rueben Echoles, Carrie Abernathy, Stori Johnson and Daryl Brooks. The one-night only cabaret is February 14, 2012 at 7:30pm at the Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center, 4450 N. Clark Street.