Dina DiCostanzo 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 BroadwayWorld Chicago Awards are back with nominations open now! Plus the Jeff Awards on Monday night, three acclaimed recent openings, two shows proudly closing, three local shows that may never end, and NBC's live 'Peter Pan' is ready to fly!

Porchlight Music Theatre's mainstage 20th Anniversary Season of Sondheim commences with Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by Hugh Wheeler, direction by Porchlight Managing Director Michael Weber with music direction by Porchlight Artistic Associate Doug Peck, now through November 9 at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. Opening/press night is tonight, Oct, 7 at 7:30 p.m.

Porchlight Music Theatre's mainstage 20th Anniversary Season of Sondheim commences with Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by Hugh Wheeler, direction by Porchlight Artistic Director Michael Weber with music direction by Porchlight Artistic Associate Doug Peck, now through November 9 at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Porchlight Music Theatre's mainstage 20th Anniversary Season of Sondheim commences with Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by Hugh Wheeler, direction by Porchlight Managing Director Michael Weber with music direction by Porchlight Artistic Associate Doug Peck, today, October 3 - November 9 at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. Previews are Today, Oct. 3 at 8 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 4 at 8 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 5 at 2 p.m. and Monday, Oct. 6 at 7:30 p.m. Opening/press night is Tuesday, Oct, 7 at 7:30 p.m.

David Yazbek has shown himself to be a Broadway composer-lyricist to be reckoned with, after a splashy debut with 2000's "The Full Monty," and a meaningful follow-up with 2005's "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels." Both film adaptations, they won Drama Desk Awards for him, as well as Tony nominations. 2010's "Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown", also a film adaptation, was Tony-nominated for its score as well, though it suffered a truncated run of only 69 performances. Theatre at the Center in the Chicago suburb of Munster, Indiana, is the location for the show's world regional premiere.

In its first professional production since its Broadway debut, the musical comedy WOMEN ON THE VERGE OF A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN makes its Chicago area premiere in a brand new production at Theatre at the Center, 1040 Ridge Road, Munster, now through October 12, with a press opening on September 21. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

In the wake of the tragic loss of Actor Bernie Yvon, 50, in a car accident on his way to rehearsal of WOMEN ON THE VERGE, Theatre at the Center, 1040 Ridge Road, Munster, IN the theater has moved its press opening to Sunday, Sept. 21 at 2:30pm. Previews begin Saturday, Sept. 13, with George Andrew Wolff assuming the role of the taxi driver that Mr. Yvon had been scheduled to play. After the opening, a small tribute reception will take place at the theater for attendees of the performance.

Jedlicka Performing Arts Center concludes its 2013-14 season with the new Broadway musical BIG FISH with music and lyrics by Tony Award nominee Andrew Lippa, book by esteemed screenwriter John August, directed by Artistic Director Dante J. Orfei, music direction by John Warren and choreography by Dina DiCostanzo. BIG FISH plays through August 9, 2014 at the Jedlicka Performing Arts Center, 3801 S. Central Ave. in Cicero. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Jedlicka Performing Arts Center concludes its 2013-14 season with the new Broadway musical BIG FISH with music and lyrics by Tony Award nominee Andrew Lippa, book by esteemed screenwriter John August, directed by Artistic Director Dante J. Orfei, music direction by John Warren and choreography by Dina DiCostanzo. BIG FISH will play today, July 25 - August 9, 2014 at the Jedlicka Performing Arts Center, 3801 S. Central Ave. in Cicero. Tickets are available at www.jpactheatre.com or by calling (708) 656-1800. The press performances are tonight, July 25 and Saturday, July 26 at 7:30 pm.

In its first professional production since its Broadway debut, the musical comedy WOMEN ON THE VERGE OF A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN makes its Chicago area premiere in a brand new production at Theatre at the Center, 1040 Ridge Road, Munster, September 11 through October 12, with a press opening on September 14. With an irresistible Latin-infused score by Tony Award-nominated David Yazbek and book by Jeffrey Lane (the team behind past Theatre at the Center hit DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS) WOMEN ON THE VERGE OF A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN is a touching and hilarious story of a group of women whose relationships with men lead to a whirlwind of emotions- love as they find them, confusion as they lose them and passion when they need them. This regional premiere is directed by William Pullinsi with Choreography by Danny Herman and Musical Direction and Orchestrations by William Underwood.

Jedlicka Performing Arts Center concludes its 2013-14 season with the new Broadway musical BIG FISH with music and lyrics by Tony Award nominee Andrew Lippa, book by esteemed screenwriter John August, directed by Artistic Director Dante J. Orfei, music direction by John Warren and choreography by Dina DiCostanzo. BIG FISH will play July 25 - August 9, 2014 at the Jedlicka Performing Arts Center, 3801 S. Central Ave. in Cicero. Tickets are available at www.jpactheatre.com or by calling (708) 656-1800. The press performances are Friday, July 25 and Saturday, July 26 at 7:30 pm.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. All the latest on the Goodman's 'Brigadoon,' cast announcements of major titles from Light Opera Works, the Paramount and Porchlight, see Team Starkid and 'Ball At The Savoy' at Stage 773, local premieres of 'Suds' and 'Big Fish,' plus the #1 high school actor in America and more!

Jedlicka Performing Arts Center concludes its 2013-14 season with the new Broadway musical BIG FISH with music and lyrics by Tony Award nominee Andrew Lippa, book by esteemed screenwriter John August, directed by Artistic Director Dante J. Orfei, music direction by John Warren and choreography by Dina DiCostanzo. BIG FISH will play July 25 - August 9, 2014 at the Jedlicka Performing Arts Center, 3801 S. Central Ave. in Cicero. Tickets are available at www.jpactheatre.com or by calling (708) 656-1800. The press performances are Friday, July 25 and Saturday, July 26 at 7:30 pm.

Porchlight Music Theatre's mainstage 20th Anniversary Season of Sondheim commences with Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by Hugh Wheeler, direction by Porchlight Managing Director Michael Weber with music direction by Porchlight Artistic Associate Doug Peck, October 3 - November 9 at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. Previews are Friday, Oct. 3 at 8 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 4 at 8 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 5 at 2 p.m. and Monday, Oct. 6 at 7:30 p.m. Opening/press night is Tuesday, Oct, 7 at 7:30 p.m.

Porchlight Music Theatre and Managing Artistic Director Michael Weber present the Tony Award-winning and Pulitzer Prize-winning How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, tonight, April 26 - June 1 at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast below!

Porchlight Music Theatre and Managing Artistic Director Michael Weber are proud to announce the Tony Award-winning and Pulitzer Prize-winning How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, April 26 - June 1 at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. The classic musical comedy, with book by Abe Burrows, Jack Weinstock and Willie Gilbert and songs by Frank Loesser features direction by Porchlight Artistic Associate Rob Lindley, music direction by Kory Danielson, in his Porchlight debut and choreography by Porchlight Artistic AssociateBrenda Didier. Previews are Saturday, April 26 at 8 p.m., Sunday, April 27 at 2 and 6 p.m. and Monday, April 28 at 7:30 p.m. Opening/press night is Tuesday, April 29 at 7:30 p.m. The regular run schedule is Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 4 and 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. There is an added matinee performance Thursday, May 29 at 1 p.m. Tickets are $30 for previews and $43.50 for all other performances. Single tickets are on sale now and may be purchased online at porchlightmusictheatre.org or by phone at Stage 773, 773.327.5252. Groups of ten or more may receive discounts on tickets purchased via Group Theater Tix at 312.423.6612 or grouptheatertix.com.

Porchlight Music Theatre and Managing Artistic Director Michael Weber present the Tony Award-winning and Pulitzer Prize-winning How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, April 26 - June 1 at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast below!

Porchlight Music Theatre and Managing Artistic Director Michael Weber are proud to announce the Tony Award-winning and Pulitzer Prize-winning How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, April 26 - June 1 at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. The classic musical comedy, with book by Abe Burrows, Jack Weinstock and Willie Gilbert and songs by Frank Loesser features direction by Porchlight Artistic Associate Rob Lindley, music direction by Kory Danielson, in his Porchlight debut and choreography by Porchlight Artistic Associate Brenda Didier. Previews are Saturday, April 26 at 8 p.m., Sunday, April 27 at 2 and 6 p.m. and Monday, April 28 at 7:30 p.m. Opening/press night is Tuesday, April 29 at 7:30 p.m. The regular run schedule is Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 4 and 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. There is an added matinee performance Thursday, May 29 at 1 p.m. Tickets are $30 for previews and $43.50 for all other performances. Single tickets are on sale now and may be purchased online at porchlightmusictheatre.org or by phone at Stage 773, 773.327.5252. Groups of ten or more may receive discounts on tickets purchased via Group Theater Tix at 312.423.6612 or grouptheatertix.com.