Eugene Dizon News

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. 

As literary events converge with National Poetry Month in April and World Book Day and William Shakespeare's Birthday on April 23, Chicago Shakespeare Theater is celebrating with productions and programs onstage, online, and in classrooms across the country.

Music Theater Works’s 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 is now playing through April 3.

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.

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. 

It’s not just fitting that MR. BURNS is a play about a post-apocalyptic world, but also one that deeply underscores why art is so important to humanity. Indeed, this production demonstrates that art is what makes us human and empowers us to survive. After such a long time without live theater here in Chicago, I can think of few better ideas to ponder than that.

Theater Wit returns to live shows on August 27 with Anne Washburn’s Mr. Burns, a post-electric play, a brilliantly creative play that asks, “What’s left when everything is taken away?”

Wit’s 2015 Chicago premiere of Mr. Burns was one of the company’s most acclaimed productions ever, and post-pandemic, it couldn’t be more prescient. Wit’s new production revival also reunites many of the original cast and creative team.

The 2021-2022 Mercury Theater Chicago season has been announced. Mercury Theater Chicago welcomes audiences back in November to its beautiful home in the Southport Corridor with the feel-good blockbuster hit SISTER ACT directed by Reneisha Jenkins, featuring Chicago favorites Alexis J. Roston and Hollis Resnik. 

The Open House will be a joyful event to welcome audiences for live music and cocktails and the opportunity for guests to meet the new leadership team of Artistic Director Christopher Chase Carter, Managing Director Shane Murray-Corcoran and newly announced Cabaret Director Honey West, along with Executive Producers Walter Stearns and Eugene Dizon.

Executive Director, L. Walter Stearns and partner, Business Manager Eugene Dizon announced today the permanent closure of Mercury Theater Chicago after ten years and 25 productions, due to the loss of revenue following the COVID-19 shutdown.

L. Walter Stearns, Executive Director of Mercury Theater Chicago, announced today an ongoing lineup of three video series featuring past and present Mercury talent, to include actors, musicians and members of several creative teams.

Mercury Theater Chicago announced today the cast and crew of the spectacular musical comedy PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT, running in the Venus Cabaret Theater from March 20 through June 28.

L. Walter Stearns, Executive Director of Mercury Theater Chicago, announced today the cast and creative team of the upcoming SHEAR MADNESS, running on the main stage from February 7 through March 29. The press opening is Sunday, February 16 at 7pm. This hit comedic murder-mystery has slayed the hearts of audiences around the world for more than 40 years, following a mysterious murder above the Shear Madness Salon - leaving it to the audience to catch the killer among the actors. SHEAR MADNESS will be directed by the Jeff Award winning Warner Crocker.

A production of the fun-loving musical comedy PRISCILLA, QUEEN OF THE DESERT will run in the Venus Cabaret Theater from March 20 through June 28. The press opening is Sunday, March 29 at 7:30pm. Adapted from the beloved movie-musical The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, PRISCILLA tells a fabulous story of love, family, and true friendship, following three drag queens on their adventures across the Australian Outback. PRISCILLA will feature the creative talents of L. Walter Stearns (Director), Eugene Dizon (Music Director), and Breon Arzell (Choreographer).

Walter Stearns, Executive Director of Mercury Theater Chicago, announced today two new cast members to lead the production of Monty Python's SPAMALOT beginning November 14, with Jeff Diebold as King Arthur, and Keely Vasquez as the Lady of the Lake. SPAMALOT opened on September 8 to rave reviews, with the original cast members, Jonah D. Winston and Meghan Murphy originally at the helm in the roles of King Arthur and the Lady of the Lake. Murphy and Winston will play their final week of SPAMALOT through November 10.     

By popular demand, Mercury Theater Chicago's critically acclaimed production of Monty Python's SPAMALOT will be extended into the fall and winter, with performances now running through December 29. Lovingly ripped off from the classic film comedy Monty Python and the Holy Grail, SPAMALOT opened on September 8 to rave reviews, with Amanda Finn of NewCity noting a?oeSPAMALOT makes its triumphant return to Chicago, coconuts and all, in a no-holds-barred, good time show.a?? SPAMALOT is directed by Walter L. Stearns, with music direction by Eugene Dizon and choreography by Shanna VanDerwerker.    

In a one-night-only opportunity to see Chicago's leading ladies of musical theatre on stage together, Season of Concern (SOC) presents 'Second City Divas-In Concert,' a benefit performance Monday, September 9 at 7:30 p.m. at Mercury Theater Chicago, 3745 N. Southport Avenue. Season of Concern is the Chicago theatre community's fundraising effort to provide financial assistance to those in the community impacted by illness, injury or circumstance.

Porchlight Music Theatre's 25th anniversary season began with the 14th Annual Chicago Sings concert: Chicago Sings 25 Years of Porchlight, Monday, Aug. 5 at 7 p.m., at The Museum of Contemporary Art, 220 E. Chicago Ave, directed by Christopher Pazdernik and Artistic Director Michael Weber with music direction by David Fiorello and a band featuring Kelsey Boltz, Cara Hartz, John McCreary, Greg Strauss, Celeste Park and Jake Saleh.

Walter Stearns, Executive Director of Mercury Theater Chicago, announced today the cast and creative team of the upcoming MONTY PYTHON'S SPAMALOT, running on the main stage from August 30 through November 3.