James Beaudry News

A classic American musical is headed to SUNY Buffalo with Rodgers and Hammerstein's CINDERELLA. This long held audience favorite was written for television audiences in 1957, where over 100 million people tuned in to get their first glimpse of a young Julie Andrews singing a score by the esteemed Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II.

Long Wharf Theatre presents Pride and Prejudice, written by Kate Hamill, adapted from the classic Jane Austen novel, and directed by Jess McLeod. Performances begin on Wednesday, November 27, 2019 for a limited run through December 22, 2019. Opening night is set for Wednesday, December 4, 7:30 PM on the Claire Tow Stage in the C. Newton Schenck III Theatre (222 Sargent Drive, New Haven, CT).

Long Wharf Theatre (Jacob G. Padrón, Artistic Director; Kit Ingui, Managing Director) announced dates, complete casting and creative team for Pride and Prejudice, written by Kate Hamill, adapted from the classic Jane Austen novel, and directed by Jess McLeod. Performances begin on Wednesday, November 27, 2019 for a limited run through December 22, 2019.

Theo Ubique's SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET, originally scheduled to close on April 29, has been extended and will now run through Sunday, May 20. The production earned rave reviews and has been playing to sold-out audiences since its opening on March 12. Philip Torre, Jacquelyne Jones and most of the original cast will remain with the production for the extension. Performance schedules remain unchanged, with the musical playing Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30 pm and Sundays at 7 pm.  Tickets for the additional weeks are now on sale at www.theo-u.com.

Philip Torre, a baritone who has appeared on the stages of Lyric Opera of Chicago, New York City Opera, Boston Lyric Opera and others, will perform the title role of Stephen Sondheim's SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET. The production's Mrs. Lovett will be Jacquelyne Jones, who just completed a run in Firebrand Theatre's acclaimed production of LIZZIE and appeared in Theo Ubique's HONKY TONK ANGELS as well as Kokandy Productions' HEATHERS last season.

Philip Torre, a baritone who has appeared on the stages of Lyric Opera of Chicago, New York City Opera, Boston Lyric Opera and others, has been cast in the title role of Stephen Sondheim's SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET. The production's Mrs. Lovett will be Jacquelyne Jones, who just completed a run in Firebrand Theatre's acclaimed production of LIZZIE, and appeared in Theo Ubique's HONKY TONK ANGELS as well as Kokandy Productions' HEATHERS last season. Theo Ubique Artistic Director Fred Anzevino, who will direct the production, announced the full cast today.

Theo Ubique Artistic Director Fred Anzevino has announced a cast for the company's production of Frank Loesser's semi-operatic musical The Most Happy Fella that includes talents with experience in the world of opera as well as musical theater. Anzevino will direct, with Jeremy Ramey as Music Director, Adam Veness providing scenic design, Bill Morey costumes, James Beaudry choreography, and Courtney Crouse assistant directing.

Theo Ubique's upcoming season, announced today by Artistic Director Fred Anzevino (left), will include four productions of critically acclaimed works that are likely to be new to most Chicago audiences. The season will begin on September 23rd with the Chicago premiere of a 2015 Drama Desk nominee for Outstanding Musical - the off-Broadway hit Fly by Night, to be directed by Anzevino with music direction by Jeremy Ramey (below left). It will be followed in December by the Chicago premiere of Honky Tonk Angels - a book musical by Always... Patsy Cline writer Ted Swindley incorporating some of country music's greatest hits into a story of three women who form a country music singing trio.

The Jeff Awards Committee today announced 121 nominations in 24 categories for the 43rd Annual Non-Equity Jeff Awards for productions that opened between April 1, 2015, and March 31, 2016. The Non-Equity Awards honor excellence in Chicago theatres not under a union contract. Jeff judges attended opening nights of 148 productions offered by 67 Non-Equity producing organizations. The Jeff Committee recommended 65 of those shows (or 44%), making them eligible for Non-Equity Jeff Award nominations. Of the 65 Jeff Recommended productions, a record 53 (or 82%) received nominations, representing 32 theatre companies.

Kokandy Productions launches its 2016 season with the Chicago premiere of the dark 'mean teen' comedy HEATHERS: THE MUSICAL, based on the hit 1980s cult film of the same name, from the award winning-team of creative team of Kevin Murphy (Reefer Madness, Desperate Housewives) and Laurence O'Keefe (Bat Boy, Legally Blonde). Directed by James Beaudry, with music direction by Kory Danielson and choreography by Sawyer Smith, HEATHERS: THE MUSICAL will play now through April 24, 2016 at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago. Click below to watch highlights from the show!

 Kokandy Productions is pleased to launch its 2016 season with the Chicago premiere of the dark 'mean teen' comedy HEATHERS: THE MUSICAL, based on the hit 1980s cult film of the same name, from the award winning-team of creative team of Kevin Murphy (Reefer Madness, Desperate Housewives) and Laurence O'Keefe (Bat Boy, Legally Blonde). Directed by James Beaudry, with music direction by Kory Danielson and choreography by Sawyer Smith, HEATHERS: THE MUSICAL will play February 28 - April 24, 2016 at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago. Tickets for HEATHERS: THE MUSICAL are currently available at www.kokandyproductions.com, by calling (773) 975-8150 or in person at the Theater Wit Box Office. The press opening is Friday, March 4 at 8 pm.

Hold onto your corn nuts! The cult classic film leaps to the stage in the Chicago premiere of HEATHERS: THE MUSICAL

?Kokandy Productions is pleased to launch its 2016 season with the Chicago premiere of the dark "mean teen" comedy HEATHERS: THE MUSICAL, based on the hit 1980s cult film of the same name, from the award winning-team of creative team of Kevin Murphy (Reefer Madness, Desperate Housewives) and Laurence O'Keefe (Bat Boy, Legally Blonde). Directed by James Beaudry, with music direction by Kory Danielson and choreography by Sawyer Smith, HEATHERS: THE MUSICAL will play February 28 - April 24, 2016 at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago. Tickets for HEATHERS: THE MUSICAL are currently available at www.kokandyproductions.com, by calling (773) 975-8150 or in person at the Theater Wit Box Office. The press opening is Friday, March 4 at 8 pm.

Porchlight Music Theatre and Artistic Director Michael Weber present the first production in the third season of Chicago's smash "lost" musicals in staged concert series, Porchlight Revisits…BABES IN ARMS, featuring book by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart, music by Rodgers and lyrics by Hart, with direction by Jess McLeod, music direction by Alex Newkirk and musical staging by James Beaudry. BABES IN ARMS is presented for three-nights-only through tonight, Oct. 8 at 7:15 p.m. and is performed on the set of Porchlight's SIDE SHOW (September 11 - October 25) on nights when there are no performances at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. BroadwayWorld has photos from the October 6th opening night festivities below!

BroadwayWorld.com Chicago reviews Bailiwick Theater Chicago's 'Murder Ballad.'

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Special events on the horizon from Porchlight, FWD and Option Up! Plus new-to-Chicago works from Piven and Bailiwick, colleges do 'Spring Awakening' and 'The Wild Party,' and Emerald City Theatre and Chicago Children's Theatre head for the big time!

Bailiwick Chicago will conclude its 2014-15 season with the Chicago premiere of the intense off-Broadway rock musical MURDER BALLAD, conceived by and with book and lyrics by Julia Jordan, music and lyrics by Juliana Nash, directed and choreographed by James Beaudry with musical direction by Nicholas Davio. MURDER BALLAD will play April 2 - May 9, 2015 at the Flat Iron Arts Building, 1579 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago. Tickets are currently available at bailiwickchicago.com. The press opening is Tuesday, April 7 at 7:30 pm.

Bailiwick Chicago will conclude its 2014-15 season with the Chicago premiere of the intense off-Broadway rock musical MURDER BALLAD, conceived by and with book and lyrics by Julia Jordan, music and lyrics by Juliana Nash, directed and choreographed by James Beaudry with musical direction by Nicholas Davio. MURDER BALLAD will play tonight, April 2 - May 9, 2015 at the Flat Iron Arts Building, 1579 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago.