Jeff Max News

Maine State Music Theatre’s second main stage production, perennial favorite, JOSEPH & THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT, takes the Pickard stage by storm, exploding with color, energy, and sheer irrepressible joy. Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s early collaboration based on the Book of Genesis has as its central metaphor the coat of many colors, and like that kaleidoscopic garment, the show itself is a rich, eclectic tapestry that weaves together musical and choreographic genres, ancient and modern sensibilities, and perhaps best of all in this production – a diverse and deeply talented cast that is beautiful to behold.

“This production is new, fun, fresh,” says actor Blake Hammond who plays Jacob and Potiphar in Maine State Music Theatre’s production of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT that runs from June 29-July 16. “The show is pure joy,” concurs his castmate Jeff Max, who plays the role of Pharoah. “There is something in it for everyone.” This praise, coming from Hammond and Max, has a special resonance. Both actors have a long history with this show and the parts they play, and both have worked together in memorable previous productions. Recounts Hammond, “I first played Jacob and Potiphar thirty-five years ago in summer stock and since then have also played Napthali and the Baker as well, so it is fun to come back to the original track of Jacob/Potiphar in this production. [Director/choreographer] Alex Sanchez doesn’t have a lot of experience with this show, so he has fresh eyes for it; he’s not repeating anything else he’s done; it is as if we are learning for the first time.”

The musical twist on the classic tale of THE NUTCRACKER comes to life for children of all ages at The Marriott Theatre for Young Audiences, 10 Marriott Drive in Lincolnshire, now through December 30, with a press opening on November 19 at 10:00 a.m. Filled with magic, mystery and heartwarming numbers, this classic holiday musical will be directed and choreographed by Matt Raftery. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

???????The musical twist on the classic tale of THE NUTCRACKER comes to life for children of all ages at The Marriott Theatre for Young Audiences, 10 Marriott Drive in Lincolnshire, from November 11 through December 30, with a press opening today, November 19 at 10 a.m.

The musical twist on the classic tale of THE NUTCRACKER comes to life for children of all ages at The Marriott Theatre for Young Audiences, 10 Marriott Drive in Lincolnshire, now through December 30, with a press opening on November 19 at 10:00 a.m. Filled with magic, mystery and heartwarming numbers, this classic holiday musical will be directed and choreographed by Matt Raftery. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

???????The musical twist on the classic tale of THE NUTCRACKER comes to life for children of all ages at The Marriott Theatre for Young Audiences, 10 Marriott Drive in Lincolnshire, from November 11 through December 30, with a press opening on Saturday, November 19 at 10 a.m.

???????The musical twist on the classic tale of THE NUTCRACKER comes to life for children of all ages at The Marriott Theatre for Young Audiences, 10 Marriott Drive in Lincolnshire, from November 11 through December 30, with a press opening on Saturday, November 19 at 10 a.m.

THE BARDY BUNCH: The War of the Families Partridge and Brady, the musical parody by Stephen Garvey that gained cult status during its Off-Broadway run in 2014, runs in a limited engagement in Chicago, September 16 through November 20, at the Mercury Theater, 3745 N. Southport Avenue. The show's all-star cast will portray the Brady and Partridge families, just after the ABC Network ceased airing their chronicles in 1974, in a blood-soaked, vengeance-fueled, lust-filled crossover episode of Shakespearean proportions. BroadwayWorld has photos from the opening night festivities below!

The Marriott Theatre for Young Audiences will enchant audiences all over Chicago with the World Premiere musical tale, CINDERELLA... AFTER THE BALL, running now through May 8, with a press opening tonight, March 12, at 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire, IL. With book and lyrics by Eddie Sugarman and a sparkling score by Jihwan Kim, Jeff Award Nominee Scott Weinstein directs the Marriott Theatre for Young Audience's first show of the season, sure to delight audiences of all ages with its quick witted humor and toe tapping music. Scroll down for a first look at the cast in action!

The Marriott Theatre for Young Audiences will enchant audiences all over Chicago with the World Premiere musical tale, CINDERELLA... AFTER THE BALL, running now through May 8, with a press opening on March 12 at 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire, IL. With book and lyrics by Eddie Sugarman and a sparkling score by Jihwan Kim, Jeff Award Nominee Scott Weinstein directs the Marriott Theatre for Young Audience's first show of the season, sure to delight audiences of all ages with its quick witted humor and toe tapping music. Click below to watch highlights from the show!

The Marriott Theatre for Young Audiences will enchant audiences all over Chicago with the World Premiere musical tale, CINDERELLA... AFTER THE BALL, running now through May 8, with a press opening on March 12 at 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire, IL. With book and lyrics by Eddie Sugarman and a sparkling score by Jihwan Kim, Jeff Award Nominee Scott Weinstein directs the Marriott Theatre for Young Audience's first show of the season, sure to delight audiences of all ages with its quick witted humor and toe tapping music. Scroll down for a first look at the cast in action!

The Marriott Theatre for Young Audiences will enchant audiences all over Chicago with the World Premiere musical tale, Cinderella... After the Ball, previewing March 3 and running through May 8, with a press opening on March 12 at 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire, IL. With book and lyrics by Eddie Sugarman and a sparkling score by Jihwan Kim, Jeff Award Nominee Scott Weinstein directs the Marriott Theatre for Young Audience's first show of the season, sure to delight audiences of all ages with its quick witted humor and toe tapping music.

The Marriott Theatre for Young Audiences is thrilled to present its new production of Marc Robin's classic fairy tale musical PINOCCHIO! Come join us for the story of Pinocchio's eventful journey from wooden puppet to real boy, and delight in the adventures he has along the way. The production  runs through August 2, with a press opening today, July 11 at 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire. BroadwayWorld has a 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. 'Beaches,' 'Kinky Boots' and 'Gotta Dance' show how a pre-Broadway tryout is done, while 'Fancy Nancy,' 'The Little Mermaid' and 'Pinocchio' go for a younger demographic. Meanwhile, Ravinia, Grant Park and Three Oaks (MI) do summer concerts, and The Music Theatre Company announces its own surprise demise.

The Marriott Theatre for Young Audiences is thrilled to present its new production of Marc Robin's classic fairy tale musical PINOCCHIO! Come join us for the story of Pinocchio's eventful journey from wooden puppet to real boy, and delight in the adventures he has along the way. The production is currently in previews and runs through August 2, with a press opening on Saturday, July 11 at 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

The Marriott Theatre for Young Audiences is thrilled to present its new production of Marc Robin's classic fairy tale musical PINOCCHIO! Come join us for the story of Pinocchio's eventful journey from wooden puppet to real boy, and delight in the adventures he has along the way. The production is currently in previews and runs through August 2, with a press opening on Saturday, July 11 at 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

The Marriott Theatre for Young Audiences will present its new production of Marc Robin's classic fairy tale musical PINOCCHIO! Come join us for the story of Pinocchio's eventful journey from wooden puppet to real boy, and delight in the adventures he has along the way.

The Marriott Theatre for Young Audiences will present its new production of Marc Robin's classic fairy tale musical PINOCCHIO! Come join us for the story of Pinocchio's eventful journey from wooden puppet to real boy, and delight in the adventures he has along the way.

Follow the yellow brick road to The Marriott Theatre for Young Audiences, 10 Marriott Drive in Lincolnshire, for the enchanting musical production of THE WIZARD OF OZ, running from November 7, 2014 through January 4, 2015, with a press opening on Saturday, November 22 at 10AM. The Marriott Theatre for Young Audiences favorite Rachel Rockwell will direct and choreograph, with musical direction by Ryan T. Nelson. Based on the classic 1939 MGM movie, this special one-hour presentation of THE WIZARD OF OZ features the classic songs 'Follow the Yellow Brick Road,' 'Ding Dong the Witch is Dead,' and 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow.' A Question & Answer session with the cast will follow every performance.