Underscore Theatre Company, in association with Harborside Films, is pleased to present the Chicago premiere of TONYA AND NANCY: THE ROCK OPERA, a dark musical comedy based on the infamous 1990's Tonya Harding/Nancy Kerrigan 'knee whack' ice skating scandal.
The Chicago premiere of Now. Here. This. opens Saturday, July 23, and runs Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30 PM, and Sundays at 2:00 PM through August 21 at Rivendell Theatre in Chicago's Edgewater neighborhood (5779 N. Ridge Avenue). A preview is scheduled for Friday, July 22, along with a special Monday night performance on July 25, both of which begin at 7:30 PM. For more information and tickets, please visit www.BrownPaperBox.org.
Underscore Theatre Company is pleased to announce the full line-up for its third annual CHICAGO MUSICAL THEATRE FESTIVAL, featuring 14 new musical productions. Created to showcase and support Chicago's burgeoning field of musical theatre creators, this year's festival will be held August 8 - 28, 2016 at Victory Gardens Richard Christiansen Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Ave. in Chicago. Each production will receive four performances during the Festival. The full schedule (Tuesdays - Sundays) can be found at www.cmtf.org, with single tickets and festival passes currently on-sale. The press preview, featuring songs from all of the 2016 productions, is Monday, August 8 at 7:30 pm.
?Tickets are now on sale for Brown Paper Box Co.'s summer production of Now. Here. This. The show opens Saturday, July 23, and runs Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30 PM, and Sundays at 2:00 PM through August 21 at Rivendell Theatre in Chicago's Edgewater neighborhood (5779 N. Ridge Avenue). A preview is scheduled for Friday, July 22, along with a special Monday night performance on July 25, both of which begin at 7:30 PM.
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.
On January 21, guests gathered at Drury Lane Theatre for the Opening Night of their newest production, Bye Bye Birdie, directed and choreographed by Tammy Mader. With a cast led by Michelle Aravena as Rosie, Matt Crowle as Conrad's agent, Albert, and Jason Michael Evans as Conrad Birdie, audiences were treated to a throwback of the classic 1950's musical, brought to life again by this energetic and lively ensemble of 31. Check out photos from opening night, below!
Bye Bye Birdie, the four-time Tony Award-winning musical, begins performances at Drury Lane on January 14 to conclude the 2015 - 2016 Season. The funny, irreverent musical takes audiences back to 1959 in quiet Sweet Apple, OH, where rock star Conrad Birdie shakes things up when he arrives to give one lucky teenage girl a special goodbye kiss. With a cast led by 2015 Jeff Award Best Supporting Actor winners Michelle Aravena as Rosie and Matt Crowle as Conrad's agent, Albert, Bye Bye Birdie is directed and choreographed by multiple Jeff Award winner Tammy Mader. Featuring musical theater classics such as "Kids," "Put on a Happy Face," and "A Lot of Livin' to Do," the inspired cast and creative team promise to bring a decidedly fresh touch to the timeless story.
The Brown Paper Box Co. celebrated five successful years with Brown Paper Bash: A 5-Year Anniversary Party, a one-night-only event featuring performances by The Moxie Sisters, the reunited casts of their productions of REEFER MADNESS, GODSPELL, A NEW BRAIN, and [title of show], and a special set by local singer-songwriter Jess Godwin. Scroll down for photos from the event!
The Brown Paper Box Co. has announced their next cabaret series, Spring Forward, Fail Back: A Sunny, Funny Cabaret. This show will feature songs and stories about all things spring: the flings, the foibles, and all of the shenanigans that accompany the rising temperatures of the season.
The Brown Paper Box Co. has announced their next cabaret series, Spring Forward, Fail Back: A Sunny, Funny Cabaret. This show will feature songs and stories about all things spring: the flings, the foibles, and all of the shenanigans that accompany the rising temperatures of the season.
The Brown Paper Box Co. returned to Davenport's Piano Bar & Cabaret last Sunday and Monday nights with BPB Yearbook: A Throwback Cabaret. This two-night-only event featured solos and duets performed by Brown Paper Box Co. artistic associates and previous cast members as they cracked open their personal time capsules and revealed hilarious anecdotes and cringe-worthy stories from their teenage years.
The Velveteen Rabbit runs Today, Oct. 18 - Sunday, Nov. 23 at Lifeline Theatre, 6912 N. Glenwood Ave. Press opening is Sunday, Oct. 19 at 1 p.m. Regular performance times are Todays and Sundays at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. (Previews are Today, Oct. 18 at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.; and Sunday, Oct. 19 at 11 a.m.) Ticket prices are $15 and may be purchased at the Lifeline Theatre Box Office, 773.761.4477, or by visiting www.lifelinetheatre.com.
Lifeline Theatre opens its 2014-15 KidSeries season with The Velveteen Rabbit, based on the beloved classic by Margery Williams, adapted by Lifeline Theatre ensemble member Elise Kauzlaric, and directed by Lifeline Theatre ensemble member Amanda Link.
The Velveteen Rabbit runs Saturday, Oct. 18 - Sunday, Nov. 23 at Lifeline Theatre, 6912 N. Glenwood Ave. Press opening is Sunday, Oct. 19 at 1 p.m. Regular performance times are Saturdays and Sundays at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. (Previews are Saturday, Oct. 18 at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.; and Sunday, Oct. 19 at 11 a.m.) Ticket prices are $15 and may be purchased at the Lifeline Theatre Box Office, 773.761.4477, or by visiting www.lifelinetheatre.com.
Lifeline Theatre opens its 2014-15 KidSeries season with The Velveteen Rabbit, based on the beloved classic by Margery Williams, adapted by Lifeline Theatre ensemble member Elise Kauzlaric, and directed by Lifeline Theatre ensemble member Amanda Link.
Lifeline Theatre opens its 2014-15 KidSeries season with The Velveteen Rabbit, based on the beloved classic by Margery Williams, adapted by Lifeline Theatre ensemble member Elise Kauzlaric, and directed by Lifeline Theatre ensemble member Amanda Link. One Christmas morning, a shy stuffed bunny enters the world of a young boy's nursery. Initially ignored in favor of more modern toys, she waits patiently to be noticed, wondering if she will ever be loved like the others. When the wise old Skin Horse reveals the majesty and mystery of what it means to become real, the Velveteen Rabbit begins an odyssey of the heart to make a lasting connection with her boy that will endure for always. Return to a simpler time with this heartwarming story about the transformative power of love. This production is recommended for children ages five and up (children under two not permitted), and runs one hour with no intermission. The book will be on sale in the lobby.
Factory Theater presents Hey! Dancin'! Hey! Musical!, written by Kirk Pynchon and Mike Beyer*, with music/lyrics by Laura McKenzie* (with additional lyrics by Kirk Pynchon). Directed by Matthew Gunnels and choreographed by Brigitte Ditmars, the show opens Today, April 25 8pm and continues through May 31, 2014.
Factory Theater presents Hey! Dancin'! Hey! Musical!, written by Kirk Pynchon and Mike Beyer*, with music/lyrics by Laura McKenzie* (with additional lyrics by Kirk Pynchon). Directed by Matthew Gunnels and choreographed by Brigitte Ditmars, the show opens Friday, April 25 8pm and continues through May 31, 2014.
Porchlight Music Theatre presents Pal Joey, book by John O'Hara, music by Richard Rodgers and lyrics by Lorenz Hart, April 20 - May 26, at Stage 773, 1225 West Belmont Ave. Directed by Porchlight Music Theatre's Artistic Director, Michael Weber with music direction by Porchlight Artistic Associate Doug Peck (reuniting with Weber for the first time since their collaboration on Porchlight's triumphant production of Assassins) and choreography by Porchlight Artistic Associate Brenda Didier, Pal Joey stars Adrian Aguliar, 'Joey Evans,' Susie McMonagle, 'Vera Simpson,' Laura Savage, 'Linda English,' Matt Orlando, 'Ludlow Lowell' and Sharriese Hamilton, 'Gladys Bumps.'