Jody Shelton News

A LONG TIME AGO, IN A COMEDY THEATER SURPRISINGLY NEARBY...

The Peoples Improv Theater is happy to announce some of the programming for our winter and spring seasons the slate includes a diverse range of comedy and theater, from 'historical hip-hoperas' to epic parody musicals to solo shows from stand ups and internationally acclaimed performance artists and even plays in addition to their regular line up of improv and sketch shows.

A rotating cast of comedians create a fake religious service of a fake religion on the spot based on YOUR suggestions.

After recently gracing the screen with Meryl Streep as super-fan "Augustus Corbin" in Stephen Frears' Florence Foster Jenkins, and a sold-out run at London's Soho Theatre and the Edinburgh Fringe, London-based American comic David Mills returns to NYC's Pangea on November 5 with his razor sharp rants delivered with his signature cocktail swagger, biting, acerbic wit and a clutch of apocalyptic tunes.

After recently gracing the screen with Meryl Streep as super-fan "Augustus Corbin" in Stephen Frears' Florence Foster Jenkins, and a sold-out run at London's Soho Theatre and the Edinburgh Fringe, London-based American comic David Mills returns to NYC's Pangea on November 5 with his razor sharp rants delivered with his signature cocktail swagger, biting, acerbic wit and a clutch of apocalyptic tunes.

Next week, FEINSTEIN'S/54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club & Private Event Destination, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond.

Thank You For Coming Out presents Pride Night at the Magnet Theater on Monday, June 20, 2016, at 254 West 29th Street, Ground Floor, NYC. Tickets are available to reserve at www.magnettheater.com. Tickets are $7 for each hour, and 100 percent of the ticket proceeds from the entire evening are being donated by the Magnet Theater to I'm From Driftwood (https://imfromdriftwood.com).

This June, FEINSTEIN'S/54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz and beyond. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit www.54Below.com/Feinsteins or call (646) 476-3551.

Jason Kravits defied the sacred rules of cabaret performing in OFF The TOP at The Duplex. See him again on May 13th!

Thank You For Coming Out has announced ally to the LGBTQ community, Lauren Patten who is currently starring as Medium Alison in the Tony-winning musical FUN HOME, will be its Featured Storyteller on May 9 at 10:30pm at Magnet Theater.

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.

Jason Kravits defied the sacred rules of cabaret performing in OFF The TOP at The Duplex. See him again on May 13th!

Thank You For Coming Out is a fabulously funny improv show that features two different coming out stories each followed by an improv set (one musical). The stories you hear and the scenes you see are heartfelt, sometimes heart-wrenching, vulnerable, hilarious, fun, loving and supportive. We have a rotating cast of LGBTQ improvisers of all levels from all over New York City! Our actors range from newbies to Broadway sensations!

The Duplex Cabaret presents OFF the TOP!, the completely improvised cabaret Starring Jason Kravits (Unbreakably Kimmy Schmidt, The Drowsy Chaperone, Curb Your Enthusiasm, The Practice).  With Jody Shelton on piano and Sean Dixon on drums. Special Guests: Robert Creighton and more!

From the comedic minds behind The Colbert Report and Fifty Shades! The Musical, Underscore Theatre Company is pleased to present the world premiere musical comedy THE STORY OF A STORY (THE UNTOLD STORY) with book and lyrics by Emmy Award-winning writer Peter Gwinn (The Colbert Report), music by Jody Shelton (Fifty Shades!), direction and choreography by Christopher Pazdernik, associate direction by Jon Martinez and music direction and orchestrations by David Kornfeld. THE STORY OF A STORY (THE UNTOLD STORY) runs now through November 8, 2015 at the Chopin Theatre, 1543 W. Division St. in Chicago. The press opening is tonight, October 6 at 7:30 pm, and BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast onstage below!

From the comedic minds behind The Colbert Report and Fifty Shades! The Musical, Underscore Theatre Company is pleased to present the world premiere musical comedy THE STORY OF A STORY (THE UNTOLD STORY) with book and lyrics by Peter Gwinn, music by Jody Shelton, direction and choreography by Christopher Pazdernik, music direction and orchestrations by David Kornfeld. THE STORY OF A STORY (THE UNTOLD STORY) will play October 3 - November 8, 2015 at the Chopin Theatre, 1543 W. Division St. in Chicago.  Tickets will go on sale Tuesday, September 1 at www.underscoretheatre.org or by calling (312) 646-0975. The press opening is Tuesday, October 6 at 7:30 pm.  

From the comedic minds behind The Colbert Report and Fifty Shades! The Musical, Underscore Theatre Company is pleased to present the world premiere musical comedy THE STORY OF A STORY (THE UNTOLD STORY) with book and lyrics by Peter Gwinn (The Colbert Report), music by Jody Shelton (Fifty Shades!), direction and choreography by Christopher Pazdernik, associate direction by Jon Martinez and music direction and orchestrations by David Kornfeld. THE STORY OF A STORY (THE UNTOLD STORY) will play October 3 - November 8, 2015 at the Chopin Theatre, 1543 W. Division St. in Chicago.  Tickets will go on sale Tuesday, September 1 at www.underscoretheatre.org or by calling (312) 646-0975. The press opening is Tuesday, October 6 at 7:30 pm.  

From the comedic minds behind The Colbert Report and Fifty Shades! The Musical, Underscore Theatre Company is pleased to present the world premiere musical comedy THE STORY OF A STORY (THE UNTOLD STORY) with book and lyrics by Emmy Award-winning writer Peter Gwinn (The Colbert Report), music by Jody Shelton (Fifty Shades!), direction and choreography by Christopher Pazdernik, associate direction by Jon Martinez and music direction and orchestrations by David Kornfeld. THE STORY OF A STORY (THE UNTOLD STORY) will play October 3 - November 8, 2015 at the Chopin Theatre, 1543 W. Division St. in Chicago. The press opening is Tuesday, October 6 at 7:30 pm. Scroll down for a sneak peek at the cast!

From the comedic minds behind The Colbert Report and Fifty Shades! The Musical, Underscore Theatre Company is pleased to present the world premiere musical comedy THE STORY OF A STORY (THE UNTOLD STORY) with book and lyrics by Emmy Award-winning writer Peter Gwinn (The Colbert Report), music by Jody Shelton (Fifty Shades!), direction and choreography by Christopher Pazdernik, associate direction by Jon Martinez and music direction and orchestrations by David Kornfeld. THE STORY OF A STORY (THE UNTOLD STORY) will play October 3 - November 8, 2015 at the Chopin Theatre, 1543 W. Division St. in Chicago. The press opening is Tuesday, October 6 at 7:30 pm. Scroll down for a sneak peek at the cast!

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'American Idiot' examines a generation, and 'The Girl In The Train' captures a by-gone era. We run down long-run shows, and break down the Marriott Theatre's 2016 season announcement, too. Plus 'Hollywood' from Light Opera Works, a new show from Underscore, a high school mounts 'Starlight Express,' and Christmas has begun!