John Belushi News

BWW Reviewer Peter Nason chooses the best film musicals since the sound era began; see if your favorites made the list!

Laguna Playhouse presents two amazing musical experiences to start your Spring on the a?oeright note,a?? the hand-clapping, foot-stompin' good time that can only be the a?oeBlues Brothersa?? in THE OFFICIAL BLUES BROTHERS REVUE; and the gorgeous and timeless songs of the legendary John Denver in ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGH.

The bright vibrancy of spring resonates at Joe's Pub. This week our stage features the sophisticated and unique urban pop sound of Toby Lightman; songwriter, composer, and creative director Sye Elaine Spense; the last performances of Ryan Raftery's IVANKA 2020 before he takes it on tour; Albanian singer and multi-instrumentalist Elina Duni; Pianist, composer, and Artistic Director for Cuba's Jazz Plaza Santiago Festival, Roberto Fonseca; and National Lampoon's satire of Coachella and modern music festival culture LEMMINGS: 21ST CENTURY.

Spring is coming in like a lion at Joe's Pub. This week our stage features Lebanese-American, New York-based pianist Tarek Yamani and the Tarek Yamani Trio; Becca Blackwell's latest deeply personal and deeply absurd solo show; Vietnamese pop star-turned protest singer Mai Khoi; Ryan Raftery's new satire IVANKA 2020; acclaimed lyricist and performer Charlotte Martin; celebrated comedienne Catherine Cohen; an album release concert from Divahn; a celebration of International Women's Day and Women's Month with ¡JEFAS!: A Celebration Of Latina Songwriters & Women In Music; and the return of Yemen Blues' brand of Yemenite chants swirled with jazz and rock grooves.

Five decades ago, National Lampoon's Lemmings satirized the Woodstock Festival with a?oeWoodshuck: Three Days of Peace, Love and Death.a?? The live production, which was turned into a record album, starred a group of emerging comedians including John Belushi, Christopher Guest and Chevy Chase. Today, the iconic brand reveals the diverse ensemble of notable rising stars who will take center-stage in Lemmings: 21st Century, the reinvention of the iconic off-Broadway hit from composer Henry Koperski, writer Andrew Farmer and Director Annie Tippe, for an exclusive two-show engagement at New York City's Joe's Pub on March 14 and March 15.

For the past five decades, National Lampoon has pushed boundaries in the comedy universe. In honor of its 50th anniversary, National Lampoon, in keeping with its half-century-old legacy, today announces the creation of a reboot to its legendary off-Broadway musical sketch hit Lemmings, which helped launched the careers of John Belushi, Christopher Guest, Harold Ramis, Anne Beatts, and more. Lemmings: 21st Century is written by Larson Grant Winner, Andrew Farmer, with a score written by downtown music-comedy guru Henry Koperski, and directed by red-hot theater artist Annie Tippe.

The Second City returns to the McAninch Arts Center (MAC) Valentine's Day Weekend for a?oeThe Best of the Second Citya?? at 5 and 8 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 15. Some of the company's rising stars of today will perform a sampling of the best sketches, songs, and improvisations from The Second City's 60-year history. Perfect for date night, attendees will have the chance to enjoy drink specials and free chocolates and, to make the evening extra special, add-on VIP Suite Service, including a private, pre-show cocktail and hors d'oeuvres reception, with coffee and dessert at intermission.  

A 'Saturday Night Live' favorite (and stand-up comedy legend), an award-winning host of 'The Daily Show,' an iconic improv troupe, a trio of headliners, and more are all included in the line-up of performers for the 2020 Aspen Laugh Festival, running February 18-22, 2020 in Aspen, Colorado. PLUS, we've added Aspen favorite Becky Robinson, 'GLOW' star Jackie Tohn, and more to the Aspen Laugh Festival lineup with Free Apres Comedy Shows. Single tickets for all Aspen Laugh Festival shows are on sale now at the Wheeler Opera House Box Office (970.920.5770/ aspenshowtix.com). The Wheeler Opera House is located at 320 E. Hyman Ave., Aspen, CO.

The Second City: Laughing for All the Wrong Reasons comes to The Kentucky Center a?" Bomhard Theater on Friday, January 24, 2020 at 8 p.m.

Alex Brightman is set to star a John Belushi in an upcoming biopic directed by David Frankel, according to Collider.  

David Rasche began his career at Chicago's famed a?oeSecond City,a?? and is appearing contemporaneously in the first two seasons of a?oeSuccessiona?? on HBO. He has worked, although not frequently enough, both on Broadway and Off-Broadway, most recently at the New Jersey Rep in Fern Hill, by Michael Tucker.

 'Surely, you can't be serious!' In 2020, 14 of movie history's greatest romances, funniest comedies, scariest monsters, boldest visions, ultimate adventures, and most unforgettable dramas will be back in movie theaters across the country as Fathom Events and Turner Classic Movies present the fourth annual, yearlong TCM Big Screen Classics series.

The Belmont Theater District (BTD), Chicago's largest theater district located in the Lakeview West and Lakeview East neighborhoods, celebrates the holidays this November and December. The Belmont Theater District acts as an advocate to create, promote and strengthen the diverse artistic offerings of the Lakeview West and Lakeview East neighborhoods to its residents and visitors.

The Wheeler Opera House is pleased to announce the full roster of its jam-packed winter season, featuring theatrical events, concerts, comedy and films for the entire family to enjoy. Tickets go on sale Monday, November 25 at noon at the Wheeler Box Office (970.920.5770/ aspenshowtix.com). The Wheeler Opera House is located at 320 E. Hyman Ave., Aspen, CO.

With a Little Help... It's John Belushi, an award-winning, multimedia production directed by Levy Lee Simon ('For the Love of Freedom,' 'Bow-Wow Club'), and stars Jack Zullo ('Bell Canyon,' 'Epic Rap Battles of History'), the show's book writer and producer makes its Off-Broadway debut at Theatre 80 from December 5-22. The show takes the audience on an epic journey of John's 12-year rise to entertainment icon status complete with live music, videos, and heartfelt Belushi-inspired sweat. A percentage of the show's proceeds will benefit Gilda's Club and The Comedians Assistance Fund.

A a?oeSaturday Night Livea?? favorite (and stand-up comedy legend), award-winning host of a?oeThe Daily Show,a?? an iconic improv troupe, a trio of headliners, and more are all included in the line-up of performers for the 2020 Aspen Laugh Festival, running February 18-22, 2020 in Aspen, Colorado. Expect to laugh the week away with Taylor Tomlinson, The Second City, Norm Macdonald, Trevor Noah, and more. Festival passes (Mainstage Passes, Limelight Lounge Passes, and Pick 3 Passes) go on sale Friday, November 1 at the Wheeler Opera House Box Office (970.920.5770/ aspenshowtix.com). Single tickets will go on sale January 3. The Wheeler Opera House is located at 320 E. Hyman Ave., Aspen, CO.

There's a reason the biggest names in laughter all catapulted their careers at The Second City...it's been the funniest place on the planet since '59! Witness the next generation of comedy superstars put their spin on the legendary comedy company's greatest hits, re-booted and re-imagined for today. From sketch comedy to original songs to world-famous improv, The Second City is fresh, fast, and always spectacularly funny

The classic Second City comedy sketches and original songs that launched generations of comedy legends have been re-booted and re-imagined for the company's current cast of future superstars in The Second City Tour: Greatest Hits (Vol. 59). The tour comes to Musco Center for the Arts for one night only, Wednesday, October 16, at 7:30pm.

Chicago's legendary sketch and improv comedy troupe The Second City makes its Majestic Theater debut on Saturday, Oct. 5 at 8:00 p.m. with a?oeThe Best of The Second City.a??

Buffalo Theatre Ensemble (BTE), the professional Equity company in residence at the McAninch Arts Center, opens its 2019-2020 season with Jeffrey Hatcher's a?oeHolmes and Watson,a?? directed by Ron May, Sept. 5-Oct. 6.