John Mohrlein News

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. The Goodman Theatre makes two big announcements, and two theaters produce 'It's A Wonderful Life.' Chicago originals 'Kokandy Christmas,' 'Barney The Elf' and 'Santaland Nut-Cracking...' open soon, and 'Ain't Misbehavin',' 'Rent' and 'Gypsy' bring the holiday alternatives. And Chicagoans on Broadway, Part ???!

Producing Artistic Director Gwendolyn Whiteside and American Blues Theater, Chicago's second oldest Equity Ensemble celebrating 30 years of presenting visceral theatrical works while engaging its audience in missions of local service agencies, are proud to announce the Chicago premiere of LOOKING OVER THE PRESIDENT'S SHOULDER, by Artistic Affiliate James Still and directed by Timothy Douglas, February 5 - March 6, 2016 at the Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave.

Producing Artistic Director Gwendolyn Whiteside and American Blues Theater, Chicago's second oldest Equity ensemble, are proud to announce the return of the critically acclaimed It's a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago!, on the main stage of the Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave., November 20 - December 27. 'Pink Previews,' where tickets sales benefit the Lynn Sage Foundation for breast cancer research, play November 20 - November 22 following the regular schedule. The press/opening night performance is Wednesday, Nov. 25 at 7:30p.m. The running time is approximately 90 minutes. Tickets are $19 - $49 and are on sale now through the box office 773.404.7336 or online at AmericanBluesTheater.com. The performance schedule is Thursdays and Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. with additional holiday performances to be announced. For more information visit www.AmericanBluesTheater.com.

Producing Artistic Director Gwendolyn Whiteside and American Blues Theater, Chicago's second oldest Equity Ensemble, announce that American Blues Theater is currently accepting submissions for the 2016 Blue Ink Playwriting Award between Wednesday, July 1 and Monday, Aug. 31 at 11:59 p.m. 

Producing Artistic Director Gwendolyn Whiteside and American Blues Theater, Chicago's second oldest Equity ensemble, present their 2015 productions of Steven Dietz's Yankee Tavern, today, February 20 - March 22, 2015, directed by Joanie Schultz and Warren Leight's Sideman, April 24 - May 24, 2015,directed by Jonathan Berry. All productions take place at the Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave.

Producing Artistic Director Gwendolyn Whiteside is proud to announce American Blues Theater's 2015 -- 2016 30th Anniversary Season, "Seeing is Believing." All main stage performances take place at the Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave.

Producing Artistic Director Gwendolyn Whiteside and American Blues Theater, Chicago's second oldest Equity ensemble, present the return of the critically acclaimed It's a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago!, directed by Marty Higginbotham on the mainstage of the Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave., November 23 - December 28. "Pink Previews," where tickets sales benefit the Lynn Sage Foundation for breast cancer research, are Friday, Nov. 21 and Saturday, Nov. 22 at 7:30 p.m. The press/opening night performance is Sunday, Nov. 23 at 2:30 p.m. Check out a first look below!

Producing Artistic Director Gwendolyn Whiteside and American Blues Theater, Chicago's second oldest Equity ensemble, are proud to announce the return of the critically acclaimed It's a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago!, directed by Marty Higginbotham on the mainstage of the Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave., November 23 - December 28.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'The Grinch' opens, Fox Valley bookends Christmas, new shows 'A Christmas Memory' and 'Christmas On The Air,' 'It's A Wonderful Life' times three, plus 'Nutcracker,' 'Nut Cracking,' 'Mary Poppins' and the latest on 'Peter Pan Live!'

Producing Artistic Director Gwendolyn Whiteside and American Blues Theater, Chicago's second oldest Equity ensemble, are proud to announce the return of the critically acclaimed It's a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago!, directed by Marty Higginbotham on the mainstage of the Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave., November 23 - December 28.

Producing Artistic Director Gwendolyn Whiteside and American Blues Theater, Chicago's second oldest Equity ensemble, are proud to announce the return of the critically acclaimed It's a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago!, directed by Marty Higginbotham on the mainstage of the Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave., November 23 - December 28.

Producing Artistic Director Gwendolyn Whiteside and American Blues Theater, Chicago's second oldest Equity ensemble, are proud to announce the casts for the 2015 productions of Steven Dietz's Yankee Tavern, February 20 - March 22, 2015, directed by Joanie Schultz and Warren Leight's Sideman, April 24 - May 24, 2015,directed by Jonathan Berry. All productions take place at the Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave.

Producing Artistic Director Gwendolyn Whiteside and American Blues Theater, Chicago's second oldest Equity ensemble, present a special edition of RIPPED: The Living Newspaper DCFS Stories, Sunday, Oct. 5 at 7 p.m. as a fundraiser for the Illinois Department of Children & Family Services (DCFS) at the Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave. This RIPPED edition is a night of short plays, poetry and spoken word inspired by DCFS stories and headlines.

Producing Artistic Director Gwendolyn Whiteside and American Blues Theater, Chicago's second oldest Equity ensemble, announce that American Blues Theater is currently accepting submissions for the 2015 Blue Ink Playwriting Award through Monday, Sept. 1 at 11:59 p.m. The Blue Ink Playwriting Award was created in 2010 to support new work. Competition rules are attached to this email Playwrights may only submit one (1) manuscript each year for consideration. The winning play will be selected by Producing Artistic Director Gwendolyn Whiteside and American Blues Theater's award-winning Ensemble. The winner of this annual competition will be awarded the Blue Ink Playwriting Award of $1,000 and receive a staged reading at American Blues Theater in Chicago. For information on submission policy and more details, please go AmericanBluesTheater.com.

Producing Artistic Director Gwendolyn Whiteside and American Blues Theater, Chicago's second oldest Equity ensemble, are proud to announce the extension of American Blues Theater's Hank Williams: Lost Highway, by Randal Myler and Mark Harelik, directed by Damon Kiely, music director Malcolm Ruhl and starring Matthew Brumlow as "Hank Williams," through Sunday, September 28, at the Greenhouse Theater Center's Downstage Mainstage Theater, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave.

Producing Artistic Director Gwendolyn Whiteside and American Blues Theater, Chicago's second oldest Equity ensemble, are proud to announce the summer engagement of American Blues Theater's Hank Williams: Lost Highway, by Randal Myler and Mark Harelik, directed byDamon Kiely, music director Malcolm Ruhl and starring Matthew Brumlow as 'Hank Williams,' today, July 25 - August 31 at the Greenhouse Theater Center's Downstage Mainstage Theater, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave.

Producing Artistic Director Gwendolyn Whiteside and American Blues Theater, Chicago's second oldest Equity ensemble, are proud to announce the summer engagement of American Blues Theater's Hank Williams: Lost Highway, by Randal Myler and Mark Harelik, directed by Damon Kiely, music director Malcolm Ruhl and starring Matthew Brumlow as 'Hank Williams,' today, July 25 - August 31 at the Greenhouse Theater Center's Downstage Mainstage Theater, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave.

Producing Artistic Director Gwendolyn Whiteside and American Blues Theater, Chicago's second oldest Equity ensemble, announce that American Blues Theater is currently accepting submissions for the 2015 Blue Ink Playwriting Award through Monday, Sept. 1 at 11:59 p.m.

Producing Artistic Director Gwendolyn Whiteside and American Blues Theater, Chicago's second oldest Equity ensemble, are proud to announce the summer engagement of American Blues Theater's Hank Williams: Lost Highway, by Randal Myler and Mark Harelik, directed byDamon Kiely, music director Malcolm Ruhl and starring Matthew Brumlow as "Hank Williams," July 25 - August 31 at the Greenhouse Theater Center's Downstage Mainstage Theater, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave.