John Sparks News

The Academy for New Musical Theatre will be holding open sessions for the first two months of the 2013-14 season of their famed Musical Theatre Writers' Workshop.

It's hard to believe, but Stages Musical Theatre Festival will be almost twenty years old this year. This biennial musical theatre event returns to Los Angeles the weekend of August 23-25. Featuring eight new musicals presented in concert readings, the festival will be hosted by the New Musicals Initiative (the professional wing of the Academy for New Musical Theatre) and will be presented in two locations: the Lonny Chapman Theatre (10900 Burbank Blvd in North Hollywood) and the Academy, 5628 Vineland in North Hollywood.

Midwest New Musicals presents NORTH SHORE B & B (BOATS AND BEACHES), the 2013 Mini-Musicals Project today, July 21, 3:00 PM at Light Opera Works Second Stage at McGaw YMCA Children's Center Auditorium, 1420 Maple (at Lake) in Evanston.

Midwest New Musicals presents NORTH SHORE B & B (BOATS AND BEACHES), the 2013 Mini-Musicals Project today, July 21, 3:00 PM at Light Opera Works Second Stage at McGaw YMCA Children's Center Auditorium, 1420 Maple (at Lake) in Evanston

Beginning in September 2013, Midwest New Musicals at Light Opera Works offers new programs for book writers, lyricists and composers at various levels of expertise, from experienced professionals to interested amateurs. Sessions take place at the Light Opera Works rehearsal center in Wilmette at 516 4th Street.

Midwest New Musicals presents NORTH SHORE B & B (BOATS AND BEACHES), the 2013 Mini-Musicals Project on Sunday, July 21, 3:00 PM at Light Opera Works Second Stage at McGaw YMCA Children's Center Auditorium, 1420 Maple (at Lake) in Evanston. Tickets are $10 at the Light Opera Works box office: (847) 920-5360 or at the door.

Blue Man Group brought the New York Knicks a little luck and helped them avoid elimination in the Eastern Conference semifinals with an 85-75 victory over the Indiana Pacers in Game 5 on Thursday night. Scroll down for photos!

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. RIP 'Smash,' plus the seven local shows closing soon, replaced by BET's 'Howlin Wolf' show, LOW's 'Pinafore' and the five fall touring shows, plus benefits for Midwest New Musicals, Porchlight, Pride Plays and more!

The American Museum of Natural History presents the 2013 Milstein Science Series, weekend family-friendly programs sponsored by the Paul and Irma Milstein Family. Free with Museum admission, the afternoon programs give visitors a chance to meet scientists, discover amazing creatures, and explore science under the iconic 94-foot blue whale in the Milstein Hall of Ocean Life, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year.

The American Museum of Natural History presents the 2013 Milstein Science Series, weekend family-friendly programs sponsored by the Paul and Irma Milstein Family. Free with Museum admission, the afternoon programs give visitors a chance to meet scientists, discover amazing creatures, and explore science under the iconic 94-foot blue whale in the Milstein Hall of Ocean Life, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year.

Midwest New Musicals continues Words and Music, a concert reading series of original musicals, with EVE, a contemporary opera in one act in the middle of the night, music by Philip Seward, libretto by Joan Mazzonelli and Philip Seward. The reading is tonight, February 18, at 7:30 pm, at the Light Opera Works Second Stage, 1420 Maple (at Lake) in Evanston.

Midwest New Musicals continues Words and Music, a concert reading series of original musicals, with EVE, a contemporary opera in one act in the middle of the night, music by Philip Seward, libretto by Joan Mazzonelli and Philip Seward. The reading is on Monday, February 18, at 7:30 pm, at the Light Opera Works Second Stage, 1420 Maple (at Lake) in Evanston.

Midwest New Musicals continues Words and Music, a concert reading series of original musicals, with THE LAST STORYTELLER, book and lyrics by Caroline Lee and Christina Biggs, music by Margaret James, tonight, December 17, at 7:30 pm, at the Light Opera Works Second Stage, 1420 Maple (at Lake) in Evanston. Tickets are $15, available at Light Opera Works box office: (847) 920-5360, or at the door.

Midwest New Musicals continues Words and Music, a concert reading series of original musicals, with THE LAST STORYTELLER, book and lyrics by Caroline Lee and Christina Biggs, music by Margaret James, on Monday, December 17, at 7:30 pm, at the Light Opera Works Second Stage, 1420 Maple (at Lake) in Evanston. Tickets are $15, available at Light Opera Works box office: (847) 920-5360, or at the door.

Midwest New Musicals continues Words and Music, its concert reading series of original musicals, with WANTING MISS JULIE, book by John Sparks, lyrics by Patricia Zehentmayr and music by Jake Anthony, tonight, November 19, at 7:30 PM at the Light Opera Works Second Stage at 1420 Maple (at Lake) in Evanston. Tickets are $15, available at Light Opera Works box office: (847) 920-5360 or at the door.

Midwest New Musicals continues Words and Music, its concert reading series of original musicals, with WANTING MISS JULIE, book by John Sparks, lyrics by Patricia Zehentmayr and music by Jake Anthony, on Monday, November 19, at 7:30 PM at the Light Opera Works Second Stage at 1420 Maple (at Lake) in Evanston. Tickets are $15, available at Light Opera Works box office: (847) 920-5360 or at the door.

Midwest New Musicals kicks off the second season of Words and Music, a concert reading series of original musicals beginning Monday, October 22 at 7:30 pm at the Light Opera Works Second Stage, 1420 Maple (at Lake) in Evanston. Tickets for the general public are $15, available at Light Opera Works box office (847) 920-5360 or at the door.

Midwest New Musicals presents NORTH SHORE RHYTHMS AND BLUES, the 2012 Mini-Musicals Project today, July 22, 3:00 pm, Light Opera Works Second Stage at McGaw YMCA Children's Center Auditorium, 1420 Maple in Evanston and Monday, July 23, at 7:30 pm, McGuire Auditorium-Warde Academic Center, Saint Xavier University, 3700 West 103 Street in Chicago. Tickets are $10 at (847) 920-5360 or at the door.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Patti LuPone, composer tributes, new musicals in Chicago and New York, 'Beauty And The Beast' and 'The Jungle Book,' yet another 'Reefer Madness' and more....

Midwest New Musicals presents NORTH SHORE RHYTHMS AND BLUES, the 2012 Mini-Musicals Project on Sunday, July 22, 3:00 pm, Light Opera Works Second Stage at McGaw YMCA Children's Center Auditorium, 1420 Maple in Evanston and Monday, July 23, at 7:30 pm, McGuire Auditorium-Warde Academic Center, Saint Xavier University, 3700 West 103 Street in Chicago. Tickets are $10 at (847) 920-5360 or at the door.