Joseph Stearns 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 Sound Of Music' and 'The Wizard Of Oz' live, a local 'Ragtime' and 'Avenue Q,' premieres of 'Juno' and 'The Next Thing,' 'Hit The Wall' and 'Waa-Mu' return, CCT announces two world premieres, and Illinois has its high school musical theater champs--plus even more!

Signal Ensemble Theatre presents the final production of their 11th Season with the world premiere of the Signal Ensemble Theatre original musical The Next Thing, playing at their home, 1802 W. Berenice Ave. Founded in 2003, award-winning Signal Ensemble Theatre uses a deeply collaborative method to produce work never-before-seen in Chicago. The Next Thing has its book by Signal Ensemble Member and Co-Artistic Director Ronan Marra and music and lyrics by Signal Ensemble Member Jon Steinhagen. The production is directed by Marra and features music direction by Jon Steinhagen.

Signal Ensemble Theatre presents the final production of their 11th Season with the world premiere of the Signal Ensemble Theatre original musical The Next Thing, playing at their home, 1802 W. Berenice Ave. Founded in 2003, award-winning Signal Ensemble Theatre uses a deeply collaborative method to produce work never-before-seen in Chicago. The Next Thing has its book by Signal Ensemble Member and Co-Artistic Director Ronan Marra and music and lyrics by Signal Ensemble Member Jon Steinhagen. The production is directed by Marra and features music direction by Jon Steinhagen. Preview performances are on Thursday, May 1 and Friday, May 2, both at 8 p.m. Opening/press night is Saturday, May. 3 at 8 p.m. Performances will run Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. and ticket prices are $20 for single tickets, $15 for industry/students/seniors/groups and $10 for previews. Tickets may be purchased by calling 773.698.7389 or by visiting www.signalensemble.com.

Signal Ensemble Theatre presents the second production of their 11th Season with the Chicago premiere of Plainsong, at Signal Ensemble Theatre, 1802 W. Berenice Ave. Founded in 2003, award-winning Signal Ensemble Theatre uses a deeply collaborative method to produce work never-before-seen in Chicago. Plainsong is written by Eric Schmiedl and is directed by Signal Ensemble Theatre Member Bries Vannon. The play is adapted from Kent Haruf's National Book Award finalist novel by the same name. Preview performances are on Thursday, Jan. 30 and Friday, Jan. 31 at 8 p.m., followed by opening/press night on Saturday, Feb. 1 at 8 p.m. Performances will run Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. and ticket prices are $20 for single tickets, $15 for industry/students/seniors/groups and $10 for previews. Tickets may be purchased by calling 773.698.7389 or by visiting www.signalensemble.com.

Signal Ensemble Theatre opens the new year with the second production in their Tenth Anniversary 2012-2013 season, the world premiere of Successors, January 26 - March 2, 2013 at Signal Ensemble Theatre, 1802 West Berenice Ave. Successors is written by Signal Ensemble member Jon Steinhagen and is directed by Signal Ensemble member and Co-Artistic Director Ronan Marra. Performances will regularly run Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. Preview performances are on Thursday, Jan. 24 and Friday, Jan. 25 at 8 p.m., followed by opening/press night on Saturday, Jan. 26 at 8 p.m. Regular ticket prices are $20 for single tickets, $15 for industry/students/seniors/groups and $10 for previews. Tickets may be purchased by calling 773.698.7389 or by visiting www.signalensemble.com.

Signal Ensemble Theatre presents the first production in their 10th Anniversary, 2012-2013 season, the Chicago premiere of Princes of Waco tonight, August 16 - September 22, at Signal Ensemble Theatre, 1802 West Berenice Ave. Princes of Waco is written by Robert Askins and directed by Signal Ensemble Member Bries Vannon.

Signal Ensemble Theatre presents the first production in their 10th Anniversary, 2012-2013 season, the Chicago premiere of Princes of Waco, August 16 - September 22, at Signal Ensemble Theatre, 1802 West Berenice Ave. Princes of Waco is written by Robert Askins and directed by Signal Ensemble Member Bries Vannon.

Signal Ensemble Theatre has announced the final production in their 2011-2012 season, the Chicago premiere of Hostage Song, tonight, May 5 through June 9, at Signal Ensemble Theatre, 1802 West Berenice Ave. Clay McLeod Chapman writes the production with music and lyrics by Kyle Jarrow, directed by Signal's Co-Artistic Director Ronan Marra with music direction by Signal Ensemble Member Jon Steinhagen. The performance schedule for Hostage Song is Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. Opening/press night is tonight, May 5 at 8 p.m. The production runs 90 minutes with no intermission and please note there will be no show on Sunday, May 6. Regular ticket prices are $20 for single tickets, $15 for industry/students/seniors/groups and $10 for previews. Tickets may be purchased by calling 773.698.7389 or by visiting www.signalensemble.com.

Signal Ensemble Theatre has announced the final production in their 2011-2012 season, the Chicago premiere of Hostage Song, from tonight, May 5 through June 9, at Signal Ensemble Theatre, 1802 West Berenice Ave. Clay McLeod Chapman writes the production with music and lyrics by Kyle Jarrow, directed by Signal's Co-Artistic Director Ronan Marra with music direction by Signal Ensemble Member Jon Steinhagen.

Signal Ensemble Theatre announces the final production in their 2011-2012 season, the Chicago premiere of Hostage Song, May 5 - June 9, at Signal Ensemble Theatre, 1802 West Berenice Ave. Clay McLeod Chapman writes the production with music and lyrics by Kyle Jarrow, directed by Signal's Co-Artistic Director Ronan Marra with music direction by Signal Ensemble Member Jon Steinhagen.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'Hairspray' at Oakbrook, two projects from Team StarKid, 'Rise Of The Numberless' from Bailiwick and New Colony, a new theater in Naperville, 'Bab Fab' and so much more!

Signal Ensemble Theatre announces the final production in their 2011-2012 season, the Chicago premiere of Hostage Song, May 5 - June 9, at Signal Ensemble Theatre, 1802 West Berenice Ave. Clay McLeod Chapman writes the production with music and lyrics by Kyle Jarrow, directed by Signal's Co-Artistic Director Ronan Marra with music direction by Signal Ensemble Member Jon Steinhagen. The performance schedule for Hostage Song is Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'Fela!,' 'Jersey Boys' and 'I Love Lucy' from BIC, plus 'Pippin,' 'Sexy Baby,' the return of the Silk Road, 'Annie' and all that television, plus more!

Lifeline Theatre presents a world premiere adaptation of Elise Blackwell's Hunger, by Lifeline Theatre ensemble member Chris Hainsworth, and directed by Lifeline Theatre ensemble member Robert Kauzlaric. During the 900-day Nazi siege of Leningrad, Russian botanist Ilya is charged with protecting a cache of valuable seeds for future generations. As the weeks turn to months and food grows scarce, Ilya and his co-workers are torn between their lives' work, the dictates of a brutal regime, and the harsh realities of survival in a time of war.

Signal Ensemble Theatre announces the final production in their 2011-2012 season, the Chicago premiere of Hostage Song, May 5 - June 9, at Signal Ensemble Theatre, 1802 West Berenice Ave. Clay McLeod Chapman writes the production with music and lyrics by Kyle Jarrow, directed by Signal's Co-Artistic Director Ronan Marra with music direction by Signal Ensemble Member Jon Steinhagen.

Lifeline Theatre presents a world premiere adaptation of Elise Blackwell's Hunger, by Lifeline Theatre ensemble member Chris Hainsworth, and directed by Lifeline Theatre ensemble member Robert Kauzlaric.

Lifeline Theatre presents a world premiere adaptation of Elise Blackwell's Hunger, by Lifeline Theatre ensemble member Chris Hainsworth, and directed by Lifeline Theatre ensemble member Robert Kauzlaric.

Lifeline Theatre presents a world premiere adaptation of Elise Blackwell's Hunger, by Lifeline Theatre ensemble member Chris Hainsworth, and directed by Lifeline Theatre ensemble member Robert Kauzlaric. During the 900-day Nazi siege of Leningrad, Russian botanist Ilya is charged with protecting a cache of valuable seeds for future generations. As the weeks turn to months and food grows scarce, Ilya and his co-workers are torn between their lives' work, the dictates of a brutal regime, and the harsh realities of survival in a time of war.