Kirk Jackson News

It's The Glass Menagerie meets Anna Nicole, in an episode of Hoarders! New American Folks Theatre is pleased to open its 2016 season with the Midwest premiere of the dark, twisted comedy TRASH by Johnny Drago, directed by Derek Van Barham, playing April 9 - May 15, 2016 at The Den Theatre, 1333 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago. Tickets go on sale Tuesday, January 26, 2016 at www.newamericanfolktheatre.org. The press opening is Monday, April 11 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) 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 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 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 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 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!

As the final show of their 2015 Mainstage Season, Dorset Theatre Festival will present The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Laura Eason, adapted from the novel by Mark Twain. Continuing the tradition of closing out the summer season with a fall presentation open to and specifically geared towards families and school groups, Tom Sawyer follows 2014's Travels with Mark Twain (starring Ron Crawford) and 2013's This Verse Business (starring Gordon Clapp as poet Robert Frost).

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.  

As the final show of their 2015 Mainstage Season, Dorset Theatre Festival will present The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Laura Eason, adapted from the novel by Mark Twain. Continuing the tradition of closing out the summer season with a fall presentation open to and specifically geared towards families and school groups, Tom Sawyer follows 2014's Travels with Mark Twain (starring Ron Crawford) and 2013's This Verse Business (starring Gordon Clapp as poet Robert Frost).

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.  

Underscore Theatre Company presents its second annual CHICAGO MUSICAL THEATRE FESTIVAL, featuring an unprecedented 13 world-premiere musicals by local artists. Created to showcase Chicago's burgeoning field of musical theatre creators, this year's festival will include ten full-length musicals and three one-acts.

Dorset Theatre Festival will stage Katie Forgette's Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Jersey Lily, a delightfully funny and exciting take on the famous detective story that weaves together threads of history and literature including the great Sherlock Holmes himself, his trusted friend Watson, the sinister Moriarty, the glamorous Lillie Langtry, and even Oscar Wilde. The production will be directed by Margarett Perry and will run from July 9th through the 25th. 'There is a reason that Sherlock is such a popular figure in literature as well as on stage and in film,' says Artistic Director Dina Janis. 'These mysteries are engaging throughout and always very satisfying. This piece in particular is so clever and entertaining.' The Case of the Jersey Lily places literature's favorite genius detective right in the middle of a blackmail scheme that connects the famous actress Lillie Langtry, celebrated playwright Oscar Wilde (just finishing work on his new play, The Importance of Being Forthright), criminal mastermind James Moriarty and Queen Victoria herself.

Underscore Theatre Company is pleased to announce the line-up and full casting for its second annual CHICAGO MUSICAL THEATRE FESTIVAL, featuring an unprecedented 13 world-premiere musicals by local artists. Created to showcase Chicago's burgeoning field of musical theatre creators, this year's festival will include ten full-length musicals and three one-acts.

Actors Theatre flings open the doors on one couple's unexpected and alternatively comic and conflicted reunion when Annapurna comes to the stage at Black Theatre Troupe, 1333 E. Washington Street, from Jan. 16 to Feb. 1, 2015.

Break out your high heels and fishnets this holiday because Hell in a Handbag Productions is bringing back Rudolph the Red-Hosed Reindeer, David Cerda's beloved parody of the classic children's television special Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Now celebrating its 17th year, Rudolph the Red-Hosed Reindeer is the longest running holiday show featuring a transvestite reindeer in the history of Chicago, and quite possibly the world. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

It's that special time of year again -- time for Hell in Handbag's Annual Benefit -- and this year it's going to be better than Christmas, Hanukah and Kwanzaa combined! Handbag is going to Deck the Halls - Deck the DEIDRE Hall(s), that is -- at A VERY SPECIAL RUDOLPH on Sunday, December 7, 2014 from 5 pm -- 10 pm at Dank Haus German American Cultural Center, 4740 N. Western Ave. in Chicago.

Break out your high heels and fishnets this holiday because Hell in a Handbag Productions is bringing back Rudolph the Red-Hosed Reindeer, David Cerda's beloved parody of the classic children's television special Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Now celebrating its 17th year, Rudolph the Red-Hosed Reindeer is the longest running holiday show featuring a transvestite reindeer in the history of Chicago, and quite possibly THE WORLD.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. We've got Halloween offerings 'Musical Of The Living Dead,' 'Witches Among Us,' 'Bewildered!' and more, 'The Wild Party' and 'Parade,' plus brief appearaces by'Bells Are Ringing' and 'The Color Purple,' Duncan Sheik in concert and a review of 'Edges' at Davenport's!