Laura McKenzie 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. Michael Urie ignites the night, 'Mamma Mia!' returns, the original musicals 'One Hit Wonders,' 'The Last Ship' and 'Hey! Dancin'!,' a new 'Big Fish' and 'Seussical,' plus all the latest on showtune movies, TV shows and more!

The Hollywood Arts Council presented their 28th Annual Charlie Awards Luncheon in theBlossom Room of the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, home of the first Academy Awards ceremony, at a Sold Out event on Friday, April 25, 2014. Shauna McClure, Executive Director of the Hollywood Arts Council said: "This was the record breaking year of all time in the Hollywood Arts Council's 36-year history. We raised $110,000 at this year's luncheon. Our Online Auction is still open atwww.biddingforgood.com/hollywoodartscouncil. The auction items include one-of-a-kind items, tickets to shows, art and the like. Bidding will close at 12-Midnight on Wednesday, April 30, 2014."

The Hollywood Arts Council will present the 28th Annual Charlie Awards Luncheon today, April 25, 2015 starting at 11:30 a.m. in The Blossom Room (the site for the first Academy Awards ceremony) at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel; 7000 Hollywood Boulevard (at Orange Street); Hollywood, CA 90028.

Factory Theater presents Hey! Dancin'! Hey! Musical!, written by Kirk Pynchon and Mike Beyer*, with music/lyrics by Laura McKenzie* (with additional lyrics by Kirk Pynchon). Directed by Matthew Gunnels and choreographed by Brigitte Ditmars, the show opens Today, April 25 8pm and continues through May 31, 2014.

The Hollywood Arts Council's 28th Annual Charlie Awards Luncheon, benefiting the Council's arts programs for underserved children in the community, will be held on April 25, 2014. Emceed by ABC7 Television's George Pennacchio, the luncheon will take place in the Blossom Room in the Hollywoof Roosevelt Hotel. Arrivals will happen between 11:15am and 12:00noon, at which time the event begins.

The Hollywood Arts Council will present the 28th Annual Charlie Awards Luncheon on Friday, April 25, 2015 starting at 11:30 a.m. in The Blossom Room (the site for the first Academy Awards ceremony) at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel; 7000 Hollywood Boulevard (at Orange Street); Hollywood, CA 90028.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Hold onto your hats! Shows beginning in late April include 'Avenue Q,' 'Ragtime,' 'Juno,' 'Hey! Dancin'! Hey! Musical!,' 'How To Succeed...,' 'Hair,' 'The Sound Of Music,' 'Motown' and 'The Wizard Of Oz!' AMAZING! Plus news from The Second City, the Goodman, that JCS arena tour, a 2015 'Little Shop' and the return of the Mormons! Whew!

Factory Theater presents Hey! Dancin'! Hey! Musical!, written by Kirk Pynchon and Mike Beyer*, with music/lyrics by Laura McKenzie* (with additional lyrics by Kirk Pynchon). Directed by Matthew Gunnels and choreographed by Brigitte Ditmars, the show opens Friday, April 25 8pm and continues through May 31, 2014.

To accommodate ticket demand, Lifeline Theatre announces eight added performances of its KidSeries production of The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs!, a family musical based on the popular children's book by Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith, with script and lyrics by Lifeline Theatre ensemble member Robert Kauzlaric (two-time Non-Equity Jeff Award-winning adaptor), music by Paul Gilvary and William Rush, and directed by Lifeline Theatre ensemble member Amanda Link. Scroll down for photos from the production!

There are two sides to every story and the long-suppressed account of the Big, Bad Wolf is finally brought to light in Piggsylvania's Trial of the Century. Can a lone wolf get a fair trial in a corrupt piggy court? And will anyone believe that all the 'huffing and puffing' nonsense was just a cover-up for a simple story about a sneeze and a cup of sugar?

Lifeline Theatre's KidSeries presents The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs!, a family musical based on the popular children's book by Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith, with script and lyrics by Lifeline Theatre ensemble member Robert Kauzlaric (two-time Non-Equity Jeff Award-winning adaptor), music by Paul Gilvary and William Rush, and directed by Lifeline Theatre ensemble member Amanda Link. Since its inception at Lifeline Theatre in 2007, The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs! has been produced all over the country, by companies such as Children's Theatre of Charlotte, Oregon Children's Theatre, Dallas Children's Theatre, and Atlantic Theater Company (whose production the New York Times called "One of the best children's shows of the year. Case closed."). After being seen in 36 states across the U.S. the past seven years, this production marks the first time the show returns to the Chicago area since its premiere.

Erik Estrada, Laura McKenzie, Dean Cain and Montel Williams hosted the 82nd Annual Hollywood Christmas Parade, the largest Christmas celebration in America, presented by Associated Television International on December 1st.

Erik Estrada, Laura McKenzie, Dean Cain and Montel Williams hosted the82nd Annual Hollywood Christmas Parade, the largest Christmas celebration in America, presented by Associated Television International on December 1st. The Grand Marshal of the parade was Buzz Aldrin, the second man to ever walk on the moon. The Parade benefited Toys for Tots and saluted Disabled American Veterans.

Erik Estrada, Laura McKenzie, Dean Cain and Montel Williams will host the 82nd Annual Hollywood Christmas Parade, the largest Christmas celebration in America, presented by Associated Television International at 5 p.m. today, December 1st. The Grand Marshal of the parade is Buzz Aldrin, the second man to ever walk on the moon. The Parade will benefit Toys for Tots and salute Disabled American Veterans.

Erik Estrada, Laura McKenzie, Dean Cain and Montel Williams will host the 82nd Annual Hollywood Christmas Parade, the largest Christmas celebration in America, presented by Associated Television International at 5 p.m. on December 1st.

Just when you thought Monday nights couldn't get any better, Barrel of Monkeys is partnering with some of Chicago's best performing arts companies and artists for the second iteration of CHICAGO'S WEIRD, GRANDMA, directed by Artistic Director Molly Brennan, playing Mondays at 8 pm from October 28 - December 2, 2013 at the Neo-Futurist Theater, 5153 N. Ashland Ave. in Chicago. Each guest artist or company will bring their unique talents to transform stories written by Chicago Public School students into entertaining sketches incorporating puppetry, sketch comedy, clowning, music, dance and other disciplines. The press performance is Monday, October 28 at 8 pm.

BUZZ ALDRIN, the astronaut and second man to walk on the moon, the recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom who has four stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and the man whose name and persona became the inspiration for the iconic character of Buzz Lightyear in The Walt Disney Company's/Pixar's Academy Award-winning blockbuster film franchise, Toy Story, has been named as Grand Marshal of The 2013 - 82nd Hollywood Christmas ParadeBenefiting Marine Toys for Tots Foundation to be held in the streets of Hollywood, CA live on Sunday, December 1, 2013 beginning at 5:00 p.m. with a Star-Studded Pre-Show, followed by the Parade commencing at 6:00 p.m.