Lorenzo Rush Jr. News

Porchlight Music Theatre has announced Chicago Sings Rock & Roll Broadway, premiering Saturday, March 20 at 7 p.m. CDT.

The Jeff Awards has announced the nominees for the 52nd annual awards for theater excellence that include 142 theater artists across 30 artistic and technical categories. The awards will be presented in an online program on Monday, November 9, 2020 at 7:00PM.

Porchlight Music Theatre held PorchlightPalooza, a three-day virtual festival Friday, Aug. 21 - Sunday, Aug. 23,  in lieu of its cancelled March 23 ICONS GALA.

Award-winning Porchlight Music Theatre has announced that artists from the worlds of music theatre and dance will be performing at the ICONS Gala celebrating 25 years of Porchlight as the center for music theatre in Chicago, Monday, March 23, at the Ritz-Carlton, 160 E. Pearson St. Performances, directed by Porchlight Music Theatre's Artistic Director Michael Weber, will commemorate the impressive body of work from its 2020 ICON award recipient and Broadway legend Joel Grey who will be in attendance to receive the award.

Porchlight Music Theatre's 25th Anniversary Mainstage season continues with Duke Ellington's Sophisticated Ladies, January 24 a?" March 6, 2020 at The Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn St. Featuring music by Duke Ellington, concept by Donald McKayle, direction and choreography by Brenda Didier and Florence Walker Harris, and music direction by Jermaine Hill.

DUKE ELLINGTON'S SOPHISTICATED LADIES is a classic Porchlight show: an ebullient musical revue showcasing both the esteemed song catalog of Duke Ellington and also the formidable talents of some of the city's finest musical theater performers.

Porchlight Music Theatre's 25th Anniversary Mainstage season continues with Duke Ellington's Sophisticated Ladies, January 24 – March 6, 2020 at The Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn St. Featuring music by Duke Ellington, concept by Donald McKayle, direction and choreography by Brenda Didier and Florence Walker Harris, and music direction by Jermaine Hill. 

BroadwayWorld has a first look at Drury Lane Theatre's production of the 2016 Tony Award-winning The Color Purple, with book by Marsha Norman and music and lyrics by Brenda Russel, Allee Willis, and Stephen Bray. The Color Purple is directed by Lili-Anne Brown, choreographed by Breon Arzell, and music directed by Jermaine Hill. The production runs through November 3, 2019, at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace.

Drury Lane Theatre presents the 2016 Tony Award-winning The Color Purple, with book by Marsha Norman and music and lyrics by Brenda Russel, Allee Willis, and Stephen Bray.

Experience true Southern hospitality at Celie's Southern Tea before the matinee performance of the Tony Award-winning musical The Color Purple on October 26, 2019, at 1:00 p.m. Enjoy scrumptious Southern comfort food like fried green tomatoes, cornbread muffins, and hummingbird cake, and meet a?oeCeliea?? and her sister a?oeNettie,a?? played by Eben K. Logan and Kyrie Courter. Celie's Southern Tea is $37.00 for adults and $27.00 for children 12 and under. Reservations must be made 24 hours in advance.

Porchlight Music Theatre's 25th anniversary season began with the 14th Annual Chicago Sings concert: Chicago Sings 25 Years of Porchlight, Monday, Aug. 5 at 7 p.m., at The Museum of Contemporary Art, 220 E. Chicago Ave, directed by Christopher Pazdernik and Artistic Director Michael Weber with music direction by David Fiorello and a band featuring Kelsey Boltz, Cara Hartz, John McCreary, Greg Strauss, Celeste Park and Jake Saleh.

Drury Lane Theatre announces casting for its production of the 2016 Tony Award-winning The Color Purple, with book by Marsha Norman and music and lyrics by Brenda Russel, Allee Willis, and Stephen Bray. The Color Purple is directed by Lili-Anne Brown, choreographed by Breon Arzell, and music directed by Jermaine Hill. The production runs September 13 a?" November 3, 2019, at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace. The press opening is scheduled for Thursday, September 19 at 8:00 p.m.

Porchlight Music Theatre is proud to announce the 14th Annual Chicago Sings concert: Chicago Sings 25 Years of Porchlight, Monday, Aug. 5 at 7 p.m., at The Museum of Contemporary Art, 220 E. Chicago Ave, directed by Christopher Pazdernik and Artistic Director Michael Weber with music direction by David Fiorello. Reception begins at 6 p.m. with a cocktail hour and light appetizers. Performances, awards ceremony and paddle raising begins at 7 p.m. in the Edlis Neeson Theatre. Tickets are on sale for $125 at PorchlightMusicTheatre.org or by calling 773.777.9884. Tickets at the door will be $150. The event has reserved seating and supports Porchlight Music Theatre's educational and artistic programming.

It's the talk of rhythm town, ya dig? Five Guys Named Moe at the Skylight brings crazy energy, big voices, and hot moves to the Cabot Theatre.

Skylight Music Theatre announced the cast and creative team for Five Guys Named Moe, a joyful, jazzy tribute to Louis Jordan, the 1940s rhythm and blues singer, songwriter and bandleader.

Celebrate a whole year of holidays in one wonderful musical with the regional premiere of Irving Berlin's joyous HOLIDAY INN, running November 7 through January 6 with a press opening on November 14 at 7:30 p.m. at the Marriott Theatre (10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire). Inspired by the 1942 classic film,HOLIDAY INN features a beloved score by one of the greatest songwriters in American history, Irving Berlin. Tony Award nominee Denis Jones (Pre-Broadway: Tootsie; Broadway: Holiday Inn; Broadway/Marriott Theatre:Honeymoon in Vegas) directs and choreographs this Broadway hit, joined by Jeff Award-winning Musical DirectorRyan T. Nelson.

Celebrate a whole year of holidays in one wonderful musical with the regional premiere of Irving Berlin's joyous HOLIDAY INN, running November 7 through January 6 with a press opening on November 14 at 7:30 p.m. at the Marriott Theatre (10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire). Inspired by the 1942 classic film, HOLIDAY INN features a beloved score by one of the greatest songwriters in American history, Irving Berlin. Tony Award nominee Denis Jones (Pre-Broadway: Tootsie; Broadway: Holiday Inn; Broadway/Marriott Theatre: Honeymoon in Vegas) directs and choreographs this Broadway hit, joined by Jeff Award-winning Musical Director Ryan T. Nelson.

Celebrate a whole year of holidays in one wonderful musical with the regional premiere of Irving Berlin's joyous HOLIDAY INN, running November 7 through January 6 with a press opening on November 14 at 7:30 p.m. at the Marriott Theatre (10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire). Inspired by the 1942 classic film, HOLIDAY INN features a beloved score by one of the greatest songwriters in American history, Irving Berlin. Tony Award nominee Denis Jones (Pre-Broadway: Tootsie; Broadway: Holiday Inn; Broadway/Marriott Theatre: Honeymoon in Vegas) directs and choreographs this Broadway hit, joined by Jeff Award-winning Musical Director Ryan T. Nelson.

Drury Lane presents Little Shop of Horrors, with music by Alan Menken and book by Howard Ashman and direction and choreography by Scott Calcagno with music direction by Roberta Duchak. Little Shop of Horrors runs September 6 - October 28, 2018, at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace.

BroadwayWorld has a first look at the Drury Lane's Little Shop of Horrors, with music by Alan Menken and book by Howard Ashman and direction and choreography by Scott Calcagno with music direction by Roberta Duchak. Little Shop of Horrors runs through October 28, 2018, at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace.