Lorenzo Rush News

Porchlight Music Theatre announces the return of its multi award-winning hit AIN'T MISBEHAVIN', November 14 - December 20, music by Thomas "Fats" Waller, book by Murray Horowitz and Richard Maltby Jr., direction and choreography by multi Jeff-Award winner and Artistic Associate Brenda Didier with music direction by Jeff-Award winning Porchlight Artistic Associate Austin Cook at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. 

Porchlight Music Theatre launched its 21st season with CHICAGO SINGS THE BEST OF MOTOWN, Monday, Aug. 17 at City Winery, 1200 W. Randolph St. The annual fundraiser shattered previous records with nearly 350 people in attendance and more than $30,000 raised for Porchlight Music Theatre's educational and artistic programming. Scroll down for photos from the event!

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Tours of 'Persuasion,' 'Pippin' and '42nd Street,' dueling productions of 'American Idiot,' Michael Kingston and Jane Lynch solo out, 'Bette' adds a date, Theo Ubique announced 'Blood Brothers,' Porchlight sets the season, and 'The Wiz Live!' gets movin' down the road!

Exciting news just in to BroadwayWorld!  Michael Weber, artistic director of Porchlight Music Theatre, has announced the casts of the Chicago premiere of the 2014 revision of Side Show, the return of Porchlight's hit Ain't Misbehavin', multi-Jeff Award-winner Summer Naomi Smart starring in the Chicago premiere of Far From Heaven, and Porchlight Music Theatre's 2015 - 2016 artistic leadership for its four Mainstage productions.

Porchlight Music Theatre is proud to announce Chicago Sings The Best of Motown, Monday, Aug. 17 at 7 p.m., at City Winery, 1200 W. Randolph St. Single tickets are on sale now at citywinery.com or by calling the City Winery Box Office at 312.733.9463.

The Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire, presents the six-time Tony Award-winning classic, CITY OF ANGELS, winner of Best Musical, Best Original Score by David Zippel and Cy Coleman, and Best Book by Larry Gelbart. The show opened last night, June 17, and runs through August 2. BroadwayWorld has photos from opening night below!

The Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire, presents the six-time Tony Award-winning classic, CITY OF ANGELS, winner of Best Musical, Best Original Score by David Zippel and Cy Coleman, and Best Book by Larry Gelbart, opening tomorrow, June 17th, and running through August 2. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

The Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire, presents the six-time Tony Award-winning classic, CITY OF ANGELS, winner of Best Musical, Best Original Score by David Zippel and Cy Coleman, and Best Book by Larry Gelbart, opening tomorrow, June 17th, and running through August 2. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

The Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire, presents the six-time Tony Award-winning classic, CITY OF ANGELS, winner of Best Musical, Best Original Score by David Zippel and Cy Coleman, and Best Book by Larry Gelbart, previewing tonight, June 10, opening June 17th and running through August 2. Five-time Jeff Award-winning Director Nick Bowling brings his exceptional talent to the hilarious and ingenious musical comedy with choreography by Jeff Award-winner Tommy Rapley. Music Director, and Jeff Award-nominee, Ryan T. Nelson enlivens the sensational score, featuring a rich melange of jazz and bebop styles. CITY OF ANGELS is the rarest of musical comedies; one that is not only loaded with music and written in the contemporary jazz idiom, but also filled with sidesplitting comedy, set in the glamorous, seductive Hollywood of the 40?s - the world of film studios and flimsy negligees.

The Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire, presents the six-time Tony Award-winning classic, CITY OF ANGELS, winner of Best Musical, Best Original Score by David Zippel and Cy Coleman, and Best Book by Larry Gelbart, previewing June 10, opening June 17th and running through August 2. Five-time Jeff Award-winning Director Nick Bowling brings his exceptional talent to the hilarious and ingenious musical comedy with choreography by Jeff Award-winner Tommy Rapley. Music Director, and Jeff Award-nominee, Ryan T. Nelson enlivens the sensational score, featuring a rich melange of jazz and bebop styles. CITY OF ANGELS is the rarest of musical comedies; one that is not only loaded with music and written in the contemporary jazz idiom, but also filled with sidesplitting comedy, set in the glamorous, seductive Hollywood of the 40?s - the world of film studios and flimsy negligees.

Porchlight Music Theatre announces the final mainstage production in its 20th Anniversary 'Season of Sondheim,' A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, April 17 - May 24, music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, book by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart, direction by Porchlight Artistic Director Michael Weber with music direction by Porchlight Artistic Associate Linda Madonia and choreography by Porchlight Artistic Associate Brenda Didier at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave.

Porchlight Music Theatre announces the final mainstage production in its 20th Anniversary 'Season of Sondheim,' A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, tonight, April 17 - May 24, music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, book by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart, direction by Porchlight Artistic Director Michael Weber with music direction by Porchlight Artistic Associate Linda Madonia and choreography by Porchlight Artistic Associate Brenda Didier at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. Previews are tonight, April 17 and Saturday, April 18 at 8 p.m., Sunday, April 19 at 2 p.m. and Monday, April 20 at 7:30 p.m. BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at the stars below!

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'Anything Goes,' 'A Funny Thing...' and 'Billy Elliot' prepare to open, 'Les Mis' racks up the raves, season announcements from the Paramount, Kokandy, The Hypocrites and Chicago Shakes, plus another Austen adaptation, and legs for Ethel Merman. Enjoy the warmth!

Porchlight Music Theatre announces the final mainstage production in its 20th Anniversary "Season of Sondheim," A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, April 17 - May 24, music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, book by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart, direction by Porchlight Artistic Director Michael Weber with music direction by Porchlight Artistic Associate Linda Madonia and choreography by Porchlight Artistic Associate Brenda Didier at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. Previews are Friday, April 17 and Saturday, April 18 at 8 p.m., Sunday, April 19 at 2 p.m. and Monday, April 20 at 7:30 p.m. BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at the stars below!

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Monday night's Jeff Awards at the Drury Lane, and 'Amazing Grace' at the BOAT! Plus 2014's other Broadway In Chicago shows, The Grinch at the Chicago Theatre, local productions of 'Parade,' 'Camelot' and 'Mary Poppins,' the new 'A Christmas Memory,' and the sold-out Humanities Festival tribute to the Tonys!

The 46th Annual Jeff Awards ceremony honoring excellence in professional theatre produced within the immediate Chicago area is tonight, October 13 at Drury Lane Oakbrook, 100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Remembering Bernie Yvon and honoring Bebe Neuwirth. And the show goes on with Route 66's Alanis Morissette tribute, 'Cats' at the Paramount, Bailiwick's 'Wild Party' and BoHo's 'Parade,' music improv at MCL Chicago, the new Refuge Theatre Project, and Chicagoans on tour with 'Sister Act!'

BoHo Theatre closes out its milestone 10th anniversary season with the stirring musical Parade, directed by Linda Fortunato (Jeff-Award winner for Choreography for BoHo's Kiss of the Spider Woman) with music direction by Matt Deitchman. Opening in October at Theater Wit, Parade tells the story of the trial of Leo Frank, a northern Jew accused of the murder of a teenage worker in his Southern factory. This Tony Award-winning musical by acclaimed playwright Alfred Uhry (Driving Miss Daisy) and composer Jason Robert Brown (The Last Five Years, Bridges of Madison County) shines a revealing light on the intolerance and racial tension that continues to haunt America, as well as the endurance of love and hope against all odds. Parade represents the Bohemian Pillar of Love in BoHo's 2013/2014 Season.

Chicago actress, TV and film star Jane Lynch did the honor today of announcing the nominees for the 2013-2014 Equity Jeff Awards.

Porchlight Music Theatre and Managing Artistic Director Michael Weber are proud to announce additional performances of the Tony Award©-winning Thomas 'Fats' Waller' musical revue, Ain't Misbehavin', playing through March 9 at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. This Black History Month presentation with book by Murray Horwitz and Richard Maltby Jr. and music by Thomas 'Fats' Waller and various other composers and lyricists features direction and choreography by Brenda Didier and music direction by Jaret Landon. The performance schedule is Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 4 and 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. with new additional performances Sunday, Feb. 23 at 6 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 27 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, March 9 at