Mary Ernster 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. Nominations end October 26 for the BWW Chicago Awards, Erich Bergen and the Marriott bring Cole Porter and Gershwin, plus 'The Dead,' Harold's crayon, three different 'Rocky Horror' shows and 'Nashville:' Is it a musical?

Court Theatre Artistic Director Charles Newell and Executive Director Stephen J. Albert present James Joyce's "The Dead," with book by Richard Nelson, music by Shaun Davey, lyrics conceived and adapted by Richard Nelson and Shaun Davey, and directed by Charles Newell with musical direction by Doug Peck. "The Dead" will run November 8 - December 9, 2012 at Court Theatre, 5535 S. Ellis Avenue. The press opening is Saturday, November 17, 2012 at 8:00 p.m.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) presents Disney's Beauty and the Beast, the Theater's annual summer family musical, directed by Rachel Rockwell with Music Direction by Doug Peck, featuring Emily Rohm as Belle and William Travis Taylor as the Prince turned into a Beast by an enchantress's spell. This Tony Award-winning musical is filled with lovable characters, beautiful sets and costumes, and dazzling production numbers, including 'Be Our Guest' and the beloved title song. BroadwayWorld has the production photos below.

Enchanting audiences of all generations worldwide, Disney's Beauty and the Beast casts its spell in Chicago Shakespeare's Courtyard Theater on Navy Pier June 28 to August 26, 2012. Tickets are $18-$25 with special discounts available for groups of 10 or more. All patrons receive a 40 percent parking discount at Navy Pier garages. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Chicago Shakespeare Theater's Box Office at 312.595.5600 or visit the Theater's website at www.chicagoshakes.com.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Our Tony Award wrap-up, all that 'Rock Of Ages,' three musical tribute shows, two operettas, a stellar TYA 'Beauty' and Kristin Chenoweth, plus more!

Summer Stages - Top 5 Picks for Chicago

Enchanting audiences of all generations worldwide, Disney's Beauty and the Beast casts its spell in Chicago Shakespeare's Courtyard Theater on Navy Pier June 28 to August 26, 2012. Tickets are $18-$25 with special discounts available for groups of 10 or more. All patrons receive a 40 percent parking discount at Navy Pier garages. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Chicago Shakespeare Theater's Box Office at 312.595.5600 or visit the Theater's website at www.chicagoshakes.com.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'Kinky Boots' and 'The Jungle Book' try out, Sarah Siddons and Windy City host benefit concerts, new works from Josh Schmidt and more, the Leap Day connection plus 'Mansical!'

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 Book Of Mormon' heads for a Chicago sit-down, two big season announcements, my top five fall productions, a Sondheim rarity, a new work for Mary's Attic and more...

The Paramount Theatre's new Artistic Director Jim Corti, who also will stage the inaugural production in the Aurora theater's first-ever Broadway musical subscription series, has announced the principal cast and design team for his fall opener, My Fair Lady.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Gavin Creel tonight!, plus Matthew Morrison, the 'Chicago Sings' fundraiser, cabaret shows at Davenport's, 'Charlotte's Web,' dueling 'Secret Gardens,' dueling 'Brigadoons' and more....

Porchlight Music Theatre will present its 6th annual 'Chicago Sings' concert, Chicago Sings: Rodgers, Rodgers & Guettel, Three Generations of American Musical Songwriters, at the Mayne Stage, 1328 W. Morse Ave., at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, April 4, 2011.

Porchlight Music Theatre will present its 6th annual 'Chicago Sings' concert, Chicago Sings: Rodgers, Rodgers & Guettel, Three Generations of American Musical Songwriters, at the Mayne Stage, 1328 W. Morse Ave., at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, April 4, 2011.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. A benefit for Japanese disaster relief, the Paramount Theatre's season, Donny and Marie for Christmas, Porchlight and Billy Stritch at Mayne Stage, 'A Chorus Line,' 'Always, Patsy Cline' and other suburban productions, 'The Magic Flute' in English, more....

Porchlight Music Theatre will present its 6th annual 'Chicago Sings' concert, Chicago Sings: Rodgers, Rodgers & Guettel, Three Generations of American Musical Songwriters, at the Mayne Stage, 1328 W. Morse Ave., at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, April 4, 2011.

THE MUSIC MAN, a Broadway treasure, loved by generations, previews November 3rd, opens November 14th, and runs through January 9th, 2011 at the Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire, IL. THE MUSIC MAN stars Bernie Yvon and Johanna McKenzie Miller, directed by Gary Griffin, and choreographed by Matt Raftery.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'White Christmas,' 'The Wind In The Willows,' 'Striking 12,' 'The Nativity,' 'The Other Cinderella, 'Cats,' music theater at Lyric Opera of Chicago, more....

The family classic THE WIZARD OF OZ opens November 18th and runs through December 30th at The Marriott Theatre for Young Audiences, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire, IL.

The family classic THE WIZARD OF OZ opens November 18th and runs through December 30th at The Marriott Theatre for Young Audiences, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire, IL.