Marya Grandy News

Aurora's Paramount Theatre, wower of audiences and critics this season with consecutive smash hits CATS, Mary Poppins and The Who's Tommy, is closing its 2014-15 Broadway Series with Les Miserables, one of the greatest musicals of all time, March 18-April 26, 2015.

Court Theatre Artistic Director Charles Newell and Executive Director Stephen J. Albert present The Secret Garden, directed by Artistic Director Charles Newell with musical direction by Doug Peck. Based on the beloved novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett, The Secret Garden features musical book and lyrics by Marsha Norman and music by Lucy Simon. The Secret Garden runs May 21 - June 21, 2015 at Court Theatre, 5535 S. Ellis Avenue.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. BIC's fall season schedule, plus Theo's 'JCS,' Woodstock's 'Chaperone,' Kokandy's 'Full Monty' and the Paramount's 'Les Mis.' Also four recent contemporary operas, early and late Sondheim comparisons, this month's 'Option Up,!' and Linda Eder and Jessie Mueller hit the suburbs!

You're not dreaming a dream. Aurora's Paramount Theatre, wower of audiences and critics this season with consecutive smash hits CATS, Mary Poppins and The Who's Tommy, is closing its 2014-15 Broadway Series with Les Miserables, one of the greatest musicals of all time, March 18-April 26, 2015.

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 'Last Five Years' movie, and three local shows for Valentine's Day about young folks in New York. Plus two new shows based on Jane Austen, Lippa's 'Wild Party,' Sondheim's 'Sondheim,' Aurora's 'Les Miserables and Annaleigh Ashford's return, plus some critical thinking about the late Andrew Patner.

From the bustling streets of "New York, New York" comes the first major Chicago production of the iconic musical comedy, ON THE TOWN, which started previews August 13 and opened August 20, running through October 12 at The Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire, IL.

When the Marriott Theatre in far north suburban Lincolnshire announced it was mounting a production of the 1944 landmark musical comedy 'On The Town,' most cognoscenti were excited. I mean, this is a show that everyone who takes musical theater seriously has studied, but that few have actually seen.

From the bustling streets of 'New York, New York' comes the first major Chicago production of the iconic musical comedy, ON THE TOWN, which opens tonight, August 20, and runs through October 12 at The Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire, IL.

From the bustling streets of 'New York, New York' comes the first major Chicago production of the iconic musical comedy, ON THE TOWN, currently in previews and opening August 20, and running through October 12 at The Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire, IL. Check out highlights from the show in the video below!

From the bustling streets of "New York, New York" comes the first major Chicago production of the iconic musical comedy, ON THE TOWN, currently in previews and opening August 20, and running through October 12 at The Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire, IL. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

From the bustling streets of 'New York, New York' comes the first major Chicago production of the iconic musical comedy, ON THE TOWN, previewing tonight, August 13, opening August 20, and running through October 12 at The Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire, IL. With an unparalleled musical score by Leonard Bernstein and book and lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green, ON THE TOWN tells the hilarious story of three American sailors on a whirlwind 24-hour leave in New York City. Eleven time Jeff Award winner David H. Bell directs, with choreography by Alex Sanchez and Music Direction by Ryan T. Nelson.

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 biggest musical theaters check in: Broadway In Chicago, the Marriott, the Drury Lane, the Paramount and Munster's TATC, plus Victory Gardens' special events, BoHo's 2015 season, 'The Book Of Merman' and new works from Jane Austen and the Everleigh Club!

From the bustling streets of "New York, New York" comes the first major Chicago production of the iconic musical comedy, ON THE TOWN, previewing August 13, opening August 20, and running through October 12 at The Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire, IL. With an unparalleled musical score by Leonard Bernstein and book and lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green, ON THE TOWN tells the hilarious story of three American sailors on a whirlwind 24-hour leave in New York City. Eleven time Jeff Award winner David H. Bell directs, with choreography by Alex Sanchez and Music Direction by Ryan T. Nelson.

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 Sound Of Music' and 'The Wizard Of Oz' live, a local 'Ragtime' and 'Avenue Q,' premieres of 'Juno' and 'The Next Thing,' 'Hit The Wall' and 'Waa-Mu' return, CCT announces two world premieres, and Illinois has its high school musical theater champs--plus even more!

TimeLine Theatre Company concludes its 2013-14 season with the Chicago premiere of the musical JUNO, book by Joseph Stein, music and lyrics by Marc Blitzstein, based on the play JUNO AND THE PAYCOCK by Sean O'Casey, directed by TimeLine Associate Artistic Director Nick Bowling with music direction by Doug Peck and Elizabeth Doran. JUNO will run at TimeLine Theatre, 615 W. Wellington Avenue in Chicago, tonight, May 1 - July 27, 2014. Press opening is Friday, May 2 at 7:30 p.m.

TimeLine Theatre Company concludes its 2013-14 season with the Chicago premiere of the musical JUNO, book by Joseph Stein, music and lyrics by Marc Blitzstein, based on the play JUNO AND THE PAYCOCK by Sean O'Casey, directed by TimeLine Associate Artistic Director Nick Bowling with music direction by Doug Peck and Elizabeth Doran. JUNO will run at TimeLine Theatre, 615 W. Wellington Avenue in Chicago, May 1 - July 27, 2014 (previews today, April 23 - 30). Press opening is Friday, May 2 at 7:30 p.m.

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!

TimeLine Theatre Company concludes its 2013-14 season with the Chicago premiere of the musical JUNO, book by Joseph Stein, music and lyrics by Marc Blitzstein, based on the play JUNO AND THE PAYCOCK by Sean O'Casey, directed by TimeLine Associate Artistic Director Nick Bowling with music direction by Doug Peck and Elizabeth Doran. JUNO will run at TimeLine Theatre, 615 W. Wellington Avenue in Chicago, May 1 - July 27, 2014 (previews April 23 - 30). Press opening is Friday, May 2 at 7:30 p.m.

Richard Maltby, Jr. and David Shire are among the top songwriting teams working in the musical theatre today. Their shows written together, including Starting Here Starting Now, Baby, Closer Than Ever, Big, Take Flight, Love Match, and How Do You Do I Love You will be celebrated by Broadway's best in story and song. Their work was just celebrated at 54 Below with WHAT COULD BE BETTER, which was performed earlier this month. Check out highlights from the concert below!

Our intrepid cabaret columnist/reviewer Stephen Hanks catches up on some reviews of fall 2013 shows, including Mary Foster Conklin's BroadwayWorld.com Award nominated tribute to Fran Landesman, solo shows from Bernard Dotson, Gary Crawford, and Lauren Glazer, and a duo show from Alison Nusbaum and Jackie Kristel.