Matt Deitchman News

On the occasion of the 400th Anniversary of Shakespeare's legacy in 2016, Chicago Shakespeare Theater  (CST) prepares to begin an epic theatrical endeavor-Artistic Director Barbara Gaines' Tug of War, which distills six Shakespeare histories into two action-packed dramas. Adapted and directed by Gaines as the Theater's centerpiece of the yearlong Shakespeare 400 Chicago festival, the Tug of War saga traces the injustice and intrigues of war from the perspectives of both kings and common soldiers through two, six-hour marathon productions-Foreign Fire (Edward III, Henry V and Henry VI, Part 1) in the spring and Civil Strife (Henry VI, Parts 2 and 3 and Richard III) in the fall. Featuring some of Chicago's most celebrated actors, the dynamic ensemble cast of 19 performs over 100 characters throughout the electrifying drama. The musicality of Shakespeare's text is complemented with live music performances ranging from Bach and the blues, to contemporary pop and folk anthems. Songs from P!nk, Pete Townshend and Tim Buckley are accompanied onstage by a band of ensemble members on electric guitar, cello, keyboard, ukulele and percussion. Tug of War: Foreign Fire debuts on the Courtyard Theater stage for a limited run of only 18 performances, May 12-June 12, 2016.

This spring, The Hypocrites are bringing the award-winning, Off-Broadway musical hit ADDING MACHINE: A Musical back to Chicago where it first premiered. Directed by Geoff Button, with music direction by Matt Deitchman and choreography by Katie Spelman, this heartbreaking musical adaptation of Elmer Rice's play The Adding Machine features music by Joshua Schmidt and book and lyrics by Jason Loewith and Schmidt. ADDING MACHINE: A Musical will play now through May 15, 2016 at The Den Theatre's Heath Main Stage, 1329 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago's Wicker Park neighborhood. BroadwayWorld has highlights from the show below!

This spring, The Hypocrites are bringing the award-winning, Off-Broadway musical hit ADDING MACHINE: A Musical back to Chicago where it first premiered. Directed by Geoff Button, with music direction by Matt Deitchman and choreography by Katie Spelman, this heartbreaking musical adaptation of Elmer Rice's play The Adding Machine features music by Joshua Schmidt and book and lyrics by Jason Loewith and Schmidt. ADDING MACHINE: A Musical will play now through May 15, 2016 at The Den Theatre's Heath Main Stage, 1329 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago's Wicker Park neighborhood. The press opening is Monday, March 28 at 7 pm. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

This spring, The Hypocrites are pleased to bring the award winning, Off-Broadway musical hit ADDING MACHINE: A Musical back to Chicago where it first premiered. Directed by Geoff Button, with music direction by Matt Deitchman and choreography by Katie Spelman, this heartbreaking musical adaptation of Elmer Rice's play The Adding Machine features music by Joshua Schmidt and book and lyrics by Jason Loewith and Schmidt. ADDING MACHINE: A Musical will play March 18 - May 15, 2016 at The Den Theatre's Heath Main Stage, 1329 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago's Wicker Park neighborhood.  Tickets are current available at www.the-hypocrites.com. The press opening is Monday, March 28 at 7 pm.

By jove, Mercury Theater cracks the case in adapting a Sherlock Holmes musical!

The Bard is back! Shakespeare 400 Chicago today announced the festival line-up for 2016, featuring 850 events on stages and in museums, restaurants, parks, schools and neighborhoods across Chicago.

This spring, The Hypocrites are pleased to bring the award winning, Off-Broadway musical hit ADDING MACHINE: A Musical back to Chicago where it first premiered. Directed by Geoff Button with music direction by Matt Deitchman and choreography by Katie Spelman, this heartbreaking musical adaptation of Elmer Rice's play The Adding Machine features music by Joshua Schmidt and book and lyrics by Jason Loewith and Schmidt. ADDING MACHINE: A Musical will play March 18 - May 15, 2016 at The Den Theatre's Heath Main Stage, 1329 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago's Wicker Park neighborhood.  Tickets are current available at www.the-hypocrites.com. The press opening is Monday, March 28 at 7 pm.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'Plaid Tidings,' the Q Brothers and 'Die Hard' bring us holiday shows, and shows come and go at Lyric Opera and the Royal George. 'The Wiz' comes to TV and to a Bailiwick benefit, and 'The Lion King' and 'Pinocchio' promise family-friendly fare. And buy 'Season Of Carols 3!'

Jack Eidson & Sally Lindel present the World Premiere of THE LILLIPUT TROUPE, a new play with music by Gaby FeBland. Directed by Alex Benjamin, performances begin tonight, November 6 at Off-Broadway's Chernuchin Theatre at the American Theatre of Actors.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. We've got Halloween shows this week, like 'Side Show,' 'Goblin Market,' 'One Brain More' and 'Ride The Cyclone.' There are various 'Rocky Horror' shows, concerts of 'The Nightmare Before Christmas' and 'No One Here But Us Witches,' dueling downtown concerts by Kristen Chenoweth and Leonard Bernstein, a suburban 'Avenue Q,' and the impending close of 'Million Dollar Quartet.' After how long???

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 Equity Jeff Awards get it right! 'Scottsboro,' 'Cyclone' and 'Hollywood' serve up new delights, 'Pinafore' does it old school, and 'Goblin Market' and 'Nightmare Before Christmas' scare us. Christmas comes via Kokandy and the Q Brothers, and 'Grease: Live' is set for FOX-TV!

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Excitement grows for 'La Revolution Francaise!' Also, Black Ensemble Theater and Raven Theatre take on more recent history, and 'Spamalot' opens northwest and southeast. 'Triassic Parq' and 'Goblin Market' play the city, 'Shrek' and 'Avenue Q' play the 'burbs, and 'Crazy Ex-Girlfriend' and 'My Little Red/Green Coat' sing from small screens!

Jack Eidson & Sally Lindel present the World Premiere of THE LILLIPUT TROUPE, a new play with music by Gaby FeBland. Directed by Alex Benjamin, performances begin November 6 at Off-Broadway's Chernuchin Theatre at the American Theatre of Actors.

A few hours after their first production on a Saturday night, Door Shakespeare changes costumes, peotic canons and presents Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet at 8:30 p.m.  Under the velvet moonlght of a Bailey's Harbor sky that naturally resembles the darkness  that dominates much of the Bard's iconic story,  the tragic  play unfolds. A riveting Romeo and Juliet theatergoers will remember when the sun sets the following evening regardless of what they have ever known or seen of this production before.  

? Door Shakespeare has announced play selections and casting for the 2015 summer season.

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 'Jersey Boys' return, '[title of show]' premieres and CPaz hosts a belt-fest! Plus new works everywhere! Piven Theatre, Northlight Theatre, The Music Theatre Company, Chicago Children's Theatre, FWD Theatre and Porchlight Music Theatre show us our future, plus the world premiere of 'Sense And Sensibility' at Chicago Shakespeare Theater!

Kids, parents, grandparents and school groups, get ready to rock! Wonderland, Alice's Rock & Roll Adventure, a new family musical created by top Chicago director Rachel Rockwell and music director Michael Mahler, is Chicago Children's Theatre's big 10th anniversary season finale. Performances began April 22 at the Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn St., Chicago. Press opening is tonight, April 24 at 7 p.m. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action 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. Special events on the horizon from Porchlight, FWD and Option Up! Plus new-to-Chicago works from Piven and Bailiwick, colleges do 'Spring Awakening' and 'The Wild Party,' and Emerald City Theatre and Chicago Children's Theatre head for the big time!

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Musical television series abound! Also special nights for 'Allegro' and 'Reefer Madness,' that Dolphin show at Annoyance, Mercury's 'Addams Family,' a big children's premiere, the return of 'Option Up!' and a surprising, real live 'Beauty!'

Wonderland, Alice's Rock & Roll Adventure, a new family musical created by top Chicago director Rachel Rockwell and music director Michael Mahler, is Chicago Children's Theatre's big 10th anniversary season finale.