Matt Deitchman News

The day after The Who's Tommy debuted on Broadway in 1993, The New York Times exclaimed, '...at long last the authentic rock musical that has eluded Broadway for two generations...an Entertainment Juggernaut.' Twenty-one years later, no other musical has come close to replicating its sure power, electricity and monumental impact.

The day after The Who's Tommy debuted on Broadway in 1993, The New York Times exclaimed, '...at long last the authentic rock musical that has eluded Broadway for two generations...an Entertainment Juggernaut.' Twenty-one years later, no other musical has come close to replicating its sure power, electricity and monumental impact.

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 offerings 'Musical Of The Living Dead,' 'Witches Among Us,' 'Bewildered!' and more, 'The Wild Party' and 'Parade,' plus brief appearaces by'Bells Are Ringing' and 'The Color Purple,' Duncan Sheik in concert and a review of 'Edges' at Davenport's!

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 latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. It's Super October! Local productions of 'Sweeney Todd,' 'Titanic,' 'Parade' and 'The Wild Party' have folks excited! 'At Last' and 'Cole Porter's Greatest Hits' honor past artists, the Savoyaires mount 'The Grand Duke,' and Des Plaines goes 'Legally Blonde.' Colleges produce 'Into The Woods' and 'In The Heights, 'Amazing Grace' arrives downtown and more!

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.

Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, continues its 30th anniversary season with the Tony Award-winning musical comedy THE 25th ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE, now running through August 17, 2014. Scott Calcagno(Legally Blonde at The Civic Theatre, Grease at The Long Lake Theatre as well as the annual production of A Christmas Carol at Drury Lane Theatre) directs. The show recently celebrated its opening, and BroadwayWorld has photos from the festivites below!

Route 66 Theatre Company is pleased to present the first of it's 2014 Concert Series events: Michael Mahler and The Lincoln Squares performing The Joshua Tree by U2 along with special musical theater guest performers. Tickets are currently on sale through the Route 66 Theatre Company website: www.route66theatre.org. The concert will be a one night only special event on Sunday, June 15 at 7 pm. Doors open at 6:30PM.

Route 66 Theatre Company will present the first of it's 2014 Concert Series events: Michael Mahler and The Lincoln Squares performing The Joshua Tree by U2 along with special musical theater guest performers. Tickets are currently on sale through the Route 66 Theatre Company website: www.route66theatre.org. The concert will be a one night only special event on Sunday, June 15 at 7 pm. Doors open at 6:30PM

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) presents an unprecedented pairing of productions illuminates the work of composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim: Gypsy (CST's Courtyard Theater, February 6-March 23) and Road Show (Upstairs at Chicago Shakespeare, March 13-May 4), both directed by CST Associate Artistic Director Gary Griffin. With Sondheim's characteristic depth and musicality, Gypsy and Road Show each explore the ambitious pursuit of the American Dream during the defining period in our nation's history between the two world wars. Check out a first look at highlights of ROAD SHOW below!

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) presents an unprecedented pairing of productions illuminates the work of composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim: Gypsy (CST's Courtyard Theater, February 6-March 23) and Road Show (Upstairs at Chicago Shakespeare, March 13-May 4), both directed by CST Associate Artistic Director Gary Griffin. With Sondheim's characteristic depth and musicality, Gypsy and Road Show each explore the ambitious pursuit of the American Dream during the defining period in our nation's history between the two world wars. Check out a behind the scenes look at ROAD SHOW below!

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) presents an unprecedented pairing of productions illuminates the work of composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim: Gypsy (CST's Courtyard Theater, February 6-March 23) and Road Show (Upstairs at Chicago Shakespeare, March 13-May 4), both directed by CST Associate Artistic Director Gary Griffin. With Sondheim's characteristic depth and musicality, Gypsy and Road Show each explore the ambitious pursuit of the American Dream during the defining period in our nation's history between the two world wars. Check out a first look at ROAD SHOW below!

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) presents Road Show, the second production in an unprecedented pairing with Gypsy, now playing in the Courtyard Theater, that will illuminate the work of composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim. Road Show and the critically acclaimed production Gypsy are both directed by CST Associate Artistic Director Gary Griffin. Road Show takes audiences on an unexpected musical adventure as two brothers strive for fame and fortune through "get-rich-quick" schemes. With Sondheim's characteristic depth and musicality of language, Road Show and Gypsy explore the ambitious pursuit of the American Dream during the defining period in our nation's history between the two world wars. Road Show is being presented in the theater Upstairs at Chicago Shakespeare now through May 4, 2014. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Buzz22 Chicago has announced that the Professional World Premiere production of Laura Jacqmin's 'Ghost Bike,' directed by Co-Artistic Director Sara Sawicki opens tonight, March 13 at 8 PM. The production runs through April 6, 2014 at the Greenhouse Upstairs Mainstage, 2257 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL, 60647. Combining elements of Greek, African, and Chinese mythology, 'Ghost Bike' depicts two best friends navigating the ultimate challenge to a friendship through an underworld beneath their home city, Chicago. 'Ghost Bike' is Buzz22 Chicago's next production after 2013's sold out and highly acclaimed production of 'She Kills Monsters' at the Steppenwolf Garage. Tickets are available via the Greenhouse Theater Box Office at 773.404.7336 or www.greenhousetheater.org/portfolio/ghost-bike/.

Mercury Theater Chicago, 3745 N Southport Ave., will celebrate Stephen Sondheim's birthday at The Hypocrites' production INTO THE WOODS with a weeklong celebration beginning on Sunday, March 16 with a panel discussion following the 3 p.m. performance with Andra Velis Simon from Columbia College Chicago and Director Geoff Button, and a second panel discussion on Saturday, March 22 following the 2 p.m. performance with Kris Vire, Associate Editor at Time Out Chicago and Executive Director L. Walter Stearns. The matinee performance on March 22, Stephen Sondheim's actual birthday, will also feature a classic Sondheim sing-a-long immediately following the panel discussion with selections from Merrily We Roll Along, Sweeney Todd, Sunday in the Park with George and Roadshow. A delicious birthday cake from gourmet Southport bakery Sensational Bites A Dessert Cafe will be served following the sing-a-long on March 22. Directed by Geoff Button* with Musical Direction by Matt Deitchman, INTO THE WOODS has been extended through Saturday, April 5.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) presents an unprecedented pairing of productions that will illuminate the work of composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim: Gypsy (CST's Courtyard Theater, February 6-March 23) and Road Show (Upstairs at Chicago Shakespeare, tonight, March 13-May 4), both directed by CST Associate Artistic Director Gary Griffin. With Sondheim's characteristic depth and musicality, Gypsy and Road Show each explore the ambitious pursuit of the American Dream during the defining period in our nation's history between the two world wars. Scroll down for a look at the cast of ROAD SHOW!

Mercury Theater Chicago, 3745 N Southport Ave., announces that The Hypocrites' production INTO THE WOODS, directed by Geoff Button* with Musical Direction by Matt Deitchman, has been extended through Saturday, April 5. The production was selected as a Critics' Pick by Time Out Chicago and has hailed as 'Beautiful' (Chicago Tribune) and 'A wonder! Terrific! Excellent! Perfectly charming.' (Newcity)