Matt McNabb 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. Local Tony and Jeff Award events, 'Shining Lives' shines, major productions of 'City Of Angels' and 'The Secret Garden,' original shows at Lifeline and Theo Ubique, two suburban theaters program 'Spamalot,' House updates 'The Bacchae' and New York gets its talent from where?

Porchlight Music Theatre is proud to announce that, due to capacity audience response, the first production of the mainstage 20th Anniversary Season of Sondheim, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by Hugh Wheeler, direction by Porchlight Artistic Director Michael Weber with music direction by Porchlight Artistic Associate Doug Peck, has been extended through Sunday, Nov. 16 at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave.

Porchlight Music Theatre's mainstage 20th Anniversary Season of Sondheim commences with Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by Hugh Wheeler, direction by Porchlight Managing Artistic Director Michael Weber with music direction by Porchlight Artistic Associate Doug Peck, now through November 9 at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. BroadwayWorld has photos from the opening night festivities below!

Porchlight Music Theatre's mainstage 20th Anniversary Season of Sondheim commences with Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by Hugh Wheeler, direction by Porchlight Managing Director Michael Weber with music direction by Porchlight Artistic Associate Doug Peck, now through November 9 at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. Opening/press night is tonight, Oct, 7 at 7:30 p.m.

Porchlight Music Theatre's mainstage 20th Anniversary Season of Sondheim commences with Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by Hugh Wheeler, direction by Porchlight Artistic Director Michael Weber with music direction by Porchlight Artistic Associate Doug Peck, now through November 9 at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Porchlight Music Theatre's mainstage 20th Anniversary Season of Sondheim commences with Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by Hugh Wheeler, direction by Porchlight Managing Director Michael Weber with music direction by Porchlight Artistic Associate Doug Peck, today, October 3 - November 9 at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. Previews are Today, Oct. 3 at 8 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 4 at 8 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 5 at 2 p.m. and Monday, Oct. 6 at 7:30 p.m. Opening/press night is Tuesday, Oct, 7 at 7:30 p.m.

RENT gets me every time. Seeing it for the 14th time is just as thrilling, emotional, and epic as the first time I saw it 17 years ago. I can't even put into words why it has such a strong grip on my soul. It's just such a beautiful message of love, hope, community, and life, made all the more poignant by creator Jonathan Larson's untimely passing. Lyric Arts' new production is truly beautiful; the cast is energetic and talented, the sets and costumes have that cool rock show vibe, and the staging is different enough to make it feel fresh and original, but similar enough to the Broadway version to feel familiar to RENTheads like me. RENT is a brilliantly written piece of music-theater, and Lyric Arts has done Jonathan Larson proud. I can think of no higher praise.

Porchlight Music Theatre's mainstage 20th Anniversary Season of Sondheim commences with Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by Hugh Wheeler, direction by Porchlight Managing Director Michael Weber with music direction by Porchlight Artistic Associate Doug Peck, October 3 - November 9 at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. Previews are Friday, Oct. 3 at 8 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 4 at 8 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 5 at 2 p.m. and Monday, Oct. 6 at 7:30 p.m. Opening/press night is Tuesday, Oct, 7 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. Read about the EIGHT new musicals from Broadway In Chicago, the BIC Millennium Park concert, extensions for 'Days Like Today' and 'Avenue Q,' new work from Kokandy and New Colony, 'Caged Dames,' 'Myths And Hymns,' two films in downtown Aurora and Petterino's in downtown Chicago!

BoHo Theatre brings Adam Guettel's rarely-produced song cycle Myths & Hymns to life with an original narrative concept, directed by Peter Robel with musical direction by Nick Sula. BoHo is no stranger to Guettel's work, having garnered acclaim for its 2012 production of Floyd Collins at Theater Wit. Myths & Hymns represents the Bohemian Pillar of Beauty in BoHo's 2013/2014 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. Our very own Tony Award Viewing Party (you're invited), new takes on 'Hair' and 'Myths And Hymns,' tryouts of 'Amazing Grace' and 'On Your Feet!,' that reading of 'Bedknobs And Broomsticks,' Chicago originals 'Mister Kelly' and 'Caged Dames,' more film news, the Chicago Gay Men's Chorus and more!

BoHo Theatre brings Adam Guettel's rarely-produced song cycle Myths & Hymns to life with an original narrative concept, directed by Peter Robel with musical direction by Nick Sula. BoHo is no stranger to Guettel's work, having garnered acclaim for its 2012 production of Floyd Collins at Theater Wit. Myths & Hymns represents the Bohemian Pillar of Beauty in BoHo's 2013/2014 Season.

New Prague's professional theatre company opened the first production of its inaugural season on May 31st, 2013 - New Prague is home to a professional theatre company. DalekoArts, the young company headed up by New Prague native Ben Thietje and his wife Amanda White, opened its inaugural season with Neil Simon's The Odd Couple last Friday, June 7th at 7:30pm at the New Prague Middle School.

Fox Valley Repertory kicks off the 2nd Annual Summer Theater Fest in St. Charles with five singers, one baby grand piano, and more than 30 songs as they bring Chicago's critic-acclaimed and Jeff-Nominated Theo Ubique production of Some Enchanted Evening: The Songs of Rodgers & Hammerstein on the Pheasant Run Resort Mainstage (4051 E. Main St., St. Charles, IL; box office 630-584-6342).

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Three shows make a PR appearance at Sidetrack, ATC plans a 'Hair' re-do, 'Camelot,' 'Floyd Collins,' three new mainstage musicals, a reading, a benefit and more!

Fox Valley Repertory will kick off the 2nd Annual Summer Theater Fest in St. Charles with five singers, one baby grand piano, and more than 30 songs as they bring Chicago's critic-acclaimed and Jeff-Nominated Theo Ubique production of Some Enchanted Evening: The Songs of Rodgers & Hammerstein on the Pheasant Run Resort Mainstage (4051 E. Main St., St. Charles, IL; box office 630-584-6342).

Porchlight Music Theatre, American Musicals. Chicago Style, presents the Chicago premiere of John Bucchino and Harvey Fierstein's A Catered Affair, directed by Nick Bowling with music direction by Doug Peck, at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. The performance schedule is Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Single tickets are $38 with group and student discounts available. All tickets are available at stage773.com, porchlightmusictheatre.org or by phone at 773.327.5252.

Porchlight Music Theatre will present the Chicago premiere of John Bucchino and Harvey Fierstein's A Catered Affair, directed by Nick Bowling with music direction by Doug Peck, at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave.

Porchlight Music Theatre will present the Chicago premiere of John Bucchino and Harvey Fierstein's A Catered Affair, directed by Nick Bowling with music direction by Doug Peck, at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave.