Mayor Richard M. News

Steppenwolf celebrated its 33rd season with GALA 2009: A Celebration of the Season of the Imagination on Saturday, April 18, 2009 at Steppenwolf Theatre Company, 1650 N. Halsted St. The ?urban chic? event was attended by 550 guests and raised nearly $1 million for Steppenwolf?s artistic and community programming.

The Banks children from Mary Poppins ?popped in? on Wednesday, March 11 to make an appearance at the Chicago Convention & Tourism Bureau?s Annual Meeting of Membership Luncheon at McCormick Place Convention Center. Backstage, Chicagoan Abigail Droeger (Jane Banks) and Christopher Flaim (Michael Banks) met Mayor Richard M. Daley. MARY POPPINS began previews March 11 and will open on March 25, 2009 at the Cadillac Palace Theatre for a limited engagement through July 12, 2009.

Chicago Opera Theater (COT) raised nearly $200,000 at their annual gala held on March 7, 2009 at the The Spertus Institute in Chicago. This year's gala celebrated the company's 35th Anniversary and honored General Director Brian Dickie as he marks his 10th Anniversary with the company. Over 250 guests enjoyed an evening of cocktails, dinner, raffles, silent and live auctions throughout Spertus Institute, allowing the visitors the opportunity to experience the bold and crisp architectural spaces of the building. COT Board Trustee and Gala Committee Chairman Lincoln S. Ellis emceed the evening and mezzo-soprano Sandra Piques Eddy was the evening's featured performer.

The Chicago company of 'Wicked' will play its final performance on Sunday, January 25, 2009, at the Ford Center for the Performing Arts, Oriental Theatre.

On the occasion of celebrating the second anniversary of smash hit performances and the longest day of the year, the Chicago company of Wicked has announced that has become the longest running Broadway musical in Chicago theater history

Broadway In Chicago, a leading Chicago-based presenter of live theatre and a joint entertainment venture between Live Nation and the Nederlander Organization, has announced breakthrough results from a comprehensive economic impact study concerning the vitality and prosperity of Chicago's Downtown Theatre District