Meghan Murphy News

It's already been quite a season at the gorgeous Paramount Theater in downtown Aurora, with audiences flocking to see three consecutive hit productions of In the Heights, Miss Saigon and 42nd Street.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'Gypsy' at CST and 'Into The Woods' from The Hypocrites begin, Paula Scrofano honored, Bernadette performs, another out-of-town tryout announced, a Barrel Of Monkeys revue, casting news from the Paramount and the Lyric, the Sarah Siddons Society show and more!

Performances are March 12-April 6, 2014. Press opening is Saturday, March 15 at 8 p.m. The Paramount Theatre is located at 23 E. Galena Blvd. in downtown Aurora, IL. Show times are Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; Thursday at 7:30 p.m.; Friday at 8 p.m.; Saturday at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m.; and Sunday at 1 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Tickets are only $36.90 to $49.90. To purchase, go to ParamountAurora.com, call (630) 896-6666, or visit the Paramount box office Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and 2 hours prior to evening performances. Note: RENT is rated R for strong adult language and themes. Not recommended for audiences under 17.

The Music Theatre Company (TMTC), Highland Park's critically-acclaimed Equity theatre, is pleased to announce the full casting for Triumph of Love, the first Chamber Musical of their 2013-14 Season. Triumph of Love runs today, December 6 - 15, 2013.

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 a non-holiday edition! With 'The Mikado,' 'Triumph Of Love,' 'Sweet Smell Of Success,' 'Cabaret' at the Marriott, 'Ain't Misbehavin',' CST's 'Gypsy' and more, plus Streisand and Sondheim on TV, and 'The Sound Of Music' at Sidetrack!

The Music Theatre Company (TMTC), Highland Park's critically-acclaimed Equity theatre, is pleased to announce the full casting for Triumph of Love, the first Chamber Musical of their 2013-14 Season. Triumph of Love runs December 6 - 15, 2013.

The Chicago Humanities Festival (CHF) announced casting today for two theatrical productions in November: White Rabbit, Red Rabbit, the Iranian absurdist play about isolation co-presented with the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA), running today, Nov. 3-9, 2013, and Birds Do It, Bees Do It..., the annual cabaret performance Nov. 5, 2013, created by Rob Lindley and Doug Peck.

In two curated weekends and two different programs, Peridance Presents will feature the following companies: Brice Mousset's OUI Danse, Nathan Trice/RITUALS, Emery LeCrone & Dancers, Enzo Celli's Celli Contemporary Ballet, SHANNON GILLEN + GUESTS and Peridance Contemporary Dance Company.

In two curated weekends and two different programs, Peridance Presents will feature the following companies: Brice Mousset's OUI Danse, Nathan Trice/RITUALS, Emery LeCrone & Dancers, Enzo Celli's Celli Contemporary Ballet, SHANNON GILLEN + GUESTS and Peridance Contemporary Dance Company.

The Chicago Humanities Festival (CHF) announced casting today for two theatrical productions in November: White Rabbit, Red Rabbit, the Iranian absurdist play about isolation co-presented with the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA), running Nov. 3-9, 2013, and Birds Do It, Bees Do It..., the annual cabaret performance Nov. 5, 2013, created by Rob Lindley and Doug Peck.

The raucous and raunchy cast recording for the equally lewd and crude parody musical 50 SHADES! THE MUSICAL - based loosely on the best-selling 50 SHADES OF GREY novel series by E.L. James - is now available for digital download and on CD.

The raucous and raunchy cast recording for the equally lewd and crude parody musical 50 SHADES! THE MUSICAL - based on the best-selling 50 SHADES OF GREY novel series by E.L. James - is now available for digital download, with a CD release set for next month.

"50 SHADES! THE MUSICAL," the critically-hailed parody of the phenomenally popular books, will release an Original Cast Album Tuesday, Aug. 13. The album is being released by Theater Advisor Records, a division of Theater Advisor LLC. The album is now available through pre-sale on iTunes and can be added to a wishlist on Amazon.com.

50 SHADES! THE MUSICAL, currently enjoying great success on its national tour, will be recording an Original Cast Album in New York June 3 and 4. The critically hailed parody of the phenomenally popular books '50 SHADES! THE MUSICAL' features a sassy original score with musical influences ranging from traditional musical theater to pop to R&B and gospel.

Black Ensemble Theater Founder and Executive Director Jackie Taylor announces a special Mother's Day concert, To Mother - With Love (A Concert Just For Her), featuring the stars of Black Ensemble. The one-day-only concert will be held on Mother's Day, today, May 12 at 3 p.m. at the new Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center, 4450 N. Clark Street in Chicago.

Black Ensemble Theater Founder and Executive Director Jackie Taylor announces a special Mother's Day concert, To Mother - With Love (A Concert Just For Her), featuring the stars of Black Ensemble. The one-day-only concert will be held on Mother's Day, Sunday, May 12 at 3 p.m. at the new Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center, 4450 N. Clark Street in Chicago.

On Wednesday, May 1 western Pennsylvania celebrated high school musical theatre with the 17th annual Night of the Stars showcase at the Palace Theatre in Greensburg. Founded by John Noble, students from schools across the region presented highlights from their spring musicals at the highly anticipated event attended by more than 1,400 students and families. Each school received a cash award for their participation and two students received scholarships.

From Doo Wop to Hip Hop, written and directed by Black Ensemble Theater Founder and CEO Jackie Taylor and Associate Director Rueben Echoles, features choreography by Rueben Echoles and musical director Robert Reddrick. The production opens tonight, February 24, and runs through April 14, 2013 at the Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center, 4450 N. Clark Street. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

The About Face Theatre Associate Board presents HOMOTOWN 3: A Tribute To Etta, Whitney & Donna tonight, September 24, 2012 at Sidetrack, 3349 N. Halsted St., Chicago. Doors open at 6 pm, show begins at 7 pm. All proceeds benefit About Face Youth Theatre. Tickets are available at www.aboufacetheatre.com.

The About Face Theatre Associate Board presents HOMOTOWN 3: A Tribute To Etta, Whitney & Donna on Monday, September 24, 2012 at Sidetrack, 3349 N. Halsted St., Chicago. Doors open at 6 pm, show begins at 7 pm. All proceeds benefit About Face Youth Theatre. Tickets are available at www.aboufacetheatre.com.