Michael Teoli News

I love a good prequel, especially when a contemporary playwright decides to take on the back story of a hallowed play by the likes of William Shakespeare. I mean, come on. Daring to tread on that playing field takes some guts because you know before you begin that audiences are going to have high expectations of your work. They also know where you need to end your story in order for Shakespeare's to begin so getting there must be highly inventive and worthy of its foregone conclusion.

Underscore Theatre Company, in association with Harborside Films, is pleased to present the Chicago premiere of TONYA AND NANCY: THE ROCK OPERA, a dark musical comedy based on the infamous 1990's Tonya Harding/Nancy Kerrigan "knee whack" ice skating scandal. With book and lyrics by Elizabeth Searle, music by Michael Teoli, direction and choreography by Jon Martinez and musical direction by Aaron Benham, TONYA AND NANCY will play November 25 - December 30, 2016 at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago. Tickets go on sale Friday, September 16, 2016 at www.theaterwit.org, in person at the Theater Wit Box Office or by calling (773) 975-8150.

Kokandy Productions is pleased to celebrate its fifth anniversary with an expanded season featuring four fully produced musicals, including two Chicago premieres and two guest directors. The 2017/18 Season will also include numerous readings and workshops - adding fresh voices to Kokandy's "New Works Initiative" and emphasizing the company's commitment to becoming an increasingly relevant part of Chicagoland's musical theater and new work development communities. The new season also marks Kokandy's transition to a not-for-profit organization.

Underscore Theatre Company, in association with Harborside Films, is pleased to present the Chicago premiere of TONYA AND NANCY: THE ROCK OPERA, a dark musical comedy based on the infamous 1990's Tonya Harding/Nancy Kerrigan 'knee whack' ice skating scandal.

Happy New Year and welcome back Shakespeare lovers! 2016 marks the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare's death (April 23, 1564 - April 23, 1616) and that means it's another big year ahead honoring one of the greatest writers of all time. Here's a look at what's coming so get out your calendars and make note.

See Tonya Harding and Nancy Kerrigan rock out!

Tonya & Nancy: The Rock Opera gets its NY premiere as it kicks-off the New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF) this July. Tonya & Nancy: The Rock Opera has a concept, book and lyrics by Elizabeth Searle, music by Michael Teoli, and will be directed by David Alpert (If/ Then), with musical direction by Henry Aronson (Rock of Ages), and choreography by Marc Kimelman (A Bronx Tale). Tonya & Nancy: The Rock Opera will play at the PTC Performing Space (555 West 42nd St.) from July 9 - July 16, 2015. 

Tonya & Nancy: The Rock Opera gets its NY premiere as it kicks-off the New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF) this July. Tonya & Nancy: The Rock Opera has a concept, book and lyrics by Elizabeth Searle, music by Michael Teoli, and will be directed by David Alpert (If/ Then), with musical direction by Henry Aronson (Rock of Ages), and choreography by Marc Kimelman (A Bronx Tale). Tonya & Nancy: The Rock Opera will play at the PTC Performing Space (555 West 42nd St.) from tonight, July 9, through July 16, 2015.

The New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF) is proud to announced extensions for six NYMF productions - CLAUDIO QUEST, SPOT ON THE WALL, WEARING BLACK, HELD MOMENTARILY, SONGS FOR THE FALLEN and TONYA AND NANCY: A ROCK OPERA. Additional extensions may be announced at a later date.

This month, Musical Theatre Factory (MTF) will partner with NYMF to showcase a series of late night salons featuring the work of over 20 musical theater writers. The writers of five NYMF shows will be participating in the Salon-A-Thon, including the 2015 Next Link Selections 210 Amlent Avenue, Manuel Vs. The Statue of Liberty and The Cobalteans.

10 days until Tonya Harding and Nancy Kerrigan rock out!

Tonya & Nancy: The Rock Opera gets its NY premiere as it kicks-off the New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF) this July. Tonya & Nancy: The Rock Opera has a concept, book and lyrics by Elizabeth Searle, music by Michael Teoli, and will be directed by David Alpert (If/ Then), with musical direction by Henry Aronson (Rock of Ages), and choreography by Marc Kimelman (A Bronx Tale). Tonya & Nancy: The Rock Opera will play at the PTC Performing Space (555 West 42nd St.) from July 9 - July 16, 2015.

New York: Tonya & Nancy: The Rock Opera gets its NY premiere as it kicks-off the New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF) this July. Tonya & Nancy: The Rock Opera has a concept, book and lyrics by Elizabeth Searle, music by Michael Teoli, and will be directed by David Alpert (If/ Then), with musical direction by Henry Aronson (Rock of Ages), and choreography by Marc Kimelman (A Bronx Tale). Tonya & Nancy: The Rock Opera will play at the PTC Performing Space (555 West 42nd St.) from July 9 - July 16, 2015. The New York Musical Theatre Festival and Paul Boghosian / Harborside Film, LLC present Tonya & Nancy: The Rock Opera with General Management/ Creative Consulting by Kimberly Loren Eaton/Theatrum Mundi Productions, LLC & Evan Bernardin.

A f*cked up fact-based fairytale, Cookie & The Monster is a bruise-black comedy about coming of age in 90's suburbia.

The New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF) announced today its additional selections for NYMF 2015. Acappella, Claudio Quest, HeadVoice, Held Momentarily, Moses Man, Napoleon, Real Men, a musical for guys and the women who put up with them; Songs for the Fallen, Tonya & Nancy: The Rock Opera and Wearing Black join the previously announced new musicals that will be presented at the 2015 New York Musical Theatre Festival from July 7, 2015 to July 27, 2015.

I have to say...I really loved this crazy new rock musical. In my book, it's the kind of show that embodies all that is best about the Fringe, with its unconventional characters, sly direction (by Aaron Lyons), pert choreography (by Michelle LaVon), and wicked twist on a relevant message.

Here are Summer Stages Picks from Broadwayworld's Ellen Dostal for what to see in Los Angeles and San Diego.

From the wild world of Michael Shaw Fisher who brought you previous Fringe hits Exorcistic: The Rock Musical Parody Experiment and Doomsday Cabaret, comes The Werewolves of Hollywood Boulevard, A Damnable Rock Musical.

Due to high ticket demand, a second concert performance of Tonya & Nancy: The Rock Opera has been set for Wednesday, February 5 at 8pm at Hollywood's legendary King King Club. The February 4 & 5 concerts will take place just a few days before the start of the 2014 Olympics, which is also the 20th anniversary of the lead pipe assault heard 'round the world and their subsequent skate-off at the 1994 Winter Olympics. With libretto by Elizabeth Searle and music by Michael Teoli, the concert version of Tonya & Nancy: The Rock Opera will be choreographed and directed by NAACP and Ovation Award-winner Janet Roston. Produced by Los Angeles Rock Opera Company in association with HarborSide Films, proceeds from the two evenings will go to support Celebration Theatre. [For more info about Celebration, see page 2 of this release.]

A one-night-only concert performance of Tonya & Nancy: The Rock Opera has been set for Tuesday, February 4 at 8pm at Hollywood's legendary King King Club. The concert will take place just a few days before the start of the 2014 Olympics, which is also the 20th anniversary of the lead pipe assault heard 'round the world and their subsequent skate-off at the 1994 Winter Olympics. The librettist is Elizabeth Searle and music by Michael Teoli, the concert version of Tonya & Nancy: The Rock Opera will be choreographed and directed by NAACP and Ovation Award-winner Janet Roston. Proceeds from the evening will go to support Celebration Theatre.