Michael Weber News

Porchlight Music Theatre has announced its spring special events for 2013. The ICONS Gala, Celebrating the Art of Bob Fosse, takes place Sunday, April 7, 11 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. in the Moulin Rouge Room at The Fairmont Hotel, 200 N. Columbus Dr. The ICONS Gala includes performances from iconic Fosse works and the presentation of the 2013 Guy Adkins Award for Excellence in the Advancement of Music Theatre in Chicago to one of Chicago's music masters, Doug Peck. Chicago Sings Kander and Ebb, takes place Monday, May 20 at 7 p.m. at the Mayne Stage, 1328 W. Morse Ave. Tickets for both events are available at porchlightmusictheatre.org or by phone at 773.777.9884.

Porchlight Music Theatre celebrates Black History Month, with the third production in their 2012 - 2013 season, Lanie Robertson's Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill, tonight, February 2 - March 10, 2013, starring Alexis Rogers as Billie Holiday and directed by Porchlight Artistic Associate Rob Lindley with music direction by Jaret Landon, at Stage 773, 1225 West Belmont Ave.

A24 announced the acquisition of North American rights to Sundance favorite THE SPECTACULAR NOW. The James Ponsoldt directed film, from a script by Scott Neustadter and Michael Weber, has become one of the darlings of the Sundance Film Festival and features breakout performances by Miles Teller and Shailene Woodley.

Porchlight Music Theatre celebrates Black History Month, with the third production in their 2012 - 2013 season, Lanie Robertson's Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill, February 2 - March 10, 2013, starring Alexis Rogers as Billie Holiday and directed by Porchlight Artistic Associate Rob Lindley with music direction by Jaret Landon, at Stage 773, 1225 West Belmont Ave.

Annapurna Pictures and Color Force have secured the feature film rights to Maria Semple's critically acclaimed, bestselling novel WHERE'D YOU GO, BERNADETTE it was announced today by Color Force's Nina Jacobson.

The gala 44th Annual Jeff Equity Awards ceremony honoring excellence in professional theatre produced within the immediate Chicago area was held on Monday, October 15, at Drury Lane Oakbrook.

Sony Pictures Classics announced today that they have acquired all North American rights to Rama Burshtein's directorial debut, FILL THE VOID. Written and directed by Burshtein, Fill the Void played in Venice and Toronto to enthusiastic audiences and will make its US debut at the New York Film Festival.

Porchlight Music Theatre, currently presenting the Chicago premiere of A Class Act at Theater Wit through October 7, has announced that Carrie Kaufman has been named its new general manager. Kaufman, previously the publisher and editor of PerformInk, begins at Porchlight Tuesday, Sept. 18.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. The 2012 Equity Jeff Award nominees, 'Xanadu' at Drury Lane, upcoming shows at Porchlight and Theo Ubique, dueling 'Assassins,' a summer theater surprise and more!

The Jeff Awards Committee announced 197 nominations in 34 categories for Chicago Equity theatrical productions, which opened between August 1, 2011, and July 31, 2012. The Jeff Awards judges attended opening nights of 118 Equity productions offered by 55 producing organizations. From these openings, 96 productions were 'Jeff Recommended,' which made them eligible for award nominations.

The Jeff Awards Committee today announced 197 nominations in 34 categories for Chicago Equity theatrical productions, which opened between August 1, 2011, and July 31, 2012. The Jeff Awards judges attended opening nights of 118 Equity productions offered by 55 producing organizations. From these openings, 96 productions were 'Jeff Recommended,' which made them eligible for award nominations.

Michael Weber, Artistic Director of Porchlight Music Theatre, announced casting for Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill, February 2 - March 10, 2013 and Pal Joey, April 20 - May 26, 2013, both at Stage 773, 1225 W Belmont and the naming of new Artistic Associates and members to the Advisory Board. Alexis J. Rogers will play "Billie Holiday" in Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill, by Lanie Robertson to be directed by Porchlight Artistic Associate Rob Lindley.

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!

Porchlight Music Theatre today announced details of their annual benefit, The Icons Gala, Celebrating the Art of Michael Bennett, Sunday, April 22, 11 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. at The University Club of Chicago, 76 East Monroe Street.

Porchlight Music Theatre will present the premiere of BEST MUSICAL! A Completely Improvised Musical Comedy conceived by Matthew Loren Cohen and directed by Amanda Blake Davis, at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave.

Porchlight Music Theatre today announced details of their annual benefit, The Icons Gala, Celebrating the Art of Michael Bennett, Sunday, April 22, 11 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. at The University Club of Chicago, 76 East Monroe 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. 'Bring It On,' season announcements from Broadway In Chicago, Porchlight and Paramount, Idina and Kristin tour dates, Andrew Lloyd Webber in movie theaters and more....

Michael Weber, Artistic Director of Porchlight Music Theatre, announces Porchlight's 18th season. The season includes the Chicago premiere of A Class Act, September 1 - October 14; a new to Chicago holiday production of The Gifts of the Magi, November 17 - December 30 and two classics of the American musical canon: Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill, February 2 - March 17, 2013 and Pal Joey, April 20 - June 2, 2013. Weber described Porchlight's 2012 - 2013 18th season as "Continuing the path we began in 2011, by presenting Chicago's audiences with incomparable productions that not only entertain but also challenge audiences to see music theatre in a new way." "Early Bird" Season Membership Renewals are on sale March 6 - April 1. New Season Memberships go on sale Monday, April 2 and single tickets to the 2012-2013 season go on sale Monday, April 23. All memberships are available at porchlightmusictheatre.org or by phone at 773.777.9884.

Porchlight Music Theatre will present the premiere of BEST MUSICAL! A Completely Improvised Musical Comedy conceived by Matthew Loren Cohen and directed by Amanda Blake Davis, at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave.