Michelle Lauto News

Porchlight Music Theatre and Artistic Director Michael Weber are proud to announce the cast and artistic staff of Porchlight's 22nd season opener, the multi-Tony Award-winning IN THE HEIGHTS, September 9 - October 16, music and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, book by Quiara Alegria Hudes.

Porchlight Music Theatre and Artistic Director Michael Weber are proud to announce an extension of Porchlight's 22nd season opener, the multi-Tony Award-winning In The Heights, now playing through Sunday, Oct. 23, music and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, book by Quiara Alegria Hudes. Directed and co-choreographed by Brenda Didier, co-choreographed by Chris Carter, music directed by Diana Lawrence and assistant directed by Adrian Abel Azevedo, at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave.

Porchlight Music Theatre and Artistic Director Michael Weber are proud to announce the cast and artistic staff of Porchlight's 22nd season opener, the multi-Tony Award-winning IN THE HEIGHTS, September 9 - October 16, music and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, book by Quiara Alegria Hudes.

The concept of Circle Theatre's Full Circle Series is simple: produce an evening of performance where 100% of the proceeds go directly to an organization that is tied to the show's central message.

American Theater Company (ATC) opens musical comedy Xanadu, the final production of its Legacy Season, this Sunday, June 5. Presented as a tribute to ATC's late Artistic Director PJ Paparelli-a not-so-secret fan of this camp classic-Xanadu is directed by Lili-Anne Brown and runs at ATC now through July 17, 2016. The production has music and lyrics by Jeff Lynne and John Farrar and a book by Douglas Carter Beane, based on the 1980 Universal Pictures film of the same title.

?Chicago's best musical theatre performers gather on the same stage for one night only when the 2016 Jeff Award Nominees are honored at Nominee Night, May 17 at 7PM at Sidetrack Video Bar in Lake View, Chicago.

The Jeff Awards Committee today announced 121 nominations in 24 categories for the 43rd Annual Non-Equity Jeff Awards for productions that opened between April 1, 2015, and March 31, 2016. The Non-Equity Awards honor excellence in Chicago theatres not under a union contract. Jeff judges attended opening nights of 148 productions offered by 67 Non-Equity producing organizations. The Jeff Committee recommended 65 of those shows (or 44%), making them eligible for Non-Equity Jeff Award nominations. Of the 65 Jeff Recommended productions, a record 53 (or 82%) received nominations, representing 32 theatre companies.

American Theater Company (ATC), 1909 W. Byron Street, announces casting for the musical comedy Xanadu, the final production of its Legacy Season. Presented as a tribute to ATC's late Artistic Director PJ Paparelli-a not-so-secret fan of this camp classic-Xanadu is directed by Lili-Anne Brown and runs at ATC May 27-July 17, 2016 (press opening Wednesday, June 8). The production has music and lyrics by Jeff Lynne and John Farrar and a book by Douglas Carter Beane, based on the 1980 Universal Pictures film of the same title.

The Chicago Premiere of Ryan Scott Oliver's 35MM: A Musical Exhibition with CIRCLE THEATRE begins rehearsals this month. This immersive production will have previews on Saturday, March 19th, 2016 and Sunday, March 20th, 2016, and opens for press on Wednesday, March 23rd, running through Sunday April 10, 2016 at Room 300 at the Flat Iron Arts Building in Wicker Park, 1579 North Milwaukee Ave. More information on performance dates and times can be found at www.circletheatrechicago.org. A sneak peek of the cast can be found below!

Pride Films and Plays heats up the Uptown Underground with BOYS IN BRIEFS: AT THE BEACH!

Uptown Underground, 4707 N. Broadway, welcomes 2016 with huge milestones and a new performance schedule.

Pride Films and Plays will enliven the New Year by bringing back two leading actresses from its recent acclaimed production of the musical The Boy From Oz in a new show entitled Judy Garland and Liza Minnelli - Once in a Lifetime: The London Palladium Concert - a Tribute, featuring Nancy Hays (as Judy Garland) and Michelle Lauto (as Liza Minnelli), with music direction and orchestral arrangements by Robert Ollis (co-producer).  This loving musical tribute recalls the historic concert by these two famous performers at the London Palladium, just as Liza's singing career was beginning to take off. The Boy from Oz veterans Cameron Turner (choreography) and John Nasca (costume design) will round out the creative team for this dynamic new show.

CIRCLE THEATRE is thrilled to announce the full cast and creative team for its Chicago premiere production of Ryan Scott Oliver's 35MM: A Musical Exhibition. This immersive production will have previews on Saturday, March 19th, 2016 and Sunday, March 20th, 2016, and will officially run Wednesday, March 23rd through Sunday April 10, 2016 at Room 300 at the Flat Iron Arts Building in Wicker Park, 1579 North Milwaukee Ave. Futher information on performance dates and times will be posted on Circle Theatre's official website at http://www.circletheatrechicago.org/current-season.html.

Pride Films and Plays annual fall benefit, Simply Sensational, headlined by Chicago?s own Alexandra Billings, will be held tomorrow, November 2 at Stage 773. Others in the all-star line-up include trans performers Honey West and Skylar Kergil.

The Boy From Oz, presented by Pride Films and Plays, will be directed by David Zak, with musical direction by Robert Ollis and choreography by Cameron Turner. The musical previews tonight, August 5 and Thursday, August 6, with a press opening slated for Friday, August 7 at 7:30. BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at the cast in costume below!

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'Pippin' performs at the Cadillac Palace and Sidetrack, dueling showtune concerts on August 17, and a summer 'Altar Boyz.' Plus local premieres of 'The Boy From Oz,' 'American Idiot' and 'Dogfight,' 'Gypsy' in Lake County, and 'The Producers' in true rep with 'Victor/Victoria!'

The Boy From Oz, presented by Pride Films and Plays, will be directed by David Zak, with musical direction by Robert Ollis and choreography by Cameron Turner. The musical previews Wednesday, August 5 and Thursday, August 6, with a press opening slated for Friday, August 7 at 7:30. BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at the cast in costume below!

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'On Your Feet!' and 'City Of Angels' rake in the reviews, while Bette plays the UC. Kristin and Idina plan concerts here, outdoor movies light up the summer, and the 'Beautiful' tour and 'Charlie Brown' are slated for Christmas. By summer's end: 'The Boy From Oz,' 'Glory Days' and 'Triassic Parq!'

The Boy From Oz tells the amazing life story of celebrated songwriter and performer Peter Allen. Featuring songs by Peter Allen, book by Martin Sherman and Nick Enright, Direction by David Zak, Musical Direction by Robert Ollis, and Choreography by Cameron Turner, The Boy From Oz tells the exuberant yet heart-warming true story of a young Australian boy who loved to perform and ended up in the glamorous orbit of Judy Garland and her soon-to-be famous daughter Liza.

Old Library Theatre presents a limited run of composer Tom Kitt, and book writer and lyricist Brian Yorkey's Pulitzer Prize-winning rock musical, NEXT TO NORMAL (N2N), on March 9, 10, 16, 17, and 23 at 8 p.m.; and March 11, 18, and 25 at 2 p.m. at Fair Lawn Community Center (10-10 20th Street). In anticipation of its opening night, the production's cast members had recently sat down with Charlie Alterman, N2N on Broadway's musical director and conductor, for a music rehearsal and a vocal workshop.