Michelle Lauto News

Jeff Award-nominee and HIV+ director/producer Christopher Pazdernik is pleased to announce the 4th annual Chris's Birthday Belt Fest, a benefit concert for Howard Brown Health, Monday, May 14 at 8 p.m. at Uptown Underground, 4707 N. Broadway. Tickets are $30, in advance; $40, at the door on the night of the performance, and are available at uptownunderground.net or by calling 773.867.1946. Uptown Underground is a 21 years old and older venue and advance reservations are strongly recommended.

From the sun baked Oklahoma Territory at the turn of the 20th century comes the Broadway classic, Oklahoma!, beginning April 11 with a press opening on Wednesday, April 18 at 7:30 p.m. at 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire. Due to high demand, an additional week is now on sale through June 10. Featuring a powerful score by legendary duo Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II, and based on Lynn Riggs' 1931 play, Green Grow the Lilacs, Oklahoma! will be directed by Artistic Director and Jeff Award-winner Aaron Thielen (She Loves Me, Spring Awakening). Jeff Award nominee Alex Sanchez (Marriott Theatre: Newsies, Evita, On the Town, Mary Poppins) will choreograph, with Musical Direction and orchestrations by Jeff Award winner Ryan T. Nelson.

From the volatile melting pot of New York City at the dawn of a new century, comes the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical, RAGTIME, kicking off Marriott Theatre's 2018 Season, January 24 through March 18, 2018 with a press opening yesterday, January 31 at 7:30 p.m. at 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire.

From the volatile melting pot of New York City at the dawn of a new century, comes the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical, RAGTIME, kicking off Marriott Theatre's 2018 Season, January 24 through March 18, 2018 with a press opening on Wednesday, January 31 at 7:30 p.m. at 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire. Featuring a powerful score by the Tony Award-winning composer/lyricist team of Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens, and book by four-time Tony Award winner Terrence McNally, RAGTIME is a sweeping musical portrait of America. Seven-time Jeff Award winner Nick Bowling (The Bridges of Madison County, Man of La Mancha, The King and I) returns to Marriott Theatre to direct, with Musical Direction by Jeff Award winner Ryan T. Nelson and Choreography by Kenneth L. Roberson.

From the volatile melting pot of New York City at the dawn of a new century, comes the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical, RAGTIME, kicking off Marriott Theatre's 2018 Season, January 24 through March 18, 2018 with a press opening on Wednesday, January 31 at 7:30 p.m. at 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire.

Casting for Pride Films and Plays' Chicago premiere of YANK! A WWII Love Story was announced today by David Zak, Executive Director of Pride Films and Plays.

From the volatile melting pot of New York City at the dawn of a new century, comes the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical, RAGTIME, kicking off Marriott Theatre's 2018 Season, January 24 through March 18, 2018. Featuring a powerful score by the Tony Award-winning composer/lyricist team of Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens, and book by four-time Tony Award winner Terrence McNally, RAGTIME is a sweeping musical portrait of America. Seven-time Jeff Award winner Nick Bowling (The Bridges of Madison County, Man of La Mancha, The King and I) returns to Marriott Theatre to direct, with Musical Direction by Jeff Award winner Ryan T. Nelson and Choreography by Kenneth L. Roberson.

Based on the film inspired by true events, BREAD AND ROSES is the story of a young undocumented Mexican woman who crosses the U.S. border and risks it all in her fight for a living wage, equality and justice.

Amas Musical Theatre (Donna Trinkoff, Artistic Producer) will present Bread and Roses, with book & lyrics by Jill Abramovitz and music by Brad Alexander, the third and final offering of Dare To Be Different, the previously announced series of new musicals and one-night only special events being held at A.R.T./New York Theatres (502 West 53rd Street 10th Avenue & 53rd Street). The three performances will be held on Thursday, December 14 at 3pm & 7pm and on Friday, December 15 @ 3pm. For tickets please call (212) 352-3101 or visit www.amasmusical.org.

The gala 49th Annual Equity Jeff Awards held at Drury Lane Oakbrook on Monday, November 6, celebrated a season of outstanding productions.

Based on the film inspired by true events, BREAD AND ROSES is the story of a young undocumented Mexican woman who crosses the U.S. border and risks it all in her fight for a living wage, equality and justice.

Chicago theatre talent comes together for Unidos: Puerto Rico Benefit Concert. This one-night-only charity event will be held at 8:00pm on Monday October 30, 2017 at Uptown Underground, 4707 N Broadway St in Chicago. All proceeds will help aid hurricane relief efforts in Puerto Rico through the Hispanic Federation.

Casting for Pride Films and Plays' Chicago premiere of YANK! A WWII Love Story was announced today by David Zak, Executive Director of Pride Films and Plays.

Today, the producers of 'Spamilton,' the critically acclaimed parody of 'Hamilton,' announced an October 8 closing date for the Chicago run at the Royal George Theatre (1641 N. Halsted).

Seven world premiere plays seen first by Chicago audiences were among those receiving nominations by The Jeff Awards. 158 nominations in 33 categories honor Chicago Equity theatrical productions that opened between August 1, 2016 and July 31, 2017.

10 on Tuesday with HAIR's Michelle Lauto

Mercury Theater Chicago, 3745 N. Southport Avenue - has announced the extension of our rousing rock musical HAIR: THE AMERICAN TRIBAL LOVE-ROCK MUSICAL through September 24th due to popular demand.

Mercury Theater's revival of the iconic rock musical HAIR infuses some peace, love, and sunshine into this Chicago summer. While Gerome Ragni and James Rado's lyrics still resonant today, this production stays firmly rooted in the late 1960s. Brenda Didier's direction, Robert Kuhn's costumes, and Jeffrey D. Kmiec's set design all have a 'traditional' feel-at least traditional by the show's standards. Certainly HAIR's call for peace and embrace of the Tribe's diverse identities echo the present and remind us of the progress yet to be made, but this staging does not underscore that relevance based on production choices.

Mercury Theater Chicago, 3745 N. Southport Avenue - is pleased to announce HAIR: THE AMERICAN TRIBAL LOVE-ROCK MUSICAL, playing from July 27 through September 17. Press opening was Thursday, August 3rd at 8:00pm.

Mercury Theater Chicago, 3745 N. Southport Avenue - is pleased to announce the cast of HAIR: THE AMERICAN TRIBAL LOVE-ROCK MUSICAL, playing from July 27 through September 17. Press opening is Thursday, August 3rd at 8:00pm. A celebration of 50 years since the 1967 "Summer of Love", HAIR will inspire audiences to "let the sun shine in" and stand up for what they believe in. This rousing rock musical will be led by Jeff Award Winners Brenda Didier (Director) and Eugene Dizon (Musical Director) with choreography by Christopher Carter.  A talented cast of Chicago artists featuring Matt Keffer and Liam Quealy will take the stage in this celebration of love, life, and freedom.