Nick Druzbanski News

Lifeline Theatre's KidSeries presents Bunnicula, a family musical based on the popular children's book by Deborah and James Howe, with adaptation and lyrics by Lifeline Theatre emeritus ensemble member James Sie, music by Doug Wood, and directed by Lifeline Theatre ensemble member Anthony Kayer. At a showing of Dracula one dark and stormy night, the Monroe family discovers an abandoned rabbit. When they bring him home, resident know-it-all Chester the cat suspects the worst after spying gleaming fangs in the bunny's mouth. And as vegetables start turning up mysteriously drained of their juices, even easygoing Harold the dog wonders if they have a supernatural menace on their hands. Brave the night and dare to embrace our differences in this musical adaptation of the 1979 book by Deborah and James Howe. This production is recommended for children ages five and up (children under two not permitted), and runs approximately one hour with no intermission.

Griffin Theatre Company launches its 30th anniversary season with a revival of the Tony-nominated musical VIOLET, with book and lyrics by Brian Crawley (A Little Princess), music by Jeanine Tesori (Fun Home, Caroline, or Change), direction by Scott Weinstein (Ragtime, Bat Boy: The Musical) and music direction by John Cockerill (Bonnie & Clyde). VIOLET runs now through January 13, 2018 at The Den Theatre's Upstairs Mainstage, 1333 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Drury Lane Theatre continues its 2017-2018 season with 42nd Street, with music by Harry Warren, lyrics by Al Dubin, book by Michael Stewart and Mark Bramble, and original Broadway direction and dances by Gower Champion. 42nd Street is based on the novel by Bradford Ropes and was originally produced on Broadway by David Merrick. This production is directed by Michael Heitzman with choreography by Jared Grimes. 42nd Street runs now through January 7, 2018 at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace. The show officially opened on November 5, and BroadwayWorld has photos from the festivities below!

Griffin Theatre Company is pleased to announce casting for its revival of the Tony-nominated musical VIOLET, with book and lyrics by Brian Crawley (A Little Princess), music by Jeanine Tesori (Fun Home, Caroline, or Change), direction by Scott Weinstein (Ragtime, Bat Boy: The Musical) and music direction by John Cockerill (Bonnie & Clyde).

Drury Lane Theatre continues its 2017-2018 season with the regional premiere of the powerhouse musical tribute to the 1980s, Rock of Ages, with book by Chris D'Arienzo, arrangements and orchestrations by Ethan Popp, directed by Scott Weinstein and choreographed by Stephanie Klemons. Rock of Ages runs now through October 15, 2017 at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace. The Press Opening was held on September 7, and BroadwayWorld has photos from the festivities below!

 Pride Films and Plays will again host its annual Nominee Night cabaret showcasing many of the musical theater performers nominated in the Non-Equity Jeff Awards. The nominees were announced on April 24 and the awards will be presented June 5, 2017 at the Atheneaum Theatre. This year's cabaret will for the first time be performed in the Broadway, Pride Arts Center - the new home the company acquired in summer 2016. The theater is located at 4139 N. Broadway, Chicago. Audience members will have the opportunity to purchase raffle tickets for a door prize drawing for $400.00 in airfare from Southwest Airlines.

The Jeff Awards announced, via a special video presentation, a total of 127 nominations in 26 categories for the 44th Annual Non-Equity Jeff Awards for productions that opened between April 1, 2016, and March 31, 2017.  Hosting the video presentation were Alexis Roston and Lillian Castillo, who will be this year's Mistresses of Ceremonies at the Awards event on June 5 at The Athenaeum.

Spartan Theatre Company presents Theresa Rebeck's Seminar.

The current remount of Refuge Theatre Project's enormously successful 2016 production of High Fidelity: The Musical, originally scheduled to close on March 6, 2017, has been extended three weeks to Saturday, March 25, 2017.

A venue has been announced for the remount of Refuge Theatre Project's enormously successful 2016 production of High Fidelity: The Musical.

A venue has been announced for the remount of Refuge Theatre Project's enormously successful 2016 production of High Fidelity: The Musical.

Refuge Theatre Project has announced leadership changes and programming for its third season, according to company co-founder Ross Egan. Christopher Pazdernik, who directed and choreographed the company's breakout production of High Fidelity: The Musical in February 2016 and more recently directed the Chicago premiere of Wicked City by Chad Beguelin and Matthew Sklar for Chicago Theatre Workshop, has been named Artistic Director, a position previously held by Egan. Egan, who founded the company two years ago with Morgan Egan, will move to Executive Director, a new position. Morgan Egan will continue as Managing Director.

"Thrones! The Musical Parody" and Apollo Theater Chicago (2540 N. Lincoln Ave.) announce the second extension for the Chicago premiere of the hit musical, now playing through January 15, 2017. Written and produced by the creative team behind "Baby Wants Candy" and "50 Shades! The Musical Parody," the sell-out show from Scotland begins as a group of friends gather for the season finale of "Game of Thrones," when they soon realize that one friend has never seen television show. Recounting plot highlights throughout all six seasons-including over 40 characters and 21 original songs-the production is a "hilarious ride that never slows down" (BuzzNews Chicago), detailing the highs and lows of the hit HBO series. Tickets ($36 - $59) for the extension go on sale Friday, October 14 at 10 a.m. and can be purchased at the Apollo Theater Box Office by calling 773.935.6100 or visiting Ticketmaster.com.

"Thrones! The Musical Parody" and Apollo Theater Chicago (2540 N. Lincoln Ave.) announce the second extension for the Chicago premiere of the hit musical, now playing through January 15, 2017.

"Thrones! The Musical Parody" and Apollo Theater Chicago (2540 N. Lincoln Ave.) announce a one-night-only Halloween performance and costume contest onMonday, October 31. Audience members are encouraged to don their best Halloween attire and participate in a costume contest judged by cosplay group leaders from Geeks A Gogo, AllGeeks HQ and The Age of Geeks as well as the cast of "Thrones!." In search of the best costume this side of the Seven Kingdoms, attendees have a chance of winning more than $200 in prizes from local vendors such as Chicago Costume, Taboo Tabou, G Boutique and more. The Halloween performance of "Thrones! The Musical Parody" takes place on Monday, October 31 at 7:30pm. Tickets ($20) for the Halloween performance can be purchased at the Apollo Theater Box Office by calling 773.935.6100 or visitingTicketmaster.com using the promo code COSPLY.

"Thrones! The Musical Parody" sweeps through the Windy City once again this fall at Apollo Theater Chicago (2540 N Lincoln Ave) with a talented ensemble of Chicago up-and-comers bringing the "Game of Thrones" send-up to life. Under the direction of Hannah Todd, the cast of "Thrones! The Musical Parody" includes Caitlyn Cerza, Nick Druzbanski, Madeline Lauzon, Beau Nolen, Victoria Olivier and Christopher Ratliff. This all-Chicago cast combines comedic talents and "knockout vocal harmonies" (Chicago Reader) to bring all six seasons of the HBO hit to the stage, recounting the journey of well-known characters such as Tyrion Lannister, Jon Snow, Cersei Lannister, the Stark family, Daenerys Targaryen and more. Performances for the fall run of "Thrones! The Musical Parody" begin September 15; tickets ($29-$59) are on sale now and can be purchased at ApolloChicago.com or by calling the box office at 773.935.6100. The press performance takes place on September 21. Headshots and imagery can be accessed here.

Refuge Theatre Project, the two-year-old company that produced the surprise hit musical of the 2015-16 season with its environmental staging of High Fidelity in a makeshift 'record store,' will present a one-night-only concert of songs by High Fidelity composer Tom Kitt. The evening, called I Got You, will showcase selections from Broadway musicals for which Kitt either composed the score or provided musical arrangements, along with new unpublished songs he's provided especially for the event. City Winery, 1200 W. Randolph Street is the event venue. Christopher Pazdernik, director of High Fidelity, will direct the concert, with music direction by Mike Evans.

Don't change a thing, HIGH FIDELITY; you make the list.

Refuge Theatre Project's second season will open on January 29, 2016 with High Fidelity - the musical based on Nick Hornby's 1995 novel and on Stephen Frears' 2000 feature-film adaptation that starred Chicago natives John Cusack, Joan Cusack and Lili Taylor.

Bridgeport's first neighborhood theater company, The Bridge, 643 W. 31st Street, opens its doors with the World Premiere of 'The Golf Ball', Today, June 13. Chicago writer, director and actor Kestutis Nakas started The Bridge as a means to bring professional quality theater and performance to the Bridgeport neighborhood at reasonable prices. The premiere production penned by Nakas, 'The Golf Ball, is a contemporary adaptation of Anton Chekhov's classic play 'The Seagull' and is set in Chicago. 'The Golf Ball', directed by Nakas, runs Todays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. June 13 through July 6. For tickets and information visit www.BrownPaperTickets.com or phone 312-307-5194.