Paul W. Thompson News

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 BroadwayWorld Chicago Awards are open for nominations! Plus three shows get extensions, the Drury Lane announces 2014-15, two musical improv shows play midweek runs, some local 'Cats,' FOUR productions of 'Sweeney Todd' and more!

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 Book Of Mormon' and other significant local shows close this Sunday, with two productions of 'The Mikado' on the horizon, Gershwin at Light Opera Works, 'Ruthless!' and Linda Eder in the suburbs, Audra and 'Frog And Toad' downtown, plus 'Once' finally appears!!

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Sting's 'The Last Ship' and the Broadway In Chicago spring season, 'Oz' in 3D, updates on TV's 'The Sound Of Music' and 'Glee,' plus Groff at Ravinia, 'Lanyard Skynerd' at Martyrs, a road trip 'Ragtime' and more!

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 new works of music theater (at Victory Gardens, Writers' Theatre and the Goodman), Ben Vereen and Audra McDonald visit, plus 'Master Class,' a new cabaret revue, improvised Sondheim, a one-night 'Whistle' and more!

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Bailiwick's 'Carrie,' Munster's 'Women On The Verge' and 'Godspell,' Aurora's 'Heights,' the 'Evita' and 'Once' tours, lots of Porchlight, 'Merrily' on the big screen and more!

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 release of the Equity wing Jeff Award nominations, 'Double Trouble' and 'Hank Williams' open, '50 Shades' and 'Frog And Toad' return, plus 'Heartbeat Of Home,' 'Sweet Smell Of Success,' a new musical theater magazine and more!

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Tonight's Fall Theater Preview Party, the three big local premieres, upcoming: 'Spamalot' and two new works, 'Death Boogie' and 'The Old Man And The Old Moon,' plus a 'Schoolhouse Rock Live' milestone, the Dramatists Guild conference and more!

Last weekend, August 22-25, 2013, the Dramatists Guild of America held its second ever national conference in Chicago, at the Hilton Chicago on South Michigan Avenue. The Dramatists Guild is the professional association of playwrights, librettists, lyricists and composers writing for the stage. And with almost 7,000 members, that's a lot of creative energy!

This coming Wednesday night, August 28, 2013, is the FALL THEATER PREVIEW PARTY from BroadwayWorld Chicago. It's from 8:00 pm to midnight, and YOU'RE invited!

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'Jungle Book' and 'Flashdance' depart, 'Pageant' and 'Ruthless!' appear, two musicals celebrating black music begin September 14 at BET and the Goodman, two Gary Griffin shows get their leading ladies, plus 'Hank Williams' and much more!

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 major local premieres begin this week ('Next To Normal,' '9 To 5' and 'The Color Purple'), plus coverage of LOW's 'Cabaret,' two Cole Porter revues, busy Circle Theatre, 'Persuasion' is back, and 'In The Heights' and 'Hello, Dolly!' get their casts. It's a big Mosh Pit!

Wednesday, August 28, 2013 (8:00 pm-12:00 midnight) is the FALL THEATER PREVIEW PARTY. All theater fans are invited to drop by. And all theater companies are invited to participate!

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. BIC's Summer Concert, Lyric casts 'Sound Of Music,' Munster's 'Godspell,' youth productions of 'Ragtime' and 'Legally Blonde,' '48 Hour Musicals,' the world premiere musical 'The Lockout,' the Dramatists Guild conference and more!

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. ChiShakes' 'Shrek,' BIC in Millennium Park, the casts of 'Flashdance' and 'We Will Rock You,' outdoor movies in Chicago and Aurora, classical music in the theater, a new 'Into The Woods' and a farewell to a friend of the Mosh Pit.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Two shows called 'Whistle,' plus 'Superman,' 'Hedwig,' 'Seussical,' 'All Shook Up,' '9 To 5' and 'Teen Beach Movie,' a trip to England and the latest in summer concerts!

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'Spelling Bee,' 'The Bee Gees,' 'The Jungle Book' and 'Phantom' extend, 'Cabaret,' 'Uptown Opera' the Aguilars in 'Double Trouble,' 'Elf' and more!

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 Summer Birthday Showtune Blowout, 'The Last Five Years,' 'A Chorus Liine,' 'Whistle Down The Wind,' the casts of 'The Color Purple' and 'Next To Normal,' three new shows announced by Broadway In Chicago, and more!

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'Jungle Book' reviews, 'Oklahoma!' on the radio, Broadway In Chicago's Park preview, 'Hedwig' and 'Rooms' rock, Team StarKid is back, community theater in Glenview, a children's musical in Mundelein, plus the 'Summer Birthday Showtune Blowout' July 10th!

Paul W. Thompson turns 52 this summer, and his popular column, the 'Showtune Mosh Pit' turns four years old, also passing its milestone 200th weekly edition! Anyone with a birthday or other occasion to celebrate in the summertime can come to The Call on July 10th and celebrate in style, with showtune videos from 8:00 pm to 2:00 am. We'll have cake! Got an anniversary? An out-of-town guest? Sounds like a reason to party!

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. It's the TOP TEN HOT TOPIX in the Mosh Pit for January through June, 2013! And our 203rd weekly column. Check out what YOU've been talking about!