Peyton Owen News

Mercury Theater Chicago, 3745 N. Southport Avenue - THE CHRISTMAS SCHOONER will be sailing for its seventh year at Mercury Theater Chicago, from November 24 through December 31, 2017. Press opening is Friday, December 8th at 8:00pm. We are pleased to welcome new cast members to the Schooner family including Nicole Armold, Harter Clingman, Jared Rein, Ron Keaton, Ryan Stajmiger and Holly Stauder with Don Forston returning at the helm as 'Gustav Stossel.' The cast will be led by the Jeff-award winning team of L. Walter Stearns (Director), Eugene Dizon (Musical Director) and Brenda Didier (Choreographer). Whether it is your first or tenth time seeing The Christmas Schooner, this heartwarming Chicago-centric story never fails to remind us what the holidays are all about: sharing love.

Porchlight Music Theatre and Artistic Director Michael Weber are proud to announce the second extension of Billy Elliot the Musical through Sunday, Dec. 31. Billy Elliot the Musical with music by Elton John and book and lyrics by Lee Hall is directed and co-choreographed by Porchilght Artistic Associate Brenda Didier, with Co-Choreographer Craig V. Miller and music direction by Porchlight Artistic Associate Linda Madonia at Porchlght's new home, the Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn Street. The current and extendsion performance schedule is included below.

BroadwayWorld presents a comprehensive weekly roundup of regional stories around our Broadway World, which include videos, editor spotlights, regional reviews and more. This week, we feature THE LITTLE MERMAID, THE LION KING, SOMETHING ROTTEN and More!

Under the direction of frequent company collaborator Brenda Didier, BILLY ELLIOT THE MUSICAL electrifies the mainstage at the Ruth Page Performing Arts Center, Porchlight's new home. Based on the eponymous film about an adolescent boy from a working class British mining town who aspires to be a ballet dancer, this production finds the deep emotional core in its story about community and acceptance. With music by Elton John and book and lyrics by Lee Hall, this BILLY ELLIOT bursts with heart and passion.

Porchlight Music Theatre and Artistic Director Michael Weber have just announced the extension of Billy Elliot the Musical through Sunday, Nov. 26. Check out photos from opening night below!

 Porchlight Music Theatre and Artistic Director Michael Weber are proud to announce the first mainstage production it its 2017 - 2018 season Billy Elliot the Musical, music by Elton John and book and lyrics by Lee Hall, with direction and choreography by Porchilght Artistic Associate Brenda Didier, with Associate Choreographer Craig V. Miller and music direction by Porchlight Artistic Associate Linda Madonia at Porchlght's new home, the Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn Street. Previews are Friday, Oct. 6 and Oct. 13 at 8 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 7 and Oct. 14 at 8 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 8 at 2 p.m., Monday, Oct. 9 at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 12 at 7:30 p.m. Opening night is Sunday, Oct. 15 at 6 p.m. The regular run performance schedule is Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sundays at 6 p.m. (October 22, October 29 and November 5) and at 2 p.m. (November 12 and 19) with an open captioned performance, Saturday, Oct. 28 at 4 p.m. and a weekday matinee Thursday, Nov. 16 at 1:30 p.m. Please note: there is no 7:30 p.m. performance Thursday, Nov. 16. Tickets are $33 - $60 and available at PorchlightMusicTheatre.org or by calling the Porchlight Music Theatre  box office, 773.777.9884.

 Porchlight Music Theatre and Artistic Director Michael Weber are proud to announce the first mainstage production it its 2017 - 2018 season Billy Elliot the Musical, music by Elton John and book and lyrics by Lee Hall, with direction and choreography by Porchilght Artistic Associate Brenda Didier, with Associate Choreographer Craig V. Miller and music direction by Porchlight Artistic Associate Linda Madonia at Porchlght's new home, the Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn Street. Previews are Friday, Oct. 6 and Oct. 13 at 8 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 7 and Oct. 14 at 8 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 8 at 2 p.m., Monday, Oct. 9 at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 12 at 7:30 p.m. 

Porchlight Music Theatre and Artistic Director Michael Weber are proud to announce the first mainstage production it its 2017 - 2018 season Billy Elliot the Musical, music by Elton John and book and lyrics by Lee Hall, with direction and choreography by Porchilght Artistic Associate Brenda Didier, with Associate Choreographer Craig V. Miller and music direction by Porchlight Artistic Associate Linda Madonia at Porchlght's new home, the Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn Street. 

Mercury Theater Chicago, 3745 N. Southport Avenue - is delighted to announce the cast of the high-flying, family-musical MARY POPPINS. The magical nanny Mary Poppins will be played by newcomer Nicole Armold, and the loveable jack-of-all trades Bert will be played by Jeff Award winner Matthew Crowle. The production will be led by Jeff Award Winners L. Walter Stearns (Director), Eugene Dizon (Music Director) and Brenda Didier (Choreography). The show plays from March 29 through May 28, and the press opening is Friday, April 7th at 7:30pm 

THE CHRISTMAS SCHOONER sails again at the Mercury! The whole family will enjoy this heart-warming story of the first Christmas tree ship and the family who risked their lives to fill Chicago with the Christmas spirit. The production features a powerful, moving story, an exquisite score of original music and traditional holiday favorites.

Mercury Theater Chicago, 3745 N. Southport Avenue - THE CHRISTMAS SCHOONER will be sailing for its sixth year at Mercury Theater Chicago, from November 30 through December 31, 2016.

Mercury Theater Chicago, 3745 N. Southport Avenue - THE CHRISTMAS SCHOONER will be sailing for its sixth year at Mercury Theater Chicago, from November 30 through December 31, 2016.

THE CHRISTMAS SCHOONER sails for its fifth year at Mercury Theater Chicago, running now through December 27, 2015. Jeff Award winner Stef Tovar takes the helm as the Schooner's captain, alongside Brianna Borger as the Captain's wife Alma Stossel. BroadwayWorld has photos from the show's opening festivities below!

Like its blessed branch, take it and pass it on.

Mercury Theater Chicago, 3745 N. Southport Avenue, announces that The Christmas Schooner will be sailing for its fifth year at Mercury Theater Chicago, running November 25 through December 27, 2015.  Jeff Award winner Stef Tovar takes the helm as the Schooner's captain, alongside Brianna Borger as the Captain's wife Alma Stossel.  The whole family will enjoy this heart-warming musical story of the first Christmas tree ship and the family who risked their lives to fill Chicago with the Christmas spirit. The production features a powerful, moving story, an exquisite score of original music and traditional holiday favorites, and a company of 25 actors and musicians and is helmed by the Jeff-award winning team of L. Walter Stearns (Director), Eugene Dizon (Musical Director) and Brenda Didier (Choreographer).

The day after The Who's Tommy debuted on Broadway in 1993, The New York Times exclaimed, '...at long last the authentic rock musical that has eluded Broadway for two generations...an Entertainment Juggernaut.' Twenty-one years later, no other musical has come close to replicating its sure power, electricity and monumental impact.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'Into The Woods' finally opens tomorrow! Plus Porchlight's Sondheim season continues, TMTC's 'Allegro' at Ravinia, Laura Osnes is coming to town, 'Galavant' and the BroadwayWorld Chicago Awards arrive in early January, followed by 'Tommy' in Aurora, 'First Date' at the Royal George, 'The Full Monty' at Theater Wit and more!

The day after The Who's Tommy debuted on Broadway in 1993, The New York Times exclaimed, '...at long last the authentic rock musical that has eluded Broadway for two generations...an Entertainment Juggernaut.' Twenty-one years later, no other musical has come close to replicating its sure power, electricity and monumental impact.