Rachel West News

American Blues Theater has announced its 21st Annual Production of It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago! It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago! will run November 23 – December 23, 2022 at Chopin Theatre, 1543 W. Division, Chicago. The press opening is Sunday, November 27 at 2:30pm.

Porchlight Music Theatre's production of the Tony Award- and Pulitzer Prize-winning musical, RENT, music, lyrics and book by Jonathan Larson, at the Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn St. has opened, and will run through Sunday, Nov. 27. The production is directed by Adrian Abel Azevedo, music directed by Dr. Michael McBride and choreographed by Laura Savage. Check out the photos here.

All new clips have been released for Clue, opening tonight at Mercury Theater Chicago. Check out the video here!

American Blues Theater, under the continued leadership of Artistic Director Gwendolyn Whiteside, announces the World Premiere production of Alma, in cooperation with Center Theatre Group. The production will run at Rivendell Theatre Ensemble, 5779 Ridge Avenue in Chicago, September 22 – October 22, 2022. 

Porchlight Music Theatre will present the Tony Award-winning landmark musical Cabaret, at the Ruth Page Center for the Arts January 14 - February 12, 2023. Porchlight’s production is directed by Artistic Director Michael Weber, associate directed and choreographed by Brenda Didier and music directed by Linda Madonia.

Mercury Theater will present fun experiences for audiences at their upcoming production of the murder mystery comedy Clue, based on the iconic comic movie and the classic board game. Clue, directed by L. Walter Stearns runs October 13, 2022 – January 1, 2023 at Mercury Theater.

Mercury Theater has announced the cast and creative team for the murder mystery comedy Clue. This Chicago Premiere is adapted from the beloved motion picture by Jonathan Lynn and Sandy Rustin, with additional material by Hunter Foster and Eric Price, with original music by Michael Holland directed by executive producer Walter Stearns.

American Blues Theater will present the World Premiere production of Alma, in cooperation with Center Theatre Group. The production will run at Rivendell Theatre Ensemble, 5779 Ridge Avenue in Chicago, September 22 – October 22, 2022. 

The six-track EP ​​infuses punk energy and skyscraping rock ambition infused with alt-pop melodies. The Florida-born singer delivers a full range of emotions with her vulnerable and relatable lyrics. Alongside the announcement, Casey shares her new energetic single “Don’t Talk!,” co-written with Willow Smith.

Priscilla opened last night at Mercury Theater Chicago and plays through September 11, 2022. Get a first look at photos and video below!

Mercury Theater Artistic Director Christopher Chase Carter, Managing Director Kristi J. Martens and Executive Producers Walter Stearns and Eugene Dizon announce the cast and creative team for the much-anticipated production of the summer, Priscilla Queen of the Desert. The musical features a book by Stephan Elliot and Allan Scott and is based on the film “The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert” by Stephan Elliot. 

This spring Porchlight Music Theatre is presenting the winner of eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Spring Awakening, at The Ruth Page Center for the Arts.

Porchlight Music Theatre will conclude the eighth season of its “lost” musicals series with Porchlight Revisits Passing Strange, book and lyrics by Stew, music by Heidi Rodewald and Stew, direction by Donterrio, music directed by Justin Akira Kono and choreography by Terri K Woodall, May 18 and 19.

The new collaborative effort directly follows up Jack Trades and Heather Jannsen’s ‘On My Mind’ from the tail end of last October, in addition to Piques’ ‘Me Without You’ from this January and West’s ‘You Make Hope Look Good’ from the same month. Listen to the new single now!

This spring, Porchlight Music Theatre presents the winner of eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Spring Awakening, at The Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N Dearborn St., April 23 - May 29, music by Duncan Sheik, book and lyrics by Steven Sater and based on the 1891 German play Spring Awakening by Frank Wedekind.

American Blues Theater, under the continued leadership of Artistic Director Gwendolyn Whiteside, announces the Chicago premiere of Stand Up If You’re Here Tonight, written and directed by John Kolvenbach, featuring American Blues Theater Artistic Affiliate Jim Ortlieb.

Award-winning Porchlight Music Theatre latest mainstage production the “Best Musical” Tony Award-nominated Blues in the Night, conceived by Sheldon Epps, with the music of Bessie Smith, Johnny Mercer, Harold Arlen, Vernon Duke, Gordon Jenkins, Alberta Hunter and others, is now playing through March 13 at The Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn St.

Award-winning Porchlight Music Theatre latest mainstage production the “Best Musical” Tony Award-nominated Blues in the Night, conceived by Sheldon Epps, with the music of Bessie Smith, Johnny Mercer, Harold Arlen, Vernon Duke, Gordon Jenkins, Alberta Hunter and others, is now playing through March 13 at The Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn St.

Artistic Director Christopher Chase Carter, Managing Director Shane Murray-Corcoran, and Executive Producers Walter Stearns and Eugene Dizon announce the cast and creative team for the next Mainstage production of the 2021-2022 Mercury Theater Chicago season, Women of Soul, featuring a special tribute to Aretha Franklin.

Porchlight Music Theatre continues its eighth season of “lost” musicals series with Porchlight Revisits Passing Strange, book and lyrics by Stew+, music by Heidi Rodewald* and Stew+, direction by Donterrio+, music directed by Justin Akira Kono+ and choreography by Terri K Woodall*, February 16 and 17.