Ravinia Festival News

After sold-out performances of George Gershwin Alone and Monsieur Chopin, award-winning performer Hershey Felder returns to The Cleveland Play House with the culmination of his Composer Sonata trilogy Beethoven, As I Knew Him.

Ravinia's 2009-2010 Rising Stars series opens with countertenor Ian Howell, first-prize-winner of the American Bach Soloists's International Solo Competition, at 8 p.m. on Oct. 9 in Bennett -Gordon Hall in the John D. Harza building on the Ravinia grounds.

The mosh pit was rocking on Monday night, as Sidetrack played host to Stef Tovar and cast members of "High Fidelity!" The star of Piper's Alley Theater's current musical offering (in its first major post-Broadway engagement)....

Producer Jeffrey Finn announced today additional panelists for the TAKE A SIDE: THE OLEANNA TALK-BACK SERIES, the special post-show series for audiences during previews of the first-ever Broadway production of OLEANNA, the provocative drama by Pulitzer Prize winner David Mamet starring Bill Pullman and Julia Stiles.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Patti LuPone, 'Sister Act,' 'The Story of My Life,' 'Cotton Patch Gospel' and more.....

The National Touring Company of Rodgers & Hammerstein's SOUTH PACIFIC will be led by Rod Gilfry (Emile de Becque) and Carmen Cusack (Nellie Forbush), with Anderson Davis (Lt. Cable), Matthew Saldivar (Luther Billis), Keala Settle (Bloody Mary), Gerry Becker (Capt. Brackett), Peter Rini (Cmdr. Harbison), Sumie Maeda (Liat), Rusty Ross (Professor) and original 2008 Broadway cast member Genson Blimline (Stewpot).

The 2010 summer residency of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra at Ravinia Festival will be in full celebration mode throughout a wide-ranging schedule announced today by Ravinia President and CEO Welz Kauffman.

After sold-out performances of George Gershwin Alone and Monsieur Chopin, award-winning performer Hershey Felder returns to The Cleveland Play House with the culmination of his Composer Sonata trilogy Beethoven, As I Knew Him.

The 2010 summer residency of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra at Ravinia Festival will be in full celebration mode throughout a wide-ranging schedule announced today by Ravinia President and CEO Welz Kauffman.

Variety reports this weekend the answer to an often asked question - how big will the orchestra be for the upcoming tour of South Pacific? The answer...the full 30 pieces. Producer Bob Boyett explains how: 'Most of these cities have really great orchestras, and everybody knows this stuff -- they've all played Rodgers & Hammerstein all their lives,' says Boyett. 'So we travel with about 12 and the rest are local musicians.'

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'Glee,' 'ComedySportz,' 'Yeast Nation' and more....

Broadway actor and singer Jason Danieley will join vocalist Kelli O'Hara along with the Ravinia Festival Orchestra conducted by Ted Sperling in a performance of timeless songs by the legendary American song-writing team of Rodgers & Hammerstein at 7 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 6. Paulo Szot was originally scheduled to appear, but has cancelled for personal reasons.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars. 'A Little Night Music,' '101 Dalmations,' 'Animal Crackers' and more....

Three-years in the making, Ravinia Festival's Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial celebration culminates with the world premiere of the much-anticipated Ravinia-commissioned full-evening dance theater work by choreographer Bill T. Jones, Fondly Do We Hope . . . Fervently Do We Pray, at 8 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 17, with an additional show at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 19, closing Ravinia's 2009 summer season.

Broadway actor and singer Jason Danieley will join vocalist Kelli O'Hara along with the Ravinia Festival Orchestra conducted by Ted Sperling in a performance of timeless songs by the legendary American song-writing team of Rodgers & Hammerstein at 7 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 6. Paulo Szot was originally scheduled to appear, but has cancelled for personal reasons.

LOVE, LINDA, a new one-woman musical about Linda Porter and her life with husband Cole Porter, will debut this fall Off-Broadway at The Triad Theater (158 W. 72 St.) in New York City from October 28 to November 21, 2009.

The new developmental production of How Now, Dow Jones starring Cristen Paige (Spelling Bee, The Visit, Cry-Baby), Colin Hanlon (Rent, I Love You Because) and Fred Berman (The Normal Heart, Room Service) will begin performances this Saturday at the Minetta Lane Theatre (18 Minetta Lane) as part of the 2009 New York International Fringe Festival. This new production will also restore an Elmer Bernstein-Carolyn Leigh cabaret favorite to the show: 'Shakespeare Lied'.

After sold-out performances of George Gershwin Alone and Monsieur Chopin, award-winning performer Hershey Felder returns to The Cleveland Play House with the culmination of his Composer Sonata trilogy Beethoven, As I Knew Him.

The Joyce Theater will invigorate the New York dance scene this fall with an eclectic and exciting line-up, and will offer a special ticket price of $10 for front row seats.

The new developmental production of How Now, Dow Jones starring Cristen Paige (Spelling Bee, The Visit, Cry-Baby), Colin Hanlon (Rent, I Love You Because) and Fred Berman (The Normal Heart, Room Service) will begin performances this Saturday at the Minetta Lane Theatre (18 Minetta Lane) as part of the 2009 New York International Fringe Festival. This new production will also restore an Elmer Bernstein-Carolyn Leigh cabaret favorite to the show: 'Shakespeare Lied'.