Rebecca Spence News

Continuing its 26th Season, Lookingglass Theatre Company presents the World Premiere of In the Garden: A Darwinian Love Story, by Artistic Associate Sara Gmitter and directed by Jessica Thebus. In the Garden runs April 16 - June 15, 2014 at Lookingglass Theatre Company, located inside Chicago's historic Water Tower Water Works, 821 N. Michigan Ave. at Pearson. The Press Opening is Saturday, April 26, 2014 at 7:30 p.m..

Despite an injury, good sport Davis Gaines---who plays the title role in Musical Theatre West's new production of Meredith Willson's ever-enduring Tony Award-winning musical THE MUSIC MAN---continues the 'show must go on' mantra and plows through, turning in a rousing performance that does not disappoint. Added bonus: the huge cast also helps play up this local regional revival's family-friendly cuteness factor. Remaining performances of this nearly 60-year-old musical theater staple continue through Sunday, March 2 at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center in Long Beach.

What do the 1950s have in common with 1912? Ages of innocence, both. When Meredith Willson wrote his story with Franklin Lacey about a con artist bamboozling an Iowa town in 1912, which formed the substance of his musical The Music Man (1957), the effect became like that of N. Richard Nash's The Rainmaker. People were jubilant, ecstatic and welcomed Professor Harold Hill, as they craved a good old-fashioned love story coated with ironic excitement. He was a charmer, and they saw way past his bad side. Now in a colorful new production at Musical Theatre West (MTW) in Long Beach, this company pulls out all the stops and presents a delightfully bigger-than-life show that would do Willson proud. With super direction from Jeff Maynard and a divine cast led by Davis Gaines, The Music Man offers a refreshing take on the way life should be, whether 1912, 1955 or 2014.

Musical Theatre West presents the second production of their 61st season, Davis Gaines (Los Angeles' longest-running Phantom in The Phantom of The Opera) starring as Professor Harold Hill and Gail Bennett (Mary Poppins) starring as Marian Paroo in Meredith Willson's timeless and joyous, THE MUSIC MAN, book, music and lyrics by Meredith Willson, based on a story by Meredith Willson and Franklin Lacey, musical direction by Corey Hirsch, choreography by John Todd and directed by Jeff Maynard.

Musical Theatre West presents the second production of their 61st season, Davis Gaines (Los Angeles' longest-running Phantom in The Phantom of The Opera) starring as Professor Harold Hill and Gail Bennett (Mary Poppins) starring as Marian Paroo in Meredith Willson's timeless and joyous, THE MUSIC MAN, book, music and lyrics by Meredith Willson, based on a story by Meredith Willson and Franklin Lacey, musical direction by Corey Hirsch, choreography by John Todd and directed by Jeff Maynard.

Continuing its 26th Season, Lookingglass Theatre Company presents the World Premiere of In The Garden: A Darwinian Love Story, by Artistic Associate Sara Gmitter and directed by Jessica Thebus. In The Garden runs April 16 - June 15, 2014 at Lookingglass Theatre Company, located inside Chicago's historic Water Tower Water Works, 821 N. Michigan Ave. at Pearson. The Press Opening is Saturday, April 26, 2014 at 7:30 p.m..

Musical Theatre West presents the second production of their 61st season, Davis Gaines (Los Angeles' longest-running Phantom in The Phantom of The Opera) starring as Professor Harold Hill and Gail Bennett (Mary Poppins) starring as Marian Paroo in Meredith Willson's timeless and joyous, THE MUSIC MAN, book, music and lyrics by Meredith Willson, based on a story by Meredith Willson and Franklin Lacey, musical direction by Corey Hirsch, choreography by John Todd and directed by Jeff Maynard.

TimeLine Theatre Company continues its 2012-13 season with the Midwest premiere of Concerning Strange Devices from the Distant West, reuniting long-time collaborators playwright Naomi Iizuka and director Lisa Portes in their TimeLine debuts. Performances run now through April 14, 2013 at TimeLine Theatre, 615 W. Wellington Ave, Chicago. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the production below!

BroadwayWorld brings you the Best of New Orleans in the year 2012. Check out the Top Theatre Stories from each month during in the year 2012. We look forward to another exciting year of theatre in 2013!

BroadwayWorld brings you the Best of Las Vegas in the year 2012. Check out the Top Theatre Stories from each month during in the year 2012. We look forward to another exciting year of theatre in 2013!

TimeLine Theatre Company continues its 2012-13 season with the Midwest premiere of Concerning Strange Devices from the Distant West, reuniting long-time collaborators playwright Naomi Iizuka and director Lisa Portes in their TimeLine debuts. Performances run January 24 - April 14, 2013 (previews January 15 - 23) at TimeLine Theatre, 615 W. Wellington Ave, Chicago. Press Opening performance is Thursday, January 24, 2013 at 7:30 p.m.

Rivendell Theatre Ensemble has announced the first production in its 2012-2013 Season dedicated to the theme "reinvention," WRENS, by Anne McGravie and directed by Rivendell Theatre Ensemble's co-founder Karen Kessler, has been extended through October 20 at Rivendell's new performance venue, 5779 N. Ridge. Performance tickets are $30 with the schedule Thursdays and Fridays at 8 p.m. and Saturdays at 3 and 8 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 14 at 6 p.m. is a benefit performance of WRENS with the original 1996 award-winning cast reprising their roles. Tickets may be purchased by calling 773.334.7728 or visiting www.RivendellTheatre.org.

After several previous run extension announcements, the international touring production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's mega musical THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, playing at the main theater of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), must finally close on Sunday, October 14.

Rivendell Theatre Ensemble's Artistic Director Tara Mallen announces the first production in its 2012-2013 Season dedicated to the theme "reinvention" is WRENS, by Anne McGravie and directed by Rivendell Theatre Ensemble's co-founder Karen Kessler, tonight, September 6 - October 13, at Rivendell's new performance venue, 5779 N. Ridge. Previews are $15 and run Thursday, Sept. 6 - Saturday, Sept. 8 at 8 p.m. There is a Gala Performance Sunday, Sept. 9 at 6 p.m. and opening/press night is Monday, Sept. 10 at 7 p.m. The regular performance tickets are $30 with the schedule Thursdays and Fridays at 8 p.m. and Saturdays at 3 and 8 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 14 at 6 p.m. is a benefit performance of WRENS with the original 1996 award-winning cast reprising their roles. Tickets are on sale now; call 773.334.7728 or visit www.RivendellTheatre.org.

Rivendell Theatre Ensemble's Artistic Director Tara Mallen announces the first production in its 2012-2013 Season dedicated to the theme "reinvention" is WRENS, by Anne McGravie and directed by Rivendell Theatre Ensemble's co-founder Karen Kessler, September 6 - October 13, at Rivendell's new performance venue, 5779 N. Ridge. Previews are $15 and run Thursday, Sept. 6 - Saturday, Sept. 8 at 8 p.m. There is a Gala Performance Sunday, Sept. 9 at 6 p.m. and opening/press night is Monday, Sept. 10 at 7 p.m. The regular performance tickets are $30 with the schedule Thursdays and Fridays at 8 p.m. and Saturdays at 3 and 8 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 14 at 6 p.m. is a benefit performance of WRENS with the original 1996 award-winning cast reprising their roles. Tickets are on sale now; call 773.334.7728 or visit www.RivendellTheatre.org.

Rivendell Theatre Ensemble's Artistic Director Tara Mallen announces the first production in its 2012-2013 Season dedicated to the theme "reinvention" is WRENS, by Anne McGravie and directed by Rivendell Theatre Ensemble's co-founder Karen Kessler, September 6 - October 13, at Rivendell's new performance venue, 5779 N. Ridge.