Richard Strimer 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 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!

Five world premiere plays and three new adaptations seen first by Chicago audiences received Jeff nominations by the Jeff Awards Committee and are among the 166 nominations in 36 categories announced for Chicago Equity theatrical productions opened between August 1, 2012 and July 31, 2013.

One of the most hotly anticipated new musicals from Broadway, 9 to 5, The Musical has come to the Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive in Lincolnshire. The production, which began performances on August 14 and opened on August 21, will run through October 13. Based on the smash 1980 film, 9 to 5, The Musical is the hilarious story of friendship and revenge in the rolodex era. The musical features the blockbuster title song plus a jubilant Tony Award-nominated score by multi Grammy Award-winner Dolly Parton and a book by original screenwriter Patricia Resnick, The Marriott Theatre production will be directed by 11 time Jeff Award-winner David H. Bell with choreography by Matt Raftery. Scroll down for photos from the opening night festivities!

One of the most hotly anticipated new musicals from Broadway, 9 to 5, The Musical has come to the Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive in Lincolnshire. The productino, which began performances on August 14, has an opening night of August 21, and will run through October 13. Based on the smash 1980 film, 9 to 5, The Musical is the hilarious story of friendship and revenge in the rolodex era. The musical features the blockbuster title song plus a jubilant Tony Award-nominated score by multi Grammy Award-winner Dolly Parton and a book by original screenwriter Patricia Resnick, The Marriott Theatre production will be directed by 11 time Jeff Award-winner David H. Bell with choreography by Matt Raftery. Check out a first look at the cast in action below!

One of the most hotly anticipated new musicals from Broadway, 9 to 5, The Musical has come to the Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive in Lincolnshire. The productino, which began performances on August 14, has an opening night of August 21, and will run through October 13. Based on the smash 1980 film, 9 to 5, The Musical is the hilarious story of friendship and revenge in the rolodex era. The musical features the blockbuster title song plus a jubilant Tony Award-nominated score by multi Grammy Award-winner Dolly Parton and a book by original screenwriter Patricia Resnick, The Marriott Theatre production will be directed by 11 time Jeff Award-winner David H. Bell with choreography by Matt Raftery. Check out a first look at the cast in action below!

Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, presents the Tony Award-winning musical sensation HELLO, DOLLY!, previewing October 17, opening October 24 at 8 p.m., and running through January 5, 2014. HELLO, DOLLY! stars Tony Award winner Karen Ziemba as "Dolly Levi." She received the Tony Award, the Drama Desk Award, and the Outer Critics Circle Award for her performance in Lincoln Center Theatre's Contact. Ziemba also received Tony Award nominations for her roles in Steel Pier, Never Gonna Dance, and Curtains and the Drama Desk Award for And the World Goes 'Round, as well as the Outer Critics Circle Awards for both Never Gonna Dance and Curtains. She has starred in productions at The New York City Opera, Carnegie Hall for PBS' Great Performances, and NY City Center Encores. Other Broadway roles include "Diana Morales" in A Chorus Line, "Peggy Sawyer" in the original production of 42nd Street, "Polly Baker" in Crazy for You, and "Roxie Hart" in Chicago.

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!

One of the most hotly anticipated new musicals from Broadway, 9 to 5, The Musical comes to the Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive in Lincolnshire, beginning tonight, August 14, opening August 21 and running through October 13.

One of the most hotly anticipated new musicals from Broadway, 9 to 5, The Musical comes to the Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive in Lincolnshire, beginning August 14, opening August 21 and running through October 13. Based on the smash 1980 film, 9 to 5, The Musical is the hilarious story of friendship and revenge in the rolodex era. The musical features the blockbuster title song plus a jubilant Tony Award-nominated score by multi Grammy Award-winner Dolly Parton and a book by original screenwriter Patricia Resnick, The Marriott Theatre production will be directed by 11 time Jeff Award-winner David H. Bell with choreography by Matt Raftery.

Today, we're thrilled to feature actor, composer, and musician Jamey Grisham!

Now through June 2, 2013, at the Theatre at the Center in Munster, Indiana (and not as far away as you might think) is a new play that gives us an interesting look into the making of one of the most enduring work of art produced by Hollywood in its Golden Age of Movie Musicals, the 1952 classic MGM film, "Singin' in the Rain."

Today, we're thrilled to feature Richard Strimer currently playing Gene Kelly in Chicago's Theatre at the Center's WHAT A GLORIOUS FEELING!

Paying homage to one of the greatest movie musicals of all time, What a Glorious Feeling comes to Theatre at the Center April 25 through June 2 at 1040 Ridge Road, Munster. Creator Jay Berkow conceived the intimate show, which he calls 'a play with music' and an 'exploration of creative and romantic temperaments' set in the heyday of the MGM movie musicals. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Paying homage to one of the greatest movie musicals of all time, What a Glorious Feeling comes to Theatre at the Center April 25 through June 2 at 1040 Ridge Road, Munster, with a press performance April 28 at 7 p.m. Creator Jay Berkow conceived the intimate show, which he calls 'a play with music' and an 'exploration of creative and romantic temperaments' set in the heyday of the MGM movie musicals.

Paying homage to one of the greatest movie musicals of all time, What a Glorious Feeling comes to Theatre at the Center April 25 through June 2 at 1040 Ridge Road, Munster, with a press performance April 28 at 7 p.m. Creator Jay Berkow conceived the intimate show, which he calls 'a play with music' and an 'exploration of creative and romantic temperaments' set in the heyday of the MGM movie musicals. A revealing portrait of the late dancer-actor-director-choreographer Gene Kelly, this Chicago premiere production of What a Glorious Feeling will be directed by Theatre at the Center Artistic Director William Pullinsi with Choreography by Jeff Award-winning choreographer Danny Herman. Herman has choreographed over 50 productions nationally, including The National Tour of Dreamgirls, A Little Night Music and Another Midsummer Night at the Goodman, Elmer Gantry at Ford's Theatre and over a dozen productions at Candlelight Playhouse, including 5 Guys Named Moe and Song and Dance.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'South Pacific' at the Marriott, two shows with Gene Kelly's vibe, cabarets from Porchlight, Brown Paper Box and Darrian Ford, 2014 premieres from Marc Blitzstein and Alan Schmuckler, lots of Doug Peck and more!

Paying homage to one of the greatest movie musicals of all time, What a Glorious Feeling comes to Theatre at the Center April 25 through June 2 at 1040 Ridge Road, Munster, with a press performance April 28 at 7 p.m. Creator Jay Berkow conceived the intimate show, which he calls 'a play with music' and an 'exploration of creative and romantic temperaments' set in the heyday of the MGM movie musicals.

Broadway In Chicago has announced that I LOVE LUCY LIVE ON STAGE, the brand new hit musical stage show adapted from the longest-running and most beloved television program in history, starring Lucy, Ricky, Fred and Ethel: America's favorite foursome, is extending two weeks by popular demand at the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place (175 East Chestnut St.). Tickets for performances through March 17, 2013 are on-sale now.

Broadway In Chicago has announced that I LOVE LUCY LIVE ON STAGE, the brand new hit musical stage show adapted from the longest-running and most beloved television program in history, starring Lucy, Ricky, Fred and Ethel: America's favorite foursome, is extending by popular demand at the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place (175 East Chestnut St.). Tickets for performances Dec. 29, 2012 - March 3, 2013 are on-sale now.