Robert Ollis News

Uptown Underground, 4707 N. Broadway, welcomes 2016 with huge milestones and a new performance schedule.

Pride Films and Plays will enliven the New Year by bringing back two leading actresses from its recent acclaimed production of the musical The Boy From Oz in a new show entitled Judy Garland and Liza Minnelli - Once in a Lifetime: The London Palladium Concert - a Tribute, featuring Nancy Hays (as Judy Garland) and Michelle Lauto (as Liza Minnelli), with music direction and orchestral arrangements by Robert Ollis (co-producer).  This loving musical tribute recalls the historic concert by these two famous performers at the London Palladium, just as Liza's singing career was beginning to take off. The Boy from Oz veterans Cameron Turner (choreography) and John Nasca (costume design) will round out the creative team for this dynamic new show.

The new singing quartet from Pride Films and Plays - The Boys In Briefs - debuts at Uptown Underground on January 26 with The Boys in Briefs: At the Beach! This upbeat evening of summertime music will be a perfect antidote to your winter doldrums. The cast features Emmy Award-winner Scott Gryder, Jeff Award-winner Donterrio Johnson, and the stars of PFP's The Boy >From Oz, Chris Logan and Luke Meierdiercks.

Pride Films and Plays annual fall benefit, Simply Sensational, headlined by Chicago?s own Alexandra Billings, will be held tomorrow, November 2 at Stage 773. Others in the all-star line-up include trans performers Honey West and Skylar Kergil.

The Boy From Oz, presented by Pride Films and Plays, will be directed by David Zak, with musical direction by Robert Ollis and choreography by Cameron Turner. The musical previews tonight, August 5 and Thursday, August 6, with a press opening slated for Friday, August 7 at 7:30. BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at the cast in costume below!

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'Pippin' performs at the Cadillac Palace and Sidetrack, dueling showtune concerts on August 17, and a summer 'Altar Boyz.' Plus local premieres of 'The Boy From Oz,' 'American Idiot' and 'Dogfight,' 'Gypsy' in Lake County, and 'The Producers' in true rep with 'Victor/Victoria!'

The Boy From Oz, presented by Pride Films and Plays, will be directed by David Zak, with musical direction by Robert Ollis and choreography by Cameron Turner. The musical previews Wednesday, August 5 and Thursday, August 6, with a press opening slated for Friday, August 7 at 7:30. BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at the cast in costume below!

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'On Your Feet!' and 'City Of Angels' rake in the reviews, while Bette plays the UC. Kristin and Idina plan concerts here, outdoor movies light up the summer, and the 'Beautiful' tour and 'Charlie Brown' are slated for Christmas. By summer's end: 'The Boy From Oz,' 'Glory Days' and 'Triassic Parq!'

The Boy From Oz tells the amazing life story of celebrated songwriter and performer Peter Allen. Featuring songs by Peter Allen, book by Martin Sherman and Nick Enright, Direction by David Zak, Musical Direction by Robert Ollis, and Choreography by Cameron Turner, The Boy From Oz tells the exuberant yet heart-warming true story of a young Australian boy who loved to perform and ended up in the glamorous orbit of Judy Garland and her soon-to-be famous daughter Liza.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Local Tony and Jeff Award events, 'Shining Lives' shines, major productions of 'City Of Angels' and 'The Secret Garden,' original shows at Lifeline and Theo Ubique, two suburban theaters program 'Spamalot,' House updates 'The Bacchae' and New York gets its talent from where?

Artists from many of the Jeff Award Nominated musical productions of the 2014-15 Season will be featured at Nominee Night, a showcase at Sidetrack tonight, May 19.

Artists from many of the Jeff Award Nominated musical productions of the 2014-15 Season will be featured at Nominee Night, a showcase at Sidetrack on May 19.

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 Jeff Awards stir things up, 'Louis & Keely' and 'Sounds So Sweet' evoke mid-century entertainment, Waa-Mu takes on the Berlin Olympics, a new Chicago-based revue in Edgewater, 'Chaperone' and 'Music Man' in the suburbs, 'The Boy From Oz' in a local production, 'Matilda' will tour, 'Amazing Grace' sets a Broadway run, and Circle Theatre re-emerges. Whew!

Pride Films & Plays is excited to announce a new production of Design for Living, a sexy and seductive revival of this Noel Coward classic which will be directed by PFP Artistic Associate Derek Bertelsen, and running at Rivendell Theater from October 22 to November 22. The press opening is Saturday, October 24 at 7:30.

Pride Films and Plays will conclude its remarkable Summer Season with The Boy From Oz, the Broadway musical which tells the amazing life story of celebrated songwriter and performer Peter Allen. Featuring songs by Peter Allen, book by Martin Sherman and Nick Enright, Direction by David Zak, and Musical Direction by Robert Ollis, The Boy From Oz tells the exuberant yet heart-warming true story of a young Australian boy who loved to perform and ended up in the glamorous orbit of Judy Garland and her soon-to-be famous daughter Liza.

Pride Films and Plays announces the transfer of its world premiere production of The Book of Merman to a new six-week engagement at the Apollo Theater Studio, 2540 N. Lincoln, Chicago. The new musical comedy by Jeff Award-winning author Leo Schwartz has been playing to sellout crowds at Mary's Attic in Andersonville since its opening on January 17, 2015. The show's final performance at Mary's Attic was February 15th, and following a one-weekend hiatus for the move, it will reopen at the Apollo tonight, February 26 for a six-week run through April 5, 2015.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'Carousel,' 'The King And I' and 'The Merry Widow' at Lyric Opera, and the upcoming season at Porchlight. Plus 'Merman' transfers, 'Mormon' arrives, 'First Wives Club' and 'Gotta Dance' try out, the 'Pride And Prejudice' reading moves, Quest Theatre mounts two, Pasek and Paul's 'Peach,' Bailiwick's 'Wonderful Town,' the Mosh Pit in the Tribune and more honors for Jessie Mueller! Whew!

Pride Films and Plays announces the transfer of its world premiere production of The Book of Merman to a new six-week engagement at the Apollo Theater Studio, 2540 N. Lincoln, Chicago. The new musical comedy by Jeff Award-winning author Leo Schwartz has been playing to sellout crowds at Mary's Attic in Andersonville since its opening on January 17, 2015. The show's final performance at Mary's Attic will be February 15th, and following a one-weekend hiatus for the move, it will reopen at the Apollo on February 26 for a six-week run through April 5, 2015.

Pride Films and Plays announces that Sam Button-Harrison* and Dan Gold join Libby Lane* as the cast of The Book of Merman, a new musical comedy by Jeff Award-winning playwright Leo Schwartz. The show opens tonight, January 17, 2015 at Mary's Attic, 5400 North Clark Street.