Rod Thomas 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 latest Jeff Award nominations, 'Brigadoon' gets cast, 'The Sound Of Music' and 'Motown' light up the Loop, new musicals from Writers Theatre and American Theater Company, 'Nunsense,' 'The Wild Party,' a new web series to support and more!

Joe's Pub at The Public has announced its upcoming performances, running tomorrow, April 23 through May 4, 2014. Details below!

Casting is complete and rehearsals begin May 20 for Goodman Theatre's new production of Brigadoon-Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe's big, beautiful and beguiling song and dance fantasy. Chicago director/choreographer Rachel Rockwell, hailed as a "brilliant, insightful, mistress-of-grand-scale musicals" (Chicago Sun-Times) and named "2012 Chicagoan of the Year" by the Chicago Tribune, makes her Goodman debut. Brigadoon runs June 27 - August 3 in the Albert Theatre (opening night is Monday, July 7). Tickets ($25 - $93; subject to change) are on sale now, available atGoodmanTheatre.org/Brigadoon, by phone at 312.443.3800 or at the box office (170 North Dearborn). JPMorgan Chase is the Major Corporate Sponsor. Allstate Insurance Company and PwC are Corporate Sponsor Partners. Towers Watson is the Opening Night Sponsor. Chicago Tribune is the Media Partner. A full performance calendar follows.

Joe's Pub at the Public has announced an exciting lineup of performances now through April 27. Check out the full schedule and details below!

The world's most beloved Nanny MARY POPPINS drops in to The Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire. Broadway's supercalifragilistic, award-winning hit arrived on stage Wednesday, October 23, opening Wednesday, October 30 at 8:00 p.m. and running through January 5. From the irresistible story to the unforgettable songs to the breathtaking dance numbers, MARY POPPINS is directed by nine-time Jeff Award-winner Gary Griffin with Choreography by Jeff Award nominee Alex Sanchez and Musical Direction by Jeff Award-winner Michael Mahler. BroadwayWorld has photos from the opening night celebration 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. Big local openings ('Miss Saigon,' 'Hello, Dolly!' and 'Mary Poppins'), holiday fare like Menken's 'A Christmas Carol,' the return of 'We Three Lizas' and more, season announcements from MTC and LOW, plus the Season Of Concern CD and a BroadwayWorld Chicago Awards deadline!

The world's most beloved Nanny MARY POPPINS drops in to The Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire. Broadway's supercalifragilistic, award-winning hit arrives on stage tonight, October 23, opening Wednesday, October 30 at 8:00 p.m. and running through January 5.

Joe's Pub this week, Oct. 21-27, will feature performances by DEB OH & THE CAVALIERS, NIKKI M. JAMES, BEBE ZAHARA BENET, JEAN ROHE. SWEET CRUDE / ALEXIS & THE SAMURAI, ERIN MARKEY, THE REAL AMERICANS, RAVEN O-ICON, THE MATERIAL WORLD, BRIGHT LIGHT BRIGHT LIGHT, ROBIN SPIELBERG, SVEN RATZKE, MARTHA GRAHAM CRACKER, BAD REPUTATION VOLUME 2 CD RELEASE, and RYAN MONTBLEAU.

The world's most beloved Nanny MARY POPPINS drops in to The Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire. Broadway's supercalifragilistic, award-winning hit arrives on stage Wednesday, October 23, opening Wednesday, October 30 at 8:00 p.m. and running through January 5. From the irresistible story to the unforgettable songs to the breathtaking dance numbers, MARY POPPINS will be directed by nine-time Jeff Award-winner Gary Griffin with Choreography by Jeff Award nominee Alex Sanchez and Musical Direction by Jeff Award-winner Michael Mahler.

Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, presents the regional premiere of the recent Broadway sensation NEXT TO NORMAL, now running through October 6, 2013. NEXT TO NORMAL stars Jeff Award nominee Susie McMonagle as 'Diana' ('Fantine' in Les Miserables on Broadway and the first National Tours of Billy Elliot and Mamma Mia) and Jeff Award winner Rod Thomas as 'Dan' (Big at Drury Lane Theatre and Little Shop of Horrors at Theatre at the Center). The production is directed by Drury Lane Theatre Artistic Director William Osetek (Drury Lane Theatre's smash hit production of Spamalot and Jeff Award nominee for Best Director and Best Production for Thoroughly Modern Millie.) Check out a first look at highlights of the show below!

Oakbrook Terrace's Drury Lane Theatre takes a gamble that pays off with the poignant and moving 'next to normal'

Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, presents the regional premiere of the recent Broadway sensation NEXT TO NORMAL, which opened last night, August 22 and will continue through October 6, 2013. NEXT TO NORMAL stars Jeff Award nominee Susie McMonagle as "Diana" ("Fantine" in Les Miserables on Broadway and the first National Tours of Billy Elliot and Mamma Mia) and Jeff Award winner Rod Thomas as "Dan" (Big at Drury Lane Theatre and Little Shop of Horrors at Theatre at the Center).The production is directed by Drury Lane Theatre Artistic Director William Osetek (Drury Lane Theatre's smash hit production of Spamalot and Jeff Award nominee for Best Director and Best Production for Thoroughly Modern Millie.) Check out a look back at opening night below!

Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, presents the regional premiere of the recent Broadway sensation NEXT TO NORMAL, opening August 22 and running through October 6, 2013. NEXT TO NORMAL stars Jeff Award nominee Susie McMonagle as "Diana" ("Fantine" in Les Miserables on Broadway and the first National Tours of Billy Elliot and Mamma Mia) and Jeff Award winner Rod Thomas as "Dan" (Big at Drury Lane Theatre and Little Shop of Horrors at Theatre at the Center).The production is directed by Drury Lane Theatre Artistic Director William Osetek (Drury Lane Theatre's smash hit production of Spamalot and Jeff Award nominee for Best Director and Best Production for Thoroughly Modern Millie.) Check out a first look at the cast in action 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. 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!

Imagine you are eternally indebted to someone who saved your life. How much could you tolerate if that person tested you in every way? The Wagon Wheel Theatre proudly presents that hilarious scenario with the Broadway play, The Nerd July 31-August 10.

Drury Lane Theatre will present the regional premiere of the recent Broadway sensation NEXT TO NORMAL, previewing August 15, opening August 22, and running through October 6, 2013. NEXT TO NORMAL stars Jeff Award nominee Susie McMonagle as 'Diana' ('Fantine' in Les Miserables on Broadway and the first National Tours of Billy Elliot and Mamma Mia) and Jeff Award winner Rod Thomas as 'Dan' (Big at Drury Lane Theatre and Little Shop of Horrors at Theatre at the Center).The production is directed by Drury Lane Theatre Artistic Director William Osetek (Drury Lane Theatre's smash hit production of Spamalot and Jeff Award nominee for Best Director and Best Production for Thoroughly Modern Millie.)

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 Summer Birthday Showtune Blowout, 'The Last Five Years,' 'A Chorus Liine,' 'Whistle Down The Wind,' the casts of 'The Color Purple' and 'Next To Normal,' three new shows announced by Broadway In Chicago, and more!

According to the Chicago Tribune, Susie McMonagle and Rod Thomas are set to lead Next to Normal at Drury Lane Oakbrook, running August 15 - October 6, 2013. Also set to star are Skyler Adams, Callie Johnson, Colte Julain and Josh Tolle.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'Oklahoma!' opens, a new 'Porgy,' a one-night 'Tommy,' improvised Sondheim, Darren Criss, 'The Jungle Book' has been cast, two new revues, my Tony perspective and more!

Drury Lane Theatre, presents Andrew Lloyd Webber's triumphant Broadway musical SUNSET BOULEVARD, opening tonight, February 1 at 8:30 p.m., and running through March 24. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the show below.