Ryan Stajmiger News

Bye Bye Birdie, the four-time Tony Award-winning musical, begins performances at Drury Lane on January 14 to conclude the 2015 - 2016 Season. The funny, irreverent musical takes audiences back to 1959 in quiet Sweet Apple, OH, where rock star Conrad Birdie shakes things up when he arrives to give one lucky teenage girl a special goodbye kiss. With a cast led by 2015 Jeff Award Best Supporting Actor winners Michelle Aravena as Rosie and Matt Crowle as Conrad's agent, Albert, Bye Bye Birdie is directed and choreographed by multiple Jeff Award winner Tammy Mader. Featuring musical theater classics such as "Kids," "Put on a Happy Face," and "A Lot of Livin' to Do," the inspired cast and creative team promise to bring a decidedly fresh touch to the timeless story. 

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. It's a Super September Preview! We've got the low-down on 16 musical productions you will want to see this month, from city to suburbs, big theaters to small, premieres and old favorites galore! 'Side Show,' 'Dogfight,' 'Next To Normal,' 'Oklahoma!,' 'Spamalot,' 'Blood Brothers,' 'October Sky,' CST's 'Ride The Cyclone' and much more!

In conceiving a contemporary fairytale masterpiece, the legendary Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine sing and write of why these fantasies and tales resonate in modern culture with their incredible Into the Woods. The renowned musical makes theatergoers' wishes come true in the Cabot Theatre when Skylight Music Theatre locally sources a marvelous cast that will make hearts melt under award-winning Edwin Cahill's direction.

To accommodate ticket demand, Lifeline Theatre announces eight added performances of its KidSeries production of Lions in Illyria, a world premiere based on William Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, written by Lifeline Theatre ensemble member Robert Kauzlaric and directed by Lifeline Theatre ensemble member Amanda Delheimer Dimond.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Musical television series abound! Also special nights for 'Allegro' and 'Reefer Madness,' that Dolphin show at Annoyance, Mercury's 'Addams Family,' a big children's premiere, the return of 'Option Up!' and a surprising, real live 'Beauty!'

Lifeline Theatre's KidSeries presents Lions in Illyria, a world premiere based on William Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, written by Lifeline Theatre ensemble member Robert Kauzlaric and directed by Lifeline Theatre ensemble member Amanda Delheimer Dimond. Separated from her brother by a storm at sea, the young lioness Violet must brave an unknown country all alone. Disguised as a boy, she joins with a preposterous peacock on a quest to claim the attentions of the most graceful gazelle in town. But soon Violet is torn between multiple masters and her adventure takes a turn for the absurd when she becomes entangled in the clownish antics of a wacky warthog and his featherbrained dodo sidekick. Travel to the weird and wonderful land of Illyria in a magical comedy loaded with music, monkeys, and mayhem. This production is recommended for children ages five and up (children under two not permitted), and runs one hour with no intermission.

Lifeline Theatre's KidSeries presents Lions in Illyria, a world premiere based on William Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, written by Lifeline Theatre ensemble member Robert Kauzlaric and directed by Lifeline Theatre ensemble member Amanda Delheimer Dimond. Separated from her brother by a storm at sea, the young lioness Violet must brave an unknown country all alone. Disguised as a boy, she joins with a preposterous peacock on a quest to claim the attentions of the most graceful gazelle in town. But soon Violet is torn between multiple masters and her adventure takes a turn for the absurd when she becomes entangled in the clownish antics of a wacky warthog and his featherbrained dodo sidekick. Travel to the weird and wonderful land of Illyria in a magical comedy loaded with music, monkeys, and mayhem. This production is recommended for children ages five and up (children under two not permitted), and runs one hour with no intermission.

Lifeline Theatre's KidSeries presents Lions in Illyria, a world premiere based on William Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, written by Lifeline Theatre ensemble member Robert Kauzlaric and directed by Lifeline Theatre ensemble member Amanda Delheimer Dimond.

Fox Valley Repertory continues their 2014 theater series with Neil Simon's heart-warming family comedy, Brighton Beach Memoirs. This coming-of-age memoir, directed by Ronan Marra, will take place at the Pheasant Run Resort Mainstage tonight, August 28 - October 19, 2014.

Fox Valley Repertory continues their 2014 theater series with Neil Simon's heart-warming family comedy, Brighton Beach Memoirs. This coming-of-age memoir, directed by Ronan Marra, will take place at the Pheasant Run Resort Mainstage August 28 - October 19, 2014 (4051 E. Main St., St. Charles, IL; box office 630-584-6342).

The Jeff Awards Committee today announced 120 nominations in 25 categories of Non-Equity Jeff Awards for productions that opened between April 1, 2012, and March 31, 2013. The Non-Equity Awards honor excellence in Chicago theatres not under a union contract. Jeff judges attended opening nights of 146 productions offered by 65 Non-Equity producing organizations. The judges recommended 54 of those shows, making them eligible for Non-Equity Jeff Award nominations. Thirty-three theatre companies received nominations.

Circle Theatre presents REEFER MADNESS, directed by Matthew Gunnels, which opened last night, July 18 and runs through August 26, 2012. Check out photos from the opening night party below!

Circle Theatre presents REEFER MADNESS, directed by Matthew Gunnels, opening tonight, July 18, through August 26, 2012. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the production photos below.

In the vein of recent Circle musicals Urinetown and Tommy, a Reefer Madness like you've never seen before! Matthew Gunnels, no stranger to camp classics, makes his Circle directorial debut bringing this 'high' musical comedy to our stage.

In the vein of recent Circle musicals Urinetown and Tommy, a Reefer Madness like you've never seen before! Matthew Gunnels, no stranger to camp classics, makes his Circle directorial debut bringing this 'high' musical comedy to our stage.