Scott Danielson 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 Tonys and the Jeffs bring honor and fun, and 'On Your Feet' and 'Beaches' aim for the future. Bette will be in town, Spike Lee films, 'Les Mis' and 'All Shook Up' play our southern environs, and 'The Secret Garden' and 'The Pied Piper' bring children's classics to life. Next week: Regional Summer Theaters!

Sean Graney, who recently returned to Chicago to resume his post as Artistic Director of The Hypocrites, informed the Joseph Jefferson Awards Committee that he just learned the theater company had been operating under an Equity CAT-N contract for the duration of the 2014-2015 Non-Equity season.  Over the past year, requests for judging its productions were made to the Non-Equity Wing without the committee having knowledge of the company's Equity status. The Jeff Committee was aware that two of the productions had Equity performers (as indicated in the program); however, the committee has now confirmed that these were not guest contracts.  As such, the company's productions are not eligible for consideration in the Non-Equity Wing, and all related Non-Equity Jeff Award nominations have been rescinded.  The productions in question will be shifted to the Equity Wing for awards consideration during its current season, which commenced on August 1, 2014 and will end on July 30, 2015.

The Jeff Awards Committee today announced 118 nominations in 24 categories for the 42nd Annual Non-Equity Jeff Awards for productions that opened between April 1, 2014, and March 31, 2015. The Non-Equity Awards honor excellence in Chicago theatres not under a union contract. Jeff judges attended opening nights of 133 productions offered by 56 Non-Equity producing organizations. The Jeff Committee recommended 62 of those shows, making them eligible for Non-Equity Jeff Award nominations. Of the 62 Jeff Recommended productions, 46 received nominations, representing 23 theatre companies.

Strawdog Theatre Company and Artistic Director Hank Boland are proud to announce the final main stage production in its 2014 - 2015 season, Rob Drummond's Quiz Show, May 1 - June 13,directed by Max Truax, at Strawdog Theatre Company, 3829 N. Broadway St. Preview performance tickets are $15 with performances Friday, May 1, Saturday, May 2, Thursday, May 7, and Friday, May 8 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, May 3 and May 10 at 4 p.m.

Kokandy Productions is pleased to open its 2015 season with the hilarious and heartfelt musical comedy THE FULL MONTY with music and lyrics by David Yazbek, book by Terrence McNally, direction by Co-Artistic Director John D. Glover, choreography by Danny Spagnuolo and music direction by Resident Music Director Kory Danielson. THE FULL MONTY will play now through April 12, 2015 at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago. BroadwayWorld has 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. BIC's fall season schedule, plus Theo's 'JCS,' Woodstock's 'Chaperone,' Kokandy's 'Full Monty' and the Paramount's 'Les Mis.' Also four recent contemporary operas, early and late Sondheim comparisons, this month's 'Option Up,!' and Linda Eder and Jessie Mueller hit the suburbs!

Kokandy Productions will open its 2015 season with the hilarious and heartfelt musical comedy THE FULL MONTY with music and lyrics by David Yazbek, book by Terrence McNally, direction by Co-Artistic Director John D. Glover, choreography by Danny Spagnuolo and music direction by Resident Music Director Kory Danielson. THE FULL MONTY will play March 10 - April 12, 2015 at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago. Tickets are available at www.kokandyproductions.com, by calling (773) 975-8150 or in person at the Theater Wit Box Office. The press opening is Thursday, March 12 at 8 pm.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'Into The Woods' finally opens tomorrow! Plus Porchlight's Sondheim season continues, TMTC's 'Allegro' at Ravinia, Laura Osnes is coming to town, 'Galavant' and the BroadwayWorld Chicago Awards arrive in early January, followed by 'Tommy' in Aurora, 'First Date' at the Royal George, 'The Full Monty' at Theater Wit and more!

Kokandy Productions is pleased to announce the 20-member cast for its 2015 season opener, the hilarious and heartfelt musical comedy THE FULL MONTY with music and lyrics by David Yazbek, book by Terrence McNally, direction by Co-Artistic Director John D. Glover, choreography by Danny Spagnuolo and musical direction by Resident Music Director Kory Danielson. THE FULL MONTY will play March 10 - April 12, 2015 at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. 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. Monday night's Jeff Awards at the Drury Lane, and 'Amazing Grace' at the BOAT! Plus 2014's other Broadway In Chicago shows, The Grinch at the Chicago Theatre, local productions of 'Parade,' 'Camelot' and 'Mary Poppins,' the new 'A Christmas Memory,' and the sold-out Humanities Festival tribute to the Tonys!

BoHo Theatre closes out its milestone 10th anniversary season with the stirring musical Parade, directed by Linda Fortunato (Jeff-Award winner for Choreography for BoHo's Kiss of the Spider Woman) with music direction by Matt Deitchman. Opening in October at Theater Wit, Parade tells the story of the trial of Leo Frank, a northern Jew accused of the murder of a teenage worker in his Southern factory. This Tony Award-winning musical by acclaimed playwright Alfred Uhry (Driving Miss Daisy) and composer Jason Robert Brown (The Last Five Years, Bridges of Madison County) shines a revealing light on the intolerance and racial tension that continues to haunt America, as well as the endurance of love and hope against all odds. Parade represents the Bohemian Pillar of Love in BoHo's 2013/2014 Season.

I hardly know where to begin with this review of the Bohemian Theatre Ensemble's gutsy, stripped-down and yet somehow epic production of “Kiss of the Spider Woman,” the musical by John Kander, Fred Ebb and Terrence McNally that is running at Theatre Wit through June 30, 2013. There, I guess I just began. I'm a jumble of thoughts and feeling right now. Come to think of it, so are the three principal characters.

Strawdog Theatre Company continues their 25th anniversary season with the Midwest premiere of Improbable Frequency, book & lyrics by Arthur Riordan and music by Bell Helicopter, directed by Strawdog Ensemble Member Kyle Hamman and musical direction by Strawdog Ensemble Member, Mike Przygoda, February 24 - March 31 at the Strawdog Theatre, 3829 North Broadway Street. The performance schedule is Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Todays at 4 p.m.

Strawdog Theatre Company continues their 25th anniversary season with the Midwest premiere of Improbable Frequency, book & lyrics by Arthur Riordan and music by Bell Helicopter, directed by Strawdog Ensemble Member Kyle Hamman and musical direction by Strawdog Ensemble Member, Mike Przygoda, February 24 - March 31 at the Strawdog Theatre. BroadwayWorld has a first look below.

Strawdog Theatre Company continues their 25th anniversary season with the Midwest premiere of Improbable Frequency, book & lyrics by Arthur Riordan and music by Bell Helicopter, directed by Strawdog Ensemble Member Kyle Hamman and musical direction by Strawdog Ensemble Member, Mike Przygoda, February 24 - March 31 at the Strawdog Theatre, 3829 North Broadway Street. The performance schedule is Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 4 p.m.

Strawdog Theatre Company continues their 25th anniversary season with the Midwest premiere of Improbable Frequency, book & lyrics by Arthur Riordan and music by Bell Helicopter, directed by Strawdog Ensemble Member Kyle Hamman and musical direction by Strawdog Ensemble Member, Mike Przygoda, February 24 - March 31 at the Strawdog Theatre, 3829 North Broadway Street. The performance schedule is Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 4 p.m.

Polarity Ensemble Theatre's Dionysos Cup Festival of New Plays has apparently reached the proper vintage to bear multiple fruit. This summer two scripts developed in the Dionysos Cup series will see their world premieres playing simultaneously, the series itself adds video thanks to an award from the Saints, another Dionysos Cup play has gone on to further development with the Goodman Theatre, and Polarity will award this year's Cup to a worthy and entertaining new script.

Mary-Arrchie Theatre Co is proud to present the Midwest Premiere of Fin Kennedy's How to Disappear And Never Be Found to kick off our exciting 24TH Season!