Shanna VanDerwerker News

The Beautiful City Project Presents Feature Film INTERSECT

The Beautiful City Project, led by Founder and Artistic Director David Fiorello, in collaboration with Mercury Theater Chicago Artistic Director Christopher Chase Carter, presents the full-length feature film Intersect, which beautifully marries dance, storytelling and music.

MAMMA MIA! to be Presented by BAMtheatre

Hinsdale's BAMtheatre will present MAMMA MIA this summer for its High School & College Mainstage Production! The show will take place at Christian Church of Clarendon Hills, 5750 Holmes Ave, Clarendon Hills, IL 60514.

Bruce Vilanch Joins Rhona Frazin Live On Zoom For Porchlight's Movie Musical Monday

Porchlight Music Theatre is proud to announce that next Movie Musical Monday discussion about the movie “Funny Girl” will be hosted by Porchlight Music Theatre Board Member and retired Chicago Public Library Foundation CEO Rhona Frazin with special guest multiple Emmy Award-winner Bruce Vilanch, Monday, June 7 at 7 p.m. CDT. 

Porchlight Music Theatre's PorchlightPalooza Was A Success!

Porchlight Music Theatre held PorchlightPalooza, a three-day virtual festival Friday, Aug. 21 - Sunday, Aug. 23,  in lieu of its cancelled March 23 ICONS GALA.

Music Theater Works Presents MAMMA MIA!; Creative Team Announced

Music Theater Works presents MAMMA MIA! at Cahn Auditorium in Evanston, June 6, through June 14, 2020.

Porchlight Music Theatre Announces Cast and Creative for Disney's FREAKY FRIDAY, A NEW MUSICAL

Porchlight Music Theatre announces the cast and creative team for the Chicago premiere of Disney's Freaky Friday, A New Musical, April 10 - May 24, 2020 at The Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn Street. The musical comedy about a mother and her daughter who switch identities stars Cory Goodrich as 'Katherine,' the mother, and Maya Lou Hlava as Katherine's daughter 'Ellie.'

Mercury Theater Chicago Announces New Leads Of SPAMALOT

Walter Stearns, Executive Director of Mercury Theater Chicago, announced today two new cast members to lead the production of Monty Python's SPAMALOT beginning November 14, with Jeff Diebold as King Arthur, and Keely Vasquez as the Lady of the Lake. SPAMALOT opened on September 8 to rave reviews, with the original cast members, Jonah D. Winston and Meghan Murphy originally at the helm in the roles of King Arthur and the Lady of the Lake. Murphy and Winston will play their final week of SPAMALOT through November 10.     

Photo Flash: Opening Night Photos from Porchlight Music Theatre's SUNSET BOULEVARD

Sunset Boulevard stars Hollis Resnik and is directed by Michael Weber, choreographed by Shanna VanDerwerker and music directed by Aaron Benham.  The regular run performance schedule is Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 3:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. with additional performances Wednesday, Nov. 6; Nov. 13 and Dec. 4 at 7:30 p.m. and Thursday, Oct. 24, Nov. 14 at 1:30 p.m. and Friday, Nov. 29 at 3:30 p.m. and an added performance Sunday, Nov. 24 at 6 p.m. Tickets are $39 - $66 and are available at PorchlightMusicTheatre.org or by calling the Porchlight Music Theatre box office, 773.777.9884. 

BWW TV: Hollis Resnik Sings 'With One Look' In SUNSET BOULEVARD At Porchlight Music Theatre

Porchlight Music Theatre presents Sunset Boulevard at The Ruth Page Center for the Arts. Featuring music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, lyrics and books by Don Black and Christopher Hampton, Sunset Boulevard stars Hollis Resnik and is directed by Michael Weber, choreographed by Shanna VanDerwerker and music directed by Aaron Benham.

Photo Flash: First Look At SUNSET BOULEVARD At Porchlight Music Theatre

Porchlight Music Theatre is proud to announce Sunset Boulevard at The Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn Street, has been extended through Sunday, Dec. 8.

Mercury Theater Chicago Announces Extension Of SPAMALOT

By popular demand, Mercury Theater Chicago's critically acclaimed production of Monty Python's SPAMALOT will be extended into the fall and winter, with performances now running through December 29. Lovingly ripped off from the classic film comedy Monty Python and the Holy Grail, SPAMALOT opened on September 8 to rave reviews, with Amanda Finn of NewCity noting a?oeSPAMALOT makes its triumphant return to Chicago, coconuts and all, in a no-holds-barred, good time show.a?? SPAMALOT is directed by Walter L. Stearns, with music direction by Eugene Dizon and choreography by Shanna VanDerwerker.    

BWW Review: SPAMALOT at Mercury Theater Chicago

A perfect night of theatre it ain't, but for Meghan Murphy's powerhouse diva and a communal bout of well-earned chuckles, SPAMALOT will leave you choosing wisely.

Photo Flash: Porchlight Kicks Off Season With CHICAGO SINGS

Porchlight Music Theatre's 25th anniversary season began with the 14th Annual Chicago Sings concert: Chicago Sings 25 Years of Porchlight, Monday, Aug. 5 at 7 p.m., at The Museum of Contemporary Art, 220 E. Chicago Ave, directed by Christopher Pazdernik and Artistic Director Michael Weber with music direction by David Fiorello and a band featuring Kelsey Boltz, Cara Hartz, John McCreary, Greg Strauss, Celeste Park and Jake Saleh.

Mercury Theater Chicago Announces Cast of Monty Python's SPAMALOT

Walter Stearns, Executive Director of Mercury Theater Chicago, announced today the cast and creative team of the upcoming MONTY PYTHON'S SPAMALOT, running on the main stage from August 30 through November 3.

Porchlight Announces Cast And Crew For SUNSET BOULEVARD Starring Hollis Resnik

Porchlight Music Theatre's 25th Anniversary Mainstage season launches with Sunset Boulevard, October 11 - November 24

Mercury Theater Chicago Announces Outrageous Musical Comedy SPAMALOT

Walter Stearns, Executive Director of Mercury Theater Chicago, announced today that a production of the Tony-Award Winning Best Musical, SPAMALOT. will run on the Mercury Theater stage from August 30 through November 3, 2019. The press opening is Sunday, September 8 at 7pm. Lovingly ripped off from the classic film comedy Monty Python and the Holy Grail, SPAMALOT retells the legend of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table, featuring ridiculous men in tight pants - not to mention cows, killer rabbits, and French people. SPAMALOT will feature the creative talents of Walter Stearns (Director), Eugene Dizon (Musical Director) and Shanna VanDerwerker (Choreographer).

Photo Flash: Porchlight Music Theatre Breaks Records For Attendance And Fundraising At Its Annual Icons Gala

As Porchlight Music Theatre is set to launch its 25th Anniversary Season as Chicago's center for music theatre, it celebrated 24 years and announced its 25th Anniversary co-chairs at the 2019 ICONS Gala Sunday, March 31 at the Ritz-Carlton Chicago, 160 E. Pearson. The 2019 ICONS GALA set a new attendance record with 300 guests in attendance and raised more funds that directly benefit Porchlight's artistic and educational programs than previous events. The elegant Gala Brunch, chaired by Tamara Sims, included performances from Chicago's leading talents celebrating the legendary career of Jerome Robbins, the presentation of The Luminary Award to Jean Klingenstein, introduced the 25th Anniversary chairs: RIck and Deann Bayless and Bill Kurtis and Donna La Pietra and silent and live auctions.

Photo Flash: Porchlight Announces Rachel Rockwell Memorial Fund at Gibson's

Porchlight Music Theatre and its Board Member and Artistic Associate Brenda Didier hosted a luncheon at Gibson's Bar and Steakhouse, 1028 N. Rush Street, on International Women's Day, Friday, March 8 celebrating women in theatre and announced the launch of The Rachel Rockwell Memorial Fund supporting fierce women behind the table at Porchlight Music Theatre and the 2019 honorees  of the Fund: Denise Karczewski, Shanna Vanderwerker and Christie Chiles Twillie.

Porchlight Music Theatre Announces 25th Anniversary Season

Porchlight Music Theatre is proud to announce its 25th Anniversary season that includes the 2019 - 2020 Mainstage, Porchlight Revisits and New Faces Sing Broadway productions.. Porchlight's Mainstage and Porchlight Revisits return to the Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn Street.  

Photo Flash: Porchlight Music Theatre's CAN-CAN Celebrates Opening Night

Porchlight Music Theatre continues its "lost" musicals in staged concert series with Porchlight Revisits Can-Can, music and lyrics by Cole Porter and book by Abe Burrows with direction by Adrian Abel Azevedo, musical direction by Linda Madonia and choreography by Shanna VanDerwerker.