Stacey Flaster News

Here's a listing of the top ten places that are really burning it up in theater this summer, in Chicago and the region nearby. Seek them out, and enjoy!

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 our annual Summer Musical Theater Guide! This week, Part One: Chicagoland. Check out 'The Jungle Book,' 'Kiss Of The Spider Woman,' 'Next To Normal,' 'The Color Purple,' 'Spelling Bee,' 'Cabaret' and a whole lot more!

Light Opera Works artistic director Rudy Hogenmiller will star as the Master of Ceremonies in CABARET, August 10-25, at Cahn Auditorium in Evanston. It will mark Hogenmiller's first stage appearance anywhere since assuming the artistic director title in 2005.

Critically acclaimed director-choreographer Stacey Flaster (Highland Park) and vocal coach Elizabeth Fauntleroy (Lincolnshire) announce the launch of The Performer's School, Chicagoland's premier performing arts school in the north shore area. The school kicks off with audition workshops for 6th-12th graders who have a strong interest in the performing arts. A dance intensive and weeklong summer program are also planned. All classes and workshops will take place at the Highwood Recreation Center, 432 Green Bay Rd., Highwood, IL.

Voting is now underway for the Chicago Awards and continues until December 15, 2012. Winners will be announced in early January. Check out the live standings below.

Voting is now underway for the Chicago Awards and continues until December 31, 2012. Winners will be announced in early January. Check out the latest standings below.

Voting is now underway for the Chicago Awards and continues until December 31, 2012. Winners will be announced in early January. Check out the live standings below!

Voting is now underway for the Chicago Awards and continues until December 31, 2012. Winners will be announced in early January. Check out the live standings below!

Midwest New Musicals continues Words and Music, its concert reading series of original musicals, with WANTING MISS JULIE, book by John Sparks, lyrics by Patricia Zehentmayr and music by Jake Anthony, tonight, November 19, at 7:30 PM at the Light Opera Works Second Stage at 1420 Maple (at Lake) in Evanston. Tickets are $15, available at Light Opera Works box office: (847) 920-5360 or at the door.

Today, BroadwayWorld.com is proud to announce the slate of nominees for the third annual BroadwayWorld Chicago Awards, the only fan-voted theater awards in the Chicagoland area! Expanded to thirty categories this year, the BCAs (or "Broadies") honor Chicago's theater productions and artists in both Equity and Non-Equity categories, including plays, musicals, revues, Theater for Young Audiences, touring shows and special theatrical events. Productions which opened between November 1, 2011 and October 31, 2012 were eligible for nomination. The BroadwayWorld Chicago Awards are the oldest and most popular of the several dozen regional BroadwayWorld Award competitions now being held in the U.S. And you can join the fun by voting for your favorites, and encouraging your friends to vote as the vote totals pile up!

Midwest New Musicals continues Words and Music, its concert reading series of original musicals, with WANTING MISS JULIE, book by John Sparks, lyrics by Patricia Zehentmayr and music by Jake Anthony, on Monday, November 19, at 7:30 PM at the Light Opera Works Second Stage at 1420 Maple (at Lake) in Evanston. Tickets are $15, available at Light Opera Works box office: (847) 920-5360 or at the door.

Big Noise Theatre Company opens its 2012-13 season with the engaging rock-opera JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, now playing weekends through October 21, 2012. Performances will be held at Prairie Lakes Theatre in Des Plaines, IL. The production is directed by Stacey Flaster, and Robert Deason returns to

Big Noise Theatre Company will open its 2012-13 season with the engaging rock-opera JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, opening tonight, September 28th and playing weekends through October 21, 2012. Performances will be held at Prairie Lakes Theatre in Des Plaines, IL. The production is directed by Stacey Flaster, and Robert Deason returns to Big Noise as the show's music director.

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 eagerly-awaited 'Sunday In The Park...' and 'A Class Act,' two tiny venues a block apart debuting pocket musicals, 'Avenue Q' visits Bailiwick Chicago, a 'Carrie' parody, our beloved 'Christmas Schooner' and more....

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'Grease,' 'Godspell,' 'Jesus Christ Superstar,' 'The Rocky Horror Show' and 'Xanadu' bring back the 70s! Plus more, including a big '42nd Street,' two announcements from Light Opera Works, and a weekend with Lonny Price.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'A Class Act' and 'Dreamgirls' open, two takes on 'Singin' In The Rain,' 'The Book Of Mormon' and 'Sexy Baby' extend, Bailiwick Chicago's 'Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson,' and more!

Porchlight Music Theatre launches its 18th season with the Chicago premiere of A Class Act, September 1 - October 7, at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the show below.

Porchlight Music Theatre launches its 18th season with the Chicago premiere of A Class Act, September 1 - October 7, at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the production photos below.

Porchlight Music Theatre launches its 18th season with the Chicago premiere of A Class Act, September 1 - October 7, at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. A Class Act's music and lyrics are by Edward Kleban and the book is by Linda Kline and Lonny Price. Porchlight's production is directed and choreographed by Stacey Flaster with music direction by Beckie Menzie who will personally accompany at the grand piano. Porchlight Artistic Associate Doug Peck plays performances Sept 7, 8 & 9 and Oct 7. A Class Act previews are Saturday, Sept. 1 at 8 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 2 at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. and Monday, Sept 3 at 7:30 p.m. Opening/Press Night is Tuesday, September 4 at 7:30 pm. The regular run schedule is Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Please note: there is no 4 p.m. performance, Saturday, Sept. 8. Tickets are $30 for previews and $39 for all other performances.