Steven Perkins 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. Holiday perennials 'The Christmas Schooner,' 'Winter Pageant,' 'Christmas In Chicago' and more, plus 'The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,' 'Carrie' casting, Griffin's 'Bee,' two from Disney and NBC's 'The Sound Of Music!'

Bailiwick Chicago has announced casting for its 2013-14 Season, which features two stunning musicals in their Chicago premieres. Leading the cast of the stirring musical drama DESSA ROSE are Sydney Charles as Dessa Rose (The Color Purple, The Mercury Theatre; Smokey Joe's Cafe, Theo Ubique) and Collective Member Harmony France as Ruth (Violet, Bailiwick Chicago-Jeff nomination; Tell Me on A Sunday, Bailiwick Repertory) with special guest artist Jayson "JC" Brooks as Nathan (Passing Strange, Bailiwick Chicago). The 2012 Off-Broadway revival version of the infamous 1988 musical CARRIE will star Callie Johnson (Pal Joey, Porchlight Music Theatre-Jeff Award; Next to Normal, Drury Lane Oak Brook) as Carrie and Katherine L. Condit as Margaret White (Chess, Original Broadway Company; Joseph and A Chorus Line, National Tours).

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 touring shows are playing this week, with 'Wicked' beginning next week, plus a lot at Northwestern, two spelling bees, more Halloween shows, appearances by Joan Crawford and Elaine Stritch, and more!

SJCChicago LLC announces the Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre's production of Smokey Joe's Cafe - The Songs of Leiber and Stoller at the Royal George Cabaret Theatre, 1641 N. Halsted Ave. will close Sunday, July 21 following its 3 p.m. performance.

SJCChicago LLC is proud to announce the Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre's production of Smokey Joe's Cafe - The Songs of Leiber and Stoller at the Royal George Cabaret Theatre, 1641 N. Halsted Ave. has been extended through August 4.

SJCChicago LLC is proud to announce the Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre's production of SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE - THE SONGS OF LEIBER AND STOLLER at the Royal George Cabaret Theatre (1641 N. Halsted Ave.) has been extended through August 4. The hit production received rave reviews from Chicago and just recently received three Non-equity Jeff Awards for Best Production - Revue, Best Director - Musical or Revue and Best Music Direction. Smokey Joe's Cafe now runs through Sunday, August 4.

SJCChicago LLC has announced the extension of Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre's production of Smokey Joe's Cafe - The Songs of Leiber and Stoller at the Royal George Cabaret Theatre, 1641 N. Halsted Ave. through June 30.

Jonathan Harvey's classic tale of first love returns to the West End 20 years on.

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....

Bailiwick Chicago and The New Colony have teamed up to present the world premiere of Rise of the Numberless, written by The New Colony's Artistic Director Andrew Hobgood, Patriac Coakley and Evan Linder with original music by Chris Gingrich and Julie B. Nichols and lyrics by Chris Gingrich and Andrew Hobgood, who also serves as the director. The production runs now through May 26, 2012 at Collaboraction Studio 300 in the Flat Iron Arts Building, 1579 N. Milwaukee. See photos from the production below!

Nominations for the Chicago-based Non-Equity Jeff Awards were announced today; Theo Ubique leads with 14 nominations

The Jeff Awards today announced 124 nominations in 25 categories for Non-Equity Jeff Awards for productions that opened between April 1, 2011, and March 31, 2012. The Non-Equity Awards honor excellence in Chicago theatres not under a union contract. Jeff Awards judges covered opening nights of 154 productions offered by 71 Non-Equity producing organizations. The judges recommended 64 of those shows, making them eligible for Non-Equity Jeff Award nominations. Thirty-two theatre companies received nominations.

Bailiwick Chicago and The New Colony have teamed up to present the world premiere of Rise of the Numberless, written by The New Colony's Artistic Director Andrew Hobgood, Patriac Coakley and Evan Linder with original music by Chris Gingrich and Julie B. Nichols and lyrics by Chris Gingrich and Andrew Hobgood, who also serves as the director. The production will run April 6 - May 26, 2012 at Collaboraction Studio 300 in the Flat Iron Arts Building, 1579 N. Milwaukee. Press Opening is Tuesday, April 24 2012 at 7:30 PM.

Bailiwick Chicago and The New Colony have teamed up to present the world premiere of Rise of the Numberless, written by The New Colony's Artistic Director Andrew Hobgood, Patriac Coakley and Evan Linder with original music by Chris Gingrich and Julie B. Nichols and lyrics by Chris Gingrich and Andrew Hobgood, who also serves as the director. The production will run April 6 - May 26, 2012 at Collaboraction Studio 300 in the Flat Iron Arts Building, 1579 N. Milwaukee. Press Opening is Tuesday, April 24 2012 at 7:30 PM.

Chicago Center for the Performing Arts presents PASSING STRANGE- Loaded with soulful lyrics and overflowing with passion, the Tony Award-winning rock musical PASSING STRANGE takes us from black, middle-class America to Amsterdam, Berlin and beyond on a journey towards personal and artistic authenticity. It's a universal coming-of-age tale about the explosive intersections and epic synergies of race, class, individuality, sex, drugs, rock... and the place we can't help but call home. Featuring local soul band JC Brooks & The Uptown Sound.

Bailiwick Chicago Presents The Chicago Premiere of the Tony-Award Winning Rock Musical PASSING STRANGE Featuring JC Brooks & The Uptown Sound

Jon Lee joins the hit musical charting the career of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons.

Bailiwick Chicago Presents The Chicago Premiere of the Tony-Award Winning Rock Musical PASSING STRANGE Featuring JC Brooks & The Uptown Sound