Sydney Charles News

Today, The Hawk Chicago announced nominations for the inaugural Chicago Theatre Awards, a contest in which all winners are chosen entirely by audience vote. The first round, which invited write-in submissions, ended June 23rd. The official nominees were decided by almost 1,600 voters.

Definition Theatre Company, under the leadership of Artistic Director Tyrone Phillips and Managing Director Neel McNeill, announces casting for the first play of its 2017-2018 season, the Chicago premiere of An Octoroon by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins (Gloria, Appropriate), produced in association with Goodman Theatre.

Today, the producers of "Spamilton," the critically acclaimed parody of "Hamilton," announced that select tickets to the Chicago production are available for Tuesday and Wednesday evening performances for $35.  The critically hailed production is now playing in an open-ended run at the Royal George Theatre (1641 N. Halsted).

Firebrand Theatre, the first musical theatre company committed to employing and empowering women by expanding opportunities on and off the stage, is pleased to announce casting for its inaugural production, the Chicago premiere of LIZZIE, the rock musical based on the true-life story of accused axe-murderess Lizzie Borden. LIZZIE will play November 11 - December 17, 2017 at The Den Theatre's Bookspan Theatre, 1333 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago's Wicker Park neighborhood. Single tickets for LIZZIE are currently on sale at firebrandtheatre.org. Season subscriptions (including 9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL) are currently available. 

 Pride Films and Plays will again host its annual Nominee Night cabaret showcasing many of the musical theater performers nominated in the Non-Equity Jeff Awards. The nominees were announced on April 24 and the awards will be presented June 5, 2017 at the Atheneaum Theatre. This year's cabaret will for the first time be performed in the Broadway, Pride Arts Center - the new home the company acquired in summer 2016. The theater is located at 4139 N. Broadway, Chicago. Audience members will have the opportunity to purchase raffle tickets for a door prize drawing for $400.00 in airfare from Southwest Airlines.

The Jeff Awards announced, via a special video presentation, a total of 127 nominations in 26 categories for the 44th Annual Non-Equity Jeff Awards for productions that opened between April 1, 2016, and March 31, 2017.  Hosting the video presentation were Alexis Roston and Lillian Castillo, who will be this year's Mistresses of Ceremonies at the Awards event on June 5 at The Athenaeum.

Due to popular demand, Kokandy Productions hit revival of THE WIZ will add one additional week of performances, extending through April 23, 2017 at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago. BroadwayWorld has a fresh batch of production photos below!

Under the direction of Lili-Anne Brown, Kokandy Productions' staging of THE WIZ radiates joy, and at the performance I saw Saturday night, the audience was soaking up every single joyful moment. From my vantage point, I can say that the audience reaction comes from the satisfaction of watching a solid musical theater production that leans into the musical numbers and embraces this all-black version of the classic THE WIZARD OF OZ to milk it for every possible ounce of delight and vibrancy. All of the ensemble members onstage seem to be truly enjoying themselves, and that energy is undeniably infectious.

Kokandy Productions is pleased to launch its fifth anniversary season with a revival of the Tony Award-winning Best Musical THE WIZ, with book by William F. Brown, music and lyrics by Charlie Smalls, directed by guest director Lili-Anne Brown, music direction by Jimmy Morehead and choreography by Breon Arzell. THE WIZ will play March 5 - April 16, 2017 at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago. Tickets are currently available at www.kokandyproductions.com, by calling (773) 975-8150 or in person at the Theater Wit Box Office. The press opening isSaturday, March 11 at 8 pm. 

Kokandy Productions is pleased to launch its fifth anniversary season with a revival of the Tony Award-winning Best Musical THE WIZ, with book by William F. Brown, music and lyrics by Charlie Smalls, directed by guest director Lili-Anne Brown, music direction by Jimmy Morehead and choreography by Breon Arzell. THE WIZ will play March 5 - April 16, 2017 at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago. Tickets are currently available at www.kokandyproductions.com, by calling (773) 975-8150 or in person at the Theater Wit Box Office. The press opening isSaturday, March 11 at 8 pm. 

Emerald City Theatre (ECT) Artistic Director Jacqueline Stone announced casting today for the Chicago premiere of The Snowy Day and Other Stories by Ezra Jack Keats, adapted from the books by Ezra Jack Keats by Jerome Hairston and directed by Jacqueline Stone with movement direction by Aileen McGroddy.

Emerald City Theatre (ECT) Artistic Director Jacqueline Stone announced casting today for the Chicago premiere of The Snowy Day and Other Stories by Ezra Jack Keats, adapted from the books by Ezra Jack Keats by Jerome Hairston and directed by Jacqueline Stone with movement direction by Aileen McGroddy.

Kokandy Productions will launch its fifth anniversary season with a revival of the Tony Award-winning Best Musical THE WIZ, with book by William F. Brown, music and lyrics by Charlie Smalls, directed by guest director Lili-Anne Brown, music direction by Jimmy Morehead and choreography by Breon Arzell. 

Kokandy Productions has announced casting for its upcoming revival of the Tony Award-winning Best Musical THE WIZ, directed by guest director Lili-Anne Brown with music direction by Jimmy Morehead and choreography by Breon Arzell, playing March 5 - April 16, 2017 at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago.

???????Start your Halloween off right and join the coven! Due to popular demand, Firebrand Theatre presents the return of its hauntingly popular witch-themed cabaret NO ONE HERE BUT US WITCHES on Monday, October 31 at 7 pm at Uptown Underground, 4707 N. Broadway in Chicago.

Jackalope's 9th season kicks off with the U.S. premiere of Octagon, written by Kristiana Rae Colon, directed by Tara Branham, with the full cast and production team announced below.

Jackalope's 9th season kicks off with the U.S. premiere of Octagon, written by Kristiana Rae Colon, directed by Tara Branham, with the full cast and production team announced below.

The Sydney Symphony Orchestra and Chief Conductor and artistic director david Robertson are excited to announce their 2017 season, with offerings for every concert-goer, from classical music a cionados to lovers of new australian music and those looking forward to their first orchestral experience.

Victory Gardens Theater announces casting for each of the 2016 IGNITION Festival of New Plays selected works, including The Wayward Bunny by Greg Kotis; BREACH: a manifesto on race in America through the eyes of a black girl recovering from self-hate by Antoinette Nwandu; EOM (end of message) by Laura Jacqmin; Kill Move Paradise by James Ijames; Gaza Rehearsal by Karen Hartman; and Girls In Cars Underwater by Tegan McLeod.

Victory Gardens Theater announces casting for each of the 2016 IGNITION Festival of New Plays selected works, including The Wayward Bunny by Greg Kotis; BREACH: a manifesto on race in America through the eyes of a black girl recovering from self-hate by Antoinette Nwandu; EOM (end of message) by Laura Jacqmin; Kill Move Paradise by James Ijames; Gaza Rehearsal by Karen Hartman; and Girls In Cars Underwater by Tegan McLeod.