Theresa Ham News

With its surprising melding of off-beat, whimsical humor and serious themes of denial and loss, DARLING GRENADINE makes its Midwest premiere, running June 26th  through August 18th with a press opening on Sunday, July 7that 5:00 p.m. at Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire.

With its surprising melding of off-beat, whimsical humor and serious themes of denial and loss, DARLING GRENADINE makes its Midwest premiere, running June 26th  through August 18thwith a press opening on Sunday, July 7th at 5:00 p.m. at Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire. Featuring an eclectic score and stirring book and lyrics by Daniel Zaitchik, DARLING GRENADINE takes audiences on an emotional journey of highs and lows, where old meets new and romance meets reality. Directed by Jeff Award winner Aaron Thielen, with musical direction by Jeff Award winner Ryan T. Nelson, this exhilarating show continues Marriott Theatre's long tradition of presenting new musicals.

This summer, Chicago Shakespeare Theater presents the 75-minute musical stage adaptation of the timeless 1939 MGM film The Wizard of Oz, directed by Brian Hill and choreographed by Kenny Ingram. Based on the landmark novel by L. Frank Baum and featuring music and lyrics by Harold Arlen and E.Y. Harburg, The Wizard of Oz promises to be the perfect outing for audiences of all ages at Chicago Shakespeare's home on Navy Pier all summer long, July 6-August 25, 2019 with performances on Wednesdays at 11:00 a.m. and Thursdays-Sundays at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.

Drury Lane Theatre announces a special Family Day for its Regional Premiere of Roald Dahl's Matilda The Musical, scheduled for Sunday, June 9, 2019, before the 2:00 p.m. matinee.

Wonder and amazement abound! Drury Lane Theatre announces casting for its Regional Premiere of Roald Dahl's Matilda The Musical, featuring Chicago resident Audrey Edwards and Warrenville native Natalie Galla sharing the title role. With book by Dennis Kelly, music and lyrics by Tim Minchin, and orchestrations and additional music by Chris Nightingale, Roald Dahl's Matilda The Musical is directed and choreographed by Mitch Sebastian and runs April 26 June 23, 2019, at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace.

British novelist Roald Dahl possessed that rare quality in an author of children's books: the ability to captivate the imaginations of his young readers and simultaneously entertain their parents. His distinctive witty prose, dark humor, and eccentric characters are beloved worldwide: a daunting precedent for the Royal Shakespeare Company when it premiered the musical adaptation of MATILDA in 2010, with a book by Dennis Kelly and music and lyrics by Tim Minchin. This production proved wildly successful in the West End (where it is still running), on Broadway, and internationally. Now, Drury Lane Theatre presents the regional premiere, directed and choreographed by Mitch Sebastian.

Wonder and amazement abound! Get a first look below at Drury Lane Theatre's Regional Premiere of Roald Dahl's Matilda The Musical, featuring Chicago resident Audrey Edwards and Warrenville native Natalie Galla sharing the title role.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater, the City of Chicago, Chicago Park District, and Boeing partner to present the annual citywide summer tradition, Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks.

Rehearsals are underway for the Alliance Theatre's upcoming production of the critically acclaimed new musical, RIDE THE CYCLONE.

First Stage concludes its 2018/19 mainstage season with a sparkling new adaptation of TINKER BELL, written by playwright Patrick Flynn and based on the works of Sir J.M. Barrie. This family-friendly adventure brings to the stage characters audiences know and love - Peter Pan, Wendy, the Lost Boys and Captain Hook - but told all from the unique perspective of the feisty fairy, Tinker Bell. With over a dozen different puppets, original music and even some potent fairy dust, Milwaukee families will get to experience theater magic at its best. The world of Neverland will come to life in the Todd Wehr Theater like it has never been seen before! Audience members young and old won't want to miss taking this fantastic voyage in TINKER BELL.

Wonder and amazement abound! Drury Lane Theatre announces casting for its Regional Premiere of Roald Dahl's Matilda The Musical, featuring Chicago resident Audrey Edwards and Warrenville native Natalie Galla sharing the title role. With book by Dennis Kelly, music and lyrics by Tim Minchin, and orchestrations and additional music by Chris Nightingale, Roald Dahl's Matilda The Musical is directed and choreographed by Mitch Sebastian and runs April 26 June 23, 2019, at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace. The press opening is scheduled for Thursday, May 2 at 8:00 p.m.

Raven Theatre continues its 2018-19 season with Paula Vogel's Pulitzer Prize-winning masterpiece HOW I LEARNED TO DRIVE, directed by Artistic Director Cody Estle.

There's a whole lot of shakin' goin' on with the smash hit MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET, running January 16 through March 16, 2019 with a press opening on January 23 at 7:30 p.m. at the Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire. Inspired by a true story, this rockin' tribute is directed by James Moye, joined by Jeff Award-winning Musical Director Ryan T. Nelson. MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET captures the contagious spirit, freewheeling excitement, and thrilling sounds of the once-in-a-lifetime event where four of music's best talents came together.

There's a whole lot of shakin' goin' on with the smash hit MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET, running January 16 through March 16, 2019 with a press opening on January 23 at 7:30 p.m. at the Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire. Inspired by a true story, this rockin' tribute is directed by James Moye, joined by Jeff Award-winning Musical Director Ryan T. Nelson. MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET captures the contagious spirit, freewheeling excitement, and thrilling sounds of the once-in-a-lifetime event where four of music's best talents came together.

There's a whole lot of shakin' goin' on with the smash hit MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET, running January 16 through March 10, 2019 with a press opening on January 23 at 7:30 p.m. at the Marriott Theatre.

Milwaukee Repertory Theater presents Junk, the hit Broadway play by Milwaukee native and Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Ayad Akhtar in the Quadracci Powerhouse now through February 17, 2019.  Since its Broadway premiere at Lincoln Center last year, Ayad Akhtar along with Artistic Director Mark Clements have continued to hone Junk to bring Milwaukee audiences a new, two hour no intermission riveting story set in the financial world of the 1980s.

Milwaukee Repertory Theater presents Junk, the hit Broadway play by Milwaukee native and Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Ayad Akhtar in the Quadracci Powerhouse now through February 17, 2019.  Since its Broadway premiere at Lincoln Center last year, Ayad Akhtar along with Artistic Director Mark Clements have continued to hone Junk to bring Milwaukee audiences a new, two hour no intermission riveting story set in the financial world of the 1980s.

Dear Readers, it has been one crazy year with some amazing theater. You know it's true. We've had dead teens riding a roller coaster, demonic puppets, and an ageless guy with a picture of himself in his attic. And, of course, a hip-hop founding father sweeping through town. But let's not talk about the juggernaut when we have such amazing things right here that blew us all away. At least they blew me away. So, let's talk about what blew me away this past year and what I have chosen to give my BWW 2018 Seattle Critic's Choice Awards (Jay's Picks) to (not to mention all those honorable mentions since often I can't limit myself to just one).

Raven Theatre continues its 2018-19 season with Paula Vogel's Pulitzer Prize-winning masterpiece HOW I LEARNED TO DRIVE, directed by Artistic Director Cody Estle. This artful, surprising and often-funny memory play that explores how we are shaped by the people who hurt us will play February 7 - March 24, 2019 on Raven's 99-seat East Stage, 6157 N. Clark St. (at Granville) in Chicago.

There's a whole lot of shakin' goin' on with the smash hit MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET, running January 16 through March 10, 2019 with a press opening on January 23 at 7:30 p.m. at the Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire. Inspired by a true story, this rockin' tribute is directed by James Moye, joined by Jeff Award-winning Musical Director Ryan T. Nelson. MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET captures the contagious spirit, freewheeling excitement, and thrilling sounds of the once-in-a-lifetime event where four of music's best talents came together.