Tom Vendafreddo 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. Musicals in unlikely places! 'Carousel' and mariachi opera at Lyric, 'Louis And Keely' at the Royal George, plus one-off shows at the Northlight, Chopin and Court Theatres and Mary's Attic. Coming in 2016: Lifeline, Writers and the Goodman produce 'Northangar Abbey,' 'Company' and 'Wonderful Town!'

Aurora's Paramount Theatre, wower of audiences and critics this season with consecutive smash hits CATS, Mary Poppins and The Who's Tommy, is closing its 2014-15 Broadway Series with Les Miserables, one of the greatest musicals of all time, March 18-April 26, 2015.

Writers Theatre Artistic Director Michael Halberstam and Executive Director Kathryn M. Lipuma announce the Inaugural Season in the company's new theatre center, to include a season kick-off at Books on Vernon with Marjorie Prime by Jordan Harrison, directed by Kimberly Senior, followed by the Grand Opening of the state-of-the-art facility, designed by Jeanne Gang and Studio Gang Architects. Arcadia by Tom Stoppard, directed by Artistic Director Michael Halberstam will be the inaugural production in the Alexandra C. and John D. Nichols Theatre. A new collaboration with Chicago's The Second City entitled Death of a Streetcar Named Virginia Woolf-A Parody, by Tim Sniffen, with additional material by Tim Ryder, directed by Artistic Director Michael Halberstam and Stuart Carden, will open the Gillian Theatre. Company, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by George Furth, directed by William Brown with musical direction by Tom Vendafreddo, will follow Arcadia in the Alexandra C. and John D. Nichols Theatre.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. BIC's fall season schedule, plus Theo's 'JCS,' Woodstock's 'Chaperone,' Kokandy's 'Full Monty' and the Paramount's 'Les Mis.' Also four recent contemporary operas, early and late Sondheim comparisons, this month's 'Option Up,!' and Linda Eder and Jessie Mueller hit the suburbs!

You're not dreaming a dream. Aurora's Paramount Theatre, wower of audiences and critics this season with consecutive smash hits CATS, Mary Poppins and The Who's Tommy, is closing its 2014-15 Broadway Series with Les Miserables, one of the greatest musicals of all time, March 18-April 26, 2015.

Continuing its rapid ascent to the top of Chicago's musical theater landscape, Aurora's Paramount Theatre follows its smash hits CATS and Mary Poppins withThe Who's Tommy, a story of hope, healing and human spirit, filled with soaring anthems and bursting ballads, mind-exploding images and pulsating dance numbers. Check out a first look below!

Continuing its rapid ascent to the top of Chicago's musical theater landscape, Aurora's Paramount Theatre follows its smash hits CATS and Mary Poppins withThe Who's Tommy, a story of hope, healing and human spirit, filled with soaring anthems and bursting ballads, mind-exploding images and pulsating dance numbers. Check out a first look at highlights below!

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 Paramount's 'Tommy,' Drury Lane's 'West Side' and the Marriott's 'La Cage.' Plus 'Stomp' puts its foot down, 'Gent's Guide' books the fall, new shows in development and rewrite, plus 'Louis And Keely' at the Royal George, 'Titanic' at Northwestern and 'Grease' on FOX!

The day after The Who's Tommy debuted on Broadway in 1993, The New York Times exclaimed, '...at long last the authentic rock musical that has eluded Broadway for two generations...an Entertainment Juggernaut.' Twenty-one years later, no other musical has come close to replicating its sure power, electricity and monumental impact.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'Into The Woods' finally opens tomorrow! Plus Porchlight's Sondheim season continues, TMTC's 'Allegro' at Ravinia, Laura Osnes is coming to town, 'Galavant' and the BroadwayWorld Chicago Awards arrive in early January, followed by 'Tommy' in Aurora, 'First Date' at the Royal George, 'The Full Monty' at Theater Wit and more!

The Chicago Artists Chorale, a new group of more than 50 members primarily from the area's theatre community, will present its inaugural concert tonight, Dec. 16 at the First United Methodist Church at the Chicago Temple. A smaller 20-member Chicago Artists Ensemble also will sing at the 7:30 p.m. concert.

The day after The Who's Tommy debuted on Broadway in 1993, The New York Times exclaimed, '...at long last the authentic rock musical that has eluded Broadway for two generations...an Entertainment Juggernaut.' Twenty-one years later, no other musical has come close to replicating its sure power, electricity and monumental impact.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. December is here, and 'Peter Pan' is finally live! Plus Light Opera Works and The Hyprocrites tackle operettas, 'Newsies' and 'Mary Poppins' have significant holiday runs, 'Stomp' and 'Schooner' return, Billy Corgan and Patti Lupone strut their stuff, and the community schedules a tribute to Sheldon Patinkin.

Paramount's Aurora Theatre presents the eye-popping, song-and-dance-filled, supercalifragilisticexpialidocious production of Disney and Cameron Macintosh's Mary Poppins at the beautiful Paramount Theatre in downtown Aurora, now thru Jan. 1. BroadwayWorld brings you a first look at the show below!

Here's how to celebrate the holidays in the most delightful way: take the entire family to an absolutely eye-popping, song-and-dance-filled, supercalifragilisticexpialidocious production of Disney and Cameron Macintosh's Mary Poppins at the beautiful Paramount Theatre in downtown Aurora, now thru Jan. 1.

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 Grinch' opens, Fox Valley bookends Christmas, new shows 'A Christmas Memory' and 'Christmas On The Air,' 'It's A Wonderful Life' times three, plus 'Nutcracker,' 'Nut Cracking,' 'Mary Poppins' and the latest on 'Peter Pan Live!'

The Chicago Artists Chorale, a new group of more than 50 members primarily from the area's theatre community, will present its inaugural concert on Dec. 16 at the First United Methodist Church at the Chicago Temple. A smaller 20-member Chicago Artists Ensemble also will sing at the 7:30 p.m. concert.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Monday night's Jeff Awards at the Drury Lane, and 'Amazing Grace' at the BOAT! Plus 2014's other Broadway In Chicago shows, The Grinch at the Chicago Theatre, local productions of 'Parade,' 'Camelot' and 'Mary Poppins,' the new 'A Christmas Memory,' and the sold-out Humanities Festival tribute to the Tonys!

Here's how to celebrate the holidays in the most delightful way: take the entire family to an absolutely eye-popping, song-and-dance-filled, supercalifragilisticexpialidocious production of Disney and Cameron Macintosh's Mary Poppins at the beautiful Paramount Theatre in downtown Aurora.

The Marriott Theatre presents the Chicagoland premiere of the Broadway Revival of GODSPELL, which opened June 11, and runs through August 10 at 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire, IL. GODSPELL was originally conceived and directed by John-Michael Tebelak, with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, composer of Wickedand Pippin. Director and Choreographer Matt Raftery delivers a fresh, organic, intimate production, literally 'illustrating' the parables of the New Testament and bringing its lessons to life on the Marriott stage. The brilliant recent Broadway arrangements and orchestrations will be delivered under the Musical Direction of Ryan T. Nelson. Check out a look back at opening night below!