Walter Stearns 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. A breakdown of the Equity Jeff Award nominations, plus a world premiere Jane Austen adaptation, 'Guys And Dolls,' 'Starting Here...,' 'Rodgers And Hart...' a Leonard Bernstein tribute and more....

Porchlight Music Theatre, American Musicals. Chicago Style, opens its 17th season with its 14th production of a work by Stephen Sondheim, Putting It Together, directed by Brenda Didier with music direction by Austin Cook, at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave.

Porchlight Music Theatre, nationally recognized for developing innovative new works, reimagining classic productions, and showcasing musical theater's rising stars, announces its 2011-2012 season.

Bailiwick Chicago's upcoming production of the award-winning off-Broadway hit 'Violet,' a powerful and heartwarming story of a vulnerable young woman's challenges, loves and emotional journey, will now be staged September 16 - October 16 at the Mercury Theater, 3745 North Southport Avenue. With a score by Jeanine Tesori ('Caroline or Change' 'Thoroughly Modern Millie') and book and lyrics by Brian Crawley, 'Violet' is directed by Bailiwick Artistic Advisor Elizabeth Margolius. The press night is Tuesday, Sept. 20 at 7:30 p.m.

Porchlight Music Theatre, American Musicals. Chicago Style, opens its 17th season with its 14th production of a work by Stephen Sondheim, Putting It Together, directed by Brenda Didier with music direction by Austin Cook, at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave.

Porchlight Music Theatre, American Musicals. Chicago Style, opens its 17th season with its 14th production of a work by Stephen Sondheim, Putting It Together, directed by Brenda Didier with music direction by Austin Cook, at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. Previews are Sept 2 at 7:30 p.m., Sept 3 at 8 p.m. and Sept 4 at 2 and 6 p.m. with opening/press night Tuesday, Sept 6 at 7:30 p.m.

THE CHRISTMAS SCHOONER brings holiday cheer to the Mercury Theater (3745 N. Southport, Chicago), from November 16 through December 31, 2011.

Porchlight Music Theatre, American Musicals. Chicago Style, opens its 17th season with its 14th production of a work by Stephen Sondheim, Putting It Together, directed by Brenda Didier with music direction by Austin Cook, at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave.

Porchlight Music Theatre, American Musicals. Chicago Style., is proud to announce the first recipient of The Guy Adkins Award for Excellence in the Advancement of Music Theatre in Chicago is former Porchlight Music Theatre (Porchlight) Artistic Director L. Walter Stearns. The award presentation will be one of the events featured at Journey On - A Brunch Benefit for Porchlight Music Theatre, Sunday, July 17 from 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. at The University Club of Chicago, Cathedral Hall, 76 East Monroe Street.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'Million Dollar Quartet,' Midwest New Musicals, 'The Homosexuals,' 'Godspell' at 40, 'The Rose Of Stambul,' a BroadwayWorld Chicago party and more!

Porchlight Music Theatre will present its 2010-2011 season finale, the beloved musical THE KING AND I, for the final performance on June 5, 2011 at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont, Chicago.

Walter Stearns, Executive Director of the Mercury Theater, 3745 N. Southport Ave., announced today that due to popular demand the acclaimed Route 66 Theatre Company's production of A TWIST OF WATER, which enjoyed a sold out run at Theater Wit, will extend through June 26 at the Mercury Theater.

Last weekend was the official opening of a hardworking production of the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic musical play, "The King and I," at Stage 773 courtesy of Porchlight Music Theatre Chicago. Coming simultaneously with the royal wedding goings-on in London, the show rang fascinatingly resonant with attentive audiences,...

A TWIST OF WATER marks the grand re-opening of the Mercury Theater as well as the theater's new commitment to the Chicago arts scene. Executive Director Walter Stearns states: 'The new Mercury Theater will not only welcome commercial theatre productions, but will also offer a home to Chicago artists, as is the case with the transfer of this homegrown production.'

Walter Stearns, Executive Director of the Mercury Theater, 3745 N. Southport Ave., announced today that the acclaimed Route 66 Theatre Company's production of A TWIST OF WATER, which has enjoyed a sold out run at Theater Wit, will transfer to the Mercury Theater previewing April 14, re-opening May 1 for a limited engagement through June 5th.

Porchlight Music Theatre will present its 2010-2011 season finale, the beloved musical THE KING AND I, through June 5 at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont, Chicago.

Walter Stearns, Executive Director of the Mercury Theater, 3745 N. Southport Ave., announced today that the acclaimed Route 66 Theatre Company's production of A TWIST OF WATER, which has enjoyed a sold out run at Theater Wit, will transfer to the Mercury Theater previewing April 14, re-opening May 1 for a limited engagement through June 5th.

Porchlight Music Theatre will present its 2010-2011 season finale, the beloved musical THE KING AND I, previewing April 22 and running through June 5. The Press Opening is on Friday, April 29 at 7:30 p.m. at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont, Chicago.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'Next To Normal,' 'Spring Awakening,' 'The Original Grease,' 'Rent,' the 'Waa-Mu' show, the Helen Hayes Awards, and more....

Porchlight Music Theatre will present its 2010-2011 season finale, the beloved musical THE KING AND I, previewing April 22 and running through June 5.