Walter Stearns News

Executive Director, L. Walter Stearns and partner, Business Manager Eugene Dizon announced today the permanent closure of Mercury Theater Chicago after ten years and 25 productions, due to the loss of revenue following the COVID-19 shutdown.

L. Walter Stearns, Executive Director of Mercury Theater Chicago, announced today an ongoing lineup of three video series featuring past and present Mercury talent, to include actors, musicians and members of several creative teams.

Mercury Theater Chicago announced today the cast and crew of the spectacular musical comedy PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT, running in the Venus Cabaret Theater from March 20 through June 28.

L. Walter Stearns, Executive Director of Mercury Theater Chicago, announced today the cast and creative team of the upcoming SHEAR MADNESS, running on the main stage from February 7 through March 29. The press opening is Sunday, February 16 at 7pm. This hit comedic murder-mystery has slayed the hearts of audiences around the world for more than 40 years, following a mysterious murder above the Shear Madness Salon - leaving it to the audience to catch the killer among the actors. SHEAR MADNESS will be directed by the Jeff Award winning Warner Crocker.

A production of the fun-loving musical comedy PRISCILLA, QUEEN OF THE DESERT will run in the Venus Cabaret Theater from March 20 through June 28. The press opening is Sunday, March 29 at 7:30pm. Adapted from the beloved movie-musical The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, PRISCILLA tells a fabulous story of love, family, and true friendship, following three drag queens on their adventures across the Australian Outback. PRISCILLA will feature the creative talents of L. Walter Stearns (Director), Eugene Dizon (Music Director), and Breon Arzell (Choreographer).

L. Walter Stearns, Executive Director of Mercury Theater Chicago, announced today that a production of the hit murder mystery comedy SHEAR MADNESS will run on the main stage from February 7 through March 29. The press opening is Sunday, February 16 at 7pm. This comic murder mystery has slayed the hearts of audiences around the world for more than 40 years, following the story of a murder committed above the Shear Madness Salon - leaving it up to the audience to catch the killer among the actors. SHEAR MADNESS will be directed by the Jeff Award winning Warner Crocker.

Walter Stearns, Executive Director of Mercury Theater Chicago, announced today two new cast members to lead the production of Monty Python's SPAMALOT beginning November 14, with Jeff Diebold as King Arthur, and Keely Vasquez as the Lady of the Lake. SPAMALOT opened on September 8 to rave reviews, with the original cast members, Jonah D. Winston and Meghan Murphy originally at the helm in the roles of King Arthur and the Lady of the Lake. Murphy and Winston will play their final week of SPAMALOT through November 10.     

Walter Stearns, Executive Director of Mercury Theater Chicago, and Artists Lounge Live announced today the upcoming Holiday programming in the Venus Cabaret Theater, with An Unforgettable Nat King Cole Christmas starring Evan Tyrone Martin, running from December 7 through December 15, and Merry Christmas Darling: Heidi Kettenring Sings Karen Carpenter running from December 20 through December 29.  

Porchlight Music Theatre's 25th anniversary season began with the 14th Annual Chicago Sings concert: Chicago Sings 25 Years of Porchlight, Monday, Aug. 5 at 7 p.m., at The Museum of Contemporary Art, 220 E. Chicago Ave, directed by Christopher Pazdernik and Artistic Director Michael Weber with music direction by David Fiorello and a band featuring Kelsey Boltz, Cara Hartz, John McCreary, Greg Strauss, Celeste Park and Jake Saleh.

Walter Stearns, Executive Director of Mercury Theater Chicago, announced today the cast and creative team of the upcoming MONTY PYTHON'S SPAMALOT, running on the main stage from August 30 through November 3.

Porchlight Music Theatre is proud to announce the 14th Annual Chicago Sings concert: Chicago Sings 25 Years of Porchlight, Monday, Aug. 5 at 7 p.m., at The Museum of Contemporary Art, 220 E. Chicago Ave, directed by Christopher Pazdernik and Artistic Director Michael Weber with music direction by David Fiorello. Reception begins at 6 p.m. with a cocktail hour and light appetizers. Performances, awards ceremony and paddle raising begins at 7 p.m. in the Edlis Neeson Theatre. Tickets are on sale for $125 at PorchlightMusicTheatre.org or by calling 773.777.9884. Tickets at the door will be $150. The event has reserved seating and supports Porchlight Music Theatre's educational and artistic programming.

Walter Stearns, Executive Director of Mercury Theater Chicago, announced today that a production of the Tony-Award Winning Best Musical, SPAMALOT. will run on the Mercury Theater stage from August 30 through November 3, 2019. The press opening is Sunday, September 8 at 7pm. Lovingly ripped off from the classic film comedy Monty Python and the Holy Grail, SPAMALOT retells the legend of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table, featuring ridiculous men in tight pants - not to mention cows, killer rabbits, and French people. SPAMALOT will feature the creative talents of Walter Stearns (Director), Eugene Dizon (Musical Director) and Shanna VanDerwerker (Choreographer).

Walter Stearns, Executive Director of Mercury Theater Chicago, announced today the summer extension of the hit production of LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, now running through Sunday, June 30. The show opened March 10 to rave reviews, with the Chicago Sun Times declaring "LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS is decidedly charming, with a killer love story," PerformInk proclaiming the production "boasts an excellent cast and terrific music, and moves far beyond the limits of traditional musical theatre," and the Chicago Reader noting "LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS hits all the right notes." This hit sci-fi musical has devoured the hearts of audiences around the world for more than 30 years, following the story of floral assistant who stumbles across a new breed of carnivorous plant that promises to grant him fame, fortune and all his desires - as long as the blood keeps flowing.

Mercury Theater Chicago kicked off its 2019 lineup with LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, running on the main stage from March 1 through April 28.

Walter Stearns, Executive Director of Mercury Theater Chicago, announced today the cast and creative team of the upcoming LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, running on the main stage from March 1 through April 28. The press opening is Sunday, March 10 at 7:30pm. This hit sci-fi musical has devoured the hearts of audiences around the world for more than 30 years, following the story of floral assistant who stumbles across a new breed of carnivorous plant that promises to grant him fame, fortune and all his desires - as long as the blood keeps flowing. LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS will feature the creative talents of Walter Stearns (Director), Eugene Dizon (Musical Director) and Christopher Carter (Choreographer)

Walter Stearns, Executive Director of Mercury Theater Chicago, announced today that a production of Howard Ashman and Alan Menken's musical LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS will run on the main stage from March 1 through April 28. The press opening is Sunday, March 10 at 7pm. This hit sci-fi musical has devoured the hearts of audiences around the world for more than 30 years, following the story of floral assistant who stumbles across a new breed of carnivorous plant that promises to grant him fame, fortune and all his desires - as long as the blood keeps flowing. LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS will feature the creative talents of Walter Stearns (Director), Eugene Dizon (Musical Director) and Chris Carter (Choreographer)

A mainstay of the Belmont Theater District, Mercury Theater Chicago's critically acclaimed production of AVENUE Q moves into its final weeks with a closing date of December 30. With incredible runs on the Mercury stage in 2014 and 2018, this lovingly revived Broadway musical comedy appealed to the heart and humor of more than 40,000 audience members, earning widespread critical acclaim with coverage from the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun Times, WTTW's "Chicago Tonight" and WGN Radio, and awards from Broadway World and the Joseph Jefferson awards, including 12 Broadway World Award nominations for the 2018 production. By its closing date, AVENUE Q will have played 355 performances over 12 months, placing it as one of the longest-running homegrown musicals in Chicago history.

By popular demand, Mercury Theater Chicago's critically acclaimed production of AVENUE Q has extended performances for the second time, now running through December 30. After an incredible run in 2004, this lovingly revived Broadway musical is wowing audiences yet again with its relatable humor and heartwarming message. Directed by L. Walter Stearns, AVENUE Q opened on June 21 to rave reviews, with Chris Jones of the Chicago Tribune noting "AVENUE Q is a long-running hit all over again in Chicago. 'Warning, puppet sex' once again appears on the Mercury's marquee," and WTTW's Chicago Tonight highly recommending the show, remarking "it's not only clever and refreshingly frank but wholly charming."

Cue the jazz hands--Stephen Schwartz and Roger O. Hirson's PIPPIN has arrived at Mercury Theater's Venus Cabaret in an intimate staging that brings the actors and the audience together. Mercury Artistic Director L. Walter Stearns's interprets this cabaret production of PIPPIN in a literal manner: the show's visual references and presentational style are highly influenced by the 1920s Weimar cabaret in Germany. Thus, the fictional story of Charlemagne's son Pippin does not at all take place in medieval times but rather seems to occupy a moment all its own. Given the eccentricities in the material for PIPPIN itself, this is a fitting choice.

By popular demand, Mercury Theater Chicago's critically acclaimed production of AVENUE Q has extended performances for the second time, now running through December 30.  After an incredible run in 2004, this lovingly revived Broadway musical is wowing audiences yet again with its relatable humor and heartwarming message. Directed by L. Walter Stearns, AVENUE Q opened on June 21 to rave reviews, with Chris Jones of the Chicago Tribune noting "AVENUE Q is a long-running hit all over again in Chicago. 'Warning, puppet sex' once again appears on the Mercury's marquee," and WTTW's Chicago Tonight highly recommending the show, remarking "it's not only clever and refreshingly frank but wholly charming."