Walter Stearns News

On Sunday, May 29th at 5:30pm Mercury Theater Chicago, 3745 N. Southport Avenue, will host a post-show discussion titled 'Producing THE PRODUCERS' led by director and producer L. Walter Stearns and the cast of THE PRODUCERS.

The Chicago theater community will present a wide variety of plays and musicals, as well as dance and concert offerings this summer. In support, the League of Chicago Theatres will once again create a comprehensive Summer Theater Guide that will be available at hotels, theaters, events, and destinations across the Chicago area.

Mercury Theater Chicago presents the award winning musical comedy sensation THE PRODUCERS, running now through June 26, 2016. It is truly a "boffo" hit, winning a record twelve Tony Awards and wowing capacity crowds night after night. The production is led by Jeff-Award winners L. Walter Stearns (Director), Eugene Dizon (Musical Director), and Brigitte Ditmars (Choreography). BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Mercury Theater Chicago, 3745 N. Southport Avenue, presents the award winning musical comedy sensation THE PRODUCERS, from April 14 to June 26, 2016. It is truly a "boffo" hit, winning a record twelve Tony Awards and wowing capacity crowds night after night. The production will be led by Jeff-Award winners L. Walter Stearns (Director), Eugene Dizon (Musical Director), and Brigitte Ditmars (Choreography). Scroll down to see photos from the company's opening night celebration!

? Porchlight Music Theatre and Artistic Director Michael Weber are proud to announce the 2016 ICONS Gala celebrating the legendary woman whose name is synonymous with Broadway, Ethel Merman, Sunday, May 1, 2016 11:00 a.m. - 2 p.m., at the Grand Ballroom, InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile, 505 N. Michigan Ave. The Gala includes performances from Chicago's leading talents celebrating the rich career of Merman, the presentation of the 2016 Guy Adkins Award for Excellence in the Advancement of Music Theatre in Chicago to E. Faye Butler and silent and live auctions. Proceeds from the event and its accompanying auction benefit Porchlight's educational programs and productions. Tickets are on sale now and require advance purchase, $125 before April 15, $150 after April 15, $50 for children ages 18 years old and younger are available at 773.777.9884 or at PorchlightMusicTheatre.org.

THE CHRISTMAS SCHOONER sails for its fifth year at Mercury Theater Chicago, running now through December 27, 2015. Jeff Award winner Stef Tovar takes the helm as the Schooner's captain, alongside Brianna Borger as the Captain's wife Alma Stossel. BroadwayWorld has photos from the show's opening festivities below!

Like its blessed branch, take it and pass it on.

Mercury Theater Chicago, 3745 N. Southport Avenue, announces that The Christmas Schooner will be sailing for its fifth year at Mercury Theater Chicago, running November 25 through December 27, 2015.  Jeff Award winner Stef Tovar takes the helm as the Schooner's captain, alongside Brianna Borger as the Captain's wife Alma Stossel.  The whole family will enjoy this heart-warming musical story of the first Christmas tree ship and the family who risked their lives to fill Chicago with the Christmas spirit. The production features a powerful, moving story, an exquisite score of original music and traditional holiday favorites, and a company of 25 actors and musicians and is helmed by the Jeff-award winning team of L. Walter Stearns (Director), Eugene Dizon (Musical Director) and Brenda Didier (Choreographer).

Mercury Theater Chicago, 3745 N. Southport Avenue, presents RING OF FIRE: THE MUSIC OF JOHNNY CASH, now playing an extended run through November 1. The musical tribute has received rave reviews from critics and audiences alike and has broken sales records for Mercury Theater Chicago. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

 Mercury Theater Chicago, 3745 N. Southport Avenue, is thrilled to announce that RING OF FIRE: THE MUSIC OF JOHNNY CASH has been extended through November 1. The musical tribute has received rave reviews from critics and audiences alike and has broken sales records for Mercury Theater Chicago. "A good time with a great American artist!" exclaimed Chris Jones of the Chicago Tribune. Hedy Weiss of the Chicago Sun-Times Highly Recommends the production saying it's "A show ablaze with fire and unmitigated fun!"

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. It's our TOP TEN HOT TOPIX for the first half of 2015!

Mercury Theater Chicago, 3745 N. Southport Avenue, is pleased to announce the extension of RING OF FIRE: THE MUSIC OF JOHNNY CASH through August 30. The musical tribute has received rave reviews from critics and audiences alike and has broken sales records for Mercury Theater Chicago. "A good time with a great American artist!" exclaimed Chris Jones of the Chicago Tribune. He also praised Kent M. Lewis' portrayal of Johnny Cash saying, "Lewis does not wear the cloak of the Man in Black; he inhabits him" and Hedy Weiss of the Chicago Sun-Times Highly Recommends the production saying it's "A show ablaze with fire and unmitigated fun!"

Mercury Theater Chicago, 3745 N. Southport Avenue, announces the extension of THE ADDAMS FAMILY - THE MUSICAL. The freakishly funny new musical comedy will now be laid to rest on April 12th. The production has been praised for its significant revisions following its Chicago debut in 2010. The production has been Jeff Recommended and is led by Jeff Award winners L. Walter Stearns (Director), Eugene Dizon (Musical Direction), and Brenda Didier (Choreography).

Porchlight Music Theatre and Artistic Director Michael Weber are proud to announce the 2015 ICONS Gala will celebrate the legendary career of Elaine Stritch, Sunday, April 12, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m., at the Grand Ballroom, InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile, 505 N. Michigan Ave. The Gala will include performances from Chicago's leading divas in a tribute to one of Broadway's leading divas, Ms. Stritch, the presentation of the 2015 Guy Adkins Award for Excellence in the Advancement of Music Theatre in Chicago to director and teacher Dominic Missimi, and silent and live auctions. The fundraising gala will kick off Porchlight's 21st Anniversary of creating 'American Musicals. Chicago Style.' Proceeds from the event and its accompanying auction benefit Porchlight's educational programs and productions.

With over 100 U.S. cities and 30 international regions featured on our site, we have so many exciting theatre happenings around our Broadway World! Below, we've highlighted our top 10 stories from this week. Check out the roundup below!

Mercury Theater hits it out of the park with the kooky, funny and touching 'The Addams Family -The Musical'

Mercury Theater Chicago, 3745 N. Southport Avenue, presents the spooky kooky production of THE ADDAMS FAMILY - THE MUSICAL. The weird and wonderful family comes to devilishly delightful life on January 28th and will be laid to rest on April 5th, 2014. Press opening is Wednesday, February 4th at 7:30pm. This magnificently macabre new musical comedy is created by Jersey Boys authors Marshall Brickman & Rick Elice, and Drama Desk Award winnerAndrew Lippa. The production will be led by Jeff Award winners L. Walter Stearns (Director), Eugene Dizon (Musical Direction), and Brenda Didier (Choreography).

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Musical television series abound! Also special nights for 'Allegro' and 'Reefer Madness,' that Dolphin show at Annoyance, Mercury's 'Addams Family,' a big children's premiere, the return of 'Option Up!' and a surprising, real live 'Beauty!'

On the coldest night of the year, spirits were high at The Call Bar in the Andersonville neighborhood, as the 2014 BroadwayWorld Chicago Awards Celebration was held on Wednesday, January 7, 2015. Hosted by BroadwayWorld Chicago Regional Editor Paul W. Thompson and The Call's hostess, Ashley Morgan, the Celebration lasted from 8:00 pm to the stroke of midnight, as the winners in 36 categories were revealed.