Once Upon A One More Time - 2020 - Chicago Articles Page 1

The Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board will present the milestone edition of the Montco Jazz Fest across Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, curated by Artistic Director JOANNA PASCALE with more than 30 concerts and events.

Ukrainian cinema is having an unlikely run on the international festival circuit. Even with the industry hollowed out by full-scale war, Ukrainian directors and producers turned up in force at Cannes this May, and earlier in 2026 Kyiv committed roughly 124 million dollars to a new national cultural fund, the Thousand Spring program, part of it set aside for film, as The Globe and Mail reported. Underneath the numbers sits a stubbornly practical question: how does a small, battered national cinema get its work selected by the most competitive festivals on the planet, and then keep it there?

The selection of Frozen as the summer musical served multiple masters. Thematically, it fit within Encore’s 2025-2026 season’s theme of “Finding Yourself,” as the story of Queen Elsa discovering how to better control her powers also serves as a metaphor for self-love, self-acceptance, and self-esteem. Frozen also, let’s be honest, has always been a crowd-pleaser. It has a near universal appeal for various attendees who’d be interested in seeing a production at Dr. Phillips Center. Musical Theatre Acolytes. Disney Adults. Families looking for kid-friendly entertainment.

The Flea announced the cast of BEYOND THE STARDUST, an immersive nightlife show conceived by Niegel Smith and The Illustrious Blacks, featuring aerialists, vocalists, and dancers in an Afro-disco-space-punk production.

Now running at The Laura Pels Theatre at the Harold and Miriam Steinberg Center for Theatre is A Walk on the Moon. Inspired by the acclaimed 1999 film, A Walk on the Moon is directed by Tony Award nominee Sheryl Kaller and features a book and additional lyrics by original screenwriter Pamela Gray, music and lyrics by Tony Award and Grammy Award nominee AnnMarie Milazzo, and choreography by Josh Prince. In this interview, Talia Suskauer, who plays 'Pearl', reflects on the rehearsal process and the journey of the new musical so far.

Tony Danza returns to 54 Below with his Sinatra tribute show this July, joined by Linda Eder and a packed lineup of Broadway and cabaret stars.

Newsies, featuring music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Jack Feldman, and a book by Harvey Fierstein premiered on Broadway in 2012. BroadwayWorld is looking back at what the cast has been up to since the show first burst onto Broadway!

At a time when stories are being challenged, erased, and reimagined in real time, the communities most impacted are often cared for the least, with few industry spaces designed specifically for their support. In 2020, three powerhouse theater artists and Tony Award nominees, Amber Iman, Jocelyn Bioh, and Danielle Brooks, set out to change that. What began as a desire to celebrate Black women working in theater has grown into Black Women on Broadway (BWOB), a thriving community dedicated to mentorship, recognition, wellness, and professional development for Black women working both onstage and behind the scenes.

The Pulitzer Prize-nominated writer and actor Eisa Davis discusses her new play at the Vineyard, ||:GIRLS:||:CHANCE:||:MUSIC:||, as well as her other upcoming projects including a revival of Angela’s Mixtape and the new musical Warriors.

Contemporary circus company, Circa, has come to Charleston, South Carolina, as part of Spoleto USA’s 50th season,  with their Humans 2.0.  This is the next installment after their successful Humans production — although with their current creation and context, the “2.0” more ironically evokes a software upgrade than a performance sequel.

Next week, 54 Below will present the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond, including Claire Kwon, Clint Holmes, Sing4Her in support of The Foundation for Women’s Cancer and more. 

The Soraya announced its 2026-27 season featuring 45 performances, eight major debuts including Sutton Foster, Snarky Puppy, Audra McDonald, and Dance Theatre of Harlem, plus the introduction of incoming Executive & Artistic Director Chad Hilligus.

Today’s subject Kemi-Bo Jacobs is currently living her theatre life onstage playing Agnes in the esteemed Royal Shakespeare Company’s (RSC’S) production of Hamnet. Yes, this is the role Jessie Buckley recently won the Best Actress Oscar for, just to end the comparison thing now. The show is presented by our very own Shakespeare Theatre Company (STC) and runs through April 12th at Harman Hall.

In April, 54 Below will present some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond, including Marilyn Maye, Claybourne Elder and many more. 

China Plate and Fuel announced a new touring initiative, 'Touring Together,' featuring INUA ELLAMS' ONCE UPON A TIME IN SOKOTO as the inaugural production in collaboration with various UK venues.

Despite the odds being stacked against them, this Florida-based student theater company stages Hedwig and the Angry Inch, a profound expression of queer resilience and joy.

GRAMMY Award-winning organist Paul Jacobs will join the Cleveland Orchestra for a series of performances featuring POULENC’S ORGAN CONCERTO. Scheduled for April 2026, these concerts mark a notable return of Jacobs, who is renowned for his mastery in organ music. The event promises to showcase his exceptional skills alongside one of the most respected orchestras in the world, offering audiences a profound musical experience.

Performances are now underway for Dog Day Afternoon, a new play by Pulitzer Prize winner Stephen Adly Guirgis. Meet the cast of Dog Day Afternoon here!

It’s… Hairspray! BroadwayWorld is taking a look back at what the cast of this beloved musical has been up to since the show first graced the Broadway stage!

The Muny has selected the seven teams of directors, choreographers, music directors and lead designers whose creative visions will shape the Tony Award-winning theatre’s 2026 season in Forest Park.

Next week, 54 Below will present some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond, including Melissa Errico, Sondheim Unplugged: The Final Season and more. 

An exceptionally tight production of the hit show where nearly everything goes right.

Taylor Swift’s new album The Life of a Showgirl dropped on October 3rd, and it includes plenty of references—some explicit and some ambiguous—to real showgirls throughout history. Many of these women have a Broadway past worth exploring that adds new context to Swift’s songs.

We caught up with actor Ben Ahlers, who shed light on portraying Jack's latest arc in The Gilded Age, unpacked what might be next in store for the character, and discussed both the current and past complications of living in New York City. 

Trying to plan your entertainment for the week or looking for a fun show to see this weekend? We have you covered with jazz, cabaret, comedy, and more including free outdoor summer concerts, musical theater star Christine Pedi and the JLCO.