Paul W. Thompson, a contributor to BroadwayWorld.com since 2007, is a Chicago-based singer, actor, musical director, pianist, vocal coach, composer and commentator. His career as a performer, teacher and writer is centered at Paul W. Thompson Music, located in Chicago’s historic Fine Arts Building, where he teaches the great songs of Broadway to the next generation of musical theater performers. A native of Nashville, Tennessee, Paul was raised in a family of professional musicians and teachers, steeped in classical, gospel, country, pop, sacred and show music. Dubbed a “thin, winsome lad” at the age of 13 by a critic for the Nashville Banner, he earned two degrees in musical theater (a B.F.A. with Honors from Baylor University and an M.M. from the University of Miami, Florida), plus an M.B.A. with Distinction from DePaul University. Paul’s memberships include Actors’ Equity Association, the American Guild of Musical Artists, the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (proud voter for the Grammy Awards!), the National Association of Teachers of Singing and New York’s Drama League.Moving easily between the worlds of classical music, religious music, classic pop and musical theater, Paul has appeared onstage or in the orchestra pit in concerts, musicals, operettas and operas in 30 states and in Europe, in a career spanning more than 35 years. His Chicagoland stage credits include “Forever Plaid” at the Royal George Theater and twenty mainstage productions at Light Opera Works. Paul joined the Chicago Symphony Chorus in 1995 (he was Tenor I Section Leader for four years and sings on two Grammy-winning recordings), and is one of Chicago’s foremost liturgical singers, marking 20 years as a member of the choir at St. James Cathedral (Episcopal) in 2011.He has composed and arranged a number of anthems, hymns and songs for worship and concert use, and collaborates on the creation of new works of musical theater. Paul can be found on Monday nights watching showtune videos at the world-famous Sidetrack nightclub, the inspiration for his weekly column, “The Showtune Mosh Pit.” His proudest achievement is that he has seen the original Broadway production of every Tony Award-winning Best Musical since “Cats.” No, really. Since “Cats!”
January 11, 2016
The Chicagoland theater world showed its strength last night, when the musical productions "American Idiot," "Billy Elliot" and "Les Miserables," and plays like "Direct from Death Row the Scottsboro Boys" and "The Glass Protege," took home top honors at the sixth annual BroadwayWorld Chicago Awards Celebration, held from 7-10 pm at The Call nightclub in the Andersonville neighborhood.
January 7, 2016
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 the very last Mosh Pit! Paul is leaving BroadwayWorld Chicago, and he's prepared a few thoughts on who we all are and what it all might mean. Thanks for reading, peeps! See you around the Chicagoland showtune community!
January 6, 2016
BroadwayWorld.com, the largest theatre web site in the world, announces today that Paul W. Thompson, Editor of BroadwayWorld Chicago, has decided to step down from his post effective January 15, 2016. Misha Davenport, a Contributor to the Chicago regional site since 2011, will assume the reigns.
December 30, 2015
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 the TOP TEN HOT TOPIX for the last half of 2015! What are the shows and stories we've been most excited about? Here they are! I hope you have a happy new year. And I'll see you at The Call on January 10, 2016 for the BroadwayWorld Chicago Awards Celebration!
December 23, 2015
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 the 2015 BroadwayWorld Chicago Awards Celebration, Sunday, January 10, 2016. Join us at The Call nightclub! Plus the top ten shows running right now. Holiday plus Celebration!
December 16, 2015
The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'Gotta Dance' makes announcements, and 'My Way' and 'Christmas Dearest' extend. 'A Midwinter Mummers Tale' sells out, as'Guys And Dolls' rounds out the year. DePaul hosts a new children's musical, Northwestern hosts the Sarah Siddons Society, and 'Nunsense' aims for series regularity. And vote for the BWW Chicago Awards!
December 9, 2015
The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Details on the arrivals of 'Hamilton' and 'If/Then,' and Bill Pullinsi's and Michael Flatley's retirements mark the end of two eraa. 'Far From Heaven' and 'Heathers' will premiere locally, and 'Bel Canto' bows at the Lyric Opera. 'Daddy Long Legs' streams, 'Option Up!' debuts new works, and voting for the BroadwayWorld Chicago Awards heats up!
December 3, 2015
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 Wiz Live!' has arrived, as have the casts of three tours to the Loop. 'Bridges' is in Iowa, though. The Marriott takes on 'Spring Awakening,' and the Piccolo Theatre, Congo Square and Theo Ubique do December in their own ways. The Second City opens another revue, and in Milwaukee, 'My Fair Lady!'
November 25, 2015
The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'Plaid Tidings,' the Q Brothers and 'Die Hard' bring us holiday shows, and shows come and go at Lyric Opera and the Royal George. 'The Wiz' comes to TV and to a Bailiwick benefit, and 'The Lion King' and 'Pinocchio' promise family-friendly fare. And buy 'Season Of Carols 3!'
November 18, 2015
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 Goodman Theatre makes two big announcements, and two theaters produce 'It's A Wonderful Life.' Chicago originals 'Kokandy Christmas,' 'Barney The Elf' and 'Santaland Nut-Cracking...' open soon, and 'Ain't Misbehavin',' 'Rent' and 'Gypsy' bring the holiday alternatives. And Chicagoans on Broadway, Part ???!
November 11, 2015
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 BWW Chicago Award nominations are out and voting is open! Broadway In Chicago is bringing us five musicals for the holidays, and the Goodman, House, Barrel Of Monkeys and Mercury theaters are bringing us their perennials. Plus some future shows, and two Sherlock Holmes musicals!
![It's the 2015 BroadwayWorld Chicago Award Nominations! [TITLE OF SHOW] and DIRECT FROM DEATH ROW Lead the Field of 180 Nominees](https://cloudimages2.broadwayworld.com/columnpic7/200200462711B5-AF25-A73A-7775ACE8F1B69B8A.jpg?format=auto&width=400)
November 9, 2015
It's the 2015 BroadwayWorld Chicago Award Nominations! [TITLE OF SHOW] and DIRECT FROM DEATH ROW... Lead the Field of 180 Nominees. 86 productions from 55 theaters receive nominations in 36 categories. Voting open through New Year's Eve!
November 4, 2015
The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Holiday musicals are at 100% in our big suburban theaters! Plus two of our annual 'Christmas Carol' offerings, a new show called 'Tinsel!,' 'Gypsy' and 'Oliver!' for those not yet ready to celebrate things, and the return of 'Christmas Dearest' from Hell In A Handbag at Mary's Attic. Happy Holidaze!
October 28, 2015
The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'Irving Berlin' arrives in town, and screenings of 'Little Shop' and 'Oklahoma!' light 'em up. Jess Godwin sang with Kristin Chenoweth, and a Thanksgiving musical prepares, as do 'Seussical,' 'The Merry Widow' and 'My Way.' And Broadway In Chicago and the Drury Lane Theatre announce lineups for 2016!
October 21, 2015
The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. We've got Halloween shows this week, like 'Side Show,' 'Goblin Market,' 'One Brain More' and 'Ride The Cyclone.' There are various 'Rocky Horror' shows, concerts of 'The Nightmare Before Christmas' and 'No One Here But Us Witches,' dueling downtown concerts by Kristen Chenoweth and Leonard Bernstein, a suburban 'Avenue Q,' and the impending close of 'Million Dollar Quartet.' After how long???
October 14, 2015
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 BWW Chicago Awards are taking submissions! Plus there's a CST cast album, a new 'Gypsy,' 'Show Boat' on TV, and the 'My Fair Lady' film in theaters. Davenport's has interesting shows, a new project gives us an unknown musical, CCT premieres one, Cult Camp stages an obscure one, and Broadway In Chicago announces its 2016 subscription series!
October 7, 2015
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 Equity Jeff Awards get it right! 'Scottsboro,' 'Cyclone' and 'Hollywood' serve up new delights, 'Pinafore' does it old school, and 'Goblin Market' and 'Nightmare Before Christmas' scare us. Christmas comes via Kokandy and the Q Brothers, and 'Grease: Live' is set for FOX-TV!
September 30, 2015
The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'Gentleman's Guide' reaches our shore, and 'Gotta Dance' and 'SpongeBob' plan the same. Madonna battles the French Revolution, dueling 'American Idiot's and 'Blood Brothers' debut, 'White Christmas' lasts nine weeks and 'Rent' returns for one night only. Plus 'Empire' conquers TV, and 'Hamilton' conquers everyone.
September 23, 2015
The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'Oklahoma!' is very ok, as are 'Side Show,' 'Triassic Parq' and 'Next To Normal,' 'The Revel' and 'One Brain More' join Super September, and 'Cupid' keeps his heart on. Porchlight has 'Babes In Arms' and a 'New Faces' series, 'Irving Berlin' and 'Elf'plan to light up the holidays, and 'The Wiz' gets replaced by 'Xanadu!'
September 16, 2015
The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Excitement grows for 'La Revolution Francaise!' Also, Black Ensemble Theater and Raven Theatre take on more recent history, and 'Spamalot' opens northwest and southeast. 'Triassic Parq' and 'Goblin Market' play the city, 'Shrek' and 'Avenue Q' play the 'burbs, and 'Crazy Ex-Girlfriend' and 'My Little Red/Green Coat' sing from small screens!
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