Dale Benson

William 'Bill' Pullinsi, Candlelight Dinner Playhouse Founder, Dies at 86
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 22, 2026

William 'Bill' Pullinsi, the director and producer credited with pioneering dinner theatre and founding Chicago's Candlelight Dinner Playhouse, has died at 86. His venues launched the careers of Mandy Patinkin, Shelley Long, and others.

Stephen Wallem Joins Porchlight Music Theatre's FOLLIES In Concert At Studebaker Theater
by A.A. Cristi - Jan 22, 2026

Porchlight Music Theatre has announced that Stephen Wallem will join the cast of its Porchlight in Concert production of FOLLIES this spring. The staged concert will take place over two performances at the Studebaker Theater and features Broadway veterans and Chicago favorites.

Stephen Wallem to Replace Alexander Gemignani in FOLLIES in Concert at Porchlight
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 22, 2026

Chicago theatre veteran and TV favorite Stephen Wallem has joined the cast of the Porchlight in Concert production of Follies as “Buddy Plummer.” The cast also features Anthony Rapp and more.

Porchlight Music Theatre Unveils Casting For Porchlight In Concert FOLLIES
by A.A. Cristi - Dec 9, 2025

Porchlight Music Theatre will stage a concert presentation of Stephen Sondheim and James Goldman’s Follies, featuring a cast led by Michelle Duffy, Alexander Gemignani, Angela Ingersoll, and Anthony Rapp.

Longtime Theatre at the Center Artistic Director to Step Down
by Tyler Peterson - Dec 2, 2015

Theatre at the Center, 1040 Ridge Road, Munster, Indiana, one of Chicagoland's leading regional theatres, announces today that as of January 1, William Pullinsi will step down after over a decade as Artistic Director to dedicate his time to pursuing other opportunities while remaining Artistic Director Emeritus. Jeff Award-winner Linda Fortunato will assume the role of Artistic Director. During Pullinsi's time at Theatre at the Center he brought to the stage World Premiere musicals including Knute Rockne, All American and The Beverly Hillbillies; and Regional and Chicago Premieres including Ring of Fire, Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, A Christmas Memory, Making God Laugh, Miracle on South Division Street, Fox on the Fairway, Do I Hear a Waltz, Leading Ladies, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, What a Glorious Feeling and Nice Work if You Can Get It (which he will be directing during TATC's 2016 season).

'The Showtune Mosh Pit' for November 4th, 2015
by Paul W. Thompson - Nov 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!

Drury Lane's WHITE CHRISTMAS Begins Tonight
by BWW News Desk - Oct 29, 2015

'The holidays are a special time here at Drury Lane, and this year will be no exception with our production of White Christmas, featuring Irving Berlin's classic songs that audiences know and love, combined with spirited choreography by Matthew Crowle,' said Osetek. 'Together with this talented cast and creative team, we hope to transport our audiences with this timeless holiday tale.'

'The Showtune Mosh Pit' for September 30th, 2015
by Paul W. Thompson - Sep 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.

Drury Lane's WHITE CHRISTMAS Begins 10/29
by Tyler Peterson - Sep 30, 2015

'The holidays are a special time here at Drury Lane, and this year will be no exception with our production of White Christmas, featuring Irving Berlin's classic songs that audiences know and love, combined with spirited choreography by Matthew Crowle,' said Osetek. 'Together with this talented cast and creative team, we hope to transport our audiences with this timeless holiday tale.'

Photo Flash: Porchlight Celebrates A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM Opening
by BWW News Desk - Apr 22, 2015

Porchlight Music Theatre just celebrated the opening of the final mainstage production in its 20th Anniversary 'Season of Sondheim,' A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, running now through May 24, 2015 at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. BroadwayWorld has photos from the festivities below!

'The Showtune Mosh Pit' for April 8th, 2015
by Paul W. Thompson - Apr 8, 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. Special events on the horizon from Porchlight, FWD and Option Up! Plus new-to-Chicago works from Piven and Bailiwick, colleges do 'Spring Awakening' and 'The Wild Party,' and Emerald City Theatre and Chicago Children's Theatre head for the big time!

BWW Reviews: AND THEN THERE WERE NONE Will Kill You at The Fulton
by Marakay Rogers - Feb 2, 2015

Agatha Christie fans, rejoice. Everyone else rejoice, too. Marc Robin's new production of the Christie classic is absolutely worth it.

BWW Reviews: PPT Presents Chic AND THEN THERE WERE NONE by Agatha Christie
by Peggy Sue Dunigan - Jul 23, 2014

Sit down for a sophisticated cocktail on the Green Bay shores at Door County's Peninsula Players Theatre (PPT) this weekend. Then enter through the theater doors at eight in the evening to enjoy the stage adaptation of Agatha Christie's best selling novel which has sold over 100 million copies to date: And Then There Were None. Considered one of Christie's masterpiece mysteries, the plot centers around a 'Ten Little Indians' poem. A poem eventually changed to 'Ten Little Soldiers' for an American version published around 1940, as the story continued to mesmerize readers and become the best selling mystery novel of all time.

Peninsula Players' AND THEN THERE WERE NONE Opens Tonight
by Tyler Peterson - Jul 9, 2014

Peninsula Players Theatre, America's Oldest Professional Resident Summer Theater and Door County's theatrical icon, continues its 79th season July 9 with Agatha Christie's classic whodunit 'And Then There Were None.' While the Players have produced other Christie works 'And Then There Were None' makes its Players debut with this production.

Peninsula Players Sets 2014 Acting Company
by Tyler Peterson - May 23, 2014

Peninsula Players Theatre, America's Oldest Professional Resident Summer Theater and Door County's theatrical icon, announces cast members for its 79th season, running June 17 through October 19, 2014. The mix of plays includes a world premiere comedy, a classic thriller, a frighteningly funny farce, the Midwest premiere of a Civil War drama and a musical featuring a music icon.

'The Showtune Mosh Pit' for March 26th, 2014
by Paul W. Thompson - Mar 26, 2014

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'Cats' and 'Les Miserables' open in major suburban productions, a world premiere from Hershey Felder, a Chicago premiere from Pride Films And Plays, 'Carnival' spins, Harms and Scrofano feted, season announcements from Porchlight, Williams Street and Milwaukee Skylight, and more!

'The Showtune Mosh Pit' for February 12th, 2014
by Paul W. Thompson - Feb 12, 2014

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'Gypsy' at CST and 'Into The Woods' from The Hypocrites begin, Paula Scrofano honored, Bernadette performs, another out-of-town tryout announced, a Barrel Of Monkeys revue, casting news from the Paramount and the Lyric, the Sarah Siddons Society show and more!

'The Showtune Mosh Pit' for November 6th, 2013
by Paul W. Thompson - Nov 6, 2013

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 winners, the Q Brothers tackle Christmas, The Rascals visit, 'The Dead Prince' debuts, plus three shows extend, the Kiss Kiss Cabaret explodes, Christine Andreas in in Indy and Bruce Vilanch plays Sidetrack!

GOOD PEOPLE, 'SUNDAY IN THE PARK', Michael Shannon, Andre De Shields and More Top 2013 Jeff Awards; Winners Announced!
by BWW News Desk - Nov 4, 2013

At the gala 45th Annual Equity Jeff Awards held at Drury Lane Oakbrook on Monday, November 4, Steppenwolf Theatre Company's 'Good People' received the award for Production-Play in a large tier theatre. Principal Actress Mariann Mayberry was also honored for her role in this David Lindsey-Abaire play, which considers the dangerous consequences of holding on to the past or leaving it behind. William Brown received Best Director of a play for Writers Theatre's production of the French farce 'The Liar', adapted by David Ives.

Actor Dale Benson to be Honored with Special Jeff Award for Career Achievement
by Robert Diamond - Oct 5, 2013