Freddie Mercury News

After two years of record-breaking sales, Mercury Theatre today announce their new pantomime for Christmas 2023, Sleeping Beauty, which is now on sale.  The production will star pantomime royalty and Mercury Theatre regulars Antony Stuart-Hicks and Dale Superville.

All new rehearsal photos have been released for Mercury Theatre’s upcoming production of Deborah McAndrews’ They Don’t Pay? We Won’t Pay!, a new adaptation of Dario Fo and Franca Rame’s Sottopaga? Non si paga!.

Mercury Theatre, led by Executive Director Steve Mannix, Executive Producer Tracey Childs and Creative Director Ryan McBryde, have announced their two latest Premier-level partners for 2023: The George Hotel and Fiducia Wealth Management.

Mercury Theater has extended the run of Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill, directed by Christopher Chase Carter and Alexis J. Roston, written by Lanie Robertson, and starring Alexis J. Roston as Billie Holiday.

What did our critic think of LADY DAY AT EMERSON’S BAR AND GRILL at Mercury Theater Chicago? To say Alexis J. Roston's performance as Billie Holiday in LADY DAY AT EMERSON'S BAR AND GRILL is a masterclass in acting and singing is no exaggeration. Roston gives the kind of lived-in, seamless performance that only comes from knowing the material intimately well, and indeed, it's a role she's played many times before.

Mercury Theatre has announced the full cast for their upcoming production They Don't Pay? We Won't Pay!, Deborah McAndrews' adaptation of Dario Fo and Franca Rame's Sottopaga? Non si paga!. Mercury Theatre Creative Director Ryan McBryde directs Joseph Alessi (Jack), Olatunji Ayofe (Lewis), Laura Doddington (Anthea), Tesni Kujore (Maggie) and Marc Pickering (Constable/ Sergeant/Undertaker/Pops).

Ahead of opening the world première adaption of Manjeet Mann's Carnegie Medal-winning young adult novel Run Rebel, Mercury Theatre has announced their new production of Charles Dickens' novel, Great Expectations, as part of their Spring/Summer season.

Artists Lounge Live's Signed, Sealed, Delivered: A Stevie Wonder Experience with John-Mark McGaha, written and directed by Angela Ingersoll and music directed by Will Kurk, will run February 23 – March 12, 2023 at Mercury Theater Chicago.

Mercury Theater has released production photos of The Golden Gals Live!, directed by and starring Ginger Minj and produced by Fruit Wine Productions. The Golden Gals Live! runs through February 12, 2023 at Mercury Theater Chicago. Check out the photos here!

Mercury Theater has announced the first production of the 2023 Season, Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill, directed by Christopher Chase Carter and Alexis J. Roston, written by Lanie Robertson, and starring Alexis J. Roston as Billie Holiday and Nygel D. Robinson as Jimmy.

Mercury Theatre, led by Executive Director, Steve Mannix, Executive Producer, Tracey Childs and Creative Director, Ryan McBryde, has announced their programming into 2023.  Learn more about the full lineup here!

On Thursday 2 December, Mercury Theatre in Colchester livestreamed their pantomime, Beauty and the Beast, to 30 hospices, care homes and hospitals across Essex. The theatre were keen to make sure that those who would not be able to attend in person were able to watch the show from the comfort of their own space. Organisations taking part included: St Helena's Hospice, Little Havens Hospice and Colchester General Hospital.

Mercury Theater will present The Golden Gals Live!, directed by and starring Ginger Minj and produced by Fruit Wine Productions. The Golden Gals Live! runs January 13 – February 12, 2023 at Mercury Theater Chicago.

Kathy Zimmer returns to the Mercury Lounge on December 20, at 7:45PM. Opening at 6 PM are singer-songwriters Angie Pastor and Jackie Evans.

Stiles + Drewe and Mercury Musical Developments have announced the winner of the Stiles + Drewe Best New Song Prize 2022. Twelve finalist songs from new British musicals were presented last night at The Other Palace, in a concert hosted by Olivier Award-winner Janie Dee.

All new rehearsal photos have been released for Beauty and the Beast, which opens on Saturday 3 December at the Mercury Theatre, with previews from Saturday 26 November 2022, and runs until Sunday 15 January 2023.

Mercury Theatre has announced their Playwrights, Producers and Directors cohort for their 2022/23 programme. This follows a hugely successful year offering support and development to their talented 2021/22 alumni.

What did our critic think of CLUE at Mercury Theater Chicago? Mercury Theater’s CLUE is a comedic delight of a production. The laughs flow freely and easily in this stage adaptation of the farce-meets-murder-mystery based on the iconic 1985 film. Director L. Walter Stearns’s ensemble lands each and every moment, maximizing the laughs but maintaining the integrity. These actors understand the assignment of both farce and murder mystery: The characters in CLUE take themselves and the outrageous situations of the play deeply seriously, and the ensemble finds the comedy in playing those truths. It’s a near masterclass in how farce should be performed. The fact that the play is only 90 minutes also means the stage adaptation doesn’t overstay its welcome: There’s just enough time to set up the mystery, play the antics, and send audiences home after a delightful, hilarious time.

All new clips have been released for Clue, opening tonight at Mercury Theater Chicago. Check out the video here!

The 2023 Mercury Theater Chicago season has been announced, opening with Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill, written by Lanie Robertson and starring Alexis J. Roston as Billie Holiday, to be performed in the Venus Cabaret Theater.