Maggie Portman News

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Tours of 'Persuasion,' 'Pippin' and '42nd Street,' dueling productions of 'American Idiot,' Michael Kingston and Jane Lynch solo out, 'Bette' adds a date, Theo Ubique announced 'Blood Brothers,' Porchlight sets the season, and 'The Wiz Live!' gets movin' down the road!

Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre Artistic Director and Co-Founder Fred Anzevino has announced the cast for Blood Brothers, the megahit British musical by Willy Russell that will open the company's 2015-16 season, The musical drama is the story of twin brothers separated at birth - one raised by a rich family, the other by the impoverished birth mother of the boys. In the leading role of the boys' mother, Mrs. Johnstone, will be Kyrie Anderson. Her sons Mickey (the son she kept) and Edward (the son adopted by a wealthy couple) will be played by Charlie Mann and Cody Jolly, respectively. Victoria Oliver and Darren Hill have been cast as Mr. and Mrs. Lyons, the couple who adopt Edward. Dana Anderson will play Linda, the romantic interest of both brothers, and Cullen Rogers will be the criminally inclined Sammy. Jordan Phelps has the role of The Narrator and Whitney Rappana, Ryan Dooley and Ryan Armstrong will comprise the  ensemble.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Our Tony Awards Viewing Party is Sunday night, and the non-Equity Jeffs are on Monday! Theo Ubique prepares its Marvin Hamlisch revue and announces next season, a whole bunch of new musicals get a hearing, and AMTP teaches songwriting. 'Murder Ballad' gets a reprise, 'Ring Of Fire' gets an extension, and bikinis and witches heat up June!

Theo Ubique's 2015-16 season will have a decidedly Anglo-American flavor, featuring two of the longest-running musicals from each side of the Atlantic along with cabarets saluting America's all-time favorite crooner and one of England's most successful songwriting teams for theatre and film.

Paramount's Aurora Theatre presents the eye-popping, song-and-dance-filled, supercalifragilisticexpialidocious production of Disney and Cameron Macintosh's Mary Poppins at the beautiful Paramount Theatre in downtown Aurora, now thru Jan. 1. BroadwayWorld brings you a first look at the show below!

Here's how to celebrate the holidays in the most delightful way: take the entire family to an absolutely eye-popping, song-and-dance-filled, supercalifragilisticexpialidocious production of Disney and Cameron Macintosh's Mary Poppins at the beautiful Paramount Theatre in downtown Aurora, now thru Jan. 1.

The 46th Annual Jeff Awards ceremony honoring excellence in professional theatre produced within the immediate Chicago area is tonight, October 13 at Drury Lane Oakbrook, 100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace.

Here's how to celebrate the holidays in the most delightful way: take the entire family to an absolutely eye-popping, song-and-dance-filled, supercalifragilisticexpialidocious production of Disney and Cameron Macintosh's Mary Poppins at the beautiful Paramount Theatre in downtown Aurora.

Chicago actress, TV and film star Jane Lynch did the honor today of announcing the nominees for the 2013-2014 Equity Jeff Awards.

Goodman Theatre's production of Lerner and Loewe's 1947 musical Brigadoon lovingly pays homage to the tradition of classic American musical theatre while also retaining a sense of exuberance and delight. Helmed by director and choreographer Rachel Rockwell, this production does not shy away from spectacle and largely has the talent to back it up. The show preserves Lerner and Loewe's lush music and lyrics with an updated book by Brian Hill that provides an even sense of pacing and storyline.

Goodman Theatre presents Brigadoon. Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe's legendary musical of Broadway's Golden Age, under director/choreographer Rachel Rockwell, tells the enchanting tale of an 18th century Scottish village that appears every century for one day only -- and the complications that arise when it's discovered by two 20th century Americans. Book writer Brian Hill revisits the libretto for this production, while music director Roberta Duchak and an orchestra of 13 use new orchestrations to enhance Loewe's lilting score. Brigadoon runs June 27 to August 10 in the Albert Theatre. Check below for photos from the production!

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'Brigadoon' and 'The Last Ship' bust their moves, 'Kinky Boots' and 'Jersey Boys' announce returns, midsummer closings loom, 'Marvelettes,' 'Spelling Bee' and 'Seussical' open, the new shows 'Jim And Dave' and 'Apes Of Wrath,' plus a noteworthy trio at Davenport's and more!

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 latest Jeff Award nominations, 'Brigadoon' gets cast, 'The Sound Of Music' and 'Motown' light up the Loop, new musicals from Writers Theatre and American Theater Company, 'Nunsense,' 'The Wild Party,' a new web series to support and more!

Casting is complete and rehearsals begin May 20 for Goodman Theatre's new production of Brigadoon-Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe's big, beautiful and beguiling song and dance fantasy. Chicago director/choreographer Rachel Rockwell, hailed as a "brilliant, insightful, mistress-of-grand-scale musicals" (Chicago Sun-Times) and named "2012 Chicagoan of the Year" by the Chicago Tribune, makes her Goodman debut. Brigadoon runs June 27 - August 3 in the Albert Theatre (opening night is Monday, July 7). Tickets ($25 - $93; subject to change) are on sale now, available atGoodmanTheatre.org/Brigadoon, by phone at 312.443.3800 or at the box office (170 North Dearborn). JPMorgan Chase is the Major Corporate Sponsor. Allstate Insurance Company and PwC are Corporate Sponsor Partners. Towers Watson is the Opening Night Sponsor. Chicago Tribune is the Media Partner. A full performance calendar follows.

Li'l Buds Theatre presents Those Silly Reindeer! This original musical for families was co written by J. Preddie Predmore and the critically acclaimed actress Jenny Lamb most recently praised for her work as Sally Bowles in Cabaret at Light Opera works. Li'l Buds continues it's tradition of casting professional actors and children together to create a high quality theatrical experience that speaks to kid and adult audiences alike.

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 BCA nominations are out, Levi Kreis leads a reading, 'We Three Lizas' return, two holiday shows from Broadway In Chicago, three more versions of 'A Christmas Carol,' more reindeer, and Palatine's 'White Christmas.' And it's still early November!

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Big local openings ('Miss Saigon,' 'Hello, Dolly!' and 'Mary Poppins'), holiday fare like Menken's 'A Christmas Carol,' the return of 'We Three Lizas' and more, season announcements from MTC and LOW, plus the Season Of Concern CD and a BroadwayWorld Chicago Awards deadline!

Li'l Buds Theatre presents Those Silly Reindeer! This original musical for families was co written by J. Preddie Predmore and the critically acclaimed actress Jenny Lamb most recently praised for her work as Sally Bowles in Cabaret at Light Opera works. Li'l Buds continues it's tradition of casting professional actors and children together to create a high quality theatrical experience that speaks to kid and adult audiences alike.

Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, presents the Tony Award-winning musical sensation HELLO, DOLLY!, currently running through January 5, 2014. HELLO, DOLLY! stars Tony Award winner Karen Ziemba as 'Dolly Levi.' She received the Tony Award, the Drama Desk Award, and the Outer Critics Circle Award for her performance in Lincoln Center Theatre's Contact. BraodwayWorld has photos from opening night below!