Melody Betts News

A new program is coming to town! Music Dance Theatre Workshops brings Broadway performers to Indianapolis to give personalized coaching and performance instruction to young actors in the central-Indiana arts community. All teaching artists are originally from the Midwest, most with ties to Indianapolis. These performers, many with Broadway credits, are excited to give back to the community that shaped them into the artists they have become today!

Philadelphia's Broadway dreams came true for the fourth consecutive summer when The Broadway Dreams Foundation (BDF) partnered with The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts to present their Summer Performing Arts Intensive, July 30 through August 5, 2012. Jason Robert Brown, Tony Award-winner for Parade, and a faculty of Broadway professionals taught master classes during the week to aspiring Philadelphia area students interested in pursuing a career in musical theatre. Check out photos of Brown in workshop and the faculty and students performing in concert below!

Motherhood the Musical announced today they are giving away complimentary donuts from Dunkin' Donuts and $10 gift certificates to Standard Market, a specialty food store in Westmont, to all mothers in the audience on Mother's Day during performances at 2 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Additionally, one lucky mom will be chosen at each performance to receive a $200 gift certificate to Standard Market.

The joyous journey and loving look at the blessings and perils of being a Mom is the subject of the new musical sensation, Motherhood the Musical, starring Madeline Duffy-Feins as "Amy," Jennifer Chada as "Barb," Kimberly Vanbiesbrouck as "Brooke," and Melody Betts as "Tasha." The musical runs at the Royal George Theatre, 1641 N. Halsted, through May 20. Motherhood the Musical is produced by GFour Productions, the team who successfully brought Menopause The Musical to every major market in the United States.

The joyous journey and loving look at the blessings and perils of being a Mom is the subject of the new musical sensation, Motherhood the Musical®. The hilarious and insightful show will delight Chicago audiences when it debuts at the Royal George Theatre, running through May 20. Motherhood the Musical® is produced by GFOUR Productions, the team who has successfully brought Menopause The Musical® to every major market in the United States. It is current playing at the Royal George Theatre in Chicago. Check out the opening night photos below!

The joyous journey and loving look at the blessings and perils of being a Mom is the subject of the new musical sensation, Motherhood the Musical®. The hilarious and insightful show will delight Chicago audiences when it debuts at the Royal George Theatre, running through May 20. Hailed as "Engaging, hilarious, and touching!" by Variety, Motherhood the Musical® is produced by GFOUR Productions, the team who has successfully brought Menopause The Musical® to every major market in the United States. Check out the production photos below!

Motherhood the Musical® announced today they are giving away free tickets to new and expectant mothers whose children are born between now and Mother's Day on May 13. To participate, mothers are asked to call the Royal George Theatre Box Office at 312.988.9000 and mention they are pregnant or visit the Box Office at 1641 N. Halsted Street with a photo of their newborn baby or a hospital bracelet. The offer includes one complimentary ticket and is valid through April 30. Complimentary tickets must be picked up in person at the Box Office unless combined with another order. Motherhood the Musical®, starring Madeline Duffy-Feins as "Amy," Jennifer Chada as "Barb," Kimberly Vanbiesbrouck as "Brooke," and Melody Betts as "Tasha" is a joyous journey and loving look at the blessings and perils of being a Mom. The show will preview on March 30, open April 12 and run through May 20 at the Royal George Theatre. Motherhood the Musical® is produced by GFour Productions, the team who has successfully brought Menopause The Musical® to every major market in the United States.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Theo Ubique's 'Piazza,' 'Motherhood,' Team StarKid's latest, tribute concerts at Ravinia and Mayne Stage, Ramin Karimloo's arrival, plus Loop musicals 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 2011 BroadwayWorld Chicago Award nominations, 'WSS' everywhere, 'The Baker's Wife,' dueling TYA 'Babes In Toyland' shows, a 'Seussical' and more....

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) presents the world premiere family musical The Adventures of Pinocchio, which will close on August 28, 2011.

On Wednesday, August 3, host Jim Caruso and musical director Billy Stritch made their second trip to Chicago's Mayne Stage Theater with 'Cast Party,' the extreme open mic that has been running at Birdland in NYC for the past eight years, as well as on the road in Los Angeles, Orlando, Austin, and Pittsburgh.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) presents the world premiere family musical The Adventures of Pinocchio from July 13 to August 28, 2011. Based on Carlo Collodi's classic tale of a wooden puppet who yearns to be a real boy, this original CST Family commission will turn CST's Courtyard Theater stage into a larger-than-life, European-style marionette theater. Created by multiple Drama Desk Award-nominated team Neil Bartram (music/lyrics) and Brian Hill (book), The Adventures of Pinocchio is directed by Rachel Rockwell, who returns to CST after staging last summer's world premiere CST Family musical The Emperor's New Clothes. Tickets for The Adventures of Pinocchio from July 13 to August 28, 2011, in CST's Courtyard Theater are $18-$25 with special discuonts available for groups of 10 or more. All patrons receive a 40% parking discount at Navy Pier garages. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Chicago Shakespeare Theater's Box Office at 312.595.5600 or visit the Theater's website at www.chicagoshakes.com.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. A BroadwayWorld party tonight at The Call, a new 'Pinocchio,' 'Pinkalicious,' 'Aladdin,' that Blues Brothers show, 'The Wiz,' Midwest New Musicals, Part II, more....

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) presents the world premiere family musical The Adventures of Pinocchio from July 13 to August 28, 2011. Based on Carlo Collodi's classic tale of a wooden puppet who yearns to be a real boy, this original CST Family commission will turn CST's Courtyard Theater stage into a larger-than-life, European-style marionette theater. Created by multiple Drama Desk Award-nominated team Neil Bartram (music/lyrics) and Brian Hill (book), The Adventures of Pinocchio is directed by Rachel Rockwell, who returns to CST after staging last summer's world premiere CST Family musical The Emperor's New Clothes. Tickets for The Adventures of Pinocchio from July 13 to August 28, 2011, in CST's Courtyard Theater are $18-$25 with special discuonts available for groups of 10 or more. All patrons receive a 40% parking discount at Navy Pier garages. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Chicago Shakespeare Theater's Box Office at 312.595.5600 or visit the Theater's website at www.chicagoshakes.com.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) presents the world premiere family musical The Adventures of Pinocchio from July 13 to August 28, 2011. Based on Carlo Collodi's classic tale of a wooden puppet who yearns to be a real boy, this original CST Family commission will turn CST's Courtyard Theater stage into a larger-than-life, European-style marionette theater. Created by multiple Drama Desk Award-nominated team Neil Bartram (music/lyrics) and Brian Hill (book), The Adventures of Pinocchio is directed by Rachel Rockwell, who returns to CST after staging last summer's world premiere CST Family musical The Emperor's New Clothes. Tickets for The Adventures of Pinocchio from July 13 to August 28, 2011, in CST's Courtyard Theater are $18-$25 with special discuonts available for groups of 10 or more. All patrons receive a 40% parking discount at Navy Pier garages. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Chicago Shakespeare Theater's Box Office at 312.595.5600 or visit the Theater's website at www.chicagoshakes.com.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) presents the world premiere family musical The Adventures of Pinocchio from July 13 to August 28, 2011. Based on Carlo Collodi's classic tale of a wooden puppet who yearns to be a real boy, this original CST Family commission will turn CST's Courtyard Theater stage into a larger-than-life, European-style marionette theater. Created by multiple Drama Desk Award-nominated team Neil Bartram (music/lyrics) and Brian Hill (book), The Adventures of Pinocchio is directed by Rachel Rockwell, who returns to CST after staging last summer's world premiere CST Family musical The Emperor's New Clothes. Tickets for The Adventures of Pinocchio from July 13 to August 28, 2011, in CST's Courtyard Theater are $18-$25 with special discuonts available for groups of 10 or more. All patrons receive a 40% parking discount at Navy Pier garages. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Chicago Shakespeare Theater's Box Office at 312.595.5600 or visit the Theater's website at www.chicagoshakes.com.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) presents the world premiere family musical The Adventures of Pinocchio from July 13 to August 28, 2011. Based on Carlo Collodi's classic tale of a wooden puppet who yearns to be a real boy, this original CST Family commission will turn CST's Courtyard Theater stage into a larger-than-life, European-style marionette theater. Created by multiple Drama Desk Award-nominated team Neil Bartram (music/lyrics) and Brian Hill (book), The Adventures of Pinocchio is directed by Rachel Rockwell, who returns to CST after staging last summer's world premiere CST Family musical The Emperor's New Clothes. Tickets for The Adventures of Pinocchio from July 13 to August 28, 2011, in CST's Courtyard Theater are $18-$25 with special discuonts available for groups of 10 or more. All patrons receive a 40% parking discount at Navy Pier garages. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Chicago Shakespeare Theater's Box Office at 312.595.5600 or visit the Theater's website at www.chicagoshakes.com.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'White Christmas,' 'The Wind In The Willows,' 'Striking 12,' 'The Nativity,' 'The Other Cinderella, 'Cats,' music theater at Lyric Opera of Chicago, more....

Marriott Theatre continues their smash hit 35th Anniversary Season with the exhilarating Broadway musical Once on this Island. The production previews June 30, opening July 7 and runs through August 29 at 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire, IL. The production will be Directed and Choreographed by Jeff Award winner David H. Bell, and will star Chasten Harmon as Ti Moune.

Now playing through August 29, 2010 at the Marriott Theatre in north suburban Lincolnshire is a playful and moving, family-friendly and Afro-Caribbean production of "Once On This Island," the first Broadway musical (1990) from the writing team of Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty.