Beverly Arts Center's 2014 Theater Series Opens Tonight with BAC TO BROADWAY

The Beverly Arts Center's 2014 Professional Theater Series opens tonight, Jan. 11 with "BAC to Broadway," a cabaret show featuring music from Broadway shows. The three-show series continues with "Songs for a New World" in March and "Ain't Misbehavin'" in June.

Staged for an intimate evening of Broadway song and dance with BAC professionals and friends, "BAC to Broadway" will feature Michael Mejia, Ryan Westwood, Megan Kearney, Don Abbott, Ricky Harris, Tim Stompanato, Warren Jackson and Frazee. These professional actors, most of whom are connected to the BAC by having performed or taught there, bring their talents to full volume as they raise funds for the upcoming shows in the BAC Professional Theater Series.

Written and composed by Jason Robert Brown, "Songs for a New World" is a musical without a plot that features songs focused on one theme: the transformative changes that occur when something momentous happens. The show will be staged at theBAC March 28 through 30.

Named for a song by Fats Waller and paying tribute to the black musicians of the 1920s and 30s, "Ain't Misbehavin'" is filled with terrific music from the heyday of the Cotton Club and the Savoy Ballroom.

The BAC performances will be June 13 through 15. All productions will be performed at the Beverly Arts Center (BAC), 2407 W. 111th St., Chicago. Tickets to "BAC toBroadway" are $20 and proceeds from the show will benefit the BAC Professional Theatre Series. Tickets for "Songs for a New World" and "Ain't Misbehavin'" are $22 each ($20 for Beverly Arts Center members). Buy tickets to all three shows for $60 ($54 for BACmembers). Tickets and information: www.beverlyartcenter.org and 773-445-3838.