From the Balcony: The Ultimate Phan Performs One Night Only 4/18 at Davenport's

From the Balcony: The Ultimate Phan will play one night only on Monday, April 18, 8 PM, at Davenport's Piano Bar & Cabaret,1383 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago. Performer Jason M. Hammond will debut his one-man show about his life-long obsession with Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera. Tickets are available by calling (773) 278-1830 or by visiting davenportspianobar.com.

From the Balcony: The Ultimate Phan is a tell-all cabaret on the subject of one man's love of The Phantom of the Opera. From meeting the stars to sitting in the make-up chair, hear stories and songs revolving around the longest running show in Broadway history-from a guy who loves it very, very much. Audiences will hear numbers from Phantom and Love Never Dies, Andrew Lloyd Webber's sequel to Phantom, as well as other musicals. Those in attendance will also have an opportunity to try their luck at Phantom trivia to win prizes and participate in a Q&A about Phantom history.

Special guests will include Emilie Lynn, who starred as Christine in three international tours of The Phantom of the Opera, as well as Fantine in Les Miserables at Drury Lane, Ellen in Miss Saigon at Paramount Theatre, and Babette in Beauty and the Beast at Chicago Shakespeare Theater. Also appearing is Chicago cabaret performer Scott Gryder, who will be showcasing his Emmy Award-winning puppet skills (WCIU's 'Green Screen Adventures'). Read more about both special guests at emilielynn.com and thescottgryder.com.

Jason M. Hammond most recently appeared in the cast of the Jeff Award winning Chicago Premiere of Sondheim on Sondheim at Porchlight Music Theatre. He also appeared in two consecutive national tours of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer as Santa Claus. Favorite past credits include Nicky (Avenue Q-regional premiere, Santa Ana, Calif.), Yvan (Art, Anthem, Ariz.), Jack (Into the Woods, Phoenix), Willum (The Nerd, Chicago), Bob Cratchit (A Christmas Carol, Los Angeles), Gary (4Play, Chicago), Marcellus (The Music Man, Aliso Viejo, Calif.), The Fool (Accidental Death of an Anarchist, Phoenix) and Mr. MacGregor (Peter Rabbit and Me, Chicago). A former Disneyland Jungle Cruise Skipper, Jason hopes to one day play the title role in The Phantom of the Opera. Jason recently recorded an album of his favorite songs, titled Remember, available at jasonmhammond.weebly.com.

The evening will be directed by Jeff Award nominee Christopher Pazdernik and music directed by Jeff Award winner Aaron Benham. Previous collaborations between Pazdernik and Benham include four hit cabaret revues at Davenport's: It's an Art: the Songs of Stephen Schwartz; Nobody's Side: Broadway's Cult Classics; Un-Type Cast; and Carol and Patti: Together Again for the First Time. In addition to credits with musical theatre companies across Chicago, they are also co-hosts of the long-running live musical theater talk show, Option Up!, in residence at Stage 773.

From the Balcony: The Ultimate Phan performs Monday, April 18, 8 PM, at Davenport's Piano Bar & Cabaret, 1383 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago. $13 cover charge, plus 2 drink minimum. Tickets are available by calling (773) 278-1830 or by visiting davenportspianobar.com. Limited seating; advance reservations highly recommended.

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