'The Showtune Mosh Pit' for September 8th, 2010

THE LATEST IN UNAUTHORIZED GOSSIP AND BUZZ

FROM THE HEART OF CHICAGO'S SHOWTUNE VIDEO BARS,

AND MUSICAL THEATER NEWS FROM CHICAGO TO BROADWAY

by Paul W. Thompson

Overheard last weekend under the showtune

video screens at Sidetrack and the Call: 

Even as the school-year theatrical season gets going out of the starting blocks, two major names on Chicago's musical theater scene have made announcements of upcoming productions. Bailiwick Chicago, the "collective" formed just one year ago, has made its somewhat-delayed 2010-2011 season announcement, and the musicals it includes makes this announcement a doozy! First up will be a new show called "Departure Lounge," just coming off the new musicals circuit and planning its London debut later this month. With book, music and lyrics by Douglas Irvine, the show will being performances in Chicago on October 28, 2010, in the Royal George Cabaret Theater space on Halsted Street. Tom Mullen will direct, and Bailiwick Artistic Director Kevin Mayes will musical direct. 

In late February of 2011, Bailiwick will bring us "Violet," the award-winning off-Broadway show with music by "Shrek" composer Jeanine Tesori--her first major success. (Elizabeth Margolius will direct.) And then, in mid-April, will come the Chicago premiere of "Passing Strange," the musical which deservedly (IMHO) defeated "In The Heights" for the Best Book Tony award in 2008 and was filmed by Spike Lee, starring its principal writer, Stew. If it's anything like this summer's Bailiwick production of "Aida," this production of "Passing Strange" will be a major theatrical event. How exciting! 

Bailiwick Chicago's Season 

The other season announcement we all heard earlier this week is for a little further from the Loop, and a little further into the future. Munster, Indiana's Theatre At The Center has just announced "Nunset Boulevard," "The Wiz," "Guys And Dolls" and "Another Night Before Christmas" as its musical offerings during 2011. The latest "Nunsense" musical, "Nunset Boulevard" will run in May, staged by Stacey Flaster. "The Wiz" (also staged by Flaster) will run in July, the usually remarkable "Guys And Dolls" will open in mid-September (a year from now), and at holiday time, 2011, TATC Artistic Director William Pullinsi will helm a Chicago-area premiere of "Another Night Before Christmas," described as a "witty and tuneful holiday favorite." That's quite a mix of shows, Mr. Pullinsi! 

Theatre at the Center's Season 

Speaking of Pullinsi and TATC, he is now directing the Chicago-area premiere of "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" there, which in final preparations and first previews this week for its run through October 10th. With a score by David Yazbek ("The Full Monty"), the show was seen downtown briefly, but hasn't yet been mounted locally. Should be stylish and snappy. Dark comedy, anyone? Who's in? 

Theater at the Center - On Stage 

Some 60-odd miles to the north and west of Munster, in Lincolnshire, the Marriott Theatre is putting in its bid for your attention this Super September, with an in-the-round production of the originally very proscenium "A Chorus Line." This legendary Pulitzer Prize-winning musical is in previews now with what sounds like a slam-bang cast, under the direction of Mark Lococo (Director of Theatre at Loyola University Chicago) and with choreography by Rachel Rockwell. Broadway's Mara Davi (seen here last year in the Goodman Theatre's Jeff-nominated "Animal Crackers," is Cassie ("The Music And The Mirror"), and Chicago's Tim Gregory is her director-choreographer-ex Zach, with dancer-choreographer Matt Raftery as dance captain Larry (I think he is Larry in real life, too!). We're excited to see Laura Taylor's Judy and Alex Aguilar's Mike. Aren't they perfect? The show runs through October 31. Here are the first two production photos: 

Marriott's A CHORUS LINE 

Some younger Mosh Pit residents may not be aware that "Big River" is the show that made the out-of-town tryout at a non-profit theater (as opposed to a commercial theater) a viable path for a new Broadway show. The Roger Miller tuner is doing some trailblazing once again, as it heralds the arrival of the Bohemian Theatre Ensemble at its new mainstage home, the new Theater Wit space on Belmont Avenue. Huck and Jim will ride the big raft once again. The show runs September 10--October 10. 

Bohemian Theatre Ensemble 

In the near western suburbs, a similar theater move is taking place via the stage version of the movie "The Wedding Singer." Forest Park's Circle Theater is beginning performances down the street in Oak Park (at the Village Players space) on September 17, and will run the Matthew Sklar tuner on weekends there through Halloween. Eric Lindahl and Rachel Quinn star, directed and choreographed by Kevie Bellie. Big hair, anyone? It is being designed by Michael Buonincontro, who knows a thing or two about that topic. 

The Wedding Singer - Circle Theatre 

And, speaking of films, a new one is coming out on November 24 that has a lot of folks salivating, dreaming or just plain itching to hear the soundtrack! I'm talking of course about the movie musical "Burlesque," written and directed by Steven Antin. With names in the cast like Christina Aguilera, Alan Cumming, Peter Gallagher, and, um, Cher (not to mention Kristen Bell, Cam Gigandet, Stanley Tucci, Julianne Hough and Eric Dane), the Most Pit is crackling with excitement! Will it be another "Chicago," or another "Nine?" "Moulin Rouge" or the second "Fame?" We should know before three more months are up. Simmer down, now! 

Burlesque (2010) 

And so, with great new shows on the boards, great ones in the pipeline, a movie to scratch our multiplex itch, and "Billy Elliot" still holding forth on Randolph Street, all's right in the showtune world. Happy Fall, peeps, and I'll see you soon, under those video screens.....--PWT

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