CATS and SCHOOL OF ROCK Come to Theatre Under the Stars
Audiences are invited to have a ball and rock out at this summer’s sensational season of Theatre Under the Stars (TUTS), which presents CATS and School of Rock, on stage July 5–August 24, 2024, at Stanley Park’s iconic Malkin Bowl.
Video: Watch the Trailer for FELA! at Olney Theater Center
Watch the trailer and get ready to dance to the rhythms of FELA! at Olney Theater Center. Experience the vibrant sounds and powerful story of this energetic and captivating musical that brings the world of Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti to life. Don't miss out on this must-see theatrical performance.
Review: TONI STONE at Goodman Theatre
What did our critic think of TONI STONE at Goodman Theatre? TONI STONE is a memory play-in more ways than one. Lydia R. Diamond's play is indeed structured in non-linear (and yet, still mostly chronological order) as the titular Toni Stone recounts her memories as the first woman to regularly play professional baseball. It's also a memory play in the sense that it captures a moment in history that many audiences may not know before they see the work. In real life, Toni Stone played for the Indianapolis Clowns, a Negro League team, in 1953. The play itself never references that year-or any dates in Toni's timeline-outright (the program merely lists the setting as '1920's-1940's USA.') Instead, Toni weaves between different moments in her life, diving in and out of them-much like she might dive to catch a ball in the outfield (although she played second base).
Photos: JIM CARUSO'S CAST PARTY Returns to Birdland!
After fifteen months of unwanted hiatus, host/producer Jim Caruso brought his notorious 'Cast Party' back to it's home on the Birdland stage. July 5 marked the return of the wildly popular weekly open mic/variety show that has been bringing Broadway glitz and urbane wit to the historic music room every Monday since 2004.
VIDEO: Watch Oneika Phillips, Lillias White and More Come Together to Spread Joy with FELA!
It's been over a decade since Fela! first took Broadway by storm, and still, in 2020, its cast is united and making a difference. Oneika Phillips, who starred in the 2012 return engagement, put out a call to her cast mates to come together for the #DontRush Challenge. 'It evolved into an even more meaningful project with layers of celebration such as aligning with the ten-year anniversary of the show's 11 Tony nominations, including Sahr as Fela and Lillias White as Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti. A decade ago, we were at the height of breaking ceilings and blowing minds on Broadway,' writes Phillips.
Music Mountain Announces 2020 Summer Music Festival Lineup
Chamber music and jazz aficionados alike will want to mark their calendars for Music Mountain's 91st Season! America's longest-running chamber music festival kicks off on June 7 honoring the late Peter Serkin's legacy, with pianist Benjamin Hochman and Friends playing Bach and Mozart at the 2020 Music Mountain Opening Benefit Concert & Reception.
Underscore Theatre Company Presents its 6th Annual CHICAGO MUSICAL THEATRE FESTIVAL
Underscore Theatre Company will present its 6th annual CHICAGO MUSICAL THEATRE FESTIVAL, created to showcase and support the growing field of musical theatre creators from Chicago and beyond. The 2020 Festival features full productions of eight new musicals, plus two pay-what-you-can staged readings and a showcase of 10-minute musicals. The Festival will be performed simultaneously on two stages from February 3 - 23, 2020 at The Edge Theater: the Broadway (5451 N. Broadway) and the Off Broadway (1133 W. Catalpa Ave.) in Chicago Edgewater neighborhood. Each full production will receive at least five performances during the Festival. Tickets are currently available at www.cmtf.org. The press 'Sneak Preview,' featuring a sampling of songs from the 2020 Festival, is Monday, February 3 at 8 pm.