Amanda Giles

Strawdog Announces Cast of HERSHEL & THE HANUKKAH GOBLINS
by A.A. Cristi - Sep 29, 2023

Strawdog announces the cast of 'Hershel & the Hanukkah Goblins,' a musical adaptation of Eric Kimmel's beloved book. The show runs from December 3-23, 2023, at the Chicago Loop Synagogue. Tickets are free but require advance registration.

BELTING FOR LIFE Returns In-Person For The 7th Annual Event In Support Of Howard Brown Health 
by A.A. Cristi - May 2, 2022

Chicago's favorite evening of big voices for a big cause, returns with the 7th annual Belting for Life. For one night only on May 16 at Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre.

Premiere Of Pride Films and Plays' NOMINEE NIGHT Rescheduled To Wednesday, June 3
by Stephi Wild - Jun 3, 2020

The premiere of Pride Films and Plays' annual NOMINEE NIGHT concert featuring performers nominated for Non-Equity Jeff awards in musical theatre categories, originally planned for Monday, June 1, has been rescheduled to Wednesday, June 3.

Performers Announced For Virtual NOMINEE NIGHT To Be Broadcast Online June 1
by A.A. Cristi - May 19, 2020

A preliminary list of performers for Pride Films and Plays' annual NOMINEE NIGHT concert has been announced by Robert Ollis, a PFP Artistic Associate serving as music director for the event. NOMINEE NIGHT is typically performed in mid-May at Sidetrack's Musical Monday to showcase musical theater performers and productions nominated in the Non-Equity Jeff Awards.

Nominations Announced for the 47th Annual Non�"Equity Jeff Awards
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 28, 2020

With the conclusion of the 2019-2020 Chicago non-Equity theater season, the Jeff Awards announced the nominees for the 47th annual awards for theater excellence that include 120 theater artists across 21 categories.

Pride Films And Plays Announces Extension of A MAN OF NO IMPORTANCE
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 29, 2019

Pride Films and Plays' Jeff-recommended production of  A MAN OF NO IMPORTANCE, the Chicago area's first revival in over a decade of the heartwarming musical created by Lynn Ahrens, Stephen Flaherty, and Terrence McNally, has been extended for one additional week due to popular and critical demand. The musical will now close with the 2:30 pm matinee on Sunday, November 17.

Cast Announced for Brown Paper Box Co.'s IF/THEN
by Julie Musbach - Oct 24, 2019

Following their sold-out run of Come Rain or Come Shine: A Judy Garland Cabaret at Mary's Attic, Brown Paper Box Co., announces the cast, staff, and design team behind Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey's Tony Award-nominated musical, If/Then.

Photo Flash: Pride Films and Plays Presents A MAN OF NO IMPORTANCE
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 22, 2019

Pride Films and Plays will stage the first Chicago production in more than a decade of A MAN OF NO IMPORTANCE, the heartwarming musical created by Lynn Ahrens, Stephen Flaherty, and Terrence McNally, the team that wrote RAGTIME and ANASTASIA. A MAN OF NO IMPORTANCE is based on a 1994 film starring Albert Finney and features a gorgeous Irish-influenced score.

Underscore Theatre's HAYMARKET Extends Through September 16
by Julie Musbach - Aug 15, 2018

Due to popular demand, Underscore Theatre Company, in association with Theater Wit, is pleased to announce two additional weeks of performances of its hit musical HAYMARKET, extending through Sunday, September 16, 2018 at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago.

Photo Flash: Underscore Theatre's Hit Musical HAYMARKET Transfers to Theater Wit for Additional Four Weeks Of Performances
by Julie Musbach - Jul 18, 2018

Following a successful five-week run at The Den Theatre's Heath Main Stage, Underscore Theatre Company, in association with Theater Wit is pleased to announce a transfer and extension of its hit musical HAYMARKET, the true story of Chicago's infamous Haymarket riot. HAYMARKET will play an additional four weeks of performances featuring the full original cast from August 3 - September 2, 2018 at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago.

Photo Flash: Undercore Theatre & The Den Theatre Present HAYMARKET
by Julie Musbach - Jun 18, 2018

Underscore Theatre and The Den Theatre are pleased to present an all-new staging of the Jeff Award-nominated Best New Musical HAYMARKET (formerly Haymarket: The Anarchist's Songbook) the true story of Chicago's infamous Haymarket massacre. With book, music and lyrics by Alex Higgin-Houser and David Kornfeld, the actors accompany themselves to the stirring folk-infused score. Having spent the last two years workshopping the show, the authors alongside director Nick Thornton and musical director Robert Ollis have crafted an all-new theatrical experience - creating new songs, overhauling the book, and like the union workers from the show, building on a strong foundation.

Photo Flash: Underscore Theatre and The Den Theatre Present HAYMARKET
by Julie Musbach - May 14, 2018

Underscore Theatre and The Den Theatre are pleased to present an all-new staging of the Jeff Award-nominated Best New Musical HAYMARKET (formerly Haymarket: The Anarchist's Songbook) the true story of Chicago's infamous Haymarket massacre. With book, music and lyrics by Alex Higgin-Houser and David Kornfeld, the actors accompany themselves to the stirring folk-infused score. Having spent the last two years workshopping the show, the authors alongside director Nick Thornton and musical director Robert Ollis have crafted an all-new theatrical experience - creating new songs, overhauling the book, and like the union workers from the show, building anew.

Casting Announced For HAYMARKET Presented By Underscore Theatre And The Den Theatre
by A.A. Cristi - May 5, 2018

Underscore Theatre and The Den Theatre are pleased to announce casting for an all-new staging of the Jeff Award-nominated Best New Musical HAYMARKET (formerly Haymarket: The Anarchist's Songbook), the true story of Chicago's infamous Haymarket massacre. With book, music and lyrics by Alex Higgin-Houser and David Kornfeld, the actors accompany themselves to the stirring folk-infused score. Having spent the last two years workshopping the show, the authors alongside director Nick Thornton and music director Robert Ollis have crafted an all-new theatrical experience - creating new songs, overhauling the book, and like the union workers from the show, building anew.

Photo Flash: First Look at Underscore Theatre's CARRIE 2: THE RAGE (An Unauthorized Musical Parody)
by BWW News Desk - Oct 19, 2017

Just in time for Halloween, Underscore Theatre Company is pleased to launch its 2017-18 Season with the world premiere of with CARRIE 2: THE RAGE (An Unauthorized Musical Parody), an irreverent, rock-infused send-up of Stephen King's iconic horror film Carrie and its subsequent spin-off The Rage: Carrie 2, featuring a book, music and lyrics by Preston Max Allen.

Casting Announced for Underscore Theatre's CARRIE 2: THE RAGE (An Unauthorized Musical Parody)
by A.A. Cristi - Sep 16, 2017

Underscore Theatre Company is pleased to announce casting for its world premiere of CARRIE 2: THE RAGE (An Unauthorized Musical Parody), an irreverent, rock-infused send-up of Stephen King's iconic horror film Carrie and its subsequent spin-off The Rage: Carrie 2, featuring a book, music and lyrics by Preston M. Allen.

Photo Flash: Underscore Theatre presents MY NAME IS ANNIE KING
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 27, 2017

Underscore Theatre Company is pleased to present the world premiere musical thriller MY NAME IS ANNIE KING, the story of a young man who stumbles into the world of a religious cult in backcountry Missouri, becoming intoxicated by its leader and his ideologies. With a bluegrass/folk infused score by Aaron Albert and Katy Rea and book by Krista Pioppa, the new musical is directed by Alex Higgin-Houser. In the tradition of Underscore's 2016 hit musical Haymarket: The Anarchist's Songbook, some members of the cast will play their own instruments. MY NAME IS ANNIE KING will play April 21 - May 28, 2017 at Underscore's new resident home Pride Arts Center (The Broadway), 4139 N. Broadway in Chicago. Tickets are currently available at underscoretheatre.org. 

Photo Flash: Underscore Theatre Company Presents MY NAME IS ANNIE KING
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 13, 2017

Underscore Theatre Company is pleased to present the world premiere musical thriller MY NAME IS ANNIE KING, the story of a young man who stumbles into the world of a religious cult in backcountry Missouri, becoming intoxicated by its leader and his ideologies. With a bluegrass/folk infused score by Aaron Albert and Katy Rea and book by Krista Pioppa, the new musical is directed by Alex Higgin-Houser. In the tradition of Underscore's 2016 hit musicalHaymarket: The Anarchist's Songbook, some members of the cast will play their own instruments. MY NAME IS ANNIE KINGwill play April 21 - May 28, 2017 at Underscore's new resident home Pride Arts Center (The Broadway), 4139 N. Broadway in Chicago. Tickets are currently available at underscoretheatre.org.  

Underscore Theatre Company Presents MY NAME IS ANNIE KING
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 22, 2017

Underscore Theatre Company is pleased to present the world premiere musical thriller MY NAME IS ANNIE KING, the story of a young man who stumbles into the world of a religious cult in backcountry Missouri, becoming intoxicated by its leader and his ideologies. With a bluegrass/folk infused score by Aaron Albert and Katy Rea and book by Krista Pioppa, the new musical is directed by Alex Higgin-Houser. In the tradition of Underscore's 2016 hit musical Haymarket: The Anarchist's Songbook, some members of the cast will play their own instruments. MY NAME IS ANNIE KING will play April 21 - May 28, 2016 at Underscore's new resident home The Pride Arts Center (The Broadway), 4139 N. Broadway in Chicago. Tickets are currently available at underscoretheatre.org.  

Performers Announced for NOMINEE NIGHT at Sidetrack, 5/17
by Tyler Peterson - May 9, 2016

?Chicago's best musical theatre performers gather on the same stage for one night only when the 2016 Jeff Award Nominees are honored at Nominee Night, May 17 at 7PM at Sidetrack Video Bar in Lake View, Chicago.

STAGE TUBE: 43rd Annual Non-Equity Jeff Awards Nominees Are Announced - HEATHERS, BYHALIA, MISSISSIPPI, LONDON WALL and More!
by Christina Mancuso - Apr 27, 2016

The Jeff Awards Committee today announced 121 nominations in 24 categories for the 43rd Annual Non-Equity Jeff Awards for productions that opened between April 1, 2015, and March 31, 2016. The Non-Equity Awards honor excellence in Chicago theatres not under a union contract. Jeff judges attended opening nights of 148 productions offered by 67 Non-Equity producing organizations. The Jeff Committee recommended 65 of those shows (or 44%), making them eligible for Non-Equity Jeff Award nominations. Of the 65 Jeff Recommended productions, a record 53 (or 82%) received nominations, representing 32 theatre companies.