Betsy Farrar

BWW REVIEWS: Sumptuous Sights and Sounds Make “The Sound of Music” Thrilling at Lyric Opera of Chicago

I hardly know where to begin in describing the beautiful, world-class, but dramatically uneven production of the beloved and immortal 'The Sound of Music' that opened at the Civic Opera House over the weekend. All the resources of Lyric Opera of Chicago have been brought to bear on a brand-new production of a title that is known throughout the world, and the result is occasionally thrilling--a feast for the eyes, and usually one for the ears as well.

TV: First Look at Billy Zane, Jenn Gambatese and More in Highlights of Lyric Opera of Chicago's THE SOUND OF MUSIC

Lyric Opera of Chicago presents a stunning new production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's beloved Broadway musical The Sound of Music, April 25-May 25, 2014, at the Civic Opera House, 20 N. Wacker Drive. Tickets start at $29 and are available now atlyricopera.org/soundofmusic or at 312-827-5600. Check out a first look at highlights below!

Photo Flash: First Look at Billy Zane, Jenn Gambatese and More in Lyric Opera of Chicago's THE SOUND OF MUSIC

Lyric Opera of Chicago presents a stunning new production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's beloved Broadway musical The Sound of Music, tonight, April 25-May 25, 2014, at the Civic Opera House, 20 N. Wacker Drive. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Billy Zane Stars as Captain von Trapp in Lyric Opera of Chicago's THE SOUND OF MUSIC, Beg. Tonight

Billy Zane, star of James Cameron's international blockbuster Titanic and critically acclaimed for his portrayal of Billy Flynn in Broadway's Chicago, has been cast as Captain von Trapp, completing principal casting for Lyric Opera of Chicago's new production of The Sound of Music, tonight, April 25-May 18, 2014.

Photo Flash: First Look at Billy Zane, Jenn Gambatese and More in Lyric Opera of Chicago's THE SOUND OF MUSIC

Lyric Opera of Chicago General Director Anthony Freud announced today four additional performances due to popular demand for Lyric Opera of Chicago's new production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's beloved Broadway musical The Sound of Music, April 25-May 25, 2014, at the Civic Opera House, 20 N. Wacker Drive. Additional performance dates are Today, May 23 at 7 p.m., Saturday, May 24 at 1:30 p.m. and 7 p.m., and Sunday, May 25 at 1:30 p.m. Tickets start at $29 and are available now at lyricopera.org/soundofmusic or at 312-827-5600.

Photo Flash: First Look at Billy Zane, Jenn Gambatese and More in Lyric Opera of Chicago's THE SOUND OF MUSIC

Lyric Opera of Chicago General Director Anthony Freud announced today four additional performances due to popular demand for Lyric Opera of Chicago's new production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's beloved Broadway musical The Sound of Music, April 25-May 25, 2014, at the Civic Opera House, 20 N. Wacker Drive. Additional performance dates are Friday, May 23 at 7 p.m., Saturday, May 24 at 1:30 p.m. and 7 p.m., and Sunday, May 25 at 1:30 p.m. Tickets start at $29 and are available now at lyricopera.org/soundofmusic or at 312-827-5600.

Lyric Opera of Chicago Extends THE SOUND OF MUSIC Through 5/25

Lyric Opera of Chicago General Director Anthony Freud announced today four additional performances due to popular demand for Lyric Opera of Chicago's new production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's beloved Broadway musical The Sound of Music, April 25-May 25, 2014, at the Civic Opera House, 20 N. Wacker Drive. Additional performance dates are Friday, May 23 at 7 p.m., Saturday, May 24 at 1:30 p.m. and 7 p.m., and Sunday, May 25 at 1:30 p.m. Tickets start at $29 and are available now at lyricopera.org/soundofmusic or at 312-827-5600.

Billy Zane Stars as Captain von Trapp in Lyric Opera of Chicago's THE SOUND OF MUSIC, 4/25

Billy Zane, star of James Cameron's international blockbuster Titanic and critically acclaimed for his portrayal of Billy Flynn in Broadway's Chicago, has been cast as Captain von Trapp, completing principal casting for Lyric Opera of Chicago's new production of The Sound of Music, April 25-May 18, 2014.

Billy Zane to Join Jenn Gambatese in Lyric Opera of Chicago's THE SOUND OF MUSIC this Spring

Billy Zane, star of James Cameron's international blockbuster Titanic and critically acclaimed for his portrayal of Billy Flynn in Broadway's Chicago, has been cast as Captain von Trapp, completing principal casting for Lyric Opera of Chicago's new production of The Sound of Music, April 25-May 18, 2014.

STAGE TUBE: Highlights from Chicago Shakespeare's GYPSY with Louise Pitre

Chicago Shakespeare Theater CST) presents Gypsy at CST's Courtyard Theater, running now through March 23), directed by CST Associate Artistic Director Gary Griffin and starring Tony Award nominee Louise Pitre as Rose. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

TV: First Look at Highlights of CST's GYPSY

Chicago Shakespeare Theater CST) presents Gypsy (CST's Courtyard Theater, February 6-March 23) directed by CST Associate Artistic Director Gary Griffin. Check out highlights below!

Photo Flash: First Look at Louise Pitre and More in Chicago Shakespeare's GYPSY

Chicago Shakespeare Theater CST) presents Gypsy at CST's Courtyard Theater, running now through March 23), directed by CST Associate Artistic Director Gary Griffin and starring Tony Award nominee Louise Pitre as Rose. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

'The Showtune Mosh Pit' for February 12th, 2014

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'Gypsy' at CST and 'Into The Woods' from The Hypocrites begin, Paula Scrofano honored, Bernadette performs, another out-of-town tryout announced, a Barrel Of Monkeys revue, casting news from the Paramount and the Lyric, the Sarah Siddons Society show and more!

Chicago Shakespeare Kicks Off Sondheim Double Bill, GYPSY and ROAD SHOW, Tonight

Chicago Shakespeare Theater CST) presents an unprecedented pairing of productions that will illuminate the work of composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim: Gypsy (CST's Courtyard Theater, today, February 6-March 23) and Road Show (Upstairs at Chicago Shakespeare, March 13-May 4), both directed by CST Associate Artistic Director Gary Griffin.

Betsy Farrar, Brady Tutton & More Join Jenn Gambatese in Lyric Opera of Chicago's THE SOUND OF MUSIC

A roster of accomplished young singing actors from the Chicago area will portray the von Trapp Family children in Lyric Opera of Chicago's new production of The Sound of Music, the company announced today. The new production will be led by Jenn Gambatese.

Lyric Opera of Chicago Announces Casting for THE SOUND OF MUSIC, 4/26

A roster of accomplished young singing actors from the Chicago area will portray the von Trapp Family children in Lyric Opera of Chicago's new production of The Sound of Music, the company announced today.

Chicago Shakespeare Begins Rehearsal for Sondheim Double Bill: GYPSY and ROAD SHOW

Rehearsal begins today at Chicago Shakespeare Theater CST) for an unprecedented pairing of productions that will illuminate the work of composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim: Gypsy (CST's Courtyard Theater, February 6-March 23) and Road Show (Upstairs at Chicago Shakespeare, March 13-May 4), both directed by CST Associate Artistic Director Gary Griffin.

Photo Flash: First Look at Louise Pitre as 'Rose' in GYPSY at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre

Broadway veteran Louise Pitre will lead GYPSY when it plays Chicago Shakespeare Theatre next year. Directed by Gary Griffin, the production will run at Chicago Shakespeare's Courtyard Theater, February 6- March 23. Pitre will be joined by: Rengin Altay (Miss Cratchitt/Electra), Erin Burniston (June), Molly Callinan (Mazeppa), Matt DeCaro (Male Ensemble), Maddie DePorter (Showgirl), Adam Fane (Angie),Betsy Farrar (Toreadorable), Landree Fleming (Agnes), Marc Grapey (Male Ensemble), Rhett Guter (Tulsa), Kelly Anne Krauter (Toreadorable), Keith Kupferer (Herbie), Jared Rein (Ensemble), Barbara E. Robertson (Tessie Tura), Cullen Rogers (Ensemble), Jessica Rush (Louise), Joseph Sammour (Yonkers), and Dana Parker (Toreadorable). Check out a first look at Pitre as 'Rose' in pre-production shots below!

Jessica Rush, Keith Kupferer & More Join Louise Pitre in Chicago Shakespeare Theatre's GYPSY

According to the Chicago Tribune, Broadway veteran Louise Pitre will lead GYPSY when it plays Chicago Shakespeare Theatre next year. Directed by Gary Griffin, the production will run at Chicago Shakespeare's Courtyard Theater, February 6- March 23.

Photo Flash: Karen Ziemba and More Celebrate HELLO, DOLLY! Opening at Drury Lane

Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, presents the Tony Award-winning musical sensation HELLO, DOLLY!, currently running through January 5, 2014. HELLO, DOLLY! stars Tony Award winner Karen Ziemba as 'Dolly Levi.' She received the Tony Award, the Drama Desk Award, and the Outer Critics Circle Award for her performance in Lincoln Center Theatre's Contact. BraodwayWorld has photos from opening night below!