Brenda Winstead

Chicago Opera Theater Presents North American Premiere Of LEONORA

Chicago Opera Theater (COT), Chicago's foremost producer of new and rarely produced operas, begins its 2024/25 Season, with an exciting and aptly timed production of the North American premiere of Leonora.

Chicago Opera Theater Presents Family-Friendly Holiday Opera BECOMING SANTA CLAUS

Chicago Opera Theater, Chicago's foremost producer of contemporary and re-imagined opera, continues its 2021-2022 season with the Chicago premiere of the seasonal treat, Becoming Santa Claus, in three performances only, December 11, 17 & 19, at the Studebaker Theater, 410 S. Michigan Avenue, in the Fine Arts Building.

Photo Flash: Chicago-Area Premiere Of ALMOST HEAVEN: JOHN DENVER'S AMERICA

The Chicagoland premiere of Almost Heaven: John Denver's America opened Sunday night February 16 to an enthusiastic crowd. Theatre at the Center Artistic Director Linda Fortunato cast Shannon McEldowney, Steven Romero Schaeffer, Andrew Mueller, Sara Geist and Tommy Malouf in the musical revue Almost Heaven: John Denver's America to kick off its 30th Anniversary Season. The cast was joined on stage by musicians William Underwood, Malcolm Ruhl and Alison Tatum. Fortunato is the director and William Underwood is the music director. The now Jeff Recommended production continues through March 22.

Photo Flash: Irving Berlin's WHITE CHRISTMAS Opens At Theatre At The Center In Munster

Irving Berlin's White Christmas opened Sunday night November 17 to a packed house at Theatre at the Center in Munster.  The cast gave a thrilling performance for an audience that was teeming with the holiday spirit.  Theatre at the Center Artistic Director Linda Fortunato directed and choreographed the show. 

Photo Flash: OVER THE TAVERN Opens At Theatre At The Center

Over the Tavern opened to a full house Sunday at Theatre at the Center in Munster. The play by Tom Dudzick is directed by Ericka Mac with Janet Ulrich Brooks as Sister Clarissa, Logan Baffico as Rudy, Cory Goodrich as Ellen, Isabelle Roberts as Annie, Eric Slater as Chet, Julian Solis as Georgie and Seth Steinberg as Eddie. Over the Tavern offers a hilarious look at family life in the 1950s.  Over the Tavern continues its run through August 11.

Photo Flash: First Look at Firebrand Theatre's QUEEN OF THE MIST

Firebrand Theatre presents the Chicago premiere of QUEEN OF THE MIST, based on the sensational true story of Anna (Annie) Edson Taylor, the first woman to go over Niagara Falls. Featuring book, music and lyrics by Michael John LaChiusa (The Wild Party, Marie Christine), direction by Elizabeth Margolius and music direction by Charlotte Rivard-Hoster, QUEEN OF THE MIST will play May 26 - July 6, 2019 at The Den Theatre's Janet Bookspan Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago.

Photo Flash: DAMES AT SEA Opens At Theatre At The Center

Dames at Sea opened at Theatre at the Center in Munster on Sunday night, May 5. Director and Artistic Director Linda Fortunato cast Kelly Felthous as Ruby, Todd Aulwurm as Dick, Colette Todd as Mona Kent, Sierra Schnack as Joan, Sam Shankman as Lucky, and Steven Strafford as Hennesey and The Captain in the spring musical production.  Dames at Sea and continues through June 2.

Firebrand Theatre Presents QUEEN OF THE MIST

Firebrand Theatre will present the Chicago premiere of QUEEN OF THE MIST, based on the sensational true story of Anna (Annie) Edson Taylor, the first woman to go over Niagara Falls. Featuring book, music and lyrics by Michael John LaChiusa (The Wild Party, Marie Christine), direction by Elizabeth Margolius and music direction by Charlotte Rivard-Hoster, QUEEN OF THE MIST will play May 25 - July 6, 2019 at The Den Theatre's Janet Bookspan Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago. Single tickets are currently available at firebrandtheatre.org. The press opening is Tuesday, May 28 at 7:30 pm.

Firebrand Theatre's QUEEN OF THE MIST Begins May 25

Firebrand Theatre presents the Chicago premiere of QUEEN OF THE MIST, based on the sensational true story of Anna (Annie) Edson Taylor, the first woman to go over Niagara Falls.

Photo Flash: MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET: THE MUSICAL Opens at TATC

Director Linda Fortunato has cast Neil Friedman as Kris Kringle, Stella Rose Hoyt as Susan, Courtney Jones as Doris and Christopher Kale Jones as Fred for Theatre at the Center's Miracle On 34th Street: The Musical. Previews began November 15 with Opening Night on November 18 and a continued run through December 23. This production is sponsored in part by American Community Bank.

Photo Flash: Ann Landers THE LADY WITH ALL THE ANSWERS Opens At Theatre At The Center In Munster

Janet Ulrich Brooks, making her Theatre at the Center (TATC) debut, is cast as advice columnist Ann Landers in the TATC production of The Lady With All the Answers. Opening Night was on July 15.  Performances continuing through August 12.

Photo Flash: FOREVER PLAID Opens At Theatre At The Center In Munster

Theatre fans and critics were all in attendance for the Opening Night  of Forever Plaid on Sunday, May 6 at Theatre at the Center in Munster.  Matt Edmonds, in the role of Sparky, Adam LaSalle as Francis, Yando Lopez as Jinx and Christopher Ratliff as Smudge star in Theatre at the Center's spring musical. Performances continue through June 3.

Photo Flash: Theatre at The Center's Production Of STEEL MAGNOLIAS Celebrates Opening Night

The red carpet was full of beauty and style at the Opening Night of Steel Magnolias at Theatre at the Center on Sunday, February 25.  Cory Goodrich, in the role of M'Lynn, Landree Fleming, as Shelby, and Heidi Kettenring as Truvy, lead the cast of Theatre at the Center's Steel Magnolias with Joslyn Yvonne Jones as Ouiser, Jeannie Affelder as Clairee and Myesha-Tiara as Annelle.  The show continues through March 25.

Lifeline Theatre KidSeries Presents YOU THINK IT'S EASY BEING THE TOOTH FAIRY?

Lifeline Theatre's KidSeries presents You Think It's Easy Being The Tooth Fairy?, a world premiere family musical with book by Lifeline Theatre ensemble member Heather Currie and Derek Czaplewski, music and lyrics by Laura McKenzie, and directed by Heather Currie; based on the book by Sheri Bell-Rehwoldt; illustrated by David Slonim.

Theatre At The Center Announces The Cast Of STEEL MAGNOLIAS

Cory Goodrich, in the role of M'Lynn, Landree Fleming, as Shelby, and Heidi Kettenring as Truvy, lead the cast of Theatre at the Center's Steel Magnolias with Joslyn Yvonne Jones as Ouiser, Jeannie Affelder as Clairee and Myesha-Tiara as Annelle. Previews begin February 22 with Opening Night on February 25 for the run through March 25.

Photo Flash: A WONDERFUL LIFE Celebrates Opening Night at Theatre At The Center

Actors David Sajewich, in the role of George Bailey, and Allison Sill in the role of his wife Mary, lead the cast of Theatre at the Center's A Wonderful Life: The Musical with James Harms as Mr. Potter, David Perkovich as Clarence, Jim Heatherly as Uncle Billy and Jason Richards as Mr. Martini. Previews began November 16 with an Opening Night on November 19 and a run through December 23. BroadwayWorld has photos from the opening festivities below!

Stage Left Theatre to Present Chicago Premiere of Robert Schenkkan's BUILDING THE WALL

Stage Left Theatre announces the upcoming Chicago premiere of Building the Wall, written by Robert Schenkkan and directed by co-artistic director Amy Szerlong. Building the Wall is the first production of Stage Left's 36th season. Press opening is Today, September 21, at 8 PM at Athenaeum Theatre Chicago, 2936 N. Southport Ave. The show runs through October 22nd.

Photo Flash: BIG RIVER: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn Opens at Theatre at the Center

Big River: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn opened to a packed house at Theatre at the Center on Sunday night. Audience members leapt to their feet at the end of the performance of the now Jeff-Recommended production. Actors James Romney in the role of Huck and Jonathan Butler-Duplessis in the role of Jim lead the cast in the musical that continues through October 15.

BIG RIVER: THE ADVENTURES OF HUCKLEBERRY FINN Floating to Theatre at the Center This Fall

Actors James Romney in the role of Huck and Jonathan Butler-Duplessis in the role of Jim lead the cast of Theatre at the Center's Big River: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. The musical begins previews Sept. 14 with opening night on September 17 for a run that continues through Oct. 15.  

Stage Left Theatre to Present Chicago Premiere of Robert Schenkkan's BUILDING THE WALL

Stage Left Theatre announces the upcoming Chicago premiere of Building the Wall, written by Robert Schenkkan and directed by co-artistic director Amy Szerlong. Building the Wall is the first production of Stage Left's 36th season. Press opening is Thursday, September 21, at 8 PM at Athenaeum Theatre Chicago, 2936 N. Southport Ave. The show runs through October 22nd.