Darren Patin

50th Anniversary Non-Equity Jeff Awards Ceremony Reveals Production Team
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 21, 2024

At the milestone 50th Anniversary Joseph Jefferson Awards for Non-Equity Theater, more than 100 recognized artists and new emerging faces and voices will be honored. Learn more about the ceremony!

Cast Announced for SCHOOL OF ROCK at Paramount Theatre
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 7, 2023

Paramount Theatre has announced its roster for School of Rock, the Chicago professional regional premiere of the good-time musical based on the hit Jack Black movie, featuring new music from the genius mind of Andrew Lloyd Webber, directed by Trent Stork.

Porchlight Announces Final Extension For CABARET
by Stephi Wild - Feb 10, 2023

Porchlight Music Theatre has announced that the Tony Award-winning landmark musical Cabaret, at the Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn St. Cabaret has been extended for a second time, now through Sunday, March 19.

Photos: First Look At CABARET At Porchlight Music Theatre, Now Extended Through March 5
by A.A. Cristi - Jan 27, 2023

Porchlight Music Theatre has announced, due to popular demand, a new block of tickets for three weeks of performances have been added to its presentation of the Tony Award-winning landmark musical Cabaret, at the Ruth Page Center for the Arts. See photos from the production!

Photos & Video: First Look at PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT at Mercury Theater Chicago
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jul 22, 2022

Priscilla opened last night at Mercury Theater Chicago and plays through September 11, 2022. Get a first look at photos and video below!

Mercury Theater Chicago Announces Cast For PRISCILLA, QUEEN OF THE DESERT
by Stephi Wild - Jun 3, 2022

Mercury Theater Artistic Director Christopher Chase Carter, Managing Director Kristi J. Martens and Executive Producers Walter Stearns and Eugene Dizon announce the cast and creative team for the much-anticipated production of the summer, Priscilla Queen of the Desert. The musical features a book by Stephan Elliot and Allan Scott and is based on the film “The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert” by Stephan Elliot. 

Court Theatre Extends OTHELLO Due To Popular Demand
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 6, 2021

Due to popular demand, Court Theatre, under the continuing leadership of Charles Newell, Marilyn F. Vitale Artistic Director, and Executive Director Angel Ysaguirre, extends the first show of its 2021/2022 Season, The Tragedy of Othello, the Moor of Venice, by William Shakespeare. Specifically conceived for a smaller audience and co-directed by Artistic Director Charles Newell and Gabrielle Randle-Bent, Othello features Kelvin Roston Jr., in the titular role. 

Paramount Theatre Announces First Local Staging Of KINKY BOOTS in August
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jul 28, 2021

Nearly 16 months after dimming its famous marquee due to COVID-19, Aurora's Paramount Theatre has started rehearsals for its 10th Anniversary Broadway Series season opener, Kinky Boots, marking a pivotal moment for the second largest subscription house in the nation as it returns to live performances next month.

THIN MINTS By Ellen Steves Returns With A Free Public Reading At Prop Theatre In May
by Julie Musbach - Apr 15, 2019

Following a sold-out performance at The Boxcar at Steep in January, THIN MINTS returns with a free public reading on Sunday, May 5 at 11 am. The play has been programmed into Prop Theatre's Church of the New Play series. The reading will mark the next step in the play's development process which included a workshop production at Columbia University in 2016 and subsequent developmental readings and workshops in Chicago in 2018 and 2019. Audience members are encouraged to participate in a post-show discussion with the playwright, director, and cast.

Photo Flash: Kokandy Productions Presents GRAND HOTEL
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 20, 2018

Kokandy Productions is pleased to present the final production of its fifth anniversary season: the Tony Award-nominated musical GRAND HOTEL, playing April 15 - May 27, 2018 at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago. Featuring a book by Luther Davis, music and lyrics by Robert Wright and George Forrest and additional music and lyrics by Maury Yeston, the Kokandy production will be directed by Artistic Producer John D. Glover, with music direction by Aaron Benham and choreography by Brenda Didier. Single tickets are currently available at www.kokandyproductions.com, by calling (773) 975-8150 or in person at the Theater Wit Box Office.

Kokandy Productions Presents GRAND HOTEL
by Julie Musbach - Mar 14, 2018

Kokandy Productions is pleased to present the final production of its fifth anniversary season: the Tony Award-nominated musical GRAND HOTEL, playing April 15 - May 27, 2018 at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago. Featuring a book by Luther Davis, music and lyrics by Robert Wright and George Forrest and additional music and lyrics by Maury Yeston, the Kokandy production will be directed by Artistic Producer John D. Glover, with music direction by Aaron Benham and choreography by Brenda Didier.

Photo Flash: Brown Paper Box Co. Presents SPEECH & DEBATE
by Julie Musbach - Feb 13, 2018

Following their Jeff Award Recommended run of They're Playing Our Song, Brown Paper Box Co. concludes their 2017/2018 season with the non-Equity Chicago debut of Tony Award winner Stephen Karam's Speech & Debate. BPBCo. Board President David Lipschutz* helms the timely dark comedy at The Edge Theater (5451 N. Broadway, Chicago, IL 60660).

Photo Flash: Check Out the Promo Photos for SPEECH AND DEBATE's Non-Equity Debut
by Stephi Wild - Jan 26, 2018

Following their Jeff Award Recommended run of They're Playing Our Song, Brown Paper Box Co. concludes their 2017/2018 season with the non-Equity Chicago debut of Tony Award winner Stephen Karam's Speech & Debate. BPBCo. Board President David Lipschutz* helms the timely dark comedy at The Edge Theater (5451 N. Broadway, Chicago, IL 60660).

Casting Announced For Kokandy Productions' GRAND HOTEL at Theater Wit
by A.A. Cristi - Jan 17, 2018

Kokandy Productions is pleased to announce casting for the final production of its fifth anniversary season: the Tony Award-nominated musical GRAND HOTEL, playing April 15 May 27, 2018 at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago.

SPEECH & DEBATE to Make Non-Equity Chicago Debut at Brown Paper Box Co.; Cast Set!
by BWW News Desk - Nov 8, 2017

Following their Jeff Award Recommended run of They're Playing Our Song, Brown Paper Box Co. concludes their 2017/2018 season with the non-Equity Chicago debut of Tony Award winner Stephen Karam's Speech & Debate. BPBCo. Board President David Lipschutz* helms the timely dark comedy at The Edge Theater (5451 N. Broadway, Chicago, IL 60660).

Photo Flash: Raven Theatre Presents the Chicago Premiere of CHOIR BOY
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 3, 2017

Raven Theatre is pleased to launch its 35th anniversary season with the Chicago premiere of CHOIR BOY, by recent Academy Award winner Tarell Alvin McCraney who, together with writer-director Barry Jenkins, won the Best Adapted Screenplay Oscar for the Academy's Best Picture winner, Moonlight. Directed by Artistic Director Michael Menendian, CHOIR BOY will play September 27 November 12, 2017 in Raven's 120-seat East Stage, 6157 N. Clark St. (at Granville) in Chicago. Tickets are currently available at www.raventheatre.com or by calling (773) 338-2177.

Raven Theatre's CHOIR BOY by Tarell Alvin McCraney Opens 9/27
by A.A. Cristi - Sep 9, 2017

Raven Theatre is pleased to launch its 35th anniversary season with the Chicago premiere of CHOIR BOY, by recent Academy Award winner Tarell Alvin McCraney who, together with writer-director Barry Jenkins, won the Best Adapted Screenplay Oscar for the Academy's Best Picture winner, Moonlight.  Directed by Artistic Director Michael Menendian, CHOIR BOY will play September 27 - November 12, 2017 in Raven's 120-seat East Stage, 6157 N. Clark St. (at Granville) in Chicago. Tickets are currently available at www.raventheatre.com or by calling (773) 338-2177. The press opening is Tuesday, October 3, 2017 at 7:30 pm.

Cast and Creative Team Announced for the Chicago Premiere of Tarell Alvin McCraney's CHOIR BOY
by Julie Musbach - Aug 8, 2017

Raven Theatre Company's 35th anniversary season will begin in September with the Chicago premiere of Choir Boy by recent Academy Award winner Tarell Alvin McCraney who, together with writer-director Barry Jenkins, won the Best Adapted Screenplay Oscar for the Academy's Best Picture winner, Moonlight.  

Announcing the 3rd Annual CHRIS' BIRTHDAY BELT FEST: Duets Edition!
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 18, 2017

Jeff Award-nominee and HIV+ director/producer Christopher Pazdernik is pleased to announce the 3rd annual CHRIS' BIRTHDAY BELT FEST, a benefit concert for Howard Brown Health on Monday, May 15 at 8 pm at Uptown Underground, 4707 N. Broadway in Chicago. Featuring 40 award-winning musical theater performers from across Chicago and musical direction by Aaron Benham, this year's benefit will feature a record number of performers and a brand new theme: Duets! Tickets, priced at $25, are currently available at uptownunderground.net or by calling (773) 867-1946. Uptown Underground is a 21+ venue; advance reservations strongly recommended.

Refuge Theatre Project's HIGH FIDELITY Remount Extends Through March
by BWW News Desk - Feb 20, 2017

The current remount of Refuge Theatre Project's enormously successful 2016 production of High Fidelity: The Musical, originally scheduled to close on March 6, 2017, has been extended three weeks to Saturday, March 25, 2017.