Jason Richards

Review: THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BE at Paramount Theatre
by Tina St. Angelo Wetzel - Mar 20, 2025

The newest production at the Copley Theatre in Aurora is The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. It’s the story of “12” year olds competing in a spelling bee. Under the direction of Jeff Award-winning Stephen Schellhardt and a set designed by Lauren M. Nichols showcasing a gymnasium, this group of actors brings forth the anxieties, awkwardness, innocence, doubt, fear and ultimately joy of this age group.

Paramount Theatre Reveals Cast For Midwest Premiere Of Disney's FROZEN
by A.A. Cristi - Sep 19, 2024

Paramount Theatre announced the cast for the regional premiere of Disney's FROZEN, featuring a lineup of seasoned performers. The production is set to bring the beloved story to life on stage in its midwest premiere.

JERSEY BOYS Begins Its Final Weeks At Mercury Theater Chicago
by A.A. Cristi - Jul 3, 2024

Catch the final weeks of JERSEY BOYS at Mercury Theater Chicago.

JERSEY BOYS Welcomes David Sajewich and Amanda Hanedgan to the Cast
by Blair Ingenthron - May 19, 2024

Mercury Theater will welcome new cast members to the critically-acclaimed, first built-in Chicago Production of Jersey Boys, the Tony Award-winning story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons.

JERSEY BOYS Extends Run at Mercury Theater Through Late July
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 2, 2024

Mercury Theater has revealed additional dates for the first built-in Chicago Production of Jersey Boys. Learn how to purchase tickets.

Review: JERSEY BOYS at Mercury Theater Chicago
by Rachel Weinberg - Mar 29, 2024

Mercury Theater Chicago has staged a “homegrown” production of JERSEY BOYS full of Chicago heart. The bio jukebox musical has graced Chicago tour stages over the years (in fact, I had a chuckle looking back at the review of the first national tour I wrote for my high school newspaper), but this is the first staging to showcase Chicago talent — and it definitely accomplishes that goal.

Cast and Creative Team Set for for the 'Built in Chicago' Premiere of JERSEY BOYS at Mercury Theater
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Dec 15, 2023

Mercury Theater has revealed the cast and creative team for the first built-in-Chicago production of Jersey Boys, the Tony Award winning story of Frankie Vallie and The Four Seasons.

Photos: First Look at CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY at Paramount Theatre
by Blair Ingenthron - Nov 19, 2023

Step behind the gates and discover the magic that awaits when Aurora’s Paramount Theatre presents the Professional Regional Premiere of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, currently running through January 14, 2024. Check out production photos here!

Review: ROALD DAHL'S CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY at Paramount Theatre Aurora, IL
by Tina St. Angelo Wetzel - Nov 18, 2023

There are not enough words to describe Paramount Theatre’s current production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory which is based on the book by Roald Dahl. Director Trent Stork and this cast (over 20) brings the world of imagination to vivid life.

VIDEO: Watch Tiffany T. Taylor in New Promo for Paramount Theatre's CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY
by Blair Ingenthron - Nov 5, 2023

Step behind the gates and discover the magic that awaits when Aurora's Paramount Theatre presents the Professional Regional Premiere of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, November 8, 2023-January 14, 2024. Check out the promo video here!

VIDEO: Watch New Promo of CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY at Paramount Featuring Devon Hayakawa
by Blair Ingenthron - Nov 5, 2023

Step behind the gates and discover the magic that awaits when Aurora's Paramount Theatre presents the Professional Regional Premiere of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Check out the promo video here!

Cast Revealed For ROCK OF AGES at Mercury Theater Chicago
by Stephi Wild - Jun 6, 2023

Mercury Theater Artistic Director Christopher Chase Carter, Managing Director Kristi J. Martens and Executive Producers L. Walter Stearns and Eugene Dizon have announced Rock of Ages, the blockbuster classic rock musical. The show is written by Chris D’Arienzo. This production is directed and choreographed by Brenda Didier, with music direction by Linda Madonia.

Video: First Look at SCHOOL OF ROCK at Paramount Theatre
by Alan Henry - Apr 28, 2023

Get a first look at Paramount Theatre's 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.

Photos: First Look at SCHOOL OF ROCK at Paramount Theatre
by Blair Ingenthron - Apr 28, 2023

Get a look at production photos from Paramount Theatre's production of School of Rock!

Video: Get a First Look at SCHOOL OF ROCK at Paramount Theatre
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 25, 2023

Get a first look at video of School of Rock at Paramount Theatre!

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.

Photos/Video: First Look at Ginger Minj and More in THE GOLDEN GALS LIVE! at Mercury Theater Chicago
by Blair Ingenthron - Jan 15, 2023

Mercury Theater has released production photos of The Golden Gals Live!, directed by and starring Ginger Minj and produced by Fruit Wine Productions. The Golden Gals Live! runs through February 12, 2023 at Mercury Theater Chicago. Check out the photos here!

THE GOLDEN GALS LIVE! Directed by & Starring Ginger Minj is Coming to Mercury Theater
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Dec 12, 2022

Mercury Theater will present The Golden Gals Live!, directed by and starring Ginger Minj and produced by Fruit Wine Productions. The Golden Gals Live! runs January 13 – February 12, 2023 at Mercury Theater Chicago.

Ginger Minj to Star as Winifred in HOCUS POCUS HALLOWEEN BASH Tour
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 8, 2022

Join Ginger Minj as Winifred, Gidget Galore as Mary, MR MS Adrien as Sarah (Atlanta, Boston, Philadelphia, Columbus and Orlando), Shaun White as Sarah (Chicago, Portland, Canada, Royal Oak), and Jason Richards as the Stage Manager.

SKATES Will Run Through June 26 at the Studebaker Theater
by Stephi Wild - Jun 13, 2022

Skates A New Musical will continue to play at the beautifully renovated Studebaker Theater through Sunday, June 26, 2022.