BWW Review: THE MERRY WIDOW Comes Up Singing at Lyric Opera
With artful direction and choreography from Susan Stroman, Lyric Opera's mounting of Franz Lehar's well-known 1905 operetta THE MERRY WIDOW sweeps audiences into a joyful waltz, complete with exquisite talent and a production with opulence to spare. This production debuted at the Metropolitan Opera in the fall of 2014 with commanding opera diva Renee Fleming at the helm as the titular widow Hanna Glawari. Fleming truly shines in this production, with the equally talented Thomas Hampson at her side as Count Danilo Danilovich.
'The Showtune Mosh Pit' for October 28th, 2015
The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'Irving Berlin' arrives in town, and screenings of 'Little Shop' and 'Oklahoma!' light 'em up. Jess Godwin sang with Kristin Chenoweth, and a Thanksgiving musical prepares, as do 'Seussical,' 'The Merry Widow' and 'My Way.' And Broadway In Chicago and the Drury Lane Theatre announce lineups for 2016!
'The Showtune Mosh Pit' for August 19th, 2015
The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Monday's trifecta of showtune events, including Jackie Burns following Idina, and 'Boy From Oz.' 'Mormon' and 'Dancing' return, and 'Gentleman's Guide' prepares. That 'October Sky' and 'Starcatcher' are set to open, but a lot of shows are closing. Not 'Ring Of Fire!' Concerts are on tap, too, including Seth McFarlane!
All-Chicago Cast Set for PETER AND THE STARCATCHER at Drury Lane Theatre
Drury Lane has announced the cast and creative team for the regional premiere of the Tony-nominated Peter and the Starcatcher, directed by Jeff Award-winner and Drury Lane Artistic Director William Osetek. Hailed as "astonishing" (The New Yorker) and "an absurdly funny fantastical journey," (Entertainment Weekly), Peter and the Starcatcher answers the question of how Peter Pan became "The Boy Who Never Grew Up." Complete with an all-Chicago cast, a company of twelve actors portray over one hundred characters throughout this captivating coming-of-age tale of one of literature's most beloved stories. Peter and the Starcatcher, with a book by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson and based on the 2004 play by Rick Elice, runs August 27 - October 18, 2015. Opening Night is set for Thursday, September 3 at 8pm.
Drury Lane Offers Valentine's Package; 3-Course Meal and YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN
In celebration of the most romantic day of the year, Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, will offer a three-course dinner and theatre package including tickets to the Mel Brooks Broadway hit YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN on Valentine's Day. Treat your loved one to the comedic re-imagining of the Frankenstein legend and indulge Drury Lane's delicious menu items.
'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!
Drury Lane Offers Valentine's Package; 3-Course Meal and YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, 2/14
In celebration of the most romantic day of the year, Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, will offer a three-course dinner and theatre package including tickets to the Mel Brooks Broadway hit YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN on Valentine's Day. Treat your loved one to the comedic re-imagining of the Frankenstein legend and indulge Drury Lane's delicious menu items.
'The Showtune Mosh Pit' for January 15th, 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. News about the 'Phantom' and 'Cinderella' tours, suburban theaters mount 'Cabaret,' 'Young Frankenstein,' 'Ring Of Fire' and more, plus 'A New Brain,' Hollis Resnik's Milwaukee turn as Judy, and more this month from Circle Theatre!
'The Showtune Mosh Pit' for December 18th, 2013
The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'Annie Get Your Gun' from LOW, '42nd Street' at the Paramount, the Mercury Theatre's season announcement, 'Dolly' and 'Young Frankenstein' in Oakbrook, a 'Carnival' in concert, a recap of the BIC spring tours and more!
Devin DeSantis to Star in Drury Lane Theatre's YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, 1/16-3/16
Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, presents the Mel Brooks Broadway hit YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, previewing January 16, opening Thursday, January 23, and running through March 16, 2014. The cast is led by Devin DeSantis as "Dr. Frederick Frankenstein" (Anyone Can Whistle with Patti LuPone at the Ravinia Festival, four years in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, and Pirates of Penzance, Boys from Syracuse and Hot Mikado at Drury Lane Theatre); Jeff Award winner Jeff Dumas as "Igor" (First National Tour of Spamalot Directed by Mike Nichols, Bounce at The Kennedy Center, NBC TV's Chicago Fire, The Merry Widow at Lyric Opera Chicago, Pacific Overtures at Chicago Shakespeare Theater and Winesburg, Ohio at About Face Theatre); and Johanna McKenzie Miller as "Elizabeth Benning" (Mary Poppins at Marriott Theatre, Fiddler on the Roof at Drury Lane Theatre, The Music Man at Marriott Theatre, Sunday in the Park with George at Ravinia Festival and The Three Musketeers at Chicago Shakespeare Theater). The production is Directed by Drury Lane Theatre Artistic Director William Osetek (Drury Lane Theatre's smash hit production of Spamalot and Jeff Award nominee for Best Director and Best Production for Thoroughly Modern Millie) and Choreographed by Jeff Award winner Tammy Mader (Sunset Boulevard, Gypsy, Thoroughly Modern Millie and Hairspray at Drury Lane Theatre).
'The Showtune Mosh Pit' for December 12th, 2012
The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. It's the no-Christmas-musicals edition of the Mosh Pit! The T-BOM has arrived, BWW Chicago Awards voting ends this Saturday, the Grammys, three new musicals in workshop, dueling TYA 'Cinderella' musicals and more!