Justin Harner

Chicago Cabaret Professionals Annual Gala Presents Cabaret Awards and Celebrates Live Performance
by Stephi Wild - Oct 27, 2022

The Chicago Cabaret Professionals 2022 Annual Gala, held on October 17 at the Epiphany Center for the Arts in Chicago, showcased the diversity, resilience and artistry of the Chicago cabaret community that includes singers, musicians, directors, producers and fans. 

Lineup Announced for Chicago Cabaret Professionals Gala
by Stephi Wild - Sep 21, 2022

The annual Chicago Cabaret Professionals Gala is one of the most celebrated cabaret events of the year — and this year’s gala, scheduled for Monday, October 17, will feature over 25 local and national cabaret artists performing songs from the Great American Songbook as well as jazz, blues, and pop tunes. 

The Healthy Oyster Collective Announces Virtual Project THREE SISTERS I NEVER HAD By Eric Marlin
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 17, 2021

On Tuesday, The Healthy Oyster Collective announced a new virtual project called three sisters I never had by playwright Eric Marlin, directed by Erica Wray opening this Saturday, February 20th. Marlin and Wray decided to collaborate on the new virtual project while attending The Orchard Project's Liveness Lab in the summer of 2020.

Photo Flash: Strawdog Theatre Presents LITTLE WOMEN: THE MUSICAL
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 1, 2019

Brown Paper Box Co. concludes their 2018/2019 season with their Jeff Recommended production of Little Women the Musical running now through February 9, 2019 at Strawdog Theatre. Tickets and information can be found by visiting www.BrownPaperBox.org.

LITTLE WOMEN THE MUSICAL Offers Free Tickets To Furloughed Federal Employees
by Julie Musbach - Jan 21, 2019

Brown Paper Box Co. is supporting the hundreds of federal workers In and around Chicago currently furloughed as a result of the government shutdown.

Pride Films and Plays Announces Cast for SOUTHERN COMFORT
by Julie Musbach - Dec 21, 2018

Full casting has been announced for Pride Films and Plays' production of SOUTHERN COMFORT. The musical will open to the press on March 4, 2019 in the Broadway theater of the Pride Arts Center and play through March 31.

Cast Announced For Chicago Storefront Premiere Of LITTLE WOMEN THE MUSICAL
by Stephi Wild - Oct 10, 2018

Following their Jeff Award Recommended run of Branden Jacobs-Jenkins' regional premiere of EVERYBODY, Brown Paper Box Co. concludes their 2018/2019 season with the Chicago storefront premiere of Little Women the Musical running January 11-February 9, 2019 at Strawdog Theatre Company.

Matthew Huston To Perform IT'S BEEN A F*CKING YEAR Cabaret 9/24
by A.A. Cristi - Sep 5, 2018

Life is a rollercoaster of emotions, a whirlwind of events. Who would have thought that the last 365 days could hold so much? First love, first therapist, coming out, and TWO (!?) award-winning musicals. Join Jeff-award nominee Matthew Huston as he explores coming out as a queer man, first love, and learning how to love and accept himself in "IT'S BEEN A F*CKING YEAR" - directed by Derek Van Barham, with musical direction by Justin Harner.  He will be joined by Chicago gems Honey West and Scott Gryder for a retrospect of the year that was…and wasn't.

BWW Review: A Triumphant Return to TRIASSIC PARQ
by Misha Davenport - Jul 20, 2017

BWW Review: A Triumphant Return to TRIASSIC PARQ

Photo Flash: Sneak Peek - Lifeline Theatre to Present HER MAJESTY'S WILL
by BWW News Desk - Apr 26, 2017

Lifeline Theatre presents the world premiere of Her Majesty's Will, adapted by Lifeline Theatre ensemble member Robert Kauzlaric (Non-Equity Jeff Awards: New Adaptation, The Island of Dr. Moreau and Neverwhere), and directed by Lifeline Theatre ensemble member Chris Hainsworth, based on the 2013 novel by Chicago-based author/actor/fight choreographer (and Rogers Park resident) David Blixt, who will design the violence for the production. BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at the cast in character below!

Brown Paper Box Co. Announces Executive Team Changes and Addition
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 18, 2017

 It is with great excitement Brown Paper Box Co. announces a change-up and addition to their Executive Team as they continue their 2017/2018 season. Co-founding members Anna Schutz and M. William Panek are making the move to Executive Director and Marketing Director, respectively. They are joined by Kristi Szczepanek in the company's newest Executive role, Director of Community Outreach & Development. Kristi has gone above and beyond as Company Admin and has proven herself as a driven, organized, and forward-thinking leader in her short time as Artistic Associate.

Photo Flash: Positively Presents AN UPLIFTING CABARET
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 14, 2017

Brown Paper Box Co. kicked off their 2017/2018 season with a wildly successful 2-night cabaret at Mary's Attic in Andersonville April 7 & 8. Hosted by company member Kristi Szczepanek*, Positively Present: An Uplifting Cabaret featured performances from BPBCo. company members and friends, as well as past (and present!) show participants.

Positively presents AN UPLIFTING CABARET
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 14, 2017

Brown Paper Box Co. kicked off their 2017/2018 season with a wildly successful 2-night cabaret at Mary's Attic in Andersonville April 7 & 8. Hosted by company member Kristi Szczepanek*, Positively Present: An Uplifting Cabaret featured performances from BPBCo. company members and friends, as well as past (and present!) show participants. Brown Paper Box Co. kicked off their 2017/2018 season with a wildly successful 2-night cabaret at Mary's Attic in Andersonville April 7 & 8. Hosted by company member Kristi Szczepanek*, Positively Present: An Uplifting Cabaret featured performances from BPBCo. company members and friends, as well as past (and present!) show participants.

Lifeline Theatre to Stage World Premiere of HER MAJESTY'S WILL
by BWW News Desk - Apr 3, 2017

Lifeline Theatre presents the world premiere of Her Majesty's Will, adapted by Lifeline Theatre ensemble member Robert Kauzlaric (Non-Equity Jeff Awards: New Adaptation, The Island of Dr. Moreau and Neverwhere), and directed by Lifeline Theatre ensemble member Chris Hainsworth, based on the 2013 novel by Chicago-based author/actor/fight choreographer (and Rogers Park resident) David Blixt, who will design the violence for the production.

POSITIVELY PRESENT Cabaret to Kick Off Brown Paper Box Co.'s 2017-18 Season
by BWW News Desk - Mar 31, 2017

Brown Paper Box Co. has announced its upcoming cabaret event to kick off their 2017/2018 season.

Cast Announced for Brown Paper Box Co.'s THE BALTIMORE WALTZ
by BWW News Desk - Jan 21, 2017

Brown Paper Box Co. is excited to announce the cast and production team for their second main stage production of their 2016/2017 season - The Baltimore Waltz by Pulitzer Prize winner Paula Vogel.

Brown Paper Box Co.'s THE BALTIMORE WALTZ Opens this Weekend!
by A.A. Cristi - Jan 19, 2017

Brown Paper Box Co. is excited to announce their second main stage production of their 2016/2017 season - The Baltimore Waltz by Pulitzer Prize winner Paula Vogel. This production opens this week, on Saturday, January 21, 2017 and runs Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30 PM and Sundays at 2:30 PM through February 19, 2017 at The Frontier in Chicago's Edgewater neighborhood (1106 W. Thorndale Avenue). A preview is scheduled for Friday, January 20, along with special Monday night performances on January 23 and February 6, both of which begin at 7:30 PM. Additionally, this production is a participant of Chicago Theatre Week 2017 and The Ghostlight Project and all tickets are on sale now. Photos from rehearsal can be found attached; information about ticket sales and more can be found at www.BrownPaperBox.org.

Cast Announced for Brown Paper Box Co.'s THE BALTIMORE WALTZ
by BWW News Desk - Oct 27, 2016

Brown Paper Box Co. is excited to announce the cast and production team for their second main stage production of their 2016/2017 season - The Baltimore Waltz by Pulitzer Prize winner Paula Vogel.

Photo Flash: Creators Hunter Bell and Jeff Bowen Visit NOW. HERE. THIS. Chicago Premiere
by BWW News Desk - Aug 9, 2016

The cast and staff of Brown Paper Box Co.'s summer production of Now. Here. This. was surprised on Friday, August 5 by the show's original creative team, collaborators, and stars. Jeff Bowen (music and lyrics), Tony Award nominee Hunter Bell (book), and original director and choreographer Michael Berresse caught the Chicago premiere of their work and met with Brown Paper Box Co.'s team and audience members following the performance. The cast, band, and staff took to social media to share the excitement - check out photos below!

FIRST LADY SUITE, VENUS IN FUR and More Slated for Circle Theatre's 31st Season
by BWW News Desk - Aug 5, 2016

CIRCLE THEATRE kicks into high gear as the veteran company forges into its 31st season, History Makers. Risk Takers. Rule Breakers., with a historical chamber musical, a tantalizing play and a fan-favorite that put them back on the map last fall.