Review: ASSASSINS at Theo
Although it debuted off-Broadway more than thirty years ago, Stephen Sondheim and John Weidman’s ASSASSINS remains a thrilling, bone chilling, brilliant, and immensely taut musical. Drawing on the United States history of successful and would-be presidential assassins, ASSASSINS is an astounding exploration of disillusionment and infamy. The musical feels remarkably prescient in the era of TikTok influencers and an epidemic of mass shootings in America; ASSASSINS unnervingly pre-dates both of these phenomena and yet is a real immediate reflection of them. When the ensemble sings in “The Gun Song” that “all you have to do is move your little finger/ and you can change the world,” it’s absolutely terrifying in a 2023 context. Sondheim and Weidman present a cast of historical characters that feel disenfranchised and disillusioned by American ideals, and modern America certainly hasn’t been disabused of this notion.
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.
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.
Chris' Birthday Belt Fest Returns To Raise Money For Howard Brown Center
Jeff Award-winning director and HIV+ activist Christopher Pazdernik presents the 5th installment of Chris' Birthday Belt Fest, an annual benefit concert for Howard Brown Health, Monday, May 13 at 8 p.m. at Greenhouse Theatre Center, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave.Tickets are $30, in advance; $40, at the door on the night of the performance, and are available at GreenHouseTheater.org or by calling 773.404.7336. The performance is suitable for all ages and runs two hours with one intermission.
Photo Flash: Refuge Theater Project Presents THE LAST SESSION
Refuge Theater Project is proud to announce the cast and production team for its first production in its 2018 - 2019 season, The Last Session, October 26 - December 2, book by Jim Brochu, with music and lyrics by Steve Schalchlin, additional lyrics by John Bettis and Marie Cain directed by Refuge Theatre Project's Artistic Director Christopher Pazdernik and music directed by Erik Pearson. The Last Session runs Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 7 p.m. at Atlas Art Studio, 4809 N Ravenswood Ave. Previews are Friday, Oct. 26 and Saturday, Oct. 27 at 8 p.m. with opening/press night Sunday, Oct. 28 at 7 p.m. There are two additional performances Monday, Nov. 12 and 26 at 8 p.m. Preview tickets are $15, regular run tickets are $30 each and available at RefugeTheatre.com.
Photo Flash: Porchlight Music Theatre Concludes Season with MARRY ME A LITTLE
Porchlight Music Theatre and Artistic Director Michael Weber are proud to announce the final mainstage production it its 2016 - 2017 season Marry Me a Little starring Austin Cook and Bethany Thomas, music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and originally conceived by Craig Lucas and Norman Rene, with direction by Jess McLeod and music direction by Porchlight Artistic Associate Cook. Previews are Friday, April 14 at 8 p.m., Saturday, April 15 at 8 p.m., Sunday, April 16 at 2 p.m. and Monday, April 17 at 7:30 p.m. Opening night is Tuesday, April 18 at 7:30 p.m. The performance schedule is Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 4 and 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. with an added matinee performance Thursday, May 11 at 1:30 p.m. NOTE There are no 7:30 p.m. performances Thursday, April 20 and May 11 and no 4 p.m. performance Saturday, April 22. Tickets to Marry Me a Little are available at PorchlightMusicTheatre.org or by calling the Stage 773 box office, 773.327.5252.
Photo Flash: First Look at Circle Theatre's Chicago Premiere of 35MM: A MUSICAL EXHIBITION
The Chicago Premiere of Ryan Scott Oliver's 35MM: A Musical Exhibition with CIRCLE THEATRE begins rehearsals this month. This immersive production will have previews on Saturday, March 19th, 2016 and Sunday, March 20th, 2016, and opens for press on Wednesday, March 23rd, running through Sunday April 10, 2016 at Room 300 at the Flat Iron Arts Building in Wicker Park, 1579 North Milwaukee Ave. More information on performance dates and times can be found at www.circletheatrechicago.org. A sneak peek of the cast can be found below!
Circle Theatre Sets Cast & Creative Team for Chicago Premiere of 35MM
CIRCLE THEATRE is thrilled to announce the full cast and creative team for its Chicago premiere production of Ryan Scott Oliver's 35MM: A Musical Exhibition. This immersive production will have previews on Saturday, March 19th, 2016 and Sunday, March 20th, 2016, and will officially run Wednesday, March 23rd through Sunday April 10, 2016 at Room 300 at the Flat Iron Arts Building in Wicker Park, 1579 North Milwaukee Ave. Futher information on performance dates and times will be posted on Circle Theatre's official website at http://www.circletheatrechicago.org/current-season.html.
Photo Flash: Pride Films and Plays' THE BOY FROM OZ Begins Tonight
The Boy From Oz, presented by Pride Films and Plays, will be directed by David Zak, with musical direction by Robert Ollis and choreography by Cameron Turner. The musical previews tonight, August 5 and Thursday, August 6, with a press opening slated for Friday, August 7 at 7:30. BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at the cast in costume below!
Photo Flash: Meet the Cast of Pride Films and Plays' THE BOY FROM OZ
The Boy From Oz, presented by Pride Films and Plays, will be directed by David Zak, with musical direction by Robert Ollis and choreography by Cameron Turner. The musical previews Wednesday, August 5 and Thursday, August 6, with a press opening slated for Friday, August 7 at 7:30. BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at the cast in costume below!
Pride Films & Plays Sets THE BOY FROM OZ Cast
The Boy From Oz tells the amazing life story of celebrated songwriter and performer Peter Allen. Featuring songs by Peter Allen, book by Martin Sherman and Nick Enright, Direction by David Zak, Musical Direction by Robert Ollis, and Choreography by Cameron Turner, The Boy From Oz tells the exuberant yet heart-warming true story of a young Australian boy who loved to perform and ended up in the glamorous orbit of Judy Garland and her soon-to-be famous daughter Liza.
'The Showtune Mosh Pit' for January 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. Musical television series abound! Also special nights for 'Allegro' and 'Reefer Madness,' that Dolphin show at Annoyance, Mercury's 'Addams Family,' a big children's premiere, the return of 'Option Up!' and a surprising, real live 'Beauty!'