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Friday, 26 January 2024 12:05

CHURCHILL Tickets On Sale Now

Emery Entertainment, Inc. and Broadway In Chicago are excited to announce that CHURCHILL, starring acclaimed actor David Payne, will play a strictly limited engagement at Broadway In Chicago's Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place (175 E. Chestnut St) from April 3 to April 7, 2024. Tickets for all shows are now on sale, priced at $75.00. Groups of 10 or more may book now by calling (312) 977-1710 or emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Broadway In Chicago subscribers may add the show by logging onto their season ticket account. Please visit BroadwayInChicago.com for more details. The performance schedule is below.

Winston Churchill has just been awarded honorary US citizenship by President John F. Kennedy. In recognition of this unprecedented occasion, The American-Oxford Society has asked the former Prime Minister to address them and discuss what this honor means to him.

In this often funny, sometimes touching, and always engaging one-man-show, veteran British actor David Payne brings Churchill to life onstage. Audiences will be delighted to hear of his exploits during the Boer War, his constant battles with Britain's fellow politicians, his special relationship with America and America's presidents. But most telling of all, Churchill enlightens the audience with intimate and touching details of the two special women in his life—his wife Clementine and Queen Elizabeth.

With elements of The Crown and The Darkest Hour, David Payne once again gives audiences an opportunity to spend an evening with one of the greatest historical figures in the world—Sir Winston Churchill.

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE                                         

Wednesday        April       3                              1:30 PM

Wednesday        April       3                              7:00 PM

Thursday            April       4                              7:00 PM

Friday                 April       5                              7:00 PM

Saturday             April       6                              2:00 PM

Saturday             April       6                              7:30 PM

Sunday               April       7                              1:30 PM

Sunday               April       7                              6:00 PM

ABOUT BROADWAY IN CHICAGO

Broadway In Chicago was created in July 2000 and over the past 24 years has grown to be one of the largest commercial touring homes in the country. A Nederlander Presentation, Broadway In Chicago lights up the Chicago Theater District entertaining up to 1.7 million people annually in five theatres. Broadway In Chicago presents a full range of entertainment, including musicals and plays, on the stages of five of the finest theatres in Chicago's Loop including the Cadillac Palace Theatre, CIBC Theatre, James M. Nederlander Theatre, and just off the Magnificent Mile, the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place and presenting Broadway shows at the Auditorium Theatre.

For more information, visit www.BroadwayInChicago.com.

Follow @broadwayinchicago on FacebookInstagram, and TikTok

Broadway In Chicago is delighted to announce that individual tickets for the all-new production of the Tony Award-winning Broadway Classic, PETER PAN will go on sale on Friday, January 26. PETER PAN takes flight at Broadway In Chicago's James M. Nederlander Theatre (24 W. Randolph St.) for a limited two-week engagement, March 26 – April 7.

This high-flying musical has been thrilling audiences of all ages for close to 70 years and is now being brought back to life in a newly-imagined production directed by Emmy Award-winner Lonny Price (Sunset Boulevard, Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill) with additional book by celebrated playwright Larissa FastHorse (The Thanksgiving Play, What Would Crazy Horse Do?) and choreography by Lorin Latarro (Waitress, The Who's Tommy).

"PETER PAN is one of the great treasures of the American Musical Theatre," said Lonny Price. "The show nurtures and inspires the imagination of its audience and reminds us to keep alive the child within us all."  

"I am thrilled to be part of bringing PETER PAN to life for a new generation," said Larissa FastHorse. "If you loved this musical before, you will still see the show that enchanted you, while discovering a PETER PAN that everyone can enjoy, without harm, for many years to come." 

The adventure begins when PETER PAN and his mischievous sidekick, Tinker Bell, visit the bedroom of the Darling children late one night. With a sprinkle of fairy dust and a few happy thoughts, the children are taken on a magical journey they will never forget. This extraordinary musical full of excitement and adventure features iconic and timeless songs including "I'm Flying", "I Gotta Crow", "I Won't Grow Up" and "Neverland." PETER PAN embraces the child in us all so go on a journey from the second star to the right and straight on 'til morning - your entire family will be Hooked!  

Based on Sir James M. Barrie's classic tale and originally directed, choreographed, and adapted by Broadway legend Jerome RobbinsPETER PAN features an iconic and unforgettable score by Morris (Moose) Charlap; lyrics by Carolyn Leigh; additional lyrics by Betty ComdenAdolph Green, and Amanda Green; and additional music by Jule Styne

Nolan Almeida will play the iconic role of Peter Pan. An Orange County, California native, Nolan was most recently seen as Crutchie in Newsies at 5-Star Theatricals and was featured in Christmas on Repeat on Hulu. Joining him will be Cody Garcia as Captain Hook, who most recently starred as Willy Wonka in the national tour of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and as Buddy in Elf; Emerson College graduate Hawa Kamara as Wendy; and acclaimed recording artist Raye Zaragoza as Tiger Lily.

Director Lonny Price is thrilled to introduce Nolan Almeida as the high-flying Peter Pan. "Nolan embodies all the beautiful contradictions of Peter. He's an extraordinarily gifted young actor, a wonderful singer and nothing short of magical. Cody Garcia as Captain Hook is utterly modern, surprising and one of the most engaging actors I've ever worked with."

"I also want to celebrate Hawa Kamara, making her professional debut as Wendy! A wildly charismatic young actress, who's as talented as she is beautiful. And rounding out this sensational group is Raye Zaragoza as Tiger Lily - brilliant multi-faceted recording artist and actress. This company is simply going to blow people away and I cannot wait for audiences across the country to fall in love with each of them."

The full cast is completed by Shefali Deshpande as Mrs. Darling, Kurt Perry as Smee, William Foon and Micah Turner Lee alternate as John, and Reed Epley and Jayden Guarneri alternate as Michael. The ensemble includes Charles Antenen, Jonah Barricklo, Eric Allen Boyd, Christina Hélène Braa, Brandon Gille, Ryan Perry Marks, Michael Marrero, Kenny Ramos, Hannah Schmidt, and Kiara Williams. The swings are Tony Collins, Bailey Frankenberg, Leo Gallegos, and Cheyenne Omani.

PETER PAN is directed by Lonny Price, with additional book by Larissa FastHorse, choreography by Lorin Latarro and flight choreography by Paul Rubin, with music supervision and additional arrangements by Andy Einhorn, and dance arrangements by David Dabbon. The national tour has scenic design by Anna Louizos, costume design by Sarafina Bush, lighting design by Amith Chandrashaker, sound design by Kai Harada, projections by David Bengali, hair & make-up design by J. Jared Janas, fight direction by Rick Sordelet & Christian Kelly-Sordelet, and "Tinker Bell" design by Paul Kieve. The Associate Director is Matt Cowart and the Associate Choreographer is Travis Waldschmidt, with casting by ARC/Duncan Stewart, CSA and additional casting by Michael Donovan Casting. The production is licensed by Music Theatre International. The tour is produced by NETworks Presentations.

The PETER PAN tour is conducted by Jonathan Marro. The stage management team is led by Ashlynn Abbott with Kendall Stevens. The company management team is led by Luke Meyer with Kyle Hess.

Please follow the flight at:  

peterpanontour.com 

Instagram: @PeterPantheMusical 

Facebook: @PeterPanTheBroadwayMusical 

TikTok: @PeterPantheMusical 

#peterpanmusical

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE

Performances are Tuesday through Thursday at 7:00 p.m. (with a Wednesday matinee at 1:00 p.m. on April 3), Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at 2:00 p.m. & 7:30 p.m., and Sundays at 1:00 p.m. (with an additional performance on Sunday, March 31 at 6:30 p.m.)

TICKET INFORMATION

Individual tickets for PETER PAN will go on-sale to the public on Friday, January 26 and range from $35.00 - $105 with a select number of premium tickets available. Tickets are available now for groups of 10 or more by calling Broadway In Chicago Group Sales at (312) 977-1710 or emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. For more  information, visit www.BroadwayInChicago.com.

ABOUT BROADWAY IN CHICAGO

Broadway In Chicago was created in July 2000 and over the past 24 years has grown to be one of the largest commercial touring homes in the country. A Nederlander Presentation, Broadway In Chicago lights up the Chicago Theater District entertaining up to 1.7 million people annually in five theatres. Broadway In Chicago presents a full range of entertainment, including musicals and plays, on the stages of five of the finest theatres in Chicago's Loop including the  Cadillac Palace Theatre, CIBC Theatre, James M. Nederlander Theatre, Auditorium Theatre, and just off the Magnificent Mile, the Broadway  Playhouse at Water Tower Place.

For more information and tickets, visit www.BroadwayInChicago.com.

Facebook @BroadwayInChicago ● Instagram @broadwayinchicago ● TikTok @broadwayinchicago ● #broadwayinchicago

Disney Theatrical Group, under the direction of Andrew Flatt, Anne Quart and Thomas Schumacher, announced today that a newly-reimagined North American tour of Beauty and the Beast will officially open at Broadway In Chicago's Cadillac Palace Theatre in July 2025.

Tickets are now available for groups of 10 or more by calling Broadway In Chicago Group Sales at (312) 977-1710 or emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. The show will be a part of the 2024 Fall Sale Season. Individual tickets will go on sale at a later date.

"We've heard from audiences for three decades now that Beauty and the Beast has touched them in a profound way - these characters, songs and this sweeping story," said Thomas Schumacher, Chief Creative Officer, Disney Theatrical Group. "How proud we are, then, to bring this refreshed and human take on the show – with the scale and spectacle the title deserves - to longtime fans and an entirely new generation. This Beauty is for them."

Based on the Academy Award®-winning feature film, Beauty and the Beast is one of the most beloved stage musicals of the last half-century.  The Tony Award®-winning Broadway production ran for 13 years (1994 - 2007) and remains one of the Top 10 longest-running Broadway shows. Worldwide, there have been productions in 37 countries, seen by more than 25 million people and translated into 17 different languages.

The new tour will hold technical rehearsals and launch in Schenectady, NY at Proctors in June 2025, prior to the official opening in Chicago, IL at the Cadillac Palace Theatre in July, followed by a stop in Minneapolis, MN at the Orpheum Theatre in August. Casting and the anticipated two-year tour route will be announced at a later date.

Reuniting to create this new production are members of the original Tony Award®-winning artistic team, including composer Alan Menken (who wrote the film's beloved score with the late lyricist Howard Ashman), lyricist Tim Rice, book writer Linda Woolverton, with direction and choreography by Matt West, scenic design by Stanley A. Meyer, costume design by Ann Hould-Ward and lighting design by Natasha Katz.

"We are thrilled to have once again gathered this world-class creative team on Beauty and the Beast, under the masterful direction of original team member Matt West. Together they created a beloved show in 1994, and today they're telling that story with all the charm and romance of the original production, and newly resonant for today's audiences. It's a pleasure to be back in the room with this peerless team as they re-discover and expand Beauty and the Beast," shared Executive Producer Anne Quart.

Critics have raved about the show throughout its history, from its 1994 Broadway premiere through the recent smash U.K. and Australian productions of the newly-reimagined version:

"The astonishments rarely cease! Its lavishness is delirious."

The New York Times

★★★★ "A tale as old as time, but as exhilarating as ever!"

– London Evening Standard

 "A spectacular stage extravaganza!"

 – New York Post

★★★★ "Visual magic...Witty, exuberant with breathtaking choreography."

– Sydney Morning Herald

"You will have the time of your life! All the great songs and great moments are here."

– Good Morning America

★★★★ "Joyously entertaining!"

– London Sunday Express

"The most lavish, opulent, eye-popping show ever!"

New York Daily News

★★★★★ "Full Broadway spectacle."

– London Daily Mail

★★★★★

Sydney Arts Guide

About Disney's Beauty & the Beast

Based on the 1991 Academy-Award winning animated feature film, Disney's Beauty and the Beast premiered on Broadway in 1994 where it was nominated for nine Tony® Awards, winning for Best Costume Design, and ran for 13 years.  It still ranks as one of the longest-running and highest-grossing Broadway shows of all time. Since its debut, the title's visibility and success has expanded globally with subsequent productions produced around the world.

The structure and tone of the story and score – as conceived for the 1991 film by its executive producer and lyricist Howard Ashman with a continued evolution for the Broadway adaptation three years later – made Disney history. Only once before – in Menken and Ashman's previous film musical The Little Mermaid – had a Disney film been structured like a stage musical where the songs are integral to plot and characterization. This Menken/Ashman innovation is credited with the 1990's Disney animation renaissance that went on to create such film classics as AladdinThe Lion King and Hunchback of Notre Dame and helped re-introduce the book musical form to popular culture.

Disney's Beauty and the Beast, directed & choreographed by Matt West, features Alan Menken's Academy Award®-winning score, songs by Alan Menken and the late Howard Ashman (including the Academy Award®-winning title song and the show-stopping "Be Our Guest"), plus songs written especially for the stage by Alan Menken and Tim Rice (including "If I Can't Love Her" and "A Change In Me").   The production features a book by Linda Woolverton, author of the original screenplay.  Sets are by Stanley A. Meyer, costumes by Ann Hould-Ward (Tony Award® winner for Beauty and the Beast) and lighting by Natasha Katz.

New dance music arrangements are by David Chase.  Longtime Menken collaborators Michael Kosarin and Danny Troob are music supervisor/arranger and orchestrator, respectively.

Completing the design team, John Shivers is sound designer, Darrel Maloney is projection & video designer, and David H. Lawrence is hair & make-up designer. Jim Steinmeyer is the illusion designer, as he was on the original 1994 production. Jason Trubitt is the production supervisor and Myriah Bash is the general manager. Anne Quart serves as executive producer.

Previous Disney-produced North American Tours of Beauty and the Beast played for almost eight years from November 1995 through August 2003, for a combined total of 2,893 performances to more than 5.7 million audience members.

For more information, visit beautyandthebeastthemusical.comInstagram and Facebook.

About Broadway In Chicago

Broadway In Chicago was created in July 2000 and over the past 24 years has grown to be one of the largest commercial touring homes in the country. A Nederlander Presentation, Broadway In Chicago lights up the Chicago Theater District entertaining up to 1.7 million people annually in five theatres. Broadway In Chicago presents a full range of entertainment, including musicals and plays, on the stages of five of the finest theatres in Chicago's Loop including the Cadillac Palace Theatre, CIBC Theatre, James M. Nederlander Theatre, and just off the Magnificent Mile, the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place and presenting Broadway shows at the Auditorium Theatre.  For more information, visit www.BroadwayInChicago.com

Follow @BroadwayInChicago

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#broadwayinchicago


About Face Theatre continues its 29th season with the Midwest premiere of The Brightest Thing in the World by Leah Nanako Winkler, directed by AFT Artistic Associate Keira Fromm. The show will run March 14 through April 13, 2024, at The Den Theatre. The Brightest Thing in the World starts as a bubbling romantic comedy between barista Lane and her regular Steph, charting their growing relationship as they encounter real-world challenges like teen pregnancy, parenting, and addiction. This play is a celebration of love, family, and the people in our lives who shine the brightest.

THE BRIGHTEST THING IN THE WORLD

Written by Leah Nanako Winkler

Directed by AFT Artistic Associate Keira Fromm

 

March 14 – April 13, 2024 | Press opening: Friday, March 22

All performances will take place at The Den Theatre, 1331 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago

Showtimes: Thurs and Fri at 8:00pm, Sat at 3:00pm and 8:00pm, Sun at 3:00pm

Please note: There is no matinee performance on Saturday, March 16

Open Captioning performances: Dates TBD.

Masks Required performances: Saturday matinees on March 30 and April 6 will require every attendee to wear a mask.

Pay-what-you-can tickets ($5 – $35) on sale now at The Den Theatre box office or About Face Theatre's website.

TICKETS

Tickets are on sale now online at AboutFaceTheatre.com, by calling 773.697.3830, or in-person at The Den Theatre box office. Ticket prices range from $5 to $35.

AFT offers a ticket pricing system that allows each patron to decide the price that they can comfortably afford to pay for a ticket. Ultimately, About Face wants everyone who wants to attend a show to be able to do so. Please note: there are limited quantities available at each pricing level.

THE PLAY

Charmingly free-spirited barista Lane is determined to win over her new regular, the reserved and intellectual Steph. Delightful romantic comedy ensues with poetry, homemade desserts, and sparks flying. But both women are carrying life-changing secrets involving addiction, past relationships, and family. What happens when the giddy romance wears off and Lane and Steph must do the work of building a lasting relationship out of honesty, compassion, and courage? The Brightest Thing in the World is a funny, heartfelt new play delving into the people we think we know and the people we know we love.

"I love Leah Nanako Winkler's use of language and the smart, messy, recognizable women at the center of the story," says director Keira Fromm. "She has created a play that manages to be both a funny queer rom-com and a devastating portrait of addiction and the ways we're all constantly in a state of recovery."

 

The Brightest Thing in the World was commissioned by Yale Repertory Theatre in 2019, where it received its world premiere in 2022.

CAST

Blakewell (Della)

Claire Kaplan (Lane)

Jojo Brown (Steph)

PRODUCTION TEAM

Dramaturg, Casting Director        Catherine Miller

Choreographer                              Jenn Freeman

Intimacy & Violence Designer     Sheryl Williams

Assistant Director                         Aimy Tien

Scenic Designer                           Sotirios Livaditis

Lighting Designer                         Conchita Avitia

Sound Designer                           Christopher Kriz

Costume Designer                       Gregory Graham

Properties Designer                     Amanda Herrmann

Technical Director                        Becca Venable

Stage Manager                            Jean Compton

Assistant Stage Manager            B Valek

Production Manager                    Audrey Kleine

Keira Fromm (she/her): director

Keira is a Chicago-based, Jeff-award nominated director. She is also an Artistic Associate with About Face Theatre where she directed Bull in a China ShopSignificant OtherBright Half Life, and A Kid Like Jake. Other directing credits include: Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf (Milwaukee Chamber Theatre), The MoorsA Phoenix Too Frequent, and A Doll's House (American Players Theatre), The Last Match (Writers Theatre); At the Wedding and Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley (TheatreSquared); Top Girls and hang (Remy Bumppo); The Columnist (American Blues Theater); Charles Ives Take Me Home (Strawdog); The How and the Why (TimeLine Theatre); Broadsword (The Gift Theatre); and Fallow (Steep Theatre.) She received her MFA from DePaul University, her BFA from Boston University, is an alumna of Lincoln Center Theater Directors Lab, and a member of SDC, the professional directors union. Keira will be directing The Liar at American Players Theatre this upcoming summer.www.keirafromm.com

Cyd Blakewell (she/her): "Della"

Cyd was most recently seen in Northlight Theatre's Birthday Candles. She is a proud ensemble member of The Gift Theatre. Gift Theatre credits: The LocustsPillowmanDoubtA Life Extra OrdinaryGood For OttoBody + BloodBroadswordMine, and TEN. Other Chicago credits: The Snare (Jackalope); Balm In Gilead and Port (Griffin); Buddy Cop 2breaks & bikes, and Milk Milk Lemonade (Pavement Group); Sweet Confinement and Ivanov (SiNNERMAN Ensemble); Orange Flower Water (Interrobang); Lies & Liars and Mimesophobia (Theatre Seven); Rewind (The Side Project). Last summer she wrapped on a short film called Fairground and can also be seen in Jeri's Grille. Next, you can see her in the World Premier of Obliterated by Andrew Hinderaker, co-starring Michael Patrick Thornton. Cyd got her BFA from Southwestern University in Georgetown, TX and is a graduate of the School at Steppenwolf. She is represented by Promote Talent Agency.

Jojo Brown (she/her): "Steph"

Jojo Brown is a stage and screen actor who was born and raised in Chicago. Off-Broadway credits include CHARM and 7 Minutes. Television credits include her recurring role as Mindy on Freeform's "Single Drunk Female" and appearances on NBC, Showtime, Comedy Central, FX, and Paramount Plus.

Claire Kaplan (she/her): "Lane"

Claire is a theater-maker, actor, and teacher from Long Beach, CA. Regional credits include South Coast Rep, La Jolla Playhouse, and East West Players. Claire is co-artistic director of The West, an experimental theatre company formerly based in LA, now creating work in Chicago and Berlin. She is directing Theatre Unspeakable's touring show introducing Shakespeare to kids and is teaching devised theater at UIC. She recently helped create the musical world for Backroom Shakes' The Winter's Tale.

Leah Nanako Winkler (she/her): playwright

Leah Nanako Winkler is an award-winning playwright and TV writer from Kamakura, Japan, and Lexington, Kentucky. Her plays include God Said ThisTwo Mile HollowKentuckyHot Asian Doctor Husband, and The Brightest Thing in the World, as well as many short plays all produced Off-Broadway and regionally. Accolades and fellowships: Yale Drama Series Prize, Mark O'Donnell Prize from The Actors Fund and Playwrights Horizons, Audible's Emerging Playwrights Fund, Jerome New York Fellow at the Lark, Francesca Primus Prize, and a 2020 Steinberg Playwright Award. She is published by American Theater Magazine, Nanjing University's Stage and Screen Reviews, Yale University Press, Backstage, Smith and Krauss, Samuel French, and Dramatists Play Service. TV credits include Michael Moore's TV NATIONNew Amsterdam, A24's Ramy on Hulu (where she along with the other writers won a Peabody Award), Love Life on HBO MAX, and currently on projects at Apple, Warner and Amazon.

ABOUT FACE THEATRE advances LGBTQ+ equity through community building, education, and performance. AFT envisions an affirming and equitable world in which all LGBTQ+ individuals are thriving and free from prejudice and discrimination. About Face Theatre is also dedicated to being an intentionally and increasingly anti-racist organization. Due to the intersectionality of our identities, we understand our work to advance LGBTQ+ equity as directly connected to movements for racial justice.

Music Theater Works is proud to announce the cast and creative team for the first production of its 2024 season, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, in the Center Theatre at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts In Skokie, 9501 Skokie Blvd, Skokie, March 7 - 31. The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, conceived by Rebecca Feldman, additional material by Jay Reiss, music and lyrics by William Finn and book by Rachel Sheinkin, is directed and choreographed by Christopher Pazdernik, assistant directed and choreographed by Keely Vasquez and music directed by Michael McBride. The schedule includes a preview performance Thursday, March 7 at 7:30 p.m. with a press opening Friday, March 8 at 7 p.m. The performance schedule is Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., Wednesdays at 2 p.m., Saturday, March 16 at 2 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m. The two performances: Saturday, March 23 and March 27 at 7:30 p.m., are for guests 18 years old and above as words spelled will be of an adult nature and may not be suitable for children.Tickets are now on sale from $39 to $106 with tickets for guests 25 years old and younger available at half-price at MusicTheaterWorks.com or by calling the Music Theater Works box office at the North Shore Center, 847.673.6300. Group discounts are also available for groups of 10 or more by contacting 847.920.5360.

Winner of the Tony and the Drama Desk Awards for Best Book, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee has won the hearts of theatergoers across the country with its mix of wit, wills, and audience participation. Join this group of unique and dedicated students as they compete for the spelling bee championship that celebrates the pursuit of the ultimate prize while finding the joy of being oneself.

The cast of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee includes Neala Barron (she/her, Rona Lisa Peretti); Zach Kunde (he/him, Douglas Panch); Michael Davis Arnold (he/him, Mitch Mahoney); Will Koski (he/him, William Barfée); Rachel Guth (she/her, Olive Ostrovsky); Jamie Dillon Grossman (she/her, Logainne  Schwartzandgrubenierre); Mai Hartwich (she/her, Marcy Park); Joe Lewis (he/him, Leaf Coneybear) and Brandon Acosta (he/him, Chip Tolentino). The understudies include Joselle Reyes (she/her, Marcy/Olive U/S); Kevin Parra (he/him, Leaf/Chip U/S); Dane Strange (he/him, Barfee/Mitch U/S); Lilli Galuzzo (she/they, Logainne/Rona U/S) and Bryson Howard (he/him, Panch U/S). 

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee’s creative team is Christopher Pazdernik (any with respect, director/choreographer); Keely Vasquez (she/her, assistant director and assistant choreographer); Michael McBride (he/him, music director); Amber Wuttke (she/her, fight & intimacy choreographer); Allison Gonzales (she/her, stage manager); Ethan Colish (he/him, assistant stage manager); Ben Lipinski (he/him, scenic designer/paint charge); Ab Rieve (they/them, props designer); Kristen Brinatti (she/her, costume designer); Melanie Saso (she/her, asst. hair, wig and makeup designer); Levi K. Wilkins (he/him, lighting designer); Forrest Gregor (he/him, sound designer) and Andersonville Scenic Studios (scene shop).

ABOUT CHRISTOPHER PAZDERNIK, DIRECTOR/CHOREOGRAPHER

Christopher Pazdernik returns to Music Theater Works after making his debut with 2023’s Avenue Q. Pazdernik is best-known for his work as artistic director of Refuge Theatre Project (Jeff Awards, Best Director and Best Production of a Musical, High Fidelity); a long association with Porchlight Music Theatre--including directing eight Porchlight Revisits productions; three years of directing Who's Holiday at Theater Wit and his current role as producing director at Theo. Also an openly HIV+ artist, Pazdernik is the creator and producer of the benefit concert “Belting for Life” and co-captain of Team Option Up! for AIDS Run/Walk Chicago.

ABOUT KEELEY VASQUEZ, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR/CHOREOGRAPHER

Keely Vasquez is an actor, singer, teacher and voiceover artist. Recent acting credits include: Dear Evan Hansen (First National tour), Spamalot (Mercury Theater Chicago) and Next to Normal (Writers Theatre). Other Chicago theatrical credits include shows at Porchlight Music Theatre, Drury Lane Oakbrook Theatre, Goodman Theatre, Paramount Theatre, Marriott Lincolnshire Theatre and The Broadway Playhouse. She has served as casting associate for Mercury Theater Chicago since 2021. For nearly a decade, she toured the world singing with Barry Manilow.

 

ABOUT MICHAEL MCBRIDE, MUSIC DIRECTOR

Dr. Michael McBride is a Jeff Award-winning music director, internationally-performed composer, performer and educator. He is excited to return to Music Theatre Works after music directing Lerner & Loewe’s Brigadoon and Billy Elliot. Credits include Big Fish (Boho Theatre, Jeff Award); Revolution(s) (Goodman Theatre); Grease (Drury Lane Theatre); The Scarlet Pimpernel (Engeman Theatre, NY); Rent, New Faces Sing 1951, PorchlightPalooza, Broadway by the Decade (Porchlight Music Theatre); Passing Strange (Theo Ubique); 49th Annual Jeff Awards Ceremony; Ain’t Misbehavin’, The Robber Bridegroom, Jesus Christ Superstar, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Pippin,What a Wonderful World (workshop), Man of La Mancha, Mamma Mia, Into The Woods, The Little Mermaid (Timber Lake Playhouse); The Boys and the Nuns (composer & MD), Fun Home, Violet, Cabaret, Tintypes, She Loves Me, Spring Awakening, Hot Mikado, Urinetown, Into the Woods (Loyola University Chicago); The Christmas Foundling (composer and music director; Pride Arts Center); Footloose (Wallace Bowl); The Drake Hotel holiday programming and The Cabaret Project in Chicago, St. Louis and Lake Geneva. He is proud to be music director at A Church 4 Me MCC in Chicago. Having earned a DM in composition from Northwestern University, He has served on faculty of Northwestern University, Loyola University Chicago and North Park University where he is a visiting assistant professor.

MUSIC THEATER WORKS 2024 SEASON

Subscriptions are now available at MusicTheaterWorks.com for its 44th season including 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, March 7 – 31, 2024, followed by Carousel, August 8 – August 18, 2024, Little Shop of Horrors, October 24 – November 17, 2024 and concludes with Legally Blonde: The MusicalDecember 19 – 29, 2024. All performances are at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie, 9501 Skokie Blvd. Single tickets go on sale for the 2024 Season Tuesday, Jan. 23 at 12 p.m.

ABOUT MUSIC THEATER WORKS

Music Theater Works is a resident professional not-for-profit music theater founded in

1980. During its 44-year history it has presented more than 150 productions and intimate

presentations. Music Theater Works is a professional theater company whose mission is

to present works for the musical stage including historic repertoire, revitalizing the Golden Age of Broadway and earlier works, celebrating the Great American Songbook and introducing modern classics.

Artistic Director Jeffrey Cass and Executive Director Julie Ann Kornak are excited to continue BrightSide Theatre's SEASON 12 – The Season of Passion – with the masterful musical CHESS IN CONCERT. Cass is directing the concert, with musical direction by Aaron Zimmerman. Cast in the central roles of the love triangle between two chess grandmasters who love the same woman are Michael Metcalf, Julie Ann Kornak and Justin Miller. Metcalf, who will play the American Grandmaster Freddie Trumper, was seen last year as King Arthur in CAMELOT, Lord Farquaad in SHREK (both with Music Theater Works) and Lonny in ROCK OF AGES (Mercury Theatre). Kornak, cast as Trumper's manager and lover Florence who becomes involved with Freddie's Russian rival Anatoly, has played such roles as Tanya in MAMMA MIA, Muriel in DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS, and Francesca in THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY, all with Brightside Theatre. Miller played Robert Kincaid opposite Kornak in Brightside's THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY and alos appeared in the national tour of FINDING NEVERLAND.

Other performers in key roles are Edward MacLennan of Bolingbrook (Molokov/Alexander/Male Ensemble), Jim Heatherly of Bloomingdale (Walter Anderson/Male Ensemble), Meg McGarry of Plano, (Svetlana Sergievsky/Female Ensemble), Zach Gibson of Warrenville (The Arbiter/Male Ensemble), Stan Austin of Winfield (Gregor Vassy), Wren Harrington of Westchester (Young Florence). Additional members of the male ensemble are Henry Alloway (Chicago), Andrew Buel (Montgomery), Bob Bullen (Chicago), and Nicholas J. Greanias (Lemont). The female ensemble also includes Amy Bamberger (Naperville), Kristina Drendel (Hampshire), Marianne Embree (Arlington Heights), Meghan Kessel (Chicago), Christine Ronna (Wilmington), and Amy Steele (Naperville).

The production team also includes De Haddad (Stage Manager/Assistant Director) and Tim Elliott (Sound Mixer). 

CHESS IN CONCERT
Brightside Theatre
February 9 – 18
Madden Theatre, North Central College
171 Chicago Avenue, Naperville IL
 
Performances
 
Friday, February 9 – 8 pm
Saturday, February 10 – 8 pm
Sunday, February 11 – 2 pm
Friday, February 16 – 8 pm
Saturday, February 17 – 2 pm and 8 pm
Sunday, February 18 – 2 pm
 
www.brightsidetheatre.com, or by phone at 630-447-TIXS (8497).
$37 for adults/$32 for seniors and students.
 
Composed by the men of supergroup ABBA and the smash hit Mamma Mia! featuring '80s hits One Night in Bangkok, I Know Him So Well, and Anthem, CHESS IN CONCERT is a modern classic that explodes into life.  It's the 1980s and the Cold War is at its darkest.  Two chess masters meet in Bangkok to battle for the world championship, but their greatest contest is for the love of one woman. In this story of love and political intrigue that takes us from Bangkok to Budapest where the players, lovers, politicians, and spies all struggle to get the upper hand.

Invictus Theatre Company, the seven-year-old storefront theatre company who this past year was one of the most honored organizations at the Non-Equity Jeff Awards and then lost its venue in a July 2023 fire, has announced a new home and a four-play season for 2024. Invictus will move to the Windy City Playhouse, the former producing company and venue that closed early last year.

Invictus’s first production at the Windy City Playhouse will be Suzan-Lori Parks's 2002 Pulitzer Prize winner "Topdog/Underdog," playing February 13 to March 31. Parks's drama of sibling rivalry will be directed by Aaron Reese Boseman, who led the Invictus productions of "The Mountaintop" and "A Raisin in the Sun." Boseman’s cast for the two-hander will be Mikha’el Amin (Dr. Martin Luther King in Invictus’s "The Mountaintop") and DeMorris Burrows (of Steppenwolf’s "1919").

It will be followed in May by another Pulitzer Prize winner — the first Chicago production of Tracy Letts’s play "August: Osage County" since the 2010 national tour that played the Cadillac Palace Theatre. This monumental drama of family dysfunction in rural Oklahoma had its world premiere at Steppenwolf Theatre in 2007, winning six Jeff Awards, including production of a play. It transferred to Broadway in 2008, where it won five Tony Awards, including Best Play. Invictus Artistic Director Charles Askenaizer, winner of the 2023 Jeff Award (Non-Equity Wing) for his direction of Invictus’s "Who's Afraid of Virginia Wool?" will direct. "August: Osage County" will play from May 28 to July 14.

In August, Askenaizer will also direct the Chicago premiere of Lee Hall’s adaptation of the Academy-Award-winning "Network." Hall’s adaptation of the screenplay by Paddy Chayefsky premiered in London in 2017 and opened on Broadway in 2018. The story concerns a network television anchorman who is fired for his declining ratings but becomes embraced by the public as a symbol of their collective angst. Chayefsky’s 1976 screenplay was prescient in its foretelling of television’s adoption of reality-based programming and exploitation of grievances. "Network" will run from August 13 to September 29.  

Invictus will continue its tradition of presenting intimate productions of Shakespeare with its season-closing presentation of "Macbeth," the Bard’s tale of the seductive nature of power that combines Scottish history with magical realism. The tragedy’s three witches who warn Macbeth about his future will make their first appearance just before Halloween, with previews beginning on October 29 and playing through December 15.

"Macbeth" will be directed by Sarafina Vecchio, a Chicago-based actor, director, and educator who is an adjunct faculty member of The Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University. Vecchio holds a Post Graduate Award in Teaching Shakespeare from The University of Warwick (in conjunction with the Royal Shakespeare Company) in Coventry, England and has been a guest instructor to Ontario, Canada's Stratford Festival. Chicago Stage and Screen praised Vecchio’s text coaching for Invictus’s "Julius Caesar" for being “as modern sounding as your favorite political podcast. You have heard these speeches before but never like this. This is a Caesar for everyone.”

Askenaizer says, “We’re looking forward to returning to production with another season of powerful, emotional dramas. We will take full advantage of the flexible space in our new home at Windy City Playhouse to develop creative staging for our shows.”

Invictus Theatre Company has been one of the most notable success stories among Chicago’s storefront theatres in spite of the challenges facing the theater community in recent years. When the pandemic shut down in-person performances just three years after the company’s founding, they responded with a thrillingly intimate Zoom production of ‘NIGHT, MOTHER. They returned from the pandemic by acquiring their own space – the former Jackalope Frontier Theater – which they renamed in honor of the late founding company member Reginald Vaughn. In that space, they continued to build a reputation for intimate and honest interpretations of classics with fidelity to the original texts and close attention to character development. The company’s extraordinarily successful 2021-22 season netted the company five Jeff Awards for its 13 nominations.

The company continued its upward trajectory during its 2022-23 season. That season began with intimate, yet full-scale stagings of the epics "Julius Caesar" and "The Crucible" along with the two-hander "The Mountaintop." Buzz Center Stage’s Wesley David said in reviewing "Julius Caesar," “Invictus Theatre Company is quickly becoming one of my favorite venues in Chicago,” and of "The Mountaintop" said “They constantly exceed their reach. I have to remind myself this is a storefront theatre.” The Chicago Reader said of "The Crucible," "This is a production that grabs an audience in the first seconds, pulls us in, and doesn’t let go until the final lights go out.”

Tickets for Invictus's 2024 season will be available soon at www.invictustheatreco.com

Thursday, 18 January 2024 13:27

ON YOUR FEET! Tickets On Sale

Broadway In Chicago is pleased to announce that tickets for the brand new production of the smash-hit musical, ON YOUR FEET! THE STORY OF EMILIO & GLORIA ESTEFAN, directed and choreographed by Luis Salgado will go on sale on Friday, January 19, 2024. Ticket prices will range from $30.00 to $100.00 with a select number of premium seats available. This inspiring true story about heart, heritage and two people who believed in their talent—and each other—has already won the hearts of audiences and critics alike. The strictly limited engagement of ON YOUR FEET! will play the CIBC Theatre from Tuesday, March 19 to Sunday, March 24, 2024. Additional ticket information and the performance schedule are below.

 

ON YOUR FEET! THE STORY OF EMILIO & GLORIA ESTEFAN is produced by GFour Productions, Evan Bernardin Productions, Salgado Productions, Midnight Theatricals, Jeremiah J. Harris & Alexander Donnelly, Ordinary Magic, Marc David Levine, Sam & Rob Sutton and GRP Entertainment. It is produced through a special license from Theatrical Rights Worldwide, and represented by Columbia Artists Theatricals. This exciting new production is directed and choreographed by Luis Salgado, who performed in the original Broadway production of ON YOUR FEET! and was the Assistant Latin Choreographer of In the Heights on Broadway, which won four Tony Awards®. In May 2022, Salgado directed and choreographed the world premiere of ON YOUR FEET! in Spanish at GALA Hispanic Theatre in Washington D.C. which The Washington Post praised production as "boisterous .. and dreamlike." 

 

"We are absolutely thrilled that our musical will once again be shared with audiences across the United States in this brand-new production of ON YOUR FEET! led by Luis Salgado," Gloria and Emilio Estefan said about today's announcement. "We've had tremendous fun sharing our story on the stage since our show first hit Broadway in 2015 and it is our hope that we can continue to inspire and uplift people with its celebratory message, especially at a time when we all need it so much."

 

Salgado said, "This story exemplifies the American Dream through the eyes and work ethic of Cuban immigrants. The Estefans have given us permission to dare to dream bigger. They allowed their truth to resonate through their music, penetrating all of us, whether you're Latine or not. This joy is a gift we want to give to our audiences."

 

"We are passionate about opening the door of representation on this tour and nurturing a diverse family both backstage and on stage, with creative team members who are joining us from around the world," he added. Several creative team members from the Washington D.C. production will join the national tour.

 

Joining the previously announced Gaby Albo as Gloria Estefan and Samuel Garnica as Emilio Estefan will be Kristen Tarragó as Gloria Fajardo, Max Cervantes as José Fajardo, Adela Romero as Consuelo, Emma Heistand as Rebecca, Sophia Yacap as Young Gloria, and Javier Iván as Young Emilio and Nayib. The ensemble of ON YOUR FEET! includes Camila Aldet, Berny Balbuena, Miguel Flores, Madelin Marchant, Sara McGuire, María Moreras, Luis Obed, Ralphie Rivera De Jesús, Khi'Shawn Robinson, Angelliz M. Rosado Ramos, Glendaliris Torres-Greaux, and Zaiedd Vélez. The swings include Brian Márquez, Matt Rivera and Maya Santiago.

 

The creative team will include Scenic Design by Clifton Chadick, Lighting Design by Ryan J. O'Gara, Costume Design by Jeannette Christensen, Video Design by Patrick W. Lord, Sound Design by Diego Garzón, Casting by Kate Lumpkin Casting, Music Direction by Daniel Alejandro Gutierrez, Musical Supervision by Clay Ostwald, Music, Lyrics and Orchestrations by Emilio and Gloria Estefan, Arrangements by Lon Hoyt, Additional Orchestrations and Arrangements by Jorge Casas, Clay Ostwald, and Oscar Hernández

 

ON YOUR FEET!, the exhilarating original musical based on the extraordinary life of 26-time Grammy Award-winning husband-and-wife team Gloria and Emilio Estefan, features a book by Academy Award and Golden Globe winner Alexander Dinelaris and a score featuring music produced and recorded by Emilio & Gloria Estefan & Miami Sound Machine. The score is made up of some of the most loved and iconic songs of the past quarter-century including "Rhythm is Gonna Get You," "Conga," "Get On Your Feet," "Don't Want To Lose You Now," "1-2-3" and "Coming Out of the Dark." Having begun in Chicago in the summer of 2015, ON YOUR FEET! made its Broadway bow that November, played for two years, and received seven Outer Critics Circle Award nominations, three Drama League Award nominations and a Tony Award® nomination for Best Choreography.

 

Originally produced by James L. Nederlander, Estefan Enterprises, Inc., Bernie Yuman, Roy Furman, Terry Allan Kramer, Catherine Adler, Caiola Productions, Reg Grove, IPN/Albert Nocciolino, Stewart F. Lane/Bonner Comley, Pittsburgh CLO, Eva Price, Iris Smith, Broadway Across America, Larry Hischhorn/Double Gemini Productions, Marc David Levine/Burnt Umber Productions, Stella La Rue/Lawrence S. Toppall.

 

For more information, visit OnYourFeetMusical.com or FACEBOOK, or INSTAGRAM, OR TIKTOK, OR X, OR THREADS @OnYourFeetBway

 

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE

Performances will be on Tuesday through Thursday at 7:00 pm (with a matinee on Wednesday, March 20 at 1:00 pm), and Friday and Saturday at 7:30 pm (with a matinee on Saturday, March 23 at 2:00 pm and Sunday, March 24 at 1:00 pm).

 

TICKET INFORMATION

Individual tickets for ON YOUR FEET! will go on sale tomorrow and range in price from $30.00 to $100.00 with a select number of premium seats available. Individual tickets are available by visiting www.BroadwayInChicago.com or going to any Broadway In Chicago venue box office. Tickets are also available for groups of 10 or more by calling Broadway In Chicago Group Sales at (312) 977-1710 or emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

Thursday, 11 January 2024 11:32

On Golden Pond coming to Skokie Theatre

MadKap Productions is pleased to present ON GOLDEN POND for 13 live performances at the Skokie Theatre, 7924 Lincoln Ave in Downtown Skokie.  Feb 2 – Feb 25, 2024, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm, and Sundays at 2:00 pm, with one Wed. matinee on Feb 21 at 1:30 pm.  Tickets are $38 general admission, $34 for seniors and students and can be purchased online at SkokieTheatre.org or by calling 847-677-7761.

ON GOLDEN POND tells the story of Ethel and Norman Thayer, a retired couple whose 48th summer on Golden Pond in Maine is disrupted by their daughter, Chelsea, who leaves her boyfriend’s 13-year-old step-son in their care for the summer.  The difficulties of a couple in their twilight years and the challenges of resolving the generation gap, take on a warm and witty edge in a play that effortlessly illustrates the hilarious, heartbreaking, human moments of which life is made.

The play opened in 1979 and swept the Drama Desk Awards, receiving awards for Best New Play, Best Actor (Tom Aldredge as Norman), and Best Actress (Frances Sternhagen, who also won the Tony Award). The Broadway revival in 2005 earned James Earl Jones a Tony Award for Best Actor.  Ernest Thompson adapted his play into a movie which won the Academy Award for Best Screenplay, as well as earning Best Actor awards for both Henry Fonda and Katherine Hepburn.

The MadKap production stars the real-life husband and wife team of Bernie Rice and Judy Rossignuolo-Rice as Norman and Ethel Thayer.  The cast includes Karyn Louise Doerfler as their daughter Chelsea, Victor Polites as her boyfriend Bill, and Peter Goldsmith as her childhood friend Charlie.  The role of 13-year-old Billy Jr. is played in rotation by both AJ Carchi and Ari Magsino.

On Golden Pond kicks off the 10th Anniversary year for MadKap productions at Skokie Theatre, which assumed management of the building in February 2014.  Future productions include the award-winning Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time starting in April, at which time the 10th Anniversary Season will be announced.

For reservations or additional information, visit SkokieTheatre.org, or call the box office at 847-677-7761

About MadKap Productions

MadKap is celebrating its 10th year at Skokie Theatre and is the recipient of the 2019 Artistic Excellence award from the Village of Skokie Fine Arts Commission.  Wendy Kaplan and Wayne Mell formed MadKap Productions in 2011 and have premiered ground-breaking new plays like Clutter: The True Story of the Collier Brothers Who Never Threw Anything Out and Mr. Shaw Goes To Hollywood, and Side Effects May Include, the semi-autobiographical account of Seinfeld writer Marc Jaffe’s experiences with Parkinson’s Disease which toured nationally, raising funds for Shaking With Laughter and The Michael J. Fox Foundation.  MadKap Productions was formerly a resident production company at the Greenhouse Theater Center in Chicago.  In February of 2014, MadKap Productions took over management of the Skokie Theatre with the goal of establishing a full-time performing arts center. 

 

About Skokie Theatre

The Skokie Theatre was originally built in 1912 and served as the local movie theatre for the people who lived in the Skokie area.  The building fell into disrepair, until 2006 when the Skokie Valley Music Foundation spent over 1.2 million dollars to refurbish it and create a music hall that is unlike any other in the area.  Its 140 comfortable seats, perfect acoustics, and elegant art deco architecture makes it a Skokie landmark.  MadKap Productions took over management of the building in February, 2014 with the goal of establishing a full-time performing arts center.  When not presenting plays, audiences can experience cabaret and concerts, dance, and comedy acts.

Page 6 of 9

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