Matthias Austin

Williams Street Repertory, McHenry County's growing professional theater company, is excited to announce casting for its upcoming production of "Ring of Fire." This show pulled straight from the iconic songbook of Johnny Cash opens on July 6, 2018 at Raue Center For The Arts and runs select dates through August 12, 2018.

The opening number of the newly revised SIDE SHOW invites audiences to 'Come Look at the Freaks.' In doing so, however, the musical really prepares spectators to look upon the circus attractions in the show with empathy rather than alienation and astonishment. With this intimate production from Porchlight Music Theatre led by Artistic Director Michael Weber, the Chicago premiere of the 2014 revision of SIDE SHOW (seen on Broadway last season) brings the humanity of the show's characters to the forefront. While I enjoyed the Broadway revival of SIDE SHOW at the nearly 2,000 seat St. James Theatre, I also felt that it put me at a distance from the action onstage. The show had a pervading eeriness to it. But with Porchlight's production, audiences are able to come close to the conjoined Hilton sisters - the result is highly entertaining, with a strong dash of pathos and emotional resonance.

Porchlight Music Theatre presents the first production in its 2015 - 2016 season, SIDE SHOW, directed by Porchlight artistic director Michael Weber, music direction by Aaron Benham, choreography by Andrew Waters, music by Henry Krieger, book and lyrics by Bill Russell, at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. The show has been extended through Sunday, Oct. 25. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Porchlight Music Theatre's first production of its 2015 - 2016 season will be Side Show, running tonight, September 11, through October 18, directed by Porchlight Music Theatre artistic director Michael Weber, music direction by Aaron Benham, choreography by Andrew Waters, music by Henry Krieger, book and lyrics by Bill Russell, at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. Scroll down for a sneak peek at the stars in costume!

Porchlight Music Theatre is proud to announce the first production in its 2015 - 2016 season: Side Show, directed by Porchlight Music Theatre artistic director Michael Weber, music direction by Aaron Benham, choreography by Andrew Waters, music by Henry Krieger, book and lyrics by Bill Russell, at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave., has been extend through Sunday, Oct. 25.

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 a Super September Preview! We've got the low-down on 16 musical productions you will want to see this month, from city to suburbs, big theaters to small, premieres and old favorites galore! 'Side Show,' 'Dogfight,' 'Next To Normal,' 'Oklahoma!,' 'Spamalot,' 'Blood Brothers,' 'October Sky,' CST's 'Ride The Cyclone' and much more!

Porchlight Music Theatre launches its 2015-16 season with SIDE SHOW, running September 11 - October 18, directed by Porchlight Music Theatre artistic director Michael Weber with music direction by Aaron Benham, choreography by Andrew Waters, music by Henry Krieger, and book & lyrics by Bill Russell, at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. Previews will run Friday, Sept. 11 at 8 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 12 at 8 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 13 at 2 p.m., and Monday, Sept. 14 7:30 p.m. The opening night is Friday, Sept. 18 at 8 p.m. BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at the cast in costume below!

Porchlight Music Theatre's first production of its 2015 - 2016 season will be Side Show, running September 11 - October 18, directed by Porchlight Music Theatre artistic director Michael Weber, music direction by Aaron Benham, choreography by Andrew Waters, music by Henry Krieger, book and lyrics by Bill Russell, at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. Scroll down for a sneak peek at the stars in costume!

Exciting news just in to BroadwayWorld!  Michael Weber, artistic director of Porchlight Music Theatre, has announced the casts of the Chicago premiere of the 2014 revision of Side Show, the return of Porchlight's hit Ain't Misbehavin', multi-Jeff Award-winner Summer Naomi Smart starring in the Chicago premiere of Far From Heaven, and Porchlight Music Theatre's 2015 - 2016 artistic leadership for its four Mainstage productions.

Overflowing with Rock n' Roll, romance, and mistaken identities, the Elvis fueled Broadway Musical, ALL SHOOK UP, rides into Theatre at the Center, now through August 16th at 1040 Ridge Road in Munster, IN. Jeff Award-winning Artistic Director Bill Pullinsi joins forces with Jeff Award-winning Choreographer Danny Herman to co-direct the well-tuned, hot-rod musical, which continues Theatre at the Center's spectacular 25th Anniversary 2015 season. With a book by Tony Award-winning Joe DiPietro, nostalgic songs and sensational dance numbers, the hilarious musical will have audiences of all ages jumpin' out of their blue suede shoes. BroadwayWorld has highlights from the show below!

Overflowing with Rock n' Roll, romance, and mistaken identities, the Elvis fueled Broadway Musical, ALL SHOOK UP, rides into Theatre at the Center, July 16th through August 16th with a press opening on Sunday July 19th at 7 p.m. at 1040 Ridge Road in Munster, IN. Jeff Award-winning Artistic Director Bill Pullinsi joins forces with Jeff Award-winning Choreographer Danny Herman to co-direct the well-tuned, hot-rod musical, which continues Theatre at the Center's spectacular 25th Anniversary 2015 season. With a book by Tony Award-winning Joe DiPietro, nostalgic songs and sensational dance numbers, the hilarious musical will have audiences of all ages jumpin' out of their blue suede shoes!

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 all about musical legends! 'Men Of Soul,' 'All Shook Up,' 'Amazing Grace,' 'Million Dollar Quartet' and 'Bette' show showbiz as it was. Also on our boards: '[title of show],' 'Madame Pompadour' and 'Clue,' plus revisiting 'Eastland' and preparing to see the 'October Sky.'

Overflowing with Rock n' Roll, romance, and mistaken identities, the Elvis fueled Broadway Musical, ALL SHOOK UP, rides into Theatre at the Center, now through August 16th with a press opening this Sunday, July 19th at 7 p.m. at 1040 Ridge Road in Munster, IN. Jeff Award-winning Artistic Director Bill Pullinsi joins forces with Jeff Award-winning Choreographer Danny Herman to co-direct the well-tuned, hot-rod musical, which continues Theatre at the Center's spectacular 25th Anniversary 2015 season. With a book by Tony Award-winning Joe DiPietro, nostalgic songs and sensational dance numbers, the hilarious musical will have audiences of all ages jumpin' out of their blue suede shoes. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Overflowing with Rock n' Roll, romance, and mistaken identities, the Elvis fueled Broadway Musical, ALL SHOOK UP, rides into Theatre at the Center, tonight, July 16th through August 16th with a press opening on Sunday July 19th at 7 p.m. at 1040 Ridge Road in Munster, IN.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. The Tonys and the Jeffs bring honor and fun, and 'On Your Feet' and 'Beaches' aim for the future. Bette will be in town, Spike Lee films, 'Les Mis' and 'All Shook Up' play our southern environs, and 'The Secret Garden' and 'The Pied Piper' bring children's classics to life. Next week: Regional Summer Theaters!

Overflowing with Rock n' Roll, romance, and mistaken identities, the Elvis fueled Broadway Musical, ALL SHOOK UP, rides into Theatre at the Center, July 16th through August 16th with a press opening on Sunday July 19th at 7 p.m. at 1040 Ridge Road in Munster, IN. Jeff Award-winning Artistic Director Bill Pullinsi joins forces with Jeff Award-winning Choreographer Danny Herman to co-direct the well-tuned, hot-rod musical, which continues Theatre at the Center's spectacular 25th Anniversary 2015 season. With a book by Tony Award-winning Joe DiPietro, nostalgic songs and sensational dance numbers, the hilarious musical will have audiences of all ages jumpin' out of their blue suede shoes!

The deeply moving, enchanting new Broadway musical for all ages BIG FISH continues Theatre at the Center's exceptional 25th anniversary 2015 season. With a book by John August and music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa, BIG FISH is based on the Columbia Pictures film screenplay of the same name by John August and Daniel Wallace's 1998 novel, Big Fish: A Novel of Mythical Proportions. Artistic Director and multiple Jeff Award-winner William Pullinsi lends his expertise in the first professional locally-produced staging of the beloved musical running through June 7th at 1040 Ridge Road in Munster. Click below to watch scenes from the show!

The deeply moving, enchanting new Broadway musical for all ages BIG FISH continues Theatre at the Center's exceptional 25th anniversary 2015 season. With a book by John August and music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa, BIG FISH is based on the Columbia Pictures film screenplay of the same name by John August and Daniel Wallace's 1998 novel, Big Fish: A Novel of Mythical Proportions. Artistic Director and multiple Jeff Award-winner William Pullinsi lends his expertise in the first professional locally-produced staging of the beloved musical running now through June 7th at 1040 Ridge Road in Munster. The show opened yesterday, May 10, and BroadwayWorld has photos from the festivities below!

The deeply moving, enchanting new Broadway musical for all ages BIG FISH continues Theatre at the Center's exceptional 25th anniversary 2015 season. With a book by John August and music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa, BIG FISH is based on the Columbia Pictures film screenplay of the same name by John August and Daniel Wallace's 1998 novel, Big Fish: A Novel of Mythical Proportions. Artistic Director and multiple Jeff Award-winner William Pullinsi lends his expertise in the first professional locally-produced staging of the beloved musical running May 7th through June 7th at 1040 Ridge Road in Munster with press opening on Sunday, May 10 at 7 p.m.