J. Rogers News

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 'Jersey Boys' return, '[title of show]' premieres and CPaz hosts a belt-fest! Plus new works everywhere! Piven Theatre, Northlight Theatre, The Music Theatre Company, Chicago Children's Theatre, FWD Theatre and Porchlight Music Theatre show us our future, plus the world premiere of 'Sense And Sensibility' at Chicago Shakespeare Theater!

Option Up!, the acclaimed musical theater cabaret and talk-show, celebrates co-host Christopher Pazdernik's birthday with Chris' Birthday Belt-Fest, a concert to benefit Howard Brown Health Center on Sunday, May 10 at 7:30 in The Cab at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Avenue, Chicago. Featuring award-winning musical theater performers from across Chicago, the evening will be music directed by co-host Aaron Benham. Tickets are $10 and available by calling 773.327.5252 or by visiting www.stage773.com

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'Cinderella' and 'Lucy' hit town, 'Hansel And Gretel' play on the Mag Mile, a BC/EFA benefit at Sidetrack, 'Porgy' and Redmoon make splashes, two shows named 'Nativity' ready to open, and 'Rudolph' and Big Red return!

Milwaukee Repertory Theater's 2014/15 Quadracci Powerhouse Season kicks off in grand style with an uplifting production of The Color Purple. This hit musical, based on Alice Walker's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, will be directed by Artistic Director Mark Clements, who reunites with the same creative team behind last season's wildly successful hit production of Ragtime. This will be the fifth musical that Clements has directed at The Rep.

Milwaukee Repertory Theater's 2014/15 Quadracci Powerhouse Season kicks off in grand style with an uplifting production of The Color Purple. This hit musical, based on Alice Walker's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, will be directed by Artistic Director Mark Clements, who reunites with the same creative team behind last season's wildly successful hit production of Ragtime. This will be the fifth musical that Clements has directed at The Rep.

Milwaukee Repertory Theater's 2014/15 Quadracci Powerhouse Season kicks off in grand style with an uplifting production of The Color Purple. This hit musical, based on Alice Walker's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, will be directed by Artistic Director Mark Clements, who reunites with the same creative team behind last season's wildly successful hit production of Ragtime. This will be the fifth musical that Clements has directed at The Rep.

Milwaukee Repertory Theater announced casting today for The Color Purple, the glorious musical saga which opens Friday, September 26, 2014 and runs from September 23 - November 2, 2014.

Five-time Tony winner Audra McDonald will return to the stage as legendary songstress Billie Hollidayin a revival of Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill. The show will open at the Circle in the Square Theatre on April 13 for a limited 10-week run. Performances will begin on March 25. The company just met the press yesterday and BroadwayWorld's Richard RIdge was there to chat with the whole gang. Check out what they had to say below!

Five-time Tony winner Audra McDonald will return to the stage as legendary songstress Billie Holliday in a revival of Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill. The show will open at the Circle in the Square Theatre on April 13 for a limited 10-week run. Performances will begin on March 25. The company just met the press and BroadwayWorld brings you a sneak peek of the festivities below. Check back later for complete coverage!

As BroadwayWorld reported last week, five-time Tony winner Audra McDonald will return to the stage as legendary songstress Billie Holliday in a revival of Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill. The show will open at the Circle in the Square Theatre on April 13 for a limited 10-week run. Performances will begin on March 25. Check out the just-released artwork for the show below!

As BroadwayWorld reported last week, five-time Tony winner Audra McDonald will return to the stage as legendary songstress Billie Holliday in a revival of Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill. According to the New York Times, the show will open at the Circle in the Square Theatre on April 13 for a limited 10-week run. Performances will begin on March 25.

BroadwayWorld.com has learned that talks are indeed currently underway with five-time Tony winner Audra McDonald to bring her back to the stage as legendary songstress Billie Holliday in a revival of Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill. The show will reportedly play at the Circle in the Square Theatre, where current occupant Bronx Bombers will close on March 2, 2014. An official announcement has not yet been made, but sources tell us that a deal, dates and release is 'imminent.'

Chicago Shakespeare Theater CST) presents Gypsy at CST's Courtyard Theater, running now through March 23), directed by CST Associate Artistic Director Gary Griffin and starring Tony Award nominee Louise Pitre as Rose. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Chicago Shakespeare Theater CST) presents Gypsy (CST's Courtyard Theater, February 6-March 23) directed by CST Associate Artistic Director Gary Griffin. Check out highlights below!

Chicago Shakespeare Theater CST) presents Gypsy at CST's Courtyard Theater, running now through March 23), directed by CST Associate Artistic Director Gary Griffin and starring Tony Award nominee Louise Pitre as Rose. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Chicago Shakespeare Theater CST) presents an unprecedented pairing of productions that will illuminate the work of composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim: Gypsy (CST's Courtyard Theater, today, February 6-March 23) and Road Show (Upstairs at Chicago Shakespeare, March 13-May 4), both directed by CST Associate Artistic Director Gary Griffin.

Now through March 2, thousands of Chicago-area kids, parents and teachers are going to be grooving to Mr. Chickee's Funny Money, Chicago Children's Theatre's all-new, R&B family musical based on the popular children's book by Newbery Award-winner Christopher Paul Curtis. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast onstage below!

Now through March 2, thousands of Chicago-area kids, parents and teachers are going to be grooving to Mr. Chickee's Funny Money, Chicago Children's Theatre's all-new, R&B family musical based on the popular children's book by Newbery Award-winner Christopher Paul Curtis. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast onstage below!

Chicago Children's Theatre has announced casting for its world premiere of Mr. Chickee's Funny Money, an all-new, rhythm and blues family musical playing tonight, January 18 - March 2, 2014 at the Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn, Chicago. Press opening is Friday, January 24 at 7 p.m.