Leryn Turlington News

PARADE is now in a blistering and beautifully minimalist production from director Gary Griffin. Though it is based off the real-life 1913 trial of Jewish pencil factory worker Leo Frank and was written by Jason Robert Brown and Alfred Uhry in 1998, this musical feels entirely of this moment. Set in Atlanta, Georgia, the musical follows Leo as he is imprisoned and put on trial after being falsely accused of the murder of Mary Phagan, a pre-teen girl found dead in the basement of the pencil factory. Georgia governor Hugh Dorsey wants to rapidly resolve the case and pins the blame on Leo-and coerces factory janitor Jim Conley to serve as an eye witness. The residents of Atlanta buy into Dorsey's false narrative, as they're distrustful of Frank and also want to see Mary's death avenged.  

This stirring, Tony Award-winning musical explores the endurance of love and hope against seemingly insurmountable odds, telling the true story of Leo Frank, a Brooklyn-born Jewish man falsely accused of murder in 1913 Atlanta.

Writers Theatre, under the leadership of Artistic Director Michael Halberstam and Executive Director Kathryn M. Lipuma, concludes its 2016/17 season with the musical Parade, with book by Alfred Uhry and music and lyrics by Jason Robert Brown, co-conceived by Harold Prince. 

The Jeff Awards announced, via a special video presentation, a total of 127 nominations in 26 categories for the 44th Annual Non-Equity Jeff Awards for productions that opened between April 1, 2016, and March 31, 2017.  Hosting the video presentation were Alexis Roston and Lillian Castillo, who will be this year's Mistresses of Ceremonies at the Awards event on June 5 at The Athenaeum.

Writers Theatre, under the leadership of Artistic Director Michael Halberstam and Executive Director Kathryn M. Lipuma, concludes its 2016/17 season with the musical Parade, with book by Alfred Uhry, music and lyrics by Jason Robert Brown, and co-conceived by Harold Prince.  The Writers Theatre production of Parade is directed by Gary Griffin and features musical direction by Michael Mahler and choreography by Ericka Mac. 

Honky Tonk Angels - a book musical by Always... Patsy Cline writer Ted Swindley, incorporates some of country music's greatest hits into a story of three women who form a country music singing trio. The three-woman cast will be a power trio of Chicago musical theatre performers all coming off high profile roles in past months.

???????The musical twist on the classic tale of THE NUTCRACKER comes to life for children of all ages at The Marriott Theatre for Young Audiences, 10 Marriott Drive in Lincolnshire, from November 11 through December 30, with a press opening today, November 19 at 10 a.m.

Honky Tonk Angels - a book musical by Always... Patsy Cline writer Ted Swindley, incorporates some of country music's greatest hits into a story of three women who form a country music singing trio. The three-woman cast will be a power trio of Chicago musical theatre performers all coming off high profile roles in past months.

???????The musical twist on the classic tale of THE NUTCRACKER comes to life for children of all ages at The Marriott Theatre for Young Audiences, 10 Marriott Drive in Lincolnshire, from November 11 through December 30, with a press opening on Saturday, November 19 at 10 a.m.

Director Courtney Crouse has announced his cast for the Chicago premiere of Honky Tonk Angels - a book musical by Always… Patsy Cline writer Ted Swindley incorporating some of country music's greatest hits into a story of three women who form a country music singing trio. The three-woman cast will be a power trio of Chicago musical theatre performers all coming off high profile roles in past months.

???????The musical twist on the classic tale of THE NUTCRACKER comes to life for children of all ages at The Marriott Theatre for Young Audiences, 10 Marriott Drive in Lincolnshire, from November 11 through December 30, with a press opening on Saturday, November 19 at 10 a.m.

Drury Lane Theatre premieres The Cabaret Room at Drury Lane with Leading Ladies of Chicago Theatre, a two-night event that gives audiences exclusive access to some of Chicago's top talent in an intimate setting.

Drury Lane Theatre premieres The Cabaret Room at Drury Lane with Leading Ladies of Chicago Theatre, a two-night event that gives audiences exclusive access to some of Chicago's top talent in an intimate setting.

On January 21, guests gathered at Drury Lane Theatre for the Opening Night of their newest production, Bye Bye Birdie, directed and choreographed by Tammy Mader. With a cast led by Michelle Aravena as Rosie, Matt Crowle as Conrad's agent, Albert, and Jason Michael Evans as Conrad Birdie, audiences were treated to a throwback of the classic 1950's musical, brought to life again by this energetic and lively ensemble of 31. Check out photos from opening night, below!

Bye Bye Birdie, the four-time Tony Award-winning musical, begins performances at Drury Lane on January 14 to conclude the 2015 - 2016 Season. The funny, irreverent musical takes audiences back to 1959 in quiet Sweet Apple, OH, where rock star Conrad Birdie shakes things up when he arrives to give one lucky teenage girl a special goodbye kiss. With a cast led by 2015 Jeff Award Best Supporting Actor winners Michelle Aravena as Rosie and Matt Crowle as Conrad's agent, Albert, Bye Bye Birdie is directed and choreographed by multiple Jeff Award winner Tammy Mader. Featuring musical theater classics such as "Kids," "Put on a Happy Face," and "A Lot of Livin' to Do," the inspired cast and creative team promise to bring a decidedly fresh touch to the timeless story. 

'The holidays are a special time here at Drury Lane, and this year will be no exception with our production of White Christmas, featuring Irving Berlin's classic songs that audiences know and love, combined with spirited choreography by Matthew Crowle,' said Osetek. 'Together with this talented cast and creative team, we hope to transport our audiences with this timeless holiday tale.'

'The holidays are a special time here at Drury Lane, and this year will be no exception with our production of White Christmas, featuring Irving Berlin's classic songs that audiences know and love, combined with spirited choreography by Matthew Crowle,' said Osetek. 'Together with this talented cast and creative team, we hope to transport our audiences with this timeless holiday tale.'

With its national reputation, the School of Theatre at Florida State premieres its theatrical season with Beth Henley's Pulitzer Prize-winning Crimes of the Heart directed by MFA Directing candidate Matt Silva. This production will run from October 5-14 in the Lab Theatre, on Copeland Street between St. Augustine and Lafayette Streets.