Sarah Hay News

Kokandy Productions will continue its 2015 season with LOVING REPEATING, a musical tribute to the life and loves of celebrated American author Gertrude Stein. Using Stein's own works as lyrics, LOVING REPEATING is adapted by Frank Galati (The Grapes of Wrath, The Accidental Tourist), with music by Stephen Flaherty (Ragtime, Once on This Island, Seussical) direction by Co-Artistic Director Allison Hendrix, music direction by Resident Music Director Kory Danielson and choreography by Andrea Louise Soule. 

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!

June 8, 2015 - Chicago, IL. "The Wild Party," a dark, sensual, wanton musical, and "Men Should Weep," a tale of a disordered Scottish tenement household, took home top honors Monday, June 8, at Park West during the 42nd Annual Non-Equity Jeff Awards ceremony recognizing excellence in non-union Chicago theatre. Bailiwick Chicago's musical of Michael LaChiusa's "The Wild Party" led all musical nominees with eight awards, and Griffin Theatre's "Men Should Weep" led play nominees with three awards.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'Once' and 'On Your Feet!' arrive, Kooman and Dimond try one out, 'Loving Repeating' returns, 'The Fantasticks' grows its orchestra, local 'Spider Woman' and 'Idiot' productions, two new works about the deaths of pop musicians, and the real-life death of PJ Paparelli.

Kokandy Productions is pleased to announce casting for LOVING REPEATING, a musical tribute to the life and loves of celebrated American author Gertrude Stein. Using Stein's own works as lyrics, LOVING REPEATING is adapted by Frank Galati (The Grapes of Wrath, The Accidental Tourist), with music by Stephen Flaherty (Ragtime, Once on This Island, Seussical) direction by Co-Artistic Director Allison Hendrix, music direction by Resident Music Director Kory Danielson and choreography by Andrea Louise Soule. LOVING REPEATING will play July 18 - August 30, 2015 at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago. Tickets are currently available at www.kokandyproductions.com, by calling (773) 975-8150 or in person at the Theater Wit Box Office. The press opening is Monday, July 20 at 7:30 pm.

Starz today released a first look trailer for "Flesh and Bone," the eight-hour limited series created by Emmy® award-winning "Breaking Bad" Writer and Executive Producer Moira Walley-Beckett, premiering Sunday November 8, 2015.

The Jeff Awards Committee today announced 118 nominations in 24 categories for the 42nd Annual Non-Equity Jeff Awards for productions that opened between April 1, 2014, and March 31, 2015. The Non-Equity Awards honor excellence in Chicago theatres not under a union contract. Jeff judges attended opening nights of 133 productions offered by 56 Non-Equity producing organizations. The Jeff Committee recommended 62 of those shows, making them eligible for Non-Equity Jeff Award nominations. Of the 62 Jeff Recommended productions, 46 received nominations, representing 23 theatre companies.

Starz today announced that 'Flesh and Bone,' the eight-hour limited series created by Emmy award-winning 'Breaking Bad' Writer and Executive Producer Moira Walley-Beckett, will premiere on Sunday, November 8, 2015.

Mercury Theater Chicago, 3745 N. Southport Avenue, announces the extension of THE ADDAMS FAMILY - THE MUSICAL. The freakishly funny new musical comedy will now be laid to rest on April 12th. The production has been praised for its significant revisions following its Chicago debut in 2010. The production has been Jeff Recommended and is led by Jeff Award winners L. Walter Stearns (Director), Eugene Dizon (Musical Direction), and Brenda Didier (Choreography).

Mercury Theater hits it out of the park with the kooky, funny and touching 'The Addams Family -The Musical'

Mercury Theater Chicago, 3745 N. Southport Avenue, presents the spooky kooky production of THE ADDAMS FAMILY - THE MUSICAL. The weird and wonderful family comes to devilishly delightful life on January 28th and will be laid to rest on April 5th, 2014. Press opening is Wednesday, February 4th at 7:30pm. This magnificently macabre new musical comedy is created by Jersey Boys authors Marshall Brickman & Rick Elice, and Drama Desk Award winnerAndrew Lippa. The production will be led by Jeff Award winners L. Walter Stearns (Director), Eugene Dizon (Musical Direction), and Brenda Didier (Choreography).

Mercury Theater Chicago, 3745 N. Southport Avenue, presents the spooky kooky production of THE ADDAMS FAMILY - THE MUSICAL. The weird and wonderful family comes to devilishly delightful life on January 28th and will be laid to rest on April 5th, 2014. Press opening is Wednesday, February 4th at 7:30pm. This magnificently macabre new musical comedy is created by Jersey Boys authors Marshall Brickman & Rick Elice, and Drama Desk Award winner Andrew Lippa. The production will be led by Jeff Award winners L. Walter Stearns (Director), Eugene Dizon (Musical Direction), and Brenda Didier (Choreography).

Raven Theatre's holiday family treat - a dramatization with music of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's only Sherlock Holmes mystery set around the holidays - will return for a fourth year with some new faces on and off stage joining Raven veterans. Michael Menendian, co-Artistic Director of the theater and co-author (with John Weagly) of the script, today announced the cast and crew for this fully staged production.

Porchlight Music Theatre and Managing Artistic Director Michael Weber present the Tony Award-winning and Pulitzer Prize-winning How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, tonight, April 26 - June 1 at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast below!

Porchlight Music Theatre and Managing Artistic Director Michael Weber are proud to announce the Tony Award-winning and Pulitzer Prize-winning How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, April 26 - June 1 at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. The classic musical comedy, with book by Abe Burrows, Jack Weinstock and Willie Gilbert and songs by Frank Loesser features direction by Porchlight Artistic Associate Rob Lindley, music direction by Kory Danielson, in his Porchlight debut and choreography by Porchlight Artistic AssociateBrenda Didier. Previews are Saturday, April 26 at 8 p.m., Sunday, April 27 at 2 and 6 p.m. and Monday, April 28 at 7:30 p.m. Opening/press night is Tuesday, April 29 at 7:30 p.m. The regular run schedule is Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 4 and 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. There is an added matinee performance Thursday, May 29 at 1 p.m. Tickets are $30 for previews and $43.50 for all other performances. Single tickets are on sale now and may be purchased online at porchlightmusictheatre.org or by phone at Stage 773, 773.327.5252. Groups of ten or more may receive discounts on tickets purchased via Group Theater Tix at 312.423.6612 or grouptheatertix.com.

Porchlight Music Theatre and Managing Artistic Director Michael Weber present the Tony Award-winning and Pulitzer Prize-winning How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, April 26 - June 1 at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast below!

STARZ announced today that Tony(R)-nominated Ben Daniels ('House of Cards,' 'Law & Order: UK') will star as the volatile and brilliant artistic director 'Paul Grayson' in new Original drama 'Flesh and Bone.'

This year, one of the many ways Chicagoans can observe St. Patrick's Day beyond dropping in to an Irish pub might be a visit to Raven Theatre in Edgewater to see the theatre's acclaimed production of The Playboy of the Western World. J. M. Synge's pioneering classic of modern Irish drama is a non-alcoholic trip to the Emerald Isle, though the play is, incidentally, set in an Irish country pub (they call it a shebeen). Scroll down for a first look at the cast in action!

Porchlight Music Theatre and Managing Artistic Director Michael Weber are proud to announce the Tony Award-winning and Pulitzer Prize-winning How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, April 26 - June 1 at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. The classic musical comedy, with book by Abe Burrows, Jack Weinstock and Willie Gilbert and songs by Frank Loesser features direction by Porchlight Artistic Associate Rob Lindley, music direction by Kory Danielson, in his Porchlight debut and choreography by Porchlight Artistic Associate Brenda Didier. Previews are Saturday, April 26 at 8 p.m., Sunday, April 27 at 2 and 6 p.m. and Monday, April 28 at 7:30 p.m. Opening/press night is Tuesday, April 29 at 7:30 p.m. The regular run schedule is Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 4 and 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. There is an added matinee performance Thursday, May 29 at 1 p.m. Tickets are $30 for previews and $43.50 for all other performances. Single tickets are on sale now and may be purchased online at porchlightmusictheatre.org or by phone at Stage 773, 773.327.5252. Groups of ten or more may receive discounts on tickets purchased via Group Theater Tix at 312.423.6612 or grouptheatertix.com.

STARZ announced today that acclaimed filmmaker David Mich'd will direct the first episode of the new original drama series 'Flesh and Bone.' Mich'd is known as both a writer and director and his debut feature film Animal Kingdom went on to win multiple awards, as well as Golden Globe(R) and Oscar(R) nominations. His next feature film, The Rover, which he wrote and directed, stars Guy Pearce and Robert Pattinson.