Christopher Pazdernik News

Porchlight Music Theatre announces the Chicago premiere of End of the Rainbow, November 4 - December 4,  featuring music from the songbook of Judy Garland, written by Peter Quilter, starring Angela Ingersoll as "Judy Garland," direction by Porchlight Music Theatre Artistic Director Michael Weber, music direction by Jon Steinhagen, who also appears as "Anthony," at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. 

Porchlight Music Theatre and Artistic Director Michael Weber are proud to announce the 2016 - 2017 season of Chicago's hit musical revue series, New Faces Sing returning to Uptown Underground, 4707 N. Broadway and debuting at Skokie Theatre, 7924 Lincoln Ave in Skokie. In tribute to the original New Faces series that ran on Broadway and on film from 1934 - 1968, Porchlight Music Theatre last year created this Chicago musical revue series, New Faces Sing Broadway, as a showcase for the best emerging musical talent now performing on Chicago stages. Each edition is a journey from the start to the finish of a entire musical season on Broadway, peppered with photos and films of the era in an exciting multimedia presentation with a favorite Chicago theatre veteran hosting and introducing the next generation of music theatre artists and acting as your guide through a past season on the Great White Way. Seating is general admission; tickets are $22, with no drink minimum and are available at porchlightmusictheatre.org.

Anyone can be a star - for a price! The annual CHICAGO CASTING AUCTION is a unique opportunity for amateur theatre lovers to experience the thrill of being on stage in a professionally produced Chicago stage production - no experience or training required! The Casting Auction, in association with Porchlight Music Theatre, will be auctioning off over 30 roles for this season's musical production, All Shook Up, on Friday, November 4, 2016 at Michelle's Ballroom, 2800 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago. The CHICAGO CASTING AUCTION will also feature live entertainment, delectable hors d'oeuvres, an open bar with signature cocktails, a lively dance floor and a professional photo booth to ham it up!

Porchlight Music Theatre celebrated opening night of their revisited staging of The Rink last night. Check out the red carpet photos below.

Porchlight Music Theatre (PMT) and Artistic Director Michael Weber are proud to announce the initial production in the fourth season of Chicago's "lost" musicals in staged concert series, Porchlight Revisits The Rink, starring Hollis Resnik and Christine Mild, music by John Kander, lyrics by Fred Ebb and book by Terrence McNally, with direction and choreography by PMT Artistic Associate Christopher Pazdernik and musical direction by Ryan Brewster.

Porchlight Music Theatre (PMT) and Artistic Director Michael Weber previously announced the initial production in the fourth season of Chicago's 'lost' musicals in staged concert series, Porchlight Revisits The Rink, starring Hollis Resnik and Christine Mild, music by John Kander, lyrics by Fred Ebb and book by Terrence McNally, with direction and choreography by PMT Artistic Associate Christopher Pazdernik and musical direction by Ryan Brewster. Porchlight Revisits The Rink is presented for three-nights-only tonight, Oct. 4 through Thursday, Oct. 6 at 7:15 p.m. and is performed on the set of Porchlight's In The Heights (previews begin September 9) at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave.

Porchlight Music Theatre announces the Chicago premiere of End of the Rainbow, November 4 - December 4,  featuring music from the songbook of Judy Garland, written by Peter Quilter, starring Angela Ingersoll as "Judy Garland," direction by Porchlight Music Theatre Artistic Director Michael Weber, music direction by Jon Steinhagen, who also appears as "Anthony," at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. 

Porchlight Music Theatre (PMT) and Artistic Director Michael Weber have announced the initial production in the fourth season of Chicago's 'lost' musicals in staged concert series, Porchlight Revisits The Rink.

Chicago Theatre Workshop's inaugural season will open with the Chicago  premiere of Wicked City by Chad Beguelin (book and lyrics) and music by Matthew Sklar (music), the Tony-Award nominated writers of Elfand The Wedding Singer. 

Nothing Special is super jazzed to announce the fantastic line-up for the latest installment of Chicago's favorite stage combat extravaganza, FIGHT NIGHT!

Hell in a Handbag Productions is pleased to bring back last season's steamy, sell-out hit BETTE, LIVE AT THE CONTINENTAL BATHS, with Caitlin Jackson recreating Bette Midler's historic bathhouse concert in New York City. This year, Handbag is bringing the bathhouse to Boystown with nine performances only from August 12 - September 10, 2016 at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago. The press opening is Today, August 12 at 8 pm. BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at the show below!

Underscore Theatre Company is pleased to present its third annual CHICAGO MUSICAL THEATRE FESTIVAL, featuring 14 new musical productions. Created to showcase and support Chicago's burgeoning field of musical theatre creators, this year's festival will be held August 9 - 28, 2016 at Victory Gardens Richard Christiansen Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Ave. in Chicago. Each production will receive four performances during the Festival. The full schedule (Tuesdays - Sundays) and can be found at www.cmtf.org, with tickets currently on sale ($20 per show, $200 all-festival rush passes). The press "sneak preview," featuring a sampling of songs from the 2016 Festival, is Monday, August 8 at 7:30 pm.

Underscore Theatre Company is pleased to announce the full line-up for its third annual CHICAGO MUSICAL THEATRE FESTIVAL, featuring 14 new musical productions. Created to showcase and support Chicago's burgeoning field of musical theatre creators, this year's festival will be held August 8 - 28, 2016 at Victory Gardens Richard Christiansen Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Ave. in Chicago. Each production will receive four performances during the Festival. The full schedule (Tuesdays - Sundays) can be found at www.cmtf.org, with single tickets and festival passes currently on-sale. The press preview, featuring songs from all of the 2016 productions, is Monday, August 8 at 7:30 pm.

Hell in a Handbag Productions is pleased to bring back last season's steamy, sell-out hit BETTE, LIVE AT THE CONTINENTAL BATHS, with Caitlin Jackson recreating Bette Midler's historic bathhouse concert in New York City. This year, Handbag is bringing the bathhouse to Boystown with nine performances only from August 12 - September 10, 2016 at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago. The press opening is Friday, August 12 at 8 pm. BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at the show below!

Refuge Theatre Project, the two-year-old company that produced the surprise hit musical of the 2015-16 season with its environmental staging of High Fidelity in a makeshift 'record store,' will present a one-night-only concert of songs by High Fidelity composer Tom Kitt. The evening, called I Got You, will showcase selections from Broadway musicals for which Kitt either composed the score or provided musical arrangements, along with new unpublished songs he's provided especially for the event. City Winery, 1200 W. Randolph Street is the event venue. Christopher Pazdernik, director of High Fidelity, will direct the concert, with music direction by Mike Evans.

Hell in a Handbag Productions is pleased to announce its 2016 Season, and this year no holy cow is too sacred.

Hell in a Handbag Productions is pleased to bring back last season's steamy, sell-out hit BETTE, LIVE AT THE CONTINENTAL BATHS, with Caitlin Jackson recreating Bette Midler's historic bathhouse concert in New York City. This year, Handbag is bringing the bathhouse to Boystown with nine performances only from August 12 - September 10, 2016 at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago. Tickets are currently available at www.stage773.com or by calling (773) 327-5252. The press opening is Friday, August 12 at 8 pm.

Underscore Theatre Company is pleased to announce the full line-up for its third annual CHICAGO MUSICAL THEATRE FESTIVAL, featuring 14 new musical productions. Created to showcase and support Chicago's burgeoning field of musical theatre creators, this year's festival will be held August 9 - 28, 2016 at Victory Gardens Richard Christiansen Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Ave. in Chicago. Each production will receive four performances - the full schedule of dates, times and press openings will be announced shortly. Single tickets and festival passes go on sale Friday, July 1 at www.cmtf.org.