Matt Raftery News

The Old Globe has announced the complete cast and creative team for the West Coast premiere of Paul Gordon's delightfully romantic new musical SENSE AND SENSIBILITY, developed with Rick Boynton and presented in association with Chicago Shakespeare Theater, where it was commissioned and had its world premiere in April 2015.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Holiday musicals are at 100% in our big suburban theaters! Plus two of our annual 'Christmas Carol' offerings, a new show called 'Tinsel!,' 'Gypsy' and 'Oliver!' for those not yet ready to celebrate things, and the return of 'Christmas Dearest' from Hell In A Handbag at Mary's Attic. Happy Holidaze!

'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 latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'Gentleman's Guide' reaches our shore, and 'Gotta Dance' and 'SpongeBob' plan the same. Madonna battles the French Revolution, dueling 'American Idiot's and 'Blood Brothers' debut, 'White Christmas' lasts nine weeks and 'Rent' returns for one night only. Plus 'Empire' conquers TV, and 'Hamilton' conquers everyone.

'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 latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'American Idiot' examines a generation, and 'The Girl In The Train' captures a by-gone era. We run down long-run shows, and break down the Marriott Theatre's 2016 season announcement, too. Plus 'Hollywood' from Light Opera Works, a new show from Underscore, a high school mounts 'Starlight Express,' and Christmas has begun!

The Marriott Theatre, Chicagoland's longest-running professional musical theater, announces its 2016 Season!  The award-winning theatre will present both premiere productions of recent Broadway hits, and classic revivals in 2016.  Joining returning directors Nick Bowling (The King & I) and Rachel Rockwell (October Sky) Marriott Theatre announced four directors who will be bringing their fresh and exciting perspectives to the unique, intimate Marriott stage for the very first time, William Brown, Amanda Dehnert, Don Stephenson and Aaron Thielen.  They will be joined by choreographers Matt Raftery and Alex Sanchez, and musical directors Ryan T. Nelson and Doug Peck on the creative teams.

The Sarah Siddons Society's Artistic Director, Dominic Missimi, bestowed on Jessie Mueller the organization's prestigious Actress of the Year Award in a tribute entitled SO BEAUTIFUL! last Monday, April 27 at the Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire. Mueller won a Tony award in 2014 for her performance as Carole King in BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL. Scroll down for photos from the event!

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Remembering Bernie Yvon and honoring Bebe Neuwirth. And the show goes on with Route 66's Alanis Morissette tribute, 'Cats' at the Paramount, Bailiwick's 'Wild Party' and BoHo's 'Parade,' music improv at MCL Chicago, the new Refuge Theatre Project, and Chicagoans on tour with 'Sister Act!'

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. A BIC 'Beautiful' announcement, dates confirmed for Estefan musical 'On Your Feet,' both versions of 'The Wild Party' get local productions, Porchlight sings Disney, 'Toulouse' takes a stage, Tony winners Levi Kreis and Chita Rivera set solo dates here, and much more!

The 34th Mainstage season of plays and musicals at the Virginia Wadsworth Wirtz Center for the Performing Arts at Northwestern University features award-winning directors and playwrights, acclaimed alumnae and faculty, groundbreaking plays and musicals and The Waa-Mu Show. The season reflects on the evolving definitions of family and community and invites audiences to embrace the circumstances that unite and strengthen us.

The Marriott Theatre presents the Chicagoland premiere of the Broadway Revival of GODSPELL, which opened June 11, and runs through August 10 at 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire, IL. GODSPELL was originally conceived and directed by John-Michael Tebelak, with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, composer of Wickedand Pippin. Director and Choreographer Matt Raftery delivers a fresh, organic, intimate production, literally 'illustrating' the parables of the New Testament and bringing its lessons to life on the Marriott stage. The brilliant recent Broadway arrangements and orchestrations will be delivered under the Musical Direction of Ryan T. Nelson. Check out a look back at opening night below!

The Marriott Theatre presents the Chicagoland premiere of the Broadway Revival of GODSPELL, opening tonight, June 11 and running through August 10 at 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire, IL. GODSPELL was originally conceived and directed by John-Michael Tebelak, with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, composer of Wickedand Pippin. Director and Choreographer Matt Raftery delivers a fresh, organic, intimate production, literally 'illustrating' the parables of the New Testament and bringing its lessons to life on the Marriott stage. The brilliant recent Broadway arrangements and orchestrations will be delivered under the Musical Direction of Ryan T. Nelson. Watch highlights from the production below!

The Marriott Theatre presents the Chicagoland premiere of the Broadway Revival of GODSPELL, previewing June 4, opening June 11 and running through August 10 at 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire, IL. GODSPELL was originally conceived and directed by John-Michael Tebelak, with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, composer of Wicked and Pippin. Director and Choreographer Matt Raftery delivers a fresh, organic, intimate production, literally 'illustrating' the parables of the New Testament and bringing its lessons to life on the Marriott stage. The brilliant recent Broadway arrangements and orchestrations will be delivered under the Musical Direction of Ryan T. Nelson. Scroll down for a first look at the cast in action!

Between graduating from Syracuse University in 2005, and getting her Broadway break opposite Harry Connick, Jr., in 2011, Tony Award winner Jessie Mueller was a Chicago-based actress, following in the steps of her Evanston-based parents, Roger Mueller and Jill Shellabarger. And what a career she had in the Windy City!

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 Jeff Awards, Tony Tunes and our very own Tony Award Viewing Party are upon us! Plus 'Carrie' and 'Godspell,' the new musicals 'Days Like Today,' 'Saudade' and 'Flux Capacitor,' news from Annoyance Theatre, Movies In the Parks and more!

The Marriott Theatre will present the Chicagoland premiere of the Broadway Revival of GODSPELL, previewing June 4, opening June 11 and running through August 10 at 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire, IL. GODSPELL was originally conceived and directed by John-Michael Tebelak, with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, composer of Wicked and Pippin. Director and Choreographer Matt Raftery delivers a fresh, organic, intimate production, literally "illustrating" the parables of the New Testament and bringing its lessons to life on the Marriott stage. The brilliant recent Broadway arrangements and orchestrations will be delivered under the Musical Direction of Ryan T. Nelson.

BroadwayWorld reviews Marriott Theatre's 'Cabaret.'

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'Ain't Misbehavin' and 'Ragtime' get ready, the 'Lyle' and 'Schoolhouse' kids' musicals, two stagings of 'Cabaret,' The Phantom and Raoul to visit Stage 773, KT Sullivan in Hyde Park, the Belmont Theater District is born, and more!

The musical theatre treasure CABARET kicked off the Marriott Theatre's 2014 season last night, January 22 and runs through March 16 at 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire. CABARET is Kander and Ebb's legendary musical about English cabaret performer Sally Bowles, American writer Clifford Bradshaw, and the decadence of 1929 Berlin. The production is directed by David H. Bell with choreography by Matt Raftery and Musical Direction by Ryan T. Nelson. BroadwayWorld has photos from the opening night festivities below!