Michael Accardo 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. 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!

Families, set your holiday entertainment dials for excitement, because Chicago musical theater powerhouse, the Paramount Theatre in Aurora, is turning one of the most iconic holiday movies ever made into a larger-than-life musical blockbuster, November 25-January 3. Director Nick Bowling will make his Paramount debut with A CHRISTMAS STORY - THE MUSICAL, everyone's favorite holiday comedy about little Ralphie and his quest for a Red Ryder BB gun. BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at the cast below!

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!

Families, set your holiday entertainment dials for excitement, because Chicago musical theater powerhouse, the Paramount Theatre in Aurora, is turning one of the most iconic holiday movies ever made into a larger-than-life musical blockbuster, November 25-January 3.

Drury Lane Productions and Jennifer Maloney-Prezioso (Broadway's Spring Awakening, Rock of Ages) present the pre-Broadway production of Beaches, A New Musical, based on the beloved novel by Iris Rainer Dart. The show began previews June 24 and opens tonight, July 2nd, running through August 16, 2015. The original musical is written by Iris Rainer Dart and Thom Thomas, with music by David Austin and lyrics by Iris Rainer Dart. The production is directed by Eric Schaeffer (Broadway's Follies, Million Dollar Quartet). BroadwayWorld has a first look at the stars in action below!

Drury Lane Productions and Jennifer Maloney-Prezioso (Broadway's Spring Awakening, Rock of Ages) present the pre-Broadway production of Beaches, A New Musical, based on the beloved novel by Iris Rainer Dart. The show began previews June 24 and opens tonight, July 2nd, running through August 16, 2015. The original musical is written by Iris Rainer Dart and Thom Thomas, with music by David Austin and lyrics by Iris Rainer Dart. The production is directed by Eric Schaeffer (Broadway's Follies, Million Dollar Quartet).

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'Ring Of Fire' and 'Big Fish' bring us a taste of the heartland, 'Beaches' hopes to follow 'Amazing Grace' on the journey from here to New York, and Gorilla Tango and MCL Chicago open new improv-based musicals. Plus the return of 'WOZ,' Stephen Sondheim honored by the Chicago Gay Men's Chorus, and Tommy Tune to be feted by the Chicago Human Rhythm Project! Plus Waa-Mu honors Bernie.

Drury Lane Productions and Jennifer Maloney-Prezioso (Broadway's Spring Awakening, Rock of Ages) have announced the cast for the pre-Broadway production of Beaches, A New Musical, based on the beloved novel by Iris Rainer Dart. Previewing June 24, opening on July 2nd and running through August 16, 2015, the original musical is written by Iris Rainer Dart and Thom Thomas, with music by David Austin and lyrics by Iris Rainer Dart. The production is directed by Eric Schaeffer (Broadway's Follies, Million Dollar Quartet).

Country music, or incredible parodies of the legendary genre, twanged and twittered into the Stackner Cabaret when the Milwaukee Rep opened The Doyle & Debbie Show this September. A rollicking honky tonk evening, this pastiche tribute to county music also lampoons the battle between the sexes, an effortless task when placed into the gifted hands Michael Accardo (Doyle) and Erin Parker (Debbie) accompanied by the indefatigable Bo Johnson (Buddy) on the guitar.

The Doyle & Debbie Show opens this Sunday, September 7 at 7:00pm at Milwaukee Repertory Theatre's Stackner Cabaret.

Kicking off Milwaukee Repertory Theater's 2014/15 Season in the Stackner Cabaret is the side-splitting and rollicking production The Doyle & Debbie Show, a perfect blend of comedy and country music. Called "90 minutes of goofy perfection" by the Chicago Sun-Times, The Doyle & Debbie Show features a washed-up country star and his newest singing partner dusting off their microphones and resurrecting a familiar signature sound. Singing 16 original hits, including "Stock Car Love" and "Blue Stretch Pants," this hilarious send-up of country music duos will have audiences doubled-over with laughter and roaring for an encore. The show is parody at its best - simultaneously lampooning country music at the same time idolizing its tradition of iconic duos and the battle of the sexes.

Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, will extend THE SOUND OF MUSIC, the Tony Award and Academy Award-winning musical by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein, through January 8, 2012 due to popular demand.

Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, will extend THE SOUND OF MUSIC, the Tony Award and Academy Award-winning musical by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein, through January 8, 2012 due to popular demand.

Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, have extended THE SOUND OF MUSIC, the Tony Award and Academy Award-winning musical by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein, through January 8, 2012 due to popular demand. The production opened October 27. A captivating love story featuring some of Broadway's most popular music, THE SOUND OF MUSIC is directed and choreographed by multi-Jeff Award winner Rachel Rockwell (Sweeney Todd, Ragtime and Miss Saigon at Drury Lane Theatre), who was named 'Best Director' by Chicago Magazine in 2010. THE SOUND OF MUSIC features an all-star cast led by five-time Jeff Award nominee Larry Adams as 'Captain von Trapp' (the Broadway production and National Tour of Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera, Drury Lane Theatre's Ragtime and The Music Man, and The Merry Widow at The Lyric Opera of Chicago), Tony Award-nominee Patti Cohenour as 'Mother Abbess' ('Mother Abbess' in the 1997 Broadway revival of The Sound of Music, 'Christine' in The Phantom of the Opera on Broadway, and The Light in the Piazza at the Lincoln Center) and introducing Jennifer Blood as 'Maria' (Falling for Eve Off-Broadway).

Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, presents THE SOUND OF MUSIC, the Tony Award and Academy Award-winning musical by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein, previewing October 20, opening October 27 and running through December 23.

Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, will extend THE SOUND OF MUSIC, the Tony Award and Academy Award-winning musical by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein, through January 8, 2012 due to popular demand. The production opens October 27.

Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, presents THE SOUND OF MUSIC, the Tony Award and Academy Award-winning musical by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein, previewing October 20, opening October 27 and running through December 23.

Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, will extend THE SOUND OF MUSIC, the Tony Award and Academy Award-winning musical by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein, through January 8, 2012 due to popular demand