Patrick Byrnes 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. Local Tony and Jeff Award events, 'Shining Lives' shines, major productions of 'City Of Angels' and 'The Secret Garden,' original shows at Lifeline and Theo Ubique, two suburban theaters program 'Spamalot,' House updates 'The Bacchae' and New York gets its talent from where?

Theo's summer cabaret will feature favorites and lesser-known gems by the Emmy-Grammy-Oscar-Tony winning composer Theo Ubique's summer cabaret of 2015 will turn to the songs of one of the best-loved composers of the 20th Century's later decades when it showcases the songs of Marvin Hamlisch from June 4 - July 12, 2015 at the No Exit Cafe, 6970 N. Glenwood Ave. in Rogers Park. Music Director Aaron Benham (recently honored with three Jeff nominations for the 2014-15 season, including one for last summer's A Musical Tribute to the Andrews Sisters by Theo) is providing new arrangements for a program representing the full body of Hamlisch's work. Benham and a cast of six will perform numbers ranging from standards like 'The Way We Were' and 'Nobody Does It Better' through selections from his Broadway musicals (A Chorus Line, They're Playing Our Song, Sweet Smell of Success, The Goodbye Girl and Smile) and film scores (The Sting, Sophie's Choice). Courtney Crouse (of Theo Ubique's Chess) is the stage director and Chris Logan (of Theo's A Cole Porter Songbook and Bailiwick Chicago's Murder Ballad) is the choreographer. The press opening will be Saturday, June 6 at 8 p.m., following previews Thursday, June 4 at 7:30 p.m., and Friday, June 5 at 8 p.m.

Griffin Theatre Company launches its 2014-15 season with a new, intimate version of the Tony Award-winning Best Musical TITANIC, with music and lyrics by Maury Yeston (Nine, Phantom), book by Peter Stone (Woman of the Year, 1776), new orchestrations by Ian Weinberger, directed by Scott Weinstein (Griffin Theatre's Spelling Bee, Chicago Shakespeare Theater's Seussical) and music direction by Elizabeth Doran (Timeline's Juno). TITANIC will play through December 7, 2014 at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago. Tickets are available at www.theaterwit.org, in person at the Theater Wit Box Office or by calling (773) 975-8150.

Griffin Theatre Company will launch its 2014-15 season with a new, intimate version of the Tony Award-winning Best Musical TITANIC, with music and lyrics by Maury Yeston (Nine, Phantom), book by Peter Stone (Woman of the Year, 1776), new orchestrations by Ian Weinberger, directed by Scott Weinstein (Griffin Theatre's Spelling Bee, Chicago Shakespeare Theater's Seussical) and music direction by Elizabeth Doran (Timeline's Juno). TITANIC will play today, October 18 - December 7, 2014 at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago. Tickets are available at www.theaterwit.org, in person at the Theater Wit Box Office or by calling (773) 975-8150. The press opening is Sunday, October 26 at 7 pm.

Griffin Theatre Company will launch its 2014-15 season with a new, intimate version of the Tony Award-winning Best Musical TITANIC, with music and lyrics by Maury Yeston (Nine, Phantom), book by Peter Stone (Woman of the Year, 1776), new orchestrations by Ian Weinberger, directed by Scott Weinstein (Griffin Theatre's Spelling Bee, Chicago Shakespeare Theater's Seussical) and music direction by Elizabeth Doran (Timeline's Juno). TITANIC will play October 18 - December 7, 2014 at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago. Tickets are available at www.theaterwit.org, in person at the Theater Wit Box Office or by calling (773) 975-8150. The press opening is Sunday, October 26 at 7 pm.

Griffin Theatre Company is pleased to announce casting for its 2014-15 season opener - a new, intimate version of the Tony Award-winning Best Musical TITANIC, with music and lyrics by Maury Yeston (Nine, Phantom), book by Peter Stone (Woman of the Year, 1776), new orchestrations by Ian Weinberger, directed by Scott Weinstein (Griffin Theatre's Spelling Bee, Chicago Shakespeare Theater's Seussical) and music direction by Elizabeth Doran (Timeline's Juno). TITANIC will play October 18 - December 7, 2014 at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago. Tickets are available at www.theaterwit.org, in person at the Theater Wit Box Office or by calling (773) 975-8150. The press opening is Sunday, October 26 at 7 pm.

Kokandy Productions present their Season 2014 closer - ASSASSINS, directed by Rachel Edwards Harvith with music direction by Kory Danielson and choreography by Mike Ford. ASSASSINS opened on Saturday, June 14 at 8:00pm, and runs at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont in Chicago, and continues through Sunday, July 20, 2014. Scroll down for photos from the show's opening night celebrations!

Kokandy Productions has announced casting for ASSASSINS, directed by Rachel Edwards Harvith with music direction by Kory Danielson and choreography by Mike Ford. ASSASSINS begins performances today, June 13, 2014 with Press Opening on Saturday, June 14th, and runs at Theater Wit in Chicago through Sunday, July 20, 2014.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'Cats,' 'Les Miserables' and 'Songs From An Unmade Bed,' rake in the reviews, 'Road Show' and 'Passion' will be followed by 'Assassins,' Theo readies 'The Andrews Sisters,' Kokandy brings back 'The Full Monty' and 'Loving Repeating,' plus two kids shows and more!

Kokandy Productions has announced casting for ASSASSINS, directed by Rachel Edwards Harvith with music direction by Kory Danielson and choreography by Mike Ford. ASSASSINS begins performances on Friday, June 13, 2014 with Press Opening on Saturday, June 14th, and runs at Theater Wit in Chicago through Sunday, July 20, 2014.

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' opens, 'Road Show' readies, 'Gypsy' and 'Chicago' thrive, 'Carnival' prepares, 'Queenie Pie' reschedules, Boho brings the Mozart, plus the new musicals 'Period Piece' and 'Shining Lives,' and more!

BoHo Theatre continues its milestone 10th season with AMADEUS, Peter Shaffer's masterpiece about genius, jealousy, and the lies we tell to preserve a legacy. Amadeus represents the Bohemian Pillar of Truth in BoHo's 2013/2014 Season.

BoHo Theatre continues its milestone 10th season with AMADEUS, Peter Shaffer's masterpiece about genius, jealousy, and the lies we tell to preserve a legacy. Amadeus represents the Bohemian Pillar of Truth in BoHo's 2013/2014 Season.

Bailiwick Chicago Theater concludes its 2012/13 season with the world premiere of the family drama MAHAL by Resident Playwright Danny Bernardo, directed by Erica Weiss, playing June 26 - August 2, 2013 at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago. The cast of MAHAL includes F. Karmann Bajuyo, Patrick Byrnes, Joseph Anthony Foronda, Collective Member Kate Garassino, Jillian Jocson, Kevin Matthew Reyes and Blair Robertson. Scroll down for a first look at the cast in action!

Bailiwick Chicago Theater concludes its 2012/13 season with the world premiere of the family drama MAHAL by Resident Playwright Danny Bernardo, directed by Erica Weiss, playing June 26 - August 2, 2013 at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago. Tickets are available at www.stage773.com, in person at the Stage 773 Box Office or by calling (773) 327-5252. Check out a first look below!

Bailiwick Chicago Theater concludes its 2012/13 season with the world premiere of the family drama MAHAL by Resident Playwright Danny Bernardo, directed by Erica Weiss, playing today, June 26 - August 2, 2013 at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago.

Bailiwick Chicago Theater concludes its 2012/13 season with the world premiere of the family drama MAHAL by Resident Playwright Danny Bernardo, directed by Erica Weiss, playing June 26 - August 2, 2013 at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago.

Bailiwick Chicago Theater concludes its 2012/13 season with the world premiere of the family drama MAHAL by Resident Playwright Danny Bernardo, directed by Erica Weiss, playing June 26 - August 2, 2013 at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago. Tickets are available at www.stage773.com, in person at the Stage 773 Box Office or by calling (773) 327-5252. The press performance is Friday, June 28 at 8 pm.