Summer Naomi Smart News

The Marriott Theatre for Young Audiences presents Marc Robin's musical retelling of the Brothers Grimm tale SLEEPING BEAUTY, now through August 18th. With stereotypes shattered, rules broken and quests aplenty, this musical, with direction and choreography by Matt Raftery, is certain to surprise and delight. Get a first look at the production in the photos below!

The Marriott Theatre presents HERO, a new musical written by Aaron Thielen with music and lyrics by Michael Mahler, running now through August 19, 2012. Eleven-time Jeff award-winner David H. Bell directs and choreographs. Erich Bergen (JERSEY BOYS, Nat'l Tour) stars as Hero Batowski. Click below to watch a behind-the-scenes video about the production!

Opening this past Wednesday, the latest new work at the Marriott Theatre is "Hero," conceived and written by Aaron Thielen (the theater's Lead Artistic Director) and based somewhat on his childhood in Milwaukee and the neighborhood he grew up in. The show has music and lyrics by Michael Mahler, an actor, musical director, guitarist and keyboardist about town, who has written seven previous musicals and makes quite a mark with this one. The pair has been working on and workshopping the show since early 2009, and the work has paid off. It's a funny, engaging, likeable, tuneful and moving mid-sized musical.

The Marriott Theatre (10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire) presents HERO, a new musical written by Aaron Thielen with music and lyrics by Michael Mahler. The show previewed June 20 and opened June 27 at 8 p.m., running through August 19, 2012. Eleven-time Jeff award-winner David H. Bell directs and choreographs. Erich Bergen (JERSEY BOYS, Nat'l Tour) stars as Hero Batowski. View opening night photos 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. The new musicals 'Eastland' and 'Hero,' new and newish shows based on hats, songbooks, TV shows and recordings, 'Floyd Collins' and Ashley Brown, and more!

The Marriott Theatre presents HERO, a new musical written by Aaron Thielen with music and lyrics by Michael Mahler, opening June 27 at 8 p.m. and running through August 19, 2012. Eleven-time Jeff award-winner David H. Bell directs and choreographs. Erich Bergen (JERSEY BOYS, Nat'l Tour) stars as Hero Batowski. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the production photos below.

The Marriott Theatre (10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire) presents HERO, a new musical written by Aaron Thielen with music and lyrics by Michael Mahler, previewing tonight, June 20, opening June 27 at 8 p.m. and running through August 19, 2012. Eleven-time Jeff award-winner David H. Bell directs and choreographs. Erich Bergen (JERSEY BOYS, Nat'l Tour) stars as Hero Batowski. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the production shots below!

The Marriott Theatre (10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire) presents HERO, a new musical written by Aaron Thielen with music and lyrics by Michael Mahler, previewing tonight, June 20, opening June 27 at 8 p.m. and running through August 19, 2012. Eleven-time Jeff award-winner David H. Bell directs and choreographs. Erich Bergen (JERSEY BOYS, Nat'l Tour) stars as Hero Batowski.

The Marriott Theatre for Young Audiences, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire, presents Marc Robin's musical retelling of the Brothers Grimm tale SLEEPING BEAUTY from July 7th through August 18th. With stereotypes shattered, rules broken and quests aplenty, this musical, with direction and choreography by Matt Raftery, is described as 'certain to surprise and delight.'

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Three shows make a PR appearance at Sidetrack, ATC plans a 'Hair' re-do, 'Camelot,' 'Floyd Collins,' three new mainstage musicals, a reading, a benefit and more!

The Marriott Theatre (10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire) presents HERO, a new musical written by Aaron Thielen with music and lyrics by Michael Mahler, previewing June 20, opening June 27 at 8 p.m. and running through August 19, 2012. Eleven-time Jeff award-winner David H. Bell directs and choreographs. Erich Bergen (JERSEY BOYS, Nat'l Tour) stars as Hero Batowski.

The Marriott Theatre kicks off its 2012 season with the seven-time Tony Award nominated musical LEGALLY BLONDE. Based on the novel by Amanda Brown and the hit 2001 MGM movie of the same name starring Reese Witherspoon, this award-winning Broadway sensation previews opened last night and runs through March 25 at The Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire, IL. Check out opening night photos below!

The Marriott Theatre kicks off its 2012 season with the seven-time Tony Award nominated musical LEGALLY BLONDE.

The Marriott Theatre kicks off its 2012 season with the seven-time Tony Award nominated musical LEGALLY BLONDE. Based on the novel by Amanda Brown and the hit 2001 MGM movie of the same name starring Reese Witherspoon, this award-winning Broadway sensation opens January 27, and runs through March 25 at The Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire, IL. LEGALLY BLONDE will star Chelsea Packard (Broadway: WICKED and PROMISES, PROMISES; First National Tour of WICKED) as 'Elle', Cole Burden (25th Anniversary National Tour of LES MISERABLES) as 'Warner', and David Larsen (Broadway: AMERICAN IDIOT, BILLY ELLIOT and GOOD VIBRATIONS) as 'Emmett'. The production will be Directed and Choreographed by Multi-Jeff Award Winner Marc Robin.

The Marriott Theatre kicks off its 2012 season with the seven-time Tony Award nominated musical LEGALLY BLONDE. Based on the novel by Amanda Brown and the hit 2001 MGM movie of the same name starring Reese Witherspoon, this award-winning Broadway sensation previews January 18, opens January 27, and runs through March 25 at The Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire, IL. LEGALLY BLONDE will star Chelsea Packard (Broadway: WICKED and PROMISES, PROMISES; First National Tour of WICKED) as 'Elle', Cole Burden (25th Anniversary National Tour of LES MISERABLES) as 'Warner', and David Larsen (Broadway: AMERICAN IDIOT, BILLY ELLIOT and GOOD VIBRATIONS) as 'Emmett'. The production will be Directed and Choreographed by Multi-Jeff Award Winner Marc Robin.

The Marriott Theatre kicks off its 2012 season with the seven-time Tony Award nominated musical LEGALLY BLONDE.

The Marriott Theatre kicks off its 2012 season with the seven-time Tony Award nominated musical LEGALLY BLONDE. Based on the novel by Amanda Brown and the hit 2001 MGM movie of the same name starring Reese Witherspoon, this award-winning Broadway sensation previews January 18, opens January 27, and runs through March 25 at The Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire, IL. LEGALLY BLONDE will star Chelsea Packard (Broadway: WICKED and PROMISES, PROMISES; First National Tour of WICKED) as 'Elle', Cole Burden (25th Anniversary National Tour of LES MISERABLES) as 'Warner', and David Larsen (Broadway: AMERICAN IDIOT, BILLY ELLIOT and GOOD VIBRATIONS) as 'Emmett'. The production will be Directed and Choreographed by Multi-Jeff Award Winner Marc Robin.

The Marriott Theatre kicks off its 2012 season with the seven-time Tony Award nominated musical LEGALLY BLONDE.

The Marriott Theatre kicks off its 2012 season with the seven-time Tony Award nominated musical LEGALLY BLONDE.

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 BWW Chicago Awards, the Grammy Awards, two more 'Christmas Carol's, 'Spring Awakening,' 'The Secret Garden,' the Marriott's 'Legally Blonde' and more....