Dawn Bless News

World premiere musical theater piece adapted by Davone Tines and Michael Schachter from 1931 Langston Hughes poem, 'The Black Clown.' Dramatic monologue with orchestral accompaniment is part elegy, part declaration of independence, and part celebration which resonates in 2018 America. Tines gives a full-throated performance as the titular character with support from a twelve-person ensemble of singularly-talented singers and dancers.

Check out photos of American Repertory Theater's world premiere production of The Black Clown!

The nominations have been announced for the 2018 Equity Joseph Jefferson ('Jeff') Awards.

Get a first look at rehearsals for The Black Clown at Loeb Drama Center!

American Repertory Theater at Harvard University (A.R.T.), under the leadership of Terrie and Bradley Bloom Artistic Director Diane Paulus and Executive Producer Diane Borger, announces complete casting and creative team for The Black Clown. The production begins previews Friday, August 31; opens Wednesday, September 5; and closes Sunday, September 23, 2018 at the Loeb Drama Center in Cambridge, MA.

American Repertory Theater at Harvard University (A.R.T.), under the leadership of Terrie and Bradley Bloom Artistic Director Diane Paulus and Executive Producer Diane Borger, announces complete casting and creative team for The Black Clown. The production begins previews Friday, August 31; opens Wednesday, September 5; and closes Sunday, September 23, 2018 at the Loeb Drama Center in Cambridge, MA.

Porchlight Music Theatre's Mainstage 2018 - 2019 season launches with Gypsy, A Musical Fable, October 12 - November 25, at The Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn Street, with book by Arthur Laurents, music by Jule Styne and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim.  Porchlight Music Theatre's Gypsy stars E. Faye Butler as "Rose," is directed by Michael Weber, music directed by David Fiorello and choreographed/associate directed by Chris Carter.

Porchlight Music Theatre's Mainstage 2018 - 2019 season launches with Gypsy, A Musical Fable, October 12 - November 25, at The Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn Street, with book by Arthur Laurents, music by Jule Styne and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim.

Black Ensemble Theater continues its 2018 Season (Movers and Shakers) with A New Attitude: In Tribute to Patti LaBelle, written and directed by Black Ensemble Theater Associate Director Rueben D. Echoles. A New Attitude: In Tribute to Patti LaBelle will be performed at the Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center, 4450 N. Clark Street in Chicago, May 5 - June 17, 2018.

Black Ensemble Theater continues its 2018 Season (Movers and Shakers) with A New Attitude: In Tribute to Patti LaBelle, written and directed by Black Ensemble Theater Associate Director Rueben D. Echoles. A New Attitude: In Tribute to Patti LaBelle will be performed at the Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center, 4450 N. Clark Street in Chicago, May 5 - June 17, 2018. The press opening is Sunday, May 13 at 3:00pm.

Chester Gregory first made his mark in theatre portraying Jackie Wilson in The Jackie Wilson Story (Black Ensemble Theatre). His performance earned critical acclaim throughout the nation, including the New York Times saying, "Gregory puts on a show of such physical and vocal dexterity that it's almost impossible to imagine that anyone elsecould do it."

The music of American composer, pianist and bandleader Duke Ellington will be celebrated at Music Theater Works, October 6-15, 2017, at Nichols Concert Hall in Evanston.

UP Comedy Club is ready for winter with a slate of new stand-ups in January and the return of our hit show #DateMe: An OkCupid Experiment in February.

Kokandy Productions will launch its fifth anniversary season with a revival of the Tony Award-winning Best Musical THE WIZ, with book by William F. Brown, music and lyrics by Charlie Smalls, directed by guest director Lili-Anne Brown, music direction by Jimmy Morehead and choreography by Breon Arzell. 

Kokandy Productions has announced casting for its upcoming revival of the Tony Award-winning Best Musical THE WIZ, directed by guest director Lili-Anne Brown with music direction by Jimmy Morehead and choreography by Breon Arzell, playing March 5 - April 16, 2017 at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago.

Black Ensemble Theater Founder and CEO Jackie Taylor continues the 40th Anniversary Season (The Season of Greatest Hits) with The Marvin Gaye Story (Don't Talk About My Father Because God Is My Friend), written by Jackie Taylor and directed by Daryl D. Brooks. The Marvin GayeStory (Don't Talk About My Father Because God Is My Friend) will be performed at the Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center, 4450 N. Clark Street in Chicago, June 12 - July 10, 2016. The official press opening is Sunday, June 12 at 3:00 pm. Preview dates for the production are June 4, 5, 10 and 11.

Black Ensemble Theater Founder and CEO Jackie Taylor continues the 40th Anniversary Season (The Season of Greatest Hits) withThe Marvin Gaye Story (Don't Talk About My Father Because God Is My Friend), written by Jackie Taylor and directed by Daryl D. Brooks. The Marvin Gaye Story (Don't Talk About My Father Because God Is My Friend) will be performed at the Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center, 4450 N. Clark Street in Chicago, June 12 - July 10, 2016. The official press opening is Sunday, June 12 at 3:00 pm. Preview dates for the production are June 4, 5, 10 and 11.

? Porchlight Music Theatre and Artistic Director Michael Weber are proud to announce the final 2015 - 16 installment of Chicago's hit new musical revue series, New Faces Sing Broadway. This edition, conceived and directed by Michael Weber and Chris Carter with music direction by Nick Sula, hosted by James Earl Jones II and featuring a cast of Chicago's hottest emerging artists, takes a journey through the best of Broadway's 1949 musical season via rare multi-media visuals, songs, trivia games and sing alongs in New Faces Sing Broadway 1949, Tuesday, June 7 at 8 p.m. at Uptown Underground, 4707 N Broadway. Tickets are $22, with no drink minimum and are available at porchlightmusictheatre.org or by calling 773.777.9884.

Porchlight Music Theatre and Artistic Director Michael Weber present DREAMGIRLS, book and lyrics by Tom Eyen, music by Henry Krieger. This production is directed and choreographed by Porchlight Artistic Associate Brenda Didier and music directed by Porchlight Artistic Associate Doug Peck, now through May 22, at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. BroadwayWorld brings you performances from the production below!

Porchlight Music Theatre and Artistic Director Michael Weber present DREAMGIRLS, book and lyrics by Tom Eyen, music by Henry Krieger. This production is directed and choreographed by Porchlight Artistic Associate Brenda Didier and music directed by Porchlight Artistic Associate Doug Peck, now through May 22, at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. BroadwayWorld has photos from the opening night festivities below!