Devin DeSantis News

The opening number of the newly revised SIDE SHOW invites audiences to 'Come Look at the Freaks.' In doing so, however, the musical really prepares spectators to look upon the circus attractions in the show with empathy rather than alienation and astonishment. With this intimate production from Porchlight Music Theatre led by Artistic Director Michael Weber, the Chicago premiere of the 2014 revision of SIDE SHOW (seen on Broadway last season) brings the humanity of the show's characters to the forefront. While I enjoyed the Broadway revival of SIDE SHOW at the nearly 2,000 seat St. James Theatre, I also felt that it put me at a distance from the action onstage. The show had a pervading eeriness to it. But with Porchlight's production, audiences are able to come close to the conjoined Hilton sisters - the result is highly entertaining, with a strong dash of pathos and emotional resonance.

Porchlight Music Theatre presents the first production in its 2015 - 2016 season, SIDE SHOW, directed by Porchlight artistic director Michael Weber, music direction by Aaron Benham, choreography by Andrew Waters, music by Henry Krieger, book and lyrics by Bill Russell, at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. The show has been extended through Sunday, Oct. 25. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Porchlight Music Theatre's first production of its 2015 - 2016 season will be Side Show, running tonight, September 11, through October 18, directed by Porchlight Music Theatre artistic director Michael Weber, music direction by Aaron Benham, choreography by Andrew Waters, music by Henry Krieger, book and lyrics by Bill Russell, at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. Scroll down for a sneak peek at the stars in costume!

Porchlight Music Theatre is proud to announce the first production in its 2015 - 2016 season: Side Show, directed by Porchlight Music Theatre artistic director Michael Weber, music direction by Aaron Benham, choreography by Andrew Waters, music by Henry Krieger, book and lyrics by Bill Russell, at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave., has been extend through Sunday, Oct. 25.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. It's a Super September Preview! We've got the low-down on 16 musical productions you will want to see this month, from city to suburbs, big theaters to small, premieres and old favorites galore! 'Side Show,' 'Dogfight,' 'Next To Normal,' 'Oklahoma!,' 'Spamalot,' 'Blood Brothers,' 'October Sky,' CST's 'Ride The Cyclone' and much more!

Porchlight Music Theatre launches its 2015-16 season with SIDE SHOW, running September 11 - October 18, directed by Porchlight Music Theatre artistic director Michael Weber with music direction by Aaron Benham, choreography by Andrew Waters, music by Henry Krieger, and book & lyrics by Bill Russell, at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. Previews will run Friday, Sept. 11 at 8 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 12 at 8 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 13 at 2 p.m., and Monday, Sept. 14 7:30 p.m. The opening night is Friday, Sept. 18 at 8 p.m. BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at the cast in costume below!

Chicago actor Michael Shannon announced the 2014-15 Equity Jeff Award Nominees at 11 a.m. today, and the Paramount Theatre in Aurora is thrilled to share the news that in its first year of eligibility, Paramount received the most nominations of any Chicago theater.

Chicago stage, TV and film star Michael Shannon did the honor of announcing the nominees for the 2014-2015 Equity Jeff Awards. A video of the presentation is available at www.JeffAwards.org.

Porchlight Music Theatre's first production of its 2015 - 2016 season will be Side Show, running September 11 - October 18, directed by Porchlight Music Theatre artistic director Michael Weber, music direction by Aaron Benham, choreography by Andrew Waters, music by Henry Krieger, book and lyrics by Bill Russell, at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. Scroll down for a sneak peek at the stars in costume!

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Tours of 'Persuasion,' 'Pippin' and '42nd Street,' dueling productions of 'American Idiot,' Michael Kingston and Jane Lynch solo out, 'Bette' adds a date, Theo Ubique announced 'Blood Brothers,' Porchlight sets the season, and 'The Wiz Live!' gets movin' down the road!

Exciting news just in to BroadwayWorld!  Michael Weber, artistic director of Porchlight Music Theatre, has announced the casts of the Chicago premiere of the 2014 revision of Side Show, the return of Porchlight's hit Ain't Misbehavin', multi-Jeff Award-winner Summer Naomi Smart starring in the Chicago premiere of Far From Heaven, and Porchlight Music Theatre's 2015 - 2016 artistic leadership for its four Mainstage productions.

The Marriott Theatre for Young Audiences is thrilled to present its new production of Marc Robin's classic fairy tale musical PINOCCHIO! Come join us for the story of Pinocchio's eventful journey from wooden puppet to real boy, and delight in the adventures he has along the way. The production  runs through August 2, with a press opening today, July 11 at 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire. BroadwayWorld has a look at the cast in action 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. 'Beaches,' 'Kinky Boots' and 'Gotta Dance' show how a pre-Broadway tryout is done, while 'Fancy Nancy,' 'The Little Mermaid' and 'Pinocchio' go for a younger demographic. Meanwhile, Ravinia, Grant Park and Three Oaks (MI) do summer concerts, and The Music Theatre Company announces its own surprise demise.

The Marriott Theatre for Young Audiences is thrilled to present its new production of Marc Robin's classic fairy tale musical PINOCCHIO! Come join us for the story of Pinocchio's eventful journey from wooden puppet to real boy, and delight in the adventures he has along the way. The production is currently in previews and runs through August 2, with a press opening on Saturday, July 11 at 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

The Marriott Theatre for Young Audiences is thrilled to present its new production of Marc Robin's classic fairy tale musical PINOCCHIO! Come join us for the story of Pinocchio's eventful journey from wooden puppet to real boy, and delight in the adventures he has along the way. The production is currently in previews and runs through August 2, with a press opening on Saturday, July 11 at 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

The Marriott Theatre for Young Audiences will present its new production of Marc Robin's classic fairy tale musical PINOCCHIO! Come join us for the story of Pinocchio's eventful journey from wooden puppet to real boy, and delight in the adventures he has along the way.

The Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire, presents the six-time Tony Award-winning classic, CITY OF ANGELS, winner of Best Musical, Best Original Score by David Zippel and Cy Coleman, and Best Book by Larry Gelbart. The show opened last night, June 17, and runs through August 2. BroadwayWorld has photos from opening night below!

The Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire, presents the six-time Tony Award-winning classic, CITY OF ANGELS, winner of Best Musical, Best Original Score by David Zippel and Cy Coleman, and Best Book by Larry Gelbart, opening tomorrow, June 17th, and running through August 2. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

The Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire, presents the six-time Tony Award-winning classic, CITY OF ANGELS, winner of Best Musical, Best Original Score by David Zippel and Cy Coleman, and Best Book by Larry Gelbart, opening tomorrow, June 17th, and running through August 2. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

The Marriott Theatre for Young Audiences will present its new production of Marc Robin's classic fairy tale musical PINOCCHIO! Come join us for the story of Pinocchio's eventful journey from wooden puppet to real boy, and delight in the adventures he has along the way.