Ross Lehman News

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) presents Cyrano de Bergerac, launching the Theater's 2013-2014 Season. CST's new production of Edmond Rostand's timeless classic, adapted and translated by Anthony Burgess, marks the return to CST of director Penny Metropulos and film and stage actor Harry Groener, the duo behind the Theater's award-winning 2011 production of The Madness of George III. Featuring some of the most romantic and witty verse written for the stage, Cyrano de Bergerac is a poignant and entertaining homage to poetry, love and panache which will run in CST's Courtyard Theater tonight, September 24 through November 10, 2013.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) announced today casting for Cyrano de Bergerac, launching the Theater's 2013-2014 Season. CST's new production of Edmond Rostand's timeless classic, adapted and translated by Anthony Burgess, marks the return to CST of director Penny Metropulos and film and stage actor Harry Groener, the duo behind the Theater's award-winning 2011 production of The Madness of George III. Featuring some of the most romantic and witty verse written for the stage, Cyrano de Bergerac is a poignant and entertaining homage to poetry, love and panache which will run in CST's Courtyard Theater September 24 through November 10, 2013.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. This week: Our TOP TEN HOT TOPIX for the second half of 2012!!

Lyric Opera of Chicago presents a 70-minute opera adventure created especially for kids ages 5-12 and their families, called, Popcorn & Pasquale. This show, written by David Kersnar (Lookingglass Theater Company) and Jacqui Russell (Chicago Children's Theater), takes place at the Civic Opera House today, December 2 at 2pm.

Lyric Opera of Chicago just announced its 70-minute opera adventure created especially for kids ages 5-12 and their families, called, Popcorn & Pasquale. This show, written by David Kersnar (Lookingglass Theater Company) and Jacqui Russell (Chicago Children's Theater), takes place at the Civic Opera House on Sunday, December 2 at 2pm.

Writers' Theatre, under the direction of Artistic Director Michael Halberstam and Executive Director Kathryn M. Lipuma, announces added performances of Hamlet, written by William Shakespeare and directed by Artistic Director Michael Halberstam. The production has been extended two weeks, and MUST CLOSE November 25, 2012, at Writers' Theatre, 325 Tudor Court in Glencoe.

Writers' Theatre will open its 21st Season with William Shakespeare's Hamlet, directed by Artistic Director Michael Halberstam, and featuring Scott Parkinson (Hamlet), Shannon Cochran (Gertrude), Michael Canavan (Claudius), Timothy Edward Kane (Laertes), Larry Yando (Ghost and As Cast), Ross Lehman (Polonius), Kareem Bandealy (Horatio), Liesel Matthews (Ophelia), Julian Parker (Rosencrantz), Witold Huzior (Fortinbras) and Billy Fenderson (Guildenstern). The production runs tonight, September 4 - November 11, 2012 at Writers' Theatre, 325 Tudor Court in Glencoe.

The Jeff Awards Committee announced 197 nominations in 34 categories for Chicago Equity theatrical productions, which opened between August 1, 2011, and July 31, 2012. The Jeff Awards judges attended opening nights of 118 Equity productions offered by 55 producing organizations. From these openings, 96 productions were 'Jeff Recommended,' which made them eligible for award nominations.

The Jeff Awards Committee today announced 197 nominations in 34 categories for Chicago Equity theatrical productions, which opened between August 1, 2011, and July 31, 2012. The Jeff Awards judges attended opening nights of 118 Equity productions offered by 55 producing organizations. From these openings, 96 productions were 'Jeff Recommended,' which made them eligible for award nominations.

Anthony Freud, Lyric Opera of Chicago's general director, today announced two performance events that exemplify different facets of the ambitious new Lyric Unlimited* program being launched this year: Popcorn & Pasquale on December 2 and The Second City Guide to the Opera on January 5.

In case you missed it in the "Showtune Mosh Pit" column last week, here is my full listing of musical theater shows (plus three special concert events) happening in Chicago this summer. Click on the name of each show for a link to more information. And enjoy!

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 non-Equity Jeff Awards are Monday night, and we've compiled our first ever Summer Musical Theatre Guide! Here are 35 listings for your viewing pleasure....

Porchlight Music Theatre today announced its annual benefit concert, Chicago Sings featuring the music of Broadway Icon Jerry Herman, Monday, June 18 at 7 p.m. at Mayne Stage, 1328 West Morse Ave.

Route 66 Theatre Company's annual benefit, Mile Markers, will be held tonight, May 7, 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. at Stage 773, 1225 West Belmont, Chicago.

Writers' Theatre will open its 21st Season with William Shakespeare's Hamlet, directed by Artistic Director Michael Halberstam, and featuring Scott Parkinson (Hamlet), Shannon Cochran (Gertrude), Michael Canavan (Claudius), Timothy Edward Kane (Laertes), Larry Yando (Ghost and As Cast), Ross Lehman (Polonius), Kareem Bandealy (Horatio), Liesel Matthews (Ophelia), Julian Parker (Rosencrantz), Witold Huzior (Fortinbras) and Billy Fenderson (Guildenstern). The production runs September 4 - November 11, 2012 at Writers' Theatre, 325 Tudor Court in Glencoe.

Route 66 Theatre Company today announced the details of their annual benefit, Mile Markers, Monday, May 7, 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. at Stage 773, 1225 West Belmont, Chicago.

The exuberant musical theater masterpiece from the clever pens of W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan, THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE opened at the Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire, IL, April 13 and runs through June 10. See photos of the cast and more on opening night below!

In our time and place, the great Marriott Theatre to the north of Chicago, in Lincolnshire, in the collar county of Lake, has mounted a production of "The Pirates of Penzance" which officially opened this past weekend, and will run through June 10, 2012. It's directed by Dominic Missimi, a visionary musical theater director and teacher with vast experience and influence across the country, and especially here.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'Jersey Boys,' three musicals that start with 'Pi,' Cromer's 'Rent' leads a Larson fest, JRB in Indiana, 'Street Scene' and much more....

THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE will be presented at The Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire, IL, opening April 13 and running through June 10, directed by Multi-Jeff Award Winner Dominic Missimi.