L. Walter Stearns News

Porchlight Music Theatre is proud to announce the 14th Annual Chicago Sings concert: Chicago Sings 25 Years of Porchlight, Monday, Aug. 5 at 7 p.m., at The Museum of Contemporary Art, 220 E. Chicago Ave, directed by Christopher Pazdernik and Artistic Director Michael Weber with music direction by David Fiorello. Reception begins at 6 p.m. with a cocktail hour and light appetizers. Performances, awards ceremony and paddle raising begins at 7 p.m. in the Edlis Neeson Theatre. Tickets are on sale for $125 at PorchlightMusicTheatre.org or by calling 773.777.9884. Tickets at the door will be $150. The event has reserved seating and supports Porchlight Music Theatre's educational and artistic programming.

Walter Stearns, Executive Director of Mercury Theater Chicago, announced today the cast and creative team of the upcoming LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, running on the main stage from March 1 through April 28. The press opening is Sunday, March 10 at 7:30pm. This hit sci-fi musical has devoured the hearts of audiences around the world for more than 30 years, following the story of floral assistant who stumbles across a new breed of carnivorous plant that promises to grant him fame, fortune and all his desires - as long as the blood keeps flowing. LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS will feature the creative talents of Walter Stearns (Director), Eugene Dizon (Musical Director) and Christopher Carter (Choreographer)

A mainstay of the Belmont Theater District, Mercury Theater Chicago's critically acclaimed production of AVENUE Q moves into its final weeks with a closing date of December 30. With incredible runs on the Mercury stage in 2014 and 2018, this lovingly revived Broadway musical comedy appealed to the heart and humor of more than 40,000 audience members, earning widespread critical acclaim with coverage from the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun Times, WTTW's "Chicago Tonight" and WGN Radio, and awards from Broadway World and the Joseph Jefferson awards, including 12 Broadway World Award nominations for the 2018 production. By its closing date, AVENUE Q will have played 355 performances over 12 months, placing it as one of the longest-running homegrown musicals in Chicago history.

By popular demand, Mercury Theater Chicago's critically acclaimed production of AVENUE Q has extended performances for the second time, now running through December 30. After an incredible run in 2004, this lovingly revived Broadway musical is wowing audiences yet again with its relatable humor and heartwarming message. Directed by L. Walter Stearns, AVENUE Q opened on June 21 to rave reviews, with Chris Jones of the Chicago Tribune noting "AVENUE Q is a long-running hit all over again in Chicago. 'Warning, puppet sex' once again appears on the Mercury's marquee," and WTTW's Chicago Tonight highly recommending the show, remarking "it's not only clever and refreshingly frank but wholly charming."

Cue the jazz hands--Stephen Schwartz and Roger O. Hirson's PIPPIN has arrived at Mercury Theater's Venus Cabaret in an intimate staging that brings the actors and the audience together. Mercury Artistic Director L. Walter Stearns's interprets this cabaret production of PIPPIN in a literal manner: the show's visual references and presentational style are highly influenced by the 1920s Weimar cabaret in Germany. Thus, the fictional story of Charlemagne's son Pippin does not at all take place in medieval times but rather seems to occupy a moment all its own. Given the eccentricities in the material for PIPPIN itself, this is a fitting choice.

By popular demand, Mercury Theater Chicago's critically acclaimed production of AVENUE Q has extended performances for the second time, now running through December 30.  After an incredible run in 2004, this lovingly revived Broadway musical is wowing audiences yet again with its relatable humor and heartwarming message. Directed by L. Walter Stearns, AVENUE Q opened on June 21 to rave reviews, with Chris Jones of the Chicago Tribune noting "AVENUE Q is a long-running hit all over again in Chicago. 'Warning, puppet sex' once again appears on the Mercury's marquee," and WTTW's Chicago Tonight highly recommending the show, remarking "it's not only clever and refreshingly frank but wholly charming."

Bros do Prose puts a fresh new spin on J.M. Barrie's beloved PETER PAN featuring a cast of two actors at Mercury Theater Chicago (3745 N. Southport Avenue) from November 3 to December 23, 2018.

Mercury Theater Chicago, 3745 N. Southport Avenue, is pleased to announce that Stephen Schwartz's PIPPIN will run from October 11th through November 18th in Venus Cabaret Theater. Press opening is Sunday, October 14th at 7:30pm.

Mercury Theater Chicago, 3745 N. Southport Avenue, is pleased to announce the extension of AVENUE Q through November 4, 2018 due to popular demand. After an incredible run in 2004, this lovingly revived Broadway musical is wowing audiences yet again with its relatable humor and heartwarming message.

Whether you have seen AVENUE Q before and can mouth the lyrics to all the songs or if you have never experienced it, Mercury Theater's production is worth a visit. AVENUE Q will provide uproarious and NSFW laughs for days, but it also will touch your heart and provide a much-needed dose of theatrical sunshine.

Mercury Theater Chicago, 3745 N. Southport Avenue, is thrilled to announce that our homegrown production of AVENUE Q will be lovingly revived on the Mercury stage, from June 21st through September 9th, 2018. Press opening is Friday, June 29th at 8:00pm. After entertaining nearly 30,000 people over 169 performances and breaking all box office records for Mercury Theater Chicago, these sassy and lovable puppets are back for more fun and mischief.

Come to see the new theater space, but stay for Mercury's COMPANY.

Mercury Theater Chicago, 3745 N. Southport Avenue - is pleased to announce the opening of VENUS CABARET THEATER with a uniquely intimate production of Stephen Sondheim's COMPANY, running from April 5th through June 3rd. Press opening is the weekend of April 13th-15th. Named for the planet next to Mercury, Venus Cabaret is a versatile new performance space offering food and drinks to complement each production.

Mercury Theater Chicago, 3745 N. Southport Avenue - THE CHRISTMAS SCHOONER will be sailing for its seventh year at Mercury Theater Chicago, from November 24 through December 31, 2017. Press opening is Friday, December 8th at 8:00pm. We are pleased to welcome new cast members to the Schooner family including Nicole Armold, Harter Clingman, Jared Rein, Ron Keaton, Ryan Stajmiger and Holly Stauder with Don Forston returning at the helm as 'Gustav Stossel.' The cast will be led by the Jeff-award winning team of L. Walter Stearns (Director), Eugene Dizon (Musical Director) and Brenda Didier (Choreographer). Whether it is your first or tenth time seeing The Christmas Schooner, this heartwarming Chicago-centric story never fails to remind us what the holidays are all about: sharing love.

Mercury Theater Chicago, 3745 N. Southport Avenue THE CHRISTMAS SCHOONER will be sailing for its seventh year at Mercury Theater Chicago, from November 24 through December 31, 2017. Press opening is Today, December 8th at 8:00pm. We are pleased to welcome new cast members to the Schooner family including Nicole Armold, Harter Clingman, Jared Rein, Ron Keaton, Ryan Stajmiger and Holly Stauder with Don Forston returning at the helm as Gustav Stossel. The cast will be led by the Jeff-award winning team of L. Walter Stearns (Director), Eugene Dizon (Musical Director) and Brenda Didier (Choreographer). Whether it is your first or tenth time seeing The Christmas Schooner, this heartwarming Chicago-centric story never fails to remind us what the holidays are all about: sharing love.

Mercury Theater Chicago, 3745 N. Southport Avenue THE CHRISTMAS SCHOONER will be sailing for its seventh year at Mercury Theater Chicago, from November 24 through December 31, 2017. Press opening is Friday, December 8th at 8:00pm. We are pleased to welcome new cast members to the Schooner family including Nicole Armold, Harter Clingman, Jared Rein, Ron Keaton, Ryan Stajmiger and Holly Stauder with Don Forston returning at the helm as Gustav Stossel. The cast will be led by the Jeff-award winning team of L. Walter Stearns (Director), Eugene Dizon (Musical Director) and Brenda Didier (Choreographer). Whether it is your first or tenth time seeing The Christmas Schooner, this heartwarming Chicago-centric story never fails to remind us what the holidays are all about: sharing love.

Check out the top stories from Chicago you might have missed this week and more!

Mercury Theater Chicago, 3745 N. Southport Avenue - is delighted to announce the cast of the high-flying, family-musical MARY POPPINS. The magical nanny Mary Poppins will be played by newcomer Nicole Armold, and the loveable jack-of-all trades Bert will be played by Jeff Award winner Matthew Crowle. The production will be led by Jeff Award Winners L. Walter Stearns (Director), Eugene Dizon (Music Director) and Brenda Didier (Choreography). The show plays from March 29 through May 28, and the press opening is Friday, April 7th at 7:30pm 

On Sunday, May 29th at 5:30pm Mercury Theater Chicago, 3745 N. Southport Avenue, will host a post-show discussion titled 'Producing THE PRODUCERS' led by director and producer L. Walter Stearns and the cast of THE PRODUCERS.

Mercury Theater Chicago presents the award winning musical comedy sensation THE PRODUCERS, running now through June 26, 2016. It is truly a "boffo" hit, winning a record twelve Tony Awards and wowing capacity crowds night after night. The production is led by Jeff-Award winners L. Walter Stearns (Director), Eugene Dizon (Musical Director), and Brigitte Ditmars (Choreography). BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!