Ryan Nelson News

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) announced today the acting company and creative team for Shrek The Musical, the Theater's annual summer family musical, directed and choreographed by Rachel Rockwell with music direction by Michael Mahler, July 13-September 1, 2013 in CST's Courtyard Theater. Based on the Academy Award-winning DreamWorks film and the book by William Steig, CST's 75-minute production ofShrek The Musical will take audiences on an unconventional fairy-tale adventure with everyone's favorite ogre. The production features two Jeff Award-winning actors: Michael Aaron Lindner as the lovable ogre Shrek and Summer Naomi Smart in her CST debut as the spunky Princess Fiona. In support of Mayor Emanuel's Summer of Learning Program, special activities will be offered in conjunction with Shrek The Musical for students to earn a "Bard Badge."

The comedic theatre collective Compass Theatrical today released the long-awaited original cast album of their 2011 cult musical hit THE SPIDEY PROJECT -- featuring a super-hero rock score composed by Doug Katsaros and Adam Podd -- It is available via iTunes, Google Play and Amazon and also, keeping with the tradition of the show, free to download from CD Baby and their website: compasstheatrical.com.

The highly anticipated cast recording of THE SPIDEY PROJECT has just been released. Click below for a first listen to the entire album!

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 the no-Christmas-musicals edition of the Mosh Pit! The T-BOM has arrived, BWW Chicago Awards voting ends this Saturday, the Grammys, three new musicals in workshop, dueling TYA 'Cinderella' musicals and more!

Produced and narrated by Emmy(R) Award-winning producer Thom Beers (Deadliest Catch, Ice Road Truckers and Storage Wars), the six-episode second season of WHISKER WARS premieres on IFC today, November 23 at 10:00 pm ET/PT on IFC.

The Marriott Theatre for Young Audiences, 10 Marriott Drive, presents Rodgers & Hammerstein's classic tale CINDERELLA from today, November 17th through December 31st. For the first time on the Marriott stage - the original enchanting score from the creators of The King & I and Oklahoma! Join Cinderella, her Fairy Godmother, a handsome Prince, and two selfish Step-Sisters, as they turn "Impossible" to "Possible" in Rodgers and Hammerstein's most beloved tale.

The Marriott Theatre for Young Audiences, 10 Marriott Drive, presents Rodgers & Hammerstein's classic tale CINDERELLA from November 17th through December 31st. For the first time on the Marriott stage - the original enchanting score from the creators of The King & I and Oklahoma! Join Cinderella, her Fairy Godmother, a handsome Prince, and two selfish Step-Sisters, as they turn "Impossible" to "Possible" in Rodgers and Hammerstein's most beloved tale.

Produced and narrated by Emmy(R) Award-winning producer Thom Beers (Deadliest Catch, Ice Road Truckers and Storage Wars), the six-episode second season of WHISKER WARS premieres on IFC on Friday, November 23 at 10:00 pm ET/PT on IFC.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Casting news for ChiShakes' 'Sunday,' TATC's '42nd Street' and Paramount's 'Grease,' plus ALW and the eye-popping Marriott season, Chicago's first 'Q,' Super September along Belmont Avenue and much more!

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) announces casting for the 2012 Fall Season. The Tony Award® and Pulitzer Prize-winning musical, Sunday in the Park with George by Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine will be staged by CST Associate Artistic Director Gary Griffin, September 26-November 4, 2012 in CST's Courtyard Theater. The season continues with The School for Lies by David Ives, adapted from Moliere's The Misanthrope and staged by CST Artistic Director Barbara Gaines, December 4, 2012-January 20, 2013 in CST's Courtyard Theater.

Witty, smart and wildly satirical, this timely and spirited adaptation exposes the corruption of a provincial town with biting hilarity.

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!

This summer Jungle Theater will stage NOISES OFF! Joel Sass will direct the Tony-nominated play by Michael Frayn, playing tonight, June 8-July 29 at the Lyn-Lake theater, 2951 Lyndale Av. S., in Minneapolis.

This summer Jungle Theater will stage NOISES OFF! Joel Sass will direct the Tony-nominated play by Michael Frayn, playing June 8-July 29 at the Lyn-Lake theater, 2951 Lyndale Av. S., in Minneapolis.

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 the spirit of Sordid Lives, the critically-acclaimed, international festival hit Mangus! debuts on DVD and VOD December 6th from Wolfe Video.

In the spirit of Sordid Lives, the critically-acclaimed, international festival hit Mangus! debuts on DVD and VOD December 6th from Wolfe Video.

The Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire, will recognize Patriot Day by offering current and retired military personnel a complimentary ticket when they present their military identification to the 5 p.m. performance of FOR THE BOYS on Sunday, September 11th. Tickets are subject to availability.

The Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire, will recognize Patriot Day by offering current and retired military personnel a complimentary ticket when they present their military identification to the 5 p.m. performance of FOR THE BOYS on Sunday, September 11th. Tickets are subject to availability.

Starting September 22, 2011, The Loring Theater presents Four Humors' original, world premiere production of The Extraordinary Terms of Ordinary Life, a comedy set in the sky-rocketing world of life insurance salesmen at the end of the Roaring 20s and the dark secret they swore to protect.