Now Playing Onstage in Chicago - Week of 12/02/2012
Back to the Articleby BWW
Click Here to View BroadwayWorld.com Chicago Calendar 
ANNIE WARBUCKS BYRON CIVIC THEATRE 11/23-12/3/2012 The world's favorite orphan returns in ANNIE WARBUCKS, the sequel to the international smash hit ANNIE. All the ingredients that made ANNIE so successful are here once again, with an old-fashioned romance thrown in for good measure!The action picks up where ANNIE left off: Christmas morning, 1933. Amidst celebration, Child Welfare Commissioner, Harriet Doyle, arrives to inform Daddy Warbucks that he must marry within the next sixty days or he will lose the newly-adopted Annie from his family. Daddy Warbucks' whirlwind search for a bride uncovers not only a plot by Doyle and her daughter to strip him of his fortune, but also his true feelings for secretary Grace Farrell.This family-friendly musical is a wonderful opportunity to showcase a diverse cast of characters with strong vocal and acting abilities. The show also includes a large featured ensemble, making it the perfect choice for middle schools, high schools, and community theaters! Click Here for More Information FALL DANCE CONCERT Illinois State University, College of Fine Arts, Center for the Performing Arts 12/6-12/8/2012 artistic director Sara Semonis A celebration of movement, light and music, featuring new choreographic works by faculty in the School of Theatre and Dance and invited guest artists. Enjoy an eccletic combination of modern, contemporary, and classical ballet styles in this exciting performance. Join us for this great kickoff to the holiday season. December 6 – 8, 7:30 p.m. Matinee: December 8, 2:00 p.m. Click Here for More Information 
JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT Eastlight Theatre 11/30-12/8/2012 The Biblical saga of Joseph and his coat of many colors comes to vibrant life in this delightful musical parable. Joseph, his father's favorite son, is a boy blessed with prophetic dreams. When he is sold into slavery by his jealous brothers and taken to Egypt, Joseph endures a series of adventures in which his spirit and humanity are continually challenged. He is purchased by Potiphar where thwarting advances from Potiphar's wife lands him in jail. When news of Joseph's gift to interpret dreams reaches the Pharaoh (wryly and riotously depicted as Elvis), Joseph is well on his way to becoming second in command. Eventually his brothers, having suffered greatly, unknowingly find themselves groveling at the feet of the brother they betrayed but no longer recognize. After testing their integrity, Joseph reveals himself leading to a heartfelt reconciliation of the sons of Israel. Set to an engaging cornucopia of musical styles, from country-western and calypso to bubble-gum pop and rock 'n' roll, this Old Testament tale emerges both timely and timeless.Lyrics by Tim Rice; Music by Andrew Lloyd WebberFor more information on Eastlight Theatre, click hereFor more information on Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, click here Click Here for More Information 
XANADU NORTH CHICAGO COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL 12/4-12/8/2012 XANADU follows the journey of a magical and beautiful Greek muse, Kira, who descends from the heavens of Mt. Olympus to Venice Beach, California in 1980 on a quest to inspire a struggling artist, Sonny, to achieve the greatest artistic creation of all time - the first ROLLER DISCO! (Hey, it's 1980!) But, when Kira falls into forbidden love with the mortal Sonny, her jealous sisters take advantage of the situation and chaos abounds. This hilarious, roller skating, musical adventure about following your dreams despite the limitations others set for you, rolls along to the original hit score composed by pop-rock legends Jeff Lynne and John Farrar, and includes, "Magic", "All Over The World", "Suddenly", "I'm Alive", "Evil Woman", "Have You Never Been Mellow" and "Xanadu", to name a few, and is based on the Universal Pictures' cult classic movie of the same title, which starred Olivia Newton-John and Gene Kelly. It's hilarity on wheels for adults, children and anyone who has ever wanted to feel inspired, as one of Broadway's master storytellers, Douglas Carter Beane, weaves a moving, electrifying tale of endless fun that will keep you in stitches, while the original, legendary chart-topping tunes lift you out of your seat. You'll want to keep the music in your head, and XANADU in your heart, forever. Click Here for More Information 
THE WILD PARTY UNIV OF ILLINOIS - THEATRE DEPARTMENT 12/7-12/8/2012 Adapted from a book-length poem written in and about the Roaring Twenties, Andrew Lippa's WILD PARTYtells the story of one wild evening in the Manhattan apartment sharedby Queenie and Burrs, a vaudeville dancer and a vaudeville clown. In arelationship marked by vicious behavior and recklessness (mirroring thetime in which they live), they decide to throw a party to end allparties. As the guests arrive, we meet an assortment of peopleliving on The Edge. Queenie and Burrs set out to make each otherjealous, but Queenie begins to fall in love with her conquest namedBlack. After a long night of decadence, Burrs' jealousy erupts and hecomes to a violent end at Black's hand. In the stark light of a newday, Queenie moves out into a brighter world, although not necessarilya brighter future, leaving the passed-out revelers in her wake.An award-winning score by Andrew Lippaprovides excitement and drive for this tale of passions out of control.Capturing the sound of a bygone era with a nod to the present one, hemakes us realize that moral decadence is not only limited to our past. Click Here for More Information 
INTO THE WOODS JR SKOKIE PARK DISTRICT 10/27-12/8/2012 The Brothers Grimm "go Broadway" as Sondheim and Lapine offer up a cockeyed fairy tale where all of your favorite characters"?Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack (and his beanstalk) and The Witch"?meet and interact on their journeys. With unforgettable roles, little dancing and no chorus, INTO THE WOODS JR. showcases a medium-sized ensemble of talented singers and actors. The sophisticated score has been adapted to make it easier--though still challenging--for young performers. INTO THE WOODS JR. is a funny and engaging way to get young people to think about the stories with which they've grown up and the ethical issues raised therein. Click Here for More Information 
DISNEY'S 101 DALMATIANS KIDS NAZARETH ACADEMY 12/8-12/8/2012 101 DALMATION KIDS is the familiar tale of kidnappers, puppies, and villains. In a loving home in the city of London, human owners Robert and Anita live happily with Dalmatian parents Pongo and Perdita as they raise their Dalmatian puppies. Everything is quiet until the monstrous Cruella De Vil, Anita's former classmate, plots to steal the puppies for her new fur coat! Join all the dogs of London as they daringly rescue the puppies from Cruella and her bumbling henchmen.With a delightfully fun score, lovable characters, and one of the most deliciously evil villains in the Disney canon, this stage adaptation is certain to charm and delight all audiences. The adorable spotted dogs and sinister main villain provide wonderful opportunities for creative costuming. Click Here for More Information 
DAMN YANKEES VICTOR J ANDREW HIGH SCHOOL 12/6-12/8/2012 Faust meets professional baseball in the Broadway classic DAMN YANKEES. Middle-aged baseball fanatic Joe Boyd trades his soul to the Devil, also known as Mr. Applegate, for a chance to lead his favorite team to victory in the pennant race against the New York Yankees. As young baseball sensation Joe Hardy, he transforms the hapless Washington Senators into a winning team, only to realize the true worth of the life he's left behind. Joe ultimately outsmarts Applegate, returns to his former self, and shepherds the Senators to the World Series.Light, fast-paced and devilishly clever, DAMN YANKEES is a home-run hit featuring all-American subject matter and an irreverent sense of humor. The perfect choice for a high school's spring musical or community theatre production, DAMN YANKEES is sure to please. Click Here for More Information 
ANNIE GRAYSLAKE MIDDLE SCHOOL 12/7-12/8/2012 Leapin' Lizards! The popular comic strip heroine takes center stage in one of the world's best-loved musicals. With equal measures of pluck and positivity, little orphan ANNIE charms everyone's hearts, despite a next-to-nothing start in 1930s New York City. She is determined to find her parents, who abandoned her years ago on the doorstep of a New York City Orphanage run by the cruel, embittered Miss Hannigan.With the help of the other girls in the Orphanage, ANNIE escapes to the wondrous and magical world of NYC. In adventure after fun-filled adventure, ANNIE foils Miss Hannigan's evil machinations and befriends President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. She finds a new home and family in billionaire Oliver Warbucks, his personal secretary Grace Farrell, and a lovable mutt named Sandy. ANNIE is the perfect family-friendly musical, and an ideal show for a largely female cast. Middle Schools and elementary schools should also take notice of ANNIE JR - a special version of this title expressly designed for younger performers. Click Here for More Information 
A FUNNY THING...FORUM WHITNEY YOUNG HIGH SCHOOL 11/29-12/8/2012 Broadway's greatest farce is light, fast-paced, witty, irreverent and one of the funniest musicals ever written. A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM takes comedy back to its roots, combining situations from time-tested, 2000 year old comedies of Roman playwright Plautus with the infectious energy of classic vaudeville.A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM is a non-stop laugh-fest in which Pseudolus, a crafty slave, struggles to win the hand of a beautiful but slow-witted courtesan named Philia, for his young master, Hero, in exchange for freedom. The plot twists and turns with cases of mistaken identity, slamming doors, and a showgirl or two.This unforgettable, hysterical musical allows a terrific ensemble of comedic actors to shine--"something for everyone, a comedy tonight!" Click Here for More Information 
ANNIE Jacksonville Theater Guild, Sophie Leschin Auditorium 12/6-12/9/2012 In the depths of the 1930's, Annie is a fiery young orphan girl who must live in a miserable orphanage run by the tyrannical Miss Hannigan. Her seemingly hopeless situation changes dramatically when she is selected to spend a short time at the residence of the wealthy munitions industrialist, Oliver Warbucks. Come see Annie sing and dance her way into your heart. Click Here for More Information 
A CHRISTMAS CAROL SPOTLIGHT YOUTH THEATER 12/6-12/9/2012 Charles Dickens' A CHRISTMAS CAROL gets the full Broadway treatment by Alan Menken, Lynn Ahrens and Mike Ockrent.This spectacular musical extravaganza ran for ten years at Madison Square Garden. In 2004, this version became the basis of an NBC Hallmark Entertainment special (teleplay adaptation by Lynn Ahrens) featuring Kelsey Grammer as Scrooge, and an array of stars including Jason Alexander, Jesse L. Martin, Jane Krakowski, Geraldine Chaplin, Jennifer Love Hewitt and Ruthie Henshall. But even without starry casts and spectacular trappings, this A CHRISTMAS CAROL retains its emotional power and pure joy thanks to the marvelously told story and beautiful score. Click Here for More Information 
SEUSSICAL JR SKYLINE STUDIOS INC. 12/7-12/9/2012 A delight for children to perform, SEUSSICAL is now one of the most-performed shows in America! In this fantastical, magical, musical extravaganza, Tony winners Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty (LUCKY STIFF, MY FAVORITE YEAR, ONCE ON THIS ISLAND, and RAGTIME) have lovingly brought to life all of our favorite Dr. Seuss characters, including Horton the Elephant, The Cat in the Hat, Gertrude McFuzz, lazy Mayzie and a little boy with a big imagination--Jojo. The colorful characters transport us from the Jungle of Nool to the Circus McGurkus to the invisible world of the Whos.The Cat in the Hat tells the story of Horton, an elephant who discovers a speck of dust containing Whos, including Jojo, a Who child who gets in trouble for thinking too many "thinks." Horton faces a double challenge--not only must he protect the Whos from a world of naysayers and dangers, but he must guard an abandoned egg, left to his care by the irresponsible Mayzie La Bird. Although Horton faces ridicule, danger, kidnapping, and a trial, the intrepid Gertrude McFuzz never loses faith in him. Ultimately, the powers of friendship, loyalty, family, and community are challenged and emerge triumphant!SEUSSICAL JR. is fun for the whole family! Young performers will be excited to portray the characters from the familiar Dr. Seuss fables. This musical provides wonderful creative opportunities in terms of set design, lighting, and costuming.Note: for this version, certain Click Here for More Information MACBETH Albert Taylor Theatre 12/5-12/9/2012 Shakespeare's darkest tragedy takes us into the decaying mind of Scotland's noblest warrior. Treachery becomes necessity as ambition thrusts characters toward their own delusion and possible damnation. There is no safe haven as danger lurks behind every corner in this raw production of Shakespeare's classic. Click Here for More Information 
THE SOUND OF MUSIC Wheaton Drama Inc. 11/9-12/9/2012 The final collaboration between Rodgers & Hammerstein was destined to become the world's most beloved musical. When a postulant proves too high-spirited for the religious life, she is dispatched to serve as governess for the seven children of a widowed naval Captain. Her growing rapport with the youngsters, coupled with her generosity of spirit, gradually captures the heart of the stern Captain, and they marry. Upon returning from their honeymoon they discover that Austria has been invaded by the Nazis, who demand the Captain's immediate service in their navy. The family's narrow escape over the mountains to Switzerland on the eve of World War II provides one of the most thrilling and inspirational finales ever presented in the theatre. The motion picture version remains the most popular movie musical of all time.Music by Rodgers, Richard; Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II; Book by Howard Lindsay & Russel Crouse; Suggested by For more information on Wheaton Drama Inc., click hereFor more information on The Sound of Music, click here Click Here for More Information 
WHITE CHRISTMAS Boylan Catholic High School 12/7-12/9/2012 Based on the beloved, timeless film, this heartwarming musical adaptation features seventeen Irving Berlin songs and a book by David Ives and Paul Blake. Veterans Bob Wallace and Phil Davis have a successful song-and-dance act after World War II. With romance in mind, the two follow a duo of beautiful singing sisters en route to their Christmas show at a Vermont lodge, which just happens to be owned by Bob and Phil's former army commander. The dazzling score features well known standards including Blue Skies, I Love A Piano, How Deep Is the Ocean and the perennial favorite, White Christmas. WHITE CHRISTMAS is an uplifting musical worthy of year-round productions.Music and Lyrics by Irving Berlin; Based Upon the Paramount Pictures Film Written For the Screen by Norman Krasna, Norman Panama and Melvin Frank; Book by David Ives & Paul BlakeFor more information on Boylan Catholic High School, click hereFor more information on White Christmas, click here Click Here for More Information 
13 CENTER FOR LIVING ARTS 12/7-12/9/2012 A grown-up story about growing up!When his parents get divorced and he's forced to move from New York to a small town in Indiana, Evan Goldman just wants to make friends and survive the school year. Easier said than done. The star quarterback is threatening to ruin his life and his only friend, Patrice, won't talk to him. The school freak sees an opportunity for blackmail and someone is spreading the nastiest rumors.With an unforgettable rock score from Tony Award-winning composer Jason Robert Brown, 13 is a hilarious, high-energy musical for all ages about discovering that cool is where you find it, and sometimes where you least expect it. Click Here for More Information 
THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE JR IMPROV PLAYHOUSE 12/7-12/9/2012 THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE JR. is a high-spirited musical romp that has allof New York dancing the Charleston. It's the zany new 1920's musicalthat has taken Broadway by storm! Taking place in New York City in1922, THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE JR. tells the story of young MillieDillmount, who has just moved to the city in search of a new life forherself. It's a New York full of intrigue and jazz - a time when womenwere entering the workforce and the rules of love and social behaviorwere changing forever. Based on the popular movie, the stage version of includes a full score of new songs and brightdance numbers. Click Here for More Information 
THE MUSIC MAN EAST RICHLAND HIGH SCHOOL 12/7-12/9/2012 An affectionate paean to Smalltown, U.S.A. of a bygone era, Meredith Willson's THE MUSIC MAN follows fast-talking traveling salesman Harold Hill as he cons the people of River City, Iowa into buying instruments and uniforms for a boys' band he vows to organize - this despite the fact he doesn't know a trombone from a treble clef. His plans to skip town with the cash are foiled when he falls for Marian the librarian, who transforms him into a respectable citizen by curtain's fall. Perfect for professional theatres, community groups, summer stock and schools alike, this award-winning, critically acclaimed Broadway classic is an all-American institution, thanks to is quirky characters, charmingly predictable dramatic situations, and one-of-a-kind, nostalgic score of rousing marches, barbershop quartets and sentimental ballads which have become popular standards. The cast features a soaring soprano ingenue, parts for young performers and children, and one of the musical theatre's treasures, a tour de force leading role for a charismatic actor who doesn't need to be a trained singer. By turns wicked, funny, warm, romantic and touching, THE MUSIC MAN is family entertainment at its best. Click Here for More Information 
SEUSSICAL WILMINGTON COMMUNITY THEATER 12/6-12/9/2012 Now one of the most performed shows in America, SEUSSICAL is a fantastical, magical, musical extravaganza! Tony winners Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty (LUCKY STIFF, MY FAVORITE YEAR, ONCE ON THIS ISLAND, and RAGTIME) have lovingly brought to life all of our favorite Dr. Seuss characters, including Horton the Elephant, The Cat in the Hat, Gertrude McFuzz, lazy Mayzie, and a little boy with a big imagination--Jojo. The colorful characters transport us from the Jungle of Nool to the Circus McGurkus to the invisible world of the Whos.The Cat in the Hat tells the story of Horton, an elephant who discovers a speck of dust containing Whos, including Jojo, a Who child sent off to military school for thinking too many "thinks." Horton faces a double challenge--not only must he protect the Whos from a world of naysayers and dangers, but he must guard an abandoned egg, left to his care by the irresponsible Mayzie La Bird. Although Horton faces ridicule, danger, kidnapping, and a trial, the intrepid Gertrude McFuzz never loses faith in him. Ultimately, the powers of friendship, loyalty, family, and community are challenged and emerge triumphant.SEUSSICAL is fun for the whole family! Performers of all ages will be excited to portray the characters from the familiar Dr. Seuss fables. This musical provides wonderful creative opportunities for set, lighting, and costume design.More Ahrens and FlahertyFor complet Click Here for More Information 
LUCKY STIFF THE MUSIC THEATRE COMPANY 11/30-12/9/2012 Tony Award winners Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty exploded on the musical theatre scene in 1988 with their first off-Broadway show, LUCKY STIFF. Based on the novel The Man Who Broke The Bank At Monte Carlo by Michael Butterworth, LUCKY STIFF is a zany, offbeat, and very funny murder mystery farce complete with slamming doors, mistaken identities, six million bucks in diamonds, and a corpse in a wheelchair. The story revolves around an unassuming English shoe salesman who is forced to take the embalmed body of his recently-murdered Atlantic City uncle on a vacation to Monte Carlo. Should he succeed in passing Uncle off as alive, Harry Witherspoon stands to inherit $6,000,000. If not, the money goes to the Universal Dog Home of Brooklyn, or else to the gun-toting wife of the casino owner! First produced at Playwrights Horizons off-Broadway (Richard Rodgers Award) the show later went on to win Washington's Helen Hayes Award for Best Musical, and is now performed frequently across the country.For complete information on this and other Ahrens and Flaherty shows, as well as links to purchase CDs, vocal selections and other publications, please go to www.AhrensandFlaherty.com. Click Here for More Information 
DISNEY'S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST JR IMPROV PLAYHOUSE 12/7-12/9/2012 Step into the enchanted world of Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST JR. Featuring songs from the Academy-Award winning animated feature, this stage version includes music by Alan Menken and the late Howard Ashman, along with new songs by Mr. Menken and Tim Rice. Your audiences will be transported to the heart of provincial life in a lovely French town. When Maurice becomes lost in the woods on the way to the fair, he seeks shelter in an old castle, but the master of the castle is a horrible beast that takes him captive. Maurice's daughter, Belle, must then give up her freedom to save his life. Belle's taming of the unfortunate Beast and his ultimate transformation back into a handsome prince is a beloved fairy tale about very different people finding strength in one another and learning how to love. This "tale as old as time" is filled with spectacular costume and set opportunities. Even more simply staged, Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST JR. offers students a great introduction to musical theatre, using familiar songs and characters to guide them through their production. Click Here for More Information
ANNIE JACKSONVILLE Theatre Guild 11/30-12/9/2012 Leapin' Lizards! The popular comic strip heroine takes center stage in one of the world's best-loved musicals. With equal measures of pluck and positivity, little orphan ANNIE charms everyone's hearts, despite a next-to-nothing start in 1930s New York City. She is determined to find her parents, who abandoned her years ago on the doorstep of a New York City Orphanage run by the cruel, embittered Miss Hannigan.With the help of the other girls in the Orphanage, ANNIE escapes to the wondrous and magical world of NYC. In adventure after fun-filled adventure, ANNIE foils Miss Hannigan's evil machinations and befriends President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. She finds a new home and family in billionaire Oliver Warbucks, his personal secretary Grace Farrell, and a lovable mutt named Sandy. ANNIE is the perfect family-friendly musical, and an ideal show for a largely female cast. Middle Schools and elementary schools should also take notice of ANNIE JR - a special version of this title expressly designed for younger performers. Click Here for More Information CHICAGO Columbia College, School of Fine and Performing Arts 12/5-12/15/2012 For more information, visit the website. Click Here for More Information 
LITTLE WOMEN OVERSHADOWED THEATRICAL PRODUCTIONS 11/23-12/15/2012 Based on Louisa May Alcott's own family experiences (and novel), LITTLE WOMEN, follows the adventures of Jo, Meg, Beth and Amy March as they grow up in Civil War America. The beloved story of the March sisters is timeless and deals with issues as relevant today as when they were written. Now, this wonderful narrative has been brought to life as an exhilarating new musical filled with glorious music, dancing and heart. LITTLE WOMEN embodies the complete theatrical experience, guaranteeing a night filled with laughter, tears, and a lifting of the spirit. This powerful score soars with the sounds of personal discovery, heartache and hope -- the sounds of a young America finding its voice. In years to come, we are sure that hundreds of productions by schools and theatres throughout the world will make this stage adaptation of the American classic novel a classic musical theatre treasure in its own right. Click Here for More Information 
MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET THE MUSICAL PEORIA PLAYERS 12/7-12/16/2012 Kris Kringle takes on the cynics among us in this musical adaptation of the popular holiday favorite. In his inimitable style, Meredith Willson, the author of "The Music Man" and "The Unsinkable Molly Brown," tells us the classic story of the year. A white-bearded gentleman claiming to be the real Santa Claus brings about a genuine "Miracle on 34th Street," spreading a wave of love throughout New York City, fostering camaraderie between Macy's and Gimbel's Department Stores, and convincing a divorced, cynical single mother, her somber daughter and the entire state of New York that Santa Claus is no myth.brbrFilled with humor, spectacle (the opening scene takes place at none other than Macy?s famous Thanksgiving Parade) and such beloved songs as ?Pinecones and Hollyberries,? ?It?s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas? and ?My State, My Kansas,? this joyous, heart-warming musical is pure family entertainment, wholesome without being cloying. With its built-in audience base, ?Miracle on 34th Street? is the perfect holiday treat for any theatre!br Click Here for More Information
WHITE CHRISTMAS Bloomington Community Players 11/29-12/16/2012 Based on the beloved, timeless film, this heartwarming musical adaptation features seventeen Irving Berlin songs and a book by David Ives and Paul Blake. Veterans Bob Wallace and Phil Davis have a successful song-and-dance act after World War II. With romance in mind, the two follow a duo of beautiful singing sisters en route to their Christmas show at a Vermont lodge, which just happens to be owned by Bob and Phil's former army commander. The dazzling score features well known standards including Blue Skies, I Love A Piano, How Deep Is the Ocean and the perennial favorite, White Christmas. WHITE CHRISTMAS is an uplifting musical worthy of year-round productions.Music and Lyrics by Irving Berlin; Based Upon the Paramount Pictures Film Written For the Screen by Norman Krasna, Norman Panama and Melvin Frank; Book by David Ives & Paul BlakeFor more information on Bloomington Community Players, click hereFor more information on White Christmas, click here Click Here for More Information
WHITE CHRISTMAS Springfield Theatre Centre 11/30-12/16/2012 Based on the beloved, timeless film, this heartwarming musical adaptation features seventeen Irving Berlin songs and a book by David Ives and Paul Blake. Veterans Bob Wallace and Phil Davis have a successful song-and-dance act after World War II. With romance in mind, the two follow a duo of beautiful singing sisters en route to their Christmas show at a Vermont lodge, which just happens to be owned by Bob and Phil's former army commander. The dazzling score features well known standards including Blue Skies, I Love A Piano, How Deep Is the Ocean and the perennial favorite, White Christmas. WHITE CHRISTMAS is an uplifting musical worthy of year-round productions.Music and Lyrics by Irving Berlin; Based Upon the Paramount Pictures Film Written For the Screen by Norman Krasna, Norman Panama and Melvin Frank; Book by David Ives & Paul BlakeFor more information on Springfield Theatre Centre, click hereFor more information on White Christmas, click here Click Here for More Information LONG DAY'S JOURNEY INTO NIGHT Athenaeum Theatre 11/1-12/19/2012 Considered to be an autobiographical piece which was published and produced posthumously, Long Day's Journey Into Night centers on the Tyrone family. James Tyrone, a semiretired actor, is vain and miserly; his wife Mary feels worthless and retreats into a morphine-induced haze. Jamie, their older son, is a bitter alcoholic. James refuses to acknowledge the illness of his consumptive younger son, Edmund. As Mary Sinks into hallucination and madness, father and sons confront each other in searing scenes that reveal their hidden motives and interdependence. Click Here for More Information 
ANNIE JR KIDZ KABARET 12/1-12/20/2012 Leapin' Lizards! The popular comic strip heroine takes center stage in one of the world's best-loved musicals. With equal measures of pluck and positivity, little orphan ANNIE charms everyone's hearts, despite a next-to-nothing start in 1930s New York City. She is determined to find her parents, who abandoned her years ago on the doorstep of a New York City Orphanage run by the cruel, embittered Miss Hannigan. With the help of the other girls in the Orphanage, ANNIE escapes to the wondrous and magical world of NYC. In adventure after fun-filled adventure, ANNIE foils Miss Hannigan's evil machinations and befriends President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. She finds a new home and family in billionaire Oliver Warbucks, his personal secretary Grace Farrell, and a lovable mutt named Sandy.ANNIE JR. is ideal for productions involving different grade levels, or for middle schools where students may be maturing at different rates. The cast size and age range of the parts are flexible and the bright, tuneful score is easy to sing and filled with familiar numbers. Click Here for More Information 
DISNEY'S CINDERELLA KIDS FOX VALLEY REPERTORY-AMATEUR DIVISION 12/8-12/22/2012 The timeless fairy tale meets the magic of Disney in this adaptation of the treasured animated film. Poor Cinderella is endlessly mistreated by her wicked stepmother and stepsisters, and denied a chance to go to the Royal Ball. With a little help from her mice friends, and a lot of help from her Fairy Godmother, Cinderella goes to the ball, meets the Prince, and falls in love! With a beautiful score including "A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes" and the classic "Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo," Disney's CINDERELLA KIDS will charm its way into your heart, and remind you that dreams really can come true. Click Here for More Information PLAID TIDINGS Theatre At The Center 11/15-12/23/2012 Plaid Tidings, the holiday sequel to Chicago's longest running musical Forever Plaid, entertains Theatre at the Center audiences November 15 through December 23. Summoned by the angelic Rosemary Clooney, Jinx, Frankie, Smudge and Sparky are sent back to Earth to stage a nostalgic holiday extravaganza. A show for the whole family, Plaid Tidings combines favorite tunes from the ‘50s and ‘60s with traditional holiday songs and carols, a hilarious tribute to The Ed Sullivan Christmas Spectaculars, and plenty of winning references to the era and its sounds – including some singing by Perry Como himsellf! Click Here for More Information 
PIPPIN CIRCLE THEATRE 11/10-12/23/2012 Once upon a time, a young prince longed to discover the secret of true happiness and fulfillment. He sought it in the glories of the battlefield, The Temptations of the flesh and the intrigues of political power (after disposing of his father King Charlemagne the Great). In the end, he found it in the simple pleasures of home and family. PIPPIN is a hip, tongue-in-cheek, anachronistic fairy tale that captivated Broadway audiences and continues to appeal to the young at heart everywhere (the show has become a staple on high school and college campuses). The energetic pop-influenced score by three-time Oscar®-winning composer/lyricist Stephen Schwartz (GODSPELL, CHILDREN OF EDEN, and the animated films Pocahontas, The Hunchback Of Notre Dame and The Prince Of Egypt) bursts with one showstopping number after another, from soaring ballads to infectious dance numbers. Featuring a strong ensemble cast and a show-stealing song-and-dance narrator, PIPPIN is equally effective as an intimate, black-box production (as envisioned by the authors) or as original director/choreographer Bob Fosse's splashy, dance-driven spectacle, which included some of the most brilliant staging in Broadway history. Click Here for More Information 
ANNIE Paramount Theatre 11/21-12/30/2012 Don't let the red curls, freckles and dress fool you. That adorable little girl is a true adventurer. She's been abandoned as a baby, raised in an orphanage, run away and lived with the homeless, befriended a United States' President, and found a new home with one of the wealthiest people in the country -- all in all just 11 years. Bring the entire family and join Annie, and her pint-sized cohorts, on the musical adventure of a lifetime. From "Hard Knock Life" to "Tomorrow," the music, dancing and heartwarming story make this the perfect way to spend the Holiday Season. Click Here for More Information 
CHRISTMAS SCHOONER MERCURY THEATER CHICAGO 11/23-12/30/2012 Take a ride on THE CHRISTMAS SCHOONER! This critically acclaimed holiday treat tells the true story of a Michigan shipping captain who braves the deadly winter weather to bring Christmas trees to homesick German American families in turn-of-the-century Chicago. His voyages become a yearly tradition despite his wife's misgivings-until a fateful voyage makes her realize the true importance of his mission. Click Here for More Information
ANNIE MARRIOTT'S LINCOLNSHIRE 10/17-1/6/2013 Leapin' Lizards! The popular comic strip heroine takes centerstage in one of the world's best-loved musicals.BRBR"Annie" is a spunky Depression-era orphan determined to find her parents, who abandoned her years ago on the doorstep of a New York City Orphanage run by the cruel, embittered Miss Hannigan. In adventure after fun-filled adventure, Annie foils Miss Hannigan's evil machinations, befriends President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and finds a new family and home in billionaire Oliver Warbucks, his personal secretary Grace Farrell and a lovable mutt named Sandy. Click Here for More Information 
GODSPELL NAZARETH ACADEMY 10/26-1/11/2013 Conceived and originally directed by John Michael Tebelak, with music and new lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, GODSPELL is one of the biggest off-Broadway and Broadway successes of all time.Based on the Gospel According to St. Matthew, and featuring a sparkling score by Stephen Schwartz, GODSPELL boasts a string of well-loved songs, led by the international hit, "Day By Day." As the cast performs "Prepare Ye The Way Of The Lord," "Learn Your Lessons Well," "All For The Best," "All Good Gifts," "Turn Back, O Man" and "By My Side," the parables of Jesus Christ come humanly and hearteningly to life.Drawing from various theatrical traditions, such as clowning, pantomime, charades, acrobatics and vaudeville, GODSPELL is a groundbreaking and unique reflection on the life of Jesus, with a message of kindness, tolerance and love.GODSPELL RETURNSVisit the official Godpell on Broadway site for tickets and more information on this new production. Click Here for More Information 
SINGIN' IN THE RAIN DRURY LANE OAKBROOK 11/8-1/13/2013 You remember the plot. You love the characters. You know "the song." It's no less than the stage adaptation of one of the most celebrated and beloved films of all time.brbr1920's Hollywood is the setting for this zany, light-hearted romantic comedy about the early days of sound film, when many a movie studio found itself scrambling to salvage the career of its chipmunk-voiced silent picture star.brbrThe MGM classic has been faithfully and lovingly adapted by Broadway legends a href="http://mtishows.com/biography.asp?writerid=3526"Betty Comden/a and a href="http://mtishows.com/biography.asp?writerid=3543"Adolph Green/a from their original award-winning screenplay. Each unforgettable scene, song and dance, is accounted for, including the showstopping title number, complete with an onstage rainstorm! Hilarious situations, snappy dialogue, and a hit-parade score of Hollywood standards make strongSINGIN' IN THE RAIN/strong the perfect entertainment for any fan of the golden age of movie musicals. Click Here for More Information MY ONE AND ONLY Marriott Theatre In Lincolnshire 11/7-1/13/2013 MY ONE AND ONLY is a captivating musical about fame in 1927 America and the unbreakable bonds of true love. Featuring an incomparable score by George and Ira Gershwin and Book by Peter Stone and Timothy S. Mayer, MY ONE AND ONLY is the Jazz Age story of Captain Billy Buck Chandler, a barnstorming aviator, and Edith Herbert, an ex-English Channel swimmer and the star of Prince Nicolai's International Aquacade. Billy's plan to be the first man to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean is sidetracked when he falls in love with Edith. Their romantic pursuit is thrown off course by a series of unfortunate mishaps and calculated sabotage attempts, but together they are able to navigate their way to a happy ending. This tap spectacular with legendary songs "'S Wonderful," "Funny Face," and "Kickin' The Clouds Away", will have audiences floating on air. Click Here for More Information SINGIN' IN THE RAIN Drury Lane- Oakbrook 11/8-1/13/2013 Set in glitzy, glamorous Hollywood in the 1920s, this lighthearted and funny tale centers on Don Lockwood, a film star who finds love while navigating the ever-changing world of showbiz. Singin' In The Rain is based on the 1954 film starring Gene Kelly and Debbie Reynolds, which the American Film Institute named the #1 Greatest Movie Musical of all time and The New York Times called "The happiest movie musical ever made." Click Here for More Information
SINGIN' IN THE RAIN DRURY LANE OAKBROOK 11/8-1/20/2013 You remember the plot. You love the characters. You know "the song." It's no less than the stage adaptation of one of the most celebrated and beloved films of all time.BRBR1920s Hollywood is the setting for this zany, light-hearted romantic comedy about the early days of sound film, when many a movie studio found itself scrambling to salvage the career of its chipmunk-voiced silent picture star. Click Here for More Information  Roald Dahl'S WILLY WONKA KIDS in Broadway" border="0" height="100" width="100" align="right">
Roald Dahl'S WILLY WONKA KIDS ROUND LAKE AREA PARK DISTRICT COMMUNITY THEATRE 12/5-1/25/2013 Roald Dahl's timeless story of the world-famous candy man and his quest to find an heir comes to life in this special 30-minute stage adaptation of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, which features the songs from the classic family film Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.Roald Dahl's WILLY WONKA KIDS, featuring a memorable score by Leslie Bricusse (JEKYLL & HYDE, DOCTOR DOLITTLE) and Anthony Newley, follows enigmatic candy manufacturer Willy Wonka as he stages a contest by hiding five golden tickets in five of his scrumptious candy bars. Whoever comes up with these tickets will win a free tour of the Wonka factory, as well as a lifetime supply of candy. Four of the five winning children are insufferable brats: the fifth is a likeable young lad named Charlie Bucket who takes the tour in the company of his equally amiable grandfather. The children must learn to follow Mr. Wonka's rules in the factory--or suffer the consequences.This scrumdidilyumptious musical is guaranteed to delight everyone's sweet tooth. With this show's flexible cast size, your elementary school's production will take audiences on a fantasy ride into the land of pure imagination! Click Here for More Information 
THE BOOK OF MORMON Bank of America Theatre 12/11-3/13/2013 Winner of 9 Tony Awards® including Best Musical! From Trey Parker and Matt Stone, four-time Emmy Award-winning creators of "South Park," and Tony Award-winner Robert Lopez, co-creator of the Tony Award–winning Best Musical Avenue Q, comes THE BOOK OF MORMON, a new Broadway musical that Jon Stewart of The Daily Show describes as, "a crowning achievement, so good it makes me angry" and by Entertainment Weekly as "the funniest musical of all time." Featuring choreography by Tony Award-winner Casey Nicholaw, THE BOOK OF MORMON is directed by Nicholaw and Parker. Don't miss your chance to see what Ben Brantley of The New York Times calls "the best musical of this century." Contains explicit language. Click Here for More Information View All Show Listings for Chicago Click Here to View BroadwayWorld.com Chicago Calendar |
