Chicago Premiere of ERNEST SHACKLETON LOVES ME Via Porchlight Music Theatre Now Playing Through June 1, 2023

 ChiIL Live Shows On Our Radar: Adult Night Out

PORCHLIGHT MUSIC THEATRE’S CHICAGO PREMIERE OF 

ERNEST SHACKLETON LOVES ME 

STARRING ELISA CARLSON AND ANDREW MUELLER, IS NOW PLAYING THROUGH JUNE 1, 

AT THE RUTH PAGE CENTER FOR THE ARTS

Here at ChiIL Mama, we've adored Porchlight Music Theatre and their stellar musicals for years. We're so excited to catch their latest,  Ernest Shackleton Loves Me. In addition to featuring family friendly productions, we also cover adult shows that deal with family dynamics, in our Adult Night Out Series.   Ernest Shackleton Loves Me is a great fit with the theme of a sleep-deprived single mom (Elisa Carlson*) who makes her living as a video game music composer connecting across space and time, with the famous early 20th century polar explorer Ernest Shackleton (Andrew Mueller+) while he is stranded on an iceberg in the Antarctic in the early 1900s. It's so much fun to catch a new musical we've never seen before. 

Porchlight Music Theatre, in association with Skylight Music Theatre, presents the Chicago premiere of the critically acclaimed musical comedy Ernest Shackleton Loves Me, music by Brendan Milburn, lyrics by Val Vigoda, orchestrations and additional music by Ryan O’Connell and book by Joe DiPietro, at the Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn St., now playing through June 1. Porchlight’s production is directed by Michael Unger and music directed by Eric Svejcar. 

The performance schedule is Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 3:30 and 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Post-Show Discussions are scheduled Friday, May 19 at 8 p.m. and Wednesday, May 31 at 7:30 p.m. and open caption performances Saturday, May 20 and Saturday, May 27 at 3:30 p.m. Tickets for Ernest Shackleton Loves Me are now on sale starting at $25 and may be purchased through the Box Office by calling 773.777.9884 or by visiting PorchlightMusicTheatre.org.

Ernest Shackleton Loves Me is the critically acclaimed new musical comedy with a tongue-in-cheek script by Tony Award-winner Joe DiPietro+ (Diana, Memphis, All Shook Up) that received the Off-Broadway Alliance Award as BEST MUSICAL and was filmed and presented on Broadway HD. In this wildly inventive and romantic adventure, a sleep-deprived single mom (Elisa Carlson*) who makes her living as a video game music composer is contacted across space and time, via a crossed connection on her cell phone, by the famous early 20th century polar explorer Ernest Shackleton (Andrew Mueller+) while he is stranded on an iceberg in the Antarctic in the early 1900s. Inspired by her music, he shares his epic journey with her and, together, they overcome the odds in a timeless, and very funny, musical romance for the ages.

The company for Ernest Shackleton Loves Me, in alphabetical order, includes Elisa Carlson* (Kat); Andrew Mueller+ (Ernest Shackleton) with Rae Robeson* (Kat Standby) and Matt Miles+ (Ernest Shackleton Standby).

The Ernest Shackleton Loves Me creative team includes music by Brendan Milburn+ (music); Val Vigoda* (lyrics);  Ryan O’Connell+ (orchestrations and additional music);  Joe DiPietro+ (book), Michael Unger+ (director); Eric Svejcar+ (music director); Cameron Tragesser+ (conductor/keyboard); Scott Davis+ (scenic designer); Jonathan Berg-Einhorn+ (associates scenic designer); Gregory Graham+ (costume designer); G. Max Maxin IV+ (lighting designer); Matthew R. Chase+ (sound designer); Smooch Medina+ (projection designer); Rita Vreeland* (production stage manager); Andrea Enger= (assistant stage manager); John McTaggart+ (scenic supervisor); Wendy Ann* (scenic charge); Tina Stasny* (costume supervisor); Rachel West* (lighting supervisor); Samantha Anderson* (assistant lighting supervisor); Lynsy Folckomer* (audio engineer); Nick Dunk+ (audio supervisor); Matt Reich+ (audio supervisor); Jack Zanger+ (wardrobe supervisor);  Karlika Claybourne* (hair & make-up supervisor); Danny Carraher+ (master carpenter), Heather Gervasi* (assistant production manager/properties designer); 

Michael Weber+ (artistic director); Majel Cuza* (production manager); Heather Gervasi* (assistant production manager) and Frankie Leo Bennett+ (producing artistic associate).

ABOUT MICHAEL UNGER+, director

Michael Unger makes his Porchlight Music Theatre debut as director of Ernest Shackleton Loves Me. A Chicago native, Unger is a theatre and opera director who has directed on stages both nationally and internationally. He is the artistic director of Milwaukee’s Skylight Music Theatre and has been the associate artistic director and director of education at Off-Broadway’s The York Theatre Company in New York City. He is also the producing artistic director of NewArts which utilizes the performing arts as a vehicle to heal and promote creativity, collaboration, and confidence for the children in Newtown, Connecticut. Unger has taught acting classes in New York City and has guest directed at many colleges and universities, including Juilliard, AMDA, AADA, University of Utah, Ohio Northern University, The Asolo Conservatory and his alma mater, Ithaca College. He is married to actress Janet Metz and his favorite productions are their twins, Phoebe and Nathaniel.

ABOUT ERIC SVEJCAR+, music director

Eric Svejcar makes his Porchlight debut with Ernest Shackleton Loves Me. He is a composer and music director based in New York City. Works include Caligula, An Ancient Glam Epic (NYMF Audience Award winner), A Rockin' Midsummer Night's Dream (featured in the documentary “Midsummer In Newtown”), The Murder of Isaac, White Noise and the musical podcast “Loveville High” with David Zellnik. He adapted and arranged Disney's Peter Pan Jr. which has been performed by thousands of schools around the world. On Broadway, he conducted the Roundabout/Deaf West revival of Big River and played in the pits of The Little Mermaid and A Chorus Line (City Center). Off-Broadway he arranged and performed in the Zipper Theatre revival of Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well and Living In Paris, orchestrated Evil Dead, The Musical and music directed several productions at the York Theatre including Marry Harry and the Musicals In Mufti presentations of Big, Berlin To Broadway With Kurt Weill, and Jerry's Girls. He was a solo pianist with Erich Kunzel and the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra and played piano and sang backup for Debbie Gibson at Harrah's in Atlantic City. Originally from Chicago, he has done shows at Bailiwick, Northlight, The New Colony and many others and was the front room pianist/singer at Davenport’s Piano Bar and the late Gentry on Halsted. Svejcar is a graduate of the Indiana University School of Music. 

ABOUT ELISA CARLSON, “Kat”

Elisa Carlson is a 20-year veteran in the solo and dueling piano bar industry, singing and playing piano, violin, drums and bass all across the United States, internationally and on cruise ships. Carlson makes her Porchlight Mainstage debut with Ernest Shackleton Loves Me and previously appeared in Chicago Sings Rock & Roll Broadway. A graduate of Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, she enjoys bringing her skills to Chicago theater stages as well. Chicago credits include: Once (Writers Theatre and Paramount Theatre), Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story (American Blues Theater), Peter and the Starcatcher (Metropolis Performing Arts Center), One Man, Two Guvnors (Court Theatre), Pop Waits (Neo-Futurists) and American Idiot (The Hypocrites).  Carlson is also a choreographer for young performers and will be choreographing Matilda Jr. with GingerSnap Performing Arts this summer. 

ABOUT ANDREW MUELLER, “Ernest Shackleton”

Andrew Mueller is embarking upon his Porchlight Mainstage debut (after having done various concerts, benefits, readings, etc.) Notable Chicago productions include: “Peter” in Jesus Christ Superstar (Lyric Opera), “Mark” in RENT (Paramount), Man of La Mancha (Marriott Lincolnshire), Shakespeare In Love (Chicago Shakespeare), Almost Heaven: John Denver's America (Theatre At The Center), A Christmas Carol (Drury Lane Oakbrook), Wonderland: Alice's Rock & Roll Adventure (Chicago Children's Theater). Jeff Award for “Huck Finn” in Big River (BoHo Theatre Ensemble). Off-Broadway: “Prentiss” in Peter And The Starcatcher (New World Stages), Alice By Heart (MCC). Regional: My Paris (Long Wharf), Some Lovers (Old Globe & Adirondack Theatre Festival), Baskerville (Cardinal Stage). He also performs with his band, The Red Roses, in and around Chicago. 

ABOUT PORCHLIGHT MUSIC THEATRE

Porchlight Music Theatre is the award-winning center for music theatre in Chicago. Through live performance, youth education and community outreach, we impact thousands of lives each season, bringing the magic of musicals to our theatre home at the Ruth Page Center for the Arts in the Gold Coast and to neighborhoods across the city. Porchlight has built a national reputation for boldly reimagining classic musicals, supporting new works and young performers, and showcasing Chicago’s most notable music theatre artists, all through the intimate and powerful theatrical lens of the “Chicago Style.”

Porchlight's history, over the last 27 years, includes more than 70 mainstage works with 15 Chicago premieres and five world premieres. Porchlight’s commitment to the past, present and future of music theatre led the company to develop the Porchlight Revisits and New Faces Sing Broadway program series, both quickly becoming audience favorites.

Porchlight's education and outreach programs serve schools, youth of all ages and skill levels and community organizations, most notably the ongoing collaboration with Chicago Youth Centers. Porchlight annually awards dozens of full scholarships and hundreds of free tickets to ensure accessibility and real engagement with this uniquely American art form.

The company’s many honors include 184 Joseph Jefferson Award (Jeff) nominations and 45 Jeff awards, as well as 44 Black Theatre Alliance (BTA) nominations and 12 BTA awards. In 2019, Porchlight graduated to the Large Theatre tier of the Equity Jeff Awards, and was honored with eight nominations in both technical and artistic categories and won three awards in its inaugural year in this tier, most notably Best Ensemble for Duke Ellington’s Sophisticated Ladies.

Through the global pandemic, Porchlight emerged as one of Chicago’s leaders in virtual programming, quickly launching a host of free offerings like Sondheim @ 90 Roundtables, Movie Musical Mondays, Porchlight by Request: Command Performances and WPMT: Classic Musicals from the Golden Age of Radio. Porchlight launched its annual summer series in 2021, Broadway in your Backyard, performing at parks and venues throughout the city.

ABOUT PORCHLIGHT MUSIC THEATRE AS RUTH PAGE IN-RESIDENCE ORGANIZATION

Porchlight Music Theatre is proud to be a member of the vibrant Ruth Page Center for the Arts community and an In-Residence Organization. Central to the Ruth Page Center for the Arts’ programming is this program, which is designed to serve organizations looking for a home base while they grow or expand their artistic and organizational capabilities. The Center is committed to nurturing and assisting dance and other performing artists, allowing for exchange and collaborative relationships to develop within the artistic community. The Ruth Page Center for the Arts is a destination for quality performing arts, accessible to a wide community regardless of race, gender, age, education or disability. An incubator of artistic energy and excellence, the Ruth Page Center for the Arts carries forward the vision of its founder, legendary dance icon Ruth Page, to be a platform for developing great artists and connecting them with audiences and community.

Porchlight Music Theatre is partially supported by generous contributions from: Allstate; Abe and Ida Cooper Foundation; Glimpse Vision; James P. and Brenda S. Grusecki Family Foundation; Hearty Boys; The League of Chicago Theatres PAV Grant Fund; The MacArthur Fund for Culture, Equity and the Arts at Prince; the Pritzker Traubert Foundation; Ryan and Spaeth, Inc.; Daniel and Genevieve Ratner Foundation; The Saints and The Dr. Scholl Foundation.

The season program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency, a state agency, and by a CityArts Grant from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs & Special Events.

Porchlight Music Theatre wishes to thank members of the Matching Gift Corporate Program including: Allstate; Crowdstrike; Google; Lloyd A. Fry Foundation; Peoples Gas; Pepsico; Polk Bros Foundation; State Farm; The Saints and U.S. Cellular.

Ruth Page Center for the Arts

1016 N. Dearborn Street, Chicago

Performance Schedule:

Friday, May 12 at 8:00 p.m.

Saturday, May 13 at 3:30 p.m.

Sunday, May 14 at 2:00 p.m.

Thursday, May 18, at 7:30 p.m.

Friday, May 19 at 8:00 p.m. (Post-Show Talk Back)

Saturday, May 20 at 3:30 p.m. (Open Caption Performance)

Saturday, May 20 at 8:00 p.m.

Sunday, May 21 at 2:00 p.m.

Friday, May 26 at 8:00 p.m.

Saturday, May 27 at 3:30 p.m. (Open Caption Performance)

Sunday, May 27 at 8:00 p.m.

Sunday, May 28 at 2:00 p.m.

Sunday, May 28, at 6:00 p.m.

CLOSING WEEK:

Tuesday, May 30 at 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, May 31 at 1:30 p.m. (Post-Show Talk Back)

Wednesday, May 31 at 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, June 1 at 1:30 p.m.

Thursday, June 1 at 7:30 p.m.

Website: PorchlightMusicTheatre.org

The Ruffians’ Burning Bluebeard Returns to Chicago This Holiday Season Dec. 13 - 27

PORCHLIGHT MUSIC THEATRE PRESENTS CHICAGO’S HOLIDAY HIT IN A LIMITED RUN,

THE RUFFIANS’ BURNING BLUEBEARD, 

AT THE RUTH PAGE CENTER FOR THE ARTS,

DECEMBER 13 – 27

(pictured) The cast of The Ruffians’ 2014-15 production of BURNING BLUEBEARD.

 All photos by Evan Hanover

Featuring Original Cast Members and Directed by Halena Kays, Jay Torrence’s Seasonal Spectacular Comes to the Gold Coast for the First Time in its Eight Year History

Here at ChiIL Mama, we've caught The Ruffians’ Burning Bluebeard many times, since their inaugural show 8 years ago at the Neofuturarium. They're top favorites of ours, and this holiday season they're moving to the Ruth Page Center for the Arts. We'll be out for the press opening, Dec. 15, so check back soon for my full review. We're eager to catch long time friends, Pamela Chermansky (Fancy Clown) and Anthony Courser (Henry Gilfoil), who taught my teens circus arts with Circesteem, when they were children.

(left to right) Pam Chermansky and Anthony Courser in The Ruffians’ 2014-15 production of BURNING BLUEBEARD. 

(left to right) Leah Urzendowski, Anthony Courser, Jay Torrence and Pam Chermansky in The Ruffians’ 2014-15 production of BURNING BLUEBEARD.

Although this ghost story is macabre, and sadly all too true, The Ruffians' production is a poignant and powerful celebration of life. I can't see a show in what is now the Nederlander Theatre (formerly The Oriental and before that, the doomed Iroquois) without echos of Burning Bluebeard in my mind. I see the tragic series of events that led to a fireball and the deaths of 600 theatergoers, mostly women and children. Leave the ghost lights on. The stories and memories of a scrappy band of actors and their actions that day have been given new life, in this darkly compelling tribute to love, loss, and heroism. Burning Bluebeard has become a beloved annual tradition for our family, and we can't wait to embrace this heart wrenching moment in time once again, and remember the stories that seep into spaces and stay. 

(left to right) Ryan Walters and Crosby Sandoval in The Neo-Futurists and The Ruffians’ 2018 production of BURNING BLUEBEARD.

Burning Bluebeard, created and performed by the critically acclaimed theatre troupe The Ruffians, has been touted as “a show you won’t quickly forget and that you could only see in Chicago” by the Chicago Tribune and New City says the production is “filled to the brim with irreverent humor, riveting dance sequences and enough charm to fill a bucket…” Told with music, clowning, tumbling, acrobatics and dance, Burning Bluebeard is a physical-performance phenomena inspired by the true story of Chicago’s former Iroquois Theatre and the unforgettable events that resulted in tragedy for 600 theatergoers at Christmas time in 1903.

A Chicago holiday tradition for many since its debut in 2011, each performance is a vaudevillian musical delight with a story that excavates the poetic and poignant remains of a piece of our city’s rich history and leaves the audience with an unforgettable experience.

(left to right) Ryan Walters, Jay Torrence and Pam Chermansky in The Ruffians’ 2014-15 production of BURNING BLUEBEARD. presented by The Hypocrites.

Porchlight Music Theatre is proud to present The Ruffians’ Burning Bluebeard, making its downtown debut at The Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn Street, December 13 – 27. Now in its eighth year,  this annual tradition for many is a fantastical tale inspired by Chicago’s 1903 Iroquois Theatre fire, written by Jay Torrence and directed by Halena Kays. Previews are Friday, Dec. 13 and Saturday, Dec. 14 at 8 p.m. Opening Night is Sunday, Dec. 15 at 6 p.m. with the performance schedule Thursday, Dec. 19 at 7:30 p.m., Friday, Dec. 20 at 8 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 21 at 3:30 and 8 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 22 at 2 and 6 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 26 at 1:30 and 7:30 p.m. and Friday, Dec 27 at 3:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. Tickets are $45 and are on sale now at PorchlightMusicTheatre.org or by calling the Porchlight Music Theatre box office, 773.777.9884.

The 2019 cast of Burning Bluebeard includes original performers Pamela Chermansky (Fancy Clown); Anthony Courser (Henry Gilfoil); Jay Torrence (Robert Murray); Leah Urzendowski (Nellie Reed); Ryan Walters (Eddie Foy) with Crosby Sandoval (Faerie Queen).

The Burning Bluebeard production team includes Maggie Fullilove-Nugent (lighting design); Robert Hornbostel (associate sound design); Jeffrey D. Kmiec (set design); Bill Morey (costume coordination); Mike Tutaj (original sound design);  Sam Moryoussef (production manager); Justine Palmisano (stage manager) and Alex Rhyan (production and operations director).

 (pictured) Ryan Walters in The Neo-Futurists’ 2011 production of BURNING BLUEBEARD.

 (left to right) Leah Urzendowski, Jay Torrence, Anthony Courser and Pam Chermansky in The Ruffians’ 2014-15 production of BURNING BLUEBEARD.

ABOUT JAY TORRENCE, Playwright and “Robert Murray”
Jay Torrence is a Ruffian and the playwright who created Burning Bluebeard, Roustabout! The Great Circus Trainwreck and Ivywild. As a former Neo-Futurist artistic director and ensemble member, Torrence worked over a decade writing, directing and performing hundreds of short plays that debuted in Chicago and toured throughout the nation. Other theater credits include: 500 Clown, Theater Oobleck, Akvavit Theatre, The Actor’s Gymnasium, Theater on the Lake, The Hypocrites, Redmoon Theater, Woolly Mammoth, Geva, Shakespeare Theatre Company (DC), The New Victory Theater (NY), The Actors Theatre of Louisville and Edmonton Actors Theatre. Internationally, this is the 13th production of Burning Bluebeard.

ABOUT HALENA KAYS, Director
Halena Kays is a theater director, deviser and performer. She most recently served as the artistic director of The Hypocrites, where she both performed and directed. She is the co-founder and former artistic director of Barrel of Monkeys, where she created and directed the majority of their public performances. She is a founding member of the artistic collaborative, The Ruffians, and directs their recurring hit production of Burning Bluebeard, as well as their other experiments in live performance events. She is a UT-Austin and Northwestern graduate, former member of the Big Apple Circus Clown Care unit, past co-artistic curator for Theater on the Lake and assistant professor at Northwestern University.

Kays is an artistic associate with the Neo-Futurists where she directed Pop/Waits, 44 Plays for 44 Presidents, Burning Bluebeard, co-created and directed Daredevils and Daredevils Hamlet and the sight specific extravaganza, Fake Lake. Some interesting Chicago directing credits include: Endgame, Ivywild, Six Characters in Search of an Author at The Hypocrites; The Magic Play at The Goodman, Lord of the Flies at Steppenwolf; On Clover Road at American Blues Theater; Feast (part of a collaborative directing effort) with The Albany Park Theatre Project at The Goodman. Regionally, Halena has directed The Magic Play at The Olney Theater Center, The Actor’s Theater of Louisville, Portland Center Stage and Syracuse Stage, Love Song with The Nashville Story Garden and Secretary for Nashville Rep’s Ingram New Works Festival.

Kays has been nominated for a Jefferson Citation for Best Supporting Actress and Best Direction, named one of the top 50 “players” in Chicago theater by NewCity, is a recipient of the prestigious 3Arts award and received a signed letter from Mr. Rogers saying she was “special” in 1978. She is a proud member of the Stage Directors and Choreography Society.

(left to right) Anthony Courser, Ryan Walters, Jay Torrence, Pam Chermansky and Leah Urzendowski in The Ruffians’ 2014-15 production of BURNING BLUEBEARD.

ABOUT 2019 YEAR OF CHICAGO THEATRE
Porchlight Music Theatre is proud to be part of the 2019 Year of Chicago Theatre, presented by the City of Chicago and the League of Chicago Theatres. To truly fall in love with Chicago, you must go to our theatres. This is where the city bares its fearless soul. Home to a community of creators, risk-takers and big hearts, Chicago theatre is a hotbed for exciting new work and hundreds of world premieres every year. From Broadway musicals to storefront plays and improv, there’s always a seat waiting for you at one of our 200+ theatres.

ABOUT THE RUFFIANS
The Ruffians are an artistic collective of theater makers (clowns, daredevils, acrobats, dancers, writers, performers, designers, directors). The Ruffians have all honed their craft working over a decade in Chicago’s various and thriving experimental, clown and storefront theater communities. A Ruffians objective is to make beautiful things with rough edges. A Ruffians motto: Breathe. Dare. Live.

ABOUT PORCHLIGHT MUSIC THEATRE AS RUTH PAGE ARTIST IN-RESIDENCE
Porchlight Music Theatre is proud to be a member of the vibrant Ruth Page Center for the Arts community and an Artist In-Residence. Central to the Ruth Page Center for the Arts’ programming is the Artists In-Residence program, which is designed to serve organizations looking for a home base while they grow or expand their artistic and organizational capabilities. The Center is committed to nurturing and assisting dance and other performing artists, allowing for exchange and collaborative relationships to develop within the artistic community. The Ruth Page Center for the Arts is a destination for quality performing arts, accessible to a wide community regardless of race, gender, age, education or disability. An incubator of artistic energy and excellence, the Ruth Page Center for the Arts carries forward the vision of its founder, legendary dance icon Ruth Page, to be a platform for developing great artists and connecting them with audiences and community.

ABOUT PORCHLIGHT MUSIC THEATRE
As the home for music theatre in Chicago now in its 25th season, Porchlight Music Theatre is nationally recognized for reimagining classic productions, developing new works and showcasing musical theatre’s noted Chicago veterans and rising stars. Porchlight elevates the genre by providing intimate and powerful theatrical experiences of music theatre through the lens of the “Chicago Style.” The 2017–2018 year marked a milestone for Porchlight as the company became an Artist In-Residence at the historic Ruth Page Center for the Arts in Chicago’s Gold Coast. Porchlight’s rich history includes the staging of more than 70 productions with 15 Chicago premieres and five world premieres. Through Porchlight’s “Off the Porch” new works program, the musicals of the next generation are developed and given a first audience. The School at Porchlight is Chicago’s center for music theatre training in the areas of performance, writing and appreciation including the launch of a youth summer “Make Your Own Musical” Camp in 2017. The company’s many accolades include 28 Black Theatre Alliance nominations and 12 awards, as well as a total of 150 Joseph Jefferson Award nominations resulting in 42 Jeff Awards including five consecutive Best Production awards for The Scottsboro Boys (2017), Dreamgirls (2016), Sondheim on Sondheim (2015), Ain’t Misbehavin’ (2014) and A Class Act (2013).

The 2019 – 2020 25th Anniversary Season is dedicated to the memory of long-time Board Member George K. “Kim” Sargent.

Porchlight Music Theatre’s 25th anniversary subscriptions and single tickets are now on sale at PorchlightMusicTheatre.org. Discounted subscriptions are available for the mainstage productions (Sunset Boulevard, Sophisticated Ladies and Disney’s Freaky Friday) and single tickets for special events including Porchlight Revisits Call Me Madam and The Ruffians’ Burning Bluebeard.

Porchlight Music Theatre is partially supported by generous contributions from the Abe and Ida Cooper Foundation, Actors’ Equity Foundation, Allstate, Bayless Family Foundation, Michael Best & Friedrich LLP, Chapman | Spingola, Attorneys at Law, the Gaylord & Dorothy Donnelley Foundation, Elegant Event Lighting, Elevate Energy, James P. and Brenda S. Grusecki Family Foundation, Harris Family Foundation, Hearty Boys, Hopsmith,  A.L. and Jennie L. Luria Foundation, the MacArthur Fund for Arts & Culture at the Prince Foundation, the Pritzker Traubert Foundation, Daniel and Genevieve Ratner Foundation, The Saints, the Stuart Family Foundation, and the Topfer Family Foundation . The season program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency, a state agency, and by a CityArts Grant from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs & Special Events.

 (center) Pamela Chermansky with the cast of The Neo-Futurists and The Ruffians’ 2018 production of BURNING BLUEBEARD.

OPENING: GYPSY STARRING E. FAYE BUTLER VIA PORCHLIGHT MUSIC THEATRE AT THE RUTH PAGE CENTER FOR THE ARTS, OCTOBER 12 – NOVEMBER 25

ChiIL Live Shows On Our Radar

“CLEAR THE DECKS! CLEAR THE TRACKS!”

PORCHLIGHT MUSIC THEATRE ANNOUNCES THE FULL CAST OF 

GYPSY STARRING E. FAYE BUTLER, 

AT THE RUTH PAGE CENTER FOR THE ARTS, 

OCTOBER 12 – NOVEMBER 25

Featuring Music by Jule Styne, Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, and Book by Arthur Laurents, the Musical Classic is Directed by Porchlight Music Theatre Artistic Director Michael Weber, with Music Direction by David Fiorello and 

Choreography / Associate Direction by Chris Carter 

We're beyond excited here at ChiIL Mama and ChiIL Live Shows to see Chicago’s incomparable E. Faye Butler as Rose in Gypsy! This is sure to be a fall "must see". We can't wait for Porchlight Music Theatre’s Mainstage kick off at Ruth Page Center for the Arts, where they remain as an an Artist In-Residence company. Porchlight Music Theatre has long been a favorite of ours for world class productions and showcasing Chicago's immense talent. They truly live up to their mission statement of reimagining classic productions, developing new works and showcasing musical theatre’s noted Chicago veterans and rising stars.  

Porchlight Music Theatre’s Mainstage 2018 – 2019 season launches with Gypsy, A Musical Fable, October 12 – November 25, at The Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn Street, with book by Arthur Laurents, music by Jule Styne and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim.  Porchlight Music Theatre’s Gypsy stars E. Faye Butler as “Rose,” is directed by Michael Weber, music directed by David Fiorello and choreographed/associate directed by Chris Carter. 

Previews are Friday, Oct. 12 at 8 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 13 at 8 p.m.; Sunday, Oct. 14 at 2 p.m. and Monday, Oct. 15 at 7:30 p.m. Opening Night is Tuesday, Oct. 16 at 7:30 p.m. The regular run performance schedule is Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 4 and 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Oct. 14, Nov. 18 and Nov. 25; Sunday at 6 p.m.: Oct. 21, Oct. 28, Nov. 4, Nov. 11 and Nov. 18 with an added matinee performance Thursday, Nov. 8 at 1:30 p.m. and an added 4 p.m. performance Friday, Nov. 23 at 4 p.m.

Single tickets are $20 – $66 and are on sale now as are subscriptions to the entire Mainstage season including Gypsy, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder and A Chorus Line at PorchlightMusicTheatre.org or by calling the Porchlight Music Theatre box office, 773.777.9884. 

Chicago’s E. Faye Butler adopts the mantle of Broadway’s legendary “stage mother” in this thrilling and heart-wrenching story of a woman who raises her daughters to assume the heights in the world of show business, whether they want to or not. Gypsy has been called by many (including The New York Times critic Ben Brantley) the greatest of all American musicals and is loosely based on the 1957 memoir of famous striptease artist Gypsy Rose Lee, entitled Gypsy: Memoirs of America’s Most Celebrated Stripper. The musical features songs that have become standards of the musical theatre canon, including “Some People,” “Let Me Entertain You,” “Together, Wherever We Go” and the show stopping, “Everything’s Coming Up Roses.”

The cast of Porchlight Music Theatre’s Gypsy includes: 
E. Faye Butler as “Rose;” Daryn Whitney Harrell (seen in the Broadway company of The Book of Mormon) as “Louise;” Aalon Smith (who recently participated in the development of the new Stephen Schwartz musical Boy on the Roof and who was seen in Porchlight’s Memphis and New Faces Sing Broadway 1975) as “Dainty June;” José Antonio García (who has appeared in multiple productions at both The Goodman and Chicago Shakespeare Theatre as well as in numerous film and television productions) as “Herbie;” one of Chicago’s favorite cabaret and nightclub entertainers, Honey West, as “Electra/Miss Cratchitt;” Dawn Bless (Jeff Award-nominated star of A New Attitude: In Tribute to Patti Labelle at Black Ensemble Theatre) as “Mazeppa;” Melissa Young (last seen in the Chicago premiere of Seth Rudutsky’s Disaster) as “Tessie Tura;” Marco Tzunux (seen at Porchlight in New Faces Sing Broadway 1975 as well as productions at Drury Lane, Theo Ubique and The Mercury Theatre) as “Tulsa” and an ensemble including Saniyah As-Salaam, “Newsboy;” Larry Baldacci, “Uncle Jocko / Mr. Weber / Mr. Goldstone / Pastey;” Tatiana Bustamante, “Marjorie May;” Joshua Bishop, “Angie / Bougeron-Cochon;” Elya Faye Bottiger, “Dolores;” William “Pierce” Cleaveland, “Clarence;” Jared David Michael Grant, “Georgie / Mr. Kringelein / Phil;” Michelle Huey, “Dolores;” Jillian-Giselle, “Baby Louise;” Hannah Love Jones, “Balloon Girl;” J. Michael Jones, “Pop / Cigar;” Marvin J. Malone II, “Yonkers;” Desmond Murphy, “Arnold;” Renellè Nicole, “Gail;” Jeff Pierpoint, “Agnes;” Ariel Triunfo, “Edna Mae” and Isabella Warren, “Baby June.” 

The Gypsy production team includes 
Michael Weber, director; David Fiorello, music director; Chris Carter, choreographer and associate director; Robin da Silva, assistant director; Jeffrey D. Kmiec, scenic designer; Robert Hornbostel, sound designer; Bill Morey, costume designer; Denise Karczewski, lighting designer; Andrew Ashley Hatcher, props designer; Kevin Barthel, wig designer; Sean McStravick, stage manager and Aaron Shapiro and Cody Westgaard, production managers.

ABOUT MICHAEL WEBER, director
Michael Weber is the artistic director of Porchlight Music Theatre where, under his leadership, the company has received the Best Production Equity Jeff Award for five consecutive years. He previously served as artistic director for the inaugural season of Drury Lane Theatre Water Tower Place (now The Broadway Playhouse) and at Theatre at the Center (1998 – 2004). He recently appeared on stage in Porchlight Music Theatre’s Porchlight Revisits Do Re Mi and directed Merrily We Roll Along. His productions of  End of the Rainbow, Sweeney Todd, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Pal Joey, Assassins and Side Show at Porchlight Music Theatre, Grand Hotel at Drury Lane Theatre Water Tower Place and She Loves Me at Theatre at the Center were each nominated for the Joseph Jefferson Award for Best Production. Directing credits include Living the History-125 Years of The Auditorium Theatre starring Patti LuPone and John Mahoney, Fifth of July and Talley’s Folly at the Oak Park Festival Theatre, The Petrified Forest at Theatre at the Center, Beauty and the Beast at Marriott Theatre, Over the River and Through the Woods at The Mercury Theater and Cirque du Symphony at Sears Center Arena. The recipient of two Joseph Jefferson Awards, he has written and directed the past twelve Joseph Jefferson Awards ceremonies. Weber’s regional acting credits include Annie Get Your Gun and Gypsy (both starring Patti LuPone) at Ravinia, Disney’s My Son Pinocchio at First Stage Milwaukee, Around the World in 80 Days at Cleveland Playhouse, The Winter’s Tale and Henry V at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, It Had To Be You (starring Cindy Williams and Eddie Mekka) at Little Theatre on the Square and The Gifts of the Magi at Indiana Repertory. Weber is proud to serve as a pledge host on WTTW, Channel 11. 

ABOUT DAVID FIORELLO, music director
David Fiorello returns to Porchlight, where he has music directed many productions and special events including the Porchlight Revisits productions Do Re Mi and Woman of the Year, Chicago Sings: Sinatra & The Rat Pack and the 2017 – 2018 and 2016 – 2018 New Faces Sing Broadway seasons. He recently appeared in Porchlight’s Merrily We Roll Along as “Joe Josephson.” Fiorello has been in Chicago since 2010, when he moved from the East Coast to music direct and vocal coach at Northwestern University’s Music Theatre Certificate Program. He served as music director for the Off-Broadway hit Danny & Sylvia: The Danny Kaye Musical, and has toured nationally and internationally with several productions, including John Doyle’s re-imagining of Sweeney Todd, as music director. Fiorello has worked in Chicago with Chicago Shakespeare, The Marriott Theatre and many others. A director, music director, performer, writer, arranger and show doctor, he has helped guide new works to development and world premieres in Chicago, at New York Musical Festival and several premieres in the United Kingdom. He has written and collaborated on several original pieces, including the musical The Language or the Kiss, a musical featuring the music of The Indigo Girls, that he conceived, wrote the book and starred in for many Off-Broadway industry readings. 

ABOUT CHRIS CARTER, associate director and choreographer
Christopher Carter is a graduate of Grand Valley State University with a liberal arts degree in dance. Carter has traveled extensively performing, directing and choreographing. Some of his Porchlight Music Theatre credits include Memphis, Dreamgirls, In The Heights and the Porchlight Revisits productions They’re Playing Our Song and Chess. Other credits include Five Guys Named Moe (Court Theater); Hair (Mercury Theater); The Legend Of Georgia McBride (Northlight Theater); and Sweeney Todd, Godspell, Secret Garden and Pirates Of Penzance (Grand Valley State University); Show Boat and Oklahoma (Lyric Opera Chicago); Show Boat (San Francisco and Houston Grand Opera); Hairspray (Drury Lane Oakbrook), Joseph… (Paramount Theater); Duke Ellington’s Queenie Pie (Chicago Opera Theater); Oliver, Carousel and Brigadoon (Light Opera Works); The Wiz,  42nd Street and Guys and Dolls (Theatre at the Center); Smokey Joe’s Café (Circle Theatre); The Wild Party (Actor’s Theater). Carter has been the choreographer for the Grand Rapids Civic’s SRT for the past five years. He was a Debbie Allen Dance Academy Scholarship student and has additional credits including national tours, commercial, industrial and concert work.

ABOUT E.FAYE BUTLER, “Rose”
E. Faye Butler’s career spans more than 35 years in the entertainment industry. Butler is an actress – singer. Most importantly, she is an entertainer with an extraordinary gift to capture an audience and put them in the palm of her hands. Butler performs in concert halls, club venues, corporate events, cabarets and theatres across the country and internationally. She continues to create and develop new and captivating shows. Many audiences recognize Butler from her theatre career. Goodman Theatre, Arena Stage, Victory Gardens, Northlight Theatre, Court Theatre, Pasadena Playhouse, Yale Repertory Theatre, La Jolla Playhouse, Steppenwolf Theatre, Seattle Repertory Theatre, Signature Theatre, Centerstage, Chicago Shakespeare, Congo Square, Marriott’s Lincolnshire Theatre, Asolo Repertory Theatre, Fulton Theatre, Maine State, Sacramento Music Theatre, Chicago Children’s Theatre and PaperMill Playhouse are among the theatres where Butler has performed. As well as in Off Broadway national and regional tours of Mamma Mia, Ain’t Misbehavin, Dinah Was, Nunsense and Nunsense II. She is the recipient of six Joseph Jefferson Awards, as well as two Helen Hayes Awards, R.A.M.I. Award, John Barrymore Award, Ovation Award, Sarah Siddons Leading Lady Award, After Dark Award, Excellence in the Arts, four Black Theatre Alliance Awards, Black Alliance Award, Lunt-Fontanne Fellowship, Kathryn V. Lampkey Award, and has been inducted into the Women in the Arts Museum in Washington D.C.

ABOUT PORCHLIGHT MUSIC THEATRE AS RUTH PAGE ARTIST IN-RESIDENCE
Porchlight Music Theatre is proud to be a member of the vibrant Ruth Page Center for the Arts community and an Artist In-Residence. Central to the Ruth Page Center for the Arts’ programming is the Artists In-Residence program, which is designed to serve organizations looking for a home base while they grow or expand their artistic and organizational capabilities. The Center is committed to nurturing and assisting dance and other performing artists, allowing for exchange and collaborative relationships to develop within the artistic community. The Ruth Page Center for the Arts is a destination for quality performing arts, accessible to a wide community regardless of race, gender, age, education or disability. An incubator of artistic energy and excellence, the Ruth Page Center for the Arts carries forward the vision of its founder, legendary dance icon Ruth Page, to be a platform for developing great artists and connecting them with audiences and community.



ABOUT PORCHLIGHT MUSIC THEATRE
As Chicago’s home for music theatre, Porchlight Music Theatre enters its 24th season and its second as an Artist In-Residence at the historic Ruth Page Center for the Arts in Chicago’s Gold Coast. Porchlight Music Theatre is nationally recognized for reimagining classic productions, developing new works and showcasing musical theatre’s noted Chicago veterans and rising stars. Porchlight elevates the genre by providing intimate and powerful theatrical experiences of music theatre through the lens of the “Chicago Style.” Porchlight’s rich history includes the staging of more than 60 productions with 15 Chicago premieres and five world premieres. Through Porchlight’s “Off the Porch” new works program, the musicals of the next generation are developed and given a first audience. The School at Porchlight is Chicago’s center for music theatre training in the areas of performance, writing and appreciation including a youth summer “Make Your Own Musical” camp and a Saturday morning youth program. The company’s many accolades include 28 Black Theatre Alliance nominations and seven awards, as well as a total of 151 Joseph Jefferson Award nominations resulting in 42 Jeff Awards including five consecutive Best Production awards for The Scottsboro Boys (2017), Dreamgirls (2016), Sondheim on Sondheim (2015), Ain’t Misbehavin’ (2014) and A Class Act (2013).

Ms. Butler’s performance is sponsored by Michael and Mona Heath.

Porchlight Music Theatre is supported by generous contributions from the Actors’ Equity Foundation, Bayless Family Foundation, Abe and Ida Cooper Foundation, Chapman | Spingola, Attorneys at Law, the Gaylord & Dorothy Donnelley Foundation, Elegant Events Lighting, James P. and Brenda S. Grusecki Family Foundation, the MacArthur Fund for Arts & Culture at the Prince Foundation, the Morgan Stanley Foundation, Q Chicago, The Saints and the Topfer Family Foundation. 

The season program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency, a state agency, and by a CityArts Grant from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs & Special Events. 

NOW PLAYING: Brown Bear, Brown Bear and Other Treasured Stories by Eric Carle Ends May 28th

Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia's 

charming production 

Brown Bear, Brown Bear and Other Treasured Stories 

by Eric Carle

Playing now through May 28 at 

Chicago Children's Theatre

the Ruth Page Center for the Arts

1016 N. Dearborn, Chicago

I've seen this whimsical and wonderful show three times over the years and it's as charming as ever. Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia is world renowned and their shows leave a lasting impression. I took my kids to see this show when they were toddlers, and the production was playing Bookamania at the Harold Washington library. We later caught them again in partnership with Chicago Children's Theatre. These vibrant puppets bring Eric Carle's treasured books to life in a delightful way that's sure to charm children and parents alike. Highly recommended! Click here to check out our past Brown Bear coverage (including our wacky story involving tattoos and toddlers who just can't wait to pee).

Chicago's very youngest theatergoers will be treated to a menagerie of whimsical animal characters from beloved children's author Eric Carle when Chicago Children's Theatre presents Brown Bear, Brown Bear & Other Treasured Stories by Eric Carle, a Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia production,
May 2-28, 2017.  



Celebrating the bedside book's fiftieth anniversary, Brown Bear, Brown Bear has introduced countless toddlers to the delights of identifying colors and objects. Now many of Carle's current generation of fans, children ages 1 to 5, will make their very first trip to a live theater to see their favorite Carle characters come to life before their eyes through the magic of puppetry, live on stage.

Brown Bear, Brown Bear is an hour-long production that showcases the imaginative blend of innovative puppetry and striking scenic effects that has won international acclaim for Nova Scotia's Mermaid Theatre. 

In addition to the title story, Brown Bear, Brown Bear also boasts the all-time Carle classic, The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Completing the trilogy is the heartwarming father-daughter tale Papa, Please Get the Moon For Me, a splendid introduction to the wonderment of the lunar cycle.

When Chicago Children's Theatre last invited Mermaid Theater to the Windy City, Time Out Chicago raved Brown Bear, Brown Bear provided "sweet-as-can-be doses of narrated fantasy, made more so by a whimsical score. Even kids unfamiliar with Carle's canon remain rapt, thanks in large part to the dramatic lighting, those glowing sets and the handiwork of (just) two puppeteers."

Best of all, when the show's over, Mermaid Theater's puppeteers reveal all of their super stagecraft secrets to satisfy the "how did they do that?" curiosity of children (and parents) in the audience.

Brown bear sightings in Chicago are rare, so don't miss Brown Bear, Brown Bear & Other Treasured Stories by Eric Carle, based on the stories by Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle. 

Performances are May 2-28, 2017 at the Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 
1016 N. Dearborn St., Chicago. Show times are Tuesdays through Friday at 10 a.m., Saturdays at 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 p.m. and 3 p.m., and Sundays and 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. 

Single tickets are $10-$39.  For tickets and information, visit chicagochildrenstheatre.org or call (872) 222-9555. 

Email groupsales@chicagochildrenstheatre.org or call (773) 227-0180 x 321 to learn about discounted group rates for schools, playgroups, birthday parties and scouting groups. 

The Ruth Page Center for the Arts is convenient to public transportation, surrounded by restaurants and located just steps from the Magnificent Mile.






Access Weekend for Brown Bear, Brown Bear & Other Treasured Stories

Access Weekend for Brown Bear, Brown Bear is Saturday and Sunday, May 20 and 21, when services for persons with disabilities integrated into public performances. These include:

Live open captioning for guests who are deaf or hard of hearing:
Saturday, May 20 at 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m.; Sunday, May 21 at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. 

Sensory friendly performance with quiet room for children on the autism spectrum or with Down Syndrome: 
Sunday, May 21 at 11 a.m.

For more about access services, go to chicagochildrenstheatre.org/access or contact Access and Inclusion Manager Alex Mauney at cmauney@chicagochildrenstheatre.org.




New home for Chicago Children's Theatre, The Station, is now open
While culminating its final mainstage season at the Ruth Page, CCT has transformed the former 12th District Police Station at 100 S. Racine Avenue in Chicago's West Loop into its first permanent home. The new Chicago Children's Theatre, The Station, is a beautiful, mixed-use performing arts and education facility designed to serve all Chicago families. 

The critically acclaimed world premiere of The Magic City, an all-ages show created by Chicago's Manual Cinema, inaugurated the building's new 149-seat Pritzker Family Studio Theatre, followed by a new staging of Pinocchio with Chicago's Neverbird Project featuring young hearing and Deaf actors, April 20-May 14. Tickets to Pinocchio are $25. For tickets, visit chicagochildrenstheatre.org or call (872) 222-9555.

With five brand new classrooms devoted to performing arts instruction, education is at the heart of Chicago Children's Theatre's new home. Registration is now open for a diverse roster of classes and camps for toddlers to teens in theater, storytelling, modern movement, film making, hip hop, craft and aerial circus arts. Learn more at chicagochildrenstheatre.com/education. Scholarship and tuition assistance is available.
                                                                                                                                 
Additionally, CCT now has its own dedicated space at The Station for Red Kite programming for children with autism and other special needs. This spring, children will participate in a new Red Kite Adventure, a multi-sensory theatrical experience tailored to the unique needs of each child who attends. The Station will also be home to Camp Red Kite, the only summer arts camp of its kind in Chicago for children on the autism spectrum. Learn more at chicagochildrenstheatre.com/red-kite-project.


About Chicago Children's Theatre
Since its launch in 2005, Chicago Children's Theatre has cemented its reputation as the city's largest professional theater company devoted exclusively to children and young families. 

The company evolved out of Chicago's need for high-quality, professional year-round children's programming to match the quality and significance of theatrical powerhouses such as Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Goodman Theatre and Lookingglass Theatre. 

Likewise, CCT has always believed children should be treated as the sophisticated audiences that they are with high-profile and award-winning talent, inventive production values and compelling stories that challenge, educate and entertain.

Audiences have embraced Chicago Children's Theatre since its inaugural production, A Year with Frog and Toad, at the Goodman Theatre in 2006. Since then, the company's productions have featured everything from black-light scenery to live music to interactive four-dimensional sets to life-size puppets, with performances showcasing the heart of Motown to Vaudeville to contemporary, current and modern styles.

CCT has also built a national reputation due to its strong focus on new work, producing 15 world premieres in the last 11 years including The Selfish Giant, The Hundred Dresses, Jackie and Me, Dot and Ziggy, The Houdini Box, The Elephant and The Whale (in association with Redmoon), Mr. Chickee's Funny Money, Leo Lionni's Frederick, Wonderland, Alice's Rock & Roll Adventure, A Snowy Day with Beatrix Potter, Jabari Dreams of Freedom, Another Snowy Day with Beatrix Potter, The Magic City and The Year I Didn't Go To School: A Homemade Circus. These enjoyed highly successful inaugural runs in Chicago, followed by new productions at family theaters across the U.S. 

CCT has always honored a strong commitment to low-income families and children with special needs. In partnership with Chicago Public Schools, the company offers free tickets to more than 5,000 Chicago-area low-income students each season. 

Led by Artistic Director Jacqueline Russell, Board Chair Todd Leland and Community Programs Artistic Director Frank Maugeri, Chicago Children's Theatre is supported by a dynamic Board of Directors comprised of dedicated individuals from the fields of entertainment, philanthropy and business. Officers include Jeff Hughes, President; Lynn Lockwood Murphy, Vice Chair and Secretary; David Saltiel, Vice Chair; and David Chung, Treasurer. 

Chicago Children's Theatre is sponsored in part by ComEd and Goldman Sachs Gives. 

For more information visit chicagochildrenstheatre.org, or call (773) 227-0180.

SAVE THE DATES: 23rd Season Announced For Chicago's Porchlight Music Theatre

PORCHLIGHT MUSIC THEATRE

ANNOUNCES ITS 2017 – 2018 MAINSTAGE, PORCHLIGHT REVISITS AND NEW FACES SEASONS 

Porchlight’s 23^rd Season includes performances at the Ruth Page Center for the Arts, as Artist In-Residence, Skokie Theatre and Uptown Underground

Michael Weber, artistic director of Porchlight Music Theatre, is proud to announce Porchlight Music Theatre’s 2017 – 2018 mainstage season which includes:

Billy Elliot, winner of both the Tony and the Olivier Awards for Best Musical with music by Elton John, tells the story of the boy who exchanges boxing gloves for ballet shoes, October 6 – November 19

Merrily We Roll Along, the landmark Stephen Sondheim musical charts the highs and lows of the turbulent relationship between three very close friends, January 26 – March 11, 2018

Memphis, the Tony Award winner for Best Musical bursts off the stage with explosive dancing, irresistible songs and a thrilling tale of fame and forbidden love, April 19 – June 3, 2018.

All 2017 – 2018 Porchlight Mainstage and Porchlight Revisits productions take place at the Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn Street. New Faces Sings Broadway is performed at the Skokie Theatre, 7924 Lincoln Ave in Skokie, and Uptown Underground, 4707 N. Broadway St. A variety of discounted subscriptions go on sale for the Mainstage, Porchlight Revisits and New Faces Sing Broadway series on March 1 at PorchlightMusicTheatre.org or by phone at 773.777.9884. Single tickets for all performances go on sale this July. 

Porchlight Music Theatre will also continue Porchlight Revisits in 2017 – 2018. This popular “lost musicals” in staged concert series celebrates classic productions that have been rarely seen in Chicago and includes a fun fact-filled “Behind the Scenes Backstory” before each performance. The fifth season of Porchlight Revisits includes: 

Woman of the Year (1981), this John Kander and Fred Ebb musical with book by Peter Stone was inspired by the 1942 film starring Katherine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy and originally starred Lauren Bacall on Broadway, November 14 - 16, They’re Playing Our Song (1979), Neil Simon, Marvin Hamlisch and Carole Bayer Sager’s romantic musical comedy about the affair of a wisecracking composer and an aspiring, offbeat lyricist, March 6 – 9, 2018 and Do Re Mi (1960), originally created for the comic greats Phil Silvers and Nancy Walker, this Jule Styne, Betty Comden and Adolph Green musical comedy about a con man trying to go straight by working in the juke box and music promotion industry,  May 22 – 24, 2018.

The third season of New Faces Sings Broadway, at the Skokie Theatre and Uptown Underground, celebrates the start to the finish of an entire musical season on Broadway, peppered with photos and films of the era in an exciting multimedia presentation with a favorite Chicago theatre veteran hosting and introducing the next generation of music theatre artists and acting as your guide through a past season on the Great White Way. The 2017 – 2018 season features:

New Faces Sing Broadway 1939 Includes The Boys from Syracuse, The Swing Mikado, Hellzapoppin and other, winter 2017 

New Faces Sing Broadway 1959 Includes Destry Rides Again, Flower Drum Song, Gypsy, The Sound of Music, Once Upon a Mattress and others, spring 2018

 New Faces Sing Broadway 1975 Includes A Chorus Line, Chicago, Doctor Jazz, The Wiz, Mack & Mabel and others, summer 2018

Full production artistic leadership and actors will be released at a future date. Productions are subject to change.

Porchlight Music Theatre’s 2017 – 2018 season includes:

MAINSTAGE

Billy Elliot

October 6 – November 19

Music by Elton John

Book and Lyrics by Lee Hall

Winner of both the Tony Award and Olivier Award for Best Musical, Billy Elliot is the inspirational story of a young boy’s fight to make his dream come true as he journeys from the boxing ring to a ballet class where he discovers a passion for dance that unites his family, inspires his community and changes his life forever.

Previews: Friday, Oct. 6 and Oct. 13 at 8 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 7 and Oct. 14 at 8 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 8 at 2 p.m., Monday, Oct. 9 at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 12 at 7:30 p.m.

Opening Night: Sunday, Oct. 15 at 6 p.m.

Regular Run: Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. and, Sundays at 2 p.m.

Weekday Matinee: Thursday, Nov. 16 at 1:30 p.m.

There is no 7:30 p.m. performance Thursday, Nov. 16.

PORCHLIGHT REVISITS

Woman of the Year (1981)

November 14 – 16 at 7:15 p.m.          

Book by Peter Stone

Music by John Kander

Lyrics by Fred Ebb       

Based on the classic film starring Katherine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy, a television interviewer and a newspaper cartoonist get into a public battle over their respective professions, and, of course, fall in love, marry and experience more career conflicts. This Tony Award-winning musical starred Lauren Bacall in its original Broadway run.

Featuring the hits: One of the Boys, Sometimes a Day Goes By and The Grass is Always Greener.

All Porchlight Revisits, performances include “Behind the Show Backstory,” a multimedia presentation, hosted by Artistic Director Michael Weber, setting the stage on the creation of the featured Porchlight Revisits production, sharing all the juicy backstage stories and the state of the art on Broadway that season. 

New Faces Sing Broadway – 1939

WINTER, 2017 (Date TBA)  

Featuring The Boys from Syracuse, DuBarry was a Lady, The Girl from Wyoming, Helzapoppin, The Hot Mikado, Knickerbocker Holiday, Leave It to Me!, Stars in Your Eyes, The Swing Mikado, Swingin’ The Dream, Too Many Girls, Very Warm for May, Yokel Boy, You Never Know and others. 

New Faces Sings Broadway’s winter edition celebrates the start to the finish of the year 1939 on Broadway, peppered with photos and films of the era in an exciting multimedia presentation with a favorite Chicago theatre veteran hosting and introducing the next generation of music theatre artists and acting as your guide through a past season on the Great White Way.

MAINSTAGE

Merrily We Roll Along

January 26 – March 11, 2018

Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim

Book by George Furth

Based on the play by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart

Set over three decades of friendship and business, the landmark musical Merrily We Roll Along charts the highs and lows of the turbulent relationship between three very close friends. Travelling backwards in time from the stark reality of knowing adulthood to the idealistic intentions of inexperienced youth, this powerful and emotionally moving story of looking at your life from the vantage point of having lived it features some of Stephen Sondheim’s most beautiful songs including Good Thing Going, Not a Day Goes By and Old Friends.

Previews: Friday, Jan. 26 at 8 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 27 at 8 p.m., Sunday, Jan 28 at 2 p.m., Monday, Jan. 29 at 7:30 p.m.

Opening Night: Tuesday, Jan. 30 at 7:30 p.m.

Regular Run: Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. and, Sundays at 2 p.m. (March 4 and March 11) or 6 p.m. (February 4, February 11, February 18 and February 25)

Weekday Matinee: Thursday, March 8 at 1:30 p.m.

There is no 7:30 p.m. performance Thursday, March 8.

PORCHLIGHT REVISITS

They’re Playing Our Song (1979)

March 6 – 8, 2018 at 7:15 p.m.

Book by Neil Simon

Music by Marvin Hamlisch 

Lyrics by Carole Bayer Sager  

A romantic musical comedy about the affair (both professional and romantic) of a wisecracking composer and an aspiring, offbeat lyricist. Creatively, their relationship works great, but personal trials and tribulations lead them toward finding a new way to make harmonious music together in this laugh-a-minute romantic charmer.

Featuring the hits: Fallin’, If He Really Knew Me and Just For Tonight

All Porchlight Revisits, performances include “Behind the Show Backstory,” a multimedia presentation, hosted by Artistic Director Michael Weber, setting the stage on the creation of the featured Porchlight Revisits production, sharing all the juicy backstage stories and the state of the art on Broadway that season. 

New Faces Sing Broadway – 1959

SPRING, 2018 (Date TBA)

Featuring Destry Rides Again, Fiorello!, First Impressions, Flower Drum Song, Goldilocks, Gypsy, Happy Town, Juno, The Nervous Set, Once Upon a Mattress, Redhead, Saratoga, The Sound of Music, Take Me Along, Whoop Up and others.

New Faces Sings Broadway’s spring edition celebrates the start to the finish of the year 1959 on Broadway, peppered with photos and films of the era in an exciting multimedia presentation with a favorite Chicago theatre veteran hosting and introducing the next generation of music theatre artists and acting as your guide through a past season on the Great White Way.

MAINSTAGE

Memphis

April 19 – June 3, 2018

Music and Lyrics by David Bryan

Book and Lyrics by Joe DiPietro

From the underground dance clubs of 1950s Memphis, Tennessee, comes the Tony Award winning Best Musical that bursts off the stage with explosive dancing, irresistible songs and a thrilling tale of fame and forbidden love. Inspired by actual events, Memphis is the story of a white radio DJ who wants to change the world and a black club singer who is ready for her big break. Their incredible journey to the ends of the airwaves is filled with laughter, soaring emotion and a roof-raising musical score by David Bryan of the band Bon Jovi.

Previews: Thursday, April 19 at 7:30 p.m., Friday, April 20 at 8 p.m., Saturday, April 21 at 8 p.m., Sunday, April 22 at 6 p.m., Tuesday, April 24 at 7:30 p.m.

Opening Night: Wednesday, April 25 at 7:30 p.m.

Regular Run: Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. and, Sundays at 2 p.m. (May 13, May 20 and May 27) or 6 p.m. (April 29 and May 6)

Weekday Matinee: Thursday, May 24 at 1:30 p.m.

There is no 7:30 p.m. performance Thursday, April 26 and May 24

There is no 4 p.m. performance Saturday, April 28

PORCHLIGHT REVISITS 

Do Re Mi (1960)

May 22 – 24, 2018 at 7:15 p.m.

Book by Jule Styne

Music by Garson Kanin 

Lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green     

Originally created for the comic style of the great Phil Silvers and Nancy Walker, it’s the story of “Hubie Cram,” a minor-league con man endlessly scheming to win big who, at the urging of his long-suffering wife, “Kay,” decides to go (somewhat) straight by moving into the juke box and music promotion business as he concocts his biggest score ever. 

Featuring the hits: Make Someone Happy, Fireworks and I Know About Love

All Porchlight Revisits, performances include “Behind the Show Backstory,” a multimedia presentation, hosted by Artistic Director Michael Weber, setting the stage on the creation of the featured Porchlight Revisits production, sharing all the juicy backstage stories and the state of the art on Broadway that season. 

New Faces Sing Broadway – 1975

SUMMER, 2018 (Date TBA)

Featuring 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, A Chorus Line, Chicago, Doctor Jazz, Goodtime Charley, The Lieutenant, Mack & Mabel, Man on the Moon, Shenandoah, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, The Wiz and others.

New Faces Sings Broadway season concludes with the start to the finish of the year 1975 on Broadway, peppered with photos and films of the era in an exciting multimedia presentation with a favorite Chicago theatre veteran hosting and introducing the next generation of music theatre artists and acting as your guide through a past season on the Great White Way.

ABOUT PORCHLIGHT MUSIC THEATRE

Porchlight Music Theatre, now in its 22^nd season, is nationally recognized for developing innovative new works, reimagining classic productions and showcasing musical theatre’s noted veterans and rising stars. Porchlight elevates the genre in Chicago by providing intimate and powerful theatrical experiences for its growing and diverse audiences. With the vision of Artistic Director Michael Weber, Porchlight builds on its role as Chicago’s only Equity not-for-profit company exclusively specializing in music theatre. Porchlight’s rich history includes the staging of more than 60 productions with 15 Chicago premieres and five world premieres. Through Porchlight’s “Off the Porch” new works program, the musicals of the next generation are developed and given a first audience. The School at Porchlight is Chicago’s new center for music theatre training in the areas of performance, writing and appreciation. The company’s many accolades include 17 Black Theatre Alliance nominations and three awards, as well as a total of 126 Joseph Jefferson Award nominations resulting in 39 Jeff Awards including four consecutive Best Production awards for Dreamgirls (2016),  Sondheim on Sondheim (2015), Ain’t Misbehavin’ (2014) and A Class Act (2013).

Porchlight Music Theatre is partially supported by generous contributions from the Actors’ Equity Foundation, the Arts Work Fund at the Chicago Community Trust, the Bloomberg Philanthropies, the Elizabeth F. Cheney Foundation, Cooper’s: A Neighborhood Eatery, the Gaylord & Dorothy Donnelley Foundation, James P. and Brenda S. Grusecki Family Foundation, the MacArthur Fund for Arts & Culture at the Prince Foundation, the National Association of Realtors, The Saints and the Service Club of Chicago. The season program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency, a state agency.