Paul W. Thompson News

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'The Sound Of Music,' 'Empire' and 'Glee' stir up this week's TVs, 'First Wives Club,' 'Beauty And The Beast,' 'Jesus Christ Superstar' and 'First Date' claim their respective audiences,' Kokandy has more than 'The Full Monty,' Columbia's 'Oklahoma!,' lots at the Skokie Theatre and my upcoming busy weekend!

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Ravinia's summer season announced, plus the 'Mormon' and 'Merman' rivalry/revelry. 'The Addams Family' and 'Mr. Burns' extend, 'That's Weird' goes musical, Annaleigh Ashford and 'Tyler's Songs' bow on March 21, and Joan Curto and 'Finishing The Birthday Hat' honor Sondheim's 85th birthday!

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. BIC's fall season schedule, plus Theo's 'JCS,' Woodstock's 'Chaperone,' Kokandy's 'Full Monty' and the Paramount's 'Les Mis.' Also four recent contemporary operas, early and late Sondheim comparisons, this month's 'Option Up,!' and Linda Eder and Jessie Mueller hit the suburbs!

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. The Mosh Pit's Oscar wrap-up, plus BIC's 'First Wives Club,' 'Book Of Mormon' and 'For The Record,' Theater Wit's 'Mr. Burns,' Porchlight's 'City Of Angels' and Bailiwick's 'Murder Ballad.' Upcoming, The Hypocrites' 'American Idiot,' a new theater in the Wisconsin Dells, and two evenings with The Improvised Sondheim Project!

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. An amazing weekend, with 'Tommy,' L5Y, Lippa and 'The Wild Party,' 'First Date' and 'Pride And Prejudice.' Now we have 'First Wives Club' and 'Let It Be,' plus our top ongoing shows: 'Sondheim On Sondheim,' 'WSS,' 'La Cage' and 'The Addams Family!' So much going on!!!

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'Carousel,' 'The King And I' and 'The Merry Widow' at Lyric Opera, and the upcoming season at Porchlight. Plus 'Merman' transfers, 'Mormon' arrives, 'First Wives Club' and 'Gotta Dance' try out, the 'Pride And Prejudice' reading moves, Quest Theatre mounts two, Pasek and Paul's 'Peach,' Bailiwick's 'Wonderful Town,' the Mosh Pit in the Tribune and more honors for Jessie Mueller! Whew!

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. The 'Last Five Years' movie, and three local shows for Valentine's Day about young folks in New York. Plus two new shows based on Jane Austen, Lippa's 'Wild Party,' Sondheim's 'Sondheim,' Aurora's 'Les Miserables and Annaleigh Ashford's return, plus some critical thinking about the late Andrew Patner.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Musical television series abound! Also special nights for 'Allegro' and 'Reefer Madness,' that Dolphin show at Annoyance, Mercury's 'Addams Family,' a big children's premiere, the return of 'Option Up!' and a surprising, real live 'Beauty!'

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. The Paramount's 'Tommy,' Drury Lane's 'West Side' and the Marriott's 'La Cage.' Plus 'Stomp' puts its foot down, 'Gent's Guide' books the fall, new shows in development and rewrite, plus 'Louis And Keely' at the Royal George, 'Titanic' at Northwestern and 'Grease' on FOX!

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. The BroadwayWorld Chicago Awards Celebration was great! Now onward to '50 Shades,' 'Mr. Burns' and 'Book Of Merman,' plus two from Christopher Pazdernik,' 'Ordinary Days,' 'First Wives Club,' tributes to John Hughes and Stephen Sondheim and a showtune film cameo!

On the coldest night of the year, spirits were high at The Call Bar in the Andersonville neighborhood, as the 2014 BroadwayWorld Chicago Awards Celebration was held on Wednesday, January 7, 2015. Hosted by BroadwayWorld Chicago Regional Editor Paul W. Thompson and The Call's hostess, Ashley Morgan, the Celebration lasted from 8:00 pm to the stroke of midnight, as the winners in 36 categories were revealed.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. The BroadwayWorld Chicago Awards Celebration is tonight! Plus Drury Lane's 'West Side,' Mercury's 'Addams' and Theo's 'JCS,' premieres of 'Next Thing You Know' and 'Plastic Revolution,' a Barrel Of Monkeys musical and a staged reading from FWD, plus TV's 'Galavant' and 'Glee,' and more!

The BroadwayWorld Chicago Awards Celebration will take place for the 5th year in a row at The Call Bar in Chicago's Andersonville neighborhood. This year's Celebration will be on Wednesday, January 7, 2015. from 8 pm to midnight.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Braodway. It's the Top Ten Hot Topix for the last half of 2014, and the BroadwayWorld Chicago Awards Celebration on Wednesday, January 7th, 2015!

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'Into The Woods' finally opens tomorrow! Plus Porchlight's Sondheim season continues, TMTC's 'Allegro' at Ravinia, Laura Osnes is coming to town, 'Galavant' and the BroadwayWorld Chicago Awards arrive in early January, followed by 'Tommy' in Aurora, 'First Date' at the Royal George, 'The Full Monty' at Theater Wit and more!

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Two weeks of voting left for the BroadwayWorld Chicago Awards! The 'Annie' film and 'The Merry Widow' open, 'Patsy Cline' extends, 'Sherlock Holmes' sings, 'Cupid' has a heart, and MCL Chicago, Drury Lane Oakbrook and Black Ensemble Theater plan new works for 2015, including 'Beaches' and a tribute to Roger Ebert!

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'Cinderella' and 'Lucy' hit town, 'Hansel And Gretel' play on the Mag Mile, a BC/EFA benefit at Sidetrack, 'Porgy' and Redmoon make splashes, two shows named 'Nativity' ready to open, and 'Rudolph' and Big Red return!

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. December is here, and 'Peter Pan' is finally live! Plus Light Opera Works and The Hyprocrites tackle operettas, 'Newsies' and 'Mary Poppins' have significant holiday runs, 'Stomp' and 'Schooner' return, Billy Corgan and Patti Lupone strut their stuff, and the community schedules a tribute to Sheldon Patinkin.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Five different musicalized adaptations of 'A Christmas Carol' will put holiday cheer into your playgoing! Also 'Plaid Tidings,' a new 'Hansel And Gretel,' our first touch of 'Hands On A Hardbody,' the cast of the upcoming 'La Cage Aux Folles' at the Marriott, and Idina Menzel schedules an appearance in the Loop!

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'The Grinch' opens, Fox Valley bookends Christmas, new shows 'A Christmas Memory' and 'Christmas On The Air,' 'It's A Wonderful Life' times three, plus 'Nutcracker,' 'Nut Cracking,' 'Mary Poppins' and the latest on 'Peter Pan Live!'