John Michael News

Chicago is never lacking outstanding theatre, whether epic Broadway shows, engrossing dramas or bold fringe offerings. BroadwayWorld is rounding up our top recommended theatre every month. Out top picks in Chicago for September 2023 include MJ, The Color Purple, Rock of Ages and more!

The National Center for Choreography-Akron (NCCAkron) announces a $1 million multi-year award from the Mellon Foundation to continue and evolve its signature Creative Administration Research (CAR) program. Launched in 2020, the CAR program supports U.S. dance artists and challenges the field to think beyond the boundaries of known, traditional models and 'best practices.'

Join Michael Kirk Lane's Cabaret Conversations at 92NY for an unforgettable night of incredible performances. Discover the dates and artists featured in this star-studded event, and mark your calendars for a must-see experience in the world of cabaret. Don't miss out on this exciting lineup of talent.

Fort Salem Theater has announced its highly anticipated 2024 season, offering an exceptional array of performances that promise to captivate audiences and bring unforgettable theatrical experiences to the community.

Nancy and Bill…50 years together and counting. Only problem?  Nancy wants out!  Stage West presents the regional premiere of the funny, surprising, and sometimes painfully honest Tony-nominee Grand Horizons, by Bess Wohl, which begins a 5-week run on Thursday, August 31. 

In perhaps its most ambitious season to date, Music Theater Heritage has announced bold and imaginative programming for its 2024 season. Utilizing three different venues, MTH's 22nd Season highlights stories that orbit around the power of love and the lengths we take to protect it. The season includes Tony Award winners, re-imaginings, original concert productions, and represents some of the most celebrated dramatists, composers, and songwriters of the 20th century. 

Get ready for a toe-tapping journey through Neil Sedaka's timeless hits in Marriott Theatre's latest production, 'Breaking Up is Hard to Do.' John Michael Dias takes center stage in this energetic tribute, showcasing Sedaka's chart-topping songs. Don't miss out on this unforgettable musical experience - book your tickets now!

The FSCJ Artist Series presents The Doo Wop Project as they bring their the dynamic, rave-reviewed celebration of a beloved music genre, to Jacksonville on Saturday, November 4 at 8:00 p.m. at the Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts.

Jersey City Theater Center, in partnership with Healthier Jersey City and Jersey City LGBTQ+ Pride Festival will present LOVEFOOL, created by Michael John Ciszewski with Brian Dudley.  LOVEFOOL will premiere at Jersey City will premiere at Jersey City Theater Center.

Lincoln Center Theater (under the direction of André Bishop) just announced the New York premiere of THE GARDENS OF ANUNCIA, directed and co-choreographed by Graciela Daniele, with book, music, and lyrics by Michael John LaChiusa. 

New York Stage and Film has revealed complete casting for the 2023 Summer Season, starting on Friday, July 14 and running to Sunday, August 6 at Marist College in Poughkeepsie. The cast includes Katrina Lenk, Joe Iconis, Laurence Fishburne, and many more. Learn more about the full lineup here!

PCS Theater in Swarthmore, PA is concluding its 111th season with perennial favorite Godspell.

“San Joaquin,” the latest song from GRAMMY Award-winning singer, songwriter and musician Molly Tuttle and her band, Golden Highway, is out now. Watch a live performance video, filmed at Nashville’s Sound Emporium Studios now. Plus, check out upcoming tour dates!

1994, I was crazy in love with Sally Murphy.  She was starring in the Lincoln Center theater import of Nicholas Hytner’s National Theater production of Carousel.  I got a friend who works at Lincoln Center to give me a tour backstage, in hope of “running into” Sally.   Long story short, I got lost and had to ask for directions.  The young lady whom I asked was charming and sweet and she said: “Are you sure you’re allowed back here?” That was my first encounter with Audra McDonald.  Later that day, I saw her on stage as Carrie in the show.  She was wonderful – won her first Tony in the role.  So it was really a treat on Saturday night at Caramoor’s opening gala concert, when she sang “When I Marry Mr. Snow.”  It brought back all sorts of wonderful memories of the myriad of characters and performances I’ve seen/heard Audra do in the last (hard to believe) 30 years.

Following packed performances in New York City (Asylum NYC), Jersey City (Jersey City Theater Center), and Boston (Rockwell & New Rep), NYC-based queer actor and comic Michael John Ciszewski is touring his third solo show LOVEFOOL from June to August 2023, with performances throughout NYC as well as in Providence, RI, Provincetown, MA, and Jersey City, NJ! The show is co-created with Brian Dudley and directed by Noah Simes.

On June 19, 2023, Arts for Autism will return to the Gershwin Theatre – home of the blockbuster Wicked – for a one-night-only performance. See which stars are taking part, and learn how to purchase tickets!

Robert Bannon will be joined on stage by Robbie Rozelle, Marquis Hitchcock and John Michael Dias ('Miss Evita Loca') at 54 BELOW on June 2nd, 2023 at 9:30pm.

Cobb PARKS and the award-winning Jennie T. Anderson Theatre are turning the 1995 musical, JOHN & JEN, on its head. Typically staged with only two actors and a small band of three musicians, this streaming production will feature seven performers and an expanded orchestra of seven musicians.

Birdland presented  a musical evening with Victoria Shaw, Jim Brickman and Peter Cincotti, who played “musical chairs,” performing their hits and telling the stories behind them.

Duluth Playhouse has announced their 2023-2024 Youth Theatre season, an extraordinary collection of iconic musicals which celebrate individual expression and the power of imagination.  Bring the entire family along to laugh and connect with one another while experiencing the magic of live theater and creating memories that will last a lifetime.