Lili-Anne Brown News

American Blues Theater, under the continued leadership of Producing Artistic Director Gwendolyn Whiteside, announces the lineup for its 2017 - 2018 Season, 'The Beat Goes On.'

Porchlight Music Theatre and Artistic Director Michael Weber are proud to announce the continuation of the fourth season of Chicago's hit "lost" musicals in staged concert series, Porchlight Revisits Little Me, music by Cy Coleman, lyrics by Carolyn Leigh and book by Neil Simon based on the novel by Patrick Dennis, with direction by Porchlight Artistic Director Michael Weber, musical direction by Linda Madonia, choreography by Craig Miller with special guest choreography by veteran Bob Fosse dancer Jane Lanier and starring Jeff Award-winner Matt Crowle. 

Kokandy Productions will launch its fifth anniversary season with a revival of the Tony Award-winning Best Musical THE WIZ, with book by William F. Brown, music and lyrics by Charlie Smalls, directed by guest director Lili-Anne Brown, music direction by Jimmy Morehead and choreography by Breon Arzell. 

BoHo Theatre is excited to announce directors for its upcoming 2017 season. BoHo is focused on bringing people together through an eclectic mix of musicals, dramas, and classic plays, inspiring its community to make caring, thoughtful relationships the highest priority.

Kokandy Productions has announced casting for its upcoming revival of the Tony Award-winning Best Musical THE WIZ, directed by guest director Lili-Anne Brown with music direction by Jimmy Morehead and choreography by Breon Arzell, playing March 5 - April 16, 2017 at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago.

Kokandy Productions is pleased to celebrate its fifth anniversary with an expanded season featuring four fully produced musicals, including two Chicago premieres and two guest directors. The 2017/18 Season will also include numerous readings and workshops - adding fresh voices to Kokandy's "New Works Initiative" and emphasizing the company's commitment to becoming an increasingly relevant part of Chicagoland's musical theater and new work development communities. The new season also marks Kokandy's transition to a not-for-profit organization.

Firebrand Theatre is pleased to present JUKE JOINT, an evening of gritty blues songs performed by some of Chicago's best female talent on Monday, July 25 at 9 pm at The Den Theatre, 1329 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago's Wicker Park neighborhood.

The concept of Circle Theatre's Full Circle Series is simple: produce an evening of performance where 100% of the proceeds go directly to an organization that is tied to the show's central message.

American Theater Company (ATC) opens musical comedy Xanadu, the final production of its Legacy Season, this Sunday, June 5. Presented as a tribute to ATC's late Artistic Director PJ Paparelli-a not-so-secret fan of this camp classic-Xanadu is directed by Lili-Anne Brown and runs at ATC now through July 17, 2016. The production has music and lyrics by Jeff Lynne and John Farrar and a book by Douglas Carter Beane, based on the 1980 Universal Pictures film of the same title.

Culminating American Theater Company's (ATC) season-long Legacy Campaign supporting the vision of its late artistic director, PJ Paparelli, ATC will host a special performance of Xanadu, a guilty pleasure of Paparelli's, Wednesday, June 8, starting at 8 p.m. The event will feature a post-show reception and talk-back with actress Katie Hanley who, among other theater and film credits, appeared in the 1980 Universal Pictures film Xanadu, and on Broadway as 'Marty' in the original 1972 production of Grease. Hanley will be joined by native Chicagoan Jim Jacobs, co-creator of the musical Grease and ATC's Legacy Campaign chairman. Tickets are $75 for a single ticket and $125 for a pair. Proceeds from the campaign are dedicated to developing and producing new work and providing free education programming to Chicago Public High School students. American Theater Company is located at 1909 W. Byron Street, Chicago. To purchase tickets for this special Xanadu evening, please visit www.atcweb.org or call 773.409.4125.

American Theater Company (ATC), 1909 W. Byron Street, announces casting for the musical comedy Xanadu, the final production of its Legacy Season. Presented as a tribute to ATC's late Artistic Director PJ Paparelli-a not-so-secret fan of this camp classic-Xanadu is directed by Lili-Anne Brown and runs at ATC May 27-July 17, 2016 (press opening Wednesday, June 8). The production has music and lyrics by Jeff Lynne and John Farrar and a book by Douglas Carter Beane, based on the 1980 Universal Pictures film of the same title.

Harmony France and Danni Smith, Co-Artistic Directors, are pleased to announce the launch of FIREBRAND THEATRE, the first musical theatre company committed to employing and empowering women by expanding opportunities on and off the stage.

?Following a six-month national search, American Theater Company's (ATC) Board of Directors has named Will Davis its new artistic director, effective immediately.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'Plaid Tidings,' the Q Brothers and 'Die Hard' bring us holiday shows, and shows come and go at Lyric Opera and the Royal George. 'The Wiz' comes to TV and to a Bailiwick benefit, and 'The Lion King' and 'Pinocchio' promise family-friendly fare. And buy 'Season Of Carols 3!'

Bailiwick Chicago is pleased to present EASE ON DOWN, a dazzling, sizzling one-night-only concert packed with favorite tunes from The Wiz, Wicked, The Wizard of Oz and some fun surprises, performed by a talented line-up of award-winning Bailwick Chicago performers. Directed by Artistic Director Lili-Anne Brown (Passing Strange, See What I Wanna See, Dessa Rose, Princess Mary Demands Your Attention) with music direction by James Morehead (Aida, Passing Strange, Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson, See What I Wanna See, Dessa Rose), EASE ON DOWN will play Sunday, December 6 at 7:30 pm at Victory Gardens Theater (Zacek-McVay Main Stage), 2433 N. Lincoln Ave. in Chicago. Tickets are currently available at bailiwickchicago.com.

The Chicago Humanities Festival (CHF) launches its 26th Fall Festival, featuring 130 events which will explore the theme of 'Citizens', today, Oct. 24, through Nov. 8, 2015 at venues across Chicago.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'Gentleman's Guide' reaches our shore, and 'Gotta Dance' and 'SpongeBob' plan the same. Madonna battles the French Revolution, dueling 'American Idiot's and 'Blood Brothers' debut, 'White Christmas' lasts nine weeks and 'Rent' returns for one night only. Plus 'Empire' conquers TV, and 'Hamilton' conquers everyone.

The Chicago Humanities Festival (CHF) presents Four Women: Josephine, Eartha, Nina, and Tina, this year's William and Greta Wiley Flory Concert, an annual cabaret performance, Monday, Nov. 2 as part of the 26th Fall Festival: Citizens, Oct. 24-Nov. 8.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'Oklahoma!' is very ok, as are 'Side Show,' 'Triassic Parq' and 'Next To Normal,' 'The Revel' and 'One Brain More' join Super September, and 'Cupid' keeps his heart on. Porchlight has 'Babes In Arms' and a 'New Faces' series, 'Irving Berlin' and 'Elf'plan to light up the holidays, and 'The Wiz' gets replaced by 'Xanadu!'

A cutting-edge musical written by the Grammy Award-winning rock band Green Day, fresh takes on Greek and Shakespeare classics, a new production of a popular Imagine U family show and more are part of Northwestern University's 2015-16 Mainstage season.