Theresa Ham News

On Our Team has developed a first of its kind tool to help theater companies establish pay equity within their organization and serve as a public recognition for equitably paid theater.

The first ever Tony Award winner for Best Musical, based on the book by Sam and Bella Spewack with music and lyrics by Cole Porter, is to be directed by Johanna McKenzie Miller. In a twist of fate, Miller will make her mainstage directorial debut at the Marriott Theatre roughly 20 years after making her acting debut under the very same spotlight. Musical direction for this production is led by Jeff Award winner Ryan T. Nelson with choreography by Jeff Award nominee Alex Sanchez.  

In its 52nd annual celebration of theater excellence, the Jeff Awards has recognized 39 recipients for the 2020 awards, selected from among 142 theater artist nominees across 30 artistic and technical categories.

The Jeff Awards has announced the nominees for the 52nd annual awards for theater excellence that include 142 theater artists across 30 artistic and technical categories. The awards will be presented in an online program on Monday, November 9, 2020 at 7:00PM.

Porchlight Music Theatre's 25th Anniversary Mainstage season continues with Duke Ellington's Sophisticated Ladies, January 24 a?" March 6, 2020 at The Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn St. Featuring music by Duke Ellington, concept by Donald McKayle, direction and choreography by Brenda Didier and Florence Walker Harris, and music direction by Jermaine Hill.

DUKE ELLINGTON'S SOPHISTICATED LADIES is a classic Porchlight show: an ebullient musical revue showcasing both the esteemed song catalog of Duke Ellington and also the formidable talents of some of the city's finest musical theater performers.

Porchlight Music Theatre's 25th Anniversary Mainstage season continues with Duke Ellington's Sophisticated Ladies, January 24 - March 6, 2020 at The Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn St. Featuring music by Duke Ellington, concept by Donald McKayle, direction and choreography by Brenda Didier and Florence Walker Harris, and music direction by Jermaine Hill.

Great dancing candlesticks! Just wait to see what Aurora's Paramount Theatre has in store for Disney's Beauty and the Beast, November 13, 2019-January 19, 2020 at the beautiful Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd. in Aurora. Press opening is Friday, November 22, at 8 p.m.

Due to popular demand, Victory Gardens Theater announces the extension of its critically acclaimed production of Tiny Beautiful Things, based on the book by Cheryl Strayed, adapted for the stage by Nia Vardalos, co-conceived by Marshall Heyman, Thomas Kail, Nia Vardalos and directed by Vanessa Stalling. Tiny Beautiful Things now runs through October 20, 2019, at Victory Gardens Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Avenue.

TINY BEAUTIFUL THINGS lives in that unique space between the everyday and the extraordinary.

Victory Gardens Theater kicks-off its 45th Anniversary season with the Chicago Premiere of Tiny Beautiful Things, based on the book by Cheryl Strayed, adapted for the stage by Nia Vardalos and co-conceived by Marshall Heyman, Thomas Kail and Nia Vardalos and directed by Vanessa Stalling. Tiny Beautiful Things runs September 6 - October 13, 2019, with press performance on Friday, September 13, 2019 at 7:30pm at Victory Gardens Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Avenue.

Take a trip back to the Renaissance with the regional premiere of SOMETHING ROTTEN! at Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Dr. in Lincolnshire, previewing Wednesday, August 28th, opening Thursday, September 5th at 7:30 p.m., and closing Sunday, October 20th. Nominated for ten Tony Awards including Best Musical, this hilarious smash hit tells the tale of two playwright brothers who are desperate to outshine Shakespeare and end up producing the first ever musical! Jeff Award winner Scott Weinstein (Murder for Two and Shrek at Marriott Theatre; National Tour, Las Vegas and Chicago productions of Million Dollar Quartet) returns to the Marriott Theatre to direct, along with musical direction by Jeff Award winnerRyan T. Nelson and choreography by Jeff Award nominee Alex Sanchez.

Eleven world premiere plays and musicals seen first by Chicago audiences were among those receiving nominations by the Jeff Awards, announced today. A total of 192 nominations were made in 34 categories that honor Chicago Equity theatrical productions that opened between August 1, 2018 and July 31, 2019. During the 2018-19 season, Jeff Awards judges attended opening nights of 132 Equity productions offered by 43 producing organizations and from these openings, 112 productions were a?oeJeff Recommendeda?? and eligible for award nominations.

Take a trip back to the Renaissance with the regional premiere of SOMETHING ROTTEN! at Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Dr. in Lincolnshire, previewing Wednesday, August 28th, opening Wednesday, September 4th at 7:30 p.m., and closing Sunday, October 20th. Nominated for ten Tony Awards including Best Musical, this hilarious smash hit tells the tale of two playwright brothers who are desperate to outshine Shakespeare and end up producing the first ever musical! Jeff Award winner Scott Weinstein (Murder for Two and Shrek at Marriott Theatre; National Tour, Las Vegas and Chicago productions of Million Dollar Quartet) returns to the Marriott Theatre to direct, along with musical direction by Jeff Award winner Ryan T. Nelson and choreography by Jeff Award nominee Alex Sanchez.

Victory Gardens Theater kicks-off its 45th Anniversary season with the Chicago Premiere of Tiny Beautiful Things, based on the book by Cheryl Strayed, adapted for the stage by Nia Vardalos and co-conceived by Marshall Heyman, Thomas Kail and Nia Vardalos and directed by Vanessa Stalling. Tiny Beautiful Things runs September 6 a?" October 13, 2019, with press performance on Friday, September 13, 2019 at 7:30pm at Victory Gardens Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Avenue.

With its surprising melding of off-beat, whimsical humor and serious themes of denial and loss, DARLING GRENADINE makes its Midwest premiere, running June 26th  through August 18th with a press opening on Sunday, July 7that 5:00 p.m. at Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire.

With its surprising melding of off-beat, whimsical humor and serious themes of denial and loss, DARLING GRENADINE makes its Midwest premiere, running June 26th  through August 18thwith a press opening on Sunday, July 7th at 5:00 p.m. at Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire. Featuring an eclectic score and stirring book and lyrics by Daniel Zaitchik, DARLING GRENADINE takes audiences on an emotional journey of highs and lows, where old meets new and romance meets reality. Directed by Jeff Award winner Aaron Thielen, with musical direction by Jeff Award winner Ryan T. Nelson, this exhilarating show continues Marriott Theatre's long tradition of presenting new musicals.

This summer, Chicago Shakespeare Theater presents the 75-minute musical stage adaptation of the timeless 1939 MGM film The Wizard of Oz, directed by Brian Hill and choreographed by Kenny Ingram. Based on the landmark novel by L. Frank Baum and featuring music and lyrics by Harold Arlen and E.Y. Harburg, The Wizard of Oz promises to be the perfect outing for audiences of all ages at Chicago Shakespeare's home on Navy Pier all summer long, July 6-August 25, 2019 with performances on Wednesdays at 11:00 a.m. and Thursdays-Sundays at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.

Drury Lane Theatre announces a special Family Day for its Regional Premiere of Roald Dahl's Matilda The Musical, scheduled for Sunday, June 9, 2019, before the 2:00 p.m. matinee.

Wonder and amazement abound! Drury Lane Theatre announces casting for its Regional Premiere of Roald Dahl's Matilda The Musical, featuring Chicago resident Audrey Edwards and Warrenville native Natalie Galla sharing the title role. With book by Dennis Kelly, music and lyrics by Tim Minchin, and orchestrations and additional music by Chris Nightingale, Roald Dahl's Matilda The Musical is directed and choreographed by Mitch Sebastian and runs April 26 June 23, 2019, at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace.