Chicago Theatre Review

Broadway in Chicago Category

Holiday Fun for Younger Audiences

November 25, 2013 Comments Off on Holiday Fun for Younger Audiences

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

rudolphThere’s no lack of holiday entertainment in the Chicago area, but sometimes it’s difficult to find a show that will appeal to and hold the attention of younger viewers. Adapted practically word for word, song for song and character for character from the 1964 animated television special, this musical Christmas confection is the perfect holiday event for children, ages 3-10. First Stage Milwaukee’s Artistic Director Jeff Frank conceived the idea of adapting the stop-action animated holiday classic for the stage. Working closely with Robert Penola, they devised a script that recreated the cartoon’s magic, while still honoring Robert L. May’s original children’s story and Johnny Marks‘ well-known holiday song. Add to this Brandon Kirkham’s spot-on production design, which includes costumes, scenery and puppets, and you have a stage production that looks and sounds as if the animated TV special has actually come to life.

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Revisiting the Summer of Love

November 6, 2013 Comments Off on Revisiting the Summer of Love

Once Upon a Dream

Dino_Danelli,_Felix_Cavaliere,_Steven_Van_Zandt,_Eddie_Brigati,_Gene_Cornish_-_photo_by_David_Rohde[1]Isn’t it incredibly magical how a smell, a taste or a specific song can unlock fond memories? Once the houselights dim, young theatre goers and especially Baby Boomers find themselves suddenly transported back to their high school and college years, courtesy of the music created by one of the ’60’s best-loved bands. Then, The Young Rascals, labeled America’s “blue-eyed soul group,” rose to popularity during an era primarily populated by the British Invasion bands. This quartet of likable, talented young musicians burst onto the scene with songs like “Good Lovin’,” “Groovin’,” and “It’s a Beautiful Mornin’.” Other hits included “A Girl Like You,” “How Can I Be Sure?” and “People Got to Be Free.” Their music was the soundtrack for what was affectionately termed The Summer of Love. That summer lasted a decade until the band broke up, each going their separate ways. The Rascals recorded several songs and record albums  that became Top Ten Best-sellers. In 1997 the group reunited for the first time in years and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

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NEWS FROM BROADWAY IN CHICAGO

November 2, 2013 Comments Off on NEWS FROM BROADWAY IN CHICAGO
  • CHICAGO (Oct. 8, 2013) – Broadway In Chicago, Cameron Mackintosh and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Really Useful Group are delighted to announce the casting for the spectacular new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA.  With newly reinvented staging and stunning scenic design, this new version of PHANTOM, the most successful musical of all-time, will be performed by a cast and orchestra of 52, making this one of the largest productions on tour in North America.  THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA will play Chicago’s Cadillac Palace Theatre (151 W Randolph) January 9, 2014 through March 2, 2014.
  • Broadway In Chicago is thrilled to announce the upcoming 2014 spring season line-up.  Supporting Broadway In Chicago’s commitment to Chicagoans seeing shows first, the season features four premieres.  Coming to Chicago first is the World Premiere Pre-Broadway production of THE LAST SHIP, the U.S. Tour Premiere of MOTOWN THE MUSICAL and the North American Premiere of HEARTBEAT OF HOME, as well as the U.S. Tour Premiere of BUYER AND CELLAR as an off-season special.  Also included in the season is GHOST THE MUSICAL, JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT, PETER & THE STARCATCHER and THE WIZARD OF OZ.  The 2014 spring off-season includes: ONCE UPON A DREAM STARRING THE RASCALS, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, ALTON BROWN LIVE!, CHICAGO, ROCK OF AGES, ERTH’S DINOSAUR ZOO and  MAMMA MIA!.

TICKET INFORMATION
The Broadway In Chicago Season is available now to current subscribers and will go on sale to the public Friday, October 11, 2013.  Tickets are now available for groups of 15 or more by calling Broadway In Chicago Group Sales at (312) 977-1710. Individual tickets for 2014 Spring Season productions will go on sale at a later date

High Flying Adored

September 21, 2013 Comments Off on High Flying Adored

Evita

“Any opera that begins with a funeral can’t be all bad.” That was the initial response given by Harold Prince, director of the original London and Broadway productions, when first invited to help create this piece for the stage (that began as a concept album). Andrew Lloyd Webber’s beloved, multi award-winning biographic musical, depicting the rags to riches, overnight rise to fame of Eva Peron, the controversial First Lady of Argentina, is now playing here in a first rate National Touring production. The first British musical to win a Tony Award for Best Musical has enjoyed countless regional, national and international productions, including the 2012 Broadway revival upon which this current polished Equity tour is modeled.

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