Photo by Gavin B  &  by Sean Will (L to R Top to Bottom): Billy Stark, Annaleigh • Billy Porter, Stark Sands • Jerry, Harvey, Cyndi • Billy Porter, Annaleigh Ashford, Stark Sands • Stark Sands, Billy Porter 

by David Cohen

Last night, October 17, 2012, four-time witty and charming Tony Award-winner Harvey Fierstein, pop icon and Grammy Award-winner Cyndi Lauper who made her musical theatrical debut, and director choreographer Tony Award-winner Jerry Mitchell, put their foot down as they captivated the Chicagoan audience at the world premiere of the highly anticipated new musical "Kinky Boots," at the Bank of America Theater in Chicago. 

Based on the 2005 British film, Kinky Boots the musical will inspire your soul just as it did to an entire town in Northern England years ago. This true story is about Charlie Price who was forced the save his family's shoe factory after the death of his father.

Lola, a fabulous drag queen performer comes to the rescue as the savor. Together Charlie and Lola revitalize the failing business, and bringing the shoe factory back to life, while they fighting their own long life battle of living at their fathers' shadow. During this process the two men are becoming the type of men their fathers always wanted them to be, while transforming the entire community through the power of acceptance.

Kinky boots brings many talents together off and on stage. There is no one else who can write bette drag then Fierstein. Along with Cyndi who composed character songs, club music, disco, ballads and dance numbers just like "Girls Just Want To Have Fun" the show delivers a great musical, and it is another great hit that Fierstein can add to his resume. As alway, Fierstein is on the right track, and his writing gives 'Kinky' the character and essence the show needs. This is a fun musical, fresh, and it is a solid entertainment as every musical should be. 

Just as Fierstein gives life to his writing, Billy Porter gives life to Lola.  From the moment Lola gets on stage, she conquers the audience's attention.  With her entourage of super duper fabulous drag queens who fill the stage with life and exhilarating energy, Porter delivers one of the best diva drag queen I have seen on stage, a roll that every drag queen would love to fulfill. His acting ability and commanding voice, should put him in the race for a Tony-winning performance for the coming year.

One of the best surprises came from the extremely talented Annaleigh Ashford in the role of Trish. Ashford delivered a perfect and brilliantly comic performance, and without no doubt her remarkable voice deserves a a winning Tony too. 

Overall, Kinky Boots is another great musical hit. It is fun, full of life, it is a  musical that doesn't stop for a moment and keeps you on your toes for two full hours. Go find out what a bunch of drag queens can do to you and others... I promise, they will ignite your body, soul and spirit. Surly, they will ignite more than just your boots!

Through November 4th, 2012 • Bank Of America Theater • 18 W. Monroe Street • For tickets ($33-$100) and more information visit  www.BroadwayinChicago.com.

Photos by Danny Nicholas

by David Cohen

In true Black Ensemble Theater style where the music takes center stage, Musical Director Robert Reddrick gives live to One Name Only (A Different Kind of Reality Show) a tribute to the music of the Ladies of Soul, Aretha Franklin, Patti LaBelle, Gladys Knight, Tina Turner and Whitney Houston.

One name Only is the story of ten women finalists competing for the title "Best Star Singer," set in a reality TV show with a panel of judges. Just as in the popular American Idol the reality TV show, each contestant tries to make their way to the top, and with one third of the final vote the audience decide who is the winner for that evening. This ensures that every night the outcome of every show will be different.

And if this is not enough, the Founder of BE Jackie Taylor promises to deliver more surprises. There are going to be special guest appearances by national recording stars, including the one-and-only Dionne Warwick, and of course the date of her appearance is kept as a secret. On some nights, “guest judges” will include some of Chicago’s brightest stars and powerhouse singers. Surly, this is a clever way of creating excitement and making us experience the "real" world of reality TV shows.

Written and directed by by BE Associate Director Rueben Echoles, this world premiere musical is entertaining, unique in its approach to  the theatrical experience, but it is not as great as the previous show The Marvin Gaye Story. The first act is too slow and too long. It did lack the energy and the power of the second act, which has the best hits, solos performances of the entire production. Dawn Bless who performed as Ms LaBelle, delivered the best moments of the entire production singing the classic hit Somewhere Over the Rainbow. Ms Bless brought the audience to their knees, and won an stand-ovation for her superb and outstanding ability as a singer and actor. Nonetheless, Lisa Beasley as Tanika and Candace C. Edwards as Marylin, are remarkable in the leading roles. With their commanding voice and talent, the two delivered a perfect final round as they did justice to Houston's hits, and gave this production of One Name Only the essence of what the Black Ensemble is all about. Overall, One Name Only is a good and fun show that will send you home happy and satisfied.

Through November 11, 2012 • The Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center, 4450 N. Clark Street • Valet parking is available. 
Tickets from $55-65. 10% discount for students, seniors, and groups.  Available at www.ticketmaster.com, or call 773-769-4451.

in the photo: Alejandro Cerrudo, resident choreographer at Hubbard Street Dance Chicago

The 35th Anniversary Season of Hubbard Street Dance Chicago will feature the work of Hubbard Street Resident Choreographer Alejandro Cerrudo who was inspired by Marc Chagall’s famed America Windows, permanently on view at the Art Institute of Chicago. Commissioned by Hubbard Street Cerrudo created a single theme, entitled One Thousand Pieces, to celebrate the Company’s significant 35-year history as Chicago’s premiere contemporary dance company. This world premiere will be given in honor of Mayor Rahm Emanuel at the Harris Theater.

“For 35 years Hubbard Street Dance has showcased Chicago’s extraordinary local talent and vibrant cultural community to the world,” said Mayor Rahm Emanuel. “I am committed to making Chicago a worldwide destination for dance and look forward to celebrating this wonderful cultural institution in our city.”

“I am honored that Hubbard Street Dance Chicago can celebrate the start of its 35th Anniversary in our hometown with this beautiful tribute,” comments Hubbard Street Artistic Director Glenn Edgerton. “I knew immediately that I wanted the launch of this monumental season to embody all that Hubbard Street Dance Chicago is — a dance company proud of its hometown and collaborations with like- minded cultural institutions; a company that is deeply seeded in choreographic development and new works; and a company that believes in the importance of all art forms, in this case dance, visual art and music melding together for this cultural event. It is only natural that in honor of our 35th Anniversary, we give this new work to The City of Chicago in tribute to Mayor Emanuel and his commitment to make Chicago an international destination for dance.”

The monumental panels of stained glass, created by Chagall especially for the Art Institute and dedicated to Chicago’s Mayor Richard J. Daley (1902–1976), commemorate the American Bicentennial. The glowing glass infuses the artist’s landscape of familiar American icons, references to Chicago and symbols of the fine arts that suggests the creative expansiveness made possible by American freedom and liberty.

“Hubbard Street has given me the opportunity to launch my career as a choreographer and I will always be grateful for that,” reflects Hubbard Street Dance Chicago Resident Choreographer Alejandro Cerrudo. “Choosing Marc Chagall’s America Windows is a nod to the year that Hubbard Street was founded, as well as to the feelings and energy that these beautiful panels convey to me. Having thought about this work since last year, I am eager to get started on creating this tribute. With America Windows as my inspiration, the music of Philip Glass as my frame, the Harris Theater stage as my canvas and the dancers of Hubbard Street as my paintbrush, I hope to create a magical evening that does justice to this renowned dance company, and honors a City that has become my home.”

At the Harris Theater in Millennium Park, October 18-21, 2012. Tickets from $25 to $99. For more information about Hubbard Street Dance Chicago’s 35th Anniversary Season and subscription packages, please call the Hubbard Street Ticket Office at 312-850-9744 or visit www.hubbardstreetdance.com.

Source: Press release.

photos by Liz Lauren

by David Cohen


Written and directed by Ensemble Member Mary Zimmerman, the Tony Award-winning smash hit Metamorphoses kicked off last night at Lookingglass’ 25th Anniversary Season.

Mary held a dream that one day her Metamorphoses, a collection of Greek mythologies stories will be staged  as originally was she conceived it, in a pool of water, and it did. 

Telling the stories in the water, the universal symbol of transformation, put this performance above and beyond anyone would imagine. Although I have heard so about this play, this was the first time I saw Metamorphoses. Finally, I understood why it is one of the best shows ever to be produced on stage. Don't miss your chance to experience this magical and enchanted anniversary production.

Some members of the original cast returned this year to Lookingglass, but non-the-less all the members of this production give their best, and making Metamorphoses a remarkable experience of a tales on stage.

The brilliance of Mary’s work is that these ancient myths feel at once very contemporary and totally timeless, simultaneously rooted in the very specific individuals onstage and completely universal,” says Artistic Director Andy White.  “These are some of the reasons it was our longest-running hit in Chicago, then toured the country, and finally ran for a year on Broadway.  This show had a profound impact on all of us – Lookingglass, Chicago, and even the country – when we first produced it, and we’ve had an ache to revisit it for a long time. We are so proud to bring it back to Chicago now, and to have it kick off our 25th Anniversary Season.”

There is nothing but excellence to this brilliant and rare "jewel." From superb acting to brilliant directing, to design. There is nothing more difficult to create but simplicity, but in Metamorphoses all the design elements come together beautifully, and giving this production the essences it deserves. From the simple use of lights and candle lights, to beautifully synced music with every move the actors do, to simple stage and costumes design––is nothing but genius. All this talent put together to make this rare production of Metamorphoses is by far the best play of the year, and for sure one of the best play I have ever seen on stage. Bravo!

Through November 18, 2012. Tickets: $36 - $70
Saturday Matinees offer a limited number of tickets (buy one, get one free) which are available to all 3:00 p.m. Saturday matinees. This program is made possible with the generous support of Target, working with Lookingglass to make the arts accessible to all. A limited number of student tickets are available the day of the show for $20 with valid student ID. Groups of 10 or more patrons save up to 20%. Call the box office for details.
Box office is located at Water Tower Water Works, 821 N. Michigan Ave. To buy online  go to www.lookingglasstheatre.org, or by phone at (312) 337-0665.

Broadway In Chicago announced the upcoming 2013 spring season line-up. This is the complete spring season including performances dates and venues
 
PRE-BROADWAY!
JEKYLL & HYDE • March 12-24, 2013 • Cadillac Palace Theater
American Idol star and Tony® Award nominee Constantine Maroulis joins with Grammy® Award nominee and R&B superstar Deborah Cox to inject new life into the classic tale of good and evil, JEKYLL & HYDE. After four thrilling, chilling years on Broadway and multiple world-wide tours, this dark and dangerous love story from Tony® and Grammy® Award nominee Frank Wildhorn and Oscar® and Grammy® winner Leslie Bricusse, returns in a stunning new pre-Broadway production directed by Tony® nominee Jeff Calhoun and includes all the classic songs (This is the Moment, A New Life, Someone Like You) that first grabbed audiences by the throat and transformed JEKYLL & HYDE into a theatrical phenomenon.
 
PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT • March 19–31, 2013 • Auditorium Theater of Roosevelt University
This outrageously fun show tells the uplifting story of a trio of friends on a road trip of a lifetime, who hop aboard a battered old bus searching for love and friendship in the middle of the Australian outback and end up finding more than they could ever have dreamed.  An international hit with more than 500 dazzling, 2011 Tony® Award-winning costumes, PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT features a hit parade of dance-floor favorites including "It's Raining Men," "Finally" and "I Will Survive."  The Hollywood Reporter calls PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT "funny and fabulous! Joyous entertainment with eye-popping visuals and unexpected heart!" The New York Post declares “Queen of Broadway!  A feel-good show with a big, joyous heart!  PRISCILLA ramps up the thrills!” The New York Times raves "Performed with gleaming verve! Every conceivable surface has been decked with sequins, spattered with colored lights, or trimmed in feathers and fringe."
 
CATCH ME IF YOU CAN • April 2–14, 2013 8 • Cadillac Palace Theater
Based on the hit DreamWorks film and the incredible true story that inspired it, CATCH ME IF YOU CAN is the high-flying, splashy new Broadway musical that tells the story of Frank W. Abagnale, Jr., a teenager who runs away from home in search of the glamorous life.  With nothing more than his boyish charm, a big imagination and millions of dollars in forged checks, Frank successfully poses as a pilot, a doctor and a lawyer - living the high life and winning the girl of his dreams. But when Frank's lies catch the attention of FBI agent Carl Hanratty, Carl chases Frank to the end...and finds something he never expected. This delightfully entertaining musical has been created by a Tony Award®-winning "dream team," with a book by Terrence McNally (The Full Monty, Ragtime), a swinging score by Marc Shaiman & Scott Wittman (Hairspray), choreography by Jerry Mitchell (Hairspray, Legally Blonde) and direction by Jack O'Brien (Hairspray, The Full Monty, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels).
 
PRE-BROADWAY WORLD PREMIERE!
BIG FISH • April 2 – May 5, 2013 • Oriental Theater
BIG FISH, a new musical based on the novel by Daniel Wallace and the 2003 Columbia Pictures film written by John August and starring Norbert Leo Butz as Edward Bloom, will have its pre-Broadway world premiere in a limited 5-week engagement in the spring of 2013. BIG FISH is directed and choreographed by Susan Stroman, with music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa, a book by John August and is produced by Academy Award winners Dan Jinks and Bruce Cohen.  A rollicking fantasy set in the American South, BIG FISH centers on the charismatic Edward Bloom, whose impossible stories of his epic adventures frustrate his son Will.  As Edward’s final chapter approaches, Will embarks on his own journey to find out who his father really is, unraveling the man from the myth, the truth from the tall tales.
 
ANYTHING GOES • April 23 - May 5, 2013 • Cadillac Palace Theater                 
 “ALL ABOARD for this saucy and splendid production of Roundabout Theater Company’s ANYTHING GOES, winner of three 2011 Tony Awards® including Best Musical Revival and Choreography!  One of the greatest musicals in theater history, Cole Porter’s first-class musical comedy is sailing to Chicago, starring critically-acclaimed actress Rachel York as Reno Sweeney and directed and choreographed by Tony Award® winner Kathleen Marshall.  The New York Times calls it “Musical-Comedy Joy” and USA Today hails it as “Glorious and Exhuberant!”  When the S.S. American heads out to sea, etiquette and convention get tossed out the portholes as two unlikely pairs set off on the course to true love…proving that sometimes destiny needs a little help from a crew of singing sailors, an exotic disguise and some good old-fashioned blackmail.  Peppering this timeless classic are some of musical theater’s most memorable standards, including “I Get A Kick Out Of You,” “You’re the Top,” and of course, “Anything Goes.”  Don’t miss what the AP exclaims as, “So Delightful, So Delicious, So De-Lovely!”
 
OFF-SEASON SPECIALS
POTTED POTTER • Begins Nov. 13, 2012 • Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place
Starvox Entertainment and Potted Productions’ hit off-Broadway show, Potted Potter: The Unauthorized Harry Experience – A Parody by Dan and Jeff, is a Critic's Pick by the New York Times, New York Magazine and Time Out London.  POTTED POTTER won the prestigious 2012 Olivier Award nomination for Best Entertainment & Family Show, playing to sold-out houses worldwide.  Written and performed by former BBC Television hosts Daniel Clarkson and Jefferson Turner, the play takes on the ultimate challenge of condensing, or "potting", all seven Harry Potter books into 70 madcap minutes, complete with a game of Quidditch and aided only by multiple costume changes, brilliant songs, ridiculous props and a generous helping of Hogwarts magic. The fast-paced show, which has made audiences aged six to Dumbledore (who is very old indeed) roar with laughter all over the world, is perfect for the entire family.
 
AMERICAN IDIOT • April 16-21, 2013 • Cadillac Palace Theater                   
Winner of two Tony Awards® and a Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album, AMERICAN IDIOT features the music of Green Day with the lyrics of its lead singer Billie Joe Armstrong. The book is by Armstrong and Michael Mayer and direction is by Tony Award®-winner Mayer (Spring Awakening).  AMERICAN IDIOT is the story of three boyhood friends, each searching for meaning in a post 9/11 world. Through incredible spectacle, thrilling performances and
with the hope embodied by a new generation, AMERICAN IDIOT has given audiences the time of their lives night after night since its Broadway run at the St. James Theater and its critically acclaimed national tour, which returns to Chicago this Spring.
 
WEST SIDE STORY • June 11-16, 2013 • Oriental Theater
The tour of the smash hit Broadway revival of WEST SIDE STORY returns to Chicago!  Tony Award-winning librettist Arthur Laurents’ Broadway direction is recreated for the tour by David Saint, the Associate Director on Broadway. The original Jerome Robbins choreography is reproduced by Tony Award-nominee Joey McKneely (The Boy from Oz, The Life).
WEST SIDE STORY tells the story of star-crossed lovers Tony and Maria as they struggle to rise above the hatred and intolerance that surrounds them.  WEST SIDE STORY soars as the greatest love story of all time and remains as powerful, poignant and timely as ever. The Bernstein and Sondheim score is considered to be one of Broadway’s finest and features such classics of the American musical theater as “Something’s Coming,” “Tonight,” “America,” “I Feel Pretty” and “Somewhere.”  The Associated Press says WEST SIDE STORY “remains Broadway’s best dance-driven musical. Five decades have not dimmed the extraordinary choreography or the score that pulsates throughout.”

TICKET INFORMATION
The 2013 Spring Season will go on sale to the public on September 21, 2012. Tickets are now available for groups of 15 or more by calling Broadway In Chicago Group Sales at (312) 977-1710. Individual tickets for 2013 Season productions will go on sale at a later date.