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Showing posts with label Honey West. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Honey West. Show all posts

Saturday, April 8, 2023

Cast Announced for NEW FACES SING BROADWAY 1984 With Host Honey West April 25-26, 2023

 ChiIL Live Shows On Our Radar

PORCHLIGHT MUSIC THEATRE ANNOUNCES THE CAST FOR 

NEW FACES SING BROADWAY 1984, 

FEATURING HOST HONEY WEST, 

TUESDAY, APRIL 25 AT EVANSTON SPACE AND 

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26 AT THE DEN THEATRE

The Popular Series Returns this Spring. New Faces Sing Broadway 1984, Directed by Tommy Novak and Music Directed by Micky York, Takes Audiences Back in Time to the 1984 Broadway Season with Chicago’s Newest Talents Performing Songs from the Hit Shows La Cage Aux Folles, Sunday in the Park with George, Baby, The Rink and others

Porchlight Music Theatre announces the roster of new faces starring in its latest 2022 – 2023 season offering, New Faces Sing Broadway 1984, hosted by Honey West*, directed by Tommy Novak^ with music direction and arrangements by Micky York+. New Faces Sing Broadway 1984 takes place Tuesday, April 25 at 7:30 p.m. at Evanston SPACE, 1245 Chicago Ave. in Evanston and Wednesday, April 26 at 7:30 p.m. at The Den Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave. There will be a pre-show lobby gathering at The Den Theatre beginning at 6:30 p.m. with complimentary appetizers and a cash bar. Tickets are $37 and are now on sale at PorchlightMusicTheatre.org. I'll be catching the show on the 25th, so check back soon after for my full review. 

Now in its eighth season, Porchlight Music Theatre’s New Faces Sing Broadway series returns, taking audiences on a musical journey from the start to the finish of an entire Broadway season in 90 minutes. Host Honey West will introduce the audience to the next generation of Chicago music theatre artists while serving as the guide to the stars, songs and stories of the past. New Faces Sing Broadway 1984 includes hit songs from the seminal age of Broadway musicals including La Cage Aux Folles, Sunday in the Park with George, Baby, The Rink and others.

(L to R) The  New Faces Sing Broadway 1984 cast

The cast of new faces includes, in alphabetical order, Teddy Gales+ (national tour of The Spongebob Musical (Nickelodeon));  Isabel Garcia^/+(Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (Kokandy Productions)); David Gordon-Johnson+ (And Neither Have I Wings to Fly (First Folio Theatre)); Mai Hartwich* (Avenue Q (Music Theater Works)); Nikki Krzebiot* (Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (Kokandy Productions)); Justin Grey McPike^ (Disney Deep Dive (The Beautiful City Project)); Nora Navarro* (Songs for a New World (Theo)); Patrick O’Keefe+ (Jeff Award winner - Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (Kokandy Productions)); Lincoln J. Skoien= (Merrily We Roll Along (CCPA)) and Luiza Vitucci* (The Threepenny Opera (Theo)).

Pronoun Key: + (he/him/his); * (she/her/hers); ^ (they, them, theirs). = (any with respect)


Many of the artists who have appeared in Porchlight’s New Faces Sing Broadway series have continued their careers on television, and local and national stages including Neala Barron (Porchlight's Merrily We Roll Along), Frankie Leo Bennett (Porchlight's In the Heights), Dawn Bless (Waitress-national tour), Katherine Bourne (School Girls; Or, the African Mean Girls Play at Goodman Theatre), Kayla Boye (Call Me Elizabeth-national tour), Anna Brockman, Tim Foszcz, Haley Gustafson, Josiah Haugen, Cam Turner, Jerod Turner and Evan Wilhelm (Porchlight's Cabaret), Lydia Burke and Molly Kral (Jeff Award winners [ensemble] - Duke Ellington’s Sophisticated Ladies), Darilyn Burtley and Max Cervantes (The Light in the Piazza at Lyric Opera of Chicago), Kyrie Courter (Broadway's Sweeney Todd), Maddison Denault and David Moreland (Jeff Award-nominees, Cruel Intentions), Gilbert Domally (Broadway's The Lion King), Andres Enriquez (Jeff Award nominee-Porchlight’s A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder), Nik Kmiecik, Ziare Paul-Emile and Alix Rhode (Porchlight's Rent), Theo Germaine (Showtime’s “Work in Progress”), Lucy Godinez (Jeff Award nominee-Oliver), Emily Goldberg (Jeff Award nominee-Porchlight’s A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder), Nicole Michelle Haskins (Jeff Award winner-The Color Purple), Michelle Lauto (Jeff Award winner-Spamilton), Yando Lopez (Broadway’s Wicked), Henry McGinniss (Book of Mormon-national tour), Brandy Miller and Bryce Ancil (Jeff Award-nominees She Loves Me), Chloé Nadon-Enriquez (Broadway's Bad Cinderella), Anthony Norman (The Prom on Broadway, Dear Evan Hansen-national tour), Patrick Rooney (Les Miserables-national tour), Aalon Smith (Porchlight’s Gypsy), Katherine Thomas (Jeff Award winner-Ragtime), Aeriel Williams (Oedipus Rex at Court Theatre) and Nicole Lambert, Courtney Mack, Mallory Maedke and Samantha Pauly (SIX on Broadway).

The 2023 season of New Faces Sing Broadway concludes with New Faces Sing Broadway NOW, coming this summer. Tickets go on sale May 2 at 12 p.m.

(L to R)  New Faces Sing Broadway 1984 host Honey West director Tommy Novak and music director Micky York. 


ABOUT HONEY WEST, host

Honey West (she/her/hers) was most recently seen in Clue and as “Bernadette” in Priscilla Queen of the Desert at Mercury Theater Chicago, (the role she previously received a Jeff Nomination for Best Supporting Actress, in addition to a Best Actress award from BroadwayWorld.com.)  La Cage Aux Folles as “Jacqueline/U/S Albin'' at Music Theater Works, “Danni” in Irving Berlin's Holiday Inn at Drury Lane Theater and “Mrs. Cratchitt/Electra'' in Gypsy at Porchlight Music Theatre. She starred in Dirty Dreams Of A Clean-Cut Kid, Vampire Lesbians Of Sodom, Diva Diaries, Jerry’s Girls, Tony And Tony’s Wedding, As You Like It and Pussy On The House. She was a 2012 inductee into the Chicago Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame. Currently she is working on a new cabaret act and an autobiographical one woman show. She also landed a co-starring role on Fox's “Proven Innocent.” 

ABOUT TOMMY NOVAK, director

Tommy Novak (they/them/theirs) is a non-binary Chicago-based theater artist, international director, vocal coach and movement specialist. They return to Porchlight where they were seen in Billy Elliot The Musical and Porchlight Revisits Do Re Mi. They directed The Spongebob Musical For Young Audiences (First Stage), Romeo and Juliet (Arkansa Shakespeare Theatre), Songs for a New World (Carthage College) and Danny and the Deep Blue Sea (Coastline Theater). Additional credits include Fiddler on the Roof (Lyric Opera of Chicago), The Producers (Night Blue; Jeff nomination); Little Shop of Horrors (Mercury Theater Chicago), Hairspray (Skylight Music Theatre), Love’s Labour’s Lost, King John (Utah Shakespeare Festival), The Music Man and Taming of the Shrew (Arkansas Shakespeare Theater), Rudolph In The Red-Nosed Reindeer™: The Musical and Robin Hood (First Stage). Novak is represented by Paonessa Talent Agency. 

ABOUT MICKY YORK, music director

Micky York’s (he/him/his) Chicago theatre credits include Porchlight Revisits Call Me Madam (Porchlight), Whisper House and Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog (Black Button Eyes Productions), Happy End (2007 After Dark Award - Outstanding Music Direction) and Jacques Brel (Brown Couch, RIP) and a variety of musicals over the past 20 years for other theatres that no longer exist. He's a current member of Dancing Queen: An ABBA Salute and can likely be seen at a street festival near you.

ABOUT PORCHLIGHT MUSIC THEATRE

Porchlight Music Theatre, now in its 28th season, is the award-winning center for music theatre in Chicago. Through live performance, youth education and community outreach, we impact thousands of lives each season, bringing the magic of musicals to our theatre home at the Ruth Page Center for the Arts in the Gold Coast and to neighborhoods across the city. Porchlight has built a national reputation for boldly reimagining classic musicals, supporting new works and young performers, and showcasing Chicago’s most notable music theatre artists, all through the intimate and powerful theatrical lens of the “Chicago Style.”

Porchlight's history over the last 27 years includes more than 70 mainstage works with 15 Chicago premieres and five world premieres. Porchlight’s commitment to the past, present and future of music theatre led the company to develop the Porchlight Revisits and New Faces Sing Broadway program series, both quickly becoming audience favorites. 

Porchlight's education and outreach programs serve schools, youth of all ages and skill levels and community organizations, most notably the ongoing collaboration with Chicago Youth Centers. Porchlight annually awards dozens of full scholarships and hundreds of free tickets to ensure accessibility and real engagement with this uniquely American art form. 

The company’s many honors include 178 Joseph Jefferson Award (Jeff) nominations and 49 Jeff awards, as well as 44 Black Theatre Alliance (BTA) nominations and 15 BTA awards. In 2019, Porchlight graduated to the Large Theatre tier of the Equity Jeff Awards and has been honored with seven awards in this tier to date including Best Ensemble for Duke Ellington’s Sophisticated Ladies (2019) and Best Production-Revue for Blues in the Night (2022). 

Through the global pandemic, Porchlight emerged as one of Chicago’s leaders in virtual programming, quickly launching a host of free offerings like Sondheim @ 90 Roundtables, Movie Musical Mondays, Porchlight by Request: Command Performances and WPMT: Classic Musicals from the Golden Age of Radio. In 2021, Porchlight launched its annual summer series, Broadway in your Backyard, performing at parks and venues throughout the city. 

Porchlight Music Theatre announces the roster of new faces starring in its latest 2022 – 2023 season offering, New Faces Sing Broadway 1984, hosted by Honey West*, directed by Tommy Novak^ with music direction and arrangements by Micky York+. New Faces Sing Broadway 1984 takes place Tuesday, April 25 at 7:30 p.m. at Evanston SPACE, 1245 Chicago Ave. in Evanston and Wednesday, April 26 at 7:30 p.m. at The Den Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave. There will be a pre-show lobby gathering at The Den Theatre beginning at 6:30 p.m. with complimentary appetizers and a cash bar. Tickets are $37 and are now on sale at PorchlightMusicTheatre.org

The New Faces Sing Broadway series is sponsored by Elaine Cohen & Arlen D. Rubin

Porchlight Music Theatre is partially supported by generous contributions from Allstate; Michael Best & Friedrich LLP; Abe and Ida Cooper Foundation; Elegant Event Lighting; Glimpse Vision; James P. and Brenda S. Grusecki Family Foundation; Hearty Boys; A.L. and Jennie L. Luria Foundation; The MacArthur Fund for Culture, Equity and the Arts at Prince; the Pritzker Traubert Foundation; Ryan and Spaeth, Inc.; Daniel and Genevieve Ratner Foundation; The Saints and Dr. Scholl Foundation.

The season program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency, a state agency, and by a CityArts Grant from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs & Special Events. 

Porchlight Music Theatre wishes to thank members of the Matching Gift Corporate Program including Abbvie; Allstate; Lloyd A. Fry Foundation; Peoples Gas; Pepsico; Polk Bros Foundation and The Saints. 


Thursday, September 8, 2022

SAVE THE DATES: VENUS CABARET THEATER ANNOUNCES FALL PROGRAMMING

ChiIL Live Shows On Our Radar

 Fall line-up to include:

Chicago Gay Men's Chorus presents On the Radio;
Barb Bailey – The Sequel: Hollywood Stories; Tim Murray is Witches!; Hocus Pocus Halloween Bash starring Ginger Minj from Hocus Pocus 2; Carrie 2: The Rage, The Unauthorized Musical Parody; David Fiorello: The Beautiful City Project; With a Twist! featuring Kevin Bishop, Steve Kimbrough, Paul Motondo and Nick Sula and Merry Christmas Darling: Heidi Kettenring sings Karen Carpenter

 
Venus Cabaret Theater, the intimate performance space at Mercury Theater Chicago, under the director of Cabaret Director Honey West, Artistic Director Christopher Chase Carter, Managing Director Kristi J. Martens and Executive Producers Walter Stearns and Eugene Dizon,announces programming for Fall 2022.

Venus Cabaret Theater is Mercury Theater Chicago’s second performance space, offering a unique theatrical experience complemented by specialty cocktails. Tickets for all Venus Cabaret Theater and Mercury Theater Chicago performances are available at MercuryTheaterChicago.com.

Cabaret Director Honey West comments, “As a performer, the Venus Cabaret Theater is one of my favorite places for cabaret. It’s a beautiful and intimate room and we thrilled to share it this fall with so many talented performers, including the Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus, Ginger Minj, Heidi Kettenring, Barb BaileyTim Murray and David Fiorello—and more! I know that performers and audience members, alike, will fall in love with the room, just as I have.”
The Venus Cabaret Theater Fall line-up includes:
 
Chicago Gay Men's Chorus presents On the Radio            
Saturday, September 17 at 7 pm and 9 pm
Tickets: $40 Reserved Seat, $25 General Admission
Tickets available on CGMC website https://www.cgmc.org/get-tickets/
 
On the Radio highlights Orson Welles' radio play "War of the Worlds" in a very CGMC-branded way. 29 chorus members celebrate 32 hits that permeated the airwaves. Whether it's about the radio, happened while listening to the radio, or Donna Summer's hit "On the Radio," the CGMC has it covered. Tune in this September. 
 
 
Barb Bailey – The Sequel: Hollywood Stories
Saturday, September 24 at 7:30 pm
Tickets: $35 General Admission (in-advance), $40 General Admission (day-of)
 
New songs and more stories! A heartwarming and hilarious show about how a baby was found in a cardboard box in West Virginia and how she ended up in the Music Business in Hollywood. That baby was Barb Bailey. Her escapades with famous stars are tell-all; bombshell and unforgettable. With a song list just as eclectic as Barb is - the audience is regaled with Sondheim, Peter Allen, and Ella - and everyone in between. Hollywood is a thrill ride exposing celebs from Burt Reynolds to Lady Gaga to high class call girls. Barb is a gorgeous powerhouse of intimacy and unbridled laughter. And her audiences keep bombarding the box offices for more!
 
 
Tim Murray is Witches!
Saturday, October 8 at 8 pm
Tickets: $20 General Admission (in-advance), $25 General Admission (day-of)
 
Wicked-obsessed stand-up comedian and TikTok gay Tim Murray performs original comedy songs about his favorite pop culture witches! Murray has made a brand out of loving the musical Wicked and now he has harnessed his passion into a super gay Halloween show about his favorite witches from several different movies and shows. Tim is a stand-up comedian, host of Slumber Party Podcast on iHeart Radio and can be seen on The Other Two on HBO Max, The Vivienne Takes Hollywood, the film Swan Song starring Jennifer Coolidge, and all over TikTok with his viral (often Wicked themed) sketch comedy videos. He has appeared in 50 Shades the Musical Off-Broadway (New York Times’ Critics Pick), Voldemort and the Teenage Hogwarts Musical Parody in London, and has toured his hour of stand-up in the UK, US and appeared at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, SF Sketchfest, DragCon UK and DragCon LA.
 
 
Hocus Pocus Halloween Bash
Starring Ginger Minj from Hocus Pocus 2
Featuring Ginger Galore, Aria Hard and Michael Burlow
Presented by Fruit Wine Productions
Friday, October 14 at 8:30 pm and 10:30 pm
Saturday, October 15 at 8:30 pm and 10:30 pm
Sunday, October 16 at 2 pm
Tickets: $40 General Admission
 
It's been 30 years and the Sanderson sisters are back! Join Ginger Minj, fresh off her appearance in Hocus Pocus 2, Gidget Galore and Aria Hard as Winnifred, Mary and Sarah for The Hocus Pocus Halloween Bash! Are you ready to run amok amok amok?
 
 
Carrie 2: The Rage, The Unauthorized Musical Parody
October 17 at 7:30pm
Tickets: $25
 
Since 1976 you've been in love with Carrie White, the telekinetic teen whose catastrophic prom night captivated the nation and led to thrilling adaptations, musicals, and revivals. Since 1999, you've completely missed the fact that Carrie has a legitimate cinematic sequel that tells the story of Carrie's half-sister, Rachel, an angst-ridden rebel whose life seems to be looking up until her mysterious powers take hold. 
 
Now, with Carrie 2: The Rage, The Unauthorized Musical Parody (In Concert), you can relive the magic of Carrie in nearly every way as prom night survivor-turned-school counselor Sue Snell seeks to help Rachel before it's too late, Rachel's hyper-religious mother tries to kill her, and popular high schoolers prove, once again, they are the absolute worst. 
 
 
David Fiorello: The Beautiful City Project
Monday, October 31 at 7:30 pm
Tickets, $25, will be available October 1 at http://www.thebeautifulcityproject.com
 
Join The Beautiful City Project as they present Project Moonfall, a Halloween-inspired evening of some of the darker songs in musical theater. Featuring many of the city's top talent, these shows tend to sell out quickly, so if you haven't seen one of their projects yet, now is absolutely the time!
 
 
With a Twist!
Featuring Kevin Bishop, Steve Kimbrough, Paul Motondo, and Nick Sula
Friday, November 18 at 7:30 pm
Saturday, November 19 at 7:30 pm
Tickets: $25 General Admission
 
With A Twist! is comprised of Kevin Bishop, Steve Kimbrough, Paul Motondo, and Nick Sula. The mixologists of song bring you their concoction of potent arrangements and refreshing mashups celebrating icons. They put their twist on classic and contemporary songs transforming them into unique, fun three-part harmony. They have been performing together since 2011 with numerous hit shows at Davenport’s, Park West, Stage 773, The Skokie Theater and Uptown Underground. Come on and get Twisted!
 
 
Merry Christmas Darling: Heidi Kettenring sings Karen Carpenter
Friday, November 25 at 8:30 pm
Saturday, November 26 at 3:30 pm and 8:30 pm
Sunday, November 27 at 3:30 pm
Tickets: $70
 
Chicago’s favorite leading lady Heidi Kettenring (Wicked, Broadway in Chicago) and her exceptional band present the timeless treasures and holiday hits of Karen Carpenter. A storyteller sure to stir the heart, multi-award-winner Kettenring tenderly chronicles Carpenter’s troubles and triumphs with a familiar angelic radiance. Around the Town Chicago calls the show, “Glorious. An elegant, tear jerking, sing along concert event." Songs include "Close To You," "Merry Christmas Darling," "For All We Know," and "The Christmas Song." Presented by Artists Lounge Live.


COVID PROTOCOL: Mercury Theater Chicago follows the CDC and State of Illinois recommendations about maintaining a COVID safe environment. Any interaction with the public poses an inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19. By visiting Mercury Theater Chicago, it is understood that everyone voluntarily assumes all risks related to exposure.
 
Patrons are highly encouraged to wear masks throughout the performance when not actively eating or drinking regardless of vaccination status.



About Mercury Theater Chicago
The beautifully renovated Mercury Theater Chicago is in the heart of the Southport Corridor at 3745 North Southport Avenue, within a sophisticated neighborhood of restaurants and boutiques just steps from Wrigley Field. A delightful destination, Mercury Theater Chicago is a live-theater seating 280 people, adjoining Venus Cabaret Theater (seating 80). 
 
The building that houses the Mercury opened in 1912 as a silent film nickelodeon, named The Blaine Theatre after actor and former Senator and Secretary of State James G. Blaine. The Blaine became obsolete when talking pictures became popular nationwide in 1928. The building served a variety of uses until 1994, when it was purchased by theater producer Michael Cullen and transformed into a live theatre, named the Mercury Theatre.
 
In 2010 the building was sold again and reopened as Mercury Theater Chicago under the direction of Walter Stearns, a veteran theater director and producer. Mercury Theater Chicago's second performance space, Venus Cabaret Theater, offers a unique intimate theatrical experience complemented by specialty cocktails. Mercury Theater Chicago is thrilled to be part of the city's vibrant theatre community, boasting record-setting long runs, employing hundreds of artists, and recognized with dozens of award nominations. Mercury Theater Chicago's team includes Christopher Chase Carter (Artistic Director), Walter Stearns and Eugene Dizon (Executive Producers), Kristi J. Martens (Managing Director) and Honey West (Cabaret Director). Visit MercuryTheaterChicago.com.

Sunday, July 24, 2022

REVIEW: Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, the Musical Now Playing at Mercury Theater Through September 11, 2022

ChiIL Live Shows On Our Radar

Priscilla Queen of the Desert

Based on the film “The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert” by Stephan Elliot

Featuring legendary cabaret chanteuse Honey West as Bernadette

and Josh Houghton as Tick/Mitzi

Now Playing Through September 11, 2022



Review 

By Guest Critic Catherine Hellmann

Credit for All Production Photos, Brett Beiner Photography

“It’s raining men! Hallelujah!”  So opens this exuberant production. The audience was as stoked as the cast on opening night. After a crazy/frustrating couple years, delays, and  rumors that the historic Mercury Theater was closing, Priscilla was finally here! Hallelujah, indeed. 

“Hey, I know a lot of these songs!” declared my excited, easygoing sister. Of all the theater I have been dragging her to (like 3-5 shows a week), Teresa proclaimed this fun musical was one of her favorites. It is a crowd-pleaser with a very familiar score, such as “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun,” “I Say a Little Prayer,” “Thank God I’m a Country Boy,” and “Shake Your Groove Thing.” The rendition of the absurd “MacArthur Park” of the “cake left out in the rain” is an absolute hoot. 

I was excited to finally see the famous Honey West perform; she is perfect as the mature drag queen, Bernadette. Josh Houghton is wonderful as Tick/Mitzi. And Shaun White as Adam/Felicia is hilarious and bitchy; his lip-synch of “Sempre Libre” from Verdi’s opera La traviata is a highlight with his facial expressions and gestures. (Boy, I hate when drag queens have better legs than I do…) The three “divas” who act as a chorus are also standouts, especially Jessica Brooke Seals’ vocals. (“How do they change their costumes so fast?” my sis marveled.) Ayana Strutz has a dance number that made the audience gasp at her astounding flexibility! 

“Priscilla” is actually the name of the RV which the trio of drag queens take on their long journey. The scenic design by Jonathan Berg-Einhorn is truly inspired. The small stage of Mercury is limited, but the pink RV divided into decorated parts is clever and imaginative. How do you find an RV full of drag queens? “Follow the glitter.” 

The costumes by Robert Kuhn must be mentioned. (Ensembles in the audience made for great people-watching as well.) No diva worth her high heels can be complete without fabulous gowns. One of Mitzi’s dresses is covered in flip flops, which was my favorite. And the wigs by Keith Ryan are also inventive and fun.

Although this is an amusing and outrageous show, there are poignant moments and a strong message of acceptance. One of the drag queens asks why do they put up with insults and abuse every night? “So we feel like real women?” Hmmm…they get it. And there are also unabashed examples of prejudice and gay bashing in the show which remind us of the courage required to be so open about their “True Colors.” 

So, hobble on your stilettos and drape those feather boas and head out to catch “Priscilla.” You won’t want to miss this wild ride.

Catherine Hellmann is an educator, mom of educators, and theater junkie. She also loves reading and Chicago. And reading about Chicago. 

Mercury Theater Artistic Director Christopher Chase Carter, Managing Director Kristi J. Martens and Executive Producers Walter Stearns and Eugene Dizon announce the cast and creative team for the much-anticipated production of the summer, Priscilla Queen of the Desert. The musical features a book by Stephan Elliot and Allan Scott and is based on the film “The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert” by Stephan Elliot. This production is directed and choreographed by Artistic Director Christopher Chase Carter, with music direction by Executive Producer Eugene Dizon. Priscilla, Queen of the Desert runs July 15 – September 11, 2022 at Mercury Theater Chicago, 3745 N. Southport Avenue. 

The cast of Priscilla Queen of the Desert is led by legendary cabaret chanteuse Honey West as Bernadette and Josh Houghton as Tick/Mitzi and features Heather J. Beck (Diva, US Marion, US Shirley), Lydia Burke (Diva, US Cynthia, US Miss Understanding), John Cardone (Ensemble, US Bernadette), Marcus Jackson (Jimmy, Frank, Ensemble, US Bob, Dance Captain), Brittany D. Parker (Marion, Shirley, Ensemble, US Diva), Darren Patin (Miss Understanding, Ensemble, US Adam/Felicia), Jason Richards (Bob, Ensemble), Jessica Brooke Seals (Diva), Gabriel Solis (Benji), and Ayana Strutz (Cynthia, Ensemble), Shaun White (Adam/Felicia) and Matthew Weidenbener (Young Bernadette). 

The creative team for Priscilla Queen of the Desert includes Christopher Chase Carter (director/choreographer), Eugene Dizon (music director), Jonathan Berg-Einhorn (scenic and props designer), Bob Kuhn (costume designer), Carl Wahlstrom (sound designer), Max Maxim (video designer), Rachel West (lighting supervisor), Will Hughes (scenic supervisor), Kathy Logelin (dialect director) and Keely Vasquez (casting associate). The production stage manager is Kristi J. Martens and the assistant stage manager is Katie-Sarah Phillips.

Based on the smash-hit movie, Priscilla is the heartwarming, uplifting adventure of a glamorous Sydney-based performing trio who take their show to the middle of the Australian outback. They hop aboard a battered old bus (nicknamed Priscilla) searching for love and friendship and end up finding more than they ever imagined. With a hit parade of dance floor favorites including “It's Raining Men," "I Will Survive," "Hot Stuff," "Boogie Wonderland," "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun," and "I Love The Nightlife" this wildly fresh and funny musical is a journey to the heart of fabulous!

Tickets for Priscilla Queen of the Desert, priced $39-$85, are on sale now at the box office, 3745 N. Southport Avenue in Chicago, www.MercuryTheaterChicago.com.

More About Priscilla, Queen of the Desert

Book by: Stephan Elliot and Allan Scott

Based on the film “The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert” by Stephan Elliot

Directed and Choreographed by: Artistic Director Christopher Chase Carter

Music Direction by: Executive Producer Eugene Dizon

Featuring: Honey West (Bernadette) and Josh Houghton (Tick/Mitzi), as well as Heather J. Beck (Diva, US Marion, US Shirley), Lydia Burke (Diva, US Cynthia, US Miss Understanding), John Cardone (Ensemble, US Bernadette), Daniel Hurst (Young Bernadette, Ensemble, US Tick/Mitzi), Marcus Jackson (Jimmy, Frank, Ensemble, US Bob, Dance Captain), Brittany D. Parker (Marion, Shirley, Ensemble, US Diva), Darren Patin (Miss Understanding, Ensemble, US Adam/Felicia), Jason Richards (Bob, Ensemble), Jessica Brooke Seals (Diva), Gabriel Solis (Benji), and Ayana Strutz (Cynthia, Ensemble). Casting for the role of Adam/Felicia will be announced at a later date.

Creative Team: Christopher Chase Carter (director/choreographer), Eugene Dizon (music director), Jonathan Berg-Einhorn (scenic and props designer), Bob Kuhn (costume designer), Carl Wahlstrom (sound designer), Max Maxim (video designer), Rachel West (lighting supervisor), Will Hughes (scenic supervisor), Kathy Logelin (dialect director) and Keely Vasquez (casting associate). The production stage manager is Kristi J. Martens and the assistant stage manager is Daniel J. Hanson.


Dates: July 15 – September 11, 2022

Schedule:

Wednesdays: 7:30 p.m.

Thursdays: 7:30 p.m.

Fridays: 7:30 p.m.

Saturdays: 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Sundays: 2 p.m.


Location: Mercury Theater Chicago

3745 N. Southport Avenue, Chicago


Tickets: $39 – $85

Box Office: 3745 N. Southport Avenue in Chicago

www.MercuryTheaterChicago.com



COVID PROTOCOL: Mercury Theater Chicago follows the CDC and State of Illinois recommendations about maintaining a COVID safe environment. Any interaction with the public poses an inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19. By visiting Mercury Theater Chicago, it is understood that everyone voluntarily assumes all risks related to exposure.

All patrons will have to wear a mask throughout the performance when not actively eating or drinking regardless of vaccination status.


About Mercury Theater Chicago

The beautifully renovated Mercury Theater Chicago is in the heart of the Southport Corridor at 3745 North Southport Avenue, within a sophisticated neighborhood of restaurants and boutiques just steps from Wrigley Field. A delightful destination, Mercury Theater Chicago is a live-theater seating 280 people, adjoining Venus Cabaret Theater (seating 80). 

The building that houses the Mercury opened in 1912 as a silent film nickelodeon, named The Blaine Theatre after actor and former Senator and Secretary of State James G. Blaine. The Blaine became obsolete when talking pictures became popular nationwide in 1928. The building served a variety of uses until 1994, when it was purchased by theater producer Michael Cullen and transformed into a live theatre, named the Mercury Theatre.

In 2010 the building was sold again and reopened as Mercury Theater Chicago under the direction of Walter Stearns, a veteran theater director and producer. Mercury Theater Chicago's second performance space, Venus Cabaret Theater, offers a unique intimate theatrical experience complemented by specialty cocktails. Mercury Theater Chicago is thrilled to be part of the city's vibrant theatre community, boasting record-setting long runs, employing hundreds of artists and recognized with dozens of award nominations. Mercury Theater Chicago's team includes Christopher Chase Carter (Artistic Director), Walter Stearns and Eugene Dizon (Executive Producers), Kristi J. Martens (Managing Director) and Honey West (Cabaret Director). Visit www.MercuryTheaterChicago.com.



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