Epic Escapism Awaits With DENNIS WATKINS' NEW VIRTUAL SHOW: “THE MAGIC PARLOUR AT HOME”

Tickets on Sale Now for Virtual Performances 
Every Friday and Saturday in July

(Great for ages 12+ through adults of all ages)

REVIEW:
By Bonnie Kenaz-Mara

Friday night, my son and I ditched our quarantine casual wardrobes, donned cocktail party attire, and settled in to enjoy opening night of an interactive magic show in real time. The audience included folks from multiple states and even Mexico. It was at once familiar and completely new. In the era of Covid-19, when all live shows have gone dark, Dennis Watkins has worked nothing short of real magic, creating an astonishing social distancing show that still feels remarkably intimate and engaging. 

Like his acclaimed Palmer House iteration of Magic Parlour that's been wowing people for 9 years now, audience members are called on to assist with every trick. As individuals were called on via Zoom, our screens would appear, inset in the larger image of Dennis' show. We got to introduce ourselves and where we were watching from, then join in the fun as magician's assistant. 

With all mics unmuted, the interconnection of show goers was palpable, with audible applause, laughter, and reactions, missing from so much theatre online. It was also fun to catch a sneak peak "behind the curtain" as Dennis gave us a quick tour of his home studio space, designed specifically to morph remote magic into table magic, in your own home! Theatre people are nothing if not creative, and Dennis has discovered a way to reinvent post-covid parlour magic and storytelling in a way that works wonderfully.

The $75 ticket price may seem a bit spendy for an online show, but you can bring the whole family or a party of friends, all included in the base price, as long as you're watching in the same location on one screen. And this is no prerecorded piece. This is personal and worth every penny. 

As a third generation magician, Dennis' shows are a bit family history, a whole lot of mystery, and pure joy. We're no strangers to the Magic Parlour shows. I did a video interview with Dennis back in 2012, and I'd seen his act years before that even, in the pre Palmer House days, when The Magic Parlour was in the basement of Chicago's beloved House Theatre. 

So much has changed in the intervening decade, even pre-coronavirus. Dennis Watkins is a father to an adorable toddler now, and has been featured on Penn and Teller: Fool Us. Since opening at The Palmer House on New Year’s Eve of 2011, The Magic Parlour has enjoyed phenomenal success and unimagined growth. With fewer than 50 seats available per show, The Magic Parlour has entertained over 45,000 guests in its nine-year run. Additionally, it has hosted more than 1,300 ticketed audiences and dozens of private groups, facilitated three truly magical wedding proposals, and has been featured in two books (Chicago Magic: A History of Stagecraft and Spectacle and 100 Things to do in Chicago Before You Die).

I've taken my whole family and several lucky friends to Magic Parlour at Palmer House over the years, catching the show a handful of times, and it's always just as baffling and brilliant as the first time. Even with a jump to Zoom now, Dennis' world class prestidigitation, storytelling, and showmanship hasn't changed. The pandemic may be winning in the world at large this July, but it can't keep a great magician down. 

One of our favorite new bits is a group card trick where everyone brings their own deck. Despite copious amounts of shuffling, ripping of cards, putting a bit aside, and discarding of varied numbers of half cards (different for everyone), we all ended up reuniting two of our half cards in the end! In a time when disconnection from family and friends is taking a toll on everyone, this group magic was particularly gratifying. The whole show was a welcome and invaluable break from reality.

My son was called on for a mind reading bit, traditionally done in person with books, cleverly converted to cellphone. Dugan secretly picked Narwhals (his favorite animal) on Wikipedia from millions of possible entries, then randomly 

highlighted a word from the article that happened to be recommended. Even remotely, Dennis successfully divined both and wrote them in sharpie, amazing and amusing us all! I've got to agree with that choice and add another word... highly. “THE MAGIC PARLOUR AT HOME” is highly recommended. Don't miss this!

Bonnie Kenaz-Mara is a Chicago based writer-theater critic-photographer-videographer-actress-artist-general creatrix and Mama to two terrific teens. She owns two websites where she publishes frequently: ChiILLiveShows.com (adult) & ChiILMama.com (family friendly). 

Tickets on Sale Now for Virtual Performances Every Friday and Saturday in July

Famed third-generation magician, Dennis Watkins, is taking his one-of-a-kind magical experience The Magic Parlour online for a completely new virtual offering dubbed “The Magic Parlour at Home.” The new virtual magic show, designed for group and family viewings, will offer multiple performances every Friday and Saturday evening in July. After the roaring success of several livestreams hosted on The Magic Parlour’s Facebook page, Watkins developed “The Magic Parlour at Home” to dazzle audiences with new and interactive magic and mind reading available directly on their screens.



Tickets are now on sale for $75 and can be purchased online at themagicparlourchicago.com. A maximum of 30 tickets will be sold for each performance and each ticket will admit one “household” or up to 10 guests on one screen. All performances will take place via Zoom and require a computer with a functioning camera and microphone to participate as well as a high-speed internet connection. After tickets are purchased, patrons will receive an email containing instructions and a link to access the performance.

“During this time, I’ve learned to adapt my craft to be able to virtually perform the same caliber of magic my guests have come to expect from my performances at the Palmer House,” said Watkins. “The new acts I’ve created for The Magic Parlour at Home will provide a truly engaging and participatory magical experience for my virtual audience.”

"The Magic Parlour at Home” is recommended for adult audiences. Guests ages 12 and up are welcome to join, while guests under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult. For a fully immersive experience, guests are recommended to sport cocktail attire and bring their own deck of cards.

A complete list of performance dates and times is below. Additional 9:30 p.m. performances may be added subject to demand:

Friday, July 3: performances at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
Saturday, July 4: no performances due to Independence Day
Friday, July 10: performances at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
Saturday, July 11: performance at 7:30 p.m.
Friday, July 17: performance at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, July 18: performance at 7:30 p.m.
Friday, July 24: performance at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, July 25: performance at 7:30 p.m.
Friday, July 31: performance at 7:30 p.m.

For complete details and information on “The Magic Parlour at Home” and Watkins’ other virtual experiences including corporate and private events, teambuilding workshops and magic lessons, please visit: themagicparlourchicago.com.

Check out my 2012 interview with Dennis Watkins here for a blast from the past:




About The Magic Parlour
The Magic Parlour is an intimate evening of classic magic and mind-reading featuring the work of third-generation magician Dennis Watkins. Guests to this intimate, magic-packed evening gather at Potter's in the Palmer House lobby before Watkins personally escorts them to the performance space. Once inside, the audience participates in much of the performance as Watkins wows the room with classic sleight of hand, unbelievable mind-reading and magical wisdom passed down from his grandfather.

HELP OUT: Live Stream Fundraiser Thursday 3/19/20 To Star DIANA DeGARMO, ACE YOUNG And More

ChiIL Live Shows on our radar

Season of Concern Chicago Fundraiser

The Beautiful City Project 

With nearly all of Chicago's theater productions shuttered, one of the first fundraisers primarily aimed at a streaming audience has been put together by The Beautiful City Project, a Chicago-based musical theater company that exists solely as a fundraising arm for local charities and nonprofits.

This live stream-only event featuring American Idol and Broadway alums Diana DeGarmo and Ace Young, who were in town for the new HIT HER WITH THE SKATES at The Royal George Theatre, will be simulcast on The Beautiful City Project's Facebook and Instagram accounts Thursday, March 19 at 7:30 p.m. CST/8:30 p.m. EST.

The stream is completely free, with a suggested donation to Season of Concern Chicago, via a link from the feed, to help local artists most in need from the recent upending of the theater landscape.

The evening, musically directed by David Fiorello, also features a starry Chicago cast of Broadway veterans, multi-Jeff Award winners and a diverse crop of local favorites. Jessica Needham, Executive Director, The Beautiful City Project, will be monitoring the live stream and responding to questions and comments in real time.

The Beautiful City Project is committed to using musical theater as a tool to give back to the Chicago community, intent on building a promising tomorrow for a beautiful city. Cabaret performances highlight a different organization every month, while the mainstage programming of musicals in concert take a community issue head-on, raising awareness and funds to be given directly to an organization in need, making an immediate impact. A city-wide campaign of beautification and positivity will be the hallmark of a project intent on taking real action in our beautiful city. For more, visit thebeautifulcityproject.com.

Season of Concern Chicago provides short-term emergency financial assistance to local theatre practitioners who are unable to work due to illness or injury. 

AN EVENING OF SONGS AND STORIES WITH VERBÖTEN COMPOSER JASON NARDUCY MARCH 14 AT THE CHOPIN THEATRE

**Canceled Due to Coronavirus Closures**

ChiIL Live Shows on our radar

THE HOUSE THEATRE OF CHICAGO ANNOUNCES 

 A ONE NIGHT ONLY SPECIAL EVENT, 

AN EVENING OF SONGS AND STORIES WITH VERBÖTEN COMPOSER 

JASON NARDUCY, 

SATURDAY, MARCH 14 AT 8 P.M., AT THE CHOPIN THEATRE

Image of Jason Narducy courtesy of The House Theatre of Chicago

The House Theatre of Chicago presents An Evening of Songs and Stories with Verböten Composer Jason Narducy, Saturday, March 14 at 8 p.m. at the Chopin Theatre, 1543 W. Division St. Verböten is the world premiere musical inspired by Narducy’s 1980’s Evanston-based teenage punk rock band, directed by The House’s Artistic Director Nathan Allen, with book by Brett Neveu and music and lyrics by Narducy and now extended through March 29 at the Chopin Theatre. Tickets for An Evening of Songs and Stories with Verböten composer Jason Narducy are $40 and may be purchased at www.thehousetheatre.com.

The House Theatre of Chicago is thrilled to be able to offer fans of Narducy, Verböten and The House a rare opportunity to experience this acclaimed musician’s “Living Room” concert on the living room set of Verböten. The evening will highlight Narducy’s career with him sharing songs and personal stories of his own multi-decade musical journey.

ABOUT JASON NARDUCY
Jason Narducy is an Evanston-based musician. In 1982, at 11 years-old, he formed the seminal punk rock band Verböten with his childhood friends in an Evanston basement. Today, he plays bass in both the Bob Mould Band and Superchunk, and fronts Split Single, with whom he’s recorded two albums with a rotating cast of stellar musicians, including Jon Wurster, Spoon’s Britt Daniel,  Wilco’s John Stirratt, and R.E.M.’s Mike Mills.

ABOUT VERBÖTEN
It’s 1983 in Chicago and it’s do-or-die for Verböten—a band that is made up of outsider teens with seriously complex home lives. As they gear up for a show at The Cubby Bear that is sure to change their lives forever, can they keep their parents from destroying the fabric of their self-made punk rock family? With lyrics and music by Verböten’s original guitarist, Jason Narducy, Verböten is inspired by the true story of Chicago's own young punks.

The Verböten performance schedule through March 29 is as follows:

Thursdays and Fridays at 8 p.m.

Saturdays at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. (Alternative times:  Saturday, March 14 at

2 p.m., no performance March 14 at 8 p.m. and Saturday, March 28 at 2 p.m.and 7 p.m.      

Sundays at 3 p.m.  (No Performance Sunday, March 22).

Ticket prices range from $30-60 and may be purchased by calling 773.769.3832 or by visiting www.thehousetheatre.com.  Student and industry same-day discounted tickets are available at $20 for all dates, based on availability. Discounted tickets for groups of 10 or more are also available. 

For additional information on Verböten and its cast and design team visit www.thehousetheatre.com.

ABOUT THE HOUSE THEATRE OF CHICAGO
The House Theatre of Chicago is Chicago's premier home for intimate, original works of epic story and stagecraft. Founded and led by Artistic Director Nathan Allen, along with Managing Director Erik Schroeder, The House is driven by an interdisciplinary ensemble of Chicago’s next generation of great storytellers, and aims to become a laboratory and platform for the evolution of the American theatre as an inclusive and popular artform.

The House was founded in 2001 by a group of friends to explore connections between Community and Storytelling through a unique theatrical experience. Since becoming eligible in 2004, The House has won 24 Joseph Jefferson Awards, became the first recipient of Broadway in Chicago’s Emerging Theater Award in 2007, and was awarded a 2014 National Theatre Company Grant by the American Theatre Wing, founder of the Tony Awards. The 18th season of original work began this November and The House continues its mission to unite Chicago in the spirit of community through amazing feats of Storytelling.  

The House Theatre of Chicago presents An Evening of Songs and Stories with Verböten Composer Jason Narducy, Saturday, March 14 at 8 p.m. at the Chopin Theatre, 1543 W. Division St. Verböten is the world premiere musical inspired by Narducy’s 1980’s Evanston-based teenage punk rock band, directed by The House’s Artistic Director Nathan Allen, with book by Brett Neveu and music and lyrics by Narducy and now extended through March 29 at the Chopin Theatre.Tickets for An Evening of Songs and Stories with Verböten composer Jason Narducy are $40 and may be purchased at www.thehousetheatre.com.

INCOMING: Monster Magnet’s “Celebration of Powertrip” US Tour Begins March 20th

**Postponed Due to Coronavirus Closures**
All tickets will be honored for a later date TBD

Chi,IL Live Shows On Our Radar:

MONSTER MAGNET 

Kicks Off North American Tour in Two Weeks!

Nebula and Silvertomb to Support

ChiIL Live Shows will be out to catch MONSTER MAGNET in Chicago at The Metro. Don't miss this. 

Psych rock legends MONSTER MAGNET will return to the road in North America this spring to celebrate their historic release, Powertrip.  Their live set will feature select cuts from this seminal album as well as MONSTER MAGNET fan favorites.  Support on the tour will come from Nebula and Silvertomb. The tour begins March 20th in Brooklyn, NY and runs through April 18th in Sayreville, NJ. A complete list of dates can be found below.

MONSTER MAGNET W/ Nebula and Silvertomb:
3/20: Brooklyn, NY @ Elsewhere
3/21: Boston, MA @ Sinclair
3/22: Philadelphia, PA @ Underground Arts
3/24: Pittsburgh, PA @ Rex Theater
3/25: Toronto, ON @ The Opera House
3/27: Flint, MI @ The Machine Shop
3/28: Chicago, IL @ The Metro
3/29: Minneapolis, MN @ Fine Line
3/31: Denver, CO @ The Oriental Theater
4/1: Salt Lake City, UT @ Metro Bar
4/3: Vancouver, BC @ The Rickshaw
4/4: Seattle, WA @ El Corazon
4/5: Portland, OR @ Hawthorne Theater
4/7: San Francisco, CA @ Great American Music Hall
4/8: Los Angeles, CA @ The Fonda
4/9: Las Vegas, NV @ The House of Blues
4/10: San Diego, CA @ Observatory North Park
4/13: Dallas, TX @ Gas Monkey Bar N’ Grill
4/15: Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade
4/16: Charleston, SC @ The Music Farm
4/17: Baltimore, MD @ Baltimore Sound Stage
4/18: Sayreville, NJ @ Starland Ballroom

The release of Powertrip marked MONSTER MAGNET’s commercial breakthrough, seeing them achieve mainstream success due largely to the hit single, "Space Lord". Other hit songs on the album include "Powertrip", "Temple of Your Dreams", and "See You in Hell". The album itself reached #1 on the Heatseekers Charts, #21 in the German Charts, #65 in the UK Charts, and #97 on the Billboard 200. The album was certified gold by the RIAA on January 25, 1999.

Order MONSTER MAGNET’s latest Napalm Records release, 2018’s Mindfucker, HERE + watch the video for the title track below.

REVIEW: PORCHLIGHT MUSIC THEATRE'S NEW FACES SING BROADWAY NOW

Chi, IL Live Shows On Our Radar:

PORCHLIGHT MUSIC THEATRE'S 

NEW FACES SING BROADWAY NOW, 

MONDAY, FEB. 24 AT EVANSTON SPACE 

AND TUESDAY, FEB. 25 AT THE ARTS CLUB OF CHICAGO 

The Star of Freaky Friday The Musical Cory Goodrich Takes Audiences on A Tour of Broadway’s Current Season with a Cast of New Talent

All Photos by Austin Packard

The cast of NEW FACES SING BROADWAY NOW with host Cory Goodrich from Porchlight Music Theatre at Evanston SPACE

Guest Review:

by Catherine Hellmann

From the familiar Hamilton and The Lion King to new(er) musicals like Jagged Little Pill (music by Alanis Morissette) and Ain’t Too Proud, The Life and Times of the Temptations, the “New Faces Sing Broadway Now” by Porchlight Music Theatre is a delightful evening of amazing talent. Held at Evanston Space on Chicago Avenue, this is a really cool venue for cabaret seating and enjoying a cocktail during the show (and before and after??). Space has hosted such acts as Dr. John, The Lumineers, and Alabama Shakes. There is also a recording studio in the venue and a pizza restaurant with a beer garden called Union Squared attached. It has everything!!  A second show was held at The Arts Club of Chicago at 201 E. Ontario. 

Hosted by the talented--and funny---Jeff-winner Cory Goodrich, she introduced the dazzling cast and joined in some of the routines herself. My companion (and former 7th grade  student who is now a teacher herself! Life is cool...) and I really liked when Miss Goodrich tuned her guitar and made a crack about her “g-string being out of tune.” Ms. Goodrich can be seen in the upcoming production of Freaky Friday at Porchlight. That should be a hoot. It opens on April 10.  

 (L to R) Emily Agy, Jayla Williams-Craig and Alli Atkenson in NEW FACES SING BROADWAY NOW from Porchlight Music Theatre at Evanston SPACE

The entire cast each brought something special to the performance. It would be futile to pick a “favorite.” But I will mention some standouts. I loved “Girl Scout” from Beetlejuice by Rebecca Keeshin. The “Bad Guy Medley” featured songs of the villains in shows: characters from Phantom of the Opera, Hadestown, Beetlejuice, and the king in Hamilton. The gentlemen singing were: Barry DeBois, Laz Estrada, and Michael E. Martin. Emily Agy electrified the place with “River Deep” from Tina. 

The show Six, about the half dozen unfortunate wives of King Henry VIII, had its North American debut at Chicago Shakespeare Theater last year and has gone on to Broadway as a huge hit. (It will be touring this summer and back in Chicago at Broadway Playhouse. I hear it is a must-see. You’re welcome.) The song “Ex Wives” features all of the women in the cast belting it out. The other ladies in the show were: Alli Atkenson, Nina Jayashankar, and Jayla Williams Craig. Curiously, Chicago boasts four of the stars in Six currently running in New York---they were all in past “New Faces Sing Broadway” shows. So you could be enjoying theTony-award winners of tomorrow.   

There was a trivia contest based on Jerry Herman shows, the beloved composer of Mame and Hello, Dolly! There were audience sing-alongs for “Hakuna Matata” and “All That Jazz” from Chicago. A fun evening all around. 

Porchlight will be hosting a “New Faces Sing Broadway: 1987” on April 27 at Evanston Space and April 28 at The Arts Club of Chicago. The musicals featured will be from 1987, so get ready to hear Les Miserables, Into the Woods, and Me and My Girl, plus others. 

Catherine Hellmann is a teacher and lover of musicals. She is way excited to finally see Dear Evan Hansen this summer. 

 Laz Estrada in NEW FACES SING BROADWAY NOW from Porchlight Music Theatre at Evanston SPACE

Porchlight Music Theatre announces the star of Porchlight’s spring production, the Chicago premiere of Disney’s Freaky Friday, A New Musical Cory Goodrich as the host of New Faces Sing Broadway NOW, directed by Johanna McKenzie Miller and music directed by Tom Vendafreddo; at Evanston at SPACE, 1245 Chicago Ave., Monday, Feb. 24 at 7:30 p.m. and at The Arts Club of Chicago, 201 E. Ontario Street, Tuesday, Feb. 25 at 7:30 p.m. Single tickets to each New Faces are $37 at SPACE and $60 at The Arts Club. The Arts Club performances include a pre-performance cocktail hour starting at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are available at PorchlightMusicTheatre.org or by calling the Porchlight Music Theatre box office, 773.777.9884.

  Jayla Williams-Craig in NEW FACES SING BROADWAY NOW from Porchlight Music Theatre 

at Evanston SPACE

Porchlight Music Theatre’s hugely popular New Faces Sing Broadway series takes audiences on a musical journey from start to finish of an entire Broadway season. Peppered with photos and films of that theatrical year in an exciting multimedia presentation, trivia games with prizes, sing-alongs and more, in this edition, New Faces Sing Broadway NOW, host Goodrich introduces the audience to the next generation of Chicago music theatre artists while serving as a guide to the stars, songs and stories of this current season on Broadway including songs from Hadestown, Moulin Rouge, Jagged Little Pill, TINA - The Tina Turner Musical and more. 

The cast of New Faces Sing Broadway NOW is  Emily Agy, Alli Atkenson, Barry DeBois, Laz Estrada, Nina Jayashankar, Becky Keeshin, Christopher Kelley, Michael E. Martin,  Sam Shankman and Jayla Wlliams-Craig. The stage manager is Sean Michael Mohler and sound board  operator at The Arts Club is Warren “Levon” Jackson.

Goodrich hosts the latest New Faces Sing Broadway and was recently announced as the lead in Porchlight Music Theatre’s spring Mainstage production, the Chicago premiere of Disney’s Freaky Friday, April 10 - May 24, 2020 at the Ruth Page Center for the Arts. Disney’s Freaky Friday is the newest musical comedy for the whole family and is based on the hit book and beloved films. Freaky Friday comes from the combined talents who created Once Upon a Mattress, Friday Night Lights, Parenthood, Next to Normal, American Idiot, High Fidelity, If/Then and Bring it On.

Many artists who have been part of the New Faces Sing Broadway series have continued their careers on television and local and national stages including Dawn Bless (Waitress-national tour), Katherine Bourne (Heartbreak Hotel), Kyrie Courter (Jeff nominee-Next to Normal), Gilbert Domally (Jeff nominee-The Total Bent), Andres Enriquez (Jeff nominee-A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder), Theo Germaine (Showtime’s “Work in Progress”), Lucy Godinez (Marriott Theatre’s Oliver), Emily Goldberg (Jeff nominee-A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder), Nicole Michelle Haskins (The Goodman’s The Music Man), Michelle Lauto (Jeff winner-Spamilton), Yando Lopez (Jeff nominee-Spamilton), Henry McGinniss (Book of Mormon-national tour), Anthony Norman (The Prom-Broadway), Patrick Rooney (Les Miserables-national tour), Aalon Smith (Porchlight’s Gypsy), Katherine Thomas (Jeff winner-Ragtime), Aeriel Williams (Court’s Oedipus Rex) and Nicole Lambert, Courtney Mack, Mallory Maedke and Samantha Pauly (all heading to Broadway with Six).

ABOUT CORY GOODRICH, New Faces Sing Broadway NOW, host 
Cory Goodrich is making her Porchlight Music Theatre debut in Freaky Friday, A New Musical. Goodrich is a Jeff Award-winning actress for her roles as “Mother” in Ragtime (Drury Lane Oakbrook) and as “June Carter Cash” in Ring of Fire, (Mercury Theater Chicago). A five-time Jeff nominee, Goodrich is also a writer, artist and mother of two, a children’s composer with her two award-winning CDs, “Hush” and “Wiggly Toes,” and singer/songwriter with two albums: “W.O.M.A.N” and “Wildwood Flower” and producer of six volumes of “Season of Carols, Holiday Music to Benefit Season of Concern.”

ABOUT JOHANNA MCKENZIE MILLER, New Faces Sing Broadway NOW, director
Since directing last years New Faces Sing Broadway 1941 with Porchlight Music Theatre, Johanna McKenzie Miller has directed both Junie B. Jones and Madagascar-A Musical Adventure for The Marriott Theatres TYA series. In addition to directing, she also appeared as “Vi” in Footloose at The Marriott Theatre, and in Mamma Mia and Mary Poppins at Drury Lane Oakbrook Terrace. This year, Miller will be directing Kiss Me Kate at The Marriott Theatre and Steel Magnolias at Drury Lane Oakbrook.  

ABOUT TOM VENDAFREDDO, New Faces Sing Broadway NOW, music director
Tom Vendafreddo has music directed most of the Paramount Theatre’s Broadway Series since the fall of 2013, including Stephen Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd, for which he won the 2017 Joseph Jefferson Award for outstanding music direction. Other Chicago credits include productions at Writers Theatre, Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, Marriott Theatre and Bohemian Ensemble (Jeff Nominee for The Spitfire Grill and A Little Night Music). Select regional credits include Billy Elliott (Signature Theatre, DC), The Who’s Tommy (Music Theatre Heritage), Murder for Two (Mason Street Warehouse) and Rent (San Diego Musical Theatre). He received his Bachelor of Music degree from Eastman School of Music and his Master of Fine Arts degree from San Diego State University.

Sam Shankman in NEW FACES SING BROADWAY NOW from Porchlight Music Theatre 
at Evanston SPACE

ABOUT PORCHLIGHT MUSIC THEATRE AS RUTH PAGE ARTIST IN-RESIDENCE
Porchlight Music Theatre is proud to be a member of the vibrant Ruth Page Center for the Arts community and an Artist In-Residence. Central to the Ruth Page Center for the Arts’ programming is the Artists In-Residence program, which is designed to serve organizations looking for a home base while they grow or expand their artistic and organizational capabilities. The Center is committed to nurturing and assisting dance and other performing artists, allowing for exchange and collaborative relationships to develop within the artistic community. The Ruth Page Center for the Arts is a destination for quality performing arts, accessible to a wide community regardless of race, gender, age, education or disability. An incubator of artistic energy and excellence, the Ruth Page Center for the Arts carries forward the vision of its founder, legendary dance icon Ruth Page, to be a platform for developing great artists and connecting them with audiences and community.

ABOUT PORCHLIGHT MUSIC THEATRE
As the home for music theatre in Chicago now in its 25th season, Porchlight Music Theatre is nationally recognized for reimagining classic productions, developing new works and showcasing musical theatre’s noted Chicago veterans and rising stars. Porchlight elevates the genre by providing intimate and powerful theatrical experiences of music theatre through the lens of the “Chicago Style.” The 2017–2018 year marked a milestone for Porchlight as the company became an Artist In-Residence at the historic Ruth Page Center for the Arts in Chicago’s Gold Coast. Porchlight’s rich history includes the staging of more than 70 productions with 15 Chicago premieres and five world premieres. Through Porchlight’s “Off the Porch” new works program, the musicals of the next generation are developed and given a first audience. The School at Porchlight is Chicago’s center for music theatre training in the areas of performance, writing and appreciation including the launch of a youth summer “Make Your Own Musical” Camp in 2017. The company’s many accolades include 30 Black Theatre Alliance nominations and 12 awards, as well as a total of 167 Joseph Jefferson Award nominations resulting in 42 Jeff Awards including five consecutive Best Production awards for The Scottsboro Boys (2017), Dreamgirls (2016), Sondheim on Sondheim (2015), Ain’t Misbehavin’ (2014) and A Class Act (2013).

Porchlight Music Theatre announces the star of Porchlight’s spring production, the Chicago premiere of Disney’s Freaky Friday, A New Musical Cory Goodrich as the host of New Faces Sing Broadway NOW, directed by Johanna McKenzie Miller and music directed by Tom Vendafreddo; at Evanston at SPACE, 1245 Chicago Ave., Monday, Feb. 24 at 7:30 p.m. and at The Arts Club of Chicago, 201 E. Ontario Street, Tuesday, Feb. 25 at 7:30 p.m. Single tickets to each New Faces are $37 at SPACE and $60 at The Arts Club. The Arts Club performances include a pre-performance cocktail hour starting at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are available at PorchlightMusicTheatre.org or by calling the Porchlight Music Theatre box office, 773.777.9884.

The 2019 – 2020 25th Anniversary Season is dedicated to the memory of long-time Board Member George K. “Kim” Sargent. 

The Bayless Family Foundation is a 2019 – 2020 25th Anniversary Season Sponsor.

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

Porchlight Music Theatre is partially supported by generous contributions from the Abe and Ida Cooper Foundation, Actors’ Equity Foundation, Allstate, Bayless Family Foundation, Michael Best & Friedrich LLP, Chapman | Spingola, Attorneys at Law, the Gaylord & Dorothy Donnelley Foundation, Elegant Event Lighting, Elevate Energy, James P. and Brenda S. Grusecki Family Foundation, Hearty Boys, Hopsmith, A.L. and Jennie L. Luria Foundation, the MacArthur Fund for Arts & Culture at Prince, the Pritzker Traubert Foundation, Daniel and Genevieve Ratner Foundation, The Saints, Dr. Scholl Foundation, the Stuart Family Foundation,  the Topfer Family Foundation and Walton Street Kitchen. 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. 

GIVEAWAY: WIN 4 Tickets ($260 Value) To Middletown at Chicago's Apollo Theatre Through March 22, 2020

MIDDLETOWN® 

Comes to Chicago with Star-Studded cast at the Apollo Theater

WIN 4 Tickets ($260 Value) To 

Middletown 

at Chicago's Apollo Theater Through March 22, 2020. 

Winners choice of date/time pending availability.

Enter through midnight, Wednesday March 4th 

for your Chance to WIN!

I'll be out for the Middletown press opening March 4th, so check back soon for my full review. I'll also be giving away 4 tickets to one lucky winner. Enter like we vote in Chi, IL... early and often, through midnight March 4th. It's Chicago's birthday, but you might get the best present with a big ticket win! 

GFour Productions, producers of MENOPAUSE THE MUSICAL® and Tony-nominated FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, announced that they will present their new play MIDDLETOWN® at The Apollo Theater from February 27 - March 22, 2020. 

The cast will star SANDY DUNCAN, known for her portrayal of Peter in PETER PAN; DONNY MOST, known for his role as “Ralph Malph” in the hit TV show HAPPY DAYS; and ADRIAN ZMED, best known for his starring roles in the BACHELOR PARTY and TV’s T.J. HOOKER. 

The cast will also feature Chicago actress and multi Jeff Award winner KATE BUDDEKE (Broadway: Superior Donuts, Carousel, Death of a Salesman with Brian Dennehy, Gypsy with Bernadette Peters and A Streetcar Named Desire with Natasha Richardson).



An exhilarating and universal depiction of love and friendship, MIDDLETOWN® follows the story of two couples who endure the roller coaster of life together, including the highs, the lows, and everything in between. Staged without a set or props, the stars read directly from scripts, as if reading from the book of their own lives — and ours.

“I wanted to tell a relatable ‘every-person’s’ story in a direct and straightforward manner where human emotions are front and center – without bells, whistles, special effects, or props,” said writer Dan Clancy, best known for his play THE TIMEKEEPERS, which ran off-Broadway and in Israel for 13 years. “I wanted the words to speak for themselves.”

The initial workshop of MIDDLETOWN received a Carbonell nomination for “Best New Work” in 2017 and was originally presented at the Jan McArt Reading Series and West Boca Theatre Company. In 2019, MIDDLETOWN® premiered to critical acclaim in Las Vegas, Bucks County, Pa., and Wilmington, Del.

As the New Hope Free Press describes, “Like Love Letters, the ‘play’s the thing,’ as Shakespeare might say. The show has four podiums downstage where the actors stand with scripts before them. … For all intents and purposes, this is just the actor telling you their stories with no blocking. This only works if the stories are worth telling and the actors are good enough to tell them. And the answer is a resounding YES!”

Tickets are $65 and may be purchased at The Apollo Theatre, 2540 North Lincoln, or by phone at 773-935-6100 or online at www.apollochicago.com.  Visit the website for full performance schedule.

WIN 4 Tickets ($260 Value) To 

Middletown 

at Chicago's Apollo Theater Through March 22, 2020. 

Winners choice of date/time pending availability.

Enter through midnight, Wednesday March 4th 

for your Chance to WIN!

ENTER HERE

REVIEW: Almost Heaven: John Denver’s America At Theatre at the Center in Munster, Indiana Through March 22, 2020

ChiIL Live Shows on our radar:
Chicago-area Premiere of 
Almost Heaven: John Denver’s America

at Theatre at the Center in Munster

Photos by Guy Rhodes from left to right:  Steven Romero Schaeffer, Tommy Malouf and Sara Geist

Guest Review:
by Catherine Hellmann

“All my bags are packed. I’m ready to go. I’m standing here outside your door. I hate to wake you up to say good-bye…” Everybody, join in! “I’m leaving on a jet plane. Don’t know when I’ll be back again. Oh, babe, I hate to gooooo.” 

My sister and I still sing this sweet yet melancholy tune to each other before a trip. The song, made popular by folk trio Peter, Paul, and Mary, is just one of the delightful  familiar melodies penned by John Denver featured in this show. There are so many moments during this charming musical that elicit a smile and recognition of, ”Oh, yeah! He wrote this one, too! I always liked this song...”

If you are a certain age, you will already be acquainted with “Take Me Home, Country Roads,” “Rocky Mountain High,” “Thank God I’m a Country Boy,” and “Sunshine on My Shoulders.”  The song that made me happiest to hear was the lovely rendition of “Fly Away,” and made me wonder why I don’t listen to more John Denver music. His songs certainly “speak to the human experience.” 

Yeah, so he was corny and he “sang with the Muppets,” Denver is ribbed in the very brief storyline. Denver, real name: Deuschendorf, Jr. (worth changing!), had a queaky-clean image that occasionally clashed with Real Life, such as his divorce from the woman who inspired the romantic “Annie’s Song.” (written in ten minutes while John sat on a ski lift in Colorado after the couple had a fight). He had some early controversy from his anti-Vietnam War songs, a couple DUIs, another unsuccessful marriage, and his longtime record label kicked him to the curb, but his fan base remained strong and unwavering. In fact, a lot of the background info stems from fan letters read aloud onstage. 

Aside from that, I learned that Denver was personally bummed about not being invited to perform at Woodstock! (can you just imagine “Grandma’s Feather Bed” in the same concert with Jimi Hendrix?? Ok, that song came five years later...and wasn’t all original, but it’s a hilarious image, right??) Otherwise, I feel like I didn’t learn much about the man. That is a fault in the plot---or lack thereof. 

My music-loving boyfriend commented, ”I thought it would be more like the ‘Buddy Holly Story’ with more acting. It was like a John Denver cover band.” 

That is no fault of the performers. Almost Heaven has a very talented cast of singers who are also accomplished musicians, playing guitars, banjo, and mandolin. Their harmonies are simply beautiful. Sara Geist, Tommy Malouf, Shannon McEldowney, Andrew Mueller, and Steven Romero Schaeffer sang some sections a cappella in arrangements that were completely fresh. The band is onstage, which is always cool to see. Alison Tatum deserves special note as the violinist. Everyone is having a great time. It’s a very fun, upbeat show.

Denver was an environmentalist who loved the natural beauty of our world. He would be very saddened to see how our earth is being mistreated and how many lands are in danger of being unprotected. I would have loved to see what inspiring and warning songs he would have produced today. From “Wild Montana Skies” to the lovely “Calypso,” written as a tribute to Jacques Cousteau, to the final “Yellowstone,” all are reminders of all the endearing songs John Denver still needed to give the world. 

Catherine Hellmann loves theater and traveling. She’s been to Colorado, Montana, and West Virginia. She thanks God that she’s a City Girl.  

Theatre at the Center Artistic Director Linda Fortunato has cast Shannon McEldowney, Steven Romero Schaeffer, Andrew Mueller, Sara Geist and Tommy Malouf in the musical revue Almost Heaven: John Denver’s America to open its 30th Anniversary Season.   The cast will be joined on stage by musicians William Underwood, Malcolm Ruhl and Alison Tatum.   Fortunato will direct and William Underwood is the Music Director.   Previews begin on February 13 with an Opening Night on February 16 and a continued run through March 22.

According to Variety, “The show pays tribute to an artist who remains great at making people feel good.”

Almost Heaven: John Denver’s America, written and adapted by Peter Glazer and directed by Linda Fortunato, is a musical tribute and intimate celebration of John Denver’s life and career.   From growing up in a military family to his emergence on the 1960s folk scene, the climb to ‘70s superstardom and his later career of the 1980s and 1990s, John Denver’s story is brought to life in this Chicago-area premiere through hits such as “Country Roads,” Rocky Mountain High,” Annie’s Song,” and “Sunshine on My Shoulders.”

Shannon McEldowney returns to TATC after her work swinging in The Pajama Game.   Other credits include Elf and Young Frankenstein at Little Theatre on the Square, Mama Mia at Drury Lane Oakbrook and Disaster at Chicago Theatre Workshop.

Steven Romero Shaeffer returns to TATC after performing in Big River in 2017.   His Chicago credits include roles in Always, Patsy Cline at Firebrand Theatre and Into the Woods at Writer’s Theatre.   He has also toured with Troupe America in Pump Boys and Dinettes.

Andrew Mueller is making his TATC debut.   Other Chicagoland credits include Jesus Christ Superstar at Lyric Opera, Rent at Paramount Theatre, Shakespeare In Love and As You Like It at Chicago Shakespeare, Man of La Mancha at Marriott Theatre and Big River at BoHo Theatre.   Off Broadway roles include Peter and The Starcatcher and Alice By Heart.

Sara Geist, making her debut at TATC, began her professional career at age 12 in The American Girl Revue.   Since then she has performed with Mason Street Warehouse, Emerald City Theatre, Intrinsic Theatre Co., Windy City Performs, Next Theatre and on TV in Chicago Fire.

Tommy Malouf returns to TATC where he last appeared as Johnny Cash in Million Dollar Quartet.   Other Chicago credits include work with Remy Bumppo, The House Theatre of Chicago, Jackalope and Steep.

The creative team for Almost Heaven: John Denver’s America includes Scenic Designer and Head of Production Ann Davis, Lighting Designer G. “Max” Maxin IV, Sound Designer Joe Palermo, Costume Designer Brenda Winstead and Prop Designer Melissa Geel.   Stage manager is Jessica Banaszak.   Linda Fortunato is teamed with TATC General Manager Richard Friedman.

Founded in 1991, the 410-seat TATC is a year-round professional theater at its home: The Center for Visual and Performing Arts, 1040 Ridge Road in Munster, Indiana.   TATC is an accessible venue with plenty of free parking and is located off I-80/94, just 35 minutes from downtown Chicago.

Performances are 2 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays; 7:30 p.m. Fridays; 3p.m and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays; and 2:30 p.m. on Sundays.   Individual tickets prices range from $42 - $46.   To purchase individual tickets, call the Box Office at 219-836-3255.   Group discounts are available for groups of 11 or more.   Student tickets are $20 and gift certificates are also available.   For more information on Theatre at the Center, visit www.TheatreAtTheCenter.com.