REVIEW: Carmen at Lyric Opera On Stage Through April 7, 2023

 ChiIL Live Shows On Our Radar

One of the world’s most beloved operas returns to Chicago 

March 11 – April 7, 2023

Review of Carmen at Lyric Opera

By Catherine Hellmann, Guest Critic 

“If I love you, beware!” declares Carmen in Act I. Well, she warns the gullible soldier Don Jose right from the start, but he welcomes the danger. (shake my head…) 

J’Nai Bridges is a very seductive, beautiful Carmen who is hard to resist. Her Carmen is sexy and captivating. She is playful and confident---I loved when she chugged wine straight from the bottle at the bar. 

In contrast is the very sweet Micaela, a girl from Don Jose’s hometown, who brings a letter from his mother. Golda Schultz was making her Lyric debut as Micaela and has a gorgeous voice. She and Don Jose have a beautiful duet; Jose’s mother urges him to marry Micaela. But bad-girl Carmen is just too alluring for Don Jose. (sung by handsome tenor Charles Castronovo)

Carmen urges Don Jose to abandon the Army. He refuses until his commanding officer Lieutenant Zuniga approaches with hopes of seeing Carmen himself. A jealous Don Jose, in a very poor career move, strikes Zuniga. Don Jose is now like Pee Wee Herman: “a loner…a rebel.” 

The revolutionaries sing “when conniving, it’s good to have women along,” so Carmen is their girl. (ah, those sexist lyrics…the opera was first performed in 1875.) After her fling with Don Jose, Carmen quickly moves on to bullfighter Escamillo. 

A very awkward moment occurs when there is silence between Acts III and IV while sets are changed for new scenes. Some music from the orchestra and that gorgeous, familiar score would have been appreciated. My sis recognized much of the music, from the “Habanera” in Act I to the “Toreador Song” in Act II. Carmen is often the first introduction to opera for many audience members.   

The Lyric Opera Chorus and the Uniting Voices Chicago (UVC, formerly the Chicago Children’s Choir) do an admirable job as always. I’m often reminded of a Cecil B. DeMille movie with its “cast of thousands” since the Lyric productions are so epic. The costumes are gorgeous by Robert Perdziola, especially the ladies’ gowns and the bullfighters’ outfits with lots of sequins. 

By the end, Carmen is dead, having been stabbed by her former lover, Don Jose, when she rejects him. (“Does someone always die in an opera?” questioned my sister. “Usually,” I answered.) Oh, Don Jose…you should have listened to your mother. 

Catherine Hellmann teaches downtown at a cool charter school. She loves theater, Chicago history, museums, reading, walking, and finding new restaurants. (Riding the CTA daily sometimes provides the best live performances in the city!) She needs to get to Hawaii to claim all 50 states visited.  

Opera’s legendary femme fatale returns to Lyric Opera of Chicago with Bizet’s Carmen — March 11 – April 7, 2023 — starring J’Nai Bridges, a leading interpreter of the famous title role and a singer with deep Chicago roots. Audiences are invited to experience one of opera’s greatest hits, featuring iconic music that is instantly recognizable even for those new to the art form.

The diva you know and love. BET has described two-time Grammy Award winner J’Nai Bridges as “the Beyoncé of the opera world.” As Carmen, a signature role she has portrayed around the globe, that description couldn’t be more accurate. An alumna of Lyric’s Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center training program and a Kennedy Center Next 50 cultural leader, the mezzo-soprano makes her triumphant return to the Lyric stage. Bridges has appeared in more than 15 productions at Lyric and continues to shine as an unparalleled talent in opera.

A star-studded cast. Bridges is joined by Charles Castronovo as Don José. A critically acclaimed tenor, he was last seen at Lyric during the 2021/22 Season as Nemorino in The Elixir of Love. He is joined by South African soprano Golda Schultz as Micaëla in her Lyric debut. Schultz is the 2022 winner of the prestigious Bavarian Culture Prize, with the citation proclaiming that “a fantastic firework of tones fills the stage when Golda Schultz sings.” The first prize winner in the 2019 BBC Cardiff Singer of the World competition, Ukrainian baritone Andrei Kymach sings the role of the charismatic bullfighter Escamillo in his Lyric debut.

An international supporting cast of future stars. This production of Carmen is heightened by members of the Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center Ensemble. Mexican soprano Denis Vélez is Frasquita and mezzo-soprano and Michigan native Katherine DeYoung is Mercédès. Hailing from New York, tenor Ryan Capozzo is Remendado, while Colombian baritone Laureano Quant is Dancaïre. Bass Wm. Clay Thompson, a Kentucky native, is Zuniga, and baritone Wisconsinite Ian Rucker joins his fellow Ensemble members as Moralès. Rounding out this stellar cast is Mexican tenor Alejandro Luévanos as Lillas Pastia. 

Opera’s biggest blockbuster. The immensely talented Lyric Opera Orchestra will be led by accomplished conductor Henrik Nánási, who is acclaimed for his performances of Carmen in one of opera’s biggest theaters, the Arena di Verona. At Lyric, he was last seen during the 2019/20 Season in Madama Butterfly, and made a memorable debut in the 2015/16 Season leading Le nozze di Figaro. He served as general music director at Komische Oper Berlin from 2012 to 2017. Nánási is joined by talented stage director Marie Lambert-Le Bihan, whose work at Lyric includes La clemenza di Tito in the 2013/14 Season and Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg in the 2012/13 Season.

A proper operatic spectacle, Carmen features the talents of set designer Robin Don, costume design by Robert Perdziola, and lighting design from Chris Maravich. This production also includes a children’s chorus featuring members of Uniting Voices Chicago, led by Josephine Lee. As always, Lyric’s brilliant chorus will be directed by chorus master Michael Black. 

Dance the night away. This spirited production of Carmen features choreography from Stephanie Martinez. An award-winning Chicago-based dance artist and founder of the acclaimed PARA.MAR Dance Theatre, she was awarded Joffrey Ballet’s “Winning Works: Choreographers of Color” commission in 2015. Martinez is assisted by Noelle Kayser alongside ballet instruction courtesy of August Tye.

New to opera? Start with a certified classic. Carmen has cemented itself in popular culture with its iconic music and irresistibly tragic story. Audiences will fall in love with opera’s fiercest heroine, so get ready for the biggest operatic sensation of the season — only at Lyric Opera of Chicago. 

Important to know

· Eight chances to see Carmen: March 11, 15 (matinee), 19 (matinee), 22, 25, 30 (matinee), April 2 (matinee), and 7.

· Sung in French, with projected English titles.

· A total running time of 3 hours and 25 minutes, including two intermissions.

· For updated information about Lyric’s ongoing initiatives regarding health and safety protocols, visit lyricopera.org/safety.

Lyric’s presentation of Bizet’s Carmen is generously made possible by Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP, Liz Stiffel, and the Lauter McDougal Charitable Fund.

Lyric Opera of Chicago thanks its Official Airline, American Airlines, and acknowledges support from the Illinois Arts Council Agency.

About Lyric

Lyric Opera of Chicago is committed to redefining what it means to experience great opera. The company is driven to deliver consistently excellent artistry through innovative, relevant, celebratory programming that engages and energizes new and traditional audiences.

Under the leadership of General Director, President & CEO Anthony Freud, Music Director Enrique Mazzola, and Special Projects Advisor Renée Fleming, Lyric is dedicated to reflecting, and drawing strength from, the diversity of Chicago. Lyric offers, through innovation, collaboration, and evolving learning opportunities, ever-more exciting, accessible, and thought-provoking audience and community experiences. We also stand committed to training the artists of the future, through The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center; and to becoming increasingly diverse across our audiences, staff, programming, and artists—magnifying the welcoming pull of our art form, our company, and our city.

Through the timeless power of voice, the splendor of a great orchestra and chorus, theater, dance, design, and truly magnificent stagecraft, Lyric is devoted to immersing audiences in worlds both familiar and unexpected, creating shared experiences that resonate long after the curtain comes down.

Join us @LyricOpera on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. #LongLivePassion

For more information, visit lyricopera.org/newseason.

Depeche Mode Memento Mori Out Now And World Tour Underway

 

ChiIL Live Shows On Our Radar

Depeche Mode  Memento Mori Out Now  Memento Mori World Tour Underway

The wait is over: Depeche Mode has released its eagerly anticipated 15th studio album Memento Mori, available on 2LP vinyl, CD, cassette, and digital as of today, March 24, via Columbia Records. Early reaction to Memento Mori has been unanimously positive, with The New York Times citing the band’s “exquisite darkness,” Rolling Stone praising the album’s “characteristic musical beauty and lyrical depth,” and the Associated Press raving "The music is staring lovingly into the abyss and asking it to love it back… Depeche Mode might be facing their own mortality but their power as musicians stretches into infinity." In the UK, the Guardian hailed the return of “the biggest cult band in the world” and lauded the album’s "perfect blend of ominous mood, electronic textures that range from intense to ethereal,” while the NME and Uncut labelled Memento Mori “majestic” and “their most powerful work this century, respectively. Produced by James Ford, with additional production work by Marta Salogni, Memento Mori’s gestation took place during the early stages of the Covid pandemic, resulting in themes inspired directly by that period. The album’s 12 tracks chart a vast expanse of moods and textures, from its ominous opening to its closing resolve—running the gamut from paranoia and obsession to catharsis and joy, and hitting myriad points between.  Depeche Mode kicked off its Memento Mori World Tour last night with a sold-out show at Sacramento’s Golden 1 Center. Due to popular demand, the tour recently added dozens of new dates, including a new Fall leg of North American shows. The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2020 inductees' 19th outing and first in more than five years, the Live Nation-presented tour has gotten underway with a limited North American run featuring stops at New York’s Madison Square Garden, Chicago’s United Center, and Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena. The band will then embark on a European stadium tour on May 16, with noted stops including the Stade de France in Paris, two shows at Berlin’s Olympic Stadium, Milan’s San Siro Stadium, and London’s Twickenham Stadium.  Following the end of the European summer run, the recently added leg of the tour brings the band back to North America in the fall, stopping in Mexico City for three nights at Foro Sol before returning to the US and Canada. Newly announced tour stops include Austin’s Moody Center, Vancouver’s Rogers Arena, additional New York City shows at Madison Square Garden and Barclay’s Center, Seattle’s Climate Pledge Arena and more, concluding with a multi-night run in Los Angeles at the Kia Forum and Crypto.com Arena. Reception to the Memento Mori tour has been overwhelming with shows quickly selling out across Europe and North America, and over two million tickets already sold. The 81 date tour is on track to be one of Depeche Mode’s largest to date and is also well on its way to being one of the largest worldwide tours of 2023.  Having sold more than 100 million records and played to more than 35 million fans worldwide, Depeche Mode remains an ever-evolving and singularly influential musical force. An indelible inspiration to fans, critics and artists alike, Depeche Mode continues to forge ahead, with the Memento Mori album and tour representing the opening of the newest chapter of a peerless and ongoing legacy. Memento Mori World Tour 2023 March 23 – Sacramento, CA – Golden 1 Center  March 25 – San Jose, CA – SAP Center  March 28 – Los Angeles, CA – Kia Forum  March 30 – Las Vegas, NV – T-Mobile Arena  April 2 – San Antonio, TX – AT&T Center  April 5 – Chicago, IL – United Center  April 7 – Toronto, ON – Scotiabank Arena  April 9 – Quebec City, QC – Videotron Centre  April 12 – Montreal, QC – Centre Bell  April 14 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden  May 16 – Amsterdam, NL – Ziggo Dome  May 18 – Amsterdam, NL – Ziggo Dome May 20 – Antwerp, BE – Sportpaleis Antwerpen  May 23 – Stockholm, SE – Friends Arena  May 26 – Leipzig, DE – Leipziger Festwiese  May 28 – Bratislava, SK – Národný Futbalový Štadión  May 31 – Lyon, FR – Groupama Stadium  June 2 – Barcelona, ES – Primavera Sound Festival  June 4 – Dusseldorf, DE – Merkur Spiel-Arena  June 6 – Dusseldorf, DE – Merkur Spiel-Arena  June 9 – Madrid, ES – Primavera Sound Festival  June 11 – Bern, CH – Stadion Wankdorf  June 14 – Dublin, IE – Malahide Castle  June 17 – London, UK – Twickenham Stadium  June 20 – Munich, DE – Olympiastadion June 22 – Lille, FR – Stade Pierre Mauroy  June 24 – Paris, FR – Stade de France  June 27 – Copenhagen, DK – Parken  June 29 – Frankfurt, DE – Deutsche Bank Park  July 1 – Frankfurt, DE – Deutsche Bank Park July 4 – Bordeaux, FR – Matmut Atlantique  July 7 – Berlin, DE – Olympiastadion  July 9 – Berlin, DE – Olympiastadion July 12 – Rome, IT – Stadio Olympico  July 14 – Milan, IT – San Siro  July 16 – Bologna, IT – Stadio Renato Dall’Ara  July 21 – Klagenfurt, AT – Wörthersee Stadion ‘ July 23 – Zagreb, HR – Arena Zagreb  July 26 – Bucharest, RO – Arena Națională  July 28 – Budapest, HU – Puskás Aréna  July 30 – Prague, CZ – Letňany Airport  August 2 – Warsaw, PL – PGE Narodowy  August 4 – Krakow, PL – Tauron Arena August 6 – Tallinn, EE – Tallinna Lauluväljak  August 8 – Helsinki, FI – Kaisaniemen Puisto  August 11 – Oslo, NO – Telenor Arena September 21 – Mexico City, MX – Foro Sol  September 23 – Mexico City, MX – Foro Sol  September 25 – Mexico City, MX – Foro Sol  September 29 – Austin, TX – Moody Center  October 1 – Dallas, TX – American Airlines Center October 4 – Houston, TX – Toyota Center  October 7 – New Orleans, LA – Smoothie King Center October 10 – Orlando, FL – Amway Center  October 12 – Miami, FL – Miami-Dade Arena  October 15 — Atlanta, GA — State Farm Arena October 19 – Nashville, TN – Bridgestone Arena  October 21 – Brooklyn, NY – Barclays Center October 23 – Washington, DC – Capital One Arena  October 25 – Philadelphia, PA – Wells Fargo Center  October 28 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden  October 31 – Boston, MA – TD Garden November 3 – Montreal, QC – Centre Bell  November 5 – Toronto, ON – Scotiabank Arena November 8 – Detroit, MI – Little Caesars Arena November 10 – Cleveland, OH – Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse  November 13 – Chicago, IL – United Center November 16 – Denver, CO – Ball Arena November 18 – Salt Lake City, UT – Vivint Arena November 21 – Edmonton, AB – Rogers Place  November 24 – Vancouver, BC – Rogers Arena  November 26 – Seattle, WA – Climate Pledge Arena November 28 – Portland, OR – MODA Center December 1 – Las Vegas, NV – T-Mobile Arena  December 3 – San Francisco, CA – Chase Center  December 6 – San Diego, CA – Pechanga Arena December 8 – San Diego, CA – Pechanga Arena December 10 – Los Angeles, CA – Kia Forum December 12 – Los Angeles, CA – Kia Forum December 15 – Los Angeles, CA – Crypto.com Arena December 17 – Los Angeles, CA – Crypto.com Arena

SASHA VELOUR TO BE JOINED BY TWO VERY SPECIAL GUESTS AT BROADWAY IN CHICAGO’S BROADWAY PLAYHOUSE APRIL 29 & 30, 2023

ChiIL Live Shows On Our Radar

SASHA VELOUR: “THE BIG REVEAL LIVE SHOW!” 

BOOK TOUR

The critically acclaimed drag queen will perform in Chicago on a tour of the United States and Canada in support of her upcoming, debut book, 

The Big Reveal: An Illustrated Manifesto of Drag

BROADWAY IN CHICAGO’S

BROADWAY PLAYHOUSE

APRIL 29 & 30

Broadway In Chicago is thrilled to announce Sasha Velour will be joined by special guests and Chicago drag artists, Lucy Stoole (April 29) and Tenderoni (April 30) during SASHA VELOUR: THE BIG REVEAL LIVE SHOW, which will play Broadway In Chicago’s Broadway Playhouse. Individual tickets are on sale now.

Internationally renowned drag queen, visual artist, and newly minted author Sasha Velour has announced her upcoming book tour, THE BIG REVEAL LIVE SHOW! This news follows the announcement of her forthcoming, debut book, The Big Reveal: An Illustrated Manifesto of Drag, (HarperCollins) premiered exclusively by Entertainment Weekly on November 29, 2022, and set to hit bookstands on April 4, 2023.

Billed as a first-of-its-kind, “spellbinding” book, The Big Reveal: An Illustrated Manifesto of Drag thoughtfully weaves memoir, history, and theory into a living portrait of an artist and an art. Throughout the book, Velour illuminates drag as a unique form of expression with rich history and a revolutionary spirit as she recalls her own journey and uncovers the history of queer life around the world that made it all possible. The new work by Velour will highlight both intellect and imagination, featuring photos and her own original artwork intertwined with insightful critical theory, riveting LGTBQ+ history, personal memoir, and all-engrossing camp.

In support of the book’s release, Velour will stage exciting new performances across major cities in the United States and Canada. The show will present an immersive evening of drag, storytelling, and live art, bringing Velour’s book to life, featuring iconic new performances from Velour herself, an in-person conversation with a special guest star, an audience Q&A, and book signings. 

Of the upcoming tour, Velour says, “I can’t believe I wrote a book without a ghostwriter! Who do I think I am?! A drag queen with things to say, apparently… That’s why I wanted to translate this book to the stage and open it up for conversation with you! Let’s celebrate the big reveals, the artistry, and the human stories that brings us together!”

THE BIG REVEAL LIVE SHOW! will run for 90 minutes with no intermission, and tickets are now available for purchase. VIP tickets are also available, which include exclusive art prints from the book and a meet-and-greet/photo-op with Velour before the show. Books are not included with ticket purchase; however, purchase of the book is not required. Copies of The Big Reveal: An Illustrated Manifesto of Drag will be available for sale in the lobby at all show venues from local sellers, as well as online. Books are available for preorder in the US (https://bit.ly/3HDau4X) and Canada (http://bit.ly/3GVe49E).

ABOUT SASHA VELOUR

As a modern-day pioneer of innovative, emotive, and provocative drag aesthetics, Sasha Velour continues to raise the bar for the art of drag performance across the globe. Velour is most notably recognized as the winner of season nine of the Emmy-nominated RuPaul’s Drag Race on VH1 in 2017, where her lip-sync performance to Whitney Houston’s “So Emotional” made history and was hailed as “the performance of the year” by The A.V. Club and named one of “TV’s Best Musical Moments on Television” by Entertainment Weekly. The act cleverly featured an elaborate reveal full of rose petals hidden in her gloves and wig and is now widely regarded as one of the most iconic performances in the show’s history. Ingenuity is not something new to Velour, as her live performances have been renowned by critics as “an entirely new level of performance art” (Yahoo!) and “heart-wrenching” (Billboard). Her first one-queen drag show Smoke & Mirrors toured from 2019-2022 to over 80 cities around the world including sold-out performances at the prestigious London Palladium and the Folies Bergère in Paris. Velour’s esteemed drag show NightGowns, founded in 2015, has hosted some of the world’s greatest drag performers before being adapted into a docu-series directed by Sophie Muller and The Documentary Group in 2020. In 2021, the cast released two original NightGowns films: NightGowns Forever, an anthology of past shows, and NightGowns the Musical, an original comedy set in 1966, adapted from a live show performed Off-Broadway. 

Velour’s talents also expand beyond the drag universe, as her artist profile continues to transcend boundaries and mediums untouched by many other queens. Her studio and illustration work has been the subject of two acclaimed solo gallery shows in New York in 2014 and 2016 before being tapped by Google to draw their homepage search engine doodle of the late Marlene Dietrich in celebration of her 116th birthday in 2017. Together with her partner Johnny Velour, she also self-published and designed the art magazine Velour, which celebrates the art of drag through visual art, poetry, photography, and essays. Velour frequently uses her platform to discuss politics, queer history, and LGBTQ+ issues in an educational format, having transformed her into a highly sought-after public speaker. She has graced the stages at prestigious venues, including The Smithsonian for The Long Conversation, an event with thought leaders from around the world, the US Embassy in Singapore, and many distinguished universities including Purdue, The University of Illinois, the University of North Carolina Wilmington, and Columbia. 

For more information about Sasha Velour, please visit www.sashavelour.com.

www.sashavelour.com | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

SHOW DATES

April 6, 2023 – San Francisco, CA (Palace of Fine Arts)

April 7, 2023 + April 8, 2023 – Portland, OR (Winningstad Theater)

April 10, 2023 – Seattle, WA (Neptune Theater)

April 20, 2023 – Newark, NJ (Victoria Theatre, NJPAC)

April 29, 2023 + April 30, 2023 – Chicago, IL (Broadway Playhouse)

May 4, 2023 – Montreal, Canada (Mtelus)

May 5, 2023 – Ottawa, Canada (Bronson Music Centre)

May 6, 2023 – Toronto, Canada (Bluma Appel Theatre)

May 8, 2023 – Boston, MA (The Wilbur)

May 9, 2023 – New York, NY (Skirball Center)

May 11, 2023 – Edmonton, Canada (The Maclab Theatre)

May 12, 2023 – Calgary, Canada (Bella Concert Hall)

May 13, 2023 – Vancouver, Canada (Vogue Theatre)

May 15, 2023 – Los Angeles, CA (The Wallis Annenberg Theatre  

May 18, 2023 – Philadelphia, PA (Perelman Theater)

June 1, 2023 – Washington D.C. (Sixth & I)  

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE

Performances are Saturday, April 29 at 8:00 p.m. and Sunday, April 30 at 7:00 p.m.

TICKET INFORMATION

Individual tickets for THE BIG REVEAL LIVE SHOW! are on sale now and range from $45.00 - $70.00 with a limited number of VIP tickets available. Tickets are available for groups of 10 or more by calling Broadway In Chicago Group Sales at (312) 977-1710 or emailing GroupSales@BroadwayInChicago.com. For more  information, visit www.BroadwayInChicago.com.

ABOUT BROADWAY IN CHICAGO

Broadway In Chicago was created in July 2000 and over the past 23 years has grown to be one of the largest commercial touring homes in the country. A Nederlander Presentation, Broadway In Chicago lights up the Chicago Theater District entertaining up to 1.7 million people annually in five theatres. Broadway In Chicago presents a full range of entertainment, including musicals and plays, on the stages of five of the finest theatres in Chicago’s Loop including the  Cadillac Palace Theatre, CIBC Theatre, James M. Nederlander Theatre, Auditorium Theatre, and just off the Magnificent Mile, the Broadway  Playhouse at Water Tower Place.

COVID-19  PROTOCOL

We recommend our audiences wear masks throughout the theatre. Visit www.BroadwayInChicago.com/covid19 for further details. 

For more information and tickets, visit www.BroadwayInChicago.com.

Facebook @BroadwayInChicago ● Twitter @broadwaychicago ● Instagram @broadwayinchicago ● TikTok @broadwayinchicago ● #broadwayinchicago

49th Anniversary Jeff Awards for Non-Equity Theater March 27th at Park West

Chi, IL Live Awards Shows On Our Radar

PRE-SHOW AND AFTER-PARTY EXCITEMENT BUILDS AS THE THEATER COMMUNITY PREPARES FOR THE 49th ANNIVERSARY

JEFF AWARDS FOR NON-EQUITY THEATER

An evening of major celebration is planned for the Chicago theater community Monday, March 27th, at Park West in Chicago with the 49th Anniversary Jeff Awards for Non-Equity Theater. One of the biggest parties of the theater season with ticket sales nearly sold out, this is the first live Non-Equity awards ceremony for the Jeff Awards since 2019.

I'll be there covering non-equity "theatre prom" for ChiILLiveShows.com and ChiILMama.com. Follow along in real time on our social media channels and/or catch our recap after.

The evening will begin at 6:00pm with a Red Carpet event hosted by two-time Jeff Award Nominee and 2020 Ceremony Host Parker Guidry. Guests striking a pose will include award nominees, theater industry luminaries, and future stars of the Chicagoland theater community. Be sure to follow @thejeffawards on Instagram for photos and updates through the evening.

And the party will continue directly following the awards ceremony with Park West hosting the After Party of music, dancing, and community celebration with a cash bar available.

The 49th Anniversary Non-Equity awards spotlight 167 theater artists across 28 categories of excellence in theater production among shows from 30 companies. Award nominations honor the dedicated artists, behind the scenes teams and theater companies producing during the most recent Non-Equity season which was extended due to the pandemic, running from July 1, 2021, to December 31, 2022.

This year’s program is hosted by award-winning entertainers Honey West and Mitchell J. Fain and under the direction of Adrian Abel Azevedo and with music direction by Dr. Michael McBride. Tommy Novak is the announcer. The production team also includes Emily Marrazzo (stage manager) and Kevin Vilchez (assistant stage manager), musicians Harper Caruso (guitar) and Ben Heppner (percussion), along with Jeff Ceremony Ambassadors Alix Rhode and Quinn Simmons.

A SOLD OUT CROWD IS EXPECTED SO GET YOUR TICKETS ASAP

General Admission tickets are $65 (includes $50 ticket + required fees) and available at www.jeffawards.org. A group rate of $54 (includes $40 ticket + required fees) is available for parties of 10 or more. Information can also be found on social media including Facebook (Jeff Awards), Instagram (@thejeffawards) and Twitter (@josephjefferson).

The Jeff Awards website, www.jeffawards.org, lists all the current nominees, along with previous recipients and nominees as well as other Jeff Awards information and news.

Names of award recipients will be released immediately following the ceremony March 27th by email and on our website under Non-Equity Awards at www.jeffawards.org.

ABOUT THE JEFF AWARDS

The Jeff Awards is one of the most active and engaged theater awards organizations in the country evaluating hundreds of theatrical productions annually and holding two awards ceremonies highlighting work over the past Equity and Non-Equity seasons. Through our recommendations, awards, and honors we help foster the growth of companies, encourage artists, bring new appreciation for diverse storytelling, and cultivate civic pride in the achievements of the Chicago theater community. Originally chartered in 1968 to recognize Equity productions, the Jeff Awards Non-Equity Wing was established in 1973 to celebrate outstanding achievement in non-union theatre. For more information, visit www.jeffawards.org.

REVIEW: TINA- THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL at the James M. Nederlander Theatre Through April 2, 2023

ChiIL Live Shows On Our Radar

TINA- THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL

Produced in association with Tina Turner

Written by Tony Award nominee, Pulitzer Prize and Olivier Award-winner Katori Hall

REVIEW:

By Bonnie Kenaz-Mara

"This is literally the best show I've ever seen." My friend, Teresa exclaimed as the audience rose en masse, for a rousing standing ovation, at the press opening for TINA- THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL at Chicago's James M. Nederlander Theatre. 

Bonnie Kenaz-Mara, and sisters Catherine and Teresa Hellmann, at the press opening of  TINA- THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL at Chicago's James M. Nederlander Theatre

The energy was palpable and the kudos well deserved. It's no easy feat playing a living legend, particularly one with powerhouse vocals and such a striking presence. Tina Turner's real life story is at once as tragic and triumphant as any Shakespearian masterpiece and Zurin Villanueva and Ari Groover share the role to bring this tale to life in style. We caught Villanueva on opening night and she was stunningly talented in this challenging role.

Zurin Villanueva as ‘Tina Turner’ and the cast of the North American touring production of TINA – THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL. 

All Production Photos by Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade

Ike Turner (Garrett Turner) is also exceptionally well played as the villain we loved to hate. Though his audacious abuse is hard to watch and may be triggering for some, it's a story that can't be glossed over, and a cautionary tale of toxic masculinity that's still all too common an occurrence. 

Garrett Turner as 'Ike Turner' and Roz White as 'Zelma'

In the early years and again at curtain call, accompanying her older self, Young Anna-Mae (Ayvah Johnson) stole the show with her incredible voice and a confidence far beyond her years. Roz White as Zelma Bullock, Lael Van Keuren as Rhonda, and particularly Ann Nesby as Gran Georgeanna are standouts as well. 

Ayvah Johnson as 'Young Anna-Mae' and the cast of the North American touring production of 

TINA – THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL

Zurin Villanueva as ‘Tina Turner’ and Ann Nesby as 'Gran Georgeanna' 

One of the world’s best-selling artists of all time, Tina Turner has won 12 Grammy Awards and her live shows have been seen by millions, with more concert tickets sold than any other solo performer in music history.

It's a joy to see a rags to riches story this empowering, where Anna-Mae/Tina, a child abandoned by both parents, a young woman physically and psychologically abused by her husband, and a single, middle aged mom struggling to make a comeback in a racist, sexist, agest industry, not only survives but thrives. Don't miss this! ★★★★ Four out of four stars.

Bonnie is a Chicago based writer, theatre critic, photographer, artist, and Mama to 2 amazing adults. She owns two websites where she publishes frequently: ChiILLiveShows.com (adult) & ChiILMama.com (family friendly). 

Photo Credit: B. Kenaz-Mara

"Writer Katori Hall has created A MUSICAL THEATER MASTERPIECE.” 

– Amsterdam News

TINA - THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL, the electrifying production produced in association with Tina Turner and written by Katori Hall is now playing a limited engagement at the James M. Nederlander Theatre through April 2, 2023. Tickets are on sale at www.BroadwayInChicago.com. Additional ticket information and the performance schedule are below. 

The cast is led by Zurin Villanueva (The Lion King, Mean Girls, Shuffle Along, The Book of Mormon) and Ari Groover (TINA Broadway, Head Over Heels, Holler If Ya Hear Me) who will evenly share the role of Tina Turner, each playing four (of eight) performances a week. Groover will play the full run in Chicago, stepping in for Naomi Rodgers who is on a temporary leave from the show. Also starring are Garrett Turner as Ike Turner, Roz White as Zelma Bullock, Ann Nesby as Gran Georgeanna and Lael Van Keuren as Rhonda. 

Ann Nesby as 'Gran Georgeanna' 

All Production Photos by Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade 

“MIND BLOWING AND LIFE CHANGING.

A story that needs to be shared, especially today.” 

– ABC News

The ensemble includes Daelyanna Kelly Benson, Antonio Beverly, Taylor A. Blackman, Karen Burthwright, Aliyah Caldwell, Lillian Charles, Max Falls, Zachary Freier-Harrison,  Reyna Guerra, Gordia Hayes,  Andre Hinds, Takia Hopson, Ayvah Johnson, Geoffrey Kidwell, Parris Mone’t Lewis, Nia Nelson-Williams, Gracie Phillips, Nicole Powell, Terance Reddick, Shari Washington Rhone, Jacob Roberts-Miller, Aniya Simone, Chris Stevens, Jeff Sullivan, and Carlton Terrence Taylor. 

“It has been years since I toured the US and I am very excited that my own musical can now bring my music and story to my fans in their home cities across America. It’s a homecoming and that is very special to me,” said Tina Turner.

“We are delighted to begin this next chapter for TINA – THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL. The North American tour will see the show enjoy its sixth production around the world since opening in the West End in 2018, which is testimony to Tina’s extraordinary legacy. This tour clearly has special resonance for Tina herself, and now more than ever we can’t wait to uplift audiences across America with her joyful and triumphant story," the producers, Tali Pelman from Stage Entertainment and Jimmy Nederlander said. “We can’t wait to introduce America to the two megawatt superstars—Ari Groover and Zurin Villanueva — who will share the role of Tina, Garrett Turner in the role of Ike, and the incredibly talented company who are hitting the road on tour!"

Garrett Turner as 'Ike Turner'

“PREPARE TO BE ECSTATICALLY BLOWN AWAY!” 

– The Daily Beast

Produced by Stage Entertainment, James L. Nederlander and Tali Pelman, in association with Tina Turner, TINA – THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL was written by Tony Award nominee and Pulitzer Prize winner Katori Hall with Frank Ketelaar and Kees Prins.

TINA – THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL is directed by Tony Award nominee Phyllida Lloyd with choreography by Tony Award nominee Anthony van Laast, set and costume designs by Tony Award nominee Mark Thompson, musical Music Supervision, Arrangements & Incidental Music by Nicholas Skilbeck, lighting by Tony Award nominee Bruno Poet, sound by Tony Award nominee Nevin Steinberg, projection design by Tony Award nominee Jeff Sugg, orchestrations by Tony Award nominee Ethan Popp, wigs, hair and makeup design by Drama Desk Award winner Campbell Young Associates, and casting by The Telsey Office.  

“I’VE RARELY HEARD AN AUDIENCE WITH THIS MIGHTY A ROAR.” 

– NY Times

Zurin Villanueva performing _Higher_ as ‘Tina Turner’ and the cast of the North American touring production of TINA – THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL.

ABOUT TINA – THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL 

An uplifting comeback story like no other, TINA – The Tina Turner Musical is the inspiring journey of a woman who broke barriers and became the Queen of Rock n’ Roll.  

Zurin Villanueva as ‘Tina Turner’ and the cast of the North American touring production of 

TINA – THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL.

This new musical, based on the life of legendary artist Tina Turner and presented in association with Tina Turner herself, received its world premiere in April 2018 in London, where it opened to five-star reviews and has broken box office records at the Aldwych Theatre. In March 2019, the German production opened at Stage Operettenhaus in Hamburg, and the Dutch production opened at the Beatrix Theater, Utrecht, in February 2020. A third European production opened in the Fall of 2021 at the Teatro Coliseum in Madrid, Spain.

TINA – THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL originally opened on Broadway on November 7, 2019, and was nominated for 12 Tony Awards including Best Musical. The production reopened at Broadway’s Lunt-Fontanne Theatre on October 8, 2021, following the 18-month industry-wide shutdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Broadway production ended performances Sunday, August 14.

Produced by Stage Entertainment and Ghostlight Records and featuring the original London cast, Tina – The Tina Turner Musical: Original Cast Recording is available worldwide on CD, both online and in stores. The CD features a 20-page booklet, which includes liner notes, synopsis, and production and studio photography. The album was recorded in February 2019 at Angel Studios and RAK Studios, produced by the show’s Music Supervisor Nicholas Skilbeck and Kurt Deutsch and co-produced by Tom Kelly. To download or stream the album or order the CD, please visit http://www.ghostlightrecords.lnk.to/riverdeep-tinaturnermusical.

When she was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in October 2021, Tina Turner became one of only three women in the institution’s history to be inducted twice (she was initially inducted in 1991 alongside Ike Turner).

Garrett Turner as 'Ike Turner'

Zurin Villanueva performing as ‘Tina Turner’ and Garrett Turner as 'Ike Turner'

The Emmy-nominated feature documentary TINA is now available to stream on HBO Max. A revealing and intimate look at the life and career of musical icon Tina Turner, TINA charts her improbable rise to early fame, her personal and professional struggles throughout her life, and her even more improbable resurgence as a global phenomenon in the 1980s. The feature documentary is from Academy Award-winning directors Dan Lindsay, T.J. Martin, and Lightbox, the production company founded by Academy Award-winning producer Simon Chinn and Emmy-winning producer Jonathan Chinn, together with Emmy-nominated producer Diane Becker.

TICKET INFORMATION

Ticket prices range from $52.50 -$152.50 with a select number of premium tickets available. Individual tickets are available by visiting www.BroadwayInChicago.com, or going to any Broadway In Chicago venue box office. Tickets are available for groups of 10 or more by calling Broadway In Chicago Group Sales at (312) 977-1710 or emailing GroupSales@BroadwayInChicago.com.

Follow @TinaBroadway on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

ABOUT BROADWAY IN CHICAGO

Broadway In Chicago was created in July 2000 and over the past 22 years has grown to be one of the largest commercial touring homes in the country. A Nederlander Presentation, Broadway In Chicago lights up the Chicago Theater District, entertaining up to 1.7 million people annually in five theatres. Broadway In Chicago presents a full range of entertainment, including musicals and plays, on the stages of five of the finest theatres in Chicago’s Loop, including the Cadillac Palace Theatre, CIBC Theatre, James M. Nederlander Theatre, and just off the Magnificent Mile, the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place and presenting Broadway shows at the Auditorium Theatre.

For more information, visit www.BroadwayInChicago.com.

Follow @broadwayinchicago on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok

@broadwaychicago on Twitter

#broadwayinchicago

 

Zurin Villanueva as ‘Tina Turner’ in the North American touring production of TINA – THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL.

THE WHITE CITY: AN AUDIBLE EXHIBITION ON H.H. HOLMES, MURDERER Via A Theater in the Dark March 14, 15, and 16 prior to general release on March 30, 2023

ChiIL Live Shows On Our Radar  

Audio Play 

THE WHITE CITY: AN AUDIBLE EXHIBITION ON H.H. HOLMES, MURDERER 

Original thriller by Rick Kinnebrew will premiere with three live online broadcasts on March 14, 15, and 16 prior to general release on March 30

The third and final audio production of A Theater in the Dark’s 2022-23 digital season will be the original audio play THE WHITE CITY: AN AUDIBLE EXHIBITION ON H.H. HOLMES, MURDERER by Evanston-based playwright Rick Kinnebrew, directed by Corey Bradberry. WHITE CITY is a theatrical thriller surrounding the notorious Chicago serial killer H. H. Holmes, who is said to have murdered more than 20 people during the World’s Columbian Exposition.in 1893. The story focuses on the victim of the only murder for which Holmes was convicted, that of his business partner Ben Pitezel. A Theater in the Dark Artistic Director Corey Bradberry is directing the original script by Kinnebrew, author of the screenplay for the Windy City Film Festival finalist FOG CITY and the play TEN DOLLAR HOUSE. The production will feature an original musical score composed and performed by Nick Montopoli and sound design created by Jake Sorgen, engineered by Bradberry.  THE WHITE CITY: AN AUDIBLE EXHIBITION ON H.H. HOLMES, MURDERER will be launched with live public preview performances online at 8 pm (Central Daylight Time) on March 14, 15, and 16; and a recording of the production will be available online for an open-ended run beginning March 30, 2023. 

Access to the three live performances on March 14, 15 and 16 at 8 pm (CDT) will be available on a pay-what-you-can basis, and patrons who pay $15.00 or more for a live preview will also receive a free download of a recorded version of the audio play. The recording of the production will be available on demand as a stream or download for $12.99 per stream or download. 

Ethan Carlson, who recently completed a run in the ensemble of the bloody SWEENEY TODD with Kokandy Productions where he also understudied the role of the villainous Judge Turpin, will play the murderous H.H. Holmes in WHITE CITY. Holmes’ doomed business partner Ben Pitezel will be played by Keenan Odenkirk, seen last year as Nick in Invictus Theatre’s WHO’S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF? Annie Beaubien, who played Josephine Strong in Surging Films and Theatrics’ Jeff-nominated ensemble of URINETOWN, has been cast as Pitezel’s long-suffering wife Carrie. Dylan Walker – a recent transplant to Chicago from Texas whose roles have ranged from Cassius in JULIUS CAESAR to Jeff in SUBURBIA, will play Hatch - a carnival barker who serves as the narrator of the audio play.

Brian Parry, a Jeff award winner who has seven Jeff nominations for roles ranging from Willy Loman to Richard Nixon, will be heard as Frank Geyer, the detective who finally stops Holmes’s murder spree. Playing others caught in Holmes’ web are Erin Lin (of A Theater in the Dark’s A MURDER IN THE COURT OF XANADU) as Holmes’ office girl Emie Cigrand; Katherine Jordan (of Red Theater’s production of VINEGAR TOM) and Robin Fertitta as Julia and Ned Connor, a couple who make the mistake of renting a space for their jewelry store from Holmes; and Taylor Wilkes (whose resume includes A.R. Gurney’s THE DINING ROOM) as Holmes’ accomplice Quinlan.

Top Row L-R: Annie Beaubien, Ethan Carlson, Robin Fertitta.

Middle Row L-R: Katharine Jordan, Erin Lin, Keenan Odenkirk.

Lower Row L-R: Brian Parry, Dylan Walker, Taylor Wilkes.

A Theater In The Dark emerged in fall 2019 with its innovative in-person production of its original noir thriller THREE STORIES UP, performed for audiences sitting in complete darkness, When the COVID pandemic shut down all live performances in 2020, the company was perfectly positioned to pivot to streaming productions of audio plays. Returning to the traditions of the golden age of radio, they received critical acclaim and popular success with their live audio play productions of A WAR OF THE WORLDS, A CHRISTMAS CAROL IN THE DARK, and A WHITE WHALE. Their previous productions of the 2022-23 season are the noir comedy-mystery A MATTER OF RED HERRINGS and the mystery A MURDER IN THE COURT OF XANADU.

The CHICAGO SUN-TIMES said A Theater in the Dark’s 2021 A WHITE WHALE (an original adaptation of Melville’s MOBY DICK) was “packed from stem-to-stern with some of the best, most evocative writing I’ve heard from a theater this year.” The production was honored with the “Critics Choice Award” of the 2021 Atlanta Audio Fringe Festival and the “Best Audio Production” at the 2021 Thornhill Theatre Festival.

Live online preview broadcasts Tuesday, March 14; Wednesday, March 15; Thursday, March 16; at 8 pm each evening. All access for previews is Pay What You Can. Those who pay $15.00 or more for preview performances will be given access to the recorded version to be released Thursday, March 30. Virtual tickets for either the previews or the recorded version can be purchased at  https://atheaterinthedark.com/whitecity.

WHITE CITY is a theatrical thriller surrounding the notorious Chicago serial killer H. H. Holmes, who is said to have murdered more than 20 people during the World’s Columbian Exposition in 1893. The story focuses on the victim of the only murder for which Holmes was convicted, his business partner Ben Pitezel.

BIOS

Corey Bradberry (Director, Producer)is a Chicago-based director and producer, Producing Artistic Director of A Theater in the Dark, and a Faculty Member at The Second City Training Center. Most recently, Corey directed and produced A Theater in the Dark’s fall drama A MURDER IN THE COURT OF XANADU and earlier this year, served as Production Manager for A Red Orchid Theatre’s Equity-Jeff-Award-winning production of The Moors(Best Production, Mid-Sized). In summer 2021, Corey directed SHIPWRECKED!: AN ENTERTAINMENT at Oil Lamp Theatre which won 2021 Broadway World Chicago Awards for “Best Director”, “Best Play”, and “Best Production”. Corey’s audio play A WHITE WHALE, which he wrote and directed, won top prizes at the 2021 Atlanta Audio Fringe Festival and Thornhill Theatre Festival; and also directed A Theater in the Dark’s hit original audio play A WAR OF THE WORLDS. Corey has assistant directed with major institutions including the Second City and Atlanta’s Alliance Theatre. Corey is a 2015 Kennedy Center National Directing Fellow and was awarded the 2013 Emerging Artist Award from the City of Atlanta’s Office of Cultural Affairs. Education: M.F.A. Directing; B.A. Theatre & Performance Studies. Additional Training: Dell’Arte International School of Physical Theatre, Second City Advanced Directing program. Instagram: @corey.bradberry. www.coreybradberry.com

Rick Kinnebrew (Playwright)

As a beloved children’s librarian, Rick tells stories, teaches storytelling, and designs play scenarios. His stage plays and radio plays have reached audiences from Chicago to New Orleans. He is the author of TEN DOLLAR HOUSE (Pride Films & Plays; Broom Street Theater; Mineral Point Opera House). The screenplay FOG CITY--a superhero story set in alt-history California--was a Windy City Film Festival finalist and a top 10% finisher for the Nicholl Fellowship. He is currently enrolled in UCLA’s Screenwriting Program.

About A Theater in the Dark 

Inspired by hard-boiled paperback novels and the radio mystery plays of the ‘30s and ‘40s, A Theater in the Dark invites audience members to tune out today’s visual barrage and explore three dimensional soundscapes combining the human voice, recorded sound, and live foley effects to create a theatre experience audiences will never forget. Exceptional in engaging the audience, A Theater in the Dark creates stories through sound - producing both in-person pitch-black theatre experiences and immersive audio plays. Their online audio dramas have broadcast LIVE to listeners in 40 states, 8 Canadian provinces, and 12 countries! Their stories use compelling characters, descriptive language, and stunning soundscapes to pierce through the dark.