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Recipients of 2019 Illinois High School Musical Theatre Awards Announced

Posted on: May 7th, 2019 by B.I. C. No Comments

In celebration of outstanding achievement in high school musical theatre performances, Broadway In Chicago is thrilled to announce the award recipients of the Eighth Annual Illinois High School Musical Theatre Awards (IHSMTA) sponsored by NBC 5: Jacob Simon of Deerfield, IL (Deerfield High School) as BEST ACTOR for his portrayal of “Bobby Child” in CRAZY FOR YOU  and Marguerite Reed of Palos Park, IL (Mother McAuley High School) as BEST ACTRESS for her portrayal of “Betty Haynes” in IRVING BERLIN’S WHITE CHRISTMAS. Jacob and Marguerite will represent the state of Illinois at The Jimmy Awards® (also known as The National High School Musical Theatre Awards®) in New York on June 24, 2019.

Cary-Grove High School was awarded Best Production presented by Guardian Music Travel for their production of ALL SHOOK UP and Benet Academy was awarded Best Scenic Design presented by SPL, celebrating excellence in scenic design, for their production of PIPPIN (designed by Ramon Marth and Charlie Pipal). Susan S. Gorman was awarded the Best Direction Award for her direction of Deerfield High School’s production of CRAZY FOR YOU. Two new categories were presented this year: Cary-Grove High School was awarded Best Choreography for their production of ALL SHOOK UP (choreographed by Amy Krigas), and Libertyville High School was awarded Best Ensemble for their production of PIPPIN.

On Monday, May 6, Broadway In Chicago crafted a full day of workshops with theatre professionals for twenty-four nominees that culminated in a performance on stage at the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place. During the day, nominees performed for a panel of casting agents and theater professionals who chose the recipients of performance awards.

In addition to a workshop led by CHICAGO THE MUSICAL cast member Christophe Caballero (Dance Captain/Swing), whose previous theatrical credits include four Broadway shows including original Tony®-winning companies of La Cage Aux Folles & Jerome Robbins’ Broadway (who also performed at the Tony Awards® during each of the last three decades), each nominee received tickets to CHICAGO THE MUSICAL. 

BEST ACTOR Jacob Simon and BEST ACTRESS Marguerite Reed will be sent to New York City, on an all-expense paid trip, for a week-long theatre intensive of coaching and rehearsals with industry professionals in preparation for a one-night-only showcase, where they will represent the state of Illinois at The Jimmy Awards® on Broadway, on Monday, June 24, 2019. The Jimmy Awards® are named for legendary Broadway theater owner and producer James M. Nederlander. Broadway In Chicago is a Nederlander presentation, and is excited to join the network of theatres across the country participating in The Jimmy Awards®.

The Illinois High School Musical Theatre Awards have proven to be a stepping stone for young performers, with several appearing in Broadway productions. Nathan Salstone (2012 IHSMTA Best Actor) made his Broadway debut in HARRY POTTER & THE CURSED CHILD, and John Clay III (2013 IHSMTA Best Actor) made his Broadway debut this year in CHOIR BOY. Other Illinois winners have also been successful at The Jimmy Awards®: Jonah Rawitz (2014 IHSMTA Best Actor) was awarded the 2014 Jimmy Award® for Best Performance by an Actor, Cecilia Trippiedi (2016 IHSMTA Best Actress) was awarded the 2016 Jimmy Award® for Best Dancer, and Darian Goulding (2018 IHSMTA Best Actor) was a 2018 Jimmy Award® finalist.

The 72 participating high schools involved in the program are given opportunities to see Broadway In Chicago shows and receive invitations to special events throughout the year. Recently, students performed with the cast of DEAR EVAN HANSEN (including the star of the National Tour Ben Levi Ross) at Broadway In Chicago’s Summer Concert at Millennium Park, in addition to performing with HAMILTON Chicago Company’s Miguel Cervantes (Alexander Hamilton) at the Illinois Bicentennial Birthday Party at Navy Pier.

For more information on The Jimmy Awards®, also known as the National High School Musical Theatre Awards®, visit www.jimmyawards.com. For more information on both awards and complete rules and regulations, visit www.BroadwayInChicago.com/about/IHSMTA/.

 

2019 Nominees Announced for Illinois High School Musical Theatre Awards

Posted on: April 29th, 2019 by B.I. C. No Comments

Broadway In Chicago is delighted to announce the twenty-four students nominated for Best Actor and Best Actress, and nominees for Best Production presented by Guardian Music Travel, Best Direction, Best Scenic Design presented by SPL, Best Choreography, and Best Ensemble for the eighth annual Illinois High School Musical Theatre Awards (IHSMTA). The nominees (12 young actors and 12 young actresses), selected after evaluating 72 productions and over 275 student applicants across the state of Illinois, have been invited to participate in the Awards program, which will be held at the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place (175 E. Chestnut) on Monday, May 6, 2019 at 6:30PM and hosted by NBC 5 entertainment reporter LeeAnn Trotter. Sponsored by NBC 5, the Illinois chapter of The Jimmy Awards® (National High School Musical Theatre Awards) serves as an annual national celebration of outstanding achievement in musical theater performance by high school students.

Broadway In Chicago has crafted a workshop led by CHICAGO THE MUSICAL cast member Christophe Caballero (Dance Captain/Swing), whose previous theatrical credits include four Broadway shows including original Tony®-winning companies of La Cage Aux Folles & Jerome Robbins’ Broadway. He performed at the Tony Awards® during each of the last three decades. CHICAGO THE MUSICAL will play at Broadway In Chicago’s Cadillac Palace Theatre (151 W. Randolph) from May 7-12, 2019.

The workshop for these twenty-four nominees will culminate in a performance onstage at the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place. During the day, nominees will perform for a panel of casting agents and theatre professionals who will choose the recipients of performance awards. A Best Actress and Best Actor winner from Illinois will be sent to New York City, on an all-expense paid trip, for a week-long theatre intensive of coaching and rehearsals with industry professionals in preparation for a one-night-only showcase, where they will represent the state of Illinois at The Jimmy Awards® on Broadway.

The Illinois High School Musical Theatre Awards have proven to be a stepping stone for young performers, with several appearing in Broadway productions. Nathan Salstone (2012 IHSMTA Best Actor) recently performed in HARRY POTTER & THE CURSED CHILD, and John Clay III (2013 IHSMTA Best Actor) made his Broadway debut this year in CHOIR BOY. Other Illinois winners have also been successful at The Jimmy Awards®: Jonah Rawitz (2014 IHSMTA Best Actor) was awarded the 2014 Jimmy Award® for Best Performance by an Actor, Cecilia Trippiedi (2016 IHSMTA Best Actress) was awarded the 2016 Jimmy Award® for Best Dancer, and Darian Goulding (2018 IHSMTA Best Actor) was a 2018 Jimmy Award® finalist.

NOMINEES FOR BEST ACTRESS

  • Barrington High School’s Into the Woods as “Bakers Wife”: Margaret Baustert
  • Barrington High School’s Into the Woods as “The Witch”: Sierra Fermin
  • Benet Academy’s Pippin as “Catherine”: Megan Delaney
  • Cary-Grove High School’s All Shook Up as “Sylvia”: Alysha Brezina
  • Grayslake Central High School’s Les Miserables as “Fantine”: Liyana Ishamuddin
  • Harry D. Jacobs High School’s Disney’s The Little Mermaid as “Ariel”:  Sydney Olson
  • Homewood-Flossmoor High School’s Chicago as “Velma Kelly”: Jaira Stanley
  • Loyola Academy’s Oliver! as “Nancy” : Emma Samuelson
  • Mother McAuley High School’s Irving Berlin’s White Christmas as “Betty Haynes”: Marguerite Reed
  • Stevenson High School’s Shrek the Musical as “Princess Fiona”: Isabel Koleno
  • York Community High School’s Bright Star as “Margo”: Bridey Costello
  • York Community High School’s Bright Star as “Alice Murphy”: Erin Lee

 NOMINEES FOR BEST ACTOR

  • Addison Trail High School’s Newsies as “Jack Kelly”: Connor White
  • Benet Academy’s Pippin as “Pippin”: Patrick Vivoda
  • Bolingbrook High School’s Jekyll & Hyde as “Jekyll/Hyde”: Spencer Avery
  • Cary-Grove High School’s All Shook Up as “Dennis”: Nathan Ancheta
  • Cary-Grove High School’s All Shook Up as “Chad”: Blake Nolan
  • Coal City High School’s Tuck Everlasting as “Jesse Tuck”:Gavyn Williams
  • Deerfield High School’s Crazy For You as “Bobby Child”: Jacob Simon
  • Grayslake Central High School’s Les Miserables as “Jean Valjean”:Sean Lambie
  • Harry D. Jacobs High School’s Disney’s The Little Mermaid as “Prince Eric”: Mitchell Barrett
  • John Hersey High School’s Urinetown as “Bobby Strong”: Jason Schmidt
  • Oak Park and River Forest High School’s Chicago as “Amos Hart”: Declan Collins
  • York Community High School’s Bright Star as “Jimmy Ray Dobbs”:  Michael Bindeman

 NOMINEES FOR BEST PRODUCTION presented by Guardian Music Travel

  • Benet Academy’s Pippin
  • Cary-Grove High School’s All Shook Up
  • Coal City High School’s Tuck Everlasting
  • Deerfield High School’s Crazy for You
  • York Community High School’s Bright Star

 NOMINEES FOR BEST DIRECTION

  • Brian Wand & Lauren Butera, Benet Academy’s Pippin
  • Jack Micetich, Coal City High School’s Tuck Everlasting
  • Susan Gorman, Deerfield High School’s Crazy For You
  • Jennifer Goss, St. Charles East High School’s The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
  • Abra Chusid, Stevenson High School’s Shrek the Musical

 NOMINEES FOR BEST SCENIC DESIGN presented by SPL

  • Benet Academy’s Pippin
  • Bolingbrook High School’s Jekyll & Hyde
  • Cary-Grove High School’s All Shook Up
  • Coal City High School’s Tuck Everlasting
  • Hinsdale South High School’s Chicago

NOMINEES FOR BEST CHOREOGRAPHY

  • Cary-Grove High School’s All Shook Up
  • Crystal Lake South’s Newsies
  • Deerfield High School’s Crazy for You
  • Libertyville High School’s Pippin
  • The Chicago High School for the Arts’ Bring It On the Musical

 NOMINEES FOR BEST ENSEMBLE

  • Bradley Bourbonnais Community High School’s Les Miserables
  • Cary-Grove High School’s All Shook Up
  • Deerfield High School’s Crazy for You
  • Libertyville High School’s Pippin
  • Oak Park and River Forest High School’s Chicago

 

Disney’s FROZEN, the hit Broadway musical, to premiere in Chicago in 2020

Posted on: March 7th, 2019 by B.I. C. No Comments

From the producers of The Lion King and Aladdin, Disney’s Frozen, the Tony®-nominated Best Musical, will play an exclusive 11-week premiere engagement at Broadway In Chicago’s Cadillac Palace Theatre (151 W. Randolph) beginning October 21, 2020, with performances playing through January 3, 2021.

Tickets are available now for groups of 10 or more by calling Broadway In Chicago Group Sales at (312) 977-1710 or emailing [email protected]. Individual tickets will go on-sale at a later date. Frozen will be part of the next Broadway In Chicago season, on sale this spring. Additionally, VIP Ticket Packages are available that include a prime seat location, a commemorative souvenir program, and an exclusive merchandise item.

Frozen, heralded by The New Yorker as “thrilling” and “genuinely moving,” quickly emerged as the biggest musical hit during last year’s Broadway season, breaking four St. James Theatre house records and placing in the top 10 best-selling shows every week since opening in March 2018.

A mysterious secret. A family torn apart. As one sister struggles with being an outsider and harnessing her powers within, the other sets out on a thrilling adventure to bring her family together once again. Both are searching for love, but they’ll learn that to find it they’ll have to look inside themselves first.

Frozen is melting hearts on Broadway in an all-new production created for the stage by an award-winning team. It features the songs you know and love from the original Oscar®-winning film, plus an expanded score with a dozen new numbers. The creative team at its helm has a won a cumulative 16 Tonys and includes Oscar winner Kristen Anderson-Lopez and EGOT-winner Robert Lopez (music & lyrics), Oscar winner Jennifer Lee (book), Tony and Olivier Award winner Michael Grandage (director), and Tony winner Rob Ashford (choreographer).

An unforgettable theatrical experience filled with sensational special effects, stunning sets and costumes, and powerhouse performances, Frozen is everything you want in a musical: It’s moving. It’s spectacular. And above all, it’s pure Broadway joy.

 

TimeLine Theatre to hold Midwest Premiere of 2017 Tony Award-winning Best Play OSLO at Broadway Playhouse

Posted on: February 14th, 2019 by B.I. C. No Comments

TimeLine Theatre Company is pleased to announce that it will present the Midwest premiere of J.T. Rogers’ internationally acclaimed and Tony Award-winning play OSLO to open its upcoming 2019-2020 season. Directed by TimeLine Associate Artistic Director Nick Bowling, OSLO will run September 10 – October 20, 2019 at the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place, 175 E. Chestnut St.

“We are thrilled to further our relationship with J.T. Rogers, who has been a tremendous champion of TimeLine’s work for many years,” TimeLine Artistic Director PJ Powers said. “Following our 2013 production of his play Blood and Gifts, we were eager to follow wherever J.T. went next since his writing so beautifully aligns with TimeLine’s exploration of today’s issues through the lens of the past. Oslo blew us away just as it did audiences in New York and London, and we began a quest to premiere it in Chicago.”

OSLO is a remarkable story about the unlikely friendships, quiet heroics, and sheer determination that pushed two foes to reach something neither thought truly possible—peace. When the Israeli prime minister and the chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organization shook hands on the White House lawn in 1993, the world had no idea what it took to orchestrate that momentous occasion. Behind the scenes, a Norwegian diplomat and her social scientist husband hatched an intricate, top secret, and sometimes comical scheme to gather an unexpected assortment of players at an idyllic estate just outside Oslo. Far from any international glare, mortal enemies were able to face each other not as adversaries, but as fellow human beings. J.T. Rogers’ OSLO is a humorous, surprising, and inspiring true story about the people inside politics, and the incredible progress that is possible when we focus on what makes us human—together.

“Knowing that the play’s epic story demanded a larger canvas than TimeLine’s current home, we are delighted to present it at the Broadway Playhouse in our largest production to date,” Powers added. “What a beautiful pairing once again of J.T. and director Nick Bowling for a history-making TimeLine production.”

TimeLine’s Chicago production of OSLO is its Midwest premiere. It premiered in fall 2016 in a sold-out run at New York’s Lincoln Center and opened on Broadway in April 2017. It then played at London’s Royal National Theatre in September 2017 before transferring to the West End in October 2017. OSLO received the 2017 Tony Award for Best Play, as well as New York Critics, Outer Critics, Drama Desk, Drama League, Lucille Lortel, and Obie awards—a sweep of the 2016-17 New York awards season—and was nominated for the Olivier and Evening Standard awards.

This “riveting political thriller” (Associated Press) is “fast-paced and quick-witted” (The Independent) and “a disarmingly funny masterpiece” (Huffington Post). The Washington Post raved that “its account of intractable foes finding common ground is irresistible and, ultimately, deeply moving,” and the New York Daily News wrote that OSLO is “smart, touching and spiked with spy-novel tension and wry humor.” Variety called it “gripping, compelling, and compulsively watchable,” and The New York Times declared that it is “the stuff of crackling theater.”

OSLO will be part of the upcoming Broadway In Chicago season on sale in Spring 2019. Individual tickets for OSLO will go on sale in July 2019 (specific date to be announced) and will range in price from $30 – $75 with a select number of premium seats. Group tickets for 10 or more are now on sale by calling Broadway In Chicago Group Sales at (312) 977-1710.

 

TEATRO ZINZANNI premieres in Chicago with new venue

Posted on: September 12th, 2018 by B.I. C. No Comments

With great excitement, Teatro ZinZanni today announced the premiere of Love, Chaos, & Dinner, the critically acclaimed show combining the best of cirque, cabaret, spectacle, live music, comedy and fine dining.  Presented by Randolph Entertainment, performances are scheduled to begin in the Spring of 2019 at a brand new location in the center of Chicago Theatre District.  The Spiegeltent ZaZou, a Belgian mirror tent filled with historic touches, will be located on the 14th floor in the newly opened Cambria Hotel Loop-Theatre District.  The previously forgotten space was discovered in 2017 during the renovation of the hotel when dropped ceilings were removed revealing the original grand space within the 1926 historic building.

Described as the “Kit Kat Klub on acid”, Teatro ZinZanni brings to Chicago an international cast of premier entertainers for its anticipated engagement.  Love, Chaos & Dinner features the master of madcap improv Frank Ferrante, cabaret star Lady Rizo, and acclaimed Chicago natives aerial trapeze act Duo Rose. The company will also feature entertainment from comedians Joe De Paul and Tim Tyler, hoop aerialist Elena Gatilova, Parisian acrobat Domitil Aillot, and the body juggling Anastasini Brothers.  Teatro ZinZanni’s founder Norm Langill will direct the production.  The menu will be designed by Chicago’s own Debbie Sharpe – The Goddess in The Goddess and Grocer.

Group tickets for 10 or more are now available by calling (312) 977-1710 or visiting BroadwayInChicago.com.

Teatro ZinZanni was founded in 1998 launching a wholly original new form of entertainment combining a unique fusion of cirque, comedy, cabaret, spectacle, and live music while serving up a multi-course feast. Inspired by the great cabarets of Europe, a team of creative artists and theatre professionals who have been working together for over 40 years created Teatro ZinZanni led by Founder Norm Langill. Teatro ZinZanni has brought in celebrated artists from the worlds of cirque, clowning, cabaret, music, aerial arts, magic, and illusion.  Performers over the years have included internationally recognized names like Joan Baez and Ann Wilson.  The show in Chicago is presented in the Spiegeltent ZaZou on the 14th floor in the newly opened Cambria Hotel Chicago Loop located in the Theatre District.

Love, Chaos, and Dinner

Enter a realm where reality and dreams converge; an experience unlike any other! Teatro ZinZanni is a whirlwind of international cirque, comedy and cabaret served with a multi-course feast.  Described as the “Kit Kat Klub on acid,” the fast-paced action unfolds around, above and alongside guests as world-class acrobats, musicians, divas, illusionists, madmen, and aerialists fill our intimate Spiegeltent ZaZou, a unique jewel box mirror tent. Teatro ZinZanni’s signature blend of Love, Chaos & Dinner has played to sold out audiences in Seattle and San Francisco. Don’t miss the show The New York Times calls, “A feast for the senses” and the “city’s hottest ticket!”