Home » Performing Arts Articles » Theatre Building Chicago's STAGES 2007 (August 10-12) -14th annual festival of new musicals in progress
Theatre Building Chicago's STAGES 2007 (August 10-12) -14th annual festival of new musicals in progress
Theatre Building Chicago presents STAGES 2007, a festival of eight new musicals in progress on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, AUGUST 10-12, 2007. The three-day musical extravaganza performs each new work twice in concert style formats.
/Performing Arts PR News/ - CHICAGO, IL, July 13, 2007 - Now in its fourteenth season, STAGES focuses on the development of the material, the craft of writing and the talent of the performers. Located in the heart of Chicago's Lakeview neighborhood, (1225 W. Belmont Ave at Racine) STAGES tickets are now on sale at the box office: 773.327.5252 and Ticketmaster 312.902.1500 (www.ticketmaster.com).
A creative gathering of hundreds of authors, actors, artists, theatre producers and musical theatre lovers come together for one weekend, celebrating America's original art-form, the musical. STAGES kicks off with REX, (Music by Richard Rodgers, Lyrics by Sheldon Harnick and Book by Sherman Yellen). Award-winning writers Sheldon Harnick, lyrics (Fiddler on the Roof, The Apple Tree, The Rothschilds) and Sherman Yellen, book (Oh Calcutta!, The Rothschilds, An Early Frost - television) will also offer an interactive Q&A on their experiences regarding Rex with Bert Fink, (Senior Vice President with The Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization) author of the liner notes to the original Broadway cast recording of Rex.
Other highlights include country-music star Marty Stuart and his new musical, Moon Shine! (Book by Mary Willard, Music and Lyrics by Marty Stuart). Marty Stuart was a member of Johnny Cash's band, and scored six top-ten hits, one platinum and five gold albums, and four Grammy Awards. Moon Shine! joins Children of the Night , (Book, Music and Lyrics by Scott Martin) both developed in part by The Academy for New Musical Theatre. The BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop is also represented with The Showgirl of 52nd Street (Book and Lyrics by Charles Leipart, Music by John Kroner) as well as Mercury Musical Developments new musical, Tomorrow Morning (Book, Music and Lyrics by Laurence Mark Wythe).
STAGES will feature three musicals by homegrown Chicago writers and members of Theatre Building Chicago's musical theater writers workshop. So Happy I Could Scream! A Musical Celebration of Motherhood (Book by Judy Freed, Music by Sari Miller, Lyrics by Randi Wolfe, Additional Lyrics by Sari Miller); Downtown (Book by Barbara Georgans, Music by Philip Seward, Lyrics by Charlie Mehler) and DESPAIRadise (Book and Lyrics by Pat Byrnes, Music by Rich Prezioso). All three musicals were audience favorites, developed and performed during Theatre Building Chicago's 2006-2007 Monday Night Musicals concert reading series.
STAGES will offer two bonus special events this year, beginning on August 11. Join us after the 3:30PM performance of Rex for a conversation about the creation and history of Rex. Get the back-stage details during an interactive Q & A with Sheldon Harnick, lyrics (The Apple Tree, Fiddler on the Roof, The Rothschilds), Sherman Yellen, book (Oh Calcutta!, The Rothschilds, An Early Frost - television) and Bert Fink, (Senior Vice President of Communications for The Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization) and author of the liner notes to the original Broadway cast recording of Rex.
On Sun., Aug. 12, enjoy a delicious catered brunch (11AM, Aug. 12), followed at 12PM with the STAGES Forum: "Media Forum: Hold the Press - media attention versus dramatic criticism". Should works in progress have media coverage? Producers, writers and theatre critics gather to discuss the important distinctions between media attention versus criticism when covering new musicals in progress. Both ticketed events are free to the public (with purchase of any STAGES performance); Stages brunch: $20
Theatre Building Chicago's musical program offers an array of works in multiple "stages" of development. TBC nurtures new works through its musical theatre writers workshop and through collaboration with theatre companies and artists across the country. Theatre Building Chicago welcomes media attention focusing on the developmental process of new musicals; however, all performances are works in progress and are considered not appropriate for critical review.
* WHAT: STAGES 2007 - a marathon weekend of EIGHT new musicals
* WHEN: STAGES kick-off gala (6PM reception; 7:30PM performance - REX, Fri., Aug. 10)
Curtain times range from 9AM-7:30PM, Sat.- Sun., Aug. 11-12
STAGES BRUNCH: 11AM, Sun., Aug. 12, followed by MEDIA FORUM: 12PM
* WHERE: Theatre Building Chicago - 1225 W Belmont Ave., Chicago, IL
* BOX OFFICE: Theatre Building Chicago (1225 W. Belmont Ave. at Racine) or call TBC's box office: 773.327.5252; also available at TICKETMASTER: 312.902.1500 (www.ticketmaster.com).
* TICKETS: $75 - Opening Night performance and receptions; $95 - Stages Pass (good for all Sat. & Sun. shows); $20 - Brunch; $15 - Single tickets will be sold at the door as available.
Reservations are strongly encouraged. Valet parking ($8) available; convenient to CTA Belmont EL & #77 bus route (Belmont/Racine); Restaurant discounts (with TBC ticket stubs) at nearby restaurants. For more details, visit TBC online: www.theatrebuildingchicago.org
STAGES 2007 SCHEDULE & SHOW DESCRIPTIONS:
Theatre Building Chicago presents
STAGES 2007: a festival of new musicals in progress
STAGES kick-off gala (6PM reception; 7:30pm performance, Fri., Aug. 10) will include pre-show cocktail & hors d'oeuvres followed by the Chicago premiere of REX. Guests will have a chance to meet the entire festival of authors & artists involved. A post-show cocktail reception will conclude the opening night festivities.
FRIDAY NIGHT KICK-OFF OPENING: 6pm reception; 7:30pm performance of the musical, Rex - Enjoy a pre-show hors d'oeuvres buffet plus a champagne and dessert party after the show!
Children of the Night (Book, Music and Lyrics by Scott Martin)
(South Theatre 1pm, Aug. 11; 4pm, Aug. 12)
The true story behind the creation of Dracula and author Bram Stoker's desire for the infamous actor Sir Henry Irving to portray the literary villain on stage.
Despairadise (Book and Lyrics by Pat Byrnes*, Music by Rich Prezioso)
(North Theatre: 7:30pm, Aug. 11 ; 9am, Aug. 12)
Nihilist European art film makers descend to the depths of despair when their director discovers love and happiness.
Downtown (Book by Barbara Georgans*, Music by Philip Seward*, Lyrics by Charlie Mehler*)
(South Theatre: 7:30pm, Aug. 11; 9am, Aug. 12)
A roman à clef about the founding of a 1950's magazine for men, complete with centerfolds! The romance between the originators is thwarted by blackmail, plagiarism and lace panties.
Moon Shine!(Book by Mary Willard, Music and Lyrics by Marty Stuart)
(South Theatre: 9am, Aug. 11; 1:15pm, Aug. 12)
A Texan has only a few weeks to find a wife before losing his inheritance - the family pet food business. Tumbleweeds and hairballs combine to make a hilarious musical comedy.
Rex (Music by Richard Rodgers, Lyrics by Sheldon Harnick, Book by Sherman Yellen)
(South Theatre : 7:30pm, Aug. 10; 3:30pm, Aug. 11‡)
Distracted by his desire for a male heir and by his ill-fated love for Anne Boyeln, Henry VIII dismisses the royal qualities of his spirited daughter Elizabeth, who will someday ascend to the throne.
The Showgirl of 52nd Street (Book and Lyrics by Charles Leipart, Music by John Kroner)
(North Theatre: 1pm, Aug. 11; 4pm, Aug. 12)
A bag lady, once a glamorous performer, confuses fact with fantasy, and relives her life in a jumble of memories and hopes.
So Happy I Could Scream! A Musical Celebration of Motherhood (Book by Judy Freed*, Music by Sari Miller*, Lyrics by Randi Wolfe*,
Additional Lyrics by Sari Miller*)
(North Theatre: 3:30pm, Aug. 11; 7pm, Aug. 12)
A touching, funny and thought-provoking musical revue for everyone who is a mother or has one.
Tomorrow Morning (Book, Music and Lyrics by Laurence Mark Wythe)
(North Theatre: 9am, Aug. 11; 1:15pm, Aug. 12)
Two couples, separated by time. Looking back or looking forward, only one thing is certain: tomorrow morning, their lives will never be the same.
*denotes members of Theatre Building Chicago's musical theatre writers workshop
SPECIAL ADDED EVENTS:
†Media Forum: Hold the Press - media attention versus dramatic criticism
(West Theatre: 12PM, August 12)
Should works in progress have media coverage? Producers, writers and theatre critics gather to discuss the important distinctions between media attention versus criticism when covering new musicals in progress. (*complimentary - tickets required). Pre-Forum Stages brunch: $20
‡A conversation about the creation and history of Rex
(West Theatre: directly following the 3:30PM - Aug. 11 performance of Rex)
Join us for an interactive Q & A with Sheldon Harnick, lyrics (Fiddler on the Roof, The Apple Tree, The Rothschilds), Sherman Yellen, book (Oh Calcutta!, The Rothschilds, An Early Frost - television) and Bert Fink, Senior Vice President of Communications for The Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization and author of the liner notes to the original Broadway cast recording of Rex.
ATTN: PROFESSIONAL THEATRE LISTINGS:
* WHAT: Theatre Building Chicago presents STAGES - A three day festival of EIGHT new musicals in progress, with artists and writers from Chicago, across the country and around the world.
* WHERE: Theatre Building Chicago
1225 W. Belmont -Chicago, IL 60657
* DATES: Friday, August 10, 2007 through Sunday, August 12, 2007
* KICK OFF RECEPTION: STAGES kick-off (6pm reception; 7:30pm performance, Fri., Aug. 10)
Rex (Music by Richard Rodgers, Lyrics by Sheldon Harnick, Book by Sherman Yellen). Distracted by his desire for a male heir and by his ill-fated love for Anne Boyeln, Henry VIII dismisses the royal qualities of his spirited daughter Elizabeth, who will someday ascend to the throne.
* STAGES : A three-day forum of concert style performances of eight new musicals from 9am to 9pm where artists and audiences network and nurture new musicals in progress during an intense weekend of creativity and discussion.
SPECIAL ADDED EVENTS:
†Media Forum: Hold the Press - media attention versus dramatic criticism
(West Theatre: 12PM, August 12)
Should works in progress have media coverage? Producers, writers and theatre critics gather to discuss the important distinctions between media attention versus criticism when covering new musicals in progress. (*complimentary - tickets required). Pre-Forum Stages brunch: $20
‡A conversation about the creation and history of Rex
(West Theatre: directly following the 3:30PM - Aug. 11 performance of Rex)
Join us for an interactive Q & A with Sheldon Harnick, lyrics (Fiddler on the Roof, The Apple Tree, The Rothschilds), Sherman Yellen, book (Oh Calcutta!, The Rothschilds, An Early Frost - television) and Bert Fink, Senior Vice President of Communications for The Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization and author of the liner notes to the original Broadway cast recording of Rex.
TICKETS:
* $75: Opening Night reception & performance (Aug. 10 - 6PM reception; 7:30PM, Rex)
* $95: Stages Pass (good for all Sat. & Sun. shows) (9AM-7:30PM, Aug. 11 & 12)
* $20: Brunch (11AM, Aug. 12)
* $15: Single tickets will be sold at the door as available
* FREE: SPECIAL ADDED EVENTS are complimentary, with ticket purchase of any STAGES 2007 performance.
BOX OFFICE: Theatre Building Chicago (1225 W. Belmont Ave. at Racine) or call TBC's box office: 773.327.5252; also available at TICKETMASTER: 312.902.1500 (www.ticketmaster.com).
Reservations are strongly encouraged. Valet parking ($8) available; convenient to CTA Belmont EL & #77 bus route (Belmont/Racine); Restaurant discounts (with TBC ticket stubs) at nearby restaurants. For more details, visit TBC online: www.theatrebuildingchicago.org
To schedule interviews with authors or to request photos, please contact:
Tom Ballentine -Director, Marketing & Communications
tele: 773/929-7367 x223 e-mail
To view all press releases at Theatre Building Chicago, (click here)
Theatre Building Chicago is a unique non-profit company with a dynamic three-fold mission!
1. To provide subsidized space, equipment and support for performing groups
We offer services to the performing arts community with an emphasis on emerging artists and companies.
2. To develop and produce new musicals
We nurture new musicals - from our professional writers' workshop to our concert readings and studio presentations to our nationally recognized festival of new musicals.
3. To provide opportunities for emerging artists, administrators and performing groups
We offer an intensive internship program, affording students the opportunity to break into the field.
For further information, contact us at (773)929-7367
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Press Release Contact Information:
Tom Ballentine
Theatre Building Chicago
Dir., Marketing & Communications
1225 W Belmont Ave
Chicago, IL
USA 60657
Voice: 773.929.7367 x223
Website: Visit Our Website |
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