Displaying items by tag: Broadway
[Title of Show] A Fun Musical...About Making a Musical
Although the idea of two gay friends, Hunter and Jeff, sitting down to write their own musical for a competition deadline in three weeks’ time may seem a little bit dated, these performers including Matt Frye, and Yando Lopez do a great job of making the piece seem vibrant and current. Hunter and Jeff who love watching their reality TV like the Bachelor and "procrasturbating" introduce two of their gal friends to help them fill out the cast with Susan (Neala Barron) and Heidi (Anna Schutz). The group decides to take things they’re actually chatting about daily and eventually come up with a play about their own lives and trying to get into the playwrights festival. This is the theme for [Title of Show] now playing at Rivendell Theatre.
Long story short, they end up getting thrilled with an invite to enter into the Fest and eventually a short Off-Broadway and even shorter Broadway run all of which is exciting and mind blowing for the friendly foursome. As it happens it brings about the usual problems with managing who gets credit for what and who is the most important or likable part of the show.
I loved the song, 'Die, Vampire Die’ about managing all of the negative, "bloodsucking" thoughts that weigh on you mentally and emotionally when you are trying to create something new.
Neala Barron as the "corporate by day, creative by night' - part time actress - has the funniest and most well-rounded performance in this piece. Matt Frye as Hunter is also very funny and really makes the most of his character.
Lovers of the musical theater genre will adore this peppy, fast moving production and see themselves reflected in all the characters' struggles to be recognized and stand out including the sole musician, a very funny role for a pianist with just a few choice lines.
The reason this show still works and is timely despite coming out in 2008, is that even today with all of the new opportunities for performers to write and star in their own projects for the many contests held online and on national TV, is that for everyone eventually realizes that a little bit of success is just not enough.
Just appearing in a show on Broadway will not make you and your friends "stars". Nor will it secure you financially in any way for the rest of your lives. There is also a funny number in the show where the cast counts out all of the "loser” musicals that made it to Broadway and flopped.
Yet it is essential that actors still persist in taking over their own careers and write their own projects or they run the risk of playing bit parts their entire lives without ever realizing their full potential as writers and creators, always working the "day job" and waiting helplessly for the phone to ring with a magical call from their agents.
Well-directed, this 90 minute piece flows at a quick, funny pace.
All actors should be actor/writers, that's the best message of this show, not to let the fear of criticism cripple you from putting out your own work and maintaining loyalty to the friends who help you get your work out. Because, after all the success and thrill ride for each project is over, you still need to get up and keep writing and creating something new for yourself with your friends close by your side. Never give up and never let the pressures of making a name for yourself eclipse the importance of the daily life you are actually living because in the end you may find the journey itself really was the whole play!
[Title of Show] is playing at Rivendell Theatre through August 16th.
It's Funny What Can Happen on a "Neighborhood Watch," Now Running at Jackalope Theatre
31 May 2025 in Theatre in ReviewYou’ll want to join this “Neighborhood Watch," a fast-paced comedy having its world premiere in Jackalope Theatre’s performance space in…
MJ THE MUSICAL is On Sale Wednesday May 28th!
27 May 2025 in Upcoming TheatreProducers Lia Vollack, John Branca, and John McClain and Broadway In Chicago are thrilled to announce that individual tickets for the highly anticipated return engagement of…
Evanston Salt Costs Rising: Stormy souls on salted streets at First Floor Theater
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Corn Productions has a new original play premiering in June - Support Group For The End Of The World
26 May 2025 in Upcoming TheatreCorn Productions announces the world premiere of “Support Group For The End Of The World” Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, June…
History. Passion. Power. A Love That Changed an Empire - Scandalous Boy at
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TimeLine Theatre Company announces milestone 2025-26 season, culminating with inaugural production at its new home in Uptown
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RAVEN THEATRE ANNOUNCES 43rd SEASON - Dave Malloy's A Capella Musical OCTET and Terry Guest's OAK Get Chicago Premieres; TOP GIRLS Explores Feminism Through History
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Marriott Theatre Continues 50th Anniversary Season with Vibrant New Jukebox Musical, Always Something There…
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Lucid Theater to stage comedy BUDDHA'S BIRTHDAY by WELLS AND WELLES playwright Amy Crider, August 1-17 at the Edge Theatre
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Review: HONEYPOT: BLACK SOUTHERN WOMEN WHO LOVE WOMEN at Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre in Evanston
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The Title Says it All in Conspirators Remarkable ‘Chicago Cop Macbeth’
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HAMILTON returns to Chicago in 2026
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Hiplet Ballerinas: A Daring Dance Revolution at Auditorium Theatre
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Blank Theatre’s SWEET CHARITY Charms with Talented Cast and Standout Choreography
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The Antiquities: A Thought-provoking Look at Today from the Future
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![Riots of Laughter Greet World Premiere of 'R.U.R. [Rossum’s Universal Robots]'](/media/k2/items/cache/63d6788acfa364724d695afe54efe853_S.jpg)
Riots of Laughter Greet World Premiere of 'R.U.R. [Rossum’s Universal Robots]'
13 May 2025 in Theatre in ReviewRiots of laughter greeted the City Lit Theater world premiere of “R.U.R. [Rossum’s Universal Robots]” Wait. Could this be the…
Paramount Theatre extends Million Dollar Quartet until January 4, 2026
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See Chicago Dance Announces 2025 Chicago Dance Month Performers and FREE Events
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Tickets for Disney's The Lion King On Sale Now
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Cats pounces onto the Paramount stage taking the legendary musical to soaring new heights
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Trap Door's 'Galileo,' Beautifully Produced, Is a Knowing Parable for Our Times
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Humble and Radiant: Charlotte's Web at Greenhouse Theatre
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Hell in a Handbag Productions Presents World Premiere of QUEEN FOR A DAY
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A Chicago May Must See: Time Is A Color And The Color Is Blue at Bramble Arts Loft
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Steppenwolf Theatre Presents YOU WILL GET SICK - June 5 – July 13, 2025 - Chicago Premiere!
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Review: Remy Bumppo's 'Art' at Theatre Wit
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BACK IN CHICAGO BY POPULAR DEMAND! TONY AND GRAMMY-WINNING BEST MUSICAL, HADESTOWN IS NOW PLAYING
06 May 2025 in Upcoming TheatreBroadway In Chicago is thrilled to announce that HADESTOWN, the winner of eight 2019 Tony Awards® including Best New Musical and the…
Definition Theatre Presents World Premiere of Black Bone by Tina Fakhrid-Deen
05 May 2025 in Upcoming TheatreDefinition Theatre is proud to present the world premiere of Black Bone, a bold new satire by Chicago playwright Tina Fakhrid-Deen…
Hymn at Chicago Shakespeare Theater – A Soulful Exploration of Brotherhood
04 May 2025 in Theatre in ReviewStories that explore the emotional lives of men—especially Black men—are still far too rare on the American stage. Outside the…
Chicago Opera Theater presents world premiere of She Who Dared by Jasmine Arielle Barnes & Deborah D.E.E.P. Mouton
02 May 2025 in Upcoming TheatreChicago Opera Theater (COT), Chicago’s foremost producer of new and rarely staged operas, proudly presents the world premiere of She Who Dared by…
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It's Funny What Can Happen on a "Neighborhood Watch," Now Running at Jackalope Theatre
Written by Bill EslerYou’ll want to join this “Neighborhood Watch," a fast-paced comedy having its world premiere in Jackalope Theatre’s performance space in the Broadway Armory. Harsh Gagoomal plays Mo Rizvi with deft emotional range, a bearded, swarthy Middle Easterner who has moved… -
History. Passion. Power. A Love That Changed an Empire - Scandalous Boy at
Written by Sarz MaxwellI’m a geek, I admit it; I love seeing theatre that’s … well … real. Like SCANDALOUS BOY – you’ve heard of Roman Emperor Hadrian, yeah? He reigned from 117 to 138 CE (that was even before Diana’s wedding!) and… -
Evanston Salt Costs Rising: Stormy souls on salted streets at First Floor Theater
Written by Susan LiebermanRecent Chicago-area winters have been relatively easy ones. Lest we forget howling blizzards or subzero temperatures, Will Arbery’s Evanston Salt Costs Climbing serves as a reminder. Director Micah Figueroa stages First Floor Theater’s production of this idiosyncratic play in a… -
MJ THE MUSICAL is On Sale Wednesday May 28th!
Written by Buzz Center StageProducers Lia Vollack, John Branca, and John McClain and Broadway In Chicago are thrilled to announce that individual tickets for the highly anticipated return engagement of the smash-hit musical, MJ, will go on sale tomorrow, Wednesday, May 28. MJ makes its Chicago return at the James M. Nederlander Theatre, August…
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