Spotlight on new musicals and the return of the beloved tuner 'The Producers'

Posted January 29, 2019 5:00 am

Fighting words

Lake Zurich native Elise Marie Davis stars as the titular character in Broken Nose Theatre's Midwest premiere of "Girl in the Red Corner" by Stephen Spotswood. Davis, Broken Nose's artistic director, plays Halo, an unemployed woman and former abused spouse who takes up mixed martial arts and learns something about herself. Elizabeth Laidlaw directs. Previews at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 1, and Saturday, Feb. 2, at The Den Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago. The show opens at 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 3. Admission is pay-what-you-can. See brokennosetheatre.com.

New tuner showcase

Underscore Theatre Company hosts the 5th annual Chicago Musical Theatre Festival established to showcase new musicals. This year's fest includes nine new works plus two staged readings which will be performed simultaneously on two stages. Productions include: "Oh Hi, Johnny: The Room-sical Parody," Alex Syiek and Bryan Jager's sendup of Tommy Wiseau's "The Room;" "My Dear Watson," Jami-Leigh Bartschi's examination of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson's friendship; "The Artist and the Ember: A Self Love Story," about the creative impulse by Evan Cullinan and featuring Batavia native Kelsey Skomer and Wheeling native Kayla Kennedy; "Cancerman," J. Linn Allen's musical about a patient facing the end featuring John Leen of Glen Ellyn; and "The Incredible 6,000 Foot Ladder to Heaven," Ryan Martin's tale about a young girl building a ladder to visit her dad in heaven, featuring Maureen Sanderson of Downers Grove. Preview at 8 p.m. Monday, Feb. 4, at The Edge Theater's two stages, 5451 N. Broadway and 1133 W. Catalpa Ave., Chicago. Performances run at 8 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday; 7 and 10 p.m. Friday; 3 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday; 3 and 6 p.m. Sunday through Feb. 24. $20 ($15 during Chicago Theatre Week), $150 for an all-festival pass. See cmtf.org.

Blake Hammond, front, plays Max Bialystock, Jake Morrissy plays Leo Bloom and Elyse Collier plays Ulla in Paramount Theatre's revival of "The Producers," the Mel Brooks musical based on his 1967 film farce. Courtesy of Thomas J. King

'Producers' return

A wily, down-and-out Broadway producer and his nervous, young accountant realize that under certain circumstances they may be able to make more money if they stage a flop than a hit. They set out to do just that in "The Producers," the Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan musical based on Brooks' 1967 film. Paramount Theatre's revival stars Blake Hammond as producer Max Bialystock and Jake Morrissy as Leo Bloom, CPA. Artistic director Jim Corti directs the production, which marks the Paramount debut of Libertyville choreographer Brenda Didier. Previews at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 6, and Thursday, Feb. 7, and 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 8, at 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora. The show opens Feb. 9. $36-$69. (630) 896-6666 or paramountaurora.com.

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