I caught up with my friend Maury Yeston last week who tells me he is thrilled with director Rob Marshall's film version of NINE.  Several years in the making, listen to the beginning stages of the movie in this interview I conducted with Mr. Yeston a couple years ago as he announces the casting of the film on ShowBiz Chicago.  NINE opens in theatres November 25, 2009.  

NINE is a vibrant and provocative musical that follows the life ofworld famous film director Guido Contini (Daniel Day-Lewis) as hereaches a creative and personal crisis of epic proportion, whilebalancing the numerous women in his life including his wife (MarionCotillard), his mistress (Penelope Cruz), his film star muse (NicoleKidman), his confidant and costume designer (Judi Dench), an Americanfashion journalist (Kate Hudson), the whore from his youth (Fergie) andhis mother (Sophia Loren). The film is directed by Rob Marshall(CHICAGO). The original 1982 Broadway production of “NINE,” with musicand lyrics by Maury Yeston, won five Tony Awards including Best Musical.

        

Bank of America Theatre
CELEBRATE INDEPENDENCE DAY WITH HOT TIX HALF PRICE TICKETS! HALF PRICE TICKETS AVAILABLE THROUGH HOTTIX ONLY for Special 4th Of July week performances.

Saturday, July 4 2pm
Saturday, July 4, 8pm
Sunday, July 5 2pm
Sunday, July 5, 7:30pm
Tuesday, July 7, 7:30pm

Visit www.HotTix.org or one of the two HOT TIX booth locations to purchase half price tickets to the above performances WHILE SUPPLIES LAST!

*Offer available ONLY for performances listed above at Hot Tix locations or HOTTIX.org. Restrictions and handling fees apply. Subject to availability.

        

Northlight Theatre opens its 35th Season with the hit musical, The Marvelous Wonderettes. The production runs September 17-October 25, 2009 at Northlight Theatre, 9501 Skokie Blvd in Skokie.<< MORE >>

Cavalia, the internationally acclaimed spectacular equestrian odyssey makes its Chicago debut beginning Tuesday, July 14. This multimedia extravaganza brings together more than 100 two and four-legged artists. The mix of horses, acrobats, aerialists, dancers, riders and musicians transports spectators to dream-like settings while celebrating the timeless bond between horses and humans.<< MORE >>

With Blackbird, William Petersen, former star of CBS-TV's CSI, returns to the theater where he first earned his Equity card to tackle a role that echoes his earliest work on Chicago's stages playing morally damaged characters in In the Belly of the Beast, The Night of the Iguana, and Flyovers.<< MORE >>

Steppenwolf Theatre Company presents the 5th annual First Look Repertory of New Work, featuring three developmental productions of new plays presented in rotation and accompanied by a series of events around the development of new work. First Look Repertory of New Work runs July 22 - August 9, 2009 in The Merle Reskin Garage Theatre, 1624 N. Halsted St. All tickets are $20.<< MORE >>

Infamous Commonwealth Theatre (ICT) is proud to announce the topic for their eighth season: REDEMPTION. ICT is taking a break from producing for the remainder of 2009 in order to focus on internal administrative changes. However, ICT plans to explore the many facets of our new season topic with three upcoming productions in 2010. << MORE >>

On June 26, 2009, The Princess Grace Foundation-USA hosted a special benefit performance of Steppenwolf Theatre Company's production of Up, written by Princess Grace Awards winner Bridget Carpenter (Playwriting, 1997) and directed by Princess Grace Awards winner Anna D. Shapiro (Directing, 1996). Anna won the 2008 Tony® Award for Best Direction for Steppenwolf's hit Broadway play August: Osage County. Bridget Carpenter is a renowned award-winning playwright and many pieces of her work have been produced at theaters across the country.<< MORE >>

BoHo Theatre brings to life Prospero's fascinating tale in a way that will have audiences talking and thinking as they leave the theatre. The seas are rough beyond compare. When thunder booms and lightning strikes, winds churn the sea into a terrible fury that imperils a fleet of ships belonging to King Alonso. As a strange, fiery light illumines the ship, the king and his company jump overboard and drift to a nearby island. Prospero, ruler of the island (and a man of magic) created this storm to bring the king to this island and settle an old score.<< MORE >>

Dance Chicago 2009 announces its 15th season, entitled “The 15th Anniversary Season Spectacular” running from October 30 - December 20, 2009. More than 3,000 performers from some of Chicago’s best dance companies will share the stage with top international companies and choreographers from around the world will take part in Dance Chicago. << MORE >>

American Theater Company (ATC) kicks off its 25th season with the Chicago Premiere of Yeast Nation (the triumph of life) with music & lyrics by Mark Hollmann and book & lyrics by Greg Kotis. The production is directed by Artistic Director PJ Paparelli, with Musical Direction by Mark Elliott, and will run September 10 - October 18, 2009 at American Theater Company, 1909 W Byron St, Chicago.<< MORE >>

Chicago cabaret vocal-trio, Foiled Again, return to SPACE this summer after a sold-out Holiday show last December. Foiled Again puts their trademark close-knit harmonies on the music of Joni Mitchell. Featuring fresh arrangements of Mitchell classics like Woodstock, Circle Game, Raised on Robbery, and Big Yellow Taxi and many other lesser-known tunes from her extensive and eclectic song catalogue. << MORE >>

Each year the Taste of Chicago brings with it gobs of fresh barbecue,fervent crowds, and a varying assortment of beer gardens that would make Georgia O’Keefe question her favorite subject matter. But spliced in the middle of this raucous summer favorite is the annual Broadway in Chicago Concert in the Park, an evening of music that showcases Broadway’s biggest touring hits. The headliner of this summer’s production was the Broadway touring cast of “Mary Poppins”, joined by the upcoming touring ensembles of “101 Dalmations the Musical”, “In the Heights”, “Girls Vs. Boys” (an American Music Theatre Project tryout),“Young Frankenstein”, and Chicago’s very own lads from “Jersey Boys”. A handful of esteemed talents from the Great White Way braved the heat to showcase both upcoming and closing tours hitting the windy city. Roger Bart (“Young Frankenstein”, “The Producers”) reprised his role as Dr.Frankenstein (that’s Frahnk-en-shteen) in the number ‘Puttin’ On The Ritz’. Leading the “Mary Poppins” cast was Broadway’s Ashley Brown, a prodigiously nuanced performer of the utmost vocal pedigree.

Audiences enjoyed an unforgettable taste of some of Broadway’s most successful productions. It was surely an evening to wet any musical theatre fan’s ever-increasing appetite. ShowBiz Chicago was there to capture an exclusive photo gallery of each performance. Tickets to all Broadway in Chicago productions can be purchased at www.BroadwayinChicago.com or by calling (312) 902-1400.

All photos by Alissa Norby.

Ashley Brown performs as the title character in "Mary Poppins". Photo credit: Alissa Norby.

A candid of Ashley Brown as she performs as "Mary Poppins". Photo credit: Alissa Norby.

Ashley Brown performs as the title character in "Mary Poppins". Photo credit: Alissa Norby

It's a 'Jolly Holiday' with Gavin Lee (Bert) and Ashley Brown (Mary Poppins). Photo credit: Alissa Norby

Ashley Brown (Mary Poppins) and Gavin Lee (Bert) perform with the cast of "Mary Poppins". Photo credit: Alissa Norby.

Aida Neitenbach (Jane Banks) doesn't think her nanny (Ashley Brown) is so practically perfect. Photo credit: Alissa Norby.

        

Each year the Taste of Chicago brings with it gobs of fresh barbecue,fervent crowds, and a varying assortment of beer gardens that would make Georgia O’Keefe question her favorite subject matter. But spliced in the middle of this raucous summer favorite is the annual Broadway in Chicago Concert in the Park, an evening of music that showcases Broadway’s biggest touring hits. The headliner of this summer’s production was the Broadway touring cast of “Mary Poppins”, joined by the upcoming touring ensembles of “101 Dalmations the Musical”, “In the Heights”, “Girls Vs. Boys” (an American Music Theatre Project tryout),“Young Frankenstein”, and Chicago’s very own lads from “Jersey Boys”. A handful of esteemed talents from the Great White Way braved the heat to showcase both upcoming and closing tours hitting the windy city. Roger Bart (“Young Frankenstein”, “The Producers”) reprised his role as Dr.Frankenstein (that’s Frahnk-en-shteen) in the number ‘Puttin’ On The Ritz’. Leading the “Mary Poppins” cast was Broadway’s Ashley Brown, a prodigiously nuanced performer of the utmost vocal pedigree.

Audiences enjoyed an unforgettable taste of some of Broadway’s most successful productions. It was surely an evening to wet any musical theatre fan’s ever-increasing appetite. ShowBiz Chicago was there to capture an exclusive photo gallery of each performance. All photos by Alissa Norby.

Ashley Brown performs as the title character in "Mary Poppins". Photo credit: Alissa Norby.

Dennis DeYoung, composer of "101 Dalmations the Musical" takes the stage. Photo credit: Alissa Norby.

George Andrew Wolff performs as Pongo in "101 Dalmations the Musical". Photo credit: Alissa Norby.

Joanna Glushak as the villainous Cruelle DeVille in "101 Dalmations the Musical". Photo credit: Alissa Norby.

Broadway's Olga Merediz performs as Abuela Claudia in the musical "In the Heights". Photo credit: Alissa Norby.

        

Each year the Taste of Chicago brings with it gobs of fresh barbecue, fervent crowds, and a varying assortment of beer gardens that would make Georgia O’Keefe question her favorite subject matter. But spliced in the middle of this raucous summer favorite is the annual Broadway in Chicago Concert in the Park, an evening of music that showcases Broadway’s biggest touring hits. The headliner of this summer’s production was the Broadway touring cast of “Mary Poppins”, joined by the upcoming touring ensembles of “101 Dalmations the Musical”, “In the Heights”, “Girls Vs. Boys” (an American Music Theatre Project tryout), “Young Frankenstein”, and Chicago’s very own lads from “Jersey Boys”. A handful of esteemed talents from the Great White Way braved the heat to showcase both upcoming and closing tours hitting the windy city. Roger Bart (“Young Frankenstein”, “The Producers”) reprised his role as Dr. Frankenstein (that’s Frahnk-en-shteen) in the number ‘Puttin’ On The Ritz’. Leading the “Mary Poppins” cast was Broadway’s Ashley Brown, a prodigiously nuanced performer of the utmost vocal pedigree.

Audiences enjoyed an unforgettable taste of some of Broadway’s most successful productions. It was surely an evening to wet any musical theatre fan’s ever-increasing appetite. ShowBiz Chicago was there to capture an exclusive photo gallery of each performance. All photos by Alissa Norby.

Dominic Scaglione Jr. (Frankie Valli) performs 'Can't Take My Eyes Off of You' from "Jersey Boys". Photo credit: Alissa Norby

Seth Dhonau and Kaitlin Fine profess lovelorn emotions in "Girls Vs. Boys". Photo credit: Alissa Norby.

Roger Bart (right) and Justin Patterson perform in "Young Frankenstein". Photo credit: Alissa Norby.

Roger Bart (Dr. Frankenstein) performs in the Mel Brooks musical, "Young Frankenstein". Photo credit: Alissa Norby.

The cast of "Jersey Boys" in Chicago performs at the Taste of Chicago in Grant Park. Photo credit: Alissa Norby.

        

To conclude its inaugural season, The New Colony--Chicago's upstart, new works-focused theater company, presents Tupperware: An American Musical Fable. This New Colony production reunites James Asmus, Andrew Hobgood, and Julie Nichols, the award-winning team behind Love is Dead: A NecRomantic Musical Comedy. This past year, Asmus, Hobgood and Nichols won the 2008 FringeNYC Outstanding Music & Lyrics award and three After Dark Awards for Love is Dead.<< MORE >>

After Dark award winners, Beckie Menzie & Tom Michaels, bring an evening of sensational music to the Village Players Performing Arts Center on July 11, 2009.<< MORE >>

The charming fairy tale classic CINDERELLA gets a contemporary new twist in Marc Robin's imaginative musical version opening July 8 and running through August 29, 2009 at Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive. Rachel Rockwell (The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Disney's High School Musical and Aladdin) will direct and choreograph the production. << MORE >>

Conrad Birdie, the hip-swiveling, gold lamé-clad rock star in the 1960 Tony Award-winning Broadway musical, “Bye Bye Birdie,” will be appearing at Northwestern University’s Evanston campus this summer. “Bye Bye Birdie” will run for 11 matinee and evening shows at the Ethel M. Barber Theater, 30 Arts Circle Drive, during the Theatre and Interpretation Center of Northwestern University’s 2009 Summer Music Theatre Festival.<< MORE >>

The 8-time Tony Award® winning Broadway musical, SPRING AWAKENING, will make its Chicago premiere at the Ford Center for the Performing Arts, Oriental Theatre (24 W. Randolph St.) for a limited engagement August 4 to 16, 2009.<< MORE >>

Rasaka Theatre Company presents "culture/clash: three plays about the South Asian Diaspora," a trio of world premieres penned by South Asian playwrights. The production will include: "Instant Recall" by Anita Chandwaney: Madhu can't seem to recall why she asked Nigel to meet her at the café-or can she?<< MORE >>

        

Steppenwolf is opening the doors to the Scene Shop for the first time ever on Saturday, October 10, 2009! Discover: What it takes to get an ensemble member to fly, how to make a surprise entrance through a trap door, Steppenwolf's backstage 'secrets' first hand. A unique silent auction will include the stunning flowers displayed in The Tempest, autographed items from Steppenwolf productions past and present, including August: Osage County, and exclusive backstage experiences at Steppenwolf. Tickets available at $250 per person. For more information or to make a contribution, please contact Tara Gillespie, Special Events Manager at 312-654-5682 or at tgillespie@steppenwolf.org.<< MORE >>

Goodman Theatre proudly concludes its 2008/2009 season with José Rivera's newest play, Boleros for the Disenchanted. A true love story inspired by Rivera's parents' courtship and eventual migration from Puerto Rico to Alabama, Boleros for the Disenchanted makes its Chicago premiere directed by Henry Godinez-the Goodman's Resident Artistic Associate who was named 2008 Latino of the Year by the Chicago Latino Network. Chicago actors Elizabeth Ledo and Sandra Marquez command the stage in the role of Flora, based on Rivera's mother, at various points in her life. Godinez's cast also includes Liza Fernandez, Joe Minoso, Rene Rivera and Felix Solis. Boleros for the Disenchanted is performed in English in the Albert Theatre June 20 - July 26, 2009. Tickets are $25 - $70. A complete performance schedule including dates, times and ticket prices appears at the end of this release. Meet the playwright and director at a free post-performance discussion on Thursday, June 25, moderated by Myrna Salazar of the International Latino Cultural Center. Tickets and information: 312.443.3800 or GoodmanTheatre.org. The Chicago Community Trust is the Major Production Sponsor.<< MORE >>

Just in time for the Taste of Chicago, Drury Lane Water Tower Place is bringing in local Chicago headliners for the first time in over three decades. They are continuing the tradition from the seventies, when the likes of Bennett, Bailey and Fitzgerald rang the walls of the Drury Lane theatre with their musical brilliance. In one amazing night, Kevin Moore Presents brings 3GIRLS3, Chicago's most esteemed vocal trio to Drury Lane to impart their two hottest shows, one act featuring the music of Burt Bacharach and the second act, Barry Manilow: "They Write the Songs: The Musical Magic of Bacharach and Manilow."<< MORE >>

The international smash hit musical CABARET, directed and choreographed by Jeff Award winner Jim Corti, who also understudied Joel Grey on the National Tour of the Broadway revival, previews August 13, opens August 19 and runs through October 11 at Drury Lane Oakbrook, 100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace. Jim Corti directed last season's smash hit productions of SWEET CHARITY (Jeff Award winner for Outstanding Direction) as well as MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS (Jeff Award nomination for Outstanding Direction). Set in Berlin on New Years Eve, 1930, CABARET is a provocative tale of love placed against the ominous threat of the Nazi rise to power.<< MORE >>

Lookingglass Theatre Company announces the limited run of Our Future Metropolis: Mr. D.H. Burnham Presents a Plain Talk for the Development of Chicago, adapted and directed by Ensemble Member John Musial, featuring Ensemble Member Raymond Fox. The production will play at Lookingglass Theatre Company, located inside Chicago's historic Water Tower Water Works, 821 N. Michigan Ave. at Pearson on Monday, July 13, Monday, July 20 and Tuesday, July 21 at 7:30 p.m.<< MORE >>

The Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University (ATRU) proudly presents On Stage with...Megon McDonough - "An Evening with Megon McDonough" Saturday, July 18 at 8 p.m. as part of the intimate "On Stage With..." 2009 Summer Cabaret Series. This unique, up-close-and-personal concert allows the audience to enjoy the rare and exciting experience of sitting at tables of six on the stage of the magnificent Auditorium Theatre while enjoying one of the nation's most talented cabaret stars. The stage is transformed into an intimate 1940s-style cabaret club with tables, cocktail service and light appetizers, complete with a magnificent view of the Auditorium Theatre's Louis Sullivan-designed interior from a vantage point typically reserved for performers.<< MORE >>

JERSEY BOYS and MARY POPPINS will make 1776 half price tickets available through the League of Chicago Theatres' Hot Tix program beginning Monday, June 29, 2009 at 10 a.m. Tickets will be available only to select performances Fourth of July week and will be available for purchase through Hot Tix at www.HotTix.org and at either one of the two Hot Tix booth locations (72 E. Randolph St. and 163 E. Pearson St.) while supplies last. Broadway In Chicago has created this offer in conjunction with the League of Chicago Theatres which provides services and support to over 200 Chicagoland theaters. << MORE >>

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) brings Disney's Aladdin, an enchanting adaptation of the 1992 animated film, to the stage continuing CST's tradition of bringing family-friendly theater to Navy Pier all summer long. The production features Alan Menken, Howard Ashman and Tim Rice's award-winning songs, including "A Whole New World" and "Friend Like Me." Previously performing as Scar and Zazu in the national touring production of The Lion King, Larry Yando and Derek Hasenstab will reunite as the diabolical duo, Jafar and his sidekick Iago. Immediately following each performance, the actors join the audience in the Lobby for one-on-one conversations and photo opportunities. << MORE >>