PORCHLIGHT MUSIC THEATRE KICKS OFF ITS 20TH ANNIVERSARY WITH ITS STAR-STUDDED BENEFIT CONCERT CHICAGO SINGS DISNEY MONDAY, AUGUST 25 AT 7 P.M. AT MAYNE STAGE

Porchlight Music Theatre begins its 20^th Anniversary season with a benefit concert, Chicago Sings Disney featuring the music created by the Walt Disney Studios, Monday, Aug. 25 at 7 p.m. at Mayne Stage, 1328 West Morse Ave. The evening includes a thrilling roster of Chicago’s top theatre artists performing familiar Disney classics and nostalgic treasures, a silent auction, cash bar and complimentary desserts at intermission, generously provided by Bespoke Cuisine. General admission tickets are $50 in advance and $65 at the door.  VIP Tickets are available for $100, which includes a pre-show reception and premier reserved seating. Tickets may be ordered at 773.777.9884 or porchlightmusictheatre.org. Proceeds from this concert benefit Porchlight productions and educational programs at The School at Porchlight.

Since the first sound cartoon in 1929 that introduced the world to a certain mouse to the 2013 Academy-Awarding winning Frozen, the name Disney has been associated with the most beloved melodies, unforgettable lyrics and silliest symphonies. Chicago Sings Disney includes hits, award-winners and hidden gems from the Disney cannon. Chicago Sings Disney includes hits, award-winners and hidden gems from such songwriters as Peggy Lee, Alan Menken and Howard Ashman, Roger Miller, Randy Newman and the Sherman Brothers. “Let it Go,” “When You Wish Upon A Star,” “Candle on the Water,” “Bear Necessities,” “Poor Unfortunate Souls” and “It’s A Small World” are some of the night’s featured performances.*

The performers, under Peck’s direction, perform the songs in traditional formats, as well as new takes on the classics.* Chicago’s finest music theatre artists, fan favorites as well as rising stars, scheduled to appear include E. Faye Butler, Dara Cameron, Matthew Crowle, Rebecca Finnegan, Foiled Again (Rob Lindley, Anne Sheridan Smith and Allison Bazarko), John Keating, Donica Lynn, Michael Mahler, Beckie Menzie, Christine Mild,  Andrew Mueller, Matt Mueller, Meghan Murphy, Jeff Parker, Doug Peck, Peggy Roeder, Emma Rosenthal and Bethany Thomas.

*Performers and performances subject to change.

Porchlight Music Theatre, currently celebrating its 20^th season, is nationally recognized for developing innovative new works, reimagining classic productions and showcasing musical theatre’s noted veterans and rising stars. Porchlight elevates the genre in Chicago by providing intimate and powerful experiences and opportunities for growing, diverse audiences.

With the vision of Managing Artistic Director Michael Weber, Porchlight builds on its role as Chicago’s leading music theatre producer. Porchlight’s rich history includes the staging of more than 50 productions with 12 Chicago premieres and five world premieres.  Through Porchlight’s “Off the Porch” new works program, the musicals of the next generation are developed and given a first audience. The School at Porchlight is Chicago’s new center for music theatre training in the areas of performance, writing and appreciation. The company has received a total of 73 Joseph Jefferson Award nominations resulting in 26 Jeff Awards, most recently garnering the 2013 Jeff Award for Best Production for the Chicago Premiere of A Class Act.

Porchlight Music Theatre begins its 20^th Anniversary season with a benefit concert, Chicago Sings Disney featuring the music created by the Walt Disney Studios, Monday, Aug. 25 at 7 p.m. at Mayne Stage, 1328 West Morse Ave. The evening includes a thrilling roster of Chicago’s top theatre artists performing familiar Disney classics and nostalgic treasures, a silent auction, cash bar and complimentary desserts at intermission, generously provided by Bespoke Cuisine. General admission tickets are $50 in advance and $65 at the door.  VIP Tickets are available for $100, which includes a pre-show reception and premier reserved seating. Tickets may be ordered at 773.777.9884 orporchlightmusictheatre.org. Proceeds from this concert benefit Porchlight productions and educational programs at The School at Porchlight

Porchlight Music Theatre is the proud recipient of the Hopie Award from the Lester and Hope Abelson Fund for the Performing Arts and is partially supported by generous support from Actors’ Equity Foundation, Chapman & Spingola LLP, the Elizabeth F. Cheney Foundation, the Gaylord & Dorothy Donnelley Foundation, the Illinois Arts Council (a state agency), the MacArthur Fund for Arts & Culture at the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation, the National Association of Realtors, Peoples Energy and The Saints.