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Theatre Building Chicago presents Stages 2006, a festival of eight new musicals on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, August 11, 12, and 13. The three-day musical extravaganza performs each new work twice in concert-style formats. Now in its thirteenth season, Stages is committed to developing musicals and the writers who create them.
Stages kick-off gala takes place on Friday, August 11 with a reception at 6:00pm which will include pre-show cocktail & hors d'oeuvres followed by the Chicago premiere of Half The Sky which begins at 7:30pm. 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.
The eight new musicals in Stages 2006 include:
BEACH WARS
Aug 12 at 7:30pm
Aug 13 at 9:00am
South Theatre
Book and Lyrics by Nan Hoffman and Laurel Haines, Music by Howard Pfeifer
A musical farce about a real estate war between two cantankerous couples over Lake Michigan beachfront property.
THE COTTON CLUB
Aug 12 at 3:30pm
Aug 13 at 3:45pm
South Theatre
Book by Arnold Margolin, Music by Weslie Brown, Lyrics by Jason Kuller
Energized by black performers but reserved for “whites only,” prohibition’s most famous speakeasy sets the scene for a backstage love story.
FAIRYSTORIES
Aug 12 at 7:30pm
Aug 13 at 9:00am
North Theatre
Book, Music and Lyrics by Paul Graham Brown
A musical romance about fairies, photographs and families, Fairystories shows us the magical power of the inner life to let us grow and love. Fairystories, based on true events about the Cottingley “fairy” photographs that influenced Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, is a new family musical suitable for ages 9 and older.
HALF THE SKY
Aug 11 at 7:30pm
Aug 12 at 12:30pm
South Theatre
Conceived by Donna Trinkoff, Book by Marsha Lee Sheiness, Lyrics Luis Santeiro, June Siegel, Greer Woodward, Music Rick Cummins
A contemporary musical odyssey based on the true stories of women around the world.
MAIN-TRAVELLED ROADS
Aug 12 at 12:30pm
Aug 13 at 6:30pm
North Theatre
Music by Paul Libman, Book and Lyrics by Dave Hudson
A new musical from the stories of Hamlin Garland about two families who cope with love, work and class distinctions in the nineteenth century Midwest.
THE NERVOUS SET
Aug 12 at 3:30pm
Aug 13 at 3:45pm
North Theatre
Book by Jay Landesman with revisions by Tim Treanor and Lorraine Treanor, Music by Tommy Wolf with additional music by Simon Wallace, Lyrics by Fran Landesman
A new look at the ground-breaking jazz musical about the dawn of the Beat Generation in “50’s" New York City -- the Beats are back.
STUDIO
Aug 12 at 9:00am
Aug 13 at 1:00pm
South Theatre
Book, Music and Lyrics by Charles Strouse
A first look at a new work, by Broadway’s preeminent composer of Annie, Applause, Bye Bye Birdie, which depicts generational influences on a young man as he decides between a career as an attorney or as an artist.
SUGAR DUMPLING
Aug 12 at 9:00am
Aug 13 at 1:00pm
North Theatre
Book and Lyrics by Cheryl L. Davis, Music by C. Colby Sachs
Blue and Gray meet in Virginia near the end of the Civil War in a personal tale of redemption and new-found freedom.
Also, on August 13 at 11:45am there will be a “Stages Producers’ Forum” which is an insightful & interactive panel discussion with moderator Jeff Rossen (Entertainment Editor, Gay Chicago Magazine). This is your chance to get a FREE backstage glimpse from Chicago’s leading producers about the triumphs and challenges of staging new musicals.
This special event features distinguished and award winning producers. The panelists include:
* Bridget McDonough, General Manager, Light Opera Works
* Michael Jenkins, President and Managing Director, Dallas Summer Musicals
* Mark Edelmen, Executive Director, Theatre League
* Tom Mullen, Producer, Blue Dog Entertainment
* Michael Kerker, Director of Musical Theatre, ASCAP
Prior to the “Producers’ Forum” you can also attend the Stages brunch ($20) which begins at 11:00am on the 13th. Brunch reservations are required and can be purchases at the Theatre Building Chicago box office at 773-327-5252
Single tickets to Stages 2006 are $15 or you may purchase a Stages Pass good for all Saturday and Sunday shows for $85. Tickets for the Opening Night performance and receptions can be purchased for $75.
For tickets and information contact Theatre Building Chicago located at 1225 W Belmont Ave. – Chicago, IL or call the box office at 773-327-5252.or visit them online at www.theatrebuildingchicago.org.