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Theatre Building Chicago will present STAGES 2007, a festival of eight new musicals in progress on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, August 10-12, 2007. The three-day musical extravaganza performs each new work twice in concert style formats. Now in its fourteenth season, STAGES focuses on the development of the material, the craft of writing and the talent of the performers. Located in the heart of Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood, (1225 W. Belmont Ave at Racine).
A creative gathering of hundreds of authors, actors, artists, theatre producers and musical theatre lovers come together for one weekend, celebrating America’s original art-form, the musical. STAGES kicks off with Rex, (Music by Richard Rodgers, Lyrics by Sheldon Harnick and Book by Sherman Yellen). Award-winning writers Sheldon Harnick, lyrics (Fiddler on the Roof, The Apple Tree, The Rothschilds) and Sherman Yellen, book (Oh Calcutta!, The Rothschilds, An Early Frost – television) will also offer an interactive Q&A on their experiences regarding Rex with Bert Fink, (Senior Vice President with The Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization) author of the liner notes to the original Broadway cast recording of Rex.
Other highlights include country-music star Marty Stuart and his new musical, Moon Shine! (Book by Mary Willard, Music and Lyrics by Marty Stuart). Marty Stuart was a member of Johnny Cash’s band, and scored six top-ten hits, one platinum and five gold albums, and four Grammy Awards. Moon Shine! joins Children of the Night, (Book, Music and Lyrics by Scott Martin) both developed in part by The Academy for New Musical Theatre. The BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop is also represented with The Showgirl of 52nd Street (Book and Lyrics by Charles Leipart, Music by John Kroner) as well as Mercury Musical Developments new musical, Tomorrow Morning (Book, Music and Lyrics by Laurence Mark Wythe).
STAGES will feature three musicals by homegrown Chicago writers and members of Theatre Building Chicago’s musical theater writers workshop. So Happy I Could Scream! A Musical Celebration of Motherhood (Book by Judy Freed, Music by Sari Miller, Lyrics by Randi Wolfe, Additional Lyrics by Sari Miller); Downtown (Book by Barbara Georgans, Music by Philip Seward, Lyrics by Charlie Mehler) and DESPAIRadise (Book and Lyrics by Pat Byrnes, Music by Rich Prezioso). All three musicals were audience favorites, developed and performed during Theatre Building Chicago’s 2006-2007 Monday Night Musicals concert reading series.
STAGES will offer two bonus special events this year, beginning on August 11. Join us after the 3:30PM performance of Rex for a conversation about the creation and history of Rex. Get the back-stage details during an interactive Q & A with Sheldon Harnick (lyrics), Sherman Yellen (book) and Bert Fink, (Senior Vice President of Communications for The Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization) and author of the liner notes to the original Broadway cast recording of Rex.
On Sun., Aug. 12, enjoy a catered brunch (11AM, Aug. 12), followed at 12PM with the STAGES Forum: “Media Forum: Hold the Press - media attention versus dramatic criticism”. Should works in progress have media coverage? Producers, writers and theatre critics gather to discuss the important distinctions between media attention versus criticism when covering new musicals in progress. Both ticketed events are free to the public (with purchase of any STAGES performance); Stages brunch: $20
Theatre Building Chicago’s musical program offers an array of works in multiple “stages” of development. TBC nurtures new works through its musical theatre writers workshop and through collaboration with theatre companies and artists across the country. Theatre Building Chicago welcomes media attention focusing on the developmental process of new musicals; however, all performances are works in progress and are considered not appropriate for critical review.
"STAGES 2007" SCHEDULE OF NEW MUSICALS IN PROGRESS:
FRIDAY NIGHT KICK-OFF OPENING
6pm reception; 7:30pm performance of the musical, Rex - Enjoy a pre-show hors d’oeuvres buffet plus a champagne and dessert party after the show!
Children of the Night (Book, Music and Lyrics by Scott Martin)
(South Theatre ·1pm, Aug. 11 · 4pm, Aug. 12)
The true story behind the creation of Dracula and author Bram Stoker's desire for the infamous actor Sir Henry Irving to portray the literary villain on stage.
Despairadise (Book & Lyrics by Pat Byrnes; Music by Rich Prezioso)
(North Theatre · 7:30pm, Aug. 11 · 9am, Aug. 12)
Nihilist European art film makers descend to the depths of despair when their director discovers love and happiness.
Downtown (Book by Barbara Georgans, Music by Philip Seward*, Lyrics by Charlie Mehler*)
(South Theatre · 7:30pm, Aug. 11 · 9am, Aug. 12)
A roman à clef about the founding of a 1950's magazine for men, complete with centerfolds! The romance between the originators is thwarted by blackmail, plagiarism and lace panties.
Moon Shine! (Book by Mary Willard, Music and Lyrics by Marty Stuart)
(South Theatre · 9am, Aug. 11 · 1:15pm, Aug. 12)
A Texan has only a few weeks to find a wife before losing his inheritance – the family pet food business. Tumbleweeds and hairballs combine to make a hilarious musical comedy.
Rex (Music by Richard Rodgers, Lyrics by Sheldon Harnick, Book by Sherman Yellen)
(South Theatre · 7:30pm, Aug. 10 · 3:30pm, Aug. 11)
Distracted by his desire for a male heir and by his ill-fated love for Anne Boyeln, Henry VIII dismisses the royal qualities of his spirited daughter Elizabeth, who will someday ascend to the throne.
The Showgirl of 52nd Street (Book and Lyrics by Charles Leipart, Music by John Kroner)
(North Theatre · 1pm, Aug. 11 · 4pm, Aug. 12)
A bag lady, once a glamorous performer, confuses fact with fantasy, and relives her life in a jumble of memories and hopes.
So Happy I Could Scream! A Musical Celebration of Motherhood (Book by Judy Freed, Music by Sari Miller,
Lyrics by Randi Wolfe*, Additional Lyrics by Sari Miller)
(North Theatre · 3:30pm, Aug. 11 · 7pm, Aug. 12)
A touching, funny and thought-provoking musical revue for everyone who is a mother or has one.
Tomorrow Morning (Book, Music and Lyrics by Laurence Mark Wythe)
(North Theatre · 9am, Aug. 11 · 1:15pm, Aug. 12)
Two couples, separated by time. Looking back or looking forward, only one thing is certain: tomorrow morning, their lives will never be the same.
SPECIAL ADDED EVENTS:
Media Forum: Hold the Press - media attention versus dramatic criticism
(West Theatre · 12PM, August 12)
Should works in progress have media coverage? Producers, writers and theatre critics gather to discuss the important distinctions between media attention versus criticism when covering new musicals in progress.
A conversation about the creation and history of Rex
(West Theatre: directly following the 3:30PM - Aug. 11 performance of Rex)
Join us for an interactive Q & A with Sheldon Harnick (lyrics),
Sherman Yellen (book), and Bert Fink (Senior Vice President of Communications for The Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization and author of the liner notes to the original Broadway cast recording of Rex)
STAGES tickets are now on sale at the box office: 773.327.5252 and Ticketmaster 312.902.1500. For more information visit TBC online: www.theatrebuildingchicago.org