Theatre News Wire

Porchlight Music Theatre announced its return to live performance with its 27th season that includes the 2021 - 2022 Mainstage, Porchlight Revisits and New Faces Sing Broadway seasons. 

"Being raised in Waynesboro, Virginia (a small town off of highway 81), I relate to Pump Boys and Dinettes in a whole different way. The connection of community and values really strikes a chord with me. Today, times have changed and people have changed, but not the sense of community," said Pump Boys & Dinettes Director Daryl Brooks+. "When Porchlight asked me to direct Pump Boys, I realized that it was time to show off the diversity not just in the people, but the music! At every turn, this show will be a slice of comfort and excitement, just like a piece of my grandma's lemon meringue pie!"

Blues in the Night Director/Choreographer Kenny Ingram+ spoke about the 2022 production, saying, "I am grateful to work with Porchlight Music Theatre as the director/choreographer of Blues in the Night. We approach this production with realism and look forward to taking audiences on a joyful ride that includes two parts of the 'Night.' There is that 11 p.m. side when you want to throw your hands up, give a shout and learn a lesson and then that 4 a.m. side when the truth hits you so bad in your guts you almost cannot move and you may only want to cry. We want audiences to feel all of these emotions and let them figure out 'Which side of the night are they on?'"

"It's always a joy to be back at my artistic home, Porchlight Music Theatre," said Spring Awakening director Brenda Didier*. "I especially love that Spring Awakening will premiere in spring, a time of rebirth and discovery. Spring Awakening has been an important work since its 19th century debut and received its own rebirth as a brilliant piece of music theatre. I can't wait for the show's many fans and new audiences to experience our take on its powerful music and themes."

The 2021 - 2022 Mainstage Season
Pump Boys & Dinettes, one of the longest running shows in Chicago theatre history, is a country fried phenomenon filled with toe-tapping music on guitar, piano, bass and a kitchen utensil or two, October 30 - December 12.

Blues in the Night, starring Tony Award-nominee Felicia P. Fields*, shares the story of three women's highs and lows of romance through the iconic songs of some of the greatest Blues artists ever including Bessie Smith, Ida Cox, Harold Arlen and others, January 15 - February 27, 2022.

Spring Awakening, the winner of eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical. Porchlight's production of this haunting and provocative coming of age tale over 130 years in the making will thrill you, April 23 - May 29, 2022.

The 2021 - 2022 Porchlight Revisits Season
Porchlight Revisits celebrates the lost musical gems of Broadway and Off-Broadway and is your ticket to go behind the scenes with an introduction to the luminaries who created the greatest musicals of all time and an opportunity to discover a new 'old' favorite all in one big show. Chicago's finest music theatre talent dust off these treasures and escort audiences to the world of Broadway's past for a limited run. In addition to productions from days gone by, each Porchlight Revisits includes the Behind the Show Backstory, an entertaining and informative multimedia presentation, created and hosted by Artistic Director Michael Weber+, introducing the evening's production including the show's creative history, juicy backstage stories and much more.

The eighth season of Porchlight Revisits includes:

Nunsense (1985)
Join the Little Sisters of Hoboken for this heaven-sent musical that has blessed theatregoers worldwide for more than 30 years and has had six sequels, three spin-offs and a TV special starring "Golden Girl" Rue McClanahan as "Mother Superior," November 17 and 18.

Passing Strange (2008)
From L.A. to Amsterdam to Berlin, a young musician chases youthful dreams in this 2008 Tony and Drama Desk Awards-winning rock musical, loaded with soulful lyrics and passion, February 16 and 17, 2022.

The Apple Tree (1966)
From the songwriting team behind Fiddler on the Roof and She Loves Me, this witty, tuneful and charming musical is made up of three musical miniatures and was Tony nominated for Best Musical, May 18 and 19, 2022.

The 2021 - 2022 New Faces Sing Broadway Season
New Faces Sings Broadway was launched in 2016 and quickly became one of Porchlight's most popular offerings. This tuneful, audience-interactive evening is hosted by a popular Chicago music theatre star and features a company of up-and-coming local talents. The show is a journey from the start to the finish of one specific musical season on Broadway, peppered with visuals of the era in a multimedia presentation, trivia games (with prizes!), sing-alongs and more. Do not miss this year's season to be treated to the best music of the "hit and miss" productions that made up a musical season on Broadway presented in an intimate and elegant cabaret environment.

New Faces Sing Broadway 1947
Winter 2022
Featuring songs from Broadway shows including Brigadoon, Finian's Rainbow, High Button Shoes and more.

New Faces Sing Broadway 1971
Spring 2022
Featuring hit songs from Broadway shows including Follies, Jesus Christ Superstar, 70, Girls, 70 and more.

New Faces Sing Broadway NOW (2022)
Summer 2022
Featuring songs from shows playing on Broadway right NOW. 

Single tickets and a variety of subscription options for the Mainstage and Porchlight Revisits are on sale beginning Monday, Aug. 23 at 12 p.m. at PorchlightMusicTheatre.org or by phone at 773.777.9884.