Broadway in Chicago

The series has been very good this year. I was a little worried that the bad economy would stop people from attending theatre like they did in NYC. Instead, Chicago is getting many of the original Broadway productions (and original cast) because so many have closed. Chicago will sometimes preview a show and then if it does well, it will go to Broadway. (like with the recent Desire Under the Elms at the Goodman Theatre - now on Broadway until July)

So far we (my mother-in-law and sister-in-law) have seen:

Grease

Xanadu

Mary Poppins (this was my favorite show and I highly recommend going - you have until the end of July)

A Bronx Tale (a one man show with Chazz Palminteri)

Next Up:

Chorus Line

Legally Blonde the Musical

I want my MTV

So... I have been watching the reality TV show on MTV to find the next Elle Woods and I really want Autumn to win. (the finale is next Monday) My husband also informed me that the musical is coming to Broadway in Chicago next year. (replacing Wicked)

Avenue Q... A+

This show was hilarious and completely inappropriate (in a good way)! (one of the characters is Gary Coleman from "Different Strokes")

To give you a clue about the show, check out some of the song titles:

"The Internet is for porn"
"If you were gay"
"Everyone's a little bit racist"
"It Sucks to be me"

Next up is Dirty Dancing - I am not sure if I will like this on stage?!?!

Broadway in Chicago

My husband and I are in our 2nd season of Broadway in Chicago. We saw Sweeney Todd last week and I found it to be very interesting and different from other shows I have recently seen. ("Spamalot" with Clay Aiken was the best!) The music was not as good as "Gypsy," "Rent," "Mamma Mia," or "Jersey Boys" however, the actors played musical instruments and sang the entire show. (which was very impressive) I am going to "The Ballad of Emmett Till" on Thursday at the Goodman Theatre and I am excited for "Avenue Q" at the end of May.