Four new shows will dawn that weekend, with each show presented twice in concert-style formats. Now in its 15th season, Stages "focuses on the development of the material, the craft of writing and the talent of the performers." Shows are not open to review by theatre critics.
For musical theatre practitioners and fans, Stages 2008 is considered one of the major musical theatre development events in the Midwest.
Stages 2008 Musicals
Killala Bay - book and lyrics by Chris Burgess, music by Denise Wright, Aug. 16 at 7:30 PM, Aug. 17 at 1 PM. "Broadway meets Riverdance. Grace abandons her 'Sex in the City' existence to search for ancestors in an Irish backwater. But her volatile romance with the local rough diamond, and her battle to save the town from industrial devastation mean that she's in for anything but a quiet life! Manhattan values clash with the Old World in this elemental tale of an Irish-American in search of home." The panel discussions of the weekend will be "Reinventing Classic Musicals" Aug. 16, 10 AM; "New Musicals in Chicago Theatres" Aug. 16 at 4 PM; "New Musicals in American Theatres" Aug. 17, 10 AM; and "Writing and Performing Special Material," Aug. 17, 4 PM.
Stages 2008 will kick off with a musical showcase of the past 15 years featuring songs from Robin Hood, The Untold Story, Muskie Love Tomorrow Morning, Josephine, Rex, Studio, American Klezmer, Jason & the Golden Fleece and Crazy Mary. Doors open at 6 PM Aug. 15 for the pre-show appetizer reception. Curtain is at 7:30; a champagne and dessert reception follows.
Theatre Building Chicago is located at 1225 W. Belmont Ave. at Racine. For tickets call (773) 327-5252 or (312) 902-1500.
Reservations are strongly encouraged.
For more details, visit TBC online at www.theatrebuildingchicago.org.
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Theatre Building "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 for Stages 2008 focusing on the developmental process of new musicals, but performances are works in progress and are not open for critical review by media.