billy billy billy

Meet our three Billys.

Tommy Batchelor, Giuseppe Bausilio and Cesar Corrales at Broadway In Chicago’s Ford Center/Oriental Theatre stage door. Photo: Amy Boyle

They came into Chicago yesterday for today’s press conference to introduce them to Chicago. They are so talented, and so cute and international too!

Make sure to watch the news today as they will surely be on all of the stations TV news by the end of the day.

Broadway In Chicago got to take them on a whirl-wind tour of Chicago, ending up on Chicago’s Little Lady for an evening cruise that included Chicago-style deep dish pizza from Marcello’s and Garrett’s Popcorn! It was a beautiful way to take in the sights of Chicago.

CHICAGO loves BILLY ELLIOT and now the BILLYs love CHICAGO.

-Eileen

Announcing the 2010 Season

Broadway In Chicago is proud to announce the complete 2010 Broadway In Chicago Season Series. The shows included in the 2010 Season Series are Billy Elliot the Musical, Shrek The Musical, August: Osage County, NETworks presentation of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, and The 39 Steps; the selection of shows continue to emphasize Broadway In Chicago’s long-standing commitment to bringing the best of Broadway to Chicago. Season subscriptions go on sale Sunday, September 13, 2009 at 10 a.m. 

Broadway In Chicago Season Series ticket holders will receive a multitude of special benefits, including savings up to 30 percent, priority seating at each venue, ticket exchange privileges, pre-paid and discounted parking, access to gift cards to give tickets as gifts, as well as the first opportunity to purchase additional tickets to future Broadway In Chicago productions, including those not currently listed in the Season Series. Season ticket packages will go on sale Sunday, September 13, 2009 at 10 a.m. and will be available for purchase at BroadwayInChicago.com or by calling the Season Ticket Hotline at (312) 977- 1717. Tickets are currently available for groups of 15 or more by calling (312) 977-1710. Single tickets to each individual production will go on-sale at future dates to be announced. Broadway In Chicago gift certificates, which can be redeemed for any production or for season ticket packages, may be purchased at Broadway In Chicago box offices, www.BroadwayInChicago.com or by calling the Broadway In Chicago ticket line at (800) 775-2000.

it’s beginning to look a lot like autumn

Fall is my favorite time of year for many reasons – fall fashions, change in the weather (although this year we are not tired of the heat!), and my birthday which comes around every October! But mostly because all of the theaters roll out their fall plans – and the fourth quarter of the year is the most popular time of year for theatre-going.

For Broadway In Chicago this is a very exciting fall – we have JERSEY BOYS, THE ADDAMS FAMILY, YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, CATS and THE TEN TENORS, all before Thanksgiving!

We are preparing for all the fall previews that are running this weekend, both submitting our ads to the papers and getting the writers what they need for their stories. We hope some of these stories will include our shows but mostly want them to be big and lavish – really great fall preview sections that show the depth of what everyone has to offer for Theater In Chicago – because there is no better theater town than Chicago.

This Thursday, we have two events for BILLY ELLIOT. The staff here is spending some time today and tomorrow following up with our guests and reminding them about this exciting event. It’s going to be pretty great – not only are the producers coming in from London but we are introducing the young boys who will star in the Chicago production.

BONUS ALERT: As a special treat, we are going to give four lucky readers an invitation to come to this private event! Leave a comment on this post with either the number of times you have seen Billy and why you love it so much, or if you haven’t seen it, why you want to see it when it comes to Chicago. We will select four random winners to come with a guest to the 3:30 pm event on Thursday, September 10 (make sure you can come at that time!). We will pick the winners at 5 pm on Wednesday, September 9. We will email the winners all the specifics on the event. You do not want to miss this!

-Eileen

those who can’t perform…publicize

People often say “those who can’t do, teach.” Well, I like to think of it more along the lines of those who can’t perform become press agents/publicists. My earliest childhood memory was wanting to be a star and diva like Miss Piggy. However, growing up over the years, I came to the realization that I really didn’t have the performing chops needed to make my kindergarten dream come true. BUT, I had a different kind of talent, a more behind the scenes talent, and that was being able to get performers and shows of all types the publicity they deserve.

Over the past ten years, I have encountered a fabulous group of people in my career from Cookie Monster to Carlin, but there was always something more I wanted to do. Growing up on musicals and theatre (from touring productions to our local 400 seat community theatre), I really wanted to get back to what I loved. In early 2009, I was able to come on board with Margie Korshak and work with Broadway In Chicago and the fabulous shows that are in Chicago! Although it is crazy from time to time, I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I have been able to do some exciting things and meet some fabulous performers. There is no typical day here at MKI when you are working on Broadway show. Of course, there is the “standard PR stuff” like writing releases, talking to reporters and booking TV appearances. But we also get to things that fall out of the realm of a 9am – 5pm desk job! Over the past few months some of the highlights include:

• Going on a wine tasting tour of Chicago with Michael Cunio of Jersey Boys for a Chicago Sun Time article
• National Anthems for the White Sox (Mary Poppins, Jersey Boys and Fiddler on the Roof)
• Shopping for an opening night dress with Ashley Brown (Mary Poppins) at Maria Pinto
• Having breakfast during a media tour with Adam Pascal and Anthony Rapp from Rent
• Having manicures with Alyana Gallo of Jersey Girls for a “girlie story”
• Going to the Windy City Rollers (women’s roller derby) with cast members from Xanadu

We at MKI are getting more and more excited as fall approaches for some great events and shows like the second Anniversary of Jersey Boys in Chicago, the premiere of The Addams Family, Young Frankenstein (with original cast members Roger Bart and Shuler Hensley) and In The Heights. And of course, gearing up for next year with Billy Elliot and Shrek! Broadway In Chicago will be keeping us very busy this fall but more importantly, they will be bringing YOU the best Broadway shows! Hope to see you at the next one!

-Michelle, Broadway In Chicago press agent

nothing beats chicago

A lot is happening at Broadway In Chicago!

I had to fly out for a one day turnaround to see a show and meet with producers. This is a show that will knock your socks off! It’s so much fun but I can’t give you more details than that right now. Today we had producers come in to tour all the venues for a new show that they are thinking of bringing to Chicago FIRST! Sounds spectacular and we made sure they all know that Chicago is fond of being first. What’s great about touring new producers around Chicago is that they fall in love with the city. What is not to love? And we always credit Mayor Daley for all the beautiful flowers and parks and our forefathers who had the foresight to not build on the lake. Everybody loves Chicago – even Elton John has Chicago fever!

SPRING AWAKENING is still with us but only for one more week – you must stop what you are doing and go. It is one of those shows that you don’t want to miss. JERSEY BOYS has really been busy with summer tourists and is now planning its second anniversary! We have meetings this week with THE ADDAMS FAMILY; it is great to be able to present a world premiere pre-Broadway production. We are also looking forward to YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN with some of the original Broadway stars Roger Bart and Shuler Hensley.

What a fall we have shaping up!
-Eileen

tales from the press world

I am approaching my one year anniversary of working at Margie Korshak, Inc. on the Broadway In Chicago account – and let me tell you that there has rarely been a dull moment! One of my favorite things about my job is that I am rarely at my desk and each day brings something new.

After a year, I thought it might be fun to look back and share some of my favorite moments:

• My first PR duty for Broadway In Chicago ― taking cast members from Wicked on an Architecture Boat Cruise on a beautiful day in September. I think I even managed to get some sun, too!
• The one year anniversary of Jersey Boys. What else can you say except a citywide pizza party and closing the show with Frank Sinatra’s “My Kind of Town” is pretty cool!
• Escorting Annaleigh Ashford and Jenny DiNoia from the cast of Wicked to a Bears game to sing the National Anthem. It was freezing cold, but it was worth it as they were amazing! Plus, I was able to walk on the field, watch very good looking football players warm up and stand next to the bench during the National Anthem.
• “Nobody puts Baby in a corner” Dirty Dancing is a link to my childhood – How could I not love it?!
• Wicked’s final performance. Although I only worked a short time with the show, it was sad to see Wicked leave Chicago… But the cast party at The Dana Hotel after the final performance was a great party!
• Meeting the magnificent and legendary Richard Chamberlain when he was in town starring as King Arthur in Monty Python’s Spamalot. It was a privilege to spend time with him.
• Having lunch with John O’Hurley, who played J. Peterman on Seinfeld, between television interviews at Italian Village while he was in town with Chicago The Musical. I am a HUGE Seinfeld fan, so need I say more?
• Watching the first preview performance of Mary Poppins at the Cadillac. I was moved to tears and it quickly became one of my favorite shows. Then getting to know the cast… how wonderfully talented, kind and energetic they were. They are all missed!
• Having Sir Elton John at a press conference on Tuesday announcing that Billy Elliot the Musical is coming to Chicago. We are very excited for March 2010.

Overall I think I have a pretty cool job…

There are many more fun stories, but so little space. I will be back with more tales from Broadway In Chicago’s press world in a month or two… See you then!

-Anne, Broadway In Chicago press agent

electricity

Yesterday will be counted as one of the most exciting days at Broadway In Chicago. There was electricity in the air. The Broadway In Chicago team, the producers from Working Title Films – Eric Fellner and Jon Finn – and none other than SIR ELTON JOHN greeted a select group of media at Wrigley Field to announce:

BILLY ELLIOT THE MUSICAL
COMING TO CHICAGO MARCH 2010 FOR AN EXTENDED RUN!!!!!

This is a show that the entire Broadway In Chicago team has been fighting to have first and to have a long run based on our audience demand and the brilliance of the show AND WE GOT IT!!!

If you have seen this show in London or New York, you know how wonderful it is, and if you haven’t seen it you are in for one of the most moving experiences in the theatre.

Just some of the press on the announcement:
Chris Jones’ Blog
ABC7
Playbill

We’ll see you at the theatre!
-Eileen

what does the future hold

Hello from NY – what a weekend!

Sunday afternoon, I met Heather Schmucker, who we work with on a project that Broadway In Chicago is doing with American Musical Theatre Project at Northwestern. Together we saw GOD OF CARNAGE – produced by Stuart Thompson, who is also working on SHREK. All those stars on stage – Jeff Daniels, Hope Davis, James Gandolfini, Marcia Gay Harden – and a hilarious play! But the stars weren’t only on stage. Right next to me in the seat was Meg Ryan. Now that is a real bonus.

There are so many great shows that we are all hoping will tour and come to Chicago first or longest. Just a few:

• BILLY ELLIOT
• ROCK OF AGES
• GOD OF CARNAGE
• WEST SIDE STORY
• NEXT TO NORMAL
• HAIR

What are you hoping for? At this point, all we can do is wait and see what develops.

-Eileen

a marvelous weekend

I had the perfect weekend!

Friday Night – attended Tommy at Circle Theatre in Forest Park. The show was great and the adult Tommy blew the audience away with an amazing performance. His name is Tom McGunn – and in addition to his amazing talent on stage, Tom has been a treasured marketing associate with Broadway In Chicago for over 4 years. Before that, he performed with my daughter in Joseph at the Chicago Theatre and Phantom at the Candlelight Playhouse.

Saturday – okay, let’s not talk about Saturday as it was all about getting caught up with e-mail – not very theatrical at all! However Sunday made up for it – the Sunday in June that every theatre Broadwayite (new term that was coined at the Tony’s!) waits with great anticipation.

It started off attending a reading of a musical in development called Harold and Maude (of the cult movie fame) at the home of director and Northwestern professor, David Bell. It was an intimate group of people – all theatre folk including Sandy Shinner from Victory Gardens, Bill Pullinsi from Theatre at the Center, and Libby Mages – Broadway Producer, among others. Kurt Johns, directed the piece and the show is written by Tom Jones who wrote the music for The Fantastiks. The cast was brilliant starring Renee Matthews but the stand out to me was her co-star Nathan Carroll, a recent graduate from Columbia College in Chicago and the most amazing young talent – and most importantly a valued usher for Broadway In Chicago.

Then at 7 pm, we had a Tony party with fellow Broadway In Chicago staffers and dinner by producer Tony D’Angelo (name-sake chef for the Tony’s and my adorable husband). We all thought it was one of the best Tony productions – lots of performances! Okay there were some sound problems but there was so much to look at – glittering stars, lots of people/producers that love Chicago and great performances, not-to-be-missed plays and even some stars from the shows you have or had in Chicago including our lead from Jersey Boys and Legally Blonde. Plus great performances by Shrek, soon to be at the Oriental Theatre, and our dear friend David Stone’s (producer of Wicked) Next to Normal (what an unbelievably moving show – even Elton gave a shout out to the composers), West Side Story (what a performance!), Rock of Ages and Hair (both rocked the house – and the TV viewing audience too – and hopefully rocking a Broadway In Chicago theatre soon!). Last but certainly not least, the 2009 Tony Award for Best Musical – BILLY ELLIOT! This is a shout out to the show’s producers: we so want this show to come to Chicago first before any other city outside of NY and for the longest time possible. Please send your pleas for the show to come here first and we will send them on to the producer!

High on Theatre,

Eileen

P.S. Here is real insider scoop – there was a quick video teaser for the THE ADDAMS FAMILY but only for the audience members at the Tony’s. Click here and you too can be on the inside. And don’t forget to buy your tickets! THE ADDAMS FAMILY is on its way to being sold out!