Show Information for 2009-2010 Season

All performances at Theatre Building Chicago (link to map/directions, dining, and more)

Check out our recently completed 2008-2009 Season!

Macabaret

Music by Rob Hartmann Lyrics by Scott Keys Two weekends only! October 22 - November 1, 2009 Thursday, Oct. 22 at 8:00pm (Opening) Friday, Oct. 23 at 10:30pm Saturday, Oct. 24 at 10:30pm Sunday, Oct. 25 at 6:00pm Thursday, Oct. 29 at 8pm Friday, Oct. 30 at 10:30pm Saturday, Oct. 31 at 10:30pm Sunday, Nov. 1 at 6:00pm

Join Corpse de Cabaret of the undead on a kooky and spooky journey into the macabre. Macabaret is a collection of humorous new songs, which twist towards the morbid. Murderous spouses, horror films, evil cows, and supermodels are just a few of the things parodied by a Corpse de Cabaret. Specially updated for Porchlight Music Theatre’s 15th anniversary, Macabaret is the best way to celebrate Halloween in Chicago.

"Rob Hartmann and Scott Keys have written a selection of mostly humorous, always clever spooky show tunes. The three or four more serious numbers truly are haunting. This is songwriting at its tightest and most clever. See Macabaret . . . IF YOU DARE! Miss this infinitely enjoyable Halloween treat…AT YOUR OWN RISK!!! This is a ridiculous and sublime way to celebrate this haunted holiday season." 4 STARS J. Scott Hill chicagostagereview.com

The Fantasticks

Book and Lyrics by Tom Jones Music by Harvey Schmit Based on Les Romanesques by Edmond Rostand September 11 - November 15, 2009 Fridays at 8:00pm Saturdays at 8:00pm Sundays at 2:30pm

Join us for the world's longest-running musical and be inspired by this moving tale of young love obstructed by family and fate. A remarkable score is filled with catchy, memorable songs including the haunting "Try to Remember."

Miracle on 34th Street

Adapted by Patricia DiBenedetto Snyder, Will Severin and John Vreeke Story by Valentine Davies Screenplay by George Seaton November 20, 2009 –January 3, 2010 Fridays at 8:00pm Saturdays at 2:30pm and 8:00pm Sundays at 2:30pm Performance Added: Tuesday, December 8 at 7:30pm

Porchlight presents a music-enhanced version of the movie classic. Opening music arranged and orchestrated by Artistic Associate Jon Steinhagen.

When a white-bearded gentleman claims to be the real Santa Claus, he brings about a genuine "Miracle on 34th Street," spreading a wave of love throughout New York City, convincing a divorced, cynical single mother, her somber daughter, and the entire state of New York that Santa Claus in no myth. You, too, will believe!

Bring the kids to see Santa! Following the performance, children of all ages may sit on Santa's lap and visit. Parents are invited to take photographs.

Press

"L. Walter Stearns cast this nostalgic affair uncommonly well. The key actors in the vulnerable, reconstruct-able family - Christa Buck as Doris, Karl Hamilton as Fred and young Laney Kraus-Taddeo as savable Susan - all are pitch-perfect in that retro, guileless way. And Jim Sherman...brings just the right tone of chiding benevolence to Kris Kringle."

Chris Jones
Chicago Tribune

"This sweet little play-with-holiday-music pushes all the right buttons. It's pro kid, mildly pro family, pro Christmas without getting explicitly religious about it, pro Christmas shopping, and, of course, very pro Santa Claus. Like the 1947 movie, it asks the pop-theological question, What would happen if the real Santa Claus were to walk among us? (He would perform miracles and be persecuted.) The folks at Porchlight tell the story well, with energy and economy, and only a dash of sentimentality. Jim Sherman's Christlike Santa is more wise than jolly, which is refreshing, and Christa Buck is winning in the Mary Magdalene role - that of the divorced single mother who learns to love Santa."

Jack Helbig
The Reader

Into the Woods

Book by James Lapine Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim April 9–May 30, 2010 Fridays at 8:00pm Saturdays at 2:30pm and 8:00pm Sundays at 2:30pm Subscribers’ Open Rehearsal: March 21 6:00–7:30pm

When a Baker and his Wife learn the Witch next door has cursed them with childlessness, thy embark on a quest to break the spell. Along the way, they swindle, lie, and steal from Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel, and Jack of beanstalk fame. Masks and puppets creatively convey the storybook sense of wonder and fear in this modern morality tale. The bewitchingly beautiful score features the well-known songs “Children Will Listen” and “No One is Alone.”

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