SHOUT Marketing & Media Relations

08/17/2026

Music Theater Works's "West Side Story" is Chicago Reader RECOMMENDED! The reviews asks - "Why is director Sasha Gerritson’s excellent production only running for two and a half weeks?" But this production must close August 30 at North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie! Tickets at MusicTheaterWorks.com.

Music Theater Works's revival features exhilarating choreography and great voices under Sasha Gerritson's direction.

08/17/2026

The Metal Shop Performance Lab/JunkHeart presentation of "Anatomy of a Su***de" gets 3.5 stars from Chicago Tribune! The Tribune says "stellar performances exemplify Chicago storefront theater at its finest." Now playing through August 30 at Redtwist Theatre. Tickets at TheMetalShop.org.

Generations of trauma are powerfully intertwined in this revival of British playwright Alice Birch’s 2017 drama, delivered by a standout Chicago storefront cast.

08/16/2026

Happy Opening to Oil Lamp Theater and the company of “I Love You Because,” book and lyrics by Ryan Cunningham, music by Joshua Salzman and orchestrations by Larry Hochman, directed by Scott Shallenbarger and music directed by Aaron Kahn. “I Love You Because” is a new musical comedy inspired by “Pride and Prejudice” and is now playing through September 13, at Oil Lamp Theater, 1723 Glenview Road. 📸: Gosia Matuszewska/Gosia Photography

08/14/2026

Happy Opening to Music Theater Works and the whole company of “West Side Story,” now playing through August 30 in the George Van Dusen Theatre at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie. West Side Story has a book by Arthur Laurents, with music by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. Music Theater Works’ production is directed by Sasha Gerritson, choreographed by Clayton Cross and Isa Ramirez, and music directed by Linda Madonia. Tickets at MusicTheaterWorks.com. 📸: Brett Beiner

08/11/2026

Thank you to The North Shore Weekend for this fun interview with Sasha Gerritson, director of Music Theater Works' "West Side Story" opening this Friday at North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie. Tickets at MusicTheaterWorks.coom.

In "More Than Music," Glenview stage director Sasha Gerritson hopes West Side Story entertains audiences—and challenges them—during its August run at North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie .

Sip your morning matcha and get instant access to the digital edition of The North Shore Weekend at the link in bio or visit jwcmediagroup.com, The North Shore Weekend.

Words by: Bill McLean
Illustration: Barry Blitt

08/05/2026

Block Club Chicago includes Jackalope Theatre's "Living Newspaper Festival," August 20 - 24, in its "5 Must-See Theater Shows!" Check it out with tickets at JackalopeTheatre.org.

As summer wanes, Chicago stages have it all: revivals of popular musicals, new dramas and sleight-of-hand artists.

07/26/2026

Happy opening to Babes With Blades Theatre Company’s and the entire team of the world premiere, “yo ho.,” by playwright SMJ, directed by JD Caudill and fight choreography by Carly “CB” Cason, now playing through August 29 at The Edge Off-Broadway Theater, 1133 W. Catalpa Ave. Tickets at BabesWithBlades.org. 📸: Tom McGrath/TCMcG Photography

07/11/2026

Happy Opening to the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre and the cast
and creative team of “The Wizard of Oz,” now playing through August 9. “The
Wizard of Oz” by L. Frank Baum with music and lyrics by Harold Arlen and E.Y.
Harburg. Background music by Herbert Stothart. Dance and vocal arrangements
by Peter Howard. Orchestration by Larry Wilcox. Adapted by John Kane for the
Royal Shakespeare Company. Based upon the classic motion picture owned by
Turner Entertainment Co. and distributed in all media by Warner Bros. Directed
and choreographed by Tor Campbell and music directed by Sharon Mason. Tickets at MetropolisArts.com. 📸: Jennifer Heim

07/10/2026

Daily Herald has a great interview with Abraham Deitz-Green, starring in Oil Lamp Theater's "The Last Five Years" and recently at Metropolis Performing Arts Centre's "The Wedding Singer!" Check him out in "The Last Five Years" before it closes July 19! Tickets at OilLampTheater.org.

The last few months have been a whirlwind for actor Abraham Deitz-Green. Twelve days after he concluded his run as Robbie Hart in Metropolis Performing Arts Centre’s revival of “The Wedding Singer...