OFFBEAT: Profiles Theatre in Chicago launches summer with stage thriller 'In the Company of Men'

Phil Potempa's daily entertainment news column.

OFFBEAT: PBS Lakeshore TV celebrating 25, 'Streetlamp' ready for new special

Phil Potempa's daily entertainment news column.

"Comrades Mine" by Maureen Gallagher at City Lit Theater

"Comrades Mine" is a world premiere production now at City Lit Theater Chicago until May 19, 2013.

Stealing the Show: Stage veterans paired with 11-year-old for Drury Lane's 'Oliver!'

Actress Heidi Kettenring is enjoying being part of the stage family for favorite family-friendly audience productions.

OFFBEAT: Star Plaza's 'Streetlamp' singer Shonn Wiley ready for Broadway

Phil Potempa's daily entertainment news column.

Actor Josh Franklin happy for Chicago run in Cole Porter's 'Anything Goes'

Even though creative musical genius Cole Porter hailed from Peru, Ind., there aren't any Hoosier city stops on the new national Broadway tour of his revived hit "Anything Goes."

"Big Fish" Broadway Run in Chicago with Norbert Leo Butz and Kate Baldwin

Kate Baldwin and Norbert Leo Butz star in the Chicago pre-Broadway run of "Big Fish" directed and choreographed by Susan Stroman and running until May 5, 2013 at Oriental Theatre.

"Big Fish" Poster

The new stage musical "Big Fish" has a world premiere in Chicago for a pre-Broadway run this month before opening in New York in fall 2013.

Go 'Fish' : World premiere new musical 'Big Fish' gets Chicago launch

Broadway actress Kate Baldwin has been living in the fantasy world of "Big Fish" for more than two years, watching words and musical numbers bring the selection of vivid characters to life.

OFFBEAT: Quick return for Chicago stage run of ''American Idiot'

Phil Potempa's daily entertainment news column.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater at Navy Pier at Night

The exterior of Chicago Shakespeare Theater is an illuminated attraction for all ages and a fixture along Chicago's Navy Pier since opening in the new state-of-the art space in 2000. The Chicago Shakespeare Theater celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2011.

All 'American' : Actor Alex Nee ready with message of Green Day's Broadway musical

A year ago, actor Alex Nee was a student at Northwestern who had tickets to see the Chicago premiere of the Broadway musical tribute to the music of the band Green Day.

Elizabeth Lanza Shows How To "Wash That Man Right Out of My Hair"

Elizabeth Lanza (left) shows how she can "Wash That Man Right Out of My Hair" in one of the signature musical numbers of "South Pacific" now playing Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire, Ill. until June 2, 2013.

OFFBEAT: World premiere 'Rainbow Flag' a moving musical with added humor

Phil Potempa's daily entertainment news column.

OFFBEAT: Local actor having fun for new run of 'Spamalot'

Phil Potempa's daily entertainment news column.

Jedlickia Performing Arts Center’s production of "Monty Python's Spamalot"

Daniel Ermel (back, left to right), Brett Baleskie and Patrick Perry with Jamie Szynal (front) star in Jedlickia Performing Arts Center’s production of "Monty Python's Spamalot" with book and lyrics by Eric Idle, music by John Du Prez and Eric Idle and directed by Dante J. Orfei.

Actor Stephen Anthony in Chase Musical Number in the Broadway Tour of "Catch Me if You Can"

Actor Stephen Anthony is on the run as the main character and con Frank Abagnale Jr. for the national Broadway tour of the new musical "Catch Me If You Can" playing Chicago April 2-14, 2013.

Actor Stephen Anthony in the Lead Role for the National Broadway Tour of "Catch Me If You Can"

Actor Stephen Anthony plays the central character and con Frank Abagnale Jr., who poses as an airline pilot, among other faux occupations, in the national Broadway tour of the new musical "Catch Me If You Can."

Catching Up: Actor excited about fresh Broadway tour of 'Catch Me If You Can'

After performing on Broadway, and doing a 49-city tour spanning the United States and Canada for almost two years, actor Dominic Fortuna says he feels like he was living the story "Catch Me If You Can," even before it became a national tour.