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Hi, I’m Amanda Meyer – on behalf of Broadway In Chicago, I’d like to introduce you to, ANYTHING GOES, which is one of the most timeless Broadway classics of all time. Be sure to catch it at the Cadillac Palace Theatre before May 5! The production includes Cole Porter’s hits “You’re the Top,” “Friendship,” “It’s De-Lovely,” and, of course, “Anything Goes.” Broadway In Chicago is doing a ticket giveaway to Roundabout Theater Company’s ANYTHING GOES to the Wednesday, May 1 performance at 7:30 p.m. at the Cadillac Palace Theatre (151 W. Randolph). For a chance to win tickets to see ANYTHING GOES, explain to us, in the comment box, what your favorite musical is and why!
ANYTHING GOES, the 1934 musical comedy about the lovers, liars and clowns on a transatlantic cruise is “a daffy, shipshape romp!” - Variety. When the S.S. American heads out to sea, etiquette and convention head out the portholes as two unlikely pairs set off on the course to true love… proving that sometimes destiny needs a little help from a crew of singing sailors, an exotic disguise and some good old-fashioned blackmail.
The New Broadway Cast Recording of Roundabout Theatre Company’s ANYTHING GOES, nominated for a 2011 Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album, is available on Ghostlight Records.
Rachel York will star as Reno Sweeney and Fred Applegate will star as Moonface Martin. The principal cast also includes Josh Franklin as Billy Crocker, Jeff Brooks as Purser, Joyce Chittick as Erma, Alex Finke as Hope Harcourt, Dennis Kelly as Elisha Whitney, Vincent Rodriguez III as Luke, Marcus Shane as John, Sandra Shipley as Mrs. Evangeline Harcourt, Edward Staudenmayer as Lord Evelyn Oakleigh and Chuck Wagner as Captain.
The ensemble includes Jeremy Benton, Jacqueline Burtney, Jan Leigh Herndon, Kristie Kerwin, Gary Lindemann, Dionna Thomas Littleton, Michael Milton, Ashley Peacock, Bobby Pestka, Courtney Rottenberger, Vanessa Sonon, Ryan Steer, Kristopher Thompson-Bolden, Aaron Umsted, Mackenzie Warren, Sean Watkins, Sara Andreas, Audrey Cardwell, Sean McKnight and Tony Neidenbach.
Winner of the 2011 Tony Award® for Best Revival of a Musical, Roundabout Theatre Company’s ANYTHING GOES sails direct from Broadway under the direction of Kathleen Marshall, who won the 2011 Tony Award® for Best Choreography. The New York Times calls it “a zesty new revival with knockout numbers and white-hot dancing” while the AP exclaims that it’s, “so delightful, so delicious, so de-lovely!”
Roundabout Theatre Company’s ANYTHING GOES features music and lyrics by Cole Porter; original book by P.G. Wodehouse & Guy Bolton and Howard Lindsay & Russel Crouse; and new book by Timothy Crouse and John Weidman.The creative team includes music direction by Jay Alger with additional orchestrations by Bill Elliot, original scenic design by Derek McLane, costumes by Martin Pakledinaz, lighting design by Howell Binkley and sound design by Brian Ronan.
The National Tour of Roundabout Theatre Company’s ANYTHING GOES is dedicated to the memory of Martin Pakledinaz, a beloved member of the Roundabout Theatre Company family.
The performance schedule for ANYTHING GOES is as follows: Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m., Wednesdays at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. (no matinee performance on April 24), Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at 2 & 8 p.m., Sundays at 2 & 7:30 p.m. (no evening performance on May 5). Please note: Ticket prices and performance schedule are subject to change.
Tickets for ANYTHING GOES at the Cadillac Palace Theatre range from $27-$95. A select number of premium seats are also available for many performances. Tickets are available now for groups of 10 or more by calling Broadway In Chicago Group Sales at (312) 977-1710. Tickets are currently on-sale at all Broadway In Chicago Box Offices (24 W. Randolph St., 151 W. Randolph St., 18 W. Monroe St. and 175 E. Chestnut), the Broadway In Chicago Ticket Kiosk at Water Tower Place (845 N. Michigan Ave.), the Broadway In Chicago Ticket Line at (800) 775-2000, all Ticketmaster retail locations and online at www.BroadwayInChicago.com. For more information, visit Broadway In Chicago or ANYTHING GOES.
-Amanda Meyer
Tags: "Friendship", 2011 Grammy Award, 2011 Tony Award, Alex Finke, Anything Goes, broadway, Broadway classics, broadway in chicago, Cadillac Palace Theatre, Chuck Wagner, Cole Porter, Dennis Kelly, donate, Edward Staudenmayer, Fred Applegate, Ghostlight Records, giveaways for "Anything Goes", It’s De-Lovely, Jeff Brooks, Josh Franklin, Joyce Chittick, Kathleen Marshall, Marcus Shane, Martin Pakledinaz, musical comedy, New Broadway Cast Recording, preformance, Rachel York, Roundabout Theater Company, Sandra Shipley, ticket giveaways, tickets, Vincent Rodriguez III, You’re the Top
The holidays are upon us, shopping is in full swing and the stress of finding the perfect gift is alive & well. Maybe that stress can be alleviated, at least a little bit…December 6th-9th the One of a Kind Show & Sale Chicago returns to Merchandise Mart for the 12th year! For unique, artisan gifts this an event you don’t want to miss. Over 600 talented artists from across North America will come together to sell their goods at this market. Categories of what you can find at One of a Kind range from accessories, fashion & jewelry to ceramics, glass, mixed media & painting to gourmet & holiday – and many others!
The ENTIRE 8th floor of Merchandise Mart will be transformed into its own mall of sorts (ps – the map is from last year’s show, but it’s detailed enough so you get the picture) complete with its own food court! This market will have everything, and I mean EVERYTHING…aside from the vendors and food court, there will be three distinctive areas with various attractions; a Toyota Retreat section; fashion shows showcasing items available from the vendors; and live performances from local artists – because what’s better than live music while shopping? Aside from all of those awesome things there’s also parking available at 24 garages surrounding Merch Mart (some for as low as $6!), coat & package check will be available for a nominal charge, curbside carryout is available for your convenience and if you’re not from around here, shipping is also available! Now, when I said this event has everything, I literally meant everything because fellas, if you’re dragged brought along on this little shopping trip, don’t stress – they have a sports lounge complete with comfy seating, football on TVs and bar service just for you! Like I said, they have EVERYTHING at this thing!
Entry into the event ranges anywhere from $9 to $80 depending on if you just want general admission or a special package for up to four people – which also includes a super cute reusable tote! You can get your tickets here. To get even more excited about this event (is that even possible at this point??) take a look at their pictures from last year’s market here. This is a great opportunity to support small, independent retailers & find some truly great holiday gifts.
Happy shopping friends!
Tags: accessories, artists, Avalon, ceramics, chicago, DIY, Etsy, fashion, fashion district, food court, football, gifts, glass, goods, gourmet goods, guys, Holiday, holidays, jewelry, market, merchandise mart, mixed media, One of a Kind, One of a Kind Show & Sale, painting, parking garage, photography, shopping, small business, special, sports lounge, tickets, Toyota, treats, Unique, vendors

Keeping up with the latest fashion could really be a full-time job! Styles come and go with the seasons and beauty trends never really last. I’m a jeans and a tshirt kind of guy, but if I had to say there is one thing that never goes out of style, it would be quality time with friends and loved ones.
So ladies, grab your gal pals and head out to Shecky’s Girls Night Out, this coming Tuesday and Wednesday, Oct 4 & 5! Come out to the Great Hall at Union Station for an evening of cocktails, fall fashions and relaxing spa treatments! And I hear there is a killer goodie bag – it’s a win-win event!
Click here for details: http://www.sheckys.com/events/6489/girls-night-out-chicago-fall-2011/ and definitely check in on my Facebook and Twitter as I’ll be giving away tickets to the event this week!
Tags: billy dec, chicago fashion event, facebook, fall fashion, fashion, Girls Night Out, giveaway, Shecky's, spa treatments, tickets, twitter, Union Station
Good morning readers! Amanda Weir from Billy’s office here today – March Madness is finally here and what would this month be without a party at Rockit to celebrate and give thanks to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Chicago. Big Brothers Big Sisters has become a cornerstone of community service to help youth mentoring programs. They have made more than 20,000 one-to-one mentoring matches since 1967, with around 3 million hours of contact between “Bigs” ( mentors) and “Littles” (mentees).
Come celebrate on Sunday, March 27 from 4-6 p.m at Rockit Bar and Grill (22 W. Hubbard) with cocktails, appetizers and a variety of raffle prizes including one night stay at The Wit Hotel, Signed basketballs from Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah, East Bank Club membership, Akira certificates, tickets to Cubs and Joeffrey Ballet and dozens of other goodies!
Ticket prices are $35 for individuals, 5 ticket pack for $125 or 8 ticket VIP booth for $400 for more information visit www.bbbschgo.org.
Tags: akira, big brother big sisters chicago, big brothers, big sisters, billy dec, bulls, charity, chicago, chicago bulls, chicago events, cubs, derrick rose, east bank, east bank club, joakim noah, joffrey ballet, march madness, ncaa, raffle prizes, rockit, rockit bar and grill, tickets
Thank you to all who came to see me at improv olympic last night (see pic)! It was such a rush- the artists w/me on stage were so amazingly funny & talented- do not miss the next show I do there- or just go anytime as they always have mind blowing shows, and its a chicago institution to enjoy & support! Next up, tomorrow I speak to my fellow alumni at the harvard club of chicago!
The harvard club of chicago was founded in 1857, and is the oldest operating harvard club in the world. It’s purpose is to promote the university, encourage social interaction & networking, and to make a contribution to chicago by giving out $30,000/yr in college scholarships, over $10,000/yr to community services, and much more.
What am I going to talk about having probably the lowest iq in the room? No idea… Guess i’ll just have to Improv! For more info & to buy tixs click here!
Tags: acting, billy dec, harvard, Harvard Club Chicago, improv olympic, iO, Networking, social media, Speaking, Stage, tickets
one of my favorite holiday traditions is to take friends & family to see the annual Holiday Pops concert full of carols, choirs, stories, musicians.. And everything joyous & traditional about the holiday that brings back so many memories for me, as well as an all around cheerful time w/ people I enjoy! Featured performers include the Holiday Pops IX Chorus, the Randolph Street Jazz Orchestra & the Children’s Chorus of Alphonsus Academy and Center for The Arts.
The mastermind behind this festive concert is Maestro Scott Arkenberg, who also happens to be my 5-7th grade organ teacher from St. Clements (yes, I took organ lessons), and the evening is hosted by my other long time buddy nbc’s rob elgas (who I hear will be singing this year!??!). I highly recommend just pulling the trigger and bringing friends and/or family with you this Wednesday, Dec 8th at the Harris Theatre and enjoy! Tickets and more info about the concert and it’s history can be found at http://holidaypopschicago.com/index.php – I’ll see you there!
Tags: christmas, christmas concert, harris theatre, holiday pops concert, holidays, NBC, nbc 5, rob elgas, scott arkenberg, tickets
**UPDATED Nov 29, 2011 :: We’re thrilled to announce we have the honor yet again of being host to 2011′s Best of the Midwest Gala! Tuesday, December 6th come to Rockit Bar and Grill (22 W Hubbard) to celebrate the premier filmmaking talents in Chicago and the Midwest. It’s been an exceptional year for The Midwest Independent Film Festival and here’s your chance to join in the excitement! Click here for more info, a list of the nominees and to get your tickets - http://www.midwestfilm.com/pages/vote_/155.php See you there!**
Everyone knows and loves the mainstream movie festivals across the country; Sundance, Cannes, New York, Toronto, etc, that’s a given.. but let’s not forget our local “Midwest Independent Film Festival” solely dedicated to the Midwest filmmaker, presenting audiences with regionally produced independent cinema (here’s a pic of me, Mancow and Four Time Golden Globe nominee Armand Assante from last year)Celebrating local arts & talent is something I’m personally passionate about, so for the 2nd year in a row, I’ve helped give The Best of the Midwest Awards a warm & festive home at Rockit Bar & Grill (22 W. Hubbard). This year, join us on Tuesday, December 7th starting at 7pm!
There are some great attendees slated to be there, from Oscar nominee Steve James (Hoop Dreams) to screenwriter Steve Conrad (Pursuit of Happyness),.. So its a perfect opportunity for those interested in the film industry to come on out and network w/ people that are excelling in the field. For BMA tickets go to http://ow.ly/3ke1G (includes two full hours of appetizers & hosted bar), but if you can’t swing the ticket cost you are in luck –I have 20 tickets to giveaway to my ever so loyal & awesome Twitter & Facebook friends (click on each if not connected w/me yet). Just post on my facebook &/or twitter.. “I follow you and want to win the Film Fest tix too!” Enjoy!
Tags: awards, billy dec, BMA's, cannes, cannes film festival, facebook, film, hoop dreams, industry, midwest independent film festival, movie awards, movies, netork, new york film festival, oscar nominated, oscars, pursuit of happyness, rockit bar and grill, steve conrad, steve james, sundance film festival, ticket giveway, tickets, toronto film festival, twitter, win
i have ridiculously hilarious friends.. when my buddy jr from tenacious d did this sexy pilgrim viral video sensation for muscle milk i lost it- hilarious! so hilarious that i’m super psyched to invite you all to his show with his equally hilarious and talented band trainwreck this saturday night at the beat kitchen! i’m going w/my crew, want to meet there? leave me a comment on my facebook about how you are spreading the word about trainwreck’s show & i might pick you as one of the winners of free tix to the show!
trainwreck been described as a “cornucopia of rock and a 5-headed hydra of pleasure.” Their sounds lies somewhere between southern-rock, prog-rock, boogie, classic rock & roll… & just absurd comedy banter they’ve developed among themselves! they have fans from all over the globe and have performed on jimmy kimmel, current tv.. and more. Their newest released album is entitled “The Wreckoning”- 15 tracks of “Wreck and Roll.” It is completely a sound of their own inspired by their influences, classics, and their style & sound. Click here to watch a video of Trainwreck & for more info on the band & tickets to the show visit TrainwreckwithKG.com, facebook or myspace!
Tags: band, billy dec, chicago, facebook, free tickets, giveaway, jimmy kimmel, jr, muscle milk, rock and roll, sexy pilgrim, tenacious d, the beat kitchen, the wreckoning, tickets, trainwreck
Lookingglass theatre was formed over 20 years ago by a group of local college kids. 15 yrs ago I became best friends w/ two members randomly, Joey Slotnick and David Schwimmer, who introduced me to the group, and I fell in love w/ it immediately. So much that about 10yrs ago I founded the lookingglass Junior Board to get young professionals involved, where joey, david & I began to host great parties for them called the madhatters ball to benefit the theatre and their children’s programs! (See video above!)
This year madhatters ball happens thursday night 6/24 and has a whole new spin on it! The junior board has grown so much and so strong in the last decade, that they are taking it by the horns and producing this amazing event all on their own, which means I get to join you all for the fun and come as a fellow guest to party!
The night starts w/a performance of Lookingglass Alice at the theatre, rolling into a party at the ritz carlton, wrapping w/an after-party at The Underground w/ one of my favorite djs in the world, dj irie! Tickets and more info can be found at lookingglasstheatre.org
Tags: arts, billy dec, charity, chicago, david schwimmer, event, joey slotnick, junior board, lookingglass, lookingglass theatre, madhatter's ball, ritz carlton, the underground, theatre, tickets
I love to share awesome prizes, tickets, vip passes…to all the experiences I get invited to w/ all my friends and followers on facebook and twitter (click on them to get in on it!). Yesterday I made up a fun lil contest to take a couple fans to Ellen’s amazing live show at The Chicago Theatre…you got to see these pics & read this review that one of the winners wrote, it’s awesome!
Tags: billy dec, blackhawks, chicago, chicago blackhawks, chicago theatre, Comedy, comedy tour, concert, ellen, ellen degeneres, facebook, hawks, hokey, lady antebellum, Music, stanley cup, state st, summer, tbs, the ellen show, tickets, twitter, winner