Nine
Book by Arthur Kopit
Music & Lyrics by Maury Yeston
Adaptation from the Italian by Mario Fratti
Directed by L. Walter Stearns
Musical Directed by Eugene Dizon

4/08-5/08

Critics Rave About Nine (PDF)

Behind the Scenes Video of Nine

A Wonderful Life
Book and Lyrics by Sheldon Harnick
Music by Joe Raposo
Adapted from the Frank Capra film "It’s A Wonderful Life"
Directed by L. Walter Stearns
Musical Directed by Eugene Dizon

11/08-12/08

9/07-11/07

Ragtime
Book by Terrence McNally, Lyrics by Lynn Aherns, Music by Stephen Flaherty
Directed by L. Walter Stearns, Musical Directed by Eugene Dizon

4/07–6/07
6/07–8/07 (Extension and transfer to the Apollo Theater, Lincoln Park)

Assassins
Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Book by John Weidman
Directed by Michael Weber
Musical Directed by Doug Peck

1/07-3/07

The Teapot Scandals
World Premiere of Off the Porch new work
Book, Music and Lyrics by Porchlight Artistic Associate, Jon Steinhagen
Directed by The Goodman Theatre’s Steve Scott, Musical Directed by Nick Sula

1/07-3/07

A Wonderful Life
Book and Lyrics by Sheldon Harnick
Music by Joe Raposo
Adapted from the Frank Capra film "It’s A Wonderful Life"
Directed by L. Walter Stearns
Musical Directed by Eugene Dizon

11/06-12/06

9/05-10/05

"It's a very savvy blend, full of catchy melodies and comic invention."
-Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune

"Porchlight Music Theatre offers a devilishly delightful show, perfect for the Halloween season."
"Run for your life to this late-night extravaganza of morbidly marvelous musical mayhem."
-Venus Zarris, Gay Chicago

9/05-11/05

"A dynamic little show, chock-full of invention and imagination and guts."
-Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune

"Porchlight Music Theatre's production is first-class equal to finest productions I've seen. It's still a mystery how they offer such polished entertaining productions and only charge $27-$30 per ticket?"
-Tom Williams, ChicagoCritic.com

"Highly Recommended"
-Chicago Sun-Times

In Trousers
Book, Music, Lyrics by William Finn
Directed by Matthew Gunnels
Musical Direction by Jon Steinhagen

Falsettos
Music and Lyrics by William Finn
Book by William Finn & James Lapine
Directed by Steve Scott
Musical Direction by Eugene Dizon

A New Brain
Music and Lyrics by William Finn
Book by William Finn & James Lapine
Directed by L. Walter Stearns
Musical Direction by Jim Collins

Elegies: A Song Cycle
Music and Lyrics by William Finn
Directed by L. Walter Stearns
Musical Direction by Eugene Dizon

3/05-5/05

"World Class Theatre Music"
"Who could resist a score of such vibrancy and charm."
-Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune

"The timing of this honor couldn't be more perfect to attract visitors to Porchlight, whose first two productions in the festival are highly worthy of the responsibility to the writer such a series carries."
-John Olson, Talkinbroadway.com

"Porchlight has gone all out to polish and present Finn's shows at their best."
-Betty Mohr, Daily Southtown

1/05-3/05

Awards/Recognition:
4 Jeff Nominations
2 After Dark Awards

"A thoroughly arresting show that manages to tiptoe around the clichés and sock it to an audience right in the gut."
"Very savvy production."
-Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune

"Porchlight Music Theatre's
current production (is) an overwhelming triumph."
"Throughout, the cast, collectively and individually shine, with moments of such beauty and power that are, at times, nearly overwhelming."
"Closer Than Ever is, quite simply, a miraculous marvel."
"4 out of 4 stars "
-Jeff Rossen, Gay Chicago

9/04-11/04

Awards/Recognition:
6 Jeff Nominations
3 After Dark Awards

"Every aspect of the production is ideal, from the soaring voices of the soloists and ensemble, to the live orchestra and surprisingly grand design."
-Hedy Weiss, Chicago Sun-Times

"I took a chance on Porchlight Music Theatre's Sweeney Todd and was generously rewarded by a lively, tough-minded production of Stephen Sondheim's masterpiece."
Terry Teachout, Wall Street Journal

"Porchlight deserves national attention."
Chris Jones, Variety Magazine

Cabaret
by John Kander, lyrics by Fred Ebb
Book by Joe Masteroff
Directed by L. Walter Stearns
Musical Direction by Eugene Dizon

10/03-12/03

"With an intimacy you don't see in larger presentations of the show, this production features superb vocalizations and performances from a very winsome and talented ensemble...One of Porchlight Theatre's most moving and riveting productions."
-Betty Mohr, Daily Southtown

"Porchlight is a hugely ambitious operation...the chorus moves well...plenty of flashy dancing and lingerie galore...its important underlying message is delivered with impressive clarity."
-Hedy Weiss, Chicago Sun-Times

Amadeus
by Peter Shaffer
Directed by L. Walter Stearns
Musical Direction by Eugene Dizon

3/04-5/04

Awards/Recognition:
3 Jeff Nominations
2 Jeff Citations

"beautifully designed...fine live musicians...elegant, classy staging...impressively sized, full-throated chorus"
-Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune

"Mozart's music takes on life as a character-and quite a scene-stealing one at that."
Misha Davenport, Chicago Sun-Times

Promises, Promises
by Burt Bacharach, Hal David
and Neil Simon
Directed by L. Walter Stearns
Musical Direction by Eugene Dizon

8/02 Theatre on the Lake preview
9/02-11/02 Regular run
11/02-12/02 Metropolis Centre for the Performing Arts, Arlington Heights

Awards/Recognition:
1 After Dark Award

"A lot of the credit for this lovely production goes to director L. Walter Stearns for his well-paced staging...A delightful and warm-hearted musical, this revival succeeds in keeping its entertaining promise."
- Betty Mohr, Daily Southtown

"Director L. Walter Stearns has cast this Porchlight Music Theatre production well...utterly enjoyable."
-Emily Lee, Gay Chicago Magazine

Company
by Stephen Sondheim and George Furth
Directed by L. Walter Stearns
Musical Direction by Eugene Dizon

3/03-5/03
6/03 Revival at Theatre on the Lake

Awards/Recognition:
6 Jeff Nominations, 4 Jeff Citations

"Actors in the Porchlight production do a mightily impressive job of limning this pleasure-pain balance (of marriage) in both their scenes and their songs. A top-notch band gives them strong musical support."
- Hedy Weiss, Chicago Sun-Times

"Porchlight Music Theatre’s production was terrific, one of the best I’ve seen. My hats off to L. Walter Stearns for this masterful show. Company sang well and acted even better. For $23 per ticket, Company is a bargain. It compares with many Broadway touring companies but $50 cheaper. I can’t recommend this production enough. It is pure enjoyment."
- Tom Williams, chicagocritic.com

A Little Night Music
by Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine
Directed by L. Walter Stearns
Musical Direction by Eugene Dizon

10/01-12/01

Awards/Recognition:
1 Jeff Nomination

"A solid evening of musical theatre...Porchilght clearly now has made the transition to a midsize professional company capable of producing complex works of musical theatre in an intimate and competent fashion."
- Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune

"With A Little Night Music, Porchlight has created a feast for the eyes and ears."
- Rick Reed, Windy City Times

Children of Eden
(Chicago Premiere)
by Stephen Schwartz and John Caird
Directed by Wm. Eric Bramlett
Musical Direction by Eugene Dizon

3/02-5/02

Awards/Recognition:
Jeff Recommended

"Among fans of musicals in this city, Porchlight has a growing reputation for doing very solid, imaginative, and well-sung...musical fare."
Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune

"Masters of the musical with a mid-sized budget, Porchlight Theatre's latest venture is a calculated risk...that has delivered."
- Web Behrens, Chicago Free Press

A New Brain
(Chicago Premiere)
by William Finn and James Lapine
Directed by L. Walter Stearns
Musical Direction by Eugene Dizon

5/02-6/02

Awards/Recognition:
6 Jeff Nominations, 1 Jeff Citation
3 After Dark Awards

"This is a highly polished, exuberantly staged and terrifically performed production, at once joyful, funny and moving."
- Hedy Weiss, Chicago Sun-Times

"Artistic Director L. Walter Stearns consistently manages to outclass the competition both non-union and often union, in finding gifted singing actors. A New Brain boasts 11 excellent voices, put through the challenging paces...by always-on-the-money musical director Eugene Dizon."
- Jonathan Abarbanel, Windy City Times

"A superbly cast group of singing actors who, under the meticulous and flawless musical direction of Eugene Dizon, bring an exciting and passionate life to Finn's sung-though score...L. Walter Stearns' direction shapes an inventively staged production."
- Jeff Rossen, Gay Chicago

"It's good to see the very capable Porchlight downtown. L. Walter Stearns' typically well-polished production has a great deal of charm."
- Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune

Into the Woods
by Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine
Directed by L. Walter Stearns
Musical Direction by Eugene Dizon

11/00-1/01
8/01 Revival at Theatre on the Lake

Awards/Recognition:
4 Jeff Nominations, 1 Jeff Citation, 1 After Dark Award

"An intelligent, tuneful and passionate version of a moving musical."
Chicago Tribune

"The non-Equity par excellence company of Porchlight Theatre has not only mastered the master, they make Sondheim's work seem fun and completely accessible. A chamber-sized Into The Woods that is exquisite in nearly every detail!"
Joe Stead, steadstyle.com

Passion
by Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine
Directed by L. Walter Stearns
Musical Direction by Eugene Dizon

3/01-5/01

Awards/Recognition:
2 Jeff Nominations, 1 Jeff Citation

"It was good to see a new take on this piece...director L. Walter Stearns offered an interpretation that made more sense to me, and, in its ambivalence toward the characters, even more of a Sondheim piece than the show Lapine directed."
John Olson, The Sondheim Review

"Porchlight Theatre, the little non-Equity company that could, is unafraid to tackle Sondheim. Porchlight continues its stretch with the demanding Passion."
- Web Behrens, NewCity

Colette Collage
(Chicago Premiere)
by Harvey Schmidt and Tom Jones
Musical Direction by Eugene Dizon

10/99-11/99

Awards/Recognition:
2 Jeff Nominations

"A delicate and tidy Chicago premiere by Porchlight Theatre... beautifully sung performances and passionate renderings...an absolute joy. ***1/2"
Jeff Rossen,Gay Chicago Magazine

"A very charming, engaging and highly professional production of challenging material. This pleasing show is well worth seeing."
- Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune

Merrily We Roll Along
by Stephen Sondheim and George Furth
Directed by L. Walter Stearns
Musical Direction by Eugene Dizon

3/00-6/00

Awards/Recognition:
6 Jeff Nominations, 2 Jeff Citations, 3 After Dark Awards

"Porchlight...delivers a creation that is, in its own right, a stunning victory. Following the successes of Falsettos and Colette Collage, Porchlight now stands as the premier musical non-Equity company in Chicago. Period. **** "
- Jeff Rossen, Gay Chicago Magazine

"The striking success of Porchlight's Merrily is principally due, I think, to its creative team and performers who have brought as much personal investment to the work as Sondheim and Furth. Highly Recommended/Critics Choice."
- Albert Williams, Chicago Reader

Ruthless!
by Joel Paley and Marvin Laird
(coproduced with Effective Theatre)
Directed by L. Walter Stearns
Musical Direction by Eugene Dizon

11/98-1/99

"(A) tuneful laughfest...(the actors) attack the marvelous material with energy and attitude."
- Albert Williams, Chicago Reader

Falsettos
(City of Chicago Premiere)
by William Finn and James Lapine
(coproduced with the Athenaeum Theatre)
Directed by L. Walter Stearns
Musical Direction by Eugene Dizon

4/99-10/99

Awards/Recognition:
1 Jeff Nomination, 1 After Dark Award

"The terrific cast assembled by director L. Walter Stearns and musical director Eugene Dizon have the necessary full hearts as well as rich voices...powerfully delivered...superb."
- Albert Williams, Chicago Reader

"Porchlight Theatre, which has given us fine productions of Ruthless! and The Vanishing Point...delivers both its most effective work yet and the best local production of Falsettos.
- Jeff Rossen, Gay Chicago Magazine

Macabaret
(revised version)
by Robert Hartmann and Scott Keys
Directed by Tesha Buss and Jeff Stephens
Musical Direction by Christopher Staton

9/97-10/97

"Macabaret is a delightful little musical."
– Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune

"Polished, with tight-harmony vocal arrangements in a variety of Broadway styles…the strong-voiced cast is showcased in…a pleasant hour."
– Jonathan Abarbanel, Windy City Times

The Vanishing Point
(World Premiere)
by Robert Hartmann and Scott Keys
Directed by Wm. Eric Bramlett
Musical Direction by Eugene Dizon

6/98-8/98

Awards/Recognition:
1 After Dark Award

"Empowering...a tantalizing musical mix...intriguing emotional and intellectual territory. Recommended!"
- Lucia Mauro, Chicago Sun-Times

"A quirky musical fantasy...clever comedy and surprising emotional impact. Remarkable!"
- Carol Burbank, Chicago Reader

The Still Time
(World Premiere)
by K.R. Cahill
Directed by Wm. Eric Bramlett

8/96-9/96

Macabaret
by Robert Hartmann and Scott Keys
Directed by Jeannette LeGault
Musical Direction by Steven Sivak

10/96

"...a quite enjoyable nocturnal hour of original songs...the twenty fast-paced revue-style numbers make for surprisingly sophisticated entertainment...a pleasant change from the clichéd Halloween fare."
- Chris Jones, New City

Hereafter
(World Premiere)
by Robert Hartmann and Scott Keys
Directed by Richard Israel
Musical Direction by Cyndi Stevens

11/96-12/96

"Hereafter is the best new musical I've seen here since last season's alternately jokey and affecting Macabaret...this refreshingly whimsical musical sheds light on the struggles of people who probably wouldn't be cool enough to inhabit the bohemian haunts of Rent."
- Adam Langer, Chicago Reader

"Porchlight has created a sharp, poignantly entertaining world-premiere musical comedy...Hereafter is a rare theatrical gem that illuminates many emotions without resorting to sentimentality."
- Lucia Mauro, Chicago Sun-Times

Women Who Love Science Too Much
(World Premiere)
by K.R. Cahill
Directed by Wm. Eric Bramlett

9/95

"Playwright K.R. Cahill covers a lot of amorous territory, with each amorous revelation inventively detailed by director Wm. Eric Bramlett...it may prove the perfect date show."
- Lawrence Bommer, Chicago Tribune

Macabaret
(Chicago Premiere)
by Robert Hartmann and Scott Keys
Directed by Robert Hartmann
Musical Direction by Steven Sivak

10/95

Family Album
(Chicago Premiere)
by Jenny Noa
Directed by Christopher Gurr

1/96

"An engaging piece of untraditional theatre...Noa's performance is provocative, mature even humorous. Deeply personal, her show captures what it means to contend with a family history."
- Gabrielle S. Kaplan, Chicago Reader

Three Sisters
by Anton Chekhov
Directed by Wm. Eric Bramlett

5/96-6/96