EXTENDED DUE TO POPULAR DEMAND!
MUST CLOSE MARCH 10

TOP 5 JANUARY PICKS – NEWCITY
TOP 10 WINTER THEATRE – CHICAGO TRIBUNE
ONE OF THE 15 MUST-SEE SHOWS – CHOOSE CHICAGO

A RUSH OF VITALITY, HONESTY, VULNERABILITY AND A PALPABLE LOVE FOR OLD-SCHOOL BROADWAY – CHICAGO TRIBUNE

BURNS AS HOT AND BRIGHT AS A FIREWORKS DISPLAY – CHICAGO READER

IT’S IMPOSSIBLE TO LEAVE THIS ONE WITHOUT A SMILE ON YOUR FACE – BROADWAY WORLD

A GREAT EVENING OF FUN, MUSIC, DANCE AND LAUGHTER – CHICAGO SUN-TIMES

AMAZING VOICES, FABULOUS TAP DANCING … [MEGHAN MURPHY’S] EVERY MOMENT ON STAGE LED TO CHEERS – BEHIND THE CURTAIN

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Important Information About The Show:
  • Anything Goes has a run time of 2 hours and 15 minutes, including intermission.
  • Anything Goes includes the use of the use of gunshot sounds and use of a prop gun, water-based haze and flashing lights.
  • There will be a late seating hold at the top of the performance. Patrons who arrive after curtain will be held for the first 15 minutes of the performance and seated at the discretion of House Management.
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The cast of Anything Goes, in alphabetical order, includes Logan Becker+ (Ensemble); Tommy Bullington+ (Ship’s Purser); Noah Claiborne-Wood+ (Male Swing); Rachael Dec* (Charity); Tafadzwa Diener* (Erma); Nick Dorado+ (Ship’s Captain); Jackson Evans+ (Lord Evelyn Oakleigh); Josiah Haugen+ (Henry T. Dobson, Ensemble); Ciara Hickey^ (Dippy); J. Christian Hill+ (Ensemble); Kelsey MacDonald* (Ensemble); Steve McDonagh+ (Moonface Martin); Emily Ling Mei* (Chastity); Meghan Murphy* (Reno Sweeney); Luke Nowakowski= (Billy Crocker); Emma Ogea* (Hope Harcourt); Hannah Remian* (Virtue); Nataki Rennie* (Purity); Jenna Schoppe* (Ensemble, dance captain); Gabriel Solis+ (Spit); Mack Spotts^/+ (Ensemble); Jerod Turner+ (Ensemble); Genevieve VenJohnson* (Evangeline Harcourt); Anthony Whitaker+/^ (Elisha J. Whitney)

The creative team of Anything Goes includes Michael Weber+ (director, artistic director); Tammy Mader* (choreographer); Nick Sula+ (music director); Jeffrey D. Kmiec+ (scenic designer); Milo Bue+ (associate scenic designer); Rachel Boylan* (costume designer); Kevin Barthel+ (wig designer); G. Max Maxin IV+ (lighting designer, projection designer); Matthew R. Chase+ (sound designer); Patrick McGuire+ (properties designer); Kristi Martens* (production stage manager, AEA); Drew Donnelly+ (assistant stage manager); Andrea Enger= (assistant stage manager); John McTaggart+ (technical director); Danny Carraher+ (assistant technical director); Josh Derby+ (master carpenter/spot 1); Livian Kennedy* (scenic charge); Tina Stasny* (costume director); Rachel West* (lighting director); Samantha Anderson*/^ (assistant lighting supervisor / spot 2); Matt Reich+ (audio/video director); Joe Court+ (A1); Christine Burquest* (A2); Jack Zanger+ (wardrobe supervisor); Amanda May* (hair and makeup supervisor); Gabrielle Lux*/^ (wardrobe assistant); Heather Lynn Gervasi* (production manager); Majel Cuza* (director of production) and Frankie Leo Bennett+ (producing artistic associate).

Pre-production photos of Meghan Murphy by Joe Mazza/brave lux
Production photos by Liz Lauren
Production video by Marty Higginbotham
Videos created & edited by Joe Gallagher

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Group discounts are available for groups of 10 or more. For more information, please contact August Compton, Audience Services Director, at august@porchlightmusictheatre.org.


 

LOGAN BECKER 

Porchlight Debut

(he/him, Ensemble, US Spit & Dippy) 

Logan Becker is so excited to make his Porchlight debut in such a classic show. This year he will be graduating from Chicago College of Performing Arts (CCPA) with BFA in musical theater with a dance concentration. Some of his favorite credits include “Andy Lee” in 42nd Street (MTWichita), “Otto” in Spring Awakening (CCPA) and “Dametas” in Head Over Heels (CCPA). He wants to give a special thanks to his parents who have been nothing, but supportive and encouraging throughout his journey to being the performer he is today. Hope you enjoy the show!


TOMMY BULLINGTON 

Previously at Porchlight: Porchlight Revisits Do Re Mi

(he/him, Ship’s Purser, U/S Moonface Martin & Male Ensemble #2)

Tommy Bullington is thrilled to be all aboard! Tommy was most recently seen in The SpongeBob Musical with Kokandy Productions. Some favorite credits include A Man of No Importance (PrideArts), A Funny Thing Happened… (MPAC), A New Brain, Jesus Christ Superstar (Theo Ubique), Poseidon!, Rudolph the Red-Hosed Reindeer (Hell in a Handbag), Urinetown (Boho Theatre), Return of Neverland (Quest Theatre – Jeff Award, Supporting Actor) and Reefer Madness (Circle Theatre). Much love to my Steve.


RACHAEL DEC 

Porchlight Debut

(she/her, Charity, U/S Female Ensemble #2

Rachel Dec is delighted to make her Porchlight Music Theatre debut in Anything Goes! She is honored to embark on her professional career with this production. Rachael is a proud Northwestern University graduate (Class of 2023, music theatre), where her previous credits include Lyle the Crocodile, As You Like It (“Taub”) and The 91st Annual Waa-Mu Show. She also enjoyed participating in several student-produced musicals as an actor, dance captain and choreographer. “To my family and friends: all my love, always.” Web: rachaeldec.com


TAFADZWA DIENER

Porchlight Debut

(she/her, Erma)

Tafadzwa Diener is thrilled to be making her Porchlight Theatre debut! Chicago credits include A Christmas Carol (Goodman Theatre); Rock of Ages (Mercury Theater); 1919 (Steppenwolf Theatre); Sound of Music, You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown (Marriott Theatre); MotherFreakingHood (Venus Cabaret). Regional: Ragtime, Pirates of Penzance (Utah Shakespeare Festival) Film: “Chicago PD.” She is represented by Big Mouth Talent. Instagram: @tafadzwadiener


NICK DORADO 

Porchlight Debut

(he/him, Ship’s Captain, U/S Elisha J. Whitney)

A Broadway World Award nominee, Nick Dorado is delighted to make his Porchlight debut with Anything Goes! Originally from Chicago, Nick has appeared in numerous plays and musicals throughout the city (notable credits: Six Degrees of Separation, Richard III, Spamalot). Most recently, Nick lived and performed in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico where he could be seen in Mamma Mia! He is represented by BNB Chicago. Nick thanks his parents for instilling in him a love of theater and thank YOU for supporting live theater in Chicago.


JACKSON EVANS

Porchlight Debut

(he/him, Lord Evelyn Oakleigh)

Chicago: School of Rock, Beauty and the Beast (Paramount, Jeff Nomination); Boys in the Band (Windy City Playhouse); Ride the Cyclone, Seussical (Chicago Shakespeare); Matilda, Spamalot (Drury Lane Oakbrook); Fiddler on the Roof, My Fair Lady (Lyric Opera); Singin’ in the Rain, A Christmas Story, (Marriott); Avenue Q, Bunny Bunny (Mercury). Regional: Peninsula Players, Milwaukee Repertory Theater, First Stage. Touring: The Realish Housewives (Second City). Film: Christmas is Canceled. TV: “Paper Girls,” “Chicago PD,” “Sirens.”


JOSIAH HAUGEN 

Previously at Porchlight: Cabaret

(he/him, Henry T. Dobson/Ensemble, U/S Lord Evelyn Oakleigh & Ship’s Captain)

Josiah Haugen is so excited to be returning to the Porchlight stage. Credits include: Cabaret (Porchlight Music Theatre), Jeff-Award winning Sweeney Todd (Kokandy Productions), Sex Tips For Straight Women from a Gay Man (Matt Murphy Productions). Josiah is a proud member of The Four C-Notes and can be seen performing with them around the globe. Education: BFA Musical Theatre from CCPA. He would like to thank his friend, family, and amazing partner Jack for all their support!


CIARA HICKEY 

Porchlight Debut

(they/them, Dippy

Ciara Hickey is pumped to be making their Porchlight debut in Anything Goes!  Some favorite past credits include It Came from Outer Space (Chicago Shakespeare Theatre), Groundhog Day (Paramount Theatre), Pippin (Music Theater Works), National Merit (BoHo Theatre), Frankie Stein in Monster High Live (Mattel) and Paper Girls (Amazon Prime).  Ciara holds a BFA in musical theatre from the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University and is represented by Stewart Talent. Web: ciarahickey.com


J. CHRISTIAN HILL 

Porchlight Debut

(he/him, Ensemble, U/S Male Ensemble & Ship’s Purser

Christian Hill is thrilled to be making his Porchlight Music Theatre debut! Christian is a Chicago based actor who is originally from New York. His most recent theatrical credits include Xanadu at Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, Ripcord at Oil Lamp Theater and Zorro the Musical and Irving Berlin’s White Christmas at Music Theater Works. Christian is a graduate of Northwestern University’s film, theater and business programs and is represented by Shirley Hamilton Talent. Web: jchristianhill.com


EMILY LING MEI 

Porchlight Debut

(she/her, Chastity, U/S Hope Harcourt

Emily Ling Mei is thrilled to be making her Porchlight debut in Anything Goes! Recent credits include: “Natalie (U/S)” in Next to Normal (Paramount Theatre), “Ella” in R+H’s Cinderella (The Barn Theatre) and “Kendra” in Gloria (CCPA). Education: BFA MTD at CCPA. Rep: Stewart Talent. Endless thanks to her family and friends for their unending support! W: emilylingmei.com IG: @emily.lingmei 


KELSEY MACDONALD 

Porchlight Debut

(she/her, Ensemble, U/S Reno Sweeney & Female Ensemble #3)

Kelsey Macdonald is thrilled to be making her Porchlight Music Theatre debut. Last seen on stage as “Ulla” in Music Theatre Works’ The Producers. Additionally, Kelsey is a singer-songwriter who has performed all over New York City and the Chicagoland area. You can stream her debut album on Spotify, Apple Music or wherever you listen to music! Proud Boston Conservatory alum. IG: @kelsonstage


STEVE McDONAGH 

Previously at Porchlight: Porchlight Revisits Bells Are Ringing and Porchlight Revisits Call Me Madam

(he/him, Moonface Martin

Steve McDonagh comes here directly from the one man show, Every Brilliant Thing, at Farmer’s Alley. Past productions at Porchlight include Bells Are Ringing and Call Me Madam. Other Chicago area credits include The Comedy of Errors; Chicago Shakespeare, The Music Man and several New Stages readings at Goodman, Arsenic and Old Lace; Court Theatre, The Elephant Man, All Shook Up; Williams Street Rep and productions at Drury Lane, Theatre at The Center, Royal George, Music Theater Works and Marriott Theatre. Off-Broadway credits include Lamb’s Theatre and regional work at The Kennedy Center. Television credits include multiple appearances on “Chicago Med” and “Twisted Little Lies,” as well as numerous “exasperated dad” commercials. In his life as celebrity chef, Steve was the season one winner of “Next Food Network Star,” co-host of “Party Line With The Hearty Boys” and co-author of “Talk With Your Mouth Full” and “The New Old Bar.” He co-hosts the ‘eatertainment’ podcast “But I Digest.”


MEGHAN MURPHY 

Previously at Porchlight: Porchlight Revisits Woman of the Year, Numerous Chicago Sings Concerts

(she/her, Reno Sweeney)

Meghan Murphy is an actor/singer/producer/cabaret and recording artist currently based in Chicago. Her multifaceted talents have been showcased on many different stages in the worlds of theater, music, travel and cabaret. As an actor, she is a six-time Joseph Jefferson Award nominee for Chicago credits such as: Mamma Mia! (“Tanya,” Marriott Theater), Spamalot (“Lady of the Lake,” Mercury Theater Chicago), The Who’s Tommy (“Acid Queen,” Paramount Theater), Smokey Joe’s Cafe (“Patty,” Drury Lane Theater), City of Angels (“Oolie”/”Donna,” Marriott Theater) and And The World Goes Round (“Woman 3,” Marriott Theater). Film and TV credits: Honey Nut Cheerios (national commercial), Captive State (Focus Features). As a singer, you may have seen her in countless concerts and festivals throughout the country, including many appearances in the Chicago Humanities Festival and Chicago Sings. As a cabaret artist, she’s had sold out shows in New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, London and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico and has been touring her critically-acclaimed one woman show The Big Red Show around nationally and now internationally with Vacaya, Brand g Vacations, Azamara, RWS Entertainment and Blackburn International. As a recording artist, Meghan has two self titled EP albums of her Chicago-based blues/soul band Everybody Says Yes available on all streaming platforms and her holiday album “Big Red & The Boys, Live” at Feinstein’s/54 Below, available at bigredandtheboys.bandcamp.com. For more info about Meghan Murphy or to join her mailing list, follow her on Instagram & TikTok at @meghanmurphybigred or become a patron at Patreon.com/meghanmurphybigred.


LUKE NOWAKOWSKI 

(any with respect, Billy Crocker)

Luke Nowakowski is at a loss for words on making his Porchlight Mainstage debut as “Billy” in Anything Goes! Chicago credits: Ravinia, Goodman Theatre, Chicago Shakespeare & Paramount Theatre. Favorite roles: “Jamie” (Bright Lights, Big City), “Finch” (How To Succeed…), “Charlie” (Brigadoon). Luke was a semi-finalist invited to compete in NYC in the National Musical Theater Competition. He is a graduate of Elmhurst University with his vocal performance degree. Luke thanks his loving partner Brody, his family, mentors, and the “de-lightful” team at Gray Talent! Instagram: @_lukenowakowski_


EMMA OGEA 

Porchlight Debut

(she/her, Hope Harcourt) 

Emma Ogea is thrilled to be making her Chicago theatre debut! She is currently a junior at CCPA studying Musical Theatre with a dance emphasis. CCPA productions she’s been involved in include 42nd Street (“Dorothy Brock”) and Stupid Fucking Bird (“Nina”). She would like to thank her friends, her mom, Ian and Lincoln for their love and support! IG: @emma.ogea


HANNAH REMIAN 

Porchlight Debut

(she/her, Virtue, U/S Erma)

Hannah Remian is thrilled to be making her Chicago theatre debut here at Porchlight Music Theatre! Hannah is currently a Junior at the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University where she is pursuing her B.F.A. in Musical Theatre with a Dance Concentration. Most recently, she was seen in CCPA’s production of The Theory of Relativity playing “Caroline.” She is also a graduate of The Governor’s School of Performing Arts in Norfolk, Virginia, whom she thanks endlessly for their training and encouragement. She would also like to thank her family and friends for their continuous support and love, without them none of this would be possible! IG: @hannahremian


NATAKI RENNIE 

Porchlight Debut

(she/her, Purity)

Nataki Rennie is stoked to be making her Porchlight Music Theatre debut with the company of Anything Goes. Originally from Brooklyn, NY, Nataki is a graduate of the musical theatre dance concentration program at the Chicago College of Performing Arts. Recent theatre credits include The Spongebob Musical at Kokandy Productions (“Sardine 2”,  “Sandy Cheeks U/S”), Once on This Island (female swing/ dance captain) and A Christmas Story (ensemble/ dance captain) at the Encore Musical Theatre Company in Dexter, Michigan. In her free time she enjoys thrift shopping, creative writing and laughing with loved ones. Nataki would like to thank all of her family, friends, and teachers for their endless love and support. IG: @nataki__


JENNA SCHOPPE 

(she/her, Ensemble, U/S Female Ensemble #1 and Evangeline Harcourt)

Bio coming soon

 

 


GABRIEL SOLIS 

Porchlight Debut

(he/him, Spit)

Gabriel is thrilled to be making his Porchlight Music Theatre debut! Recent Chicago theatre credits include “Benji” in Priscilla Queen of the Desert at Mercury Theater Chicago, “Michael Hobbs” in Elf the Musical at Drury Lane, and “Madison/Lawrence US” in School of Rock at Paramount Theatre. You may recognize him, though, as the “twins” in a Kellogg’s Club Crackers commercial or “Ryan Miller” from Chicago Med, Season 7 – Episode 5: Change is a Tough Pill to Swallow. Gabriel feels so blessed to be part of this classic show and wants to thank the Porchlight team for believing in him, Gray Talent Group and his family for their endless support, and God for, well, everything! All glory belongs to Him!


MACK SPOTTS 

Porchlight Debut

(they/he, Ensemble

Mack Spotts was last seen as “Czolgosz” in Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre’s production of Assassins. Past productions include St. Sebastian with Refracted Theatre Company (“Gideon”), Merrily We Roll Along (swing) and She Loves Me (Kodaly and head waiter U/S, Jeff nomination for best ensemble); both with Blank Theatre Company, Sister Act with Highland Summer Theatre (“Eddie Souther”) and more. BFA in musical theatre from MNSU. All my love to my friends and family. IG: @mackspotts


JEROD TURNER

Previously at Porchlight: Cabaret, New Faces Sing Broadway 1951

(he/they/she, Ensemble, U/S Billy Crocker)

Huzzah! Jerod Turner (he/they/she) is elated to be returning with Porchlight Music Theatre this season. A proud Missouri native, Jerod comes from a small town named Eureka but has resided in Chicago for the past five years. Jerod graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theater from Columbia College Chicago in May of 2022. They recently performed with Rocky Mountain Repertory Theater in their 2023 summer season in addition to their fall show. Previously with Porchlight, Jerod had the opportunity to perform in Cabaret and New Faces Sing Broadway 1951. Outside of theater, Jerod’s simple joys include drag, scrapbooking, copious amounts of pinot noir, and seasonal availability items at Trader Joe’s. Credits include: Almost Heaven: The Songs of John Denver, Something Rotten, Pirates of Penzance, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (Rocky Mountain Repertory Theater), Damn Yankees, Desperate Measures, The Sound of Music, Something Rotten, Music Man, Mary Poppins, A Year with Frog and Toad, Sister Act (Post Playhouse); A Man of No Importance, Xanadu (Columbia College Chicago). Here’s to a voyage of fair winds and following seas! IG: @jerod_turner


GENEVIEVE VENJOHNSON 

Porchlight Debut

(she/her, Evangeline Harcourt

In 2023, Genevieve performed in Lyric Opera’s production of  West Side Story, as the first ever female ‘Doc’ and in Fen at Court Theatre. Featured in Radio Golf at Gulfshore Playhouse, she’s performed regionally and on European stages. Chicago productions include: Steppenwolf Theatre, Broadway In Chicago, Goodman Theatre, Chicago Children’s Theatre, House Theatre,  Chicago Shakespeare, Ravinia Festival, Lifeline, Piven, The Blind Owl/Halcyon. Television roles: “Power Book IV: Force” (Starz);  “Proven Innocent” (FoxTV); “Chicago Justice” (NBC Universal) and “Low Winter” (Sun/AMC). IG: Gentlebee.buzz


ANTHONY WHITAKER 

Previously at Porchlight: A Funny Thing Happened…, Spring Awakening

(they/them, Elisha J. Whitney)

Anthony Whitaker is very happy to return to Porchlight, previously playing Erroneous in A Funny Thing Happened… and understudy for Spring Awakening. They most recently directed Hell In A Handbag’s production of Murder Re-Wrote. Some favorite recent roles: Herr Schultz in Cabaret (Metropolis Performing Arts Center and Cowardly Scarecrow) and Francis in La Cage Aux Folles with Ginger Minj (Music Theater Works), Hands On A Hardbody (Refuge Theatre), and Shock Headed Peter (Black Button Eyes). They are the Co-Artistic Director the New American Folk Theatre (Newamericanfolktheatre.org), where they wrote and/or performed in productions of Two from the Trailer Court, The Marvelous Land of Oz, Dark of the Moon, Trash, Hot Pink, My Life Is A Country Song and directed the Jeff Award-nominated The Summer of Daisy Fay. In addition to performing, Anthony teaches music and theatre in various Chicago area schools. Anthony recently completed filming the up-coming “Shape Notes.”


NOAH WOOD

Porchlight Debut

(he/him, Male Swing)

Noah Wood is so excited to be making his Chicago debut at Porchlight! He will soon be graduating from Chicago College of Performing Arts (CCPA) with a BFA in musical theatre-dance emphasis. Recent credits include: “The Scarecrow” in Wizard of Oz (Summer Stock Austin), “Benny” in In The Heights (Summer Stock Austin) and “Billy Lawlor” in 42nd Street (CCPA). Sending tons of love to friends and family!

TAMMY MADER 

Previously at Porchlight: Assassins, Porchlight Revisits Mack and Mabel

(she/her, Choreographer)

Tammy Mader is a proud member of SDC, the union of professional Stage Directors and Choreographers. Credits include: Bye Bye Birdie, Hairspray (Jeff Award), Next To Normal, Sunset Boulevard, Gypsy, Spamalot, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (Jeff Nomination), Buddy; The Buddy Holly Story, Thoroughly Modern Millie (Jeff Award), Meet Me In St. Louis, Kiss Me Kate (Jeff Nomination), Anything Goes (Jeff Nomination) and My One And Only (Jeff Award) at Drury Lane Oakbrook Terrace; Buddy; The Buddy Holly Story, Meet Me In St. Louis, Grand Hotel and The Full Monty at Drury Lane Water Tower Place; Guys & Dolls and Invisible Man at Court Theatre; Singin’ In The Rain, My One And Only (Jeff Nomination), 42nd St. (Jeff Award), Beauty and The Beast for Marriott’s Lincolnshire Theatre; Animal Crackers for Baltimore’s Center Stage, Do Black Patent Leather Shoes Really Reflect Up? for Drury Lane Theater in Evergreen Park; She Loves Me, Singin’ In The Rain (Jeff Nomination), Grand Hotel, 42nd St., Meet Me In St. Louis and Swingin’ On A Star: The Johnny Burke Musical at Theater at the Center, Elizabeth Rex at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre and Porchlight Music Theatre’s Mack And Mabel and Assassins


G. “MAX” MAXIN IV 

Previously at Porchlight: Ernest Shackleton Loves Me

(he/him, Lighting & Projections Designer

After more than a decade in Chicago, Max has created over 250 designs on over 150 professional and educational productions. He teaches and is the resident lighting designer for the Theatre Conservatory at Roosevelt University’s Chicago College of Performing Arts and was an instructor at Northeastern Illinois University for seven years, receiving an Instructor Excellence Award in 2019. One of the founding members of Another Door Theatre Project, Max worked for three years as head of production/resident scenographer. He also spent two summers designing lighting for La Musica Lirica, a touring opera company in Novafeltria, Italy. He has received a Lou Award for Best Lighting on Into the Woods (Big Noise), has one Equity and five Non-Equity Jeff nominations. Max designed sets and lights on the 2022 Non-Equity Jeff Award winner for Best Musical, Kokandy’s Sweeney Todd; as well as light and projections on the 2019 Non-Equity Jeff Award winner for Best Musical, BoHo’s Big Fish. Favorite design projects at Porchlight, Kokandy, Mercury, Black Ensemble, American Blues, Cincinnati Shakespeare, Theatre at the Center, Black Button Eyes, BoHo, Steppenwolf Garage, Another Door, CCPA, NEIU, Northwestern and DePaul. Web: ivMaxin.com


PATRICK McGUIRE

Porchlight Debut

(any pronoun with respect, Properties Designer

Recent credits include: The SpongeBob Musical (Kokandy Productions), Addams Family, Xanadu, A Christmas Carol, Cabaret (Metropolis PAC), Junior Claus, The Christians (Citadel Theatre). Patrick has done freelance work for companies including Florentine Opera, Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, Music Theater Works and Gallaudet University, as well as design/fabrication work in puppetry, historical millinery, props and costume crafts. MA (theatre directing), CCPA at Roosevelt University; MM, Boston University; BME, Illinois State. Web: patrickmcguirearts.com


NICK SULA 

Previously at Porchlight: New Faces Sing Broadway 1949, Porchlight Revisits Applause

(he/him, Music Director

Nick Sula is a pianist, arranger and award-winning music director for theater and cabaret and is thrilled to return to Porchlight Music Theatre! Music Direction credits include Sweeney Todd (Kokandy Productions) [Jeff Award]; Ghost Quartet [Jeff nomination], Nevermore, Amour, Coraline (Black Button Eyes); Myths & Hymns, The Glorious Ones [Jeff nomination], Pippin (BoHo Theatre), His & His, Broadway at the Broadway (Pride Films and Plays); Merrily We Roll Along, Head Over Heels, The Pajama Game, The Pirates of Penzance (CCPA). Nick can be seen performing with vocalists at theaters and cabaret venues around Chicagoland such as Davenport’s Piano Bar and the Skokie Theatre. As a professor of musical theatre, he serves as a music director, instructor, and vocal coach at the Chicago College of Performing Arts (CCPA) at Roosevelt University.


MICHAEL WEBER

Previously at Porchlight: Cabaret, Sunset Boulevard, Gypsy, Merrily We Roll Along

(he/him, Director/Artistic Director)

Michael Weber is a nationally recognized, award-winning director, producer, actor and educator. He recently directed the Off-Broadway and European premieres of Call Me Elizabeth written by and starring Kayla Boye as Elizabeth Taylor. Under his artistic leadership, Porchlight Music Theatre was awarded Chicago’s Jeff Award for “Best Production” six times for A Class Act, Ain’t Misbehavin’, Sondheim on Sondheim, The Scottsboro Boys, Dreamgirls and Blues in the Night. Porchlight productions that he directed, include Cabaret, Gypsy, End of the Rainbow, Sweeney Todd, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Pal Joey, Assassins and Side Show, as well as Grand Hotel at Drury Lane Theatre Water Tower Place and She Loves Me at Theatre at the Center were each nominated for the Jeff Award Award for Best Production. He previously served as artistic director for the inaugural season of Chicago’s Drury Lane Theatre Water Tower Place (now Broadway in Chicago’s Broadway Playhouse) and at Theatre at the Center in Munster, Indiana (1998-2004). Directing credits include Living the History-125 Years of The Auditorium Theatre starring Patti LuPone and John Mahoney, Fifth of July and Talley’s Folly at the Oak Park Festival Theatre, The Petrified Forest at Theatre at the Center, Beauty and the Beast at Marriott Theatre, Over the River and Through the Woods at Mercury Theater, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum at Pheasant Run Theatre, and Cirque du Symphony at Sears Center Arena featuring stars of Cirque du Soleil with the Elgin Symphony Orchestra. The recipient of two Joseph Jefferson Awards, he has been nominated for nine awards and he wrote and directed 14 Joseph Jefferson Awards ceremonies (2006-2018). Weber’s regional acting credits include The Merry Widow (starring Renée Fleming) at Lyric Opera, Annie Get Your Gun and Gypsy (both starring Patti LuPone) at Ravinia Festival, The Winter’s Tale and Henry V at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, Around the World in 80 Days at Cleveland Playhouse, Disney’s My Son Pinocchio at First Stage Milwaukee, It Had To Be You (starring Cindy Williams and Eddie Mekka) at Little Theatre on the Square, Angel Street at First Folio Shakespeare, and The Gifts of the Magi at Indiana Repertory. He is author of the play, WAR of the WELLeS (about Orson Welles’ infamous radio broadcast) and he is a longtime pledge host for PBS station WTTW channel 11.

Meghan Murphy shines in Anything Goes!


Reviews are in –– Anything Goes is a hit!


Audiences react to Anything Goes!


Meet the director of Anything Goes, Artistic Director Michael Weber.


Meet choreographer Tammy Mader & music director Nick Sula.


An inside look at the first rehearsal and meet & greet for Porchlight’s production of Anything Goes!


Artistic Director and director of Anything Goes, Michael Weber, takes you on a tour on the backstory of Cole Porter and his legendary musical comedy, Anything Goes.


A sneak peek of Anything Goes and “I Get a Kick Out of You” as part of our Cole Porter Festival – A Celebration of the Man and his Music.


A sneak peek of Anything Goes and “Friendship” as part of our Cole Porter Festival.