Shake It Away: The Ann Miller Story
“Off the Porch” Shake It Away Invited Dress Rehearsal
Sunday, June 1 at 1PM
Porchlight Rehearsal Studios, 4200 W. Diversey Ave
Written and performed by Kayla Boye
Directed by Michael Weber
Choreographed by Tammy Mader
Music Directed by Linda Madonia
Runtime: 60 minutes, no intermission.
Tickets are complimentary and required for admission into the event (limited capacity).
A Q&A with the creative team will follow the performance.
THIS EVENT HAS REACHED CAPACITY
On a soundstage at the 1970 MGM studio auction, dancer Ann Miller revisits the Golden Age of Hollywood and discovers her second act as a Broadway star. Featuring selections from the Great American Songbook, this love letter to entertainment is written by and stars Kayla Boye, who has appeared at Porchlight Music Theatre in Can-Can, Little Me, Billy Elliot, and New Faces Sing Broadway 1969.
This invited rehearsal will kick off the production’s world premiere tour, which includes:
- Hollywood Fringe in Los Angeles (Hudson Theatres, June 10-15)
- Off-Broadway – East to Edinburgh in New York (59E59 Theaters, July 15-19)
- Edinburgh Festival Fringe (theSpace at Surgeons’ Hall, August 1-9).
More at ShakeItAwayPlay.com
Photo by Heather Stumpf
Author’s Note
“At a time when so much is uncertain, our hearts long to feel unbridled joy. That is the essence of Ann Miller, whose talents graced the screen in pictures such as Kiss Me Kate, Easter Parade, and On the Town, and who danced her way around the world in productions such as Mame, Hello Dolly, and Sugar Babies. She embodied resilience by persevering through enormous challenges, and she always gave the best of her authentic self to audiences. I am so excited to share her story.”
Shake It Away Teaser
Video by Kayla Boye.
About “Off the Porch”
Created and led by Porchlight Music Theatre artistic associates, Off the Porch follows the great tradition of Chicago theatre by offering an open and safe environment for the exploration and creation of new musicals, adaptations and plays with music. Through this series, Porchlight nurtures local, regional and national talent by providing artistic resources to support the development of new musical works and by cultivating and showcasing the new work of composers, lyricists and playwrights.
MEET KAYLA BOYE
Enjoy a conversation between Shake It Away: The Ann Miller Story, playwright and star Kayla Boye and Porchlight Producing and Casting Associate Frankie Leo Bennett about the latest edition of our “Off the Porch” new work development series.
SOLO ARTIST ROUNDTABLE
With the upcoming launch of the new solo musical Shake it Away: The Ann Miller Story, Porchlight’s developmental
-What are the challenges and benefits of working alone on stage for an entire show?
-How did you come to play a famous celebrity’s life story?
-How does one go about writing a one-person show?
ENCORE MEMBER EXCLUSIVE
Porchlight Encore
members enjoy exclusive benefits including the opportunity to participate in an exclusive Zoom roundtable conversation on May 24, 2025, 11AM CST with Kayla, Director Michael Weber and some beloved artists on the unique art of solo performance: Klea Blackhurst (Everything The Traffic Will Allow – “Ethel Merman”) and Frank Ferrante (An Evening With Groucho – “Groucho Marx”). Encore members may join us to listen or to ask questions – don’t miss it!
The event will be recorded for future broadcast! If you can’t join in the Zoom conversation, Porchlight Encore members will be the first to have exclusive access to experience it at a later date before the general public.
Connect with Solo Artist Roundtable Artists at These Upcoming Chicago Events
