| Good afternoon. Big congrats to the Chicago star Christine Sherrill, who made her very stellar Broadway debut Thursday night as a dynamic Donna in "Mamma Mia!" in New York. We knew her when. Word is, she's not the only Chicago actress who will be starring on Broadway in the latter
half of 2025. More on that soon, but let's just say Steppenwolf Theatre might be involved. Jalynn Steele (as Tanya), Christine Sherrill (Donna), Carly Sakolove (Rosie) and the cast of “Mamma Mia!” on Broadway at
the Winter Garden Theatre in New York. (Joan Marcus) Welcome back to town, the actress Andrea Prestinario, appearing in
"Come From Away" at the Paramount Theatre, which opens over Labor Day weekend. It's been 11 years since she was on a Chicago stage. More good news, the Tony Award-winning actress Beth Leavel will receive the Sarah Siddons Society Award at that organization's annual benefit at The Arts Club of Chicago on Nov. 17. The Uptown Theatre is turning 100. I've followed the quest to get that jewel of a theater restored for years, so I was delighted to publish Jerry Mickelson's opinion piece on what he believes should be the way forward. Mickelson is the owner of the Uptown, so to call him a key player in all this
is to understate. American Blues Theater pushed back the opening of its marquee show, "Things With Friends" by Kristoffer Diaz, by a week to Sept. 5. More rehearsal time is desired, I am told. Hershey Felder in “Rachmaninoff and the Tsar” at Writers Theatre in Glencoe. (Stefano DeCarli) And check out Emily McClanathan's review of the latest Hershey Felder show, this time at Writers Theatre. Don't forget that the Broadway composer David Yazbek (a friend of Felder's) is coming to that Glencoe venue to perform his cabaret show there on Sept 15. One night only and likely to sell out. Have a great week and I will see you at the theater! — Chris Jones, chief theater critic Our current list of Chris Jones Recommended shows: “Angels in America” through Sept. 7 by Invictus Theatre Company at the Windy City Playhouse; “True West” through Aug. 31 in Paramount's Copley Theatre;
"Amélie the Musical" by Kokandy Productions at the Chopin Theatre through Sept. 28. Sign up for the Theater Loop newsletter: Our weekly newsletter has the latest news and reviews from America’s hottest theater city. Theater critic Chris Jones will share a behind-the-curtain look at what you need to know. | 
