Theatre Building Chicago’s 14th annual showcase of new musicals features eight new works plus a revival of the 1976 Broadway show Rex, in formats ranging from semistaged studio presentations to concert readings (with the actors at music stands), as shown below. The weekend-long festival, which also includes panels and social events, gives audiences and aspiring writers a chance to discuss the art, craft, and commerce of musical theater as they rub elbows between shows. It also showcases some of off-Loop theater’s brightest young performers. Stages 2007 runs Fri-Sun, 8/10-8/12, in the north and south theaters of Theatre Building Chicago, 1225 W. Belmont. Individual performances are $15; a Stages Pass to all Saturday and Sunday shows costs $95; other prices are listed below. For reservations and information, call 773-327-5252 or log on to theatrebuildingchicago.org or ticketmaster.com.
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Tomorrow Morning Two couples are separated by time in Laurence Mark Wythe’s musical. Concert reading. a North theater, 9 AM.
Rex See listing for Fri. Followed by a postshow discussion with the show’s coauthors, Sheldon Harnick and Sherman Yellen, and Bert Fink of the Rodgers and Hammerstein Foundation. Concert reading. a South theater, 3:30 PM.
Downtown See listing for Sat. a South theater, 9 AM.
Children of the Night See listing for Sat. a South theater, 4 PM.
