Porchlight Music Theatre breaks records with Sondheim tribute

Porchlight Music Theatre broke previous records for revenue and attendance for its annual fundraiser concert last month at the Museum of Contemporary Art. This year’s event, "Chicago Sings Stephen Sondheim," celebrated the life and work of Stephen Sondheim, a legend in the world of musical theater, who died last year.

Directed by Porchlight Artistic Director Michael Weber and Producing Artistic Associate Frankie Leo Bennett, the concert played to a sold-out audience eager for the return of live musical performance. Music was directed by David Fiorello and choreographed by Alejandro Fonseca and Laura Savage.

Composer, songwriter and lyricist, Sondheim is widely considered one of the most important figures in twentieth-century musical theater. “Sondheim has been an essential force in the development and impact of Porchlight Music Theatre in this community,” said Weber.

The event was also marked by the presentation of the 2022 Guy Adkins Award for Excellence in the Advancement of Music Theatre in Chicago to Jim Corti. Weber’s presentation included highlights of Corti’s career as an actor, director, choreographer and artistic director.

Weber took time to remember another loss to the Chicago theater community, Hollis Resnik. Resnik, also a recipient of the Guy Adkins Award for Excellence in the Advancement of Music Theatre in Chicago, gave her final performance on stage as “Norma Desmond” in Porchlight Music Theatre’s Sunset Boulevard.

Porchlight Music Theatre is an award-winning center for music theater in Chicago active in live performance, youth education and outreach to communities and neighborhoods across the city. Now in its 27th season, Porchlight was a leader in virtual programming and free offerings through the pandemic. The funds raised at "Chicago Sings Stephen Sondheim" support Porchlight’s education and artistic programming.