If you’re a fan of musicals, Edge Theater is the place to be this month.
Nine shows in all will take the stage at the theater, at 5451 N. Broadway, part of its fifth annual Chicago Musical Theater Festival.
OH HI JOHNNY: The Roomsical, kicks off the month. Remaining shows are Feb. 14, 17 and 23. It’s described as “unauthorized musical parody” of Tommy Wiseau’s The Room, the “Citizen Kane of bad movies,” according to the Edge Theater’s website.
Showings of An Artist and the Ember: A Self-Love Story, are also underway. Remaining shows are Feb. 17, 19, and 22. It’s billed as the story of Eve, a composer who struggles with anxiety and wishes to create a beautiful piece of work, but just can’t.
My Dear Watson, a Sherlock Holmes musical, has shows remaining Feb. 15, 20, and 23. The dramatic musical revolves around Sherlock Holmes and John Watson’s many adventures, but also explores their friendship and love for one another through the perspective of Watson, according to the Edge Theater’s website.
Then there is Unison, with remaining shows Feb. 15, 21, 23. It is described as a story that tells the tale of a tight-knit high school wind ensemble that struggles to find its groove after the infection of senioritis, with a mixing pot of rehearsal preparation, partying, essays, and personal problems. They’ll need to pull through together if they want any chance at sticking to post-graduation plans that won’t lead to the demise of the group’s friendship.
On Feb. 14, 16, 17, 19, 23, there will be a showing of INCREDIBLE SIX THOUSAND-FOOT LADDER TO HEAVEN: A New Musical Fairy Tale. After the passing of Hadley Breaker’s father, many adults in her life were quick to offer their condolences and offered some not-so-pleasant piece of advice: Move on. Instead, Hadley Breaker and her friend, Spider, decide to build a six thousand-foot ladder to meet Hadley Breaker’s father in Heaven.
On Feb 6, 10, 16, 22, 24, there will be showings Cancerman, about a man with cancer wishes to reconnect with his granddaughter by writing a song, before it’s too late.
On Feb 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, and 24, there will be showings of Moonshiner: A Musical Fabulism. Set in Chicago during the 1950s, Selene Orb goes to private eye detective Nicodemus Silver to try to find out where her missing husband has gone.
On Feb. 13, 17, 22, there will be showings of Lucky: A Musical. It is described as a story about a girl whose whole understanding of the universe is based off of a copy of “The Care and Keeping of You,” a book given to her by her absent mother. Upon entering college, she realizes that every problem that she faces can’t be solved by her trusted book.
Finally, Brooke Astor’s Last Affair takes the stage Feb. 13, 16, and 20. Based on the true story of Brooke Astor, it tells the tale of her rise and fall in New York City life.
If you want to learn more about the festival, go to https://www.cmtf.org/ to learn more.