Porchlight’s 2016-17 season full of musical surprises

Porchlight Music Theatre has put together an unusually diverse and timely lineup for its 2016-17 season. Here’s a look at what the company has planned, with all shows at Stage 773 at 1225 W. Belmont.

“In the Heights” (Sept. 19-Oct. 16): This Tony Award-winning musical about life in a Hispanic neighborhood in upper Manhattan put Lin-Manuel Miranda on the Broadway map, and it arrives at Porchlight just as Miranda’s megahit, “Hamilton,” is to make its highly anticipated Chicago debut.

“End of the Rainbow” (Nov. 4-Dec.4): A bio-musical about Judy Garland, already seen in London and New York.

“The Scottsboro Boys” (Feb. 3-March 12, 2017): This will be the Chicago premiere of Kander and Ebb’s final collaboration – the infamous story of racial injustice during the Depression era. (It should not be confused with Raven Theatre’s sensational production about the same case, which is being remounted by that company this summer.)

“Marry Me a Little” (April 14-May 21, 2017): Two reasons to celebrate here. First, this is a rarely seen Stephen Sondheim show. Second, it will star the multiply talented actor, singer, pianist, music director Austin Cook.

In addition to these four shows, Porchlight will continue its “Porchlight Revisits” series with concert stagings of “The Rink,” “Little Me,” and “On a Clear Day You Can See Forever.”

Various subscription packages are now available. Call (773) 777-9884 or visit www.porchlightmusictheatre.org. Single tickets go on sale May 1.