Mikaela Rae Sullivan - News and Updates

March 2020 - Cancelled The Pirates of Penzance with Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Company

3/27/2020

I had the pleasure of performing with the Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Company of Chicago again this year in their production of The Pirates of Penzance. Although we were scheduled to perform March 13-15th at The University of Chicago's Mandel Hall, we had to cancel due to concerns over the transmission of coronavirus.

We received this news during tech week, which led to an impromptu run and recording of the show for an audience of students and Hyde Park area friends - it was a whirlwind, "first and last night in costumes" evening!

The Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Company is currently looking into their options for putting on the show later this year. Whether or not I'm able to reprise my role as Edith for this production, I'm incredibly proud of the team for their hard work during this unusual time, and I hope to work with GSOC in the future!

January-February 2020 - Whisper House with Black Button Eyes Productions

11/5/2019

I am delighted to be working with Black Button Eyes Productions again on their upcoming production of Duncan Sheik and Kyle Jarrow's "Whisper House." I will be appearing as the Female Ghost in this rock musical ghost story.

More information, including cast, crew, show dates, and a synopsis, can be found on Broadway World's recent casting announcement article. More Whisper House news will also be available on the Black Button Eyes Productions website soon!

Summer 2019 - String at The Towle Theater

5/7/2019

This July, I'll be returning to The Towle Theatre as Atropos in the Midwest premiere of Adam Gwon and Sarah Hammond's String:

"On a starry mountaintop, three sisters -- goddesses known as the Fates -- spin, measure, and snip the strings of life for every human on earth. After angering Zeus, they find themselves banished to a modern office building in the mortal world, where they continue their work hidden among the mortals whose destinies they weave. When the eldest sister meets a security guard in the building and falls in love, she bends the rules of Fate to keep him at her side -- but can the fabric of the Universe stand a flaw? An original musical about fate, love, and the imperfections that make us human."

I'm excited to work with the Towle Theater team again! More information and tickets can be found here.

2019 Appearances - Merrie England + Return of the Cabaret!

4/11/2019

I began 2019 performing once again with Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Company's FIRST non-G&S production of Merrie England. Playing the May Queen with this talented group was an absolute blast, and the Hyde Park Herald was kind enough to give me a shout-out:

"Mikaela Sullivan takes the important role of the May Queen, who often propels the story forward. She’s gorgeous in her strapless summer dress and brings just the right amount of juicy spite."

Up next is an encore performance of my original cabaret, THEY'LL BE SORRY WHEN I'M FAMOUS.

Join singer, songwriter, actor, Mortified Chicago alum, and mediocre guitar player Mikaela Sullivan as she unearths embarrassing original songs from her young adult life. Laugh along and relive the awkward memories as Mikaela tells tales about puppy love, breakups, rebounds, and teen angst. Featuring unedited, unembellished performances of her greatest hits (from a decade ago), THEY'LL BE SORRY WHEN I'M FAMOUS is a funny and poignant peek into the coming-of-age diaries of a lovesick, small town girl with rockstar dreams.

Come out to Davenport's Piano Bar on Wednesday, April 17th at 8:00 PM!
Tickets are available here; 21+, $15 cover, 2 drink minimum.

Fall 2018 - Kiss Me, Kate + Original Cabaret!

9/20/2018

I am very excited to be playing Lilli Vanessi/Katherine in Big Noise Theatre's Kiss Me, Kate - we open tomorrow! The cast and crew have been a delight to work with, and I am thrilled to be part of this Cole Porter classic. Tickets are available here!

I'm also adding the final touches to my first original cabaret, "They'll Be Sorry When I'm Famous":

Join singer, songwriter, actor, Mortified Chicago alum, and mediocre guitar player Mikaela Sullivan as she unearths embarrassing original songs from her young adult life. Laugh along and relive the awkward memories as Mikaela tells tales about puppy love, breakups, rebounds, and teen angst. Featuring unedited, unembellished performances of her greatest hits (from a decade ago), THEY'LL BE SORRY WHEN I'M FAMOUS is a funny and poignant peek into the coming-of-age diaries of a lovesick, small town girl with rockstar dreams.

Come out to Davenport's Piano Bar on Friday, October 12th at 8:00 PM!
Tickets are available here; 21+, $15 cover, 2 drink minimum.

2018 Highlights and Upcoming Performances

7/10/2018

I began my year performing once again with Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Company in Chicago in their March production of Patience. Playing Lady Saphir was a treat, and I look forward to the surprises that G&S Opera Co. has in store for next season.

I was also invited back for an alum performance on Mortified Chicago's stage this past May at Lincoln Hall. I'm always happy to share the shame and share my embarrassing original songs from my childhood. In fact, reviving my piece was so fun that I decided to expand it!

I will be writing and performing my first cabaret this fall: THEY'LL BE SORRY WHEN I'M FAMOUS: A COMING OF AGE CABARET. More details, along with ticket information, will come soon!

I am also keeping busy writing music with Cody Kauhl under the duo name Catherinette. We released an EP last summer and made a music video for our song, "Feel Good," back in May.

Catherinette - Feel Good from Catherinette on Vimeo.

Mortified Live in Chicago, Sinfonietta Bel Canto Competition Finalist Concert - May 6th and 7th

3/28/2017

Beginning with a non-traditional performance: I will be performing in a Mortified Live show on Saturday, May 6th at Lincoln Hall in Chicago (2424 N. Lincoln Ave). Mortified stars everyday people reading aloud their most embarrassing, pathetic and private teenage diary entries, poems, love letters, lyrics and locker notes in front of total strangers. I will be presenting the songs I wrote as a teenager; share the shame with me! The show starts at 8:00 PM - more information can be found through the Facebook event and tickets can be purchased here.

I am also excited to perform with Sinfonietta Bel Canto on Sunday, May 7th in their SBC Voice Competition Finalists concert. In addition to the finalist performances, Sinfonietta Bel Canto will be performing Klughardt's Symphony #4 in C minor, op. 57. Category winners will be chosen at the concert, and attendees can vote for their favorite performance; I would love your support! The concert will be at Immanuel Lutheran Church (5211 Carpenter St. in Downers Grove, IL) at 3:00 PM - more information can be found on Sinfonietta Bel Canto's website and tickets can be purchased here (choose "Individual Tickets").

"A Fabulous 50's Christmas"

10/10/2016

I will be performing in the Towle Theater's upcoming production of A Fabulous 50's Christmas. I am excited to be part of this holiday tradition in Hammond!

Performances run December 9-11 and 15-18, Thursday and Friday performances at 8 pm, Saturday performances at 2 and 8 pm and Sunday performances at 2 pm. More information on this production can be found at the Towle Theater website.

Amour in Chicago- September 2nd - October 8th

8/25/2016

I will be playing the role of Madeline in the Chicago premiere of Amour. I have enjoyed working with Black Button Eyes Productions and the talented Amour team!

Performance dates are listed below:

September 2, 3 at 7:30pm and 4 at 2pmSeptember 8, 9, 10 at 7:30pm and 11 at 2pmSeptember 15, 16, 17 at 7:30pm and 18 at 2pmSeptember 22-25 NO SHOWS due to OktoberfestSeptember 29, 30, October 1 at 7:30 and October 2 at 2pmOctober 6, 7, 8 at 7:30pm
All performances will be held at the Athenaeum Theatre (2936 N Southport Ave.) in Chicago. More information on the production, including tickets and news updates, can be found at AmourChicago.com.

Toronto International Electroacoustic Symposium 2016- We're going to Canada!

8/11/2016

Cody Kauhl and I will be performing Excursus: Three Art Songs for Soprano and Flexible Media at the Toronto International Electroacoustic Symposium on August 13th, 2016. We will be featured on the 4th Symposium Concert at 15:30 at Geary Lane (360 Geary Ave, Toronto). Tickets are $15 for the general public and $10 for students; if you are registered for TIES, this concert is included in your registration. More information on this performance and TIES can be found at the New Adventures In Sound Art (NAISA) website.