Alison Siple

The Jeff Awards has announced the nominees for the 52nd annual awards for theater excellence that include 142 theater artists across 30 artistic and technical categories. The awards will be presented in an online program on Monday, November 9, 2020 at 7:00PM.

How do you put a new spin on the world's longest-running play? At Court Theatre, director Sean Graney takes on this challenge with Agatha Christie's classic murder mystery, THE MOUSETRAP. Running continuously in London's West End since 1952, the original production currently clocks in at over 28,000 performancesa?'certainly a jewel in the crown of one of the world's most successful mystery writers. While the London production has only updated its set design twice since its premiere, here in Chicago, Graney and team breathe fresh life into the popular mystery with fascinating designs, hilarious character actors and an honest approach to Christie's insightful exploration of human nature.

Lookingglass Theatre Company welcomes five new Ensemble Members and four new Artistic Associates into the Lookingglass family. Joining the Ensemble are Walter Briggs (Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, Moby Dick), Kasey Foster (The Steadfast Tin Soldier, 20,000 Leagues Under the Seas), circus choreographer Sylvia Hernandez-DiStasi (The Steadfast Tin Soldier, Mary Shelley's Frankenstein), Anthony Irons (The Steadfast Tin Soldier, Act(s) of God), and composer and sound designer Andre Pluess (The Steadfast Tin Soldier, Eastland). New Artistic Associates include Cordelia Dewdney (Moby Dick, Hard Times), Wendy Mateo (Big Lake Big City, Beyond Caring), costume designer Sully Ratke (Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, 20,000 Leagues Under the Seas) and Matthew C. Yee (Treasure Island, Moby Dick).

Rivendell Theatre Ensemble (RTE), Chicago's only Equity theatre dedicated to producing new work with women at the core, presents the Midwest premiere of I Wanna F#!&ing Tear You Apart by Morgan Gould and directed by Jessica Fisch. I Wanna F#!&ing Tear You Apart runs February 15 - March 23, 2019 at Rivendell Theatre Ensemble, 5779 N. Ridge Avenue in Chicago.  The press opening is Wednesday, February 27, 2019 at 7:00pm.

American Blues Theater continues its 2018-2019 Season with the Chicago Premiere of the thriller On Clover Road, by Steven Dietzand directed by Halena Kays. On Clover Road runs February 1 - March 16, 2019 at Stage 773, 1225 W Belmont Ave in Chicago.  

Rivendell Theatre Ensemble (RTE), Chicago's only Equity theatre dedicated to producing new work with women at the core, presents the Midwest premiere of I Wanna F#!&ing Tear You Apart by Morgan Gould and directed by Jessica Fisch. I Wanna F#!&ing Tear You Apart runs February 15 - March 23, 2019 at Rivendell Theatre Ensemble, 5779 N. Ridge Avenue in Chicago.  The press opening is Wednesday, February 27, 2019 at 7:00pm.

American Blues Theater continues its 2018-2019 Season with the Chicago Premiere of the thriller On Clover Road, by Steven Dietz and directed by Halena Kays. On Clover Road runs February 1 - March 16, 2019 at Stage 773, 1225 W Belmont Ave in Chicago.  The official press opening is Thursday, February 7, 2019 at 7:30 p.m.

Milwaukee Repertory Theater presents the gripping historical drama Guards at the Taj by Pulitzer Prize finalist Rajiv Joseph (Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo) starring Owa'Ais Azeem (The Rep's The Invisible Hand) as Babur and Yousof Sultani (Chicago Shakespeare's Othello) as Hamayun running this September 26 - November 4, 2018 in the Stiemke Studio.

Milwaukee Repertory Theater's Stiemke Studio Season opens with the gripping historical drama Guards at the Taj by Pulitzer Prize finalist Rajiv Joseph (Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo) starring Owais Ahmed (The Rep's The Invisible Hand) as Babur and Yousof Sultani (Chicago Shakespeare's Othello) as Hamayun this September 26 - November 4, 2018.

Milwaukee Repertory Theater's Stiemke Studio Season opens with the gripping historical drama Guards at the Taj by Pulitzer Prize finalist Rajiv Joseph (Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo) starring Owais Ahmed (The Rep's The Invisible Hand) as Babur and Yousof Sultani (Chicago Shakespeare's Othello) as Hamayun this September 26 - November 4, 2018.

The nominations have been announced for the 2018 Equity Joseph Jefferson ('Jeff') Awards.

I do not believe I have ever seen a more 'kid-friendly' theatrical event than the Olney Theatre Company's H.M.S. PINAFORE. Olney has welcomed back 'The Hypocrites' Chicago based troupe (they last appeared during the summer of 2016) who have taken their productions of both PINAFORE and PIRATES OF PENZANCE previously to the Pasadena Playhouse, and the Skirball Center in New York. 'The Hypocrites', founded in 1997 by Artistic Director Sean Graney have taken their repertories all over the country. 'The House Theatre of Chicago' has become the fiscal agent of 'The Hypocrites' and now serves as a co-producer.

Milwaukee Repertory Theater is pleased to announce the complete cast and creative teams for the 2018/19 Season fall shows including Songs for Nobodies, Guards at the Taj, The All Night Strut!, and Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley.

Merrimack Repertory Theatre presents the world premiere of LOST LAUGHS: THE SLAPSTICK TRAGEDY OF FATTY ARBUCKLE, bringing to life the story of one of the great comics of silent films. A century ago, he was Hollywood's first million-dollar man, but fell from grace when charged with murder. Despite his eventual acquittal, Arbuckle was never able to reclaim his place at the pinnacle of the entertainment world. LOST LAUGHS features memorable performances by co-writer Aaron Muñoz and Kristen Mengelkoch, under the direction of Nathan Keepers.

Steppenwolf presents Clare Barron's YOU GOT OLDER. Both darkly humorous and deeply touching, YOU GOT OLDER follows a young woman who moves back home to care for her cancer-stricken father, after suffering a few personal crises of her own. YOU GOT OLDER was scheduled to open February 5th, but was delayed two days due to the passing of long-time ensemble member John Mahoney. YOU GOT OLDER will run through March 11th.

The reviews are in for Steppenwolf's production of YOU GOT OLDER! After cancelling its Monday opening night due to the passing of long-time ensemble member John Mahoney, YOU GOT OLDER opened this past Wednesday at Steppenwolf, where it will continue to run through March 11th.

 The wackiest beach party in town continues! Pasadena Playhouse, the State Theatre of California, announces a one-week extension of Gilbert and Sullivan's Pirates of Penzance, as reimagined by the Chicago theatre hooligans The Hypocrites, now through February 25, due to high demand.  Tickets are now on sale at pasadenaplayhouse.org or by calling 626-356-7529.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company presents the Chicago premiere production of the Obie Award-winning play You Got Older, written by Clare Barron and directed by Jonathan Berry. This bawdy, irreverent and touching play features four ensemble members Glenn Davis (Mac), Audrey Francis (Hannah), Francis Guinan (Dad) and Caroline Neff (Mae), along with Emjoy Gavino (Jenny), David Lind(Matthew) and Gabriel Ruiz (Cowboy).

Andrew Hinderaker's stunning theatrical hybrid The Magic Play begins preview performances at The Armory on March 3, opens on March 9 and runs through April 1 on the U.S. Bank Main Stage. The Armory's production brings together the artistic team from the celebrated world premiere at Goodman Theatre/Olney Theatre Center, including director Halena Kays; magic creator/actor Brett Schneider; actor Sean Parris; master illusionist Jim Steinmeyer; scenic designer Lizzie Bracken, costume designer Alison Siple; aerial choreographer Sylvia Hernandez-DiStasi; and flying effects by ZFX, Inc. Portland Center State at The Armory's run of The Magic Play is a co-production with Actors Theatre of Louisville and Syracuse Stage.

Back in the late 60s, groups of people would meet up at an agreed-upon place to attend a "happening," defined as a partly improvised or spontaneous piece of theatrical or other artistic performance, typically involving audience participation. This description is exactly how I would describe what is taking place at the Pasadena Playhouse through February 25, 2018, with Gilbert and Sullivan's PIRATES OF PENZANCE as reimagined by the Chicago-based Hypocrites acting troupe who turns the classic on its head, surprising audiences with a raucous 80-minute beach party that blends the original operetta with modern day attire, a central stage area from which the tossing of beach balls is encouraged, kiddie wading pools are available for seats, and lots of audience participation is expected during every moment the 10 energetic actor-musicians are in the house.