Matt Kahler

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.

An instant standing ovation and 'Wow! Pure Magic!' via AroundTheTownChicago.com sum up how audiences and critics greeted Saturday night's opening of the first Chicago-area regional staging of the Tony Award-winning Best Musical Once at Aurora's Paramount Theatre.

Aurora's Paramount Theatre - Chicago's most decorated theater at the 2017 Jeff Awards with the third largest subscriber base in the nation - is excited to present the first Chicago-area regional staging of the Tony Award-winning Best Musical Once to close its 2017-18 Broadway Series.

 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.

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.

Say what you will, The Hypocrites have found a way to transform traditional theatre into a form of entertainment that appeals to folks who'd rather go to a party than sit in a theater. And they've done it using Gilbert & Sullivan's operetta THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE. No joke.

 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.

The House Theatre of Chicago announces an all-new production of Hatfield & McCoy, written by The House's Company Member Shawn Pfautsch and directed by

Thank goodness for the grand feats of woke escapism that took over New York venues this year. Charles Quittner reflects on his favorite theatrical events featuring pirates, pirates, more pirates, and drag queens.

Pasadena Playhouse, the State Theatre of California, reinvents its theatre to present Gilbert and Sullivan's Pirates of Penzance, as reimagined by the Chicago theatre hooligans The Hypocrites. This wacky beach party with flying beach balls, rubber duckies, ukuleles, banjos, plastic swimming pools, and a tiki bar brings the audience on stage for a night they won't forget.

The House Theatre of Chicago announces an all-new production of Hatfield & McCoy, written by The House's Company Member Shawn Pfautsch and directed by The House's Company Member Matt Hawkinsplaying at the Chopin Upstairs Theatre, 1543 W. Division St., January 19 - March 11, 2018.

A raucous, zany beach party, complete with swimming pools, Tiki Bar and beach balls, begins previews tonight, November 29, in a special, 80-minute holiday adaptation of Pirates of Penzance at NYU Skirball, running through December 10. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

The House Theatre of Chicago, in partnership with University of Chicago's Theatre and Performance Studies Program and their Logan Center for the Arts, presents an afternoon Open House touring new works in development. Guests will have the opportunity to see short selections from five projects, and meet the creative artists spearheading them. The audience in attendance will break into small groups and tour each project in various creative spaces in the state-of-the-art Logan Center.

The House Theatre of Chicago, in partnership with University of Chicago's Theatre and Performance Studies Program and their Logan Center for the Arts, presents an afternoon Open House touring new works in development. Guests will have the opportunity to see short selections from five projects, and meet the creative artists spearheading them. The audience in attendance will break into small groups and tour each project in various creative spaces in the state-of-the-art Logan Center.

Today, The Hypocrites announced an exciting phase of maturation for the organization. A whole new non-profit business model leading to a stronger connection with our audiences and therefore more successful art being brought into the world.

The House Theatre of Chicago announces its 16th season of creating 'Amazing Feats of Storytelling' held at The Chopin Theatre, 1543 W. Division St.

Chicago Theatre Workshop (CTW), in association with Susan Jack and Helen R. Jack, present "Creatives," a darkly comic pop-opera beginning February 19 at the Edge Theatre (5451 N. Broadway) under the direction of CTW's Artistic Director Tom Mullen.

The Tony Award-winning Oregon Shakespeare Festival will launch its 81st year with preview performances beginning on February 19, and the season officially kicking off Friday night, February 26 in the Angus Bowmer Theatre with Shakespeare's Twelfth Night (director, Christopher Liam Moore).

See H.M.S. Pinafore From The Pillow Pit

The Oregon Shakespeare Festival wrapped up its 80th year Sunday night, November 1, with the final performances of Much Ado about Nothing and Pericles. Preparations for the 2016 season are well under way; 2016 member ticket sales start this week and preview performances begin February 19. The 2016 opening weekend is February 26-28.