Ana Kuzmanic News

Exactly one year after its world premiere in the Owen Theatre, Noah Haidle's Smokefall, directed by Anne Kauffman, makes its Albert Theatre debut-becoming the third production in Goodman Theatre's 90-year history to transfer from the theater's smaller stage to the mainstage in order for more audiences to experience an acclaimed new play. An exploration of the power and fragility of love through three generations of family life, Smokefall in its debut set the record of highest number of individual tickets sold in Owen Theatre history, and the production topped the 'Best of 2013' lists among major Chicago media. Scroll down for a first look at the cast in action!

Theatre Communications Group (TCG) has announced the official launch of AmericanTheatre.org, the new online home of American Theatre magazine. Accessible across all online platforms, AmericanTheatre.org will deliver up-to-the minute news, in-depth features, stunning visuals, exclusive podcasts and videos, and artists' commentary and opinions: http://www.americantheatre.org.

To open its 60th anniversary season, Lyric Opera of Chicago presents Mozart's Don Giovanni, conducted by Sir Andrew Davis in a brand-new production by renowned director Robert Falls, artistic director of Chicago's Goodman Theatre. It opens on Saturday, September 27 with 10 performances through Wednesday, October 29. Performance dates are Sept. 27, 30, Oct. 11, 14, 17, and 29 at 7:30pm; Oct. 2, 5, 8, and 24 at 2pm.

Tickets ($25-$81; subject to change) are on sale now at GoodmanTheatre.org/Smokefall, by phone at 312.443.3800 or at the box office (170 North Dearborn). The Goodman is grateful for the generosity of its production supporters, including Abbott Fund, the Sponsor Partner; the Paul M. Angell Family Foundation, the Foundation Partner; and Mayer Brown, the Corporate Sponsor Partner.

Goodman Theatre introduces its "all-new fall," celebrating nine decades with new inspiration: three months of new American plays, each developed in the Goodman's new play programs.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company's Chicago-premiere production of Russian Transport by Erika Sheffer begins tonight, February 16, 2014. Ensemble member Yasen Peyankov directs a cast of five featuring ensemble members Tim Hopper, Mariann Mayberry and Alan Wilder with Aaron Himelstein and Melanie Neilan. This 'thoughtful, well-written domestic drama with something original to say about immigrant families living by old world values in a new world culture' (Variety) received its world-premiere production Off-Broadway at The New Group in 2012. Russian Transport began previews February 6, 2014 (opening night is February 16; press performances are February 15 at 3pm and February 18 at 7:30pm) and runs through May 11, 2014 in Steppenwolf's Upstairs Theatre (1650 N Halsted St).

Previews are underway for Steppenwolf Theatre Company's Chicago-premiere production of Russian Transport by Erika Sheffer, "a gritty but often humorous portrait of the immigrant nuclear family" (Time Out New York). Bulgarian-born ensemble member Yasen Peyankov is at the helm of what Variety declared a "thoughtful, well-written domestic drama with something original to say about immigrant families living by old world values in a new world culture." The cast of five features ensemble members Tim Hopper, Mariann Mayberry and Alan Wilder with Aaron Himelstein andMelanie Neilan. Russian Transport opens February 16; press performances are February 15 at 3pm and February 18 at 7:30pm) and runs through May 11, 2014 in Steppenwolf's Upstairs Theatre (1650 N Halsted St). Tickets ($20 - 78) are on sale now at steppenwolf.org.

Rehearsals are underway for Steppenwolf Theatre Company's Chicago-premiere production of Russian Transport by Erika Sheffer, "a gritty but often humorous portrait of the immigrant nuclear family" (Time Out New York). Bulgarian-born ensemble member Yasen Peyankov is at the helm of what Variety declared a "thoughtful, well-written domestic drama with something original to say about immigrant families living by old world values in a new world culture." The cast of five features ensemble members Tim Hopper, Mariann Mayberry and Alan Wilder with Aaron Himelstein and Melanie Neilan. Russian Transport begins previews February 6, 2014 (opening night is February 16; press performances are February 15 at 3pm and February 18 at 7:30pm) and runs through May 11, 2014 in Steppenwolf's Upstairs Theatre (1650 N Halsted St). Tickets ($20 - 78) are on sale now at steppenwolf.org.

Casting is complete for Steppenwolf Theatre Company's Chicago-premiere production of Russian Transport by Erika Sheffer. Ensemble member Yasen Peyankov directs a cast of five featuring ensemble members Tim Hopper, Mariann Mayberry and Alan Wilder with Aaron Himelstein and Melanie Neilan. This 'thoughtful, well-written domestic drama with something original to say about immigrant families living by old world values in a new world culture' (Variety) received its world-premiere production Off-Broadway at The New Group in 2012. Russian Transport begins previews February 6, 2014 (opening night is February 16; press performances are February 15 at 3pm and February 18 at 7:30pm) and runs through May 11, 2014 in Steppenwolf's Upstairs Theatre (1650 N Halsted St). Tickets ($20 - 78) are on sale now at steppenwolf.org.

Due to demand, The New Group has announced a one-week extension for The Jacksonian, by Pulitzer Prize winner Beth Henley. Originally set to play a limited Off-Broadway engagement through December 15, this production now plays through Sunday, December 22. Directed by Tony Award winner Robert Falls, this New York premiere features Ed Harris, Glenne Headly, Amy Madigan, Bill Pullman and Juliet Brett. Previews begin October 25 in advance of an Opening Night on November 7 at The New Group @ Theatre Row (The Acorn Theatre / 410 West 42nd Street).

Acclaimed playwright and screenwriter Noah Haidle explores the passage of time and the fleeting pleasures of life through three generations of one family in Smokefall, his newest work, set in Grand Rapids, Michigan. ?Directed by Obie Award-winner Anne Kauffman in her Goodman debut, Smokefall is a world-premiere co-production with South Coast Repertory, running now through November 3 in the Owen Theatre (opening night is Monday, October 14). BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below.

Kicking off its 26th Season, Lookingglass Theatre Company presents the World Premiere stage adaptation of Marguerite Duras' The North China Lover, translated by Leigh Hafrey and adapted and directed by Ensemble Member Heidi Stillman. The North China Lover runs now through November 10, 2013, with opening set for tonight, October 5, at Lookingglass Theatre Company, located inside Chicago's historic Water Tower Water Works, 821 N. Michigan Ave. at Pearson. You never forget your first lover. The affair plays like a moving picture over and over in your mind: passionate, consuming, secret, taboo. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Set in Grand Rapids, Michigan, acclaimed playwright and screenwriterNoah Haidle explores the passage of time and the fleeting pleasures of life through three generations of one family in Smokefall, his newest work. The Michigan native playwright, who describes Smokefall as "an incredibly personal play that has been with me for a long time," most recently wrote the 2012 film Stand Up Guys (starring Alan Arkin, Christopher Walken and Al Pacino) and previously authored Mr. Marmalade,Vigils (at the Goodman in 2006) and Persephone for the stage. Directed by Obie Award-winner Anne Kauffman in her Goodman debut, Smokefall is a world-premiere co-production with South Coast Repertory, running October 5 - November 3 in the Owen Theatre (opening night is Monday, October 14). Tickets ($10-$40; subject to change) are on sale now at GoodmanTheatre.org/Smokefall, by phone at 312.443.3800or at the box office (170 North Dearborn). Bank of America is the 2013/2014 Owen Season Sponsor. Time Warner Foundation and The Elizabeth F. Cheney Foundation are the Major Supporters of New Play Development; and The Glasser and Rosenthal Family and the Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust are Supporters of New Work Development. The Joyce Foundation is the Principal Supporter of Artistic Development and Diversity Initiatives.

Kicking off its 26th Season, Lookingglass Theatre Company presents the World Premiere stage adaptation of Marguerite Duras' The North China Lover, translated byLeigh Hafrey and adapted and directed by Ensemble Member Heidi Stillman. The North China Lover runs September 25 - November 10, 2013 at Lookingglass Theatre Company, located inside Chicago's historic Water Tower Water Works, 821 N. Michigan Ave. at Pearson. You never forget your first lover. The affair plays like a moving picture over and over in your mind: passionate, consuming, secret, taboo.

Kicking off its 26th Season, Lookingglass Theatre Company presents the World Premiere of Marguerite Duras' The North China Lover, adapted and directed by Ensemble Member Heidi Stillman. The North China Lover runs tonight, September 25 - October 4, 2013 at Lookingglass Theatre Company, located inside Chicago's historic Water Tower Water Works, 821 N. Michigan Ave. at Pearson. The Press Opening is Saturday, October 5, 2013 at 7:30 p.m.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company presents the American premiere of The Wheel by Zinnie Harris. Ensemble member Tina Landau directs Harris's epic, a work of magic realism chronicling the trials of Beatriz as she attempts to reunite a young girl with her father in nineteenth-century Spain. Landau's cast of 17 features ensemble members Joan Allen (in her first appearance on stage at Steppenwolf since 1991), Robert Breuler, Tim Hopper, Ora Jones and Yasen Peyankov. The National Theatre of Scotland commissioned and produced the world premiere of The Wheel in 2011. The Wheel began previews September 12, 2013 (Opening night is September 22; Press performances are September 21 at 3pm and September 24 at 7:30pm) and runs through November 10 in Steppenwolf's Downstairs Theatre (1650 N Halsted St). BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Steppenwolf Theatre Company presents the American premiere of The Wheel by Zinnie Harris. Ensemble member Tina Landau directs Harris's epic, a work of magic realism chronicling the trials of Beatriz as she attempts to reunite a young girl with her father in nineteenth-century Spain. Landau's cast of 17 features ensemble members Joan Allen (in her first appearance on stage at Steppenwolf since 1991), Robert Breuler, Tim Hopper, Ora Jones and Yasen Peyankov. The National Theatre of Scotland commissioned and produced the world premiere of The Wheel in 2011. The Wheel begins previews tonight, September 12, 2013 (Opening night is September 22; Press performances are September 21 at 3pm and September 24 at 7:30pm) and runs through November 10 in Steppenwolf's Downstairs Theatre (1650 N Halsted St).

Lookingglass Theatre Company presents the World Premiere stage adaptation of Marguerite Duras' The North China Lover, translated by Leigh Hafrey and adapted and directed by Ensemble Member Heidi Stillman. The North China Lover runs September 25 - November 10, 2013.

Rehearsals recently began at Steppenwolf Theatre Company for the American premiere of The Wheel by Zinnie Harris. Ensemble member Tina Landau directs Harris's epic, a work of magic realism chronicling the trials of Beatriz as she attempts to reunite a young girl with her father in nineteenth-century Spain. Landau's cast of 17 features ensemble members Joan Allen (in her first appearance on stage at Steppenwolf since 1991), Robert Breuler, Tim Hopper, Ora Jones and Yasen Peyankov. The National Theatre of Scotland commissioned and produced the world premiere of The Wheel in 2011.The Wheel begins previews September 12, 2013, with an opening night officially set for September 22. The Wheel runs through November 10 in Steppenwolf's Downstairs Theatre (1650 N Halsted St). Tickets ($20 - $82) go on sale tomorrow, August 9 at 11am. Check out a first look at Allen and the cast in rehearsal below!

The New Group launches its 2013-2014 season with the New York premiere of the Geffen Playhouse production of The Jacksonian, by Pulitzer Prize winner Beth Henley. Directed by Tony Award winner Robert Falls, this production features Ed Harris, Glenne Headly, Amy Madigan, Bill Pullman and Juliet Brett. Previews begin October 25 in advance of an Official Opening Night on Thursday, November 7 at 7:00pm. A limited Off-Broadway engagement is slated through December 15 at The New Group @ Theatre Row (The Acorn Theatre / 410 West 42nd Street).