Barbara Gaines News

Chicago Shakespeare Theater welcomes back Ireland's Druid theatre company-"one of the world's greatest acting ensembles" (The Guardian)-with its critically acclaimed production of Samuel Beckett's masterpiece, Waiting for Godot. Staged by Tony Award-winning director Garry Hynes, the production will be presented for a limited engagement in the Courtyard Theater as part of WorldStage at Chicago Shakespeare, May 23-June 3, 2018.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST), the City of Chicago, Chicago Park District, and Boeing partner to present the annual citywide summer tradition, Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks. Made possible by production sponsor BMO Harris Bank, 25 performances of Shakespeare's timeless classic A Midsummer Night's Dream, adapted and directed by the Theater's founder and artistic director Barbara Gaines, will tour free for all to 18 neighborhood parks across the City, July 25-August 26, 2018.

The mysterious discovery of a dusty old suitcase hidden away reveal pieces to a much larger puzzle-and a sweeping family history kept secret for generations-in The Book of Joseph, by acclaimed playwright Karen Hartman, based on the life of Joseph A. Hollander and his family. Combining documentary and drama with a sprawling cast and breathtaking set design, the thrilling new play, The Book of Joseph is directed by Everyman Theatre Associate Artistic Director Noah Himmelstein, and runs May 9 through June 10, 2018-accompanied with a comprehensive roster of associated community events.

Firebrand Theatre, the first musical theatre company committed to employing and empowering women by expanding opportunities on and off the stage, is pleased to announce its second season, featuring two fully-produced musicals, including a Chicago premiere. 

Chicago Shakespeare Theater welcomes back Ireland's Druid theatre company-"one of the world's greatest acting ensembles" (The Guardian)-with its critically acclaimed production of Samuel Beckett's masterpiece, Waiting for Godot. Staged by Tony Award-winning director Garry Hynes, the production will be presented for a limited engagement in the Courtyard Theater as part of WorldStage at Chicago Shakespeare, May 23-June 3, 2018.

The mysterious discovery of a dusty old suitcase hidden away reveal pieces to a much larger puzzle-and a sweeping family history kept secret for generations-in The Book of Joseph, by acclaimed playwright Karen Hartman, based on the life of Joseph A. Hollander and his family. Combining documentary and drama with a sprawling cast and breathtaking set design, the thrilling new play, The Book of Joseph is directed by Everyman Theatre Associate Artistic Director Noah Himmelstein, and runs May 9 through June 10, 2018-accompanied with a comprehensive roster of associated community events.

Chicago Shakespeare announces today fourteen productions in the Theater's 2018/19 Season-encompassing the dynamic and diverse range of offerings which have come to characterize a company that defies theatrical category. The season features programming across Chicago Shakespeare's performance spaces-the Courtyard Theater, the theater Upstairs, The Yard, and even in the lobby's Pub-fully activating the Theater's vibrant and multifaceted campus on Navy Pier.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater  (CST) announces the cast and creative team for the theatrical event of the season: Macbeth, adapted and directed by Teller (of Penn & Teller) and Aaron Posner-the celebrated creative duo behind CST's The Tempest, winner of the Jeff Award for Best Production in 2015. Starring Ian Merrill Peakesas Macbeth and Chaon Cross as Lady Macbeth, Shakespeare's psychological thriller immerses audiences in a world of dark magic and ambition, delving into the twisted psyches of the ultimate power-hungry couple.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) announces the cast and creative team for Mary Stuart, Peter Oswald's electrifying new take on the famously bitter rivalry between Mary, Queen of Scots, and her cousin Elizabeth I, Queen of England. The two fiercely independent women at the center of the showdown are portrayed by acclaimed actresses K.K. Moggie as Mary and Kellie Overbey as Elizabeth. Award-winning director Jenn Thompson, former artistic director of The Actors Company Theater (named Company of the Year by The Wall Street Journal), stages the production in CST's Courtyard Theater, February 21 April 15, 2018.

January 4, 2018 Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) continues the 2017/18 Season with a full line-up of productions through June 2018.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) begins rehearsals for Short Shakespeare! A Midsummer Night's Dream a 75-minute abridgment of William Shakespeare's riotous tale of mismatched love among mischievous fairies, young lovers and an amateur theatrical troupe of local workers. Directed and adapted by Jess McLeod and featuring a power-packed ensemble cast, this production will bring the magic to life for 1,000 students each day in the innovative, new venue The Yard at Chicago Shakespeare during its six-week run. Short Shakespeare! A Midsummer Night's Dream will be performed for the public on Saturdays February 3 March 10, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.

International theatre, acoustic and digital design consultancy Charcoalblue will open their new Chicago studio in January in response to a growing portfolio of projects currently underway in the city and surrounding regions.

Next week, Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) brings together more than 300 high school students from 47 public, private and parochial schools across the region for this year's Chicago Shakespeare Slam. A series of Saturdayworkshops and regional preliminary bouts throughout the fall culminate in a raucous and fun-filled Finals Bout on Monday, December 11 at 6:00 p.m. on CST's Courtyard Theater stage. Emcees warm up the crowd and an onstage DJ drops beats as nine teams perform, cheered on by a full house of fellow participants, classmates and friends. This year's Finals Bout performances will be overseen by a star-studded panel of judges (special guests to be announced).

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) begins rehearsals next week for the stirring drama Red Velvet, staged by Broadway and Chicago director Gary Griffin and starring celebrated Shakespearean actor Dion Johnstone.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) announces a World's Stage production in its soon-to-be-completed new venue, The Yard at Chicago Shakespeare: Teatro Linea de Sombra's evocative Amarillo, October 17-29, 2017. Devised by one of Mexico's most celebrated and forward-thinking ensembles and directed by Jorge A. Vargas, Amarillo will be the largest international theatrical event of the inaugural Chicago International Latino Theater Festival - Destinos (d?-stee-noce).

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) Artistic Director Barbara Gaines stages Shakespeare's raucous comedy The Taming of the Shrew with a powerhouse, all-woman cast setting up a witty and thought-provoking debate on politics, power, and love. Framed as a performance by a band of Suffragettes with additional dialogue by Second City's Ron West, The Taming of the Shrew launches Chicago Shakespeare's 2017/18 Season in the Courtyard Theater, now through November 12, 2017.

Today is Saturday, and that means it's time for what has become one of the theatre community's most beloved traditions- BroadwayWorld's 'Saturday Intermission Pics' roundup! This week SWEENEY TODD is gearing up for the Broadway Flea Market. Visit their booth to take your chances on Mrs. Lovett's pies! Check out more Saturday Intermission Pics below!

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) Artistic Director Barbara Gaines stages Shakespeare's raucous comedy The Taming of the Shrew with a powerhouse, all-woman cast-setting up a witty and thought-provoking debate on politics, power, and love. Framed as a performance by a band of Suffragettes with additional dialogue by Second City's Ron West, The Taming of the Shrew launches Chicago Shakespeare's 2017/18 Season in the Courtyard Theater, September 16-November 12, 2017.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) opens its new, innovative third theater on Navy Pier, The Yard at Chicago Shakespeare, with the inaugural performance James Thierr e's The Toad Knew on September 19.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) opens its new, innovative third theater on Navy Pier, The Yard at Chicago Shakespeare, with a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on September12 and the inaugural performance -- James Thierr e's The Toad Knew -- on September 19. Introducing a new trend in theatrical architecture, The Yard combines adaptive reuse with innovation in flexible design.