Barry G. Funderburg News

Mercury Theater Chicago, 3745 N. Southport Avenue, presents Theater at the Center's production of RING OF FIRE: THE MUSIC OF JOHNNY CASH, a thrilling musical celebration of 'The Man in Black', running from April 30 through June 28, 2015.

If I were asked to provide the perfect introduction to the work of playwright William Shakespeare I would advise that person to check out The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis' current production of A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM. Unlike the bard's histories or tragedies, this play is truly lyrical, funny, and filled with magical elements that make it especially appealing. It's also one of his few tales that isn't based on another source, springing with startling originality from his own fervid imagination, which makes it particularly special among his bountiful canon. It seems like I'm always saying this about the Rep, but they provide must-see entertainment on a regular basis, with this enchanting presentation acting as another fine example of their exemplary work.

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis presents the comedy A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare and directed by Paul Mason Barnes. This enchanting play will be performed on the Browning Mainstage of the Loretto-Hilton Center for the Performing Arts, 130 Edgar Road (on the campus of Webster University), Webster Groves, today, October 15-November 9, 2014.

Over the course of their 2014 season, Theatre at the Center, a major equity player on the Chicago theater scene, has introduced audiences to never-before-seen productions on Chicagoland stages.

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis presents the comedy A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare and directed by Paul Mason Barnes. This enchanting play will be performed on the Browning Mainstage of the Loretto-Hilton Center for the Performing Arts, 130 Edgar Road (on the campus of Webster University), Webster Groves, October 15-November 9, 2014.

David Yazbek has shown himself to be a Broadway composer-lyricist to be reckoned with, after a splashy debut with 2000's "The Full Monty," and a meaningful follow-up with 2005's "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels." Both film adaptations, they won Drama Desk Awards for him, as well as Tony nominations. 2010's "Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown", also a film adaptation, was Tony-nominated for its score as well, though it suffered a truncated run of only 69 performances. Theatre at the Center in the Chicago suburb of Munster, Indiana, is the location for the show's world regional premiere.

In its first professional production since its Broadway debut, the musical comedy WOMEN ON THE VERGE OF A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN makes its Chicago area premiere in a brand new production at Theatre at the Center, 1040 Ridge Road, Munster, now through October 12, with a press opening on September 21. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

In the wake of the tragic loss of Actor Bernie Yvon, 50, in a car accident on his way to rehearsal of WOMEN ON THE VERGE, Theatre at the Center, 1040 Ridge Road, Munster, IN the theater has moved its press opening to Sunday, Sept. 21 at 2:30pm. Previews begin Saturday, Sept. 13, with George Andrew Wolff assuming the role of the taxi driver that Mr. Yvon had been scheduled to play. After the opening, a small tribute reception will take place at the theater for attendees of the performance.

Milwaukee Repertory Theater announced casting today for The Color Purple, the glorious musical saga which opens Friday, September 26, 2014 and runs from September 23 - November 2, 2014.

In its first professional production since its Broadway debut, the musical comedy WOMEN ON THE VERGE OF A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN makes its Chicago area premiere in a brand new production at Theatre at the Center, 1040 Ridge Road, Munster, September 11 through October 12, with a press opening on September 14. With an irresistible Latin-infused score by Tony Award-nominated David Yazbek and book by Jeffrey Lane (the team behind past Theatre at the Center hit DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS) WOMEN ON THE VERGE OF A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN is a touching and hilarious story of a group of women whose relationships with men lead to a whirlwind of emotions- love as they find them, confusion as they lose them and passion when they need them. This regional premiere is directed by William Pullinsi with Choreography by Danny Herman and Musical Direction and Orchestrations by William Underwood.

After 200 episodes and nine seasons as America's beloved 1960s sitcom, The Beverly Hillbillies is making strides on stage as a musical for the first time ever. Theatre at the Center, 1040 Ridge Road, Munster, Indiana, presents the World Premiere of THE BEVERLY HILLBILLIES, THE MUSICAL, running now through August 10, 2014. Click below to watch highlights from the show!

After 200 episodes and nine seasons as America's beloved 1960s sitcom, The Beverly Hillbillies is making strides on stage as a musical for the first time ever. Theatre at the Center, 1040 Ridge Road, Munster, Indiana, presents the World Premiere of THE BEVERLY HILLBILLIES, THE MUSICAL, running now through August 10 with a press opening last weekend on July 13. BroadwayWorld has photos from the opening celebrations below!

After 200 episodes and nine seasons as America's beloved 1960s sitcom, The Beverly Hillbillies is making strides on stage as a musical for the first time ever. Theatre at the Center, 1040 Ridge Road, Munster, Indiana, presents the World Premiere of THE BEVERLY HILLBILLIES, THE MUSICAL, running now through August 10 with a press opening this Sunday, July 13. Scroll down for a first look at the cast in action!

After 200 episodes and nine seasons as America's beloved 1960s sitcom, The Beverly Hillbillies is making strides on stage as a musical for the first time ever. Theatre at the Center, 1040 Ridge Road, Munster, Indiana, presents the World Premiere of THE BEVERLY HILLBILLIES, THE MUSICAL, running from today, July 10 through August 10 with a press opening on Sunday, July 13.

After 200 episodes and nine seasons as America's beloved 1960s sitcom, The Beverly Hillbillies is making strides on stage as a musical for the first time ever. Theatre at the Center, 1040 Ridge Road, Munster, Indiana, presents the World Premiere of THE BEVERLY HILLBILLIES, THE MUSICAL, running from July 10 through August 10 with a press opening on Sunday, July 13. Directed by Jeff Award nominee David Perkovich with a musical score by award-winning Chicago composer Gregg Opelka, THE BEVERLY HILLBILLIES, THE MUSICAL, was written by David Rogers and Amanda Rogers, and follows the nouveau-riche Clampett family as they move to the privileged society of Beverly Hills after discovering an oil reserve on their land. From Jed Clampett to Granny, Elly May and Jethro all the favorites from the '60s TV comedy are back and shaking things up as they adjust to their new, fast-paced life while maintaining their hayseed ways.

From the urban streets of Buffalo, NY's East Side, comes the story of the working-class Nowak family as they cope with tested faith and life's surprises. Theatre at the Center, 1040 Ridge Road, Munster, Indiana, continues their 2014 season of premieres with Tom Dudzick's MIRACLE ON SOUTH DIVISION STREET, running from May 1 through June 1. BroadwayWorld has a first look at highlights below!

From the urban streets of Buffalo, NY's East Side, comes the story of the working-class Nowak family as they cope with tested faith and life's surprises. Theatre at the Center, 1040 Ridge Road, Munster, Indiana, continues their 2014 season of premieres with Tom Dudzick's MIRACLE ON SOUTH DIVISION STREET, running through June 1. Dudzick is the writer of the beloved comedy 'Over the Tavern', which became a Theatre at the Center hit, and was also previously a long-running commercial success at The Mercury Theater - both under William Pullinsi's direction. Now as Director of MIRACLE ON SOUTH DIVISION STREET, Pullinsi presents the heartfelt and hilarious comedy that follows a supposed visitation by the Virgin Mary to a blue collar working class neighborhood, causing revelations for a family of Polish American Catholics. The production opened last night, May 4 - check out a look back below!

From the urban streets of Buffalo, NY's East Side, comes the story of the working-class Nowak family as they cope with tested faith and life's surprises. Theatre at the Center, 1040 Ridge Road, Munster, Indiana, continues their 2014 season of premieres with Tom Dudzick's MIRACLE ON SOUTH DIVISION STREET, running from tonight, May 1 through June 1 with a press opening on Sunday, May 4.

From the urban streets of Buffalo, NY's East Side, comes the story of the working-class Nowak family as they cope with tested faith and life's surprises. Theatre at the Center, 1040 Ridge Road, Munster, Indiana, continues their 2014 season of premieres with Tom Dudzick's MIRACLE ON SOUTH DIVISION STREET, running from May 1 through June 1 with a press opening on Sunday, May 4. Dudzick is the writer of the beloved comedy 'Over the Tavern', which became a Theatre at the Center hit, and was also previously a long-running commercial success at The Mercury Theater - both under William Pullinsi's direction. Now as Director of MIRACLE ON SOUTH DIVISION STREET, Pullinsi presents the heartfelt and hilarious comedy that follows a supposed visitation by the Virgin Mary to a blue collar working class neighborhood, causing revelations for a family of Polish American Catholics.