Ben Sussman News

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Next season's musicals from Broadway In Chicago, Porchlight, Northlight, Writers' Theatre and more, plus 'White Noise,' 'Grease,' Alice Ripley, and, yes, more!

Lookingglass Theatre Company proudly announces its 2011-2012 season, featuring three productions about three moments in American history-The Great Fire that razed Chicago, Jackie Robinson's game-changing signing with the Brooklyn Dodgers, and the 1915 Chicago tragedy of the sinking of The Eastland.

About Face Theatre Artistic Director Bonnie Metzgar and Executive Director Jason Held are pleased to announce that LET THEM EAT CAKE, a piece conceived and developed by Holly Hughes, Mo Angelos and AFT Artistic Associate Megan Carney in the 2009 XYZ Festival of New Work, has been nominated in the category of «Outstanding New York Theatre: Off-Off Broadway» for this year's GLAAD Media Awards.

About Face Theatre Artistic Director Bonnie Metzgar and Executive Director Jason Held are pleased to announce the world premiere of FLOAT by AFT Artistic Associate Patricia Kane, directed by 500 Clown founder Leslie B. Danzig, with dramaturgy by Artistic Associate Jessica Thebus.

Today, Berkeley Repertory Theatre announced casting for its holiday revival of The Arabian Nights. This hit show from Tony Award-winning director Mary Zimmerman returns for 24 performances only - from December 11 through December 30.

THE ARABIAN NIGHTS will play only 24 performances between December 11 and December 30. Tickets are on sale now exclusively to Berkeley Rep's subscribers and donors. Seats go on sale to the general public later this fall.

About Face Theatre Artistic Director Bonnie Metzgar and Executive Director Jason Held are pleased to announce the world premiere of FLOAT by AFT Artistic Associate Patricia Kane, directed by 500 Clown founder Leslie B. Danzig, with dramaturgy by Artistic Associate Jessica Thebus.

Today, Berkeley Repertory Theatre announced casting for its holiday revival of The Arabian Nights. This hit show from Tony Award-winning director Mary Zimmerman returns for 24 performances only - from December 11 through December 30.

About Face Theatre Artistic Director Bonnie Metzgar and Executive Director Jason Held are pleased to announce the world premiere of FLOAT by AFT Artistic Associate Patricia Kane, directed by 500 Clown founder Leslie B. Danzig, with dramaturgy by Artistic Associate Jessica Thebus.

Executive Director Jason Held and Artistic Director Bonnie Metzgar are pleased to announce the fall offerings included in the XYZ Festival of New Work, to run during the month of October in The Flat Iron building at 1579 N. Milwaukee Ave in Wicker Park.

THE ARABIAN NIGHTS is Written and directed by Mary Zimmerman and Adapted from The Book of the Thousand Nights and One Night, Translated by Powys Mathers

THE ARABIAN NIGHTS will play only 24 performances between December 11 and December 30. Tickets are on sale now exclusively to Berkeley Rep's subscribers and donors. Seats go on sale to the general public later this fall.

Artistic Director Bonnie Metzgar and Executive Director Jason Held are pleased to announce the world premiere of QUEERTOPIA: The Anti-Violence Project, by Paula Gilovich and the About Face Youth Theatre Ensemble, directed by Sara Kerastas. The press openings are Saturday, July 17 and Sunday, July 18 at 3:00pm at the Center on Halsted (3656 N Halsted).

Artistic Director Bonnie Metzgar and Executive Director Jason Held are pleased to announce the world premiere of QUEERTOPIA: The Anti-Violence Project, by Paula Gilovich and the About Face Youth Theatre Ensemble, directed by Sara Kerastas. The press openings are Saturday, July 17 and Sunday, July 18 at 3:00pm at the Center on Halsted (3656 N Halsted).

Celebrating the 15th anniversary of About Face Theatre, Artistic Director Bonnie Metzgar and new Executive Director Jason Held are pleased to announce their 2010-2011 season, which includes the second annual XYZ Festival of New Works, FLOAT by Patricia Kane, PONY by Sally Oswald and THE HOMOSEXUALS by Phillip Dawkins.

Lookingglass Theatre Company proudly announces the return of its circus-inspired theatrical events Lookingglass Alice, adapted and directed by Ensemble Member David Catlin. Lookingglass Alice will run at Lookingglass Theatre Company, located inside Chicago's historic Water Tower Water Works, 821 N. Michigan Ave., June 16-August 1, 2010. The press performance is Wednesday, June 23, 2010, at 7:30 p.m.

Artistic Director Bonnie Metzgar and Executive Director Jason Held are pleased to announce the world premiere of QUEERTOPIA: The Anti-Violence Project, by Paula Gilovich and the About Face Youth Theatre Ensemble, directed by Sara Kerastas. The press openings are Saturday, July 17 and Sunday, July 18 at 3:00pm at the Center on Halsted (3656 N Halsted).

Lookingglass Theatre Company proudly announces the return of its circus-inspired theatrical events Lookingglass Alice, adapted and directed by Ensemble Member David Catlin. Lookingglass Alice will run at Lookingglass Theatre Company, located inside Chicago's historic Water Tower Water Works, 821 N. Michigan Ave., June 16-August 1, 2010. The press performance is Wednesday, June 23, 2010, at 7:30 p.m.

About Face Theatre Board President Bill Michel today announced the appointment of Jason Held as AFT's new Executive Director. Held brings his experience as a lawyer, political fundraiser and advocate for LGBTQ youth to AFT, most recently working for the Illinois Safe Schools Alliance.

Jane M. Saks, Executive Director of the Ellen Stone Belic Institute, and About Face Theatre Artistic Director, Bonnie Metzgar, announce the world premiere of a new one-person play, SWEET TEA: Black Gay Men of the South, written and performed by E. Patrick Johnson, and directed by award-winning artist Daniel Alexander Jones.