Chicago Shakespeare Theater News

The Fox Valley Rep Performing Arts Academy welcomes youth who have completed 1st-12th grade to apply for the Academy's 3rd annual talent contest, 'Got Talent?,' sponsored by Delnor Express Care. Submissions are due Monday, June 8, 2015.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) and the City of Chicago honor William Shakespeare's 451st Birthday with an official proclamation from Mayor Rahm Emanuel declaring April 23rd Talk Like Shakespeare Day.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. It's the big guns! New openings at the Drury Lane, Marriott, ChiShakes, Second City, Porchlight, Theatre At The Center, Mercury Theater, Jedlicka and Big Noise theaters, plus 13 world premieres from the Chicago Musical Theatre Festival!

Back by citywide demand! Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks returns this summer and brings a brand-new production of Shakespeare's Greatest Hits to 17 neighborhood parks throughout the city, FREE FOR ALL, July 19-August 16, 2015.

In this taut 2013 theatrical adaptation of Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela's award winning-book, the apartheid regime's most notorious assassin and head of its death squad, Eugene de Kock (played by Matthew Marsh), sits opposite psychologist Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela (played Noma Dumezweni) in Pretoria Central Prison in 1997. Gobodo-Madikizela is a member of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission determined to understand his actions. She questions de Kock, who is sentenced to two life terms plus 212 years for crimes against humanity, murder, conspiracy to murder, attempted murder, assault, kidnapping, illegal possession of firearms, and fraud.

Casting has been announced for the First National Tour of Matilda the Musical. Produced by the Royal Shakespeare Company and The Dodgers, the First National Tour of Matilda the Musical will begin this May with technical rehearsals and performances at the Shubert Theatre in New Haven, CT, with the official tour opening at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles on June 7, 2015.

Berkshire Theatre Group and Artistic Director/CEO, Kate Maguire, are thrilled to announce the casting for Berkshire Theatre Group's 87th summer season.

The third annual Arts Alliance Illinois Voices of a Creative State benefit luncheon will feature a keynote address by University of Chicago President Robert J. Zimmer, who will discuss the vital, transformational role the arts play in education and civic engagement. The event also will pay tribute to two individuals who have made profound and lasting contributions to Chicago's theater scene: Steppenwolf Theatre Artistic Director Martha Lavey and former Steppenwolf Executive Director David Hawkanson. The event will take place Wednesday, May 20, 2015 at the Swissotel Chicago, 323 E. Upper Wacker Drive.

Berkeley Repertory Theatre proudly welcomes MacArthur 'Genius' Award winner Tarell Alvin McCraney for the West Coast premiere of Head of Passes, a poignant and poetic story about the journey of family and faith, trial and tribulation. In a dilapidated house near the ever-shifting mouth of the Mississippi, Shelah's family gathers on a stormy night for her birthday -- bringing ghosts and secrets of the past with them. As her roof buckles under the weight of the rain, Shelah's convictions begin to wash away, leaving her to excavate the truths buried below. Directed by Tina Landau, the riveting Head of Passes comes to the Bay Area straight from its critically lauded world premiere in Chicago. Head of Passes is a co-production with the Public Theater in New York. It begins previews on Berkeley Rep's intimate Thrust Stage today, April 10, opens today, April 17, and runs through Sunday, May 24, 2015. Press night for Head of Passes will be held today, April 17, 2015.

A landmark in modern drama which inspired the hits 'Cabaret' and 'Chicago' and which includes one of the most popular songs of the century, 'The Threepenny Opera' plays on the Clarence Brown Theatre Mainstage tonight, April 16 through May 3, 2015.

Artistic Director Michael Halberstam and Executive Director Kathryn M. Lipuma announce the Writers Theatre production of Doubt: A Parable by John Patrick Shanley, directed by William Brown. The show runs April 28 - July 19, 2015 at Glencoe Union Church, 263 Park Ave, Glencoe. The Press Openings are Wednesday, May 6 and Thursday, May 7.

This season's mainstage production, John Ford's 'Tis Pity She's A Whore, directed by Red Bull Artistic Director Jesse Berger, will begin a limited Off-Broadway engagement tonight, Tuesday April 14th at The Duke on 42nd Street. Opening Night is set for Sunday April 26th. Performances continue through May 16th.

The Old Globe today announced the complete cast and creative team for George Bernard Shaw's Arms and the Man, joining celebrated director Jessica Stone, who recently made her Globe debut with Christopher Durang's Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike. Shaw's romantic comedy, which continues the Globe's 80th Anniversary festivities as part of the Balboa Park Centennial Celebration, will run May 9 - June 14, 2015 on the Donald and Darlene Shiley Stage in the Old Globe Theatre, part of the Globe's Conrad Prebys Theatre Center. Preview performances run May 9 through 13. Opening night is Thursday, May 14 at 8:00 p.m.

This season's mainstage production, John Ford's 'Tis Pity She's A Whore, directed by Red Bull Artistic Director Jesse Berger, will begin a limited Off-Broadway engagement tonight, April 14th at The Duke on 42nd Street. Opening Night is set for Sunday April 26th. Performances continue through May 16th.

Berkeley Repertory Theatre proudly welcomes MacArthur 'Genius' Award winner Tarell Alvin McCraney for the West Coast premiere of Head of Passes, a poignant and poetic story about the journey of family and faith, trial and tribulation. In a dilapidated house near the ever-shifting mouth of the Mississippi, Shelah's family gathers on a stormy night for her birthday -- bringing ghosts and secrets of the past with them. As her roof buckles under the weight of the rain, Shelah's convictions begin to wash away, leaving her to excavate the truths buried below. Directed by Tina Landau, the riveting Head of Passes comes to the Bay Area straight from its critically lauded world premiere in Chicago. Head of Passes is a co-production with the Public Theater in New York. It begins previews on Berkeley Rep's intimate Thrust Stage today, April 10, opens today, April 17, and runs through Sunday, May 24, 2015. Press night for Head of Passes will be held today, April 17, 2015.

A landmark in modern drama which inspired the hits 'Cabaret' and 'Chicago' and which includes one of the most popular songs of the century, 'The Threepenny Opera' plays on the Clarence Brown Theatre Mainstage April 16 through May 3, 2015.

Asolo Repertory Theatre continues its groundbreaking 2014-15 season with the world premiere of Luck Be a Lady: The Iconic Music of Frank Loesser.

American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.) announced its 2015-16 season today, including the world premiere of the new musical WAITRESS, Mark Rylance's NICE FISH, NATASHA, PIERRE & THE GREAT COMET OF 1812, and more.

Goodspeed Musicals continues its commitment to innovative, original new works with the engaging musical The Theory of Relativity. Populating the world of The Theory of Relativity is a fresh-faced cast of talented and passionate actors who will bring an inspiring level of truth and energy to the musical. This dynamic musical from the writers of The Story of My Life will run from May 7 through 31 at The Norma Terris Theatre in Chester, Conn. Supporting sponsors will be Sheridan College and April 30th Entertainment.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'Anything Goes,' 'A Funny Thing...' and 'Billy Elliot' prepare to open, 'Les Mis' racks up the raves, season announcements from the Paramount, Kokandy, The Hypocrites and Chicago Shakes, plus another Austen adaptation, and legs for Ethel Merman. Enjoy the warmth!