Chicago Shakespeare Theater News

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) continues the dynamic World's Stage Series with the U.S. debut of Theatre de la Ville's Ionesco Suite from Paris, France. Directed by Emmanuel Demarcy-Mota, this absurdist masterpiece celebrates the work of maverick avant-garde playwright Eugene Ionesco with a whirlwind montage encapsulating seven of his plays, brimming with wicked humor and hard-hitting themes. Ionesco Suite will be performed in the theater Upstairs at Chicago Shakespeare, October 15-October 19, 2014.

Broadway In Chicago presents Evil Dead - The Musical, winner of the 2007 Dora Audience Choice Award as Toronto's favorite show, which will bring mayhem and fun to the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place (175 E Chestnut) for a limited three-week engagement tonight, Sept. 23 through Oct. 12, 2014.

Primary Stages has announced that the world premiere of While I Yet Live will begin performances on Wednesday, September 24 at 7PM. Producers have decided to delay the start of previews due to technical issues.

Griffin Theatre Company will launch its 2014-15 season with a new, intimate version of the Tony Award-winning Best Musical TITANIC, with music and lyrics by Maury Yeston (Nine, Phantom), book by Peter Stone (Woman of the Year, 1776), new orchestrations by Ian Weinberger, directed by Scott Weinstein (Griffin Theatre's Spelling Bee, Chicago Shakespeare Theater's Seussical) and music direction by Elizabeth Doran (Timeline's Juno). TITANIC will play October 18 - December 7, 2014 at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago. Tickets are available at www.theaterwit.org, in person at the Theater Wit Box Office or by calling (773) 975-8150. The press opening is Sunday, October 26 at 7 pm.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) presents William Shakespeare's towering epic King Lear, directed by CST Founder and Artistic Director Barbara Gaines and featuring Chicago theater legend Larry Yando in the title role. King Lear opens Chicago Shakespeare's 2014/15 season in the Courtyard Theater, now through November 9, 2014. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) presents William Shakespeare's towering epic King Lear, directed by CST Founder and Artistic Director Barbara Gaines and featuring Chicago theater legend Larry Yando in the title role. A wrenching story of love, loss and reconciliation, the unraveling of an imperious king has fascinated audiences for more than 400 years. Gaines brings audiences a King Lear for our times, especially relevant as today's generation wrestles with the harrowing effects of aging on loved ones. King Lear opens Chicago Shakespeare's 2014/15 season in the Courtyard Theater, now through November 9, 2014. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Prepare to be immersed into a world like no other - the magical world of Jellicle Cats - when the Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd. in downtown Aurora, IL, presents CATS as the first production of its blockbuster 2014-15 Broadway Subscription series. Performances are now through October 12, 2014. Press opening is tonight, September 13 at 8 p.m. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Prepare to be immersed into a world like no other - the magical world of Jellicle Cats - when the Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd. in downtown Aurora, IL, presents CATS as the first production of its blockbuster 2014-15 Broadway Subscription series. Performances are now through October 12, 2014. Press opening is this Saturday, September 13 at 8 p.m. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Northlight Theatre, under the direction of Artistic Director BJ Jones and Executive Director Timothy J. Evans, presents the second-ever production of The Commons of Pensacola by Amanda Peet, directed by Robin Witt. The production will run at Northlight Theatre, 9501 Skokie Blvd in Skokie, from tonight, September 12 - October 19, 2014. The press performance is Saturday, September 20, 2014 at 2:30 pm.

Route 66 Theatre Company will present the world premiere of The Downpour, by Caitlin Parrish, directed by Route 66 Theatre Company's Associate Artistic Director, Erica Weiss. Performances begin tonight, September 10 and run through October 12, 2014 at the Greenhouse Theater Center: 2257 N Lincoln Avenue in Chicago.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) presentsWilliam Shakespeare's towering epic King Lear, directed by CSTFounder and Artistic Director Barbara Gaines and featuring Chicago theater legend Larry Yando in the title role.

Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, continues its landmark 30th anniversary season with the winner of "Best Play" at the 2012 Mystery Writers of America Edgar Allan Poe Awards, THE GAME'S AFOOT. The show opened last night, September 4 at 8 p.m., and runs through October 19, 2014. BroadwayWorld has photos from the opening night festivites below!

Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, continues its landmark 30th anniversary season with the winner of "Best Play" at the 2012 Mystery Writers of America Edgar Allan Poe Awards, THE GAME'S AFOOT, opening tonight, Thursday, September 4 at 8 p.m., and running through October 19, 2014. The cast is led by Derek Hasenstab (Broadway National Tour of The Lion King; The Foreigner and I Hate Hamlet at Drury Lane Theatre; Oedipus Complex at the Goodman Theatre; and Sunday in the Park with George at Chicago Shakespeare Theater) as "William Gillette" and nine-time Jeff Award-winner Alene Robertson (National Tour of Annie,Mame at Drury Lane Theatre, and The Full Monty and Hello, Dolly! at Marriott Theatre) as "Martha Gillette." THE GAME'S AFOOT is written by Ken Ludwig (Lend Me a Tenor, The Fox on the Fairway, Crazy for You, and Moon Over Buffalo) and directed by Drury Lane Theatre Artistic Director William Osetek (Young Frankenstein and next to normal at Drury Lane Theatre).

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 our Super September Fall Preview! 'Evil Dead,' a South African 'Magic Flute,' Aurora's 'Cats,' 'Women On The Verge...,' Theo's Kurt Weill and LOW's Cole Porter, Bailiwick's 'Wild Party,' Porchlight's 'Sweeney Todd' and more!

Quintessence Theatre Group launches its fifth season of progressive classic theatre with an all-male Shakespeare repertory: AS YOU LIKE IT presented in rotating repertory with RICHARD II. Bringing together the best professional actors and designers from Philadelphia and across the country, Artistic Director Alexander Burns leads this collective of artists on a mission to ignite the classics through visceral, actor-focused and text-driven productions.

Artistic Director Michael Halberstam and Executive Director Kathryn M. Lipuma announce Writers Theatre's opener to its 2014/15 season: the Midwest Premiere of Isaac's Eye by Lucas Hnath, directed by Artistic Director Michael Halberstam. The show runs September 2 - December 7, 2014 at Books on Vernon, 664 Vernon Ave Ave, Glencoe. The Press Openings are Wednesday, September 10, 2014 and Thursday, September 11, 2014, at 7:30pm.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. The Equity Jeff Award nominations are out, and 'On The Town' is open. Peck and Lindley, Jessie Mueller and more are set for concerts here, and 'I Love Lucy' and the Grinch will return. Plus Theo Ubique's Andrews Sisters and Kurt Weill in rep, 'Titanic' and 'In The Heights' prepare, Munster announces 2015, and NBC flies its 'Peter Pan' cast. Ahh!!

Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, continues its landmark 30th anniversary season with the winner of 'Best Play' at the 2012 Mystery Writers of America Edgar Allan Poe Awards, THE GAME'S AFOOT, previewing tonight, August 28, opening Thursday, September 4 at 8 p.m., and running through October 19, 2014.

Light Opera Works will present COLE PORTER'S GREATEST HITS October 3 through 12 at the Nichols Concert Hall in Evanston.