Chicago Shakespeare Theater News

Broadway veteran Mitzi Hamilton, one of the dancers in Michael Bennett's original developmental workshop that provided the inspiration for the character of Val in A Chorus Line, will direct and choreograph the Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning musical at Surflight Theatre, August 27-September 14.

The TONY Award-winning score from Parade will be brought to life for one night only at Avery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Center on February 16, 2015. Recent TONY-winner, and original composer, Jason Robert Brown will be at the helm to direct a star-studded cast and full chorus as Music Director, joined by Olivier Award-nominee Gary Griffin as Director.

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 Mosh Pit's 5th Birthday! We start off with the Broadway In Chicago Millennium Park concert, and bring you casting news for 'Evil Dead' and Dee Snider's 'Christmas Tale,' plus the latest from the Marriott Theatre, two northside shows about popular music, The Improvised Sondheim Project and Aurora's cast of 'Cats!' I think I need some cake....

With a string of hit musicals to his credit at Stratford, including 42nd Street, Camelot, Evita and West Side Story, director Gary Griffin returns to the classics in his fifth Festival season with Shakespeare's Antony and Cleopatra. Starring Geraint Wyn Davies and Yanna McIntosh, the tragic drama began previews on Sunday, August 3, at Stratford's Tom Patterson Theatre. The production officially opens tonight, August 14.

TimeLine Theatre Company is pleased to announce the expansion of its full-time staff with the addition of Dan McArdle as General Manager; the appointment of new Associate Artists, including Chicago-based and soon-to-be Broadway director Kimberly Senior; and the election of new leadership for its Board of Directors, including President John M. Sirek.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) announces today the casting and creative team for William 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. 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 aKing 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, September 9-November 9, 2014.

Broadway In Chicago has announced the cast and creative team for 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 Sept. 23 through Oct. 12, 2014.

The Old Globe today announced the full cast and creative team for the World Premiere of Bright Star, a new American musical featuring music by Edie Brickell and Steve Martin, lyrics by Brickell, and book by Martin, based on an original story by Martin and Brickell. Directed by Walter Bobbie, Bright Star will run September 13 - November 2, 2014 on the Donald and Darlene Shiley Stage in the Old Globe Theatre, part of the Globe's Conrad Prebys Theatre Center. Preview performances run September 13 - September 27. Opening night is Sunday, September 28 at 7:00 p.m. Single tickets go on sale on Friday, August 8 at noon.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Special nights at the Marriott and Stage 773 this weekend, plus three shows opening ('Coraline,' 'Reefer Madness' and 'Fiddler') and four shows closing ('Motown,' 'Big Fish,' 'Godspell' and 'Hillbillies'). We'll tell you the three shows that have one additional week, plus a Christmas movie has us all a-buzz!!

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 September 10 and run through October 12, 2014 at the Greenhouse Theater Center: 2257 N Lincoln Avenue in Chicago.

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.

With a string of hit musicals to his credit at Stratford, including 42nd Street, Camelot, Evita and West Side Story, director Gary Griffin returns to the classics in his fifth Festival season with Shakespeare's Antony and Cleopatra. Starring Geraint Wyn Davies and Yanna McIntosh, the tragic drama begins previews on Sunday, August 3, at Stratford's Tom Patterson Theatre. The production officially opens on Thursday, August 14.

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.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Our biggest musical theaters check in: Broadway In Chicago, the Marriott, the Drury Lane, the Paramount and Munster's TATC, plus Victory Gardens' special events, BoHo's 2015 season, 'The Book Of Merman' and new works from Jane Austen and the Everleigh Club!

Jackalope has announced the full casting for the extension of its hit production of Ike Holter's Exit Strategy, running today, July 30 - August 29, 2014 at Broadway Armory Park, 5917 N Broadway.

The Old Globe today announced the full cast and creative team for Shakespeare's The Two Gentlemen of Verona. Renowned director, Globe alumnus, and Tony Award nominee Mark Lamos (Compleat Female Stage Beauty, Pentecost, Resurrection Blues) returns to the Globe with one of Shakespeare's most delightful and boisterous comedies. The final production of the 2014 Summer Season will be presented in the outdoor Lowell Davies Festival Theatre, August 10 - September 14, 2014.

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 Chicago Summer Musical Theater Guide! With half the summer gone, our stages still burn bright with great showtune entertainment. Here's a rundown, from downtown to Indiana, to west and north. We've got 24 productions to keep your spirits up from now till Labor Day!

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. This summer, 26 performances of William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream travel to 18 neighborhood parks across Chicago, FREE FOR ALL, now through August 17, 2014. Scroll down for photos from the event so far!

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 August 28, opening 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).

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. This summer, 26 performances of William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream travel to 18 neighborhood parks across Chicago, FREE FOR ALL, today, July 18-August 17, 2014.