Chicago Shakespeare Theater News

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) presents an unprecedented pairing of productions illuminates the work of composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim: Gypsy (CST's Courtyard Theater, February 6-March 23) and Road Show (Upstairs at Chicago Shakespeare, March 13-May 4), both directed by CST Associate Artistic Director Gary Griffin. With Sondheim's characteristic depth and musicality, Gypsy and Road Show each explore the ambitious pursuit of the American Dream during the defining period in our nation's history between the two world wars. Check out a first look at highlights of ROAD SHOW below!

First Folio Theatre (Mayslake Peabody Estate, 31st St. & Rt. 83) announces today its post-show talk back schedule for the world premiere of the new drama SALVAGE. The panel discussion series will kick off on Sunday, March 30 following the 3 p.m. performance with playwright, Joseph Zettelmaier, who will discuss his inspirations for the play. The discussion series will continue every Wednesday following the 8 p.m. performance (April 2, 9, 16, and 23) with Director Alison C. Vesely, Melanie Keller and Tyler Rich. SALVAGE opens March 29 and runs through April 27, 2014.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) presents an unprecedented pairing of productions illuminates the work of composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim: Gypsy (CST's Courtyard Theater, February 6-March 23) and Road Show (Upstairs at Chicago Shakespeare, March 13-May 4), both directed by CST Associate Artistic Director Gary Griffin. With Sondheim's characteristic depth and musicality, Gypsy and Road Show each explore the ambitious pursuit of the American Dream during the defining period in our nation's history between the two world wars. Check out a behind the scenes look at ROAD SHOW below!

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) presents an unprecedented pairing of productions illuminates the work of composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim: Gypsy (CST's Courtyard Theater, February 6-March 23) and Road Show (Upstairs at Chicago Shakespeare, March 13-May 4), both directed by CST Associate Artistic Director Gary Griffin. With Sondheim's characteristic depth and musicality, Gypsy and Road Show each explore the ambitious pursuit of the American Dream during the defining period in our nation's history between the two world wars. Check out a first look at ROAD SHOW below!

In celebration of their 30th Anniversary, Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, will present the legendary musical Les Miserables, previewing March 29, opening Tuesday, April 8 at 7:30 p.m. and running through June 8, 2014.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) presents Road Show, the second production in an unprecedented pairing with Gypsy, now playing in the Courtyard Theater, that will illuminate the work of composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim. Road Show and the critically acclaimed production Gypsy are both directed by CST Associate Artistic Director Gary Griffin. Road Show takes audiences on an unexpected musical adventure as two brothers strive for fame and fortune through "get-rich-quick" schemes. With Sondheim's characteristic depth and musicality of language, Road Show and Gypsy explore the ambitious pursuit of the American Dream during the defining period in our nation's history between the two world wars. Road Show is being presented in the theater Upstairs at Chicago Shakespeare now through May 4, 2014. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'Passion,' 'Road Show' and 'Into The Woods' celebrate Sondheim's birthday, 'Dessa Rose' and 'Rent' rake in the reviews, Black Ensemble and Bailiwick announce spring shows, new musicals from Writers Theatre and Chicago Shakespeare, plus Ravinia and Court plan summers 2014 and 2015 and more....

Chicago residents and visitors can look forward to an exciting and wildly creative new city-wide cultural festival in 2015.

Although Drury Lane Theatre's Young Frankenstein closed yesterday, Dr. Frankenstein (Devin DeSantis) and The Monster (Travis Taylor) are still going strong with their own rendition of the ridiculously popular Let It Go from Disney's Frozen. Scroll down to listen!

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) Artistic Director Barbara Gaines and Executive Director Criss Henderson announced today eight productions of the upcoming 2014/15 Season, which includes four major Shakespearean titles, plus a sequel to Shakespeare's epic tragedy and a world premiere musical based on a classic novel.

Theater for the New City, Crystal Field, Executive Director presents Nicholas Nickleby, A New Musical based on the classic Charles Dickens novel with book by Robert Sickinger, music and lyrics by Alaric Jans. Performances will be staged Off-Broadway at the Joyce and Seward Johnson Theater at Theater for the New City, 155 First Avenue (bet. 9th and 10th Streets), New York, NY 10003 from April 17-May 5, 2014.

PICT Theatre's Artistic and Executive Director Alan Stanford has selected a bold assortment of classic plays for PICT's 18th season, Something Wicked This Way Comes. Each play contains its own version of wickedness, with the Noel Coward classic Blithe Spirit opening the season May 3rd (May 1 and 2 previews.)

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) presents an unprecedented pairing of productions that will illuminate the work of composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim: Gypsy (CST's Courtyard Theater, February 6-March 23) and Road Show (Upstairs at Chicago Shakespeare, tonight, March 13-May 4), both directed by CST Associate Artistic Director Gary Griffin. With Sondheim's characteristic depth and musicality, Gypsy and Road Show each explore the ambitious pursuit of the American Dream during the defining period in our nation's history between the two world wars. Scroll down for a look at the cast of ROAD SHOW!

Producers Jayson Raitt, Barbara Whitman, Steven Chaikelson and Second Stage Theatre announced today that Murder For Two original cast member Jeff Blumenkrantz will be returning to the hit musical comedy, reprising his role of 'The Suspects' beginning Monday, March 17, 2014. Blumenkrantz, fresh from the critically acclaimed production of Sweeney Todd at New York Philharmonic, is taking over for composer Joe Kinosian, who joined the cast on Monday, January 20, 2014. Blumenkrantz reunites with current star Brett Ryback in the original musical featuring book and music by Kinosian, book and lyrics by Kellen Blair and direction by Scott Schwartz. The New York production of Murder For Two began performances at New World Stages on Wednesday, October 23, 2013, officially opened on Wednesday, November 6, 2013 and recently extended to July 6, 2014.

The cast and creative team of the hit Off-Broadway musical Murder For Two are teaming up with some of New York's brightest up and coming composers and BroadwayWorld.com every Monday night for their spring concert series, Murderous Musical Mondays. Composer Ryan Scott Oliver will launch the series on Monday, March 24th, 2014, immediately following the 7pm performance of Murder For Two at New World Stages (Stage 5 - 340 West 50th Street).

Alley Theatre Artistic Director Gregory Boyd announces the cast and creative team for Alan Ayckbourn's science fiction comedy Communicating Doors. Eleven plays penned by Alan Ayckbourn have been produced by the Alley, including the American premiere of Henceforward, directed by Ayckbourn, in 1987 and House & Garden in 2002. Alan Ayckbourn has been inducted into the American Theatre's Hall of Fame, received the 2010 Critics' Circle Award for Services to the Arts, became the first British playwright to receive both Olivier and Tony Special Lifetime Achievement Awards and was knighted in 1997 for services to the theatre.

First Folio Theatre (Mayslake Peabody Estate, 31st St. & Rt. 83) will present the World Premiere of the new drama SALVAGE by Joseph Zettelmaier. SALVAGE previews March 26, opens March 29 and runs through April 27, 2014. The highly anticipated production is directed by Jeff Award nominee and First Folio Theatre favorite Alison C. Vesely.

Writers Theatre presents The Dance of Death by August Strindberg, in a new version by Conor McPherson and directed by Henry Wishcamper. The production runs April 1 - July 20, 2014 at 664 Vernon Avenue, Glencoe. The press openings are April 9 and 10, 2014 at 7:30pm.

Broadway stars might boast the biggest fan-bases, but without their directors, the vehicle driving their talents could easily swerve off the tracks. Keeping the runaway train at bay are season's bold Broadway 'conductors'. Scroll down to learn more about this season's intrepid and imaginative leaders!