Chicago Shakespeare Theater News

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) presents Shrek The Musical, the Theater's annual summer family musical, directed and choreographed by Rachel Rockwell with music direction by Michael Mahler, July 13-September 1, 2013 in CST's Courtyard Theater. Based on the Academy Award-winning DreamWorks film and the book by William Steig, CST's 75-minute production of Shrek The Musical will take audiences on an unconventional fairy-tale adventure with everyone's favorite ogre. The production features two Jeff Award-winning actors: Michael Aaron Lindner as the lovable ogre Shrek and Summer Naomi Smart in her CST debut as the spunky Princess Fiona. In support of Mayor Emanuel's Summer of Learning Program, special activities will be offered in conjunction with Shrek The Musical for students to earn a "Bard Badge."

The Old Globe today announced that it will present The Old Globe/University of San Diego Graduate Theatre Program's production of William Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing, directed by James Newcomb, Nov. 9 - Nov. 17, 2013 in the Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre, part of the Globe's Conrad Prebys Theatre Center.

Aurora's Paramount Theatre will launch its third Broadway subscription series this September with the first local professional staging of In the Heights, one of Broadway's most acclaimed contemporary musicals, a potent reminder of the importance of chasing one's dreams, and the show all of Chicago will be talking about this fall. Performances are September 11 through October 6, 2013. Press opening is Saturday, September 14 at 8 p.m.

Soul Doctor, about the life and music of Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach and his unlikely friendship with Nina Simone, is currently in previews at the Circle in the Square Theatre, with an official opening slated for Thursday, August 15. Soul Doctor has music by Shlomo Carlebach, orchestrated and arranged for Broadway by Steve Margoshes (Smokey Joe's Cafe, The Who's Tommy), book and direction by Daniel S. Wise, and lyrics by David Schechter. Meet the cast of the new musical below!

Milwaukee Repertory Theater announced today that multi-award-winning actor Hollis Resnik will perform the lead role in End of the Rainbow, a theatrical homage to the late, great Judy Garland. An accomplished stage, television and film actor, Resnik brings the depth of acting and musical experience to portray the iconic Garland as well as the emotional intensity and high energy that the role demands. End of the Rainbow runs from January 7 - March 9 and opens on Friday, January 10 on The Rep's Quadracci Powerhouse main stage theater.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. ChiShakes' 'Shrek,' BIC in Millennium Park, the casts of 'Flashdance' and 'We Will Rock You,' outdoor movies in Chicago and Aurora, classical music in the theater, a new 'Into The Woods' and a farewell to a friend of the Mosh Pit.

Primary Stages, in association with Ted Snowdon, launches their 29th season with the New York premiere of Harbor at Primary Stages at 59E59 Theaters. Written by Tony-nominated Chad Beguelin (Elf, The Wedding Singer) and directed by Tony-nominated director Mark Lamos (Seascape, The Rivals, The Deep Blue Sea), the production features Erin Cummings (Starz's 'Spartacus: Blood and Sand', ABC's 'Pan Am,' CBS' 'Made In Jersey'), Randy Harrison (Showtime's 'Queer As Folk', Broadway's Wicked), Alexis Molnar (world premiere of Harbor at Westport Playhouse), and Paul Anthony Stewart (Broadway's Fiddler on the Roof, The People in the Picture). The show is currently in previews, and opening night is August 6. Harbor runs through September 8. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Silk Road Rising Artistic Director Jamil Khoury and Executive Director Malik Gillani are proud to announce the Midwest Premiere of Invasion!, written by Jonas Hassen Khemiri, translated by Rachel Willson-Broyles, directed by Anna C. Bahow. Invasion! runs today, July 30 - September 1, 2013, in Pierce Hall at The Historic Chicago Temple Building, 77 W. Washington St, Chicago.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) launches today its 2013 citywide tour of Chicago Park District neighborhood parks at Eckhart Park (1330 West Chicago Avenue), following two preview performances at Navy Pier's Gateway Park. The Comedy of Errors, this summer's Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks production, is touring FREE FOR ALL to neighborhood parks across Chicago, now through August 25, 2013. Chicago Shakespeare Theater, the City of Chicago, Chicago Park District and leaders of Chicago's corporate community have partnered to expand the Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks program, after its inaugural success in 2012. This summer, Chicagoans will have direct access to their City's cultural resources with a choice of 26 free Shakespeare performances presented in 18 different neighborhood parks.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater launches the 2013 tour of Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks with its official opening at Eckhart Park. Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks will bring performances of The Comedy of Errors FREE FOR ALL to 18 neighborhood parks across Chicago through August 25. Twenty thousand people of all ages are expected to attend during the run. The opening is set for this afternoon, July 28, 2013 at Eckhart Park (1330 W. Chicago Ave).

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) presents William Shakespeare's The Comedy of Errors, this summer's Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks production touring FREE FOR ALL to neighborhood parks across Chicago, today, July 26-August 25, 2013.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater launches the 2013 tour of Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks with its official opening at Eckhart Park. Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks will bring performances of The Comedy of Errors FREE FOR ALL to 18 neighborhood parks across Chicago through August 25. Twenty thousand people of all ages are expected to attend during the run. The opening is set for Sunday afternoon, July 28, 2013 at Eckhart Park (1330 W. Chicago Ave).

Milwaukee Repertory Theater announced casting today for Ragtime, the sweeping musical which will kick off The Rep's 2013/14 60th Anniversary Season in the Quadracci Powerhouse theater.

Primary Stages launches their 29th season with the New York premiere of Harbor by Tony-nominated writer Chad Beguelin (Elf, The Wedding Singer). Directed by Tony-nominated director Mark Lamos (Seascape, The Rivals, The Deep Blue Sea), the production features Erin Cummings (Starz's 'Spartacus: Blood and Sand', CBS' 'Made In Jersey'), Randy Harrison (Showtime's 'Queer As Folk', Broadway's Wicked), Alexis Molnar (world premiere of Harbor at Westport Playhouse), and Paul Anthony Stewart (Broadway's Fiddler on the Roof, The People in the Picture). Harbor runs tonight, July 23 - September 8 at Primary Stages at 59E59 Theaters. Opening night is August 6.

Milwaukee Repertory Theater announced casting today for I Left My Heart: A Salute to the Music of Tony Bennett, the first production to open The Rep's 60th Anniversary 2013/14 Season, Venus in Fur, coming to the Stiemke Studio in late September, Forever Plaid, opening at the end of October in the Stackner Cabaret and Noises Off, the second production in the Quadracci Powerhouse this season.

The American Theatre Critic's Association announces the election of veteran Chicago theater critic Jonathan Abarbanel as Chair of the American Theatre Critics Association, at the conclusion of the Association's 40th annual conference on July 20, 2013, held this year in Shepherdstown, WV. He will serve a one-year term as Chair of the Association's nine-member executive committee and may be re-elected for up to two more years.