Chicago Shakespeare Theater News

Drury Lane Theatre will present the regional premiere of the recent Broadway sensation NEXT TO NORMAL, previewing August 15, opening August 22, and running through October 6, 2013. NEXT TO NORMAL stars Jeff Award nominee Susie McMonagle as 'Diana' ('Fantine' in Les Miserables on Broadway and the first National Tours of Billy Elliot and Mamma Mia) and Jeff Award winner Rod Thomas as 'Dan' (Big at Drury Lane Theatre and Little Shop of Horrors at Theatre at the Center).The production is directed by Drury Lane Theatre Artistic Director William Osetek (Drury Lane Theatre's smash hit production of Spamalot and Jeff Award nominee for Best Director and Best Production for Thoroughly Modern Millie.)

Artistic Director Chay Yew and Board President Steve Miller announce the appointment of the theater's new Managing Director, Christopher Mannelli. Mannelli joined Victory Gardens as General Manager in 2010 and has been Interim Managing Director since November 2012.

Tomorrow marks an exciting landmark for Million Dollar Quartet. The Chicago production is celebrating 2,000 performances. To mark the occasion, original MDQ cast member (now on the National Tour) Kelly Lamont will join the company for a 'Sitting in with the Band' appearance during the encore. The company will celebrate with a specially-designed cake, courtesy of The French Pastry School.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) announced today the complete casting for 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, July 26-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 (CST) presents Cyrano de Bergerac directed by Penny Metropulos September 24-November 10, 2013 in CST's Courtyard Theater.

Escape the New York summer heat with 'Christmas in July' at Joe's Pub at The Public where Chicago's About Face Theatre in association with John Sanders presents a concert version of WE THREE LIZAS, the new hit holiday musical that wowed Chicago audiences this past winter. WE THREE LIZAS plays Joe's Pub (425 Lafayette St., New York) one night only on Monday, July 15 at 7 pm.

To conclude its 45th season, Berkeley Repertory Theatre welcomes back a pair of acclaimed collaborators: Sarah Ruhl and Les Waters, the creators of Eurydice, Three Sisters, and In the Next Room (or the vibrator play), return to Berkeley Rep with another tale of love and longing in Dear Elizabeth.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) announced yesterday the opening of productions developed at CST on four continents over the next several months, bringing new work from Chicago to theaters and festivals around the world. In addition to exporting its work, Chicago Shakespeare's World's Stage Series annually brings international artists to Chicago asserting the Theater's global mission.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) continues the Theater's annual summer family musical tradition with Shrek The Musical, directed and choreographed by Rachel Rockwell with music direction by Michael Mahler, July 13-September 1, 2013 in CST's Courtyard Theater.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) celebrated its season on Monday, June 17, with GALA 2013 at its home on Navy Pier, raising more than $1.1 million for Chicago Shakespeare in Urban Communities.

Theater Wit presents a special encore presentation this summer of its critically acclaimed 2007 smash hit Thom Pain (based on nothing) by Will Eno.

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 TOP TEN HOT TOPIX in the Mosh Pit for January through June, 2013! And our 203rd weekly column. Check out what YOU've been talking about!

Bailiwick Chicago Theater concludes its 2012/13 season with the world premiere of the family drama MAHAL by Resident Playwright Danny Bernardo, directed by Erica Weiss, playing today, June 26 - August 2, 2013 at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) joins the Italian Ministry of Cultural Affairs and Italian Cultural Institute of Chicago to commemorate the Year of Italian Culture in America with the World's Stage presentation of Inner Voices, a co-production with Italy's first and best-established theater Piccolo Teatro di Milano, today, June 25-29, 2013 in CST's Courtyard Theater.

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 July 30 - September 1, 2013, in Pierce Hall at The Historic Chicago Temple Building, 77 W. Washington St, Chicago.

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 July 23 - September 8 at Primary Stages at 59E59 Theaters. Opening night is August 6.

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 Jungle Book' opens, Audra and Sondheim visit, Stephen Wallem's St. Louis 'Shrek,' Make Music Chicago, 'The Land Of Smiles,' the Auditorium's cabaret series, Idina in Aurora and more!

Prospect Theater Company will offer a $20 ticket lottery for their upcoming Off-Broadway production of UNLOCK'D. Performances began June 16, 2013 at The Duke on 42nd Street, a New 42nd Street project. Producers have also announced that a post-performance talkback with Carner and Gregor will be held following tonight's June 19 performance.

Closing out its 25th Anniversary Season, Lookingglass Theatre Company presents the World Premiere of Big Lake Big City, written by Keith Huff and directed by Ensemble Member David Schwimmer. Tickets are now on sale for the production, running tonight, June 19 - August 11, 2013 at Lookingglass Theatre Company, located inside Chicago's historic Water Tower Water Works, 821 N. Michigan Ave. at Pearson.