Chicago Shakespeare Theater News

Hartford Stage, under the leadership of Artistic Director Darko Tresnjak and Managing Director Michael Stotts, today announced the full cast and creative team of Abundance by Beth Henley, directed by Jenn Thompson, on stage from April 4 through April 28.

Yale Repertory Theatre presents Paul Giamatti in HAMLET by William Shakespeare, directed by James Bundy, at the University Theatre (222 York Street), tonight, March 15-April 13. Opening Night is Thursday, March 21, at 7:30PM.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) presents the American premiere of Othello: The Remix, created by the Q Brothers, March 12-April 28, 2013 in the theater Upstairs at Chicago Shakespeare. Othello: The Remix, the CST-commissioned hip-hop adaptation of William Shakespeare's tragedy, spun out and lyrically rewritten over original beats, returns home for a limited engagement following an acclaimed world premiere in London at Shakespeare's Globe and a tour to Germany and Edinburgh. Tickets for Othello: The Remix are on sale now for $20-$35. BroadwayWorld has a first look 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. 'Fiddler' and the Paramount triumph and make plans, two Sondheim shows next year from Gary Griffin, the return of 'Hank Williams' and 'Last Five Years,' 'Parade' and 'Pirates' in short runs, and two Victorian musical dramas, spanning the pond...and more!

Goodman Theatre Artistic Director Robert Falls presents the revival of the rarely-produced Measure for Measure-William Shakespeare's 'last comedy and his blackest-pitched' in which the 'unquenchable influence of sex in society is a central theme' (New York Times). This production marks Falls' first return to Shakespeare's work since his critically-acclaimed 2006 revival of King Lear, starring Stacy Keach in the title role. BroadwayWorld has a first look at highlights of the production below.

Goodman Theatre Artistic Director Robert Falls presents the revival of the rarely-produced Measure for Measure-William Shakespeare's 'last comedy and his blackest-pitched' in which the 'unquenchable influence of sex in society is a central theme' (New York Times). This production marks Falls' first return to Shakespeare's work since his critically-acclaimed 2006 revival of King Lear, starring Stacy Keach in the title role. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the production below.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) presents the American premiere of Othello: The Remix, created by the Q Brothers, tonight, March 12-April 28, 2013 in the theater Upstairs at Chicago Shakespeare. Othello: The Remix, the CST-commissioned hip-hop adaptation of William Shakespeare's tragedy, spun out and lyrically rewritten over original beats, returns home for a limited engagement following an acclaimed world premiere in London at Shakespeare's Globe and a tour to Germany and Edinburgh.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) Artistic Director Barbara Gaines and Executive Director Criss Henderson announced today CST's 2013/14 Season, which includes William Shakespeare's popular comedy The Merry Wives of Windsor, directed by Artistic Director Barbara Gaines; Shakespeare's epic history play Henry V, staged by acclaimed British director Christopher Luscombe; and Edmond Rostand's classic romance Cyrano de Bergerac, directed by Penny Metropulos and featuring Harry Groener (CST's The Madness of George III, Jeff Award) in the title role.

Victory Gardens Theater announces 2013-14 Season: the Co-World Premiere of Appropriate by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, directed by Gary Griffin, developed, in part, by IGNITION 2012 and presented in association with Actors Theatre of Louisville; the World Premiere of Victory Gardens Ensemble Playwright Marcus Gardley's The Gospel of Lovingkindess; and the classic Death and the Maiden by Ariel Dorfman, directed by Chay Yew and featuring Sandra Oh.

Casting is now complete for Portland Center Stage's (PCS) upcoming world-premiere production of the new musical Somewhere in Time, based on the novel by renowned author Richard Matheson (I Am Legend, What Dreams May Come) and the subsequent hit film starring Christopher Reeve, Jane Seymour and Christopher Plummer.

First Folio Theatre (Mayslake Peabody Estate, 31st St. & Rt. 83) presents the acclaimed play UNDERNEATH THE LINTEL, directed by Jeff Award nominee Alison C. Vesely, previewing March 27, opening March 30 and running through April 28, 2013. The production stars Kristine Thatcher, a member of the 2001 Tony Award-winning Victory Gardens Playwrights Ensemble, where her play Voice of Good Hope premiered and was nominated for the Joseph Jefferson Award for Best New Work in 2000. Thatcher most recently appeared as Terri in Jeffrey Sweet's new play Immoral Imperatives. Prior to that, she appeared in First Folio Theatre's production of Macbeth. Other credits include "Hannah Jarvis" in Tom Stoppard's Arcadia at the Goodman Theatre, "Candida" in George Bernard Shaw's Candida at Writers' Theatre, and "Regan" in King Lear and "Kate" in Taming of the Shrew at Chicago Shakespeare Theater.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) presents Short Shakespeare! Romeo and Juliet, a 75-minute abridged production of Shakespeare's tragedy of true love found-and tragically lost, adapted and staged by Jeff Award-winning director and Chicagoan of the Year in Theater Rachel Rockwell. Providing a quality, family-friendly introduction to Shakespeare on Saturday mornings from February 23 to March 23, 2013, the cast of Rockwell's production includes Chicago actors Christopher Allen and Laura Rook, who make their CST debuts in the title roles. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the production below.

Porchlight Music Theatre presents Pal Joey, book by John O'Hara, music by Richard Rodgers and lyrics by Lorenz Hart, April 20 - May 26, at Stage 773, 1225 West Belmont Ave. Directed by Porchlight Music Theatre's Artistic Director, Michael Weber with music direction by Porchlight Artistic Associate Doug Peck (reuniting with Weber for the first time since their collaboration on Porchlight's triumphant production of Assassins) and choreography by Porchlight Artistic Associate Brenda Didier, Pal Joey stars Adrian Aguilar, 'Joey Evans,' Susie McMonagle, 'Vera Simpson,' Laura Savage, 'Linda English,' Matt Orlando, 'Ludlow Lowell' and Sharriese Hamilton, 'Gladys Bumps.' Meet the cast in the photos below!

Producers announced today that Ryan Silverman (Passion, The Phantom of the Opera) and Hannah Elless (Godspell, Mamma Mia!) will star as Richard Collier and Elise McKenna in Portland Center Stage's (PCS) upcoming world-premiere production of the new musical Somewhere in Time, based on the novel by renowned author Richard Matheson (I Am Legend, What Dreams May Come) and the subsequent hit film starring Christopher Reeve, Jane Seymour and Christopher Plummer.

Producers announced today that Ryan Silverman (Passion, The Phantom of the Opera) and Hannah Elless (Godspell, Mamma Mia!) will star as Richard Collier and Elise McKenna in Portland Center Stage's (PCS) upcoming world-premiere production of the new musical Somewhere in Time, based on the novel by renowned author Richard Matheson (I Am Legend, What Dreams May Come) and the subsequent hit film starring Christopher Reeve, Jane Seymour and Christopher Plummer.

EXPO CHICAGO, The International Exposition of Contemporary & Modern Art, in conjunction with Choose Chicago and Chicago's Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE), announces EXPO ART WEEK Sept. 16 - 22, 2013.