Chicago Shakespeare Theater News

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. This week: Our TOP TEN HOT TOPIX for the second half of 2012!!

Jack Viertel, Artistic Director of New York City Center's Encores! series, today announced the directors and choreographers of the Encores! 20th Anniversary season, opening on January 30, 2013. The Tony Award-winning series welcomes back directors Gary Griffin, John Rando and Warren Carlyle, choreographers Alex Sanchez and Joshua Bergasse, and Guest Music Director Rob Fisher.

Chicago Shakespeare Theatre presents the World Stage Announcement of Belarus Free Theatre's production of Minsk, 2011: A Reply to Kathy Acker, presented in the theater Upstairs at Chicago Shakespeare, January 30-February 3, 2013. In addition, Chicago Shakespeare Theater and The Market Theatre of Johannesburg partner will present the world premiere of Cadre, written by and featuring South African artist Omphile Molusi, in the theater Upstairs at Chicago Shakespeare, February 15-23, 2013. Finally, Mercy Ojelade stars in the Olivier Award-winning production of Roadkill, which will have its American premiere in Chicago, presented by Chicago Shakespeare May 11-26, 2013.

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 BroadwayWorld Chicago Awards winners and 1/9/13 Celebration, 'Mormon' and 'Les Miz' reaction, 'Oliver!' opens, 'Lucy' extends, StarKid goes sketch, our unofficial Lloyd Webber festival and more!

The epic story of King Henry V's battle with the French during the Hundred Years' War comes alive for the first time at the Folger Theatre, in William Shakespeare's historical drama Henry V. The production, directed by Robert Richmond (Othello and Henry VIII at the Folger), stars Zach Appelman (War Horse on Broadway) in his Folger Theatre debut as Henry V, and will run from January 22 - March 3, 2013.

BroadwayWorld Chicago is proud today to announce the winners of the third annual BroadwayWorld Chicago Awards, the only comprehensive theater award in the Chicago area voted on by fans, and the only one to honor productions in both Equity and non-Equity categories simultaneously. And you, the fans, have spoken! Prominent local companies, famous names on a national level, and some new favorites on our theater scene are winners this year.

Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, presents Andrew Lloyd Webber's triumphant Broadway musical SUNSET BOULEVARD, previewing January 24, opening Friday, February 1 at 8:30 p.m., and running through March 24.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) joins the international celebration of the bicentennial of Charles Dickens' birth, Dickens 2012, with a World's Stage presentation of the Olivier Award-nominated production Dickens' Women, featuring actress Miriam Margolyes, tonight, December 18-22, 2012 in the theater Upstairs at Chicago Shakespeare. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the show below.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) joins the international celebration of the bicentennial of Charles Dickens' birth, Dickens 2012, with a World's Stage presentation of the Olivier Award-nominated production Dickens' Women, featuring actress Miriam Margolyes, tonight, December 18-22, 2012 in the theater Upstairs at Chicago Shakespeare.

The original cast recording of the acclaimed TRIASSIC PARQ The Musical is set to debut today, December 14th on iTunes and Amazon.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater brings to the stage the Midwest premiere of David Ives' comedy The School for Lies, adapted from The Misanthrope by Moliere. Ives' play, Venus in Fur, was a 2012 Tony Award® nominee for Best Play; and his previous work with Chicago Shakespeare includes the CST-commissioned adaptation of Feydeau's A Flea in Her Ear-a 2006 world premiere directed by Gary Griffin. Check out highlights of the show below!

The world premiere production of the Frank McGuinness adaptation of James Joyce's The Dead plays Dublin's Abbey Theatre, under the direction of former Abbey and current Guthrie Artistic Director Joe Dowling. The Dead opens tonight, December 11 and will play through January 19, 2013.

The original cast recording of the acclaimed TRIASSIC PARQ The Musical is set to debut this Friday, December 14th on iTunes and Amazon.

Voting is now underway for the Chicago Awards and continues until December 15, 2012. Winners will be announced in early January. Check out the live standings below.

Yale Repertory Theatre presents the world premiere of Sarah Ruhl's DEAR ELIZABETH, a play in letters from Elizabeth Bishop to Robert Lowell and back again, directed by Les Waters, at Yale Repertory Theatre (1120 Chapel Street), November 30-December 22. Opening Night is tonight, December 6. The cast of DEAR ELIZABETH is Mary Beth Fisher and Jefferson Mays. Click below to go backstage with the stars, plus watch highlights from the show!