Chicago Shakespeare Theater News

Voting is now underway for the Chicago Awards and continues until December 31, 2012. Winners will be announced in early January. Check out the live standings below!

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) announced today four new World's Stage presentations in 2013-bold theatrical events from across the globe, each in its own voice, provoking discussion on issues of international significance. On the heels of celebrating the Year of Creative Scotland with two critically acclaimed National Theatre of Scotland productions this fall, Chicago Shakespeare Theater continues to demonstrate its commitment to engage audiences in global issues, bringing to Chicago conversations of searing social and political importance through the work of internationally acclaimed theater artists.

David Ives' THE SCHOOL FOR LIES honors the comedic and linguistic mastery of Moliere's THE MISANTHROPE in a hip, hilarious update that exploits the English language to the maximum. This ribald comedy opens in preview November 29th and runs through December 15th.

The Shakespeare Theatre Company, recipient of the 2012 Regional Theatre Tony Award, kicks off its holiday season with William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. Director Ethan McSweeny (Much Ado About Nothing, The Merchant of Venice) takes a fresh approach to this well-loved play filled with magic and wonder. The production runs at STC's Sidney Harman Hall (610 F Street NW) from tonight, November 15-December 30, 2012.

Lyric Opera of Chicago just announced its 70-minute opera adventure created especially for kids ages 5-12 and their families, called, Popcorn & Pasquale. This show, written by David Kersnar (Lookingglass Theater Company) and Jacqui Russell (Chicago Children's Theater), takes place at the Civic Opera House on Sunday, December 2 at 2pm.

Relive some of the greatest moments in musical theater history through One Hand, One Heart: The Musicals of Leonard Bernstein, a cabaret revue performed at Davenport's Piano Bar & Cabaret, tonight, November 14 - 29, 2012. Reservations can be placed at www.davenportspianobar.com.

New York Theatre Barn will present new work by Chicago starlit writers Joe Kinosian and Kellen Blair, and fresh voice Alexander Sage Oyen at a special installment of its new works platform NYTB in the D-Lounge tonight, November 12 as a benefit for Hurricane Sandy relief and recovery, NYTB Benefits Sandy.

Transport Group, the Drama Desk and OBIE award-winning theatre company, and terraNOVA Collective, creator of the longest-running solo performance festival in NYC, the soloNOVA Arts Festival, will collaborate to produce Dark Nights: Highs & Family Ties during the second dark night of Transport Group's run of House For Sale tonight, November 12th at 7:00pm at The Duke on 42nd Street.

New York Theatre Barn will present new work by Chicago starlit writers Joe Kinosian and Kellen Blair, and fresh voice Alexander Sage Oyen at a special installment of its new works platform NYTB in the D-Lounge on November 12 as a benefit for Hurricane Sandy relief and recovery, NYTB Benefits Sandy.

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, December 18-22, 2012 in the theater Upstairs at Chicago Shakespeare.

The world premiere production of the Frank McGuinness adaptation of James Joyce's The Dead has begun rehearsal at Dublin's Abbey Theatre, under the direction of former Abbey and current Guthrie Artistic Director Joe Dowling. The Dead will begin previews on December 5, will open December 11 and will play through January 19, 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 Award nominees, three shows that are closing, 'The Burnt Part Boys' debuts, a second 'Fifty Shades' parody musical, 'Miami Nice,' Lyric Opera's 'Oklahoma!' and more....

iLuminate Productions today announced tickets are now on sale for the world premiere of iLuminate's: Artist of Light, a live show in New York City at The Duke on 42nd Street, a New 42nd Street project on West 42nd Street. iLuminate wowed the nation with their groundbreaking light suits on America's Got Talent and then hit the road, performing for awestruck crowds around the globe. Now, they take you on a fantastical journey in their first off-Broadway show. The limited run engagement commences November 23, 2012 and runs through January 5, 2013.

Today, BroadwayWorld.com is proud to announce the slate of nominees for the third annual BroadwayWorld Chicago Awards, the only fan-voted theater awards in the Chicagoland area! Expanded to thirty categories this year, the BCAs (or "Broadies") honor Chicago's theater productions and artists in both Equity and Non-Equity categories, including plays, musicals, revues, Theater for Young Audiences, touring shows and special theatrical events. Productions which opened between November 1, 2011 and October 31, 2012 were eligible for nomination. The BroadwayWorld Chicago Awards are the oldest and most popular of the several dozen regional BroadwayWorld Award competitions now being held in the U.S. And you can join the fun by voting for your favorites, and encouraging your friends to vote as the vote totals pile up!

Transport Group, the Drama Desk and OBIE award-winning theatre company, and terraNOVA Collective, creator of the longest-running solo performance festival in NYC, the soloNOVA Arts Festival, will collaborate to produce Dark Nights: Highs & Family Ties during the dark nights of Transport Group's run of House For Sale tonight, November 5th & 12th at 7:00pm at The Duke on 42nd Street. Dark Nights: Highs & Family Ties will feature two of soloNOVA's highest acclaimed shows: Empanada for a Dream, written & performed by Juan Francisco Villa, directed by Alex Levy, and When Thoughts Attack, written & performed by Kelly Kinsella, directed by Padraic Lillis.

The Den Theatre reopens its doors to a new and expanded home and its first full season with the Chicago premiere of THE QUALITY OF LIFE by Jane Anderson, directed by Lia D. Mortensen, playing now through December 1, 2012 at 1333 N. Milwaukee Ave in Chicago's Wicker Park neighborhood. THE QUALITY OF LIFE features ensemble members Ron Wells and Liz Zweifler with Steve Spencer and Jennifer Joan Taylor. Get a first look at the production in the photos below!

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) announced today the 2012 partnership with Chicago Public Schools (CPS), CPS Shakespeare! Hamlet in which an ensemble of 28 students and teachers from nine CPS high schools will stage an adaptation of William Shakespeare's Hamlet.