Chicago Shakespeare Theater News

Drury Lane Theatre presents the Tony Award-winning Broadway and West End smash hit THE 39 STEPS, previewing July 5, opening July 12 at 8 p.m. and running through August 26.

59E59 Theaters (Elysabeth Kleinhans, Artistic Director; Peter Tear, Executive Producer) is thrilled to present the NY premiere of the hit musical comedy THE HUNCHBACK VARIATIONS, based on the play by Mickle Maher, with music by Mark Messing, libretto by Mr. Maher and directed by and featuring George Andrew Wolff and Larry Adams.

TRIASSIC PARQ The Musical, presented by Amas Musical Theatre, is set to play a limited Off-Broadway engagement at the SoHo Playhouse, June 12th through August 5th. The show held a sneak peek rehearsal today at CAP21 Studios in New York City. Check out a photo, featuring director Marshall Pailet, Wade McCollum, Lee Seymour, Alex Wyse, Lindsay Nicole Chambers, Shelley Thomas, Brandon Espinoza and Claire Neumann with the cast, below!

Due to popular demand, FREUD'S LAST SESSION, the smash hit at the Mercury Theater (3745 N. Southport, Chicago), will now run through September 2nd with an exciting new Chicago cast, including local theater legend, Mike Nussbaum (Emmy, Drama Desk Award and four-time Jeff Award winner) as "Sigmund Freud" and Coburn Goss (Vigils at the Goodman Theatre, Dead Man's Cell Phone at Steppenwolf Theatre Companyand Off Broadway When the Messenger is Hot at 59E59) as "C.S. Lewis". A current sold-out sensation in New York and winner of the 2011 Off Broadway Alliance Award for Best Play, the Midwest Premiere of FREUD'S LAST SESSION has received rave reviews and a Jeff Recommendation.

In honor of Theater on the Lake's 60th anniversary in June 2012, the Joseph Jefferson Awards Committee will bestow a Special Award to the Theater for its commitment to presenting a cross section of Chicago's diverse theater scene, in its facility on the lakefront.

Route 66 Theatre Company has announced the details of their newest world premiere collaboration, a one-of-a-kind original musical by local sensation Diana Lawrence (of Diana and the Dishes, and currently musical director of TICK, TICK, BOOM at Porchlight Music Theatre). NEXT STOP runs Monday and Tuesday nights at 7:30pm, June 18-26, at Theater Wit, 1229 West Belmont Ave, Chicago IL.

In celebration of the 100th Chicago performance of the FREUD'S LAST SESSION at the Mercury Theater (3745 N. Southport), the producers will host a Sigmund Freud Look-A-Like contest.

On Twitter Watch, Ana Gasteyer wrote 'Nowhere is the depravity of the human spirit more evident than in the Machiavellian hustle for seats at an elementary school performance..'

Writers' Theatre, under the direction of Artistic Director Michael Halberstam and Executive Director Kathryn M. Lipuma, concludes its 20th Anniversary Season with The Blonde, the Brunette and the Vengeful Redhead by Robert Hewett, directed by Joseph Hanreddy, and featuring Deborah Staples.The production runs tonight, May 22 - July 29, 2012 at Writers' Theatre, 664 Vernon Avenue in Glencoe. The Press Openings are Wednesday, May 30 and Thursday, May 31, 2012 at 7:30 p.m.

The company of the first North American tour of WICKED welcomes PJ Benjamin as The Wizard on Tuesday, May 8 and Nicole Parker as Elphaba on Friday, May 18 in Denver, CO.

Enchanting audiences of all generations worldwide, Disney's Beauty and the Beast casts its spell in Chicago Shakespeare's Courtyard Theater on Navy Pier June 28 to August 26, 2012. Tickets are $18-$25 with special discounts available for groups of 10 or more. All patrons receive a 40 percent parking discount at Navy Pier garages. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Chicago Shakespeare Theater's Box Office at 312.595.5600 or visit the Theater's website at www.chicagoshakes.com.

TRIASSIC PARQ The Musical, presented by Amas Musical Theatre, is set to play a limited Off-Broadway engagement at the SoHo Playhouse, June 12th through August 5th. Opening night is Wednesday, June 27th. Winner of 2010's Best Musical Award at FringeNYC, TRIASSIC PARQ is written by Marshall Pailet, Bryce Norbitz and Steve Wargo, with direction by Marshall Pailet, choreography by Kyle Mullins and musical direction by Zak Sandler. The cast of TRIASSIC PARQ features Lindsay Nicole Chambers, Brandon Espinoza, Wade McCollum, Claire Neumann, Lee Seymour, Shelley Thomas, and Alex Wyse. Check out a photo of the cast below!

The Tony Award-winning Hartford Stage, under the leadership of Darko Tresnjak, Artistic Director, and Michael Stotts, Managing Director, presents William Shakespeare's magical masterwork, The Tempest, directed by Darko Tresnjak, playing now through June 10, 2012 (press opening: Wednesday, May 16 at 7:30pm). Tony Award nominee Daniel Davis, best known for his recent NYC roles in Classic Stage's The Cherry Orchard, Lincoln Center's The Invention of Love, and the 2004 Broadway revival of La Cage aux Folles, as well as six seasons as Niles the Butler on TV's "The Nanny, plays Prospero. See photos of Davis and the rest of the cast on stage below!

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) is currently presenting, William Shakespeare's rarely produced Timon of Athens, directed by CST Artistic Director Barbara Gaines and featuring Tony Award winner Ian McDiarmid in the title role. Performed in CST's Courtyard Theater from through June 10, 2012, Gaines' production also features Sean Fortunato as Flavius, James Newcomb as Apemantus and Danforth Comins as Alcibiades. Performances began April 24, 2012. Production highlights have been released and BroadwayWorld brings you a look below!

The Marriott Theatre (10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire) presents HERO, a new musical written by Aaron Thielen with music and lyrics by Michael Mahler, previewing June 20, opening June 27 at 8 p.m. and running through August 19, 2012. Eleven-time Jeff award-winner David H. Bell directs and choreographs. Erich Bergen (JERSEY BOYS, Nat'l Tour) stars as Hero Batowski.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'tick...tick...BOOM!,' 'A Little Night Music,' a local 'Avenue Q?,' Kevin Earley and Nathan Lane are in town, 'Sexy Baby,' the High School Musical Theater Awards and more....

?TRIASSIC PARQ The Musical, the 2010 Best Musical winner at FringeNYC, launched its new website today, May 7. At TriassicParq.com, visitors will discover updated news about the show's upcoming Off-Broadway premiere, as well as fun, interactive features. There's a direct link to the TRIASSIC PARQ Facebook page and Twitter feed, as well as an opportunity to sign up for the show's exclusive newsletter.