Chicago Shakespeare Theatre News

Pippin director Eric Rosen, who is also Kansas City Repertory Theatre's artistic director, has announced that Kevin Massey will step into the title role for three performances: 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. on September 29, and 2 p.m. on September 30. He will replace the title star Claybourne Elder who will be away for a pre-existing family commitment. Pippin began previews September 14, opens September 21 and closes October 7.

Big Noise Theatre Company will open its 2012-13 season with the engaging rock-opera JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, opening September 28th and playing weekends through October 21, 2012. Performances will be held at Prairie Lakes Theatre in Des Plaines, IL. The production is directed by Stacey Flaster, and Robert Deason returns to Big Noise as the show's music director.

The Chicago Commercial Collective has announced its first production, the remount of the Chicago and Broadway hit drama, A Steady Rain, will tour Wisconsin and Michigan this fall. Currently, A Steady Rain completes its successful nine-week run at the Chicago Dramatists Sunday, Sept. 2.

Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, makes a splash with the effervescent musical comedy SINGIN' IN THE RAIN, previewing November 8, opening November 15, and running through January 13, 2013.

Roundabout Theatre Company announced the full cast this July for the new Broadway production of Rupert Holmes' Tony Award-winning musical comedy The Mystery of Edwin Drood. The show is set to open on November 13, 2012 and will star Stephanie J. Block as Edwin Drood. Meet the whole cast in the video and bios below!

Actors SAM MUÑOZ and AARON MUÑOZ are taking on twenty different characters in a new one-hour adaptation of the Bard's classic tragedy. 2 HOUSEHOLDS, 2 ASSHOLES: SHAKEPEARE'S R & J premieres at the SOHO PLAYHOUSE as part of the 2012 NEW YORK INTERNATIONAL FRINGE FESTIVAL (FringeNYC) tonight, August 11th.

Sonnet Repertory Theatre celebrates a decade of producing classic theatre for the modern planet with a world-premiere adaptation of Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray, by Michael Raver, directed by Quin Gordon. The Picture of Dorian Gray will begin performances tonight, August 9, with an official opening slated for Friday, August 10, at The Studio Theatre at The Pershing Square Signature Center.

Actors SAM MUÑOZ and AARON MUÑOZ are taking on twenty different characters in a new one-hour adaptation of the Bard's classic tragedy. 2 HOUSEHOLDS, 2 ASSHOLES: SHAKEPEARE'S R & J premieres at the SOHO PLAYHOUSE as part of the 2012 NEW YORK INTERNATIONAL FRINGE FESTIVAL (FringeNYC) on August 11th.

Actors SAM MUÑOZ and AARON MUÑOZ have been invited to perform their two man show, 2 HOUSEHOLDS, 2 ASSHOLES: SHAKEPEARE'S R & J at the 2012 SIDESHOW FRINGE FESTIVAL (tonight, August 2 through August 4) and the 2012 NEW YORK INTERNATIONAL FRINGE FESTIVAL (August 10-26).

The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis; Executive Director Patrick Willingham) will begin previews on Monday, August 6 for The Mobile Shakespeare Unit's RICHARD III, directed by Amanda Dehnert. Following a three-week tour, bringing free Shakespeare to audiences who have limited or no access to the arts, RICHARD III will run at The Public Theater through Saturday, August 25, with an official press opening on Saturday, August 11. Tickets are $15 and on sale now.

Producing Artistic Director Gwendolyn Whiteside of American Blues Theater (ABT), Chicago's second oldest Equity ensemble, proudly announces the Ensemble's 27th season will take place at the Victory Gardens Biograph Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Ave.. For more information, visit americanbluestheater.com.

Tennessee Williams' favorite among his own plays, the Pulitzer prize-winning Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, opens tonight, July 21st on the Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival main stage, in rep with Much Ado About Nothing.

Sonnet Repertory Theatre celebrates a decade of producing classic theatre for the modern planet with a world-premiere adaptation of Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray, by Michael Raver, directed by Quin Gordon. The Picture of Dorian Gray will begin performances on Thursday, August 9, with an official opening slated for Friday, August 10, at The Studio Theatre at The Pershing Square Signature Center.

Tennessee Williams' favorite among his own plays, the Pulitzer prize-winning Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, opens Saturday, July 21st on the Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival main stage, in rep with Much Ado About Nothing.

The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis; Executive Director Patrick Willingham) will take its MOBILE SHAKESPEARE UNIT on tour again this July with a production of RICHARD III, directed by Amanda Dehnert. The three-week tour, July 16 to August 3, will bring free Shakespeare to audiences who have limited or no access to the arts before a sit-down run at The Public Theater, August 6-25. Tickets for Richard III at The Public are $15 and go on sale July 12.

The Glimmerglass Festival, the Central New York summer opera and musical theater company, has announced its 2013 season and its partnership in The Festival of American Romantics in Cooperstown, New York.

Actors SAM MUÑOZ and AARON MUÑOZ have been invited to perform their two man show, 2 HOUSEHOLDS, 2 ASSHOLES: SHAKEPEARE'S R & J at the 2012 SIDESHOW FRINGE FESTIVAL (August 2-4) and the 2012 NEW YORK INTERNATIONAL FRINGE FESTIVAL (August 10-26).