Chicago Shakespeare Theatre News

Making its Off-Broadway debut at The New Victory Theater from November 1 - November 9, Isango Ensemble's Young Vic production of The Magic Flute: Impempe Yomlingo reimagines Mozart's masterpiece opera with a South African context. Featuring township percussion, an orchestra of marimbas and a cast of more than thirty vibrant voices from the townships surrounding Cape Town, and winner of the 2008 Olivier Award for Best Musical Revival and a Globes de Cristal for Best Opera, this Magic Flute dazzles with drama, comedy and the sublime joy of finding true love.

Due to early ticket demand, Court Theatre and American Blues Theater announce an extension to the world premiere of American Blues Ensemble Member Nambi E. Kelley's new adaptation of Richard Wright's classic novel, Native Son, directed by Seret Scott. Native Son will now run September 11 - October 19, 2014 at Court Theatre, 5535 S. Ellis Avenue.

BroadwayWorld reviews Paramount Theatre's 'Cats.' The felines prowling the stage at Aurora's Paramount Theatre have truly been given the five-star treatment. On a perfectly polished (and monstrous) set by Kevin Depinet (along with projections by Michael Stanfill), they are given plenty of room to jump, climb, and play. They are donned in those iconic (expertly designed by Theresa Ham, with wigs and make-up by Katie Cordts and Lauren Cecil) leotards and furry hats. And, most impressive, they have been lit in brilliant colors by lighting extraordinaire, Jesse Klug. The aesthetic appeal on the Paramount stage is top-notch and one of the main reasons this production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's 'Cats' is as fully satisfying as this musical gets.

Two Pence Theatre Company announces their 2014 production of Thomas Middleton's Women Beware Women, tonight, Sept. 4 - Saturday, Sept. 27 at The Den Theatre, 1333 N. Milwaukee Ave.

Opera Australia Artistic Director Lyndon Terracini AM and leading Australian theatre producer John Frost AM today announced the principal cast for their new production of Cole Porter's smash-hit musical comedy Anything Goes, which will tour Australia in 2015.

In the coming months, Broadway will welcome a fresh crop of productions- many of which will mark the Broadway debuts for a slew of talented actors. Whether they are fresh faces or established stars, these Broadway babies will soon take their very first bows on the grandest stages in the world. Meet all of the Great White Way's newest stars below, and be sure to let us know who you're most looking forward to seeing onstage!

Organizers of the inaugural Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival announced today the line-up of top contemporary puppets acts and artists from around the world, the U.S. and Chicago to be presented at venues large and small throughout the city January 14-25, 2015.

Shakespeare & Young Company brings merriment, madness, tragedy and passion to the outdoor Rose Footprint Theatre with two original performances -- Marina and Love Dance -- short vignettes compiled from scenes of Shakespeare's work. The performers are acting students aged 16-20 who come from schools across the United States including, The Drama Studio in Springfield, The Pioneer Valley Performing Arts High School in South Hadley, Bard College, Sarah Lawrence College, Arkansas State University and Bard College at Simons Rock. Shows are tonight, August 13 and Friday, August 15, both at 5:00 pm.

Acclaimed Chicago actor Ronald Keaton performs his one-man show Churchill, based on the life and writings of one of the greatest leaders of the 20th Century. Experience the man who famously proclaimed, 'I am ready to meet my Maker. Whether my Maker is prepared for the great ordeal of meeting me is another matter...' Come hear Winston discuss his failures and his successes, his love of art, liquor, and women, and the bravery of Britain's finest hour.

Nick Gehlfuss (Shameless, The Newsroom), Shawn Hatosy (Southland, Reckless), Amber Tamblyn (Joan of Arcadia, Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants) and Alicia Witt (Justified, 88 Minutes) are cast in the Geffen Playhouse production of Reasons to Be Pretty, nominated for the Tony Award for Best Play (2009). Helmed by Geffen Playhouse Artistic Director Randall Arney, Reasons to Be Pretty will be performed in the Gil Cates Theater through August 31 with an opening night of tonight, August 6.

Shakespeare & Young Company brings merriment, madness, tragedy and passion to the outdoor Rose Footprint Theatre with two original performances -- Marina and Love Dance -- short vignettes compiled from scenes of Shakespeare's work. The performers are acting students aged 16-20 who come from schools across the United States including, The Drama Studio in Springfield, The Pioneer Valley Performing Arts High School in South Hadley, Bard College, Sarah Lawrence College, Arkansas State University and Bard College at Simons Rock. Shows are Wednesday, August 13 and Friday, August 15, both at 5:00 pm.

The Victoria Theater at NJPAC presents Broadway's hottest stars Jessie Mueller and Jarrod Spector performing live together! See Jessie Mueller, the 2014 Tony Award Winner for Best Actress in a Musical: (Beautiful: The Carole King Musical) and Jarrod Spector as they perform together in a new concert on Sunday, March 1st and Monday, March 2nd at 8PM. Tickets for this exclusive performance goes on sale on Friday, August 1, 2014 at 10AM. Get your tickets now at NJPAC.org or 888.GO.NJPAC (888.466.5722)

A great, big Broadway season is on its way, with fourteen productions already slated to open in the next few months. With several weeks until the craziness begins, there is still plenty of time to catch up on what's been going on at Broadway's already occupied theaters . BroadwayWorld will be profiling the hits of the Great White Way that continue to draw crowds after months, years, and (in some cases) decades. Meet the current cast of Broadway's ONCE below!

Nick Gehlfuss (Shameless, The Newsroom), Shawn Hatosy (Southland, Reckless), Amber Tamblyn (Joan of Arcadia, Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants) and Alicia Witt (Justified, 88 Minutes) are cast in the Geffen Playhouse production of Reasons to Be Pretty, nominated for the Tony Award for Best Play (2009). Helmed by Geffen Playhouse Artistic Director Randall Arney, Reasons to Be Pretty will be performed in the Gil Cates Theater today, July 29 to August 31 with an opening night of August 6.

One of Broadway's best musicals, the award winning Guys and Dolls opens tonight, July 19 at the State Theatre, Arts Centre Melbourne for 10 shows only. Starring in this new production are Verity Hunt-Ballard, Martin Crewes, Chelsea Plumley, Adam Murphy, Bobby Fox and Christopher Horsey.

Barrington Stage Company (BSC), the award-winning theatre in Downtown Pittsfield, MA, under the leadership of Artistic Director Julianne Boyd and Managing Director Tristan Wilson, presents Breaking the Code, Hugh Whitemore's biographical drama of Alan Turing, starring BSC Associate Artist Mark H. Dold. Directed by Joe Calarco, performances of Breaking the Code are from today, July 17 through August 2, with a press opening on Sunday, July 20 at 5pm.

Acclaimed Chicago actor Ronald Keaton performs his one-man show Churchill, based on the life and writings of one of the greatest leaders of the 20th Century. Experience the man who famously proclaimed, "I am ready to meet my Maker. Whether my Maker is prepared for the great ordeal of meeting me is another matter..." Come hear Winston discuss his failures and his successes, his love of art, liquor, and women, and the bravery of Britain's finest hour.

Two Pence Theatre Company announces their 2014 production of Thomas Middleton's Women Beware Women, Thursday, Sept. 4 - Saturday, Sept. 27 at The Den Theatre, 1333 N. Milwaukee Ave. The production is directed by Two Pence Theatre Company Member Kathryn Walsh. Previews run Thursday, Sept. 4, Friday, Sept. 5 and Saturday, Sept. 6 at 7:30 p.m. Opening/Press night is Monday, Sept. 8 at 7:30 p.m. The regular production schedule, September 11 - 27, is Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. Tickets prices are $25 ($20 for previews) and are now on sale. To purchase tickets visit www.twopencetheatre.org/see and for more information about the company visit www.twopencetheatre.org.

As the final play of the side project's 9-show 'Season of Reps,' the company will present the Chicago premiere of Miles Away by Christine Whitley. Directed by Scott Weinstein, the play will start previews August 4th and run in rep with Mike and Seth by Daniel Talbott, directed by Artistic Director Adam Webster. Both plays are hyper-intimate studies of characters at key turning points of their lives.