Chicago Shakespeare Theatre News

The Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive in Lincolnshire, presents an all-star cast in the World Premiere of NOW AND FOREVER: The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber, featuring the legendary composer's greatest musical treasures. The production, which launches the 2013 season, opened January 23 and runs through March 17. BroadwayWorld has a first look at highlights from the show below.

Winner of the 2011 Pulitzer Prize, London's Olivier Award for Best Play and the 2012 Tony Award for Best Play, Clybourne Park is a wickedly funny and fiercely provocative new play about the volatile combination of race and real estate. Clybourne Park runs in The Rep's Quadracci Powerhouse from January 29, 2013 - February 24 , 2013 and opens on Friday, February 1, 2013.

The Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive in Lincolnshire, presents an all-star cast in the World Premiere of NOW AND FOREVER: The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber, featuring the legendary composer's greatest musical treasures. The production, which launches the 2013 season, opened last night, January 23 and runs through March 17. BroadwayWorld has photos from the opening below!

Polarity Ensemble Theatre presents the world premiere of Never the Bridesmaid, a sweet, funny, life-affirming comedy by Chicago playwright Bill Jepsen. Directed by award-winning director Richard Shavzin, Never the Bridesmaid runs at the Polarity space at the Josephinum Academy, 1500 N. Bell St. in the Wicker Park neighborhood of Chicago, February 26 through April 7, 2013.

The Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive in Lincolnshire, will present an all-star cast in the World Premiere of NOW AND FOREVER: The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber, featuring the legendary composer's greatest musical treasures. The production, which launches the 2013 season, will open January 23 and run through March 17. Get a first look at the production in the photos below!

Executive Producer Mike Isaacson announced today the directors, choreographers and music directors for its 2013 Season, which opens on June 17 with Monty Python's Spamalot. 'This is a phenomenally talented group of artists, and I'm thrilled to be working with all of them. Last season our audience inspired us to take many risks and push ourselves far. These directors and choreographers are already working on ways to top last season's level of excitement and excellence.'

The Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive in Lincolnshire, will present an all-star cast in the World Premiere of NOW AND FOREVER: The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber, featuring the legendary composer's greatest musical treasures. The production, which launches the 2013 season, will preview January 16, open January 23 and run through March 17.

Chicago Children's Theatre (CCT) will skip a few grades with its follow-up to its current smash hit, Harold and the Purple Crayon, with a new production of Bud, Not Buddy, tonight, January 12-February 24, 2013 at the Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn St., Chicago.

Gulfshore Playhouse continues their spectacular seventh season with the one-man Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning drama "I Am My Own Wife" by Doug Wright, playing January 18 through February 3, 2013, with a preview performance on January 17th.

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 Royal Shakespeare Company and The Dodgers today announced the casting of the principal roles and the ensemble in the eagerly anticipated Broadway-bound musical MATILDA THE MUSICAL. They are (alphabetically): Karen Aldridge (Mrs. Phelps), Gabriel Ebert (Mr. Wormwood), Lesli Margherita (Mrs. Wormwood), and Lauren Ward (Miss Honey).

The Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive in Lincolnshire, will present an all-star cast in the World Premiere of NOW AND FOREVER: The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber, featuring the legendary composer's greatest musical treasures. The production, which launches the 2013 season, will preview January 16, open January 23 and run through March 17.

Raven Theatre's 30th season continues with Rebecca Gilman's dark drama, Boy Gets Girl. Two opening nights are scheduled for Sunday, January 20 at 7:00 p.m. and Monday, January 21 at 7:30 p.m. at Raven Theatre, 6157 N. Clark. Tickets and information are available at www.raventheatre.com or 773-338-2177.

Following its acclaimed 16-week run at the Lookingglass Theatre Company this fall, Metamorphoses brings the mythical tales of Ovid to life at Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater, 10 years after the Broadway premiere. Written and directed by Tony Award winner Mary Zimmerman, Metamorphoses is based on David Slavitt's translation and marks the first time Zimmerman will direct the production since its Broadway run. This is also the first time Zimmerman will stage Metamorphoses in the round, and a custom set will be designed with the largest pool of water ever created for this production. Metamorphoses dives onto the Fichandler Stage February 8-March 17, 2013.

From the author of Pride and Prejudice comes this heartwarming, humorous tale of two sisters struggling to move past a family disaster. Sensible, reserved Elinor and passionate, impulsive Marianne find the road to true love beset with dashing suitors and well-meaning relatives, devoted friends and devious rivals, and scandalous secrets and unexpected twists in a period-perfect adaptation that captures all of the deliciousness, flirtation and folly of Jane Austen's well-loved novel.

Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater announces the full company for Good People, the humor-filled Broadway hit about class, fate and economic hardship from Pulitzer Prize winner David Lindsay-Abaire (Rabbit Hole). Esteemed Canadian director Jackie Maxwell, now in her 11th season as Artistic Director of the Shaw Festival, makes her D.C. directorial debut and returns to direct in the United States after five years. Named Best Play by the New York Drama Critics' Circle during its Broadway run, Good People runs February 1-March 10, 2013 in the Kreeger Theater.