Frank Galati News

Was it natural disaster or man-made greed that led to the loss of 2,200 lives in 1889? Playwright Rebecca Gilman teams up with Tony Award-winning Director Robert Falls for the world premiere of A True History of the Johnstown Flood, an epic theatrical event set against the backdrop of the 1889 flood-a disaster more deadly than Hurricane Katrina. The Goodman commissioned Gilman, an acclaimed Chicago-based writer whose work 'reaches the heart and head with equal force' (Time) and has the 'ability to shake up a theater audience with the power of her ideas-and words' (Chicago Tribune), for this world premiere about love, money, class struggles and the power of theater to change lives.

Jane M. Saks, Executive Director of the Ellen Stone Belic Institute, and About Face Theatre Artistic Director, Bonnie Metzgar, announce the world premiere of a new one-person play, SWEET TEA: Black Gay Men of the South, written and performed by E. Patrick Johnson, and directed by award-winning artist Daniel Alexander Jones.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company continues its 2009-2010 season, an exploration of the theme of belief, with Endgame written by Samuel Beckett and directed by ensemble member Frank Galati.

Was it natural disaster or man-made greed that led to the loss of 2,200 lives in 1889? Playwright Rebecca Gilman teams up with Tony Award-winning Director Robert Falls for the world premiere of A True History of the Johnstown Flood, an epic theatrical event set against the backdrop of the 1889 flood-a disaster more deadly than Hurricane Ka

Steppenwolf Theatre Company continues its 2009-2010 season, an exploration of the theme of belief, with Endgame written by Samuel Beckett and directed by ensemble member Frank Galati. Endgame, featuring ensemble members Ian Bradford, Francis Guinan, Martha Lavey and William Petersen, plays April 1 - June 6, 2010 in Steppenwolf's Downstairs Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted.

The Colony Theatre Company presents the fifth and final production of its 35th anniversary season, the unforgettable JACQUES BREL IS ALIVE AND WELL AND LIVING IN PARIS, production conception, English lyrics, & additional material by Eric Blau & Mort Shuman, based on Jacques Brel's lyrics & commentary with music by Jacques Brel, musical direction by Brent Crayon and directed by Jon Lawrence Rivera.

The Castillo Theatre presents The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck, a co-production of City Lights Youth Theatre and Youth Onstage.

Writers' Theatre Artistic Director Michael Halberstam and Executive Director Kathryn M. Lipuma announce the second extension of Oh Coward!, words and music by Noel Coward, devised by Roderick Cook. The production, which began its run in November 2009 is directed by Jim Corti, with musical direction by Doug Peck. The production has been extended through April 18, 2010, at Writers' Theatre, 664 Vernon Avenue in Glencoe.

Chicago -Artistic Director Bonnie Metzgar has announced the Midwestern premiere of Ann Marie Healy's new play WHAT ONCE WE FELT directed by Krissy Vanderwarker. The press opening is Friday, February 12th at 7:30pm at the Center On Halsted. The cast for WHAT ONCE WE FELT includes Charin Alvarez, Laura Fisher, Patricia Kane, Elizabeth Laidlaw, Ana Sferruzza, and Rebecca Sohn.

Was it natural disaster or man-made greed that led to the loss of 2,200 lives in 1889? Playwright Rebecca Gilman teams up with Tony Award-winning Director Robert Falls for the world premiere of A True History of the Johnstown Flood, an epic theatrical event set against the backdrop of the 1889 flood-a disaster more deadly than Hurricane Ka

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Patti LuPone and Mandy Patinkin, Stephen Sondheim, Broadway In Chicago, 'The Addams Family,' 'Fiddler On The Roof,' 'Ragtime,' more.....

Casting is complete for Goodman Theatre's Chicago-premiere production of Tracey Scott Wilson's The Good Negro, directed by Resident Director Chuck Smith. Wilson and Smith have tapped nine actors to bring this historical drama to the Albert stage, including Karen Aldridge (Goodman's The Cook; Proof); Teagle F. Bougere (Broadway's A Raisin in the Sun; The Tempest); Tory O. Davis (Goodman's Magnolia); John Hoogenakker (Goodman's Rock 'n' Roll; Chicago Shakespeare's Othello); Billy Eugene Jones (Broadway's Passing Strange; Radio Golf); Nambi Kelley (Goodman's Crumbs from the Table of Joy; Victory Gardens' The Lost Boys of Sudan); Demetrios Troy (Northlight's Awake and Sing; Chicago Shakespeare's Richard III); Dan Waller (Goodman's Ghostwritten; Talking Pictures) and Mick Weber (Goodman's Rock 'n' Roll; Chicago Theatre's Shear Madness). The production will run from May 1 - June 6, 2010.

The Castillo Theatre presents The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck, a co-production of City Lights Youth Theatre and Youth Onstage.

Goodman Artistic Director Robert Falls, acclaimed Canadian director Jennifer Tarver and celebrated star Brian Dennehy team up again for a Broadway-bound double bill, Hughie/Krapp's Last Tape; January 16- February 21, 2010 in the Goodman's Albert Ivar Theatre. Tickets are $25 - $83 and go on sale Friday, November 13 at GoodmanTheatre.org.

Alley Theatre's world premiere of the new musical Wonderland will close on Sunday, February 14.

Steppenwolf celebrates its 34th season with GALA 2010: Choose to Believe on Saturday, May 8, 2009 at 6:30 p.m. at Steppenwolf Theatre Company (1650 N. Halsted St.) and this year's spacious new reception venue: Structured Development's TruServe Building (1460 N. Halsted St.)

Artistic Director Robert Falls announced Goodman Theatre's initial five-play line-up, including two reimagined classics and three world-premiere productions (two of which are Goodman commissions) that define the theater's new 2010/2011 season; three plays are still to be announced.

The world premiere of 11, September by Breadline artistic director Paul Kampf will close on February 7 at Odyssey Theatre.

Rehearsals begin this week for Goodman Theatre's world premiere of A True History of the Johnstown Flood by Rebecca Gilman, whose work was most recently included in Time magazine's 'Best Theatre Productions of the Decade.' Commissioned by the Goodman and directed by Robert Falls, A True History of the Johnstown Flood runs March 13 - April 18, 2010 in the Goodman's Albert Theatre. Tickets start at $25 and go on sale this Friday, February 5 at GoodmanTheatre.org.

The bidding is now open! Goodman Theatre's Women's Board proudly announces the return of Fame Fantasy Food Adventure Auction on February 1, 2010, at The Peninsula Chicago (108 E Superior) beginning at 5:30pm.