Gary Griffin News

Broadway fixtures Terrence Mann and Charlotte d'Amboise have a summer getaway in the countryside for Connecticut Repertory Theatre's MY FAIR LADY.

Artistic Director Michael Halberstam and Executive Director Kathyryn Lipuma announce a one-week extension to the World Premiere of The Detective's Wife by Keith Huff, directed by Gary Griffin.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'The Glee Project,' 'A Celebration Of Charles Strouse,' 'Shout!,' 'Broadway In Chicago Concert At Taste Of Chicago,' dueling productions of 'Follies,' more....

While critics and fans alike justifiably lament the paucity of female leads in Broadway musicals this season just past, you need look no further than the current tour of The Color Purple for a musical filled to overflowing with noteworthy women characters. The beautiful and moving reimagination of Alice Walker's extraordinary novel of faith, despair, horror, beauty, love and redemption, The Color Purple might best be described as a woman's story, but it is, in every possible way, a human story as universal and as affecting as any work of musical theater ever created.

The Musical about Love, THE COLOR PURPLE will play the Tennessee Performing Arts Center, Tuesday, June 21 through Sunday, June 26 for eight performances.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) presents the world premiere family musical The Adventures of Pinocchio from July 13 to August 28, 2011. Based on Carlo Collodi's classic tale of a wooden puppet who yearns to be a real boy, this original CST Family commission will turn CST's Courtyard Theater stage into a larger-than-life, European-style marionette theater. Created by multiple Drama Desk Award-nominated team Neil Bartram (music/lyrics) and Brian Hill (book), The Adventures of Pinocchio is directed by Rachel Rockwell, who returns to CST after staging last summer's world premiere CST Family musical The Emperor's New Clothes. Tickets for The Adventures of Pinocchio from July 13 to August 28, 2011, in CST's Courtyard Theater are $18-$25 with special discuonts available for groups of 10 or more. All patrons receive a 40% 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.

FEINSTEIN'S AT LOEWS REGENCY, the nightclub proclaimed 'Best of New York' by New York Magazine and 'an invaluable New York institution' by The New York Post, will continue its Spring 2011 season with the debut of Broadway veteran and six-year "Saturday Night Live" favorite ANA GASTEYER on June 13 and June 27.

THE THREEPENNY OPERA to WICKED to ROCKY HORROR to PASSION onstage - and, before that, believe it or not: THE REAL LIVE BRADY BUNCH TOUR - in addition to SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE to MEAN GIRLS on screens large and small: the multi-talented Ana Gasteyer continues to surprise us with every new venture - and aren't we lucky! Ms. Gasteyer's exceedingly elegant new cabaret show at Feinstein's, appropriately titled ELEGANT SONGS FROM A HANDSOME WOMAN - this coming Monday at 8:30 PM, and also on Monday, June 27 - will give her a chance to show off her considerable singing skills. In this all-encompassing interview we discuss the inspiration and ideas involved in her new cabaret piece and exactly what we can expect on Monday night, plus all about her upcoming multi-episode arc on HBO's CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM and co-starring in a brand new ABC series coming this Fall, SUBURGATORY. Additionally, we parse her stage work with everyone from Joe Mantello to Mary Zimmermann and her experiences working on live TV for six years on NBC's SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE - plus, first news about her role in Tyler Perry's WE THE PEOPLES and her recollections on the fantastic REEFER MADNESS: THE MOVIE MUSICAL - as well as working with Raul Esparza, Lindsay Lohan, Tina Fey, Larry David - and much, much more!

Acclaimed artistic guests such as Sir Derek Jacobi and Tony Award winners Heather Headley and Michael Cerveris joined Chicago Shakespeare Theater for its 25th Anniversary celebration on June 6, 2011.

The Theater of the Stars is proud to announce that THE COLOR PURPLE, The Musical about Love, will play at Atlanta's Fox Theatre Wednesday, June 15 through Sunday, June 19 for seven performances only. Tickets, which range from $20 to $75, are available at www.theaterofthestars.com.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) launches its 25th Anniversary celebration on June 6, 2011, with the Silver Jubilee Gala at its home on Navy Pier, benefiting the Regional Theatre Tony Award recipient's far-reaching Team Shakespeare education program.

The Stratford Shakespeare Festival's Board of Governors announceed that Des McAnuff will continue as Artistic Director through the 2013 season. 'Mr. McAnuff is a very gifted director and leader who is much in demand, and we are delighted that he has agreed to continue as our Artistic Director for an additional two years,' says Dr. Lee Myers, Chair of the Board of Governors.

Producing Artistic Director Michael Menendian and Co-Artistic Director JoAnn Montemurro announce Raven Theatre's 2011/2012 Season, which includes Bus Stop by William Inge, Dating Walter Dante, a world premiere by Chicago playwright, Jon Steinhagen, developed through Raven's New Works workshop series; The Price by Arthur Miller and Bang the Drum Slowly by Mark Harris and adapted for the stage by Eric Simonson.