Goodman Theatre News

MCC THEATER has announced initial casting for the New York premiere of Jennifer Haley's The Nether directed by Anne Kaufman.

Producers Jonas Neilson, Paul Lambert and Elizabeth Williams announced today that they've found the founding members of the First Wives Club for the new Broadway-bound musical's premiere at Chicago's Oriental Theatre. Tony Award-winner Faith Prince will play 'Brenda,' Mamma Mia's Christine Sherrill will play 'Elise,' and Wicked star Carmen Cusack will play 'Annie,' in the iconic roles created on film by Bette Midler, Goldie Hawn and Diane Keaton, respectively.

You haven't seen A Christmas Story until you've seen it live on stage at Cleveland Play House! This hilarious comedy based on the short stories of author Jean Shepherd has been delighting TV audiences for over 30 years. But instead of waiting for the 24-hour TV marathon to start, why not experience the magic of the holiday season live on stage with your loved ones at the Allen Theatre? Cleveland Play House's exuberant production of this beloved holiday classic will have you in stitches as you follow the trials and tribulations of little Ralphie Parker in his quest for the "holy grail" of Christmas gifts. With so many memorable moments and iconic images, it's no wonder that an illuminated leg lamp and pink bunny suit have become synonymous with the holiday season! Experience the magic for yourself November 28 - December 21 in the Allen Theatre at PlayhouseSquare.

Eclipse Theatre Company announces League of Chicago Theatres Executive Director Deb Clapp as the recipient of theirSixth Annual Corona Award, which honors an individual who plays an important role in supporting and nurturing the growth of the Chicago theatre community as well as small- to medium-sized organizations such as Eclipse.

This December, Marin Theatre Company continues its 48th Season with a presentation of Reduced Shakespeare Company performing their The Complete History of Comedy (abridged), starring writer/directors Reed Martin and Austin Tichenor, with Dominic Conti. The "Bad Boys of Abridgement" will leave no joke untold as they deconstruct the entire history of comedy in a dizzying night's entertainment.

The world premiere production of Rebecca Gilman's powerful and arresting "Luna Gale" begins previews November 23, opens December 2 and continues through December 21, 2014, at the Center Theatre Group/Kirk Douglas Theatre. Directed by Robert Falls, the complete original cast continues with the production, including Jordan Baker, Reyna de Courcy, Melissa Duprey, Mary Beth Fisher, Erik Hellman, Colin Sphar and Richard Thieriot.

The Dallas Opera's explosive second production of the 2014-2015 'Heights of Passion' Season is SALOME by Richard Strauss (whose libretto was based on Hedwig Lachmann's German translation of Oscar Wilde's play). SALOME, generally regarded as one of the masterpieces of the Late Romantic Era, opens tonight, October 30, 2014 at 7:30 p.m. in theMargot and Bill Winspear Opera House at the AT&T Performing Arts Center located in the Dallas Arts District.

Casting is complete for the three developmental productions featured in 2014 New Stages, a free annual festival of new American plays that also includes three staged readings.

Folger Theatre launches its 2014/15 season in Rome with William Shakespeare's enduring political tragedy, Julius Caesar from tonight, October 28 - December 7, 2014.

Premiere Stages, currently celebrating its 10th anniversary as the professional Equity theatre in residence at Kean University, will welcome Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Lynn Nottage to Kean's campus on Sunday, November 16 as part of Premiere Artists, its acclaimed professional development program for Kean University students.

Nominations for the 5th Annual BroadwayWorld Chicago Awards opened on October 6th, and will close at midnight on Halloween, October 31st. One of the oldest and largest regional awards in the entire international BroadwayWorld system, the BroadwayWorld Chicago Awards are Chicagoland's only comprehensive, fan-voted theater awards, covering plays and musicals, Equity and non-Equity, resident and touring productions.

The Process Series at UNC will feature an engaging new work by an acclaimed playwright in November. Commissioned by the Goodman Theater in Chicago, Lauren Yee's King of the Yees will be performed November 6 and 7, 2014, at 8:00pm in Studio 6 of Swain Hall at UNC-Chapel Hill. The performance is free and open to the public with a $5 suggested donation.

Theatre Communications Group (TCG), the national organization for theatre, welcomes new officers and nine new members to its board of directors. Sarah Bellamy, co-artistic director of Penumbra Theatre Company, and Kevin Moriarty, artistic director of Dallas Theater Center, succeed Robert Hupp and Lydia R. Diamond as joint vice presidents. Jonathan Moscone, artistic director of California Shakespeare Theater, succeeds Ralph Bryan as secretary. Diane Rodriguez, associate artistic director of Center Theatre Group, and Tim Jennings, managing director of Children's Theatre Company, remain as president and treasurer, respectively.

Haven Theatre Company opens their 2014 - 2015 Season with the Chicago premiere of Catherine Trieschmann's Hot Georgia Sunday, directed by Marti Lyons, at The Den Theatre, 1333 N. Milwaukee Ave., November 22 - December 21. Previews are Saturday, Nov. 22 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 23 at 2 p.m. Opening night is Monday, Nov. 24 at 7:30 p.m. The regular schedule is Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. Regular tickets are $30, senior tickets are $25, previews tickets are $20 and industry/student tickets are $10. You can purchase tickets and get more information at www.haventheatrechicago.com.

Teatro Vista has announced the addition of two new ensemble members and seven new artistic associates to the company. The new ensemble members include Ramon Camin and Tommy Rivera-Vega. New artistic associates include Jennifer Aparicio, Cruz Gonzalez-Cadel, Carlo Lorenzo Garcia, Isaac Gomez, Ayssette Muñoz, Yunuen Pardo and Jessie Prez.

The Old Globe today announced the cast and creative team for the Old Globe/University of San Diego Graduate Theatre Program presentation of William Shakespeare's Pericles, Prince of Tyre, directed by Ray Chambers and running November 15 - November 23 in the Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre, part of the Globe's Conrad Prebys Theatre Center. Opening night is Saturday, November 15 at 8:00 p.m.

The Theatre School at DePaul University will present The 2014 Awards for Excellence in the Arts gala on Monday, November 3, 2014, at the Four Seasons Hotel Chicago. The Four Seasons is located at 120 East Delaware Place. The event will begin with a 6 PM cocktail reception, followed by dinner and the awards presentation at 7 PM.

I am honored to announce that the first production of our 50th Anniversary Season will be Emile Zola'sTherese Raquin, in a Roundabout-commissioned adaptation by Helen Edmundson and directed by Evan Cabnet. I am also thrilled to announce that Keira Knightley will be making her Broadway debut as Therese.