Goodman Theatre News

The Hollywood Reporter writes that Scarlett Johansson and Lupita Nyong'o are in talks to join the cast of Jon Favreau's upcoming live-action/VFX remake of Disney's THE JUNGLE BOOK.

On May 13, Goodman Theatre celebrates the life and creative contributions of Robert (Bob) Christen, its longtime Resident Lighting Designer and one of the most prolific live performance designers in the country, who passed away last month at age 64.

Goodman Theatre announces that a new production of The Little Foxes by Lillian Hellman, Tony Award-winning playwright, screenwriter and author and Academy Award nominee, completes its 90th Anniversary 'Season to Celebrate.' Goodman Artistic Associate Henry Wishcamper directs the 1939 classic American Southern drama that 'could not be more timely, as the play's social skewering remains satisfyingly fresh' (Los Angeles Times). The Little Foxes is slated to appear May 2 - June 7, 2015 as the fourth production in the 2014/2015 Season, followed by Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, which runs June 20 - July 26, 2015.

Two world premiere children's musicals helmed by A-list Chicago theater artists - Leo Lionni's Frederick, directed by Stuart Carden, and Wonderland, Alice's Rock & Roll Adventure, co-created by Michael Mahler and Rachel Rockwell, were announced today as the opening and closing productions of Chicago Children's Theatre's 2014-15 season. Chicago Children's Theatre (CCT) will also celebrate its 10th birthday season by bringing back its 2008 smash hit The Selfish Giant by Blair Thomas and Michael Smith.

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 latest Jeff Award nominations, 'Brigadoon' gets cast, 'The Sound Of Music' and 'Motown' light up the Loop, new musicals from Writers Theatre and American Theater Company, 'Nunsense,' 'The Wild Party,' a new web series to support and more!

'The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess,' winner of the 2012 Tony Award for Best Musical Revival, opens at the Center Theatre Group/Ahmanson Theatre tonight, April 23 and play through June 1, 2014.

The Theatre Group at SBCC presents a touching new play, GROUND by Lisa Dillman, as the final offering in the 2013-2014 SeasonFor its final offering in the 2013/2014 season, The Theatre Group at SBCC will present the West Coast Premiere of the new play GROUND by Lisa Dillman, directed by R. Michael Gros, in the Jurkowitz Theatre, today, April 23-May 10, 2014.

TimeLine Theatre Company concludes its 2013-14 season with the Chicago premiere of the musical JUNO, book by Joseph Stein, music and lyrics by Marc Blitzstein, based on the play JUNO AND THE PAYCOCK by Sean O'Casey, directed by TimeLine Associate Artistic Director Nick Bowling with music direction by Doug Peck and Elizabeth Doran. JUNO will run at TimeLine Theatre, 615 W. Wellington Avenue in Chicago, May 1 - July 27, 2014 (previews today, April 23 - 30). Press opening is Friday, May 2 at 7:30 p.m.

Barrel of Monkeys invites you to enjoy a summer full of brand new stories at its long-running, critically acclaimed revue THAT'S WEIRD, GRANDMA, directed by Artistic Director Molly Brennan, playing Mondays at 8 pm from June 9 - September 1, 2014 at the Neo-Futurist Theater, 5153 N. Ashland Ave. in Chicago. Throughout the summer months, THAT'S WEIRD, GRANDMA will premiere stories from the 2013-14 school year - all conceived and written by Chicago Public School students and adapted for the stage and performed by Barrel of Monkeys Company Members. Clever and funny - touching and poignant - the collection of short sketches are equally entertaining for adults and children. The line-up changes each week by audience vote, so no two shows are ever the same.

Good morning, BroadwayWorld! Because we know all our readers eat, sleep and breathe Broadway, what could be better than waking up to it? Today's big news: HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH, starring Neil Patrick Harris, opens tonight on Broadway!

Artistic Director Michael Halberstam and Executive Director Kathryn M. Lipuma announce Writers Theatre's World Premiere production of Days Like Today, with music and lyrics by Alan Schmuckler and book by Laura Eason, directed by Artistic Director Michael Halberstam, music direction by Doug Peck and choreography by Tommy Rapley. The production runs May 6-July 13, 2014 at 325 Tudor Court, Glencoe. The press opening is May 22, 2014 at 7:30pm.

Casting is complete and rehearsals begin May 20 for Goodman Theatre's new production of Brigadoon-Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe's big, beautiful and beguiling song and dance fantasy. Chicago director/choreographer Rachel Rockwell, hailed as a "brilliant, insightful, mistress-of-grand-scale musicals" (Chicago Sun-Times) and named "2012 Chicagoan of the Year" by the Chicago Tribune, makes her Goodman debut. Brigadoon runs June 27 - August 3 in the Albert Theatre (opening night is Monday, July 7). Tickets ($25 - $93; subject to change) are on sale now, available atGoodmanTheatre.org/Brigadoon, by phone at 312.443.3800 or at the box office (170 North Dearborn). JPMorgan Chase is the Major Corporate Sponsor. Allstate Insurance Company and PwC are Corporate Sponsor Partners. Towers Watson is the Opening Night Sponsor. Chicago Tribune is the Media Partner. A full performance calendar follows.

Design collaboration in theatre goes beyond Designers and Directors. Theatrical vision would not be realized without the essential work of Production Managers, Technical Directors, Costume Shop Managers, Master Electricians, Sound Supervisors, Properties Masters, Stage Managers ... the list goes on.

Obie Award-winner Les Waters will direct the world premiere of Jordan Harrison's profound and engaging "Marjorie Prime" at the Center Theatre Group / Mark Taper Forum, September 10 through October 19, 2014. The opening is set for September 21.

Hailed as 'flat-out funny!' by the Hollywood Reporter, By the Way, Meet Vera Stark makes its Baltimore/DC premiere at Everyman Theatre, running from today, April 16th through May 11th.

Continuing its 26th Season, Lookingglass Theatre Company presents the World Premiere of In the Garden: A Darwinian Love Story, by Artistic Associate Sara Gmitter and directed by Jessica Thebus. In the Garden runs today, April 16 - June 15, 2014 at Lookingglass Theatre Company, located inside Chicago's historic Water Tower Water Works, 821 N. Michigan Ave. at Pearson. The Press Opening is Saturday, April 26, 2014 at 7:30 p.m..

Theatre Y presents Euripides' Medea, freely adapted by poet Robinson Jeffers at Theatre Y, 2649 N. Francisco Ave. in Chicago, May 7-June 1, 2014. Director Kevin V. Smith returns to the helm to bring a bold, dangerous, and emotionally rich dreamvision to Euripides' classic, having previously directed Theatre Y's wildly imaginative and experimental productions of Exiles and The Misunderstanding.

Pivot Arts launches its second annual celebration of innovative performance events, May 28 - June 14, throughout Chicago's Uptown, Edgewater and Rogers Park neighborhoods. The PIVOT ARTS FESTIVAL serves to bring audiences together for unique performance events. This year the festival's focus highlights the intersection between the performing arts and science. Tickets go on sale for "Art Meets Science" April 20, with a range of free events and entrance fees no higher than $15 per event. To purchase tickets and for complete festival information, visit www.pivotarts.org/festival or call 773.609.0782.

Teatro Vista begins their 2014 spring season with Arthur Miller's A View From the Bridge, playing at The Richard Christiansen Theater located within The Victory Gardens Biograph Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Ave., tonight, April 15 - May 18.