Goodman Theatre News

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) announced today the acting company and creative team for Shrek The Musical, the Theater's annual summer family musical, directed and choreographed by Rachel Rockwell with music direction by Michael Mahler, July 13-September 1, 2013 in CST's Courtyard Theater. Based on the Academy Award-winning DreamWorks film and the book by William Steig, CST's 75-minute production ofShrek The Musical will take audiences on an unconventional fairy-tale adventure with everyone's favorite ogre. The production features two Jeff Award-winning actors: Michael Aaron Lindner as the lovable ogre Shrek and Summer Naomi Smart in her CST debut as the spunky Princess Fiona. In support of Mayor Emanuel's Summer of Learning Program, special activities will be offered in conjunction with Shrek The Musical for students to earn a "Bard Badge."

After eighteen seasons as McCarter's Producing Director, Mara Isaacs will be stepping down from her position this June. Isaacs, who has enjoyed a varied career as an educator and freelance producer while maintaining her position as Producing Director, will end her successful tenure with the Princeton-based McCarter Theatre at the conclusion of the 2012-2013 season. She will remain affiliated with McCarter as a consultant for the coming season.

Pivot Arts launches a new celebration of innovative theater, music and dance in unique and often historic spaces from today, June 6 - 22, 2013 throughout Chicago's Uptown and Edgewater neighborhoods. The inaugural PIVOT MULTI-ARTS FESTIVAL answers the City's call for a reinvigorated Uptown Entertainment District by uniting artists, businesses and local organizations around multidisciplinary 'pop-up' performances occurring in a former Vaudeville Theater, an at-one-time Charlie Chaplin film studio and other historic spaces throughout these communities.

Philadelphia Young Playwrights has kicked off its 25th anniversary celebration by announcing the launch of the Paula Vogel Mentors Project, a living award honoring the Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright and teacher and extending her mentorship legacy. The three-year pilot program will bring together five acclaimed professional playwrights as mentors for five promising young playwright fellows, who will embark on yearlong playwriting journeys.

The poignant and provocative new musical, A Minister's Wife, makes its West Coast premiere at San Jose Rep June 20 - July 14, 2013.

Wicker Park's historic Flat Iron Arts Building - home to over 30 artist studios, six small businesses, a Bank of America branch, and Collaboraction Theatre Company - turns 100 years old this year.

Beginning in July 2013, the Alley Theatre will produce Agatha Christie's The Hollow during its popular ExxonMobil Summer Chills series. Under the direction of Gregory Boyd, the Alley's resident company of actors will bring to life the colorful cast of characters in Agatha Christie's The Hollow.

Williamstown Theatre Festival Artistic Director Jenny Gersten has announced further casting and additions to the 2013 summer season, which officially kicks off tomorrow, June 4, when the box office opens its doors. Brooks Ashmanskas, De'Adre Aziza, Reed Birney,Joey Slotnick, and Omar Metwally are among the actors who will take part in this summer's productions. Gersten has

Caroline Aaron, Michelle Beck, Peter Grosz and Carla Gugino will be featured in the cast of the upcoming LCT3/Lincoln Center Theater world premiere production of A KID LIKE JAKE, a new play by Daniel Pearle, directed by Evan Cabnet. A KID LIKE JAKE begins previews tonight, June 2, opens Monday, June 17 and will run through Sunday, July 14 at the Claire Tow Theater, 150 West 65 Street.

The Goodman has created a dream season featuring eight productions that offer you a magical theater experience. Click below for a sneak peek at the 2013-14 season!

The REP, Point Park University's professional theatre company, will produce four works, including a world premiere and a Pittsburgh premiere, in the 2013-2014 season. The season begins Sept. 6 and runs through April 6, 2014, at the Pittsburgh Playhouse.

Plays & Players' 2013-14 season focuses on brothers and sisters; those with whom we are closest, those who share our blood, and those with whom, familiar or unknown, we seek connection. Through rituals old and new, we continue searching for those who are both distant from and deeply within us as we attempt to unwrap the simplest of notions: brotherhood.

Tony Award winner Phylicia Rashad, who directed Westport Country Playhouse's "A Raisin in the Sun" last fall, will be honored at the Playhouse's annual fundraising gala on the evening of Monday, September 16. Proceeds will benefit the non-profit, professional producing theater, now in its 83rd season - its work on stage, with schools, and throughout the community. The gala includes a one-night-only performance by Broadway talent and surprise guests.

Porchlight Music Theatre presents Pal Joey, book by John O'Hara, music by Richard Rodgers and lyrics by Lorenz Hart, April 20 - May 26, at Stage 773, 1225 West Belmont Ave. Directed by Porchlight Music Theatre's Artistic Director, Michael Weber with music direction by Porchlight Artistic Associate Doug Peck (reuniting with Weber for the first time since their collaboration on Porchlight's triumphant production of Assassins) and choreography by Porchlight Artistic Associate Brenda Didier, Pal Joey stars Adrian Aguliar, 'Joey Evans,' Susie McMonagle, 'Vera Simpson,' Laura Savage, 'Linda English,' Matt Orlando, 'Ludlow Lowell' and Sharriese Hamilton, 'Gladys Bumps.'

Black Lab Theatre's 2012-2013 season will feature the Broadway hit "CHINGLISH," by Tony Award® winner and Pulitzer Prize finalist David Henry Hwang (M. Butterfly). The famous comedy about the challenges of Americans doing business in China will be presented by Black Lab Theatre in collaboration with Asia Society Texas Center. CHINGLISH will open May 9, 2013 and run through May 26, 2013 in the Asia Society Texas Center's beautiful Brown Foundation Performing Arts Theater. A public presentation by Mr. Hwang is also planned.

Wayward Productions in association with Chicago Fusion Theatre presents William Shakepeare's tragic masterpiece RICHARD III at The Den Theatre.

To conclude its 45th season, Berkeley Repertory Theatre welcomes back a pair of acclaimed collaborators: Sarah Ruhl and Les Waters, the creators of Eurydice, Three Sisters, and In the Next Room (or the vibrator play), return to Berkeley Rep with another tale of love and longing in Dear Elizabeth.