Henry Wishcamper News

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 BCA nominations are out, Levi Kreis leads a reading, 'We Three Lizas' return, two holiday shows from Broadway In Chicago, three more versions of 'A Christmas Carol,' more reindeer, and Palatine's 'White Christmas.' And it's still early November!

Goodman Theatre announces the complete line-up for its 2013 New Stages festival, this year celebrating Latino playwrights. Three staged readings-The Rooster Room by Pulitzer Prize winner Quiara Alegria Hudes, Feathers and Teeth by Charise Castro Smith and Another Word for Beauty by Jose Rivera-complement the previously-announced two fully-staged workshop productions, The Upstairs Concierge by Pulitzer Prize finalist Kristoffer Diaz and The Solid Sand Below by former Goodman Theatre Playwrights Unit member Martin Zimmerman.

The question of who determines a child's fate amidst drug addiction, religion and child custody laws takes center stage in Rebecca Gilman's newest work, Luna Gale, directed by Goodman Theatre Artistic Director Robert Falls.

Goodman Theatre introduces a new subscription package for 2014, 'Great Women at Play,' featuring works written and directed by a handful of the most popular female playwrights working in the American theater today. This special package for women-and men-includes five plays for the price of four, a complimentary visit to the exclusive Goodman Lounge and the opportunity to win a $100 gift certificate from the Goodman's preferred restaurant partner, Petterino's. Visit GoodmanTheatre.org/GreatWomen for more information, and check out a video of the artists involved below!

The most wonderful time of the year is underway as rehearsals begin this week for Goodman Theatre's A Christmas Carol, 'a joyous present for the entire family' (Chicago Sun-Times), in its 36th annual production. Directing the holiday favorite for the first time, Henry Wishcamper's production features all-new on stage magic-set elements, special effects and more. The cast of 27 (below, includes 14 new and 13 returning cast members) stars Larry Yando, who most recently appeared in Mary Zimmerman's production of The Jungle Book as Shere Khan, in his sixth turn as Ebenezer Scrooge and 8-year-old Matthew Abraham as Tiny Tim for the second year. A Christmas Carol runs November 16 - December 28 in the Goodman's Albert Theatre.

Center Stage officially kicks off the 2013-14 Season with Animal Crackers, the classic toe-tapping, knee-slapping Marx Brothers musical. Under the direction of BJ Jones, Animal Crackers will run through October 13. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the production shots below!

It's 'Hooray for Captain Spaulding, The African Explorer!' and hooray for the entire cast of ANIMAL CRACKERS who pay (and play) fitting homage to the Brothers Marx in this comedy music production at Baltimore's Center Stage.

Tonight Center Stage officially kicks off the 2013-14 Season with the Opening Night of Animal Crackers, the classic toe-tapping, knee-slapping Marx Brothers musical. Under the direction of BJ Jones, Animal Crackers will run through October 13.

Now in its 10th year, Goodman Theatre's 2013 New Stages festival features five FREE new plays-two fully staged workshop productions performed in repertory plus three staged readings-in the Owen Theatre, December 7 - 22. All five plays celebrate Latino playwrights: The Upstairs Concierge, a contemporary farce about celebrity and baseball by Pulitzer Prize finalist (for The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity) Kristoffer Diaz; and The Solid Sand Below, an examination of the intoxicating nature of war which Martin Zimmerman developed during his time as a member of the Goodman's Playwrights Unit, and which was selected for the 2013 National Playwrights Conference at The Eugene O'Neill Theater Center in Connecticut. The three staged readings, which complement the two workshop productions over the December 13 - 15 "Industry Weekend," are TBA. Tickets are free, but reservations are required: 312.443.3800, GoodmanTheatre.org or visit the box office (170 N. Dearborn).

Rehearsals began Tuesday for Animal Crackers, the first production of Center Stage's 2013-14 Season. This classic American musical comedy is set to feature City Paper Best Actor Bruce Nelson as Groucho Marx playing the ineffable Captain Spaulding. Under the direction of Northlight Theatre Artistic Director BJ Jones-who previously directed Center Stage's smash production of A Skull in Connemara-Animal Crackers begins previews on September 4 and runs through October 13.

The Denver Center Theatre Company will begin selling single tickets to the upcoming 2013/14 season today, August 5.

The 10-play season includes four exhilarating world premieres selected from the 2013 Colorado New Play Summit. Karen Zacarias' adaptation of Helen Thorpe's book Just Like Us, Catherine Trieschmann's comedy The Most Deserving, Matthew Lopez's heartfelt The Legend of Georgia McBride and Marcus Gardley's adaptation of Homer's epic poem, black odyssey, will all take to the stage to dazzle Denver audiences. Also selected for the season is a Pulitzer Prize-winning drama, an adaptation of a Marx Brother's script, Shakespeare's tragic masterpiece, a powerful and poignant love story and the return of a Christmas classic.

Goodman Theatre presents four free staged readings of new plays developed in the Playwrights Unit, a season-long residency program for local writers who meet twice monthly with members of the theater's artistic staff to discuss their plays in progress. Out of this process emerges four brand new plays, which appear in FREE staged readings: Sleeping with the Prince of Darkness: The Imagined Pillow Talk of FBI Agent John O'Neill by Greg Allen (July 20 at 7:30pm); F(law)less by christopher oscar peña (July 21 at 2:30pm); Prowess by Ike Holter (July 21 at 7:30pm); and Ninth Man Out by Alice Austen (August 16 at 7:30pm).

The newly-formed Goodman Innovation Group unites top-tier entrepreneurs with young theater leaders in a collective that injects the start-up mentality into the business of the theater. The 20-member group was developed by Patricia Cox, Goodman Life Trustee and Immediate Past Chairman, along with Chicago entrepreneur Genevieve Thiers, as an opportunity to share ideas between the established non-profit arts organization and Chicago's brand new companies. The goals of the group are to engage young entrepreneurs in the vision, values and programs of Goodman Theatre; create professional development opportunities for the next generation of theater leaders; and identify initiatives emphasizing new technologies and further insights that advance the Goodman's mission and priorities.

Goodman Theatre presents four free staged readings of new plays developed in the Playwrights Unit, a season-long residency program for local writers who meet twice monthly with members of the theater's artistic staff to discuss their plays in progress. Out of this process emerges four brand new plays, which appear in FREE staged readings: Sleeping with the Prince of Darkness: The Imagined Pillow Talk of FBI Agent John O'Neill by Greg Allen (July 20 at 7:30pm); F(law)less by christopher oscar peña (July 21 at 2:30pm); Prowess by Ike Holter (July 21 at 7:30pm); and Ninth Man Out by Alice Austen (August 16 at 7:30pm).

Williamstown Theatre Festival is currently presenting ANIMAL CRACKERS, directed by Henry Wishcamper. BroadwayWorld brings you highlights below!

It may be an economy sized production, but it fills the bill as one of the funniest musical comedies ever conceived. Williamstown Theatre Festival goes all out to deliver a full course of music, theatre and dance for this venerable joyride.

Williamstown Theatre Festival is currently presenting ANIMAL CRACKERS, directed by Henry Wishcamper and opening tonight, June 27. In the video below go behind the scenes of the cast sitzprobe!

Goodman Theatre presents four free staged readings of new plays developed in the Playwrights Unit, a season-long residency program for local writers who meet twice monthly with members of the theater's artistic staff to discuss their plays in progress. Out of this process emerges four brand new plays, which appear in FREE staged readings: Prowess by Ike Holter (July 20 at 2pm); Sleeping with the Prince of Darkness: The Imagined Pillow Talk of FBI Agent John O'Neill by Greg Allen (July 20 at 7:30pm); F(law)less by christopher oscar peña (July 21 at 2:30pm); and Ninth Man Outby Alice Austen (August 16 at 7:30pm).