Keith Reddin News

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.

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.

Chicago's Eclipse Theatre Company, the Midwest's only theatre company to focus on a single playwright each season, will feature the works of award-winning American playwright Terrence McNally for their 2015 Season. Eclipse will explore the range of McNally's output with three full productions, plus readings and public events about the playwright.

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.

Goodman Theatre begins its landmark 90th season with an All-New Fall, two months of new American plays, each of which was developed in the theater's new play programs. Tonight, Smokefall -- playwright Noah Haidle's box office record-breaker that debuted last year in the Goodman's smaller Owen Theatre to enormous critical and popular acclaim -- opens on the Albert Theatre mainstage, directed by Anne Kauffman with original company intact, and runs through October 26.

Two Rivers Theater is presenting Moliere's 'School for Wives' through October 5th. Directed by Mark Wing-Davy and starring Robert Stanton, this play is a production sure to please metropolitan area audiences.

MCC Theater presents the world premiere of MCC Playwright-in-Residence Neil LaBute's new play, The Money Shot, directed by Terry Kinney, extended due to popular demand now through October 19, 2014. The production was originally scheduled to close on October 12, 2014. The Money Shot stars Emmy Award nominee Elizabeth Reaser, Golden Globe nominee Callie Thorne, Frederick Weller and Gia Crovatin. Performances began at the Lucille Lortel Theatre (121 Christopher Street, NYC) on September 4, 2014. The official opening is set for tonight, September 22, 2014.

Two River Theater, under the leadership of Artistic Director John Dias and Managing Director Michael Hurst, presents Moliere's classic comedy The School for Wives, translated into English verse by Richard Wilbur and directed by Mark Wing-Davey. Performances will begin in Two River's Rechnitz Theater, 21 Bridge Avenue, today, September 13 and continue through Sunday, October 5. The opening night performance is Friday, September 19 at 8pm.

MCC THEATER has announced that the world premiere of MCC Playwright-in-Residence Neil LaBute's new play, The Money Shot, directed by Terry Kinney, has been extended due to popular demand now through October 19, 2014. The production was originally scheduled to close on October 12, 2014. The Money Shot stars Emmy Award nominee Elizabeth Reaser, Golden Globe nominee Callie Thorne, Frederick Weller and Gia Crovatin. Performances began at the Lucille Lortel Theatre (121 Christopher Street, NYC) on September 4, 2014. An official opening is set for September 22, 2014. Tickets are now on sale. For info, please visit www.mcctheater.org.

Elizabeth Reaser, Gia Crovatin, Golden Globe nominee Callie Thorne, and Frederick Weller star in the world premiere of MCC Playwright-in-Residence Neil LaBute's new play, The Money Shot, directed by Terry Kinney. Performances for The Money Shot begin at the Lucille Lortel Theatre (121 Christopher Street, NYC) tonight, September 4, 2014. An official opening is set for September 22, 2014 and it is currently scheduled through October 12, 2014.

Screen and stage star Elizabeth Reaser, best known for her performances in the blockbuster Twilight film franchise and her season-long arc on 'Grey's Anatomy,' will step into its upcoming production of The Money Shot for the departing Heather Graham, who exits the production due to a late-breaking opportunity to begin production on a passion project.

Two River Theater, under the leadership of Artistic Director John Dias and Managing Director Michael Hurst, announces the full cast and creative team for its production of Moliere's classic comedy The School for Wives, translated into English verse by Richard Wilbur and directed by Mark Wing-Davey. Performances will begin in Two River's Rechnitz Theater, 21 Bridge Avenue, on Saturday, September 13 and continue through Sunday, October 5. The opening night performance is Friday, September 19 at 8pm.

Samuel French previously announced a talented roster of judges for the Samuel French Off Off Broadway Short Play Festival (OOB Festival), the nation's premiere short play competition, running from today, August 5th-10th at the Peter Jay Sharp Theatre.

MCC THEATER (Robert LuPone, Bernard Telsey, William Cantler, Artistic Directors; Blake West, Executive Director) just announced that film star Heather Graham, Gia Crovatin, Golden Globe nominee Callie Thorne, and Frederick Weller will star in the world premiere of MCC Playwright-in-Residence Neil LaBute's new play, The Money Shot, directed by Terry Kinney. Performances for The Money Shot begin at the Lucille Lortel Theatre (121 Christopher Street, NYC) on September 4, 2014. An official opening is set for September 22, 2014and it is currently scheduled through October 12, 2014. Tickets are now on sale. For info, please visit www.mcctheater.org.

Samuel French has announced a talented roster of judges for the Samuel French Off Off Broadway Short Play Festival (OOB Festival), the nation's premiere short play competition, running from August 5th-10th at the Peter Jay Sharp Theatre.

Bay Street Theater is pleased to announce that the Tony award-winning comedy TRAVESTIES, by Tom Stoppard, is now on stage through July 20. The production is directed by Gregory Boyd. Tickets can be purchased online now at www.baystreet.org or by calling the Box Office at 631-725-9500, 11 am to Showtime. For more information about Bay Street Theater log on to www.baystreet.org.

Tony Award-winning comedy Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike will feature Resident Actor Jeffrey Bean as Vanya, Sharon Lockwood returning to the Alley as Sonia, Alley Artist Josie de Guzman returning as Masha, and Resident Actor Jay Sullivan as Spike. Rounding out the cast and making their Alley debuts are Rachael Holmes as Cassandra and Sarah Nealis as Nina. Jonathan Moscone, Artistic Director of California Shakespeare Theater, helms the production and returns after having directed the Alley's 2011 production of Amadeus.

Rattlestick Playwrights Theater's Artistic Director David Van Asselt and Managing Director Brian Long have announced that following strong reviews, the New York premiere of The Few, written by Samuel D. Hunter (Backstage's 2014 Future Broadway Power List) and directed by Davis McCallum, will extend two weeks through Saturday, June 21 at Rattlestick Playwrights Theater, 224 Waverly Place.

Alley Theatre Artistic Director Gregory Boyd announces the cast and creative team for Pulitzer Prize winner David Lindsay-Abaire's Good People. Nominated for a Tony Award for Best Play, the cast of Good People includes Alley Theatre Resident Actors Elizabeth Bunch as Margaret, Chris Hutchison as Mike and Melissa Pritchett as Jean. Rounding out the cast are Dylan Godwin, returning to the Alley as Stevie after appearing in the world premiere of Ether Dome; Jennifer Harmon as Dottie, having previously appeared in August: Osage County; and Krystel Lucas making her Alley debut as Kate. Alley Theatre Associate Director James Black directs this production.

Rattlestick Playwrights Theater Artistic Director David Van Asselt and Managing Director Brian Long present the New York premiere of The Few, written by Samuel D. Hunter and directed by Davis McCallum, at Rattlestick Playwrights Theater, 224 Waverly Place. The official opening night is set for tonight, May 8 at 7pm; The Few is scheduled to run through Sunday, June 8.