Next Theatre Company News

11th Hour Theatre Company continues its Next Step Concert Series with LIZZIE this weekend, November 23-25 at the Caplan Studio Theatre at the University of the Arts (211 South Broad Street).

Next Theatre Company has announced the Midwest premiere of Kirsten Greenidge's Luck of the Irish, January 16 - February 23, 2014, directed by Damon Kiely, at Noyes Cultural Arts Center, 927 Noyes Street. Previews are Thursday, Jan. 16, 2014 at 7:30 p.m., Friday, Jan. 17, 2014 at 8 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 18, 2014 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, Jan. 19, 2014 at 2 p.m. Opening Night is Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2014 at 7 p.m.

Next Theatre Company is proud to announce the Midwest premiere of Kirsten Greenidge's Luck of the Irish, January 16 - February 23, 2014, directed by Damon Kiely, at Noyes Cultural Arts Center, 927 Noyes Street. Previews are Thursday, Jan. 16, 2014 at 7:30 p.m., Friday, Jan. 17, 2014 at 8 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 18, 2014 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, Jan. 19, 2014 at 2 p.m. Opening Night is Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2014 at 7 p.m. The performance schedule is Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. There are Saturday 4 p.m. performances February 1, 8, 15 and 22. Preview tickets are $25. Tickets are $30 - $45 with subscriber and student discounts available. Tickets may be purchased at nexttheatre.org or by calling 847-475-1875 x2.

11th Hour Theatre Company continues its Next Step Concert Series with LIZZIE on November 23-25 at the Caplan Studio Theatre at the University of the Arts (211 South Broad Street). With music by Steve Cheslik-deMeyer and Alan Steven Hewitt, lyrics by Steve Cheslik-deMeyer and Tim Maner, and book by Tim Maner, Lizzie will be directed by Kate Galvan and feature 11th Hour veteran performers Alex Keiper, Cara Noel Antosca, Rachel Brennan, and Meredith Beck with Jamison Foreman leading the rock bank accompaniment.

Next Theatre Company announces the first production in their 33rd season, Rinne Groff's Compulsion, October 10 - November 17, directed by Devon de Mayo, at Noyes Cultural Arts Center, 927 Noyes Street. Previews are Thursday, Oct. 10 at 7:30 p.m., Friday, Oct. 11 at 8 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 12 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 13 at 2 p.m. Opening Night is Tuesday, Oct. 15 at 7 p.m.

Jenny Avery, artistic director, and Jon Arndt, managing director, of Next Theatre Company, have announced Next Theatre Company's 33rd main stage season.

Next Theatre Company announces the first production in their 33rd season, Rinne Groff's Compulsion, October 10 - November 17, directed by Devon de Mayo, at Noyes Cultural Arts Center, 927 Noyes Street. Previews are Thursday, Oct. 10 at 7:30 p.m., Friday, Oct. 11 at 8 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 12 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 13 at 2 p.m. Opening Night is Tuesday, Oct. 15 at 7 p.m. The performance schedule is Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. There are Saturday 4 p.m. performances October 27 and November 3, 10 and 17. Preview tickets are $25, Tickets are $30 - $40 with subscriber and student discounts available. Tickets may be purchased at nexttheatre.org or by calling 847-475-1875 x2.

Lifeline Theatre is proud to announce four new members of its artistic ensemble: Heather Currie, Amanda Delheimer Dimond,Amanda Link, and Maren Robinson. Lifeline's ensemble determines the company's artistic programming and provides leadership, support and counsel in the play development process.

Next Theatre Company announces the first production in their 33rd season, Rinne Groff's Compulsion, October 10 - November 17, directed by Devon de Mayo, at Noyes Cultural Arts Center, 927 Noyes Street. Previews are Thursday, Oct. 10 at 7:30 p.m., Friday, Oct. 11 at 8 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 12 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 13 at 2 p.m. Opening Night is Tuesday, Oct. 15 at 7 p.m. The performance schedule is Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. There are Saturday 4 p.m. performances October 27 and November 3, 10 and 17. Preview tickets are $25, Tickets are $30 - $40 with subscriber and student discounts available. Tickets may be purchased at nexttheatre.org or by calling 847-475-1875 x2.

Deadline reports that Tony nominee Carrie Coon has signed on to David Fincher's upcoming drama Gone GIRL.

Five world premiere plays and three new adaptations seen first by Chicago audiences received Jeff nominations by the Jeff Awards Committee and are among the 166 nominations in 36 categories announced for Chicago Equity theatrical productions opened between August 1, 2012 and July 31, 2013.

FATHER BINGO, a musical comedy written by Bill Nilsson, a Dearborn Heights resident, is scheduled as the opening production for the groups 2013 - 14 season. What makes this a unique opportunity is that the musical has only been present twice previously. FATHER BINGO made it's World Premiere in 2006 at the Detroit Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts. Directed by Debbie Lannen and featuring the Original Vandellas as the Bingo Mamas, it opened to over 3000 ticket holders and acquired a 93% approval rating.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company today announces the appointment of Aaron Carter as the theater's new Director of New Play Development effective July 8, 2013. Carter has served as Steppenwolf's literary manager since 2011.

Co-founders John Stoops, Tim Evans, and Marc Grapey announce the inaugural season of Three Oaks Theater Festival, a new summer theater festival that will bring three limited-engagement runs of highly-acclaimed, professional Chicago-based productions and a World Premiere to audiences in Harbor Country, Michigan. Three Oaks Theater Festival is presented in association with Harbor Arts with special thanks to The Pokagon Fund.

FATHER BINGO, a musical comedy written by Bill Nilsson, a Dearborn Heights resident, is scheduled as the opening production for the groups 2013 - 14 season. What makes this a unique opportunity is that the musical has only been present twice previously. FATHER BINGO made it's World Premiere in 2006 at the Detroit Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts. Directed by Debbie Lannen and featuring the Original Vandellas as the Bingo Mamas, it opened to over 3000 ticket holders and acquired a 93% approval rating.

Today, Coon confirmed the celebratory news to The Capital Times that she and costar Letts are engaged.

Co-founders John Stoops, Tim Evans, and Marc Grapey announce the inaugural season of Three Oaks Theater Festival, a new summer theater festival that will bring three limited-engagement runs of highly-acclaimed, professional Chicago-based productions and a World Premiere to audiences in Harbor Country, Michigan. Three Oaks Theater Festival is presented in association with Harbor Arts with special thanks to The Pokagon Fund.

Following its critically acclaimed Broadway run, AstonRep Theatre Company is pleased to present the Chicago premiere of the Tony Award-nominated Best Play NEXT FALL by Geoffrey Nauffts, directed by Derek Bertelsen, playing April 25 - May 25, 2013 at The BoHo Theatre @ Heartland Studio, 7016 N. Glenwood Ave. in Chicago. NEXT FALL features Mark Jacob Chaitin, Ryan Hamlin, Curtis Jackson, Lona Livingston, Jim Morley and Aja Wiltshire. Tickets are currently available at www.astonrep.com or by calling (773) 828-9129. The press opening is Friday, April 26 at 8 pm.

Jenny Avery, artistic director, and Jon Arndt, managing director, of Next Theatre Company, have announced Next Theatre Company's 33rd main stage season.