Northwestern University News

Kathleen Tolan ("Memory House") has granted the side project the world premiere rights to her exploration of memory, history and music, What to Listen For, opening June 3, 2014. The company will also present the Midwest premiere of Washington State-based playwright/performer Kristen Kosmas' Hello Failure, commencing June 15, as it continues its 2013-14 season of repertory plays. Overall, the June Rep, featuring two of America's most fascinating female playwrights, will explore themes of loss and the search for lasting connections.

"Trouble in Mind" -- Alice Childress' rarely-produced mid-1950s satire about prejudice in a Broadway rehearsal room -- will be staged May 16 through May 25. It also will be the subject of a free symposium at the Fleetwood-Jourdain Community Center on May 7.

Second Stage Theatre's 35th Anniversary Gala celebration just honored Carole Rothman, Artistic Director of Second StageTheatre, for her 35 years of supporting new works and artistic development in New York City theatre. This year's rock n' roll themed gala was attended by over 250 Second Stage Alumni who have worked at Second Stage Theatre during the past 35 years, from Brooke Adams and Polly Draper who appeared in the very first season, to cast members from the currently running The Substance of Fire and the upcoming American Hero which will make its New York premiere this summer at Second Stage Uptown. Special guests participating in the evening's festivities included Lynn Nottage, Cynthia Nixon, Tony Goldwyn, and more. BroadwayWorld brings you more photos from the special evening below! CLICK HERE to check out Part 1.

Second Stage Theatre's 35th Anniversary Gala celebration just honored Carole Rothman, Artistic Director of Second StageTheatre, for her 35 years of supporting new works and artistic development in New York City theatre. This year's rock n' roll themed gala was attended by over 250 Second Stage Alumni who have worked at Second Stage Theatre during the past 35 years, from Brooke Adams and Polly Draper who appeared in the very first season, to cast members from the currently running The Substance of Fire and the upcoming American Hero which will make its New York premiere this summer at Second Stage Uptown. Special guests participating in the evening's festivities include Lynn Nottage, Cynthia Nixon, Tony Goldwyn, and more. BroadwayWorld brings you photos from the special evening below!

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 today, May 6-July 13, 2014 at 325 Tudor Court, Glencoe. The press opening is May 22, 2014 at 7:30pm.

Stage Left Theatre has announced added performance for their hit production of Principal Principle by Joe Zarrow, as well as the programming for its 33rd season - Against the Grain. The company will offer three mainstage productions that center on characters who choose to fight against the expectations placed on them by others - for better or for worse.

The Smithsonian and The Great Courses, a leading developer and marketer of premium-quality media for lifelong learning, announced a 10-year licensing agreement to produce new courses devoted to history, science, culture, travel, music and the arts.

Music Director Riccardo Muti and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra announce the appointments of Wei-Ting Kuo and Danny Lai as the newest members of the viola section, effective May 19, 2014.

Second Stage Theatre's 35th Anniversary Gala celebration will honor Carole Rothman, Artistic Director of Second Stage Theatre, for her 35 years of supporting new works and artistic development in New York City theatre. This year's rock n' roll themed gala will be attended by over 250 Second Stage Alumni who have worked at Second Stage Theatre during the past 35 years, from Brooke Adams and Polly Draper who appeared in the very first season, to cast members from the currently running The Substance of Fire and the upcoming American Hero which will make its New York premiere this summer at Second Stage Uptown. Special guests participating in the evening's festivities include Lynn Nottage, Cynthia Nixon, Tony Goldwyn, and more. Co-Chairs for this year's gala are Tony James, Tony Kiser, and George Loening.

The Los Angeles Children's Chorus (LACC), considered one of the world's leading children's choirs, has received Chorus America's 2014 Margaret Hillis Award for Choral Excellence, the nation's top award for choral music. This extremely prestigious, one-time award is presented annually to an ensemble that demonstrates artistic excellence, a strong organizational structure and a commitment to outreach, educational and culturally diverse activities. Music Director Anne Tomlinson, who studied with Hillis at Northwestern University, will accept the award on behalf of LACC at a luncheon in Washington, D.C., June 12. News of the award comes in conjunction with the chorus announcing the details of its Spring Concert on May 11 and 18, 7 pm, at Pasadena Presbyterian Church.

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 Sound Of Music' and 'The Wizard Of Oz' live, a local 'Ragtime' and 'Avenue Q,' premieres of 'Juno' and 'The Next Thing,' 'Hit The Wall' and 'Waa-Mu' return, CCT announces two world premieres, and Illinois has its high school musical theater champs--plus even more!

The Los Angeles Children's Chorus (LACC), considered one of the world's leading children's choirs, has received Chorus America's 2014 Margaret Hillis Award for Choral Excellence, the nation's top award for choral music. This extremely prestigious, one-time award is presented annually to an ensemble that demonstrates artistic excellence, a strong organizational structure and a commitment to outreach, educational and culturally diverse activities. Music Director Anne Tomlinson, who studied with Hillis at Northwestern University, will accept the award on behalf of LACC at a luncheon in Washington, D.C., June 12. News of the award comes in conjunction with the chorus announcing the details of its Spring Concert on May 11 and 18, 7 pm, at Pasadena Presbyterian Church.

The final performances of a world premiere of a mainstage production based on an epic sea story and a play about an African-American actress who must choose between her principles and a plum role, are among the May events presented by Northwestern University's Virginia Wadsworth Wirtz Center for the Performing Arts -- formerly known as the Theatre and Interpretation Center (TIC) at Northwestern University.

The Chicago Humanities Festival (CHF) announcesJourneys as the theme for the 25th Anniversary Fall Festival. More than 80 programs will take place in and around Chicago Oct. 25-Nov. 9, 2014 as part of the annual arts and ideas festival. Confirmed 2014 presenters include jazz composer-pianist Vijay Iyer, NYU professor and scholar of travel narratives Mary Louise Pratt, Top Chef Masters winnerMarcus Samuelsson, graphic novelist Marjane Satrapi, TV/film actress Victoria Tennant, and author/playwright Colm Toibin. A complete schedule will be released in August at chicagohumanities.org/journeys. Tickets to the 25th Anniversary Chicago Humanities Festival go on sale to CHF members on Tuesday, Sept. 2 and to the general public on Monday, Sept. 8.

I hardly know where to begin in describing the beautiful, world-class, but dramatically uneven production of the beloved and immortal 'The Sound of Music' that opened at the Civic Opera House over the weekend. All the resources of Lyric Opera of Chicago have been brought to bear on a brand-new production of a title that is known throughout the world, and the result is occasionally thrilling--a feast for the eyes, and usually one for the ears as well.

Coming up this week, 54 BELOW, the performance venue located just below the legendary Studio 54 at 254 West 54th Street, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz and beyond:

Red Theater Chicago announces the addition of five company members: Victoria Alvarez-Chacon, J.W. Basilo, Erin Haddock and Jeff Kurys.

WAKE, written by New York-based Carey Crim, will have its west coast premiere presented by LA's critically acclaimed SeaGlass Theatre company today, April 26 through Sunday, May 25, 2014 at the beautiful Fremont Centre Theatre in South Pasadena, CA, it was announced by Ovation nominated actor and SeaGlass Theatre Managing Director Paul Stroili, along with SeaGlass Artistic Director Kimberly Van Luin. WAKE'S five all-star member ensemble will feature Nancy Berggren, Alison Blanchard, Michael Connors, Allie Costa, and Lauren McCormack. Matt Kirkwood has been set to direct.