Northwestern University News

The Chicago Humanities Festival (CHF) announces its Winter 2014 programs: featuring critically acclaimed authors Gary Shteyngart, Karen Russell, and Mohsin Hamid. Kicking off the new year, writer Gary Shteyngart will discuss his just-published memoir Little Failure with Chicago literary star Aleksandar Hemon on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2014. Following in February, The New Yorker '20 Under 40' writer and MacArthur Fellow Karen Russell will talk about her latest book Vampires in the Lemon Grove with Time Out Chicago's Laura Pearson on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2014. Concluding in March, The New York Times bestselling author Mohsin Hamid will speak about his most recent novel How to Get Filthy Rich in Rising Asia, on Tuesday, March 11, 2014. All events will take place at 6 p.m. at First United Methodist Church at The Chicago Temple (77 W Washington St). Tickets will go on sale to CHF Members Wednesday, Dec. 4 at 10 a.m. and to the public Monday, Dec. 9 at 10 a.m. Visit chicagohumanities.org for more information.

Short Story Theatre, a local storytelling troupe of writers and performers, will present an evening of storytelling tonight, November 14, 2013, at 7:00 p.m. at Cellar Gate Wine Bar, 524 Sheridan Road in Highwood. Storytellers include former network news producer, adman and songwriter Rick Leslie of Highland Park, novelist Ron Levitsky of Lake Forest, and writing coach Denise Kirshenbaum of Wilmette.

Two distinguished American pianists-Ursula Oppens and Robert Levin-will team up to perform selections of piano works by the celebrated British-American composer Bernard Rands on Thursday evening, December 5th at 7:30 p.m. at the Leonard Nimoy Thalia at Symphony Space, 2537 Broadway, New York, NY.

Profiles Theatre announces that actor Paul Dillon returns to the role he originated in the 1992 world premiere of Hellcab by Will Kern for Profiles' holiday season revival of their hit production. Once again, Profiles Artistic Director Darrell W. Cox returns to direct a cast of 34 with Dillon joining the cast as the beleaguered cab driver and ensemble member Eric Burgher assistant directing. Profiles' production runs at The Main Stage, 4139 N. Broadway, tonight, November 8, 2013 - January 12, 2014. Please note new opening date: Wednesday, November 13, at 8:00 pm.

Continuing its 26th Season, Lookingglass Theatre Company presents The Little Prince, produced in Association with The Actors Gymnasium, by Rick Cummins and John Scoullar, based on the book by Antoine de Saint-Exupery, and directed by Ensemble Member David Catlin. The Little Prince runs December 5, 2013 - February 2, 2014 at Lookingglass Theatre Company, located inside Chicago's historic Water Tower Water Works, 821 N. Michigan Ave. at Pearson. The Press Opening is Saturday, December 14, 2013 at 7:30 p.m.

CELEBRATION THEATRE in association with Bruce W. Zisterer, Nicholas Caprio, Cameron Faber, Samantha Kern & Todd Milliner are thrilled to announce that the critically-acclaimed, West Coast premiere of THE HOMOSEXUALS, written by Philip Dawkins and directed by Michael Matthews is EXTENNDING through Saturday, December 21 at the Atwater Village Theatre, 3269 Casitas Ave. in Los Angeles, 90039. THE HOMOSEXUALS is a wildly funny and heartwarming play that explores various friendships through the lens of sexual tension. On his first night in a Mid-western city, Evan meets a circle of men who become his closest friends and potential lovers. This Joseph Jefferson award nominee for Best New Work is for anyone who's ever fallen in love with a friend. In other words, it's a play for everyone, straights, homosexuals and everyone in between!

Two boys and their parents find themselves at the center of an emotional storm in Joel Drake Johnson's play A Queer Kiss, being given its world premiere by the Deep Dish Theater Company through November 16. Directed by Artistic Director Paul Frellick, the play continues the company's thirteenth season at University Mall. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

The Chicago Humanities Festival (CHF) announced casting today for two theatrical productions in November: White Rabbit, Red Rabbit, the Iranian absurdist play about isolation co-presented with the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA), running today, Nov. 3-9, 2013, and Birds Do It, Bees Do It..., the annual cabaret performance Nov. 5, 2013, created by Rob Lindley and Doug Peck.

Short Story Theatre, a local storytelling troupe of writers and performers, will present an evening of storytelling on Thursday, November 14, 2013, at 7:00 p.m. at Cellar Gate Wine Bar, 524 Sheridan Road in Highwood. Storytellers include former network news producer, adman and songwriter Rick Leslie of Highland Park, novelist Ron Levitsky of Lake Forest, and writing coach Denise Kirshenbaum of Wilmette.

Pride and Prejudice," Jane Austen's timeless tale of manners and romance will be performed as part of the 2013-14 Mainstage Season at the Theatre and Interpretation Center at Northwestern University. First published in 1813, Austen's novel has sold more than 20 million copies worldwide.

Natya Dance Theatre, Chicago's critically-acclaimed and longest running Dance Company rooted in the Indian dance-theater technique of Bharata Natyam, returns to the Harris Theater with the World Premiere of The Seventh Love, an exploration of love in eastern teachings based on the life of the god Krishna. The Seventh Love is conceived by Natya Associate Artistic Director Krithika Rajagopalan in collaboration with David Kersnar, a founding member of Chicago's Tony Award-winning Lookingglass Theatre, and is written and directed by Kersnar and choreographed by Natya Founder and Artistic Director Hema Rajagopalan. Natya presents The Seventh Love in one performance only at the Harris Theater, 205 E. Randolph Street, tonight, November 2 at 7:30 pm.

A musical based on a children's classic that won a Newberry Honor Book award and speaks to the hearts of anyone who has ever needed a friend will kick off the Theatre and Interpretation Center at Northwestern University's 2013-14 Imagine U Family Series.

NEW YORK FESTIVAL OF SONG, Steven Blier, Artistic Director • Michael Barrett, Associate Artistic Director, opens its 2013-14 Mainstage series at Merkin Concert Hall, Kaufman Music Center with 'NED IS NINETY', a musical 90th birthday for American icon (and guest of honor) Ned Rorem.

Curious Theatre Company, in association with the National New Play Network (NNPN), presents Steven Dietz's Rancho Mirage, directed by Artistic Company Member Christopher Leo. The production runs October 31 - December 7, 2013 at 1080 Acoma Street, Denver. The opening night is November 2, 2013, at 8 p.m.

PITTSBURGH—The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra's Composer of the Year for the 2013-2014 season is eight composers—all of them based in Pittsburgh and connected to higher education.

Clybourne Park By Bruce Norris Directed by Steve Scott is extending through Sunday, November 24. This production is Jeff Recommended. The first Chicago storefront production of the Pulitzer Prize-winning drama featuring Redtwist leading man and Jeff-Award-winner, Brian Parry, and company members, Jan Ellen Graves and Michael Sherwin.

Worst. Thanksgiving. Ever. A family gathering to celebrate the iconic American holiday turns into a scathing indictment of phony liberal values in The Pain and the Itch by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Bruce Norris (Clybourne Park), continuing through Dec. 1 at the Zephyr Theatre.