Northwestern University News

The fifth production of the 2012 Hangar season is a true American classic, Horton Foote's The Trip to Bountiful. This intensely moving and riveting story of acceptance and coming home again will be directed by the Hangar's Associate Artistic Director Stephanie Yankwitt (Hangar's Rounding Third) and features a cast of local favorites including Susannah Berryman (Hangar's Penelope of Ithaca, The Chalk Circle, Cabaret, and The Rainmaker) and Jesse Bush (Hangar's Ever So Humble, Disney's Beauty and the Beast). The Trip to Bountiful will preview September 6, and run September 7 through September 15th.

Now in the forefront of play development, with local writers, KTC presents their 11th World Premiere in only two years, Focus Group Play. Chosen from seven new works, this stand-out production is being directed by Eric Hunicutt.

MARIANNE CHALLIS, an award-winning cabaret singer and one of Broadway's busiest and most respected vocal technicians and voice teachers, died peacefully in her sleep early Wednesday morning at her apartment and voice studio in Manhattan's theatre district.

Vital Theatre Company has announced the world premiere of Fancy Nancy The Musical, opening September 29th, 2012 at the McGinn/Cazale Theatre at 2162 Broadway. With a book by Susan DiLallo, music by Danny Abosch, and direction and choreography by Sam Viverito, Fancy Nancy The Musical is based on the bestselling children's book series by Jane O'Connor and illustrated by Robin Preiss Glasser. This magnifique musical-that's fancy for great show-begins performances on September 29th, 2012 with a "pink carpet" press opening.

The Bats are back and in The Flea Theater's New York premiere production of JOB, written by Thomas Bradshaw and directed by Flea Resident Director Benjamin Kamine. Previews begin tonight, August 31, with opening night slated for Wednesday, September 19.

American Blues Theater (ABT), Chicago's second oldest Equity ensemble, kicks off the Ensemble's 27th season with the world premiere of Illegal Use of Hands by Emmy Award-winner, two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist and ABT Artistic Affiliate James Still, directed by Sandy Shinner, tonight, August 31 - September 30 at Victory Gardens' Richard Christiansen Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Avenue. Press opening for Illegal Use of Hands is Thursday, Sept. 6 at 7 p.m. Tickets range from $10 - $39. Complete ticket information including ticket on-sale date and performance schedule will be announced at a later date.

Transport Group, the Drama Desk and OBIE award-winning theatre company, will present the world premiere of House for Sale by Jonathan Franzen, adapted for the stage and directed by Daniel Fish, beginning previews October 13, 2012 at The Duke on 42nd Street, a New 42nd Street project. The opening night is scheduled for October 21, 2012. House for Sale is scheduled to run through November 18, 2012.

TimeLine Theatre Company opens its 16th season with the Chicago premiere of 33 Variations by Moises Kaufman, directed by Nick Bowling, tonight, August 30 - October 21, 2012 (previews August 24 - 29). Note that performances will be held at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. Chicago. Press Opening performance is Thursday, August 30, 2012 at 7:30 p.m.

The first installment of the four-part series Faces of Curtain Up. An interview with Amy Jakiel, who will be appearing as Marian Paroo in Music Man at Musicalfare Theatre from 9/5-10/14. I met with Amy to discuss this year's role and her career as a performer/director extraordinaire.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. One more Jeff Awards category, new musicals at the Fringe Festival, Broadway Playhouse, Stage 773 and Northwestern, and a cabaret spotlight on Davenport's, Petterino's, 3160 and more!

Composer/lyricist Neil Bartram and book writer Brian Hill, Drama Desk Nominated authors of Broadway's The Story of My Life, will workshop their newest musical Something Wicked This Way Comes, adapted from the novel by Ray Bradbury, with the Weitzenhoffer School of Musical Theatre at the University of Oklahoma in October 2012.

The Chicago Commercial Collective has announced its first production, the remount of the Chicago and Broadway hit drama, A Steady Rain, will tour Wisconsin and Michigan this fall. Currently, A Steady Rain completes its successful nine-week run at the Chicago Dramatists Sunday, Sept. 2.

Now in the forefront of play development, with local writers, KTC presents their 11th World Premiere in only two years, Focus Group Play. Chosen from seven new works, this stand-out production is being directed by Eric Hunicutt.

Azuka Theatre's 13th Season continues the company's tradition of introducing thought-provoking new works to the region. This season will include two World Premieres and one East Coast Premiere.

Award winning play ends short run August 26, 2012

Five powerful productions have been scheduled for Center Theatre Group's 2013 season at the Mark Taper Forum, it was announced today by CTG Artistic Director Michael Ritchie.

Music Theatre of Connecticut School of the Performing Arts in Westport will conduct the College Bound in the Performing Arts Seminar, a crash course in performing arts degree programs for high school performers and their parents, on Saturday, September 15 at 10am in Westport.