Northwestern University News

The Chicago Commercial Collective today announced the return of the Chicago and Broadway hit drama, A Steady Rain, with its original cast and crew to the Chicago Dramatists, 1105 W. Chicago Ave.

The Marriott Theatre (10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire) presents HERO, a new musical written by Aaron Thielen with music and lyrics by Michael Mahler, previewing June 20, opening June 27 at 8 p.m. and running through August 19, 2012. Eleven-time Jeff award-winner David H. Bell directs and choreographs. Erich Bergen (JERSEY BOYS, Nat'l Tour) stars as Hero Batowski.

Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company will announce the hire of Jocelyn Prince as the theatre's new Connectivity Director.

Barrington Stage Company will present the New England premiere of British playwright's Duncan Macmillan's acclaimed new drama Lungs. Lungs opens the newly named St. Germain Stage (formerly Stage 2) from May 23 through June 10, and the press opening is Sunday, May 27 at 3pm. St. Germain Stage is located on the upper level of the Sydelle and Lee Blatt Performing Arts Center, 36 Linden Street, Pittsfield.

Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Aaron Jay Kernis has been selected as the 2012 winner of the Michael Ludwig Nemmers Prize in Music Composition at the Bienen School of Music at Northwestern University, Dean Toni-Marie Montgomery announced today. In connection with the Nemmers Prize, Kernis will be in residence at Northwestern for four weeks each throughout the 2012-13 and 2013-14 seasons, during which time he will undertake various educational activities. The prize will be formally awarded to Kernis in a ceremony to take place during his final weeks at the University.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company hosts an evening of conversation tonight, May 7, between two exceptional students of American theater: renowned journalist and former New York Times drama critic Frank Rich and Steppenwolf Artistic Director Martha Lavey. Inspired by Steppenwolf's season theme, "Dispatches from the Homefront," their onstage discussion offers a unique perspective on culture and world events. Following the conversation, the audience has the opportunity to ask questions of Rich and Lavey.

Northlight Theatre, under the direction of Artistic Director BJ Jones and Executive Director Timothy J. Evans, presents [title of show] with music and lyric by Jeff Bowen and the book by Hunter Bell, directed by Peter Amster. The production runs tonight, May 4 - June 10, 2012 at Northlight Theatre, 9501 Skokie Blvd. The press opening is on Friday, May 11, 2012. Tickets for [title of show],$25-60, are available by phone at 847.673.6300, or online at northlight.org. Young Adult tickets (25 and under) are $10 (one per person with valid ID).

Mirror Stage continues reflecting the diversity of the community on stage in high quality, progressive productions that play it smart without always playing it safe with West Coast premiere reading of The Anatomy of Pain on Saturday, May 19 at 8pm and Sunday, May 20 at 2pm at the Ethnic Cultural Theatre in Seattle. Feed Your Mind: The Anatomy of Pain will be directed by Suzanne M. Cohen and feature McKenzie Clifford (Maty), Ryan Dominguez (Detective Gutierrez), Macall Gordon (Grace), Troy Johnson (Lt. Burch/Bruce), Eleanor Moseley (Nancy) and Kevin Tighe (Fredrik).

Mirror Stage will present the West Coast premiere reading of Mia McCullough's The Anatomy of Pain on Saturday, May 19 at 8pm and Sunday, May 20 at 2pm at the Ethnic Cultural Theatre in Seattle. Feed Your Mind: The Anatomy of Pain will be directed by Suzanne M. Cohen and feature McKenzie Clifford (Maty), Ryan Dominguez (Detective Gutierrez), Macall Gordon (Grace), Troy Johnson (Lt. Burch/Bruce), Eleanor Moseley (Nancy) and John Wray(Fredrik).

Today, Actors Theatre of Louisville's Artistic Director Les Waters and Managing Director Jennifer Bielstein announce the appointment of Meredith McDonough as the Theatre's Associate Artistic Director.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Jessie Mueller, 'Cats,' '[title of show],' David Cromer's 'Rent' 'The Marvin Gaye Story,' 'Fame' seeks a tenor and more....

The Johnny Mercer Foundation and the American Music Theatre Project at Northwestern University will once again produce a weeklong songwriting intensive for emerging songwriters and writing teams, 18-30 led by award-winning master teachers Andrew Lippa, Craig Carnelia and Lari White.

This June Steppenwolf Theatre Company will present the second annual Next Up: three productions presented in rotating repertory, June 5 - 24, 2012 in The Steppenwolf Garage (1624 N Halsted St). Next Up is presented in collaboration with Northwestern University's MFA programs in Direction and Design, and features the work of graduates of those programs with casts of professional Chicago actors: Life and Limbby Keith Reddin, directed by Emily Campbell; South of Settling by Emily Schwend, directed by Adam Goldstein; and The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams, directed by Laley Lippard. The directors and designers make their Steppenwolf debut under the mentorship of Steppenwolf staff and artists, including ensemble member Anna D. Shapiro and scenic designer Todd Rosenthal-both members of the Northwestern faculty-as well as Steppenwolf Associate Artistic Director Erica Daniels.

TimeLine Theatre Company, named one of the nation's top 10 emerging professional theatres by the American Theatre Wing, founder of the Tony Awards®, presents the world premiere of My Kind of Town by John Conroy, directed by Nick Bowling, May 11 - July 29, 2012 (previews May 1 - 10) at TimeLine Theatre, 615 W. Wellington Ave., Chicago.

The 39th annual edition of the Chicago area's Bach Week Festival, where Baroque music lovers luxuriate in diverse works of Johann Sebastian Bach, will present a signature blend of solo, concerto, orchestral, and choral performances in concerts tonight April 27, May 4, and May 6 in Evanston.

Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago (GJDC) and Point Park University will present Jazz Dance World Congress 2012, an international consortium of dancers and teachers to further the legacy of jazz dance and education. This five day educational event unites teachers, dancers, and choreographers from all over the world and will take place on the campus of Point Park University in Pittsburgh, Pa. from August 1-5, 2012, with additional classes and performances at the August Wilson Center for African American Culture and the Byham Theater.

Northlight Theatre, under the direction of Artistic Director BJ Jones and Executive Director Timothy J. Evans, presents [title of show] with music and lyric by Jeff Bowen and the book by Hunter Bell, directed by Peter Amster. The production runs May 4 - June 10, 2012 at Northlight Theatre, 9501 Skokie Blvd. The press opening is on Friday, May 11, 2012. Tickets for [title of show],$25-60, are available by phone at 847.673.6300, or online at northlight.org. Young Adult tickets (25 and under) are $10 (one per person with valid ID).