Northwestern University News

Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater announces Polly Carl will join the company in a new position as Director of the American Voices New Play Institute (AVNPI) beginning July 1, 2011. As director, Carl will develop and direct all existing staff and activities of the Institute, as well as support the artistic planning, production, development and study of new work by Arena Stage. This position reports to Arena Stage Associate Artistic Director David Dower.

An experienced, talented cast takes on the age-old tradition of matchmaking with a contemporary twist in San Jose Repertory Theatre's world premiere of Love in American Times, by Philip Kan Gotanda. Love in American Times is directed by San Jose Rep's Artistic Director Rick Lombardo, and will run from May 12 through June 5, 2011.

Court Theatre Artistic Director Charles Newell and Executive Director Stephen J. Albert present the Gershwins' Porgy and Bess, directed by Artistic Director Charles Newell, with Artistic Consultant Ron OJ Parson and Music Direction by Doug Peck. Porgy and Bess will run May 12-June 19, 2011 at Court Theatre, 5535 S. Ellis Avenue. Press Opening is Saturday, May 21, 2011 at 8PM.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) premieres Murder for Two-A Killer Musical, created by Joe Kinosian (music/book) and Kellen Blair (lyrics/book), May 12-June 19, 2011, Upstairs at Chicago Shakespeare. This comedic Agatha Christie-like whodunit musical comes with a surprising twist: one actor plays the inspector, the other plays all 10 suspects, and both play the piano. Staged by CST veteran director David H. Bell, this 75-minute premiere features the show's co-creator Joe Kinosian playing the slew of hilarious would-be criminals and Chicago favorite Alan Schmuckler performing the role of the inspector. Tickets for Murder for Two-A Killer Musical Upstairs at Chicago Shakespeare May 12-June 19, 2011, are $25-$30, with special discounts available for groups of 10 or more. All patrons receive a 40% parking discount at Navy Pier garages. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Chicago Shakespeare Theater's Box Office at 312.595.5600 or visit the Theater's website at www.chicagoshakes.com

Court Theatre Artistic Director Charles Newell and Executive Director Stephen J. Albert present the Gershwins' Porgy and Bess, directed by Artistic Director Charles Newell, with Artistic Consultant Ron OJ Parson and Music Direction by Doug Peck. Porgy and Bess will run May 12-June 19, 2011 at Court Theatre, 5535 S. Ellis Avenue. Press Opening is Saturday, May 21, 2011 at 8PM.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) premieres Murder for Two-A Killer Musical, created by Joe Kinosian (music/book) and Kellen Blair (lyrics/book), May 12-June 19, 2011, Upstairs at Chicago Shakespeare. This comedic Agatha Christie-like whodunit musical comes with a surprising twist: one actor plays the inspector, the other plays all 10 suspects, and both play the piano. Staged by CST veteran director David H. Bell, this 75-minute premiere features the show's co-creator Joe Kinosian playing the slew of hilarious would-be criminals and Chicago favorite Alan Schmuckler performing the role of the inspector. Tickets for Murder for Two-A Killer Musical Upstairs at Chicago Shakespeare May 12-June 19, 2011, are $25-$30, with special discounts available for groups of 10 or more. All patrons receive a 40% parking discount at Navy Pier garages. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Chicago Shakespeare Theater's Box Office at 312.595.5600 or visit the Theater's website at www.chicagoshakes.com

New Line Theatre, 'the Bad Boy of Musical Theatre,' now in its 20th season of provocative, alternative musical theatre, has awarded its 2011 musical theatre scholarship to Patrick Beecher, from the Mary Institute and Saint Louis Country Day School (MICDS).

Northwestern University's Dolphin Show, America's largest student-produced musical, is proud to announce its 70th annual production, 42nd Street with music by Harry Warren, lyrics by Al Dublin, and book by Mark Bramble and Michael Stewart.

New Leaf Theatre, in association with Chicago DCA Theater, presents the world premiere of Georgette Kelly's adaptation of Jeanette Winterson's beloved novel Lighthousekeeping.

The Araca Group announces the return of AracaWorks, a week-long series of play readings celebrating new work for the theatre.

The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis; Interim Executive Director Joey Parnes) will present post-show discussions following select performances of KNICKERBOCKER, written by Jonathan Marc Sherman and directed by Pippin Parker. The Public LAB Speaker Series for KNICKERBOCKER will be held following the Tuesday, May 17 and Tuesday, May 24 performances. Tickets are $15 for all performances of KNICKERBOCKER and include free admission to the post-show discussions.

Screen and stage actor, writer, and director Zach Braff will host the Huntington Theatre Company's 2011 Spotlight Spectacular! gala benefit on Monday, May 9, 2011 at the Westin Boston Waterfront Hotel. The event will honor Boston playwright Lydia R. Diamond and Trustee Bill McQuillan with The Wimberly Award, the Huntington's highest honor. The evening's entertainment will be announced shortly.

Presented by the South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC) and Midtown Direct Rep, RATED P makes its long-awaited premiere from Friday, May 5th to Sunday, May 8th at SOPAC.

An experienced, talented cast takes on the age-old tradition of matchmaking with a contemporary twist in San Jose Repertory Theatre's world premiere of Love in American Times, by Philip Kan Gotanda. Love in American Times is directed by San Jose Rep's Artistic Director Rick Lombardo, and will run from May 12 through June 5, 2011.

A country in the midst of the Great Depression and on the brink of World War II seems an unlikely setting for a comedy, but 'Brighton Beach Memoirs,' Neil Simon's heartwarming exploration of the unifying power of family and first loves, continues to draw laughs with its timeless humor

A country in the midst of the Great Depression and on the brink of World War II seems an unlikely setting for a comedy, but 'Brighton Beach Memoirs,' Neil Simon's heartwarming exploration of the unifying power of family and first loves, continues to draw laughs with its timeless humor

In a first-of-its-kind event, an international congress of theater scholars and practitioners are set to chronicle the history and chart the future of Chicago theater in "Chicago - Theatre Capital of America: Past. Present. Future."

Presented by the South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC) and Midtown Direct Rep, RATED P makes its long-awaited premiere from Friday, May 5th to Sunday, May 8th at SOPAC.

Presented by the South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC) and Midtown Direct Rep, RATED P makes its long-awaited premiere from Friday, May 5th to Sunday, May 8th at SOPAC.

Presented by the South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC) and Midtown Direct Rep, RATED P makes its long-awaited premiere from Friday, May 5th to Sunday, May 8th at SOPAC.