Ora Jones News

Steppenwolf Theatre Company continues its 2014/15 Subscription Season with the Chicago premiere production of Marie Antoinette, a modern, witty portrayal of the young queen of France by David Adjmi and directed by Robert O'Hara. The cast features ensemble members Alana Arenas as Marie Antoinette, Tim Hopper as her husband Louis XVI and Alan Wilder as Sheep. Ericka Ratcliff takes on the role of Yolande de Polignac and Mrs. Sauce replacing previously announced ensemble member Ora Jones who had an artistic scheduling conflict.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company continues its 2014/15 Subscription Season with the Chicago premiere production of Marie Antoinette, a modern, witty portrayal of the young queen of France by David Adjmi and directed by Robert O'Hara. The cast features ensemble members Alana Arenas as Marie Antoinette, Tim Hopper as her husband Louis XVI and Alan Wilder as Sheep.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company kicks off the New Year with the Chicago premiere production of Marie Antoinette (February 5, 2015 - May 10, 2015), a modern, witty take on the young queen of France by David Adjmi (Elective Affinities, 3C) and directed by Robert O'Hara (Bootycandy). Next is the US premiere of The Herd (April 2, 2015 - June 7, 2015), the deftly comic story of a suburban English family by actor-playwright Rory Kinnear. Ensemble member and Tony Award winner Frank Galati directs in place of previously announced director K. Todd Freeman, who had an artistic scheduling conflict. Ensemble member Lois Smith joins the cast of The Herd, which features fellow ensemble members Francis Guinan and John Mahoney.

Stacy Sullivan tells the audience she became interested in Marian McPartland when she was asked to sing at her memorial in 2013. With her show last Saturday night at Don't Tell Mama, On The Air: Songs for Marian McPartland (which enjoyed a late September run of four shows at the York Theatre), the multi MAC-award winning Sullivan has created a beautifully crafted, biographically-driven show featuring the original music, the history, and the life of a jazz icon, who was best known for hosting Piano Jazz on National Public Radio from 1978-2011. Now Stacy Sullivan has made us all interested in the amazing Marian McPartland.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company kicks off the New Year with the Chicago premiere production of Marie Antoinette (February 5, 2015 - May 10, 2015), a modern, witty take on the young queen of France by David Adjmi (Elective Affinities, 3C) and directed by Robert O'Hara (Bootycandy). Next is the US premiere of The Herd (April 2, 2015 - June 7, 2015), the deftly comic story of a suburban English family by actor-playwright Rory Kinnear. Ensemble member and Tony Award winner Frank Galati directs in place of previously announced director K. Todd Freeman, who had an artistic scheduling conflict. Ensemble member Lois Smith joins the cast of The Herd, which features fellow ensemble members Francis Guinan and John Mahoney.

TimeLine Theatre Company in collaboration with North Grand High School will present a staged reading of its acclaimed 2012 hit My Kind of Town, Monday, November 10 at 6 p.m. at North Grand High School, 4338 W. Wabansia Ave., Chicago.

Marie Antoinette begins previews February 5, 2015 (Opening night is February 15, 2015; Press performances are February 14 at 3pm and February 17 at 7:30pm) and runs through May 10, 2015 in Steppenwolf's Upstairs Theatre (1650 N Halsted St).

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) announces today the casting and creative team for William Shakespeare's riveting odyssey Pericles, staged by CST veteran director David H. Bell and featuring Stratford Festival company member Ben Carlson in the title role.

Rivendell Theatre Ensemble announces its 2014-15 Season, opening with ensemble member Megan Carney's WOMEN AT WAR directed by Artistic Director Tara Mallen; the World Premiere of Look We Are Breathing by Laura Jacqmin, directed by Megan Schuchman; the remount of Rasheeda Speaking written by Joel Drake Johnson, and directed by Sandy Shinner in the Steppenwolf Garage; and the Midwest Premiere Catherine Trieschmann's How the World Began.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) along with Chicago's civic and cultural leaders celebrate William Shakespeare's 450th Birthday with the premiere of 'Our City, Our Shakespeare,' a documentary exploring Shakespeare's enduring presence in Chicago, featuring Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Art Institute of Chicago, Joffrey Ballet, among others. Produced by Emmy award-winning HMS Media, the program premieres May 1 at 8:00 p.m. on WTTW Channel 11. Shakespeare's 450th birthday on April 23 begins the internationally recognized Shakespeare Quadricentennial Celebration through 2016, marking 400 years of Shakespeare's legacy since his death in 1616. On this occasion, Chicago's cultural community heralds the prolific poet and playwright's lasting impact on our lives-through our everyday speech and in cultural institutions, schools and neighborhoods across the city.

The Steppenwolf Theatre Company Ensemble has announced its newest member, playwright Bruce Norris. Among his many accomplishments, Norris is the author of The Qualms, playing July 3 - August 31 in Steppenwolf's Downstairs Theatre. Since 2000, Steppenwolf has produced seven of Norris's plays, including Clybourne Park and the world premieres of A Parallelogram, The Unmentionables, The Pain and the Itch, We All Went Down to Amsterdam, Purple Heart and The Infidel.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company Artistic Director Martha Lavey announced today the 2014/15 Subscription Season, including a series of premieres; one remaining title will be announced at a later date. The season begins in Steppenwolf's Downstairs Theatre with Conor McPherson's The Night Alive, directed by Henry Wishcamper. Up next, Joe Mantello directs the world premiere of Airline Highway by Lisa D'Amour. In the Upstairs Theatre, Robert O'Hara directs Marie Antoinette by David Adjmi. And in April 2015, ensemble member K. Todd Freeman directs The Herd by Rory Kinnear.

Rivendell Theatre Ensemble (RTE), Chicago's only Equity theatre devoted to the work of women theatre artists, announces the world premiere of Joel Drake Johnson's Rasheeda Speaking, directed by Sandy Shinner. Rasheeda Speaking features RTE Artistic Director Tara Mallen and Steppenwolf Ensemble member Ora Jones and runs January 9 - February 15, 2014 at Rivendell's performance venue, 5779 N. Ridge. Opening Night was Sunday, Jan. 19, 2014 at 6 p.m. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Rivendell Theatre Ensemble (RTE), Chicago's only Equity theatre devoted to the work of women theatre artists, announces the world premiere of Joel Drake Johnson's Rasheeda Speaking, directed by Sandy Shinner. Rasheeda Speaking features RTE Artistic Director Tara Mallen and Steppenwolf Ensemble member Ora Jones and runs today, January 9 - February 15, 2014 at Rivendell's performance venue, 5779 N. Ridge.

Rivendell Theatre Ensemble (RTE), Chicago's only Equity theatre devoted to the work of women theatre artists, announces the world premiere of Joel Drake Johnson's Rasheeda Speaking, directed by Sandy Shinner. Rasheeda Speaking features RTE Artistic Director Tara Mallen and Steppenwolf Ensemble member Ora Jones and runs tonight, January 9 - February 15, 2014 at Rivendell's performance venue.

Rivendell Theatre Ensemble (RTE), Chicago's only Equity theatre devoted to the work of women theatre artists, announces the world premiere of Joel Drake Johnson's Rasheeda Speaking, directed by Sandy Shinner. Rasheeda Speaking features RTE Artistic Director Tara Mallen and Steppenwolf Ensemble member Ora Jones and runs January 9 - February 15, 2014 at Rivendell's performance venue, 5779 N. Ridge. Previews are Thursday, Jan. 9 - Saturday, Jan. 11 and Wednesday, Jan. 15 -Friday Jan. 17, 2014 at 8 p.m. Press Opening is Saturday, Jan. 18, 2014 at 7 p.m. with Opening Night Sunday, Jan. 19, 2014 at 6 p.m. The performance schedule is Thursdays and Fridays at 8 p.m. and Saturdays at 4 and 8 p.m. There are additional Wednesday performances January 22 and 29 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $20 for previews and $30 for all other performances and may be purchased online at www.RivendellTheatre.org or by phone, 773.334.7728.

Rivendell Theatre Ensemble (RTE), Chicago's only Equity theatre devoted to the work of women theatre artists, announces the world premiere of Joel Drake Johnson's Rasheeda Speaking, directed by Sandy Shinner. Rasheeda Speaking features RTE Artistic Director Tara Mallen and Steppenwolf Ensemble member Ora Jones and runs January 9 - February 15, 2014 at Rivendell's performance venue, 5779 N. Ridge. Previews are Thursday, Jan. 9 - Saturday, Jan. 11 and Wednesday, Jan. 15 -Friday Jan. 17, 2014 at 8 p.m. Press Opening is Saturday, Jan. 18, 2014 at 7 p.m. with Opening Night Sunday, Jan. 19, 2014 at 6 p.m. The performance schedule is Thursdays and Fridays at 8 p.m. and Saturdays at 4 and 8 p.m. There are additional Wednesday performances January 22 and 29 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $20 for previews and $30 for all other performances and may be purchased online at www.RivendellTheatre.org or by phone, 773.334.7728.