Paul Chakrin News

Full cast and production team have been announced for City Lit’s season-closing production of MURDER IN THE CATHEDRAL by T.S. Eliot, the Nobel Prize winner considered to be one of the 20th Century’s greatest poets.

The cast and crew have been announced for the World Premiere adaptation of THE NIGHT OF THE HUNTER, opening on October 29. Brian Pastor will direct Shawna Tucker's original adaptation of the Davis Grubb novel. Get event and ticket information here!

Full casting and production team have been announced for City Lit’s forty-third season opener - the world premiere of THE INNOCENCE OF SEDUCTION by Chicago playwright Mark Pracht. It is the second play in his projected “Four-Color Trilogy” of plays set during the early years of the comic book industry. The first play in the trilogy, THE MARK OF KANE, opened City Lit’s forty-second season. 

The Impostors Theatre Company (ITC) continues their fourth season with the world premiere of Windwalkers, written and directed by ITC Artistic Director Stefan Roseen.

Kristine Thatcher's VOICE OF GOOD HOPE is a bio-drama of Barbara Jordan, the first African American congresswoman from the Deep South. Jordan earned national stature in the 1970's as a member of the House Judiciary Committee that considered articles of impeachment against Richard Nixon and as the keynote speaker of the 1976 Democratic National Convention. Kristine Thatcher, who is City Lit's playwright-in-residence, was nominated for Best New Work in the 2019 Jeff Awards for her play, THE SAFE HOUSE, which premiered at City Lit last fall. VOICE OF GOOD HOPE premiered at Victory Gardens Theater in 2000 and has been produced across the US since then.

Cast and design team have been announced for City Lit Theater's second production of the 2019-2020 season, Kristine Thatcher's VOICE OF GOOD HOPE, a bio-drama of Barbara Jordan, the first African American congresswoman from the Deep South. Jordan earned national stature in the 1970's as a member of the House Judiciary Committee that considered articles of impeachment against Richard Nixon and as the keynote speaker of the 1976 Democratic National Convention. Kristine Thatcher, who is City Lit's playwright-in-residence, was nominated for Best New Work in the 2019 Jeff Awards for her play, THE SAFE HOUSE, which premiered at City Lit last fall. VOICE OF GOOD HOPE premiered at Victory Gardens Theater in 2000 and has been produced across the US since then. Press opening is Sunday, January 19, 2020.  

Full casting was announced today for City Lit's commissioned world premiere of THE SAFE HOUSE, by the Chicago-based playwright, director and actor Kristine Thatcher. In this play commissioned by City Lit, 32-year-old Bridget has come back home for a visit to Lansing, Michigan from New York City, where she has been getting by--but not better than that--as an actress.  She is staying with her widowed grandmother Hannah, whose forgetfulness and declining physical abilities have begun to concern Bridget's uncle Matt. But in her own way, Hannah may just be the strongest member of the family. Thatcher's play, set in 1982, is a study in the sometimes unexpected ways families can support each other as they adapt to life changes and make peace with the past. Terry McCabe is directing this world premiere opening November 11, 2018, following previews from November 2.

Lifeline Theatre presents Neil Gaiman's Neverwhere, adapted by ensemble member Robert Kauzlaric and directed by Pegasus Theatre Executive Artistic Director Ilesa Duncan.

Lifeline Theatre presents Neil Gaiman's Neverwhere, adapted by ensemble member Robert Kauzlaric and directed by Pegasus Theatre Executive Artistic Director Ilesa Duncan.

Douglas Post's Forty-Two Stories, a comedy set in a Lake Shore Drive high-rise condominium, will receive its world premiere full production as the third show in City Lit Theatre's 2016-17 season. The press opening will be Sunday, April 23rd at 3 pm following previews from April 14-22nd.

Douglas Post's Forty-Two Stories, a comedy set in a Lake Shore Drive high-rise condominium, will receive its world premiere full production as the third show in City Lit Theatre's 2016-17 season. The press opening will be Sunday, April 23rd at 3 pm following previews from April 14-22nd.

 BrightSide Theatre, Naperville's only professional theatre performing in the historic downtown district, continues its celebration of our fifth anniversary with a season of farce. The laughs continue when we return to the playwright who authored BrightSide Theatre's inaugural show 'Run For Your Wife' with this hilarious farce - Not, Now Darling, will perform at the Theatre at Meiley-Swallow Hall at North Central College, 31 S. Ellsworth Street in Naperville February 19-March 6, 2016.  Tickets are on sale now at www.brightsidetheatre.com, or by phone at 630-447-TIXS (8497).  The press performance is Friday, February 19 at 8pm.

To open its 2014-15 season, the Saint Sebastian Players (SSP) present a world premiere that stays close to home, in terms of its author and its setting.

Circle Theatre recently opened its newest production of Marvin's Room, running now through September 30th. Check out photos from opening night below!

Circle Theatre presents Marvin's Room, directed by Mary Redmon. Marvin's Room, the touching drama of family and faith by Scott McPherson, will be presented in Circle's intimate studio space, tonight, August 22 through September 30, 2012.

Circle Theatre presents Marvin's Room, directed by Mary Redmon. Marvin's Room, the touching drama of family and faith by Scott McPherson, will be presented in Circle's intimate studio space, August 22 through September 30, 2012.

Prologue Theatre Co. presents the final production of its 2011 - 2012 Season, Take Her to See the Maco Lights, by Bekah Brunstetter and directed by Prologue Theatre Artistic Director Margo Gray. Take Her to See the Maco Lights runs tonight, May 10 - June 2 at Luna Central (formerly Live Bait Theater), 3914 N. Clark St. Opening night is Saturday, May 12 at 8 p.m. Previews are tonight, May 10 and Friday, May 11 at 8:00 p.m. Performances are Thursdays - Saturdays at 8 p.m.

Prologue Theatre Co. presents the final production of its 2011 - 2012 Season, Take Her to See the Maco Lights, by Bekah Brunstetter and directed by Prologue Theatre Artistic Director Margo Gray. Take Her to See the Maco Lights runs May 10 - June 2 at Luna Central (formerly Live Bait Theater), 3914 N. Clark St. Opening night is Saturday, May 12 at 8 p.m. Previews are Thursday, May 10 and Friday, May 11 at 8:00 p.m. Performances are Thursdays - Saturdays at 8 p.m.