Robert Falls News

The Old Globe today announced that it will present The Old Globe/University of San Diego Graduate Theatre Program's production of William Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing, directed by James Newcomb, Nov. 9 - Nov. 17, 2013 in the Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre, part of the Globe's Conrad Prebys Theatre Center.

Playing the role of Ichabod Crane in the award-winning Equity professional East Lynne Theater Company's production of the world premiere of 'The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,' is Matt Baxter Luceno. His first appearance with ELTC was playing Rodney Martin in the comedy 'It Pays to Advertise' last fall, and now he's back as the music and school teacher from Connecticut who lands a job in superstitious Tarrytown, New York.

Summertime is an important season for Broadway, with tourists flocking from all over to check out the stars they watched on the Tony Awards, be the first to visit the newest additions to the Broadway line-up, and even stop back at an old favorite. Need help keeping track of Broadway's newest and most buzzed-about performers? BroadwayWorld brings you a roundup of the hottest stars of the summer below!

Goodman Theatre presents four free staged readings of new plays developed in the Playwrights Unit, a season-long residency program for local writers who meet twice monthly with members of the theater's artistic staff to discuss their plays in progress. Out of this process emerges four brand new plays, which appear in FREE staged readings: Sleeping with the Prince of Darkness: The Imagined Pillow Talk of FBI Agent John O'Neill by Greg Allen (July 20 at 7:30pm); F(law)less by christopher oscar peña (July 21 at 2:30pm); Prowess by Ike Holter (July 21 at 7:30pm); and Ninth Man Out by Alice Austen (August 16 at 7:30pm).

The newly-formed Goodman Innovation Group unites top-tier entrepreneurs with young theater leaders in a collective that injects the start-up mentality into the business of the theater. The 20-member group was developed by Patricia Cox, Goodman Life Trustee and Immediate Past Chairman, along with Chicago entrepreneur Genevieve Thiers, as an opportunity to share ideas between the established non-profit arts organization and Chicago's brand new companies. The goals of the group are to engage young entrepreneurs in the vision, values and programs of Goodman Theatre; create professional development opportunities for the next generation of theater leaders; and identify initiatives emphasizing new technologies and further insights that advance the Goodman's mission and priorities.

By popular demand, Albany Park Theater Project (APTP) remounts its smash hit production, Home/Land, in a limited summer run at Goodman Theatre, concluding the 2013 Latino Theatre Festival.

"Remixing the March," Goodman Theatre's year-long commemoration of the historic March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, continues this summer: youth participants in General Theater Studies (GTS) combine talents with senior citizens of the GeNarrations writing program to create a performance piece that views the historic event through a contemporary lens. As part of the annual GTS six-week summer program (through August 12), 80 teenage participants initiate discussions with GeNarrations participants about their recollections of the March, including Martin Luther King, Jr.'s 1963 "I Have a Dream" speech. From these interviews, the students blend their own stories into an original performance piece to be presented almost 50 years to the day.

Goodman Theatre continues its partnership with Chicago Public Library by presenting Stage Chemistry lessons at select branches, as part of each location's ongoing programming. These sessions are a part of Mayor Rahm Emanuel's "Summer of Learning" (through August 10), which encourages young people to participate in activities focused on Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math (STEAM). The Stage Chemistry lessons focus on the physics of lighting in the Goodman's production of The Jungle Book (now through August 18).

OC-centric presents the best of Orange County playwriting… great stories with guts, wit, laughter and drama, brought to life by skilled actors and directors from across the Southland. Two plays igniting the conflicts concerning troubled students and teachers and a pair of plays unfolding the transforming world of the movies make the 3rd annual edition of OC-centric: Orange County's New Play Festival something special. It all happens at Chapman University, which hosts this destination new play event for the third consecutive year. OC-centric is produced in conjunction with Tamiko Washington (Actors Circle Ensemble & Chapman University) and Eric Eberwein.

Meet the cast, playwright, and director of the award-winning Equity professional East Lynne Theater Company's production of 'The Legend of Sleepy Hollow' on Friday, August 2 at an after-show Q&A. It's a wonderful opportunity for theater lovers to learn about those involved in this profession, and ask the cast and crew how and why they do what they do.

Playing at 99% of capacity and poised to become the best selling musical in Goodman Theatre history, The Jungle Book extends by popular demand through August 18-marking the first time that three extension weeks have been added to a production in the Goodman's home on Dearborn Street. "A colorful, musically vibrant, family friendly show" (Variety), Tony Award-winner Mary Zimmerman's world premiere stage musical adaptation was critically hailed "eversurprising, winningly whimsical" (Chicago Sun-Times), "classy, sophisticated, visually beautiful" (Chicago Tribune) and "breathlessly entertaining" (Daily Herald). The full 31-member company-19 cast and 12-member band-remains intact for the seven additional performances. Family friendly pricing for The Jungle Book starts at $27, with tickets ranging to $125 (subject to change); discounts available for subscribers, students and military. Visit GoodmanTheatre.org, call312.443.3800, or come to the Goodman box office (170 N. Dearborn). The production runs approximately two hours (including one 15-minute intermission) and is for adults and families with children 6+.

Goodman Theatre presents four free staged readings of new plays developed in the Playwrights Unit, a season-long residency program for local writers who meet twice monthly with members of the theater's artistic staff to discuss their plays in progress. Out of this process emerges four brand new plays, which appear in FREE staged readings: Sleeping with the Prince of Darkness: The Imagined Pillow Talk of FBI Agent John O'Neill by Greg Allen (July 20 at 7:30pm); F(law)less by christopher oscar peña (July 21 at 2:30pm); Prowess by Ike Holter (July 21 at 7:30pm); and Ninth Man Out by Alice Austen (August 16 at 7:30pm).

According to Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune critic, the Goodman Theatre's revival of The Iceman Cometh may be coming to Broadway next year

BroadwayWorld.com, the largest theatre site on the Internet, is excited to announce a new feature to its comprehensive regional coverage - the Featured Regional Theater of the Week! Each week, BWW will introduce its readers to a regional theater located in one of our (over 130!) coverage cities. By exploring these different venues, their history and showcasing the production seasons, BWW continues its commitment to expand our presence in communities and cities across the United States. This Week's Featured Regional Theater: Goodman Theatre in Chicago, IL

By popular demand, Albany Park Theater Project (APTP) remounts its smash hit production, Home/Land, in a limited summer run at Goodman Theatre, concluding the 2013 Latino Theatre Festival.

Goodman Theatre's world premiere of The Jungle Book begins previews on June 21 (opening night is July 1) and, with a second extension week just added, now runs through August 11. Tony Award winner Mary Zimmerman reimagines Walt Disney's 1967 animated hit into a wholly original new work for the stage, drawing from both the film as well as Rudyard Kipling's 1894 collection of stories set in the Indian jungle and featuring original Indian-inspired music and dance. As previously announced, 10-year-old Akash Chopra makes his Chicago debut as young "man cub" Mowgli, who comes of age with the help of the anthropomorphic singing and dancing jungle animals; joining him in the role at select performances is Roni Akurati, who most recently appeared at the Goodman as Tiny Tim in the 2011 production of A Christmas Carol.

The New Group launches its 2013-2014 Off-Broadway season with the New York premiere of Pulitzer Prize winner Beth Henley's The Jacksonian, arriving in Fall 2013. Directed by Tony Award winner Robert Falls, this production features Ed Harris, Glenne Headly, Amy Madigan and Bill Pullman. The Jacksonian was first produced at the Geffen Playhouse in 2012. In Winter 2014, as the second production in the company's season, The New Group delivers the world premiere of Thomas Bradshaw's Intimacy, directed by Scott Elliott. The third production of The New Group's upcoming season is to be announced.

Goodman Theatre presents four free staged readings of new plays developed in the Playwrights Unit, a season-long residency program for local writers who meet twice monthly with members of the theater's artistic staff to discuss their plays in progress. Out of this process emerges four brand new plays, which appear in FREE staged readings: Prowess by Ike Holter (July 20 at 2pm); Sleeping with the Prince of Darkness: The Imagined Pillow Talk of FBI Agent John O'Neill by Greg Allen (July 20 at 7:30pm); F(law)less by christopher oscar peña (July 21 at 2:30pm); and Ninth Man Outby Alice Austen (August 16 at 7:30pm).

In conjunction with Tony Award winner Mary Zimmerman's world-premiere stage musical adaptation of The Jungle Book (June 21 - August 4) this summer, Goodman Theatre teams up with community partners to present show-related events and activities at venues throughout Chicago-many free of charge.