Shakespeare Theatre Company News

Set in the present-day DRC, Ruined is the captivating story of Mama Nadi (Ekulona), the owner of a canteen who serves up everything from a cold beer and a warm meal-to the company of a woman. Through the eyes of this savvy businesswoman who both protects and profits from the women whose bodies have become battlegrounds, Nottage captures the constantly shifting allegiances and tragic absurdity that marks the civil war in the DRC. Ruined, rendered with Nottage's trademark humanity, clarity and surprising humor, gives a glimpse of a country that has suffered immeasurable losses since the beginning of this war that has raged for more than a decade.

Goodman Theatre opens its "Strong Women, Strong Voices" Owen Theatre Series with the world premiere of Lynn Nottage's Ruined, directed by Kate Whoriskey and co-produced with Manhattan Theatre Club. Commissioned by the Goodman and first seen in the 2007 New Stages Series, Ruined was developed through Nottage and Whoriskey's pilgrimage to Uganda-where countless interviews and interactions resulted in a portrait of the lives of the women and girls caught in the devastating armed conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Leading the Goodman's cast in the role of Mama Nadi is Saidah Arrika Ekulona (Well on Broadway; Righteous Kill), who previously collaborated with Nottage and Whoriskey on the world premiere of Fabulation at Playwrights Horizons. Ruined begins performances on November 8 (opening night is November 17) and runs through December 7. Tickets are $10 - $39. Ruined begins performances at Manhattan Theatre Club on January 21, 2009.

THE SCREWTAPE LETTERS, the hit drama presented by Fellowship for the Performing Arts at The Mercury Theater, 3745 N. Southport Avenue, will feature special Wednesday night talk-backs with Max McLean (co-creator and star) and Jeffrey Fiske (co-creator and director) from November 5 through December 10 (there is no show on November 26.) The production, which had sold-out runs in New York and Washington, D.C., recently made its Chicago premiere and runs through January 4. During the talk-backs, McLean and Fiske will foster audience discussions about the show?s provocative themes and answer questions about how they adapted C.S. Lewis? classic novel into a hit stage production. The talk-backs schedule may be subject to change.

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey concludes its record breaking 2008 Season with William Shakespeare's mercurial romance The Winter's Tale.

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey concludes its record breaking 2008 Season with William Shakespeare's mercurial romance The Winter's Tale.

Chicago's Goodman Theatre opens its 'Strong Women, Strong Voices' Owen Theatre Series with the world premiere of Lynn Nottage's RUINED, directed by Kate Whoriskey and co-produced with Manhattan Theatre Club.

Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company continues its 2008-09 Season with Boom by Peter Sinn Nachtrieb, author of Hunter Gatherers, winner of the 2007 Steinberg New Play Award.

Shakespeare Theatre Company Artistic Director Michael Kahn announced that the Board of Trustees have appointed Chris Jennings Managing Director for the Company.

The first 50 people to arrive at The Mercury Theater, 3745 N. Southport, to see the acclaimed drama THE SCREWTAPE LETTERS on Friday, October 31 at 8 p.m. will receive a festive goody bag filled with fall treats from Wrigleyville's gourmet candy shop Candyality.

Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, Orange County's beloved holiday tradition, returns to South Coast Repertory for its 29th season.

Set in the present-day DRC, Ruined is the captivating story of Mama Nadi (Ekulona), the owner of a canteen who serves up everything from a cold beer and a warm meal-to the company of a woman. Through the eyes of this savvy businesswoman who both protects and profits from the women whose bodies have become battlegrounds, Nottage captures the constantly shifting allegiances and tragic absurdity that marks the civil war in the DRC. Ruined, rendered with Nottage's trademark humanity, clarity and surprising humor, gives a glimpse of a country that has suffered immeasurable losses since the beginning of this war that has raged for more than a decade.

InterAct Theatre Company will present the East Coast premiere of THE WAR PARTY by Vincent Delaney directed by Rebecca Wright. It will run from Oct. 24 - Nov. 23 2008 at The Adrienne in Center City, PA.

The first 50 people to arrive at The Mercury Theater, 3745 N. Southport, to see the acclaimed drama THE SCREWTAPE LETTERS on Friday, October 31 at 8 p.m. will receive a festive goody bag filled with fall treats from Wrigleyville's gourmet candy shop Candyality.

Heiress Productions presents the New York premiere of THREE MOVEMENTS by Martin Zimmerman from October 17 - 26 at the Studio Theatre, Theatre Row (410 W. 42nd Street, NYC). Tickets are $18 and are available at www.ticketcentral.com or by phone at 212-279-4200.

THE SCREWTAPE LETTERS, the hit drama presented by Fellowship for the Performing Arts at The Mercury Theater, 3745 N. Southport Avenue, has been extended through Sunday, November 23. The production, which recently had sold-out runs in New York and Washington, D.C., recently made its Chicago premiere. 'THE SCREWTAPE LETTERS' offers a funny and provocative look into C.S. Lewis' brilliant novel that explores the theme of spiritual warfare from a demon's point of view.

Chicago's Goodman Theatre opens its 'Strong Women, Strong Voices' Owen Theatre Series with the world premiere of Lynn Nottage's RUINED, directed by Kate Whoriskey and co-produced with Manhattan Theatre Club.

InterAct Theatre Company will present the East Coast premiere of THE WAR PARTY by Vincent Delaney directed by Rebecca Wright. It will run from Oct. 24 - Nov. 23 2008 at The Adrienne in Center City, PA.

Heiress Productions presents the New York premiere of THREE MOVEMENTS by Martin Zimmerman from October 17 - 26 at the Studio Theatre, Theatre Row (410 W. 42nd Street, NYC). Tickets are $18 and are available at www.ticketcentral.com or by phone at 212-279-4200.

Next month, Tony Award-winning director Mary Zimmerman returns to Berkeley Repertory Theatre with an alluring adaptation of The Arabian Nights. This is Zimmerman's sixth trip to Berkeley Rep, and for the first time she works her magic on the intimate Thrust Stage. The Arabian Nights runs from November 13 through January 4 with the official press night on November 19.

Fellowship for the Performing Arts presents the Chicago premiere of the acclaimed hit drama THE SCREWTAPE LETTERS by C.S. Lewis at The Mercury Theater, 3745 N. Southport Avenue. The production, which recently had sold-out runs in New York and Washington, D.C., begins performances on October 2 for a limited engagement. THE SCREWTAPE LETTERS offers a funny and provocative look into C.S. Lewis' brilliant novel that explores the theme of spiritual warfare from a demon's point of view.