WIll Wilhelm News

By popular demand, Steppenwolf Theatre Company extends its critically acclaimed Chicago premiere production of Straight White Men written and directed by Young Jean Lee. Hailed as "fascinating and hugely arresting" (Chicago Tribune, 3 ½ out of 4 stars) and "intriguing and entertaining" (Time Out Chicago), the production continues for seven additional performances, through March 26, 2017. Tickets ($20 - $89) to the additional performances of Straight White Men are now on sale through Audience Services (1650 N Halsted), at 312-335-1650 or steppenwolf.org.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company welcomes internationally acclaimed playwright and director Young Jean Lee this winter as she directs the Chicago premiere of her play, Straight White Men. The fearless and entertaining play features ensemble member Alan Wilder as the patriarch, Ed, who welcomes home his three sons-Madison Dirks (Jake), Ryan Hallahan (Drew) and Brian Slaten (Matt) for the holidays. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Porchlight Music Theatre and Artistic Director Michael Weber are proud to announce the second performance in its 2016 - 2017 season of Chicago's hit musical revue series, New Faces Sing Broadway 2001, hosted by Keely Vasquez, is Monday, Jan. 23 at Skokie Theatre, 7924 Lincoln Ave in Skokie and Tuesday, Jan. 24 at the Uptown Underground, 4707 N. Broadway at 7:30 p.m.  In tribute to the original New Faces series that ran on Broadway and on film from 1934 - 1968, Porchlight Music Theatre last year created this Chicago musical revue series, New Faces Sing Broadway, as a showcase for the best emerging musical talent now performing on Chicago stages. 

Votes are cast; polls are closed; and results have been tabulated! This was our biggest year yet! After a record number of voters in more than 75 regions worldwide, BroadwayWorld is very excited to announce the 2016 Chicago winners! Thanks to all who voted, and huge congratulations to all the winners!

Refuge Theatre Project has announced leadership changes and programming for its third season, according to company co-founder Ross Egan. Christopher Pazdernik, who directed and choreographed the company's breakout production of High Fidelity: The Musical in February 2016 and more recently directed the Chicago premiere of Wicked City by Chad Beguelin and Matthew Sklar for Chicago Theatre Workshop, has been named Artistic Director, a position previously held by Egan. Egan, who founded the company two years ago with Morgan Egan, will move to Executive Director, a new position. Morgan Egan will continue as Managing Director.

Hell in a Handbag Productions is pleased to bring back last season's steamy, sell-out hit BETTE, LIVE AT THE CONTINENTAL BATHS, with Caitlin Jackson recreating Bette Midler's historic bathhouse concert in New York City. This year, Handbag is bringing the bathhouse to Boystown with nine performances only from August 12 - September 10, 2016 at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago. The press opening is Today, August 12 at 8 pm. BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at the show below!

Victory Gardens Theater announces casting for each of the 2016 IGNITION Festival of New Plays selected works, including The Wayward Bunny by Greg Kotis; BREACH: a manifesto on race in America through the eyes of a black girl recovering from self-hate by Antoinette Nwandu; EOM (end of message) by Laura Jacqmin; Kill Move Paradise by James Ijames; Gaza Rehearsal by Karen Hartman; and Girls In Cars Underwater by Tegan McLeod.

Victory Gardens Theater announces casting for each of the 2016 IGNITION Festival of New Plays selected works, including The Wayward Bunny by Greg Kotis; BREACH: a manifesto on race in America through the eyes of a black girl recovering from self-hate by Antoinette Nwandu; EOM (end of message) by Laura Jacqmin; Kill Move Paradise by James Ijames; Gaza Rehearsal by Karen Hartman; and Girls In Cars Underwater by Tegan McLeod.

Hell in a Handbag Productions is pleased to bring back last season's steamy, sell-out hit BETTE, LIVE AT THE CONTINENTAL BATHS, with Caitlin Jackson recreating Bette Midler's historic bathhouse concert in New York City. This year, Handbag is bringing the bathhouse to Boystown with nine performances only from August 12 - September 10, 2016 at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago. The press opening is Friday, August 12 at 8 pm. BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at the show below!

Refuge Theatre Project, the two-year-old company that produced the surprise hit musical of the 2015-16 season with its environmental staging of High Fidelity in a makeshift 'record store,' will present a one-night-only concert of songs by High Fidelity composer Tom Kitt. The evening, called I Got You, will showcase selections from Broadway musicals for which Kitt either composed the score or provided musical arrangements, along with new unpublished songs he's provided especially for the event. City Winery, 1200 W. Randolph Street is the event venue. Christopher Pazdernik, director of High Fidelity, will direct the concert, with music direction by Mike Evans.

Hell in a Handbag Productions is pleased to announce its 2016 Season, and this year no holy cow is too sacred.

Hell in a Handbag Productions is pleased to bring back last season's steamy, sell-out hit BETTE, LIVE AT THE CONTINENTAL BATHS, with Caitlin Jackson recreating Bette Midler's historic bathhouse concert in New York City. This year, Handbag is bringing the bathhouse to Boystown with nine performances only from August 12 - September 10, 2016 at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago. Tickets are currently available at www.stage773.com or by calling (773) 327-5252. The press opening is Friday, August 12 at 8 pm.

Hell in a Handbag Productions is pleased to announce its 2016 Season, and this year no holy cow is too sacred.

Refuge Theatre Project's second season will open on January 29, 2016 with High Fidelity - the musical based on Nick Hornby's 1995 novel and on Stephen Frears' 2000 feature-film adaptation that starred Chicago natives John Cusack, Joan Cusack and Lili Taylor.

The Other Theatre Company (TOTC) and Artistic Director Carin Silkaitis are proud to present the second show of the company's 2015-2016 season Barney The Elf, by Company Member Bryan Renaud, directed by Artistic Director Carin Silkaitis, and choreographed by Company Member Tommy Rivera-Vega, tonight, December 2 - 20. There will be a preview tonight, Dec. 2 at 8 p.m. with opening night Thursday, Dec. 3 at 8 p.m. at The Greenhouse Theatre, 2257 N Lincoln Ave. The regular run schedule is Thursdays, Friday, and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. Tickets are $25 and may be purchased at http://greenhousetheater.org/barney-the-elf/. For more information, please visit theothertheatrecompany.com. 

54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, presents Jordan Scott Taylor's original cabaret 'Heartstrings and Broken Records' today, November 6th 2015. Join Jordan as he makes a splash in NYC with the east coast debut of this cabaret about Break-ups. The sorrow, hilarity, and tragedy of relationships are a mutual experience. Join Jordan along with performers from New York and Chicago (some recently single), for a night of remembering the memories we wish we could erase. 

The Other Theatre Company (TOTC) and Artistic Director Carin Silkaitis are proud to present the second show of the company's 2015-2016 season Barney The Elf, by Company Member Bryan Renaud, directed by Artistic Director Carin Silkaitis, and choreographed by Company Member Tommy Rivera-Vega, December 2 - 20. There will be a preview on Wednesday, Dec. 2 at 8 p.m. with opening night Thursday, Dec. 3 at 8 p.m. at The Greenhouse Theatre, 2257 N Lincoln Ave. The regular run schedule is Thursdays, Friday, and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. Tickets are $25 and may be purchased at http://greenhousetheater.org/barney-the-elf/. For more information, please visit theothertheatrecompany.com. 

54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, presents Jordan Scott Taylor's original cabaret 'Heartstrings and Broken Records' on Friday, November 6th 2015. Join Jordan as he makes a splash in NYC with the east coast debut of this cabaret about Break-ups. The sorrow, hilarity, and tragedy of relationships are a mutual experience. Join Jordan along with performers from New York and Chicago (some recently single), for a night of remembering the memories we wish we could erase. 

Men under the age of 25 are hardly the demographic for attending Broadway musicals, let alone writing one, but Nick Blaemire and James Gardiner did just that when their musical Glory Days ran on Broadway in May 2008.

Hell in a Handbag Productions' sell-out hit BETTE, LIVE AT THE CONTINENTAL BATHS has added one additional performance, extending through August 28, 2015 at Mary's Attic, 5400 N. Clark St. in Chicago's Andersonville neighborhood.