GREASE, NORTHWEST HIGHWAY, et al. Continue for Chicago's Summer Season
With the 2011-2012 summer season fully underway, Chicago continues to produce some of the most exciting theater in the country and hold its place as a leader on the national scene. The city's wide range of summer programming, featuring everything from the latest musicals to international work, is enjoying record ticket sales, with many hit productions enjoying record extensions, as well.
"The quality and creativity of the theater being produced in Chicago this summer is evidenced by the sheer number of hit shows that have set box office records and extended well beyond their original run dates. Chicago theaters have seen record attendance and ticket sales for productions ranging from world premieres and international work to family-friendly musicals," says Deb Clapp, Executive Director of the League of Chicago Theatres. "Our vibrant theater community is a source of pride for our city and this summer's tremendous critical and popular success further proves that Chicago theater is stronger than ever, both fiscally and artistically."
A selection of productions playing in Chicago throughout the summer months includes:
The summer of David Henry Hwang continues. Yellowface extends at Silk Road Theatre Project through July 31 and Chinglish extends at the Goodman through July 31, 2011. Hwang's earlier work Family Devotions produced by Halcyon Theatre opens at the Greenhouse Theater Center August 11 - September 4, 2011.
The hit new play Northwest Highway by Will Nedved set in Chicago's Jefferson Park neighborhood has been extended at The Gift Theatre through September 11, 2011.The Original Grease written by Jim Jacobs, directed by Artistic Director PJ Paparelli and set on Chicago's northwest side, has been extended at American Theater Company through August 21, 2011.Playwright Keith Huff's follow up to Broadway hit A Steady Rain, The Detective's Wife at Writers' Theatre has been extended through August 7, 2011. Directed by Gary Griffin.The classic Chicago story The Front Page by Ben Hecht and Charles MacArthur plays an extended run at TimeLine Theatre, through July 17, 2011.About Chicago theater
Chicago theater is the leader in the U.S. with more than 250 theaters throughout Chicagoland, comprising a rich and varied community ranging from storefront, non-union theaters to the most renowned resident theaters in the country, including 5 which have been honored with Regional Tony Awards, and the largest touring Broadway organization in the nation. Chicago's theaters serve 5 million audience members annually and have a combined budget of more than $250 million. Chicago produces and/or presents more world premieres annually than any other city in the nation. In 2009-10 alone Chicago theater companies produced more than 130 world premiere productions and adaptations. Each year Chicago theaters send new work to resident theaters across the country, to Broadway, and around the world.
The League of Chicago Theatres' Mission Statement
The League of Chicago Theatres is an alliance of theaters which leverages its collective strength to promote, support and advocate for Chicago's theater industry locally, nationally and internationally. The League of Chicago Theatres Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the art of theater in the Chicago area through audience development and support services for theaters and theater professionals.
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