Simon Abkarian

This year Chekhov International Theatre Festival in Moscow welcomed ÉLECTRE DES BAS-FONDS (Electra in the Underworld) - the show initially premiered in legendary Théâtre du Soleil in 2019 and directed by an acclaimed actor and theatre director Simon Abkarian. Abkarian is a former member of the famous Ariane Mnoushkine's theatre company. In his production the director revisited Greek mythology, mixing several myths about Electra and Orestes, and produced an original story representing different cultures and traditions, showing actors in Indian costumes, using Japanese music etc. Those unexpected eclectic pieces made the show more unconventional and universally conceivable. In a short interview Abkarian underlined that this is a contemporary version of Greek tragedy. The director rewrote the whole story, it is no more about revenge and more about sacrifice and survival in a man's world.

Future IDs at Alcatraz, a yearlong project, exhibition, and series of monthly public programs on view in the New Industries Building on Alcatraz Island until October 2019, brings attention to criminal justice reform efforts and second chances. The exhibition encourages the viewer to reevaluate ideas about rehabilitation, reentry, and reintegration, which features ID inspired artwork created by individuals who have a conviction history as they conceive and develop a vision for a future self.

The Actors' Gang presents VIOLENCE: The Misadventures of Spike Spangle, Farmer, written by The Actors' Gang Artistic Director Tim Robbins and Adam Simon and directed by Bob Turton, who was most recently seen at The Actors' Gang as "The Maniac" in Accidental Death of an Anarchist. This no-holds barred satire of militarism and media manipulation begins performances May 2nd (Press Opening May 11th at 8:00pm) and will run Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, through June 22nd. 

The Actors' Gang presents One Act Festival, featuring two contrasting programs performed in repertory. Show one, entitled The Classic, begins performances March 14th (press opening March 23) and features two classic one-act plays -- Jean-Paul Sartre's No Exit, directed by Brian T. Finney, and Samuel Beckett's Krapps's Last Tape, directed by Cynthia Ettinger. Show two, entitled The Original, begins performances March 16 (Press Opening March 29) and features three new one-act plays written, directed, and acted by The Actors Gang ensemble:  Tradition, written by James Edward Bane and directed by Tess Vidal, A Perfect World, written by Lynde Houck and directed by Danielle Powell, and Clean Slate, written by Bob Turton and directed by Zoe Hall. Both programs will run Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, through April 20th.  

Grammy Award-winning and multi-platinum recording artist, songwriter, composer, poet and visual artist Serj Tankian today released the soundtrack to award winning film The Last Inhabitant via his own label Serjical Strike Records. The film was theatrically released in 2016 and was well received to audiences in theatres and film festivals internationally, picking up awards and accolades along the way. The Last Inhabitant was Tankian's second film at the helm as composer, and he's since created musical scores for multiple award winning films. The soundtrack is available now globally via iTunes, Spotify, Apple Music and other digital platforms worldwide.

The Actors' Gang production of APHRODITE'S HOLIDAY SHOW will begin Thursday, November 29th as part of The Actors' Gang 2018/19 Hellzapoppin' Season. APHRODITE'S HOLIDAY SHOW will perform every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, through December 16th.

Grammy Award-winning and multi-platinum recording artist, songwriter, composer, poet and visual artist Serj Tankian will be releasing the soundtrack to award winning filmSpitak via his own label Serjical Strike Records. This marks the fifth feature film with Serj Tankian at the helm as composer of the musical score. Spitak – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack is slated for a global release via iTunes, Spotify, Apple Music and other digital platforms worldwide on November 30.

The Actors' Gang has announced an extension of 'Johnny Got His Gun' at the Ivy Substation, adding two performances, a matinee performance on November 11th, commemorating the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I and Veteran's Day and an evening performance on November 14th. The stage adaptation of Academy Award-winning screenwriter Dalton Trumbo's war novel, Johnny Got His Gun, written by Bradley Rand Smith and directed by Tim Robbins, began previews on October 6th and opened October 13th.

The Actors' Gang has announced an extension of 'Johnny Got His Gun' at the Ivy Substation, adding two performances, a matinee performance on November 11th, commemorating the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I and Veteran's Day and an evening performance on November 14th. The stage adaptation of Academy Award-winning screenwriter Dalton Trumbo's war novel, Johnny Got His Gun, written by Bradley Rand Smith and directed by Tim Robbins, began previews on October 6th and opened October 13th.

The Actors' Gang announced today that the stage adaptation of Academy Award-winning screenwriter Dalton Trumbo's war novel, Johnny Got His Gun, written by Bradley Rand Smith and directed by Tim Robbins, will kick off The Actors' Gang 2018/19 Season from Saturday, October 6th to Saturday, November 10th, 2018. The press opening is Saturday, October 13.

The Actors' Gang will begin performances for the 2018 Free Shakespeare in the Park for Families production of Much Ado About Avengers beginning Saturday, August 4th, continuing a 12-year tradition of free theater in Media Park. Based on William Shakespeare's "Much Ado About Nothing" and inspired by the characters of Marvel's The Avengers, this 45 minute, all?ages production will run every Saturday and Sunday of August at 11am, through August 26th.

The Actors' Gang presents Angels, Devils and Other Things, an evening of eleven original short plays written and directed by The Actors' Gang ensemble that begins previews on Thursday, May 17, has its world premiere on Saturday, May 19 and runs through Saturday, June 16, 2018.

The Actors' Gang has announced an extension of "The New Colossus" due to strong ticket sales. The production will now continue through May 12 at The Actors' Gang Theater. Directed by Tim Robbins and written The Actors' Gang ensemble and The Actors' Gang's Artistic Director, Tim Robbins. The world premiere of The New Colossus began previews on February 8 and opened on February 17, 2018. Six new performances have been added on Saturday nights at 8:00pm - April 7, 14, 21, 28, May 5, and closing night, May 12.

The Actors' Gang presents The New Colossus, a new play written by The Actors' Gang ensemble and directed by Actors' Gang Artistic Director Tim Robbins. The New Colossus begins previews on Thursday, February 8, has its world premiere on Saturday, February 17 and runs through Saturday, March 24, 2018.

Theatre Y presents '3 SISTERS' a world premiere adaptation by Earl H.E. Hill, Dan Christmann & Andrej Visky, at Humility Gallery, 564 W 18th St, Chicago, on Wednesday, April 27, 2016, at 7pm. 3 SISTERS, directed by Andrej Visky, and featuring Melissa Lorraine, Katie Stimpson and Kevlyn Hayes, begins previews on April 25 with a press opening on April 27, and will run every night until May 2nd, and every Friday and Saturday following until closing night on June 11. For more information, visit Theatre-Y.com.

Theatre Y presents "An Impressive Presentation of Lovely Evidences: Underneath the Lintel" by Glen Berger, at Links Hall, 3111 N Western Avenue, on Monday, March 14, 2016, at 7pm. "Lovely Evidences," directed by Melissa Lorraine with Assistant Direction from Jordan Matthew Walsh, and featuring Darren Hill, previewed on September 18, 2015, and has been running weekly with "flash mob" performances around the city of Chicago. For more information, visit Theatre-Y.com.

Theatre Y presents "An Impressive Presentation of Lovely Evidences: Underneath the Lintel" by Glen Berger, at various locations in Chicago, opening September 19, 2015. "Lovely Evidences," directed by Melissa Lorraine with Assistant Direction from Jordan Matthew Walsh, featuring Darren Hill, previews on September 18 at Theatre Y (entrance via side alley at 2649 N Francisco), press opening September 19 at Covenant Presbyterian Church (2012 W Dickens Ave); show runs every Monday, ongoing, with "flash mob" performances at locations to be announced weekly. For more information, visitTheatre-Y.com.

Theatre Y presents the US and English-language premiere of 'The Beautiful Days of Aranjuez' by Peter Handke, translated by Michael Roloff with Scott Abbott, at Theatre Y, 2649 N Francisco (entrance through side alley), tonight, June 13-July 19, 2015.

Theatre Y presents the US and English-language premiere "The Beautiful Days of Aranjuez" by Peter Handke, translated by Michael Roloff with Scott Abbott, at Theatre Y, 2649 N Francisco (entrance through side alley), June 13-July 19, 2015. "Aranjuez," -directed by Zeljko Djukic-begins previews June 9, press opening June 13; show runs through July 19. For more information, visit Theatre-Y.com.

Theatre Y presents the US and English-language premiere of "The Beautiful Days of Aranjuez" by Peter Handke, translated by Michael Roloff with Scott Abbott, at Theatre Y, 2649 N Francisco (entrance through side alley), June 13-July 19, 2015. "Aranjuez," -directed by Zeljko Djukic-begins previews June 9, press opening June 13; show runs through July 19. For more information, visit Theatre-Y.com.