Eleven world premiere plays and musicals seen first by Chicago audiences were among those receiving nominations by the Jeff Awards, announced today. A total of 192 nominations were made in 34 categories that honor Chicago Equity theatrical productions that opened between August 1, 2018 and July 31, 2019. During the 2018-19 season, Jeff Awards judges attended opening nights of 132 Equity productions offered by 43 producing organizations and from these openings, 112 productions were a?oeJeff Recommendeda?? and eligible for award nominations.
A Red Orchid Theatre presents the world premiere of Grey House, written by Ensemble Member Levi Holloway and directed by Ensemble Member Shade Murray. Grey House runs October 10 a?" December 1, 2019 at A Red Orchid Theatre, 1531 N Wells in Chicago. The press performance is scheduled for Saturday, October 19, 2019 at 3:00pm and 7:30pm. Single tickets for Grey House go on sale Monday, September 9, 2019.
Variety reports that Michael Shannon will play self-made millionaire and former Los Angeles Lakers owner Jerry Buss in HBO's “The Untitled Showtime Lakers Project” pilot. The series is based on Jeff Pearlman's book “Showtime: Magic, Kareem, Riley, and the Los Angeles Lakers Dynasty of the 1980s.”
The League of Chicago Theatres announces the Theatre Thursdays line-up for the 2019-2020 Chicago theatre season, featuring one World Premiere per month.
The Second City announces casting for The Second City's 108th Mainstage Revue. The brand new ensemble includes Mary Catherine Curran, Sarah Dell'Amico, Andrew Knox, Asia Martin, Jordan Savusa, and Adam Schreck. Resident Second City director Ryan Bernier returns to direct his seventh resident stage production, and Nick Gagewill be taking over the keys as the musical director.
Haven Theatre, newly rebranded as "Haven," announces its 2019-20 Season, kicking off this fall with its fifth consecutive DIRECTORS HAVEN, three short plays showcasing the talents of early career directors, each with razor-sharp and inspiring visions for their work and our industry. Helming this year's productions are Lauren Katz, Aaron Mays and AJ Schwartz.
The New Colony, under the artistic direction of Fin Coe* and Stephanie Shum*, announces its full 2019-20 season, to presented at its resident home, The Den Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago's Wicker Park neighborhood.
The magic is real at Harry Potter and the Cursed Child on Broadway! Prepare to be on the edge of your seat as Harry, Ron and Hermione launch into a thrilling new adventure that begins 19 years later. The entire theatre has been transfigured to immerse you in this spectacular world where epic duels, extraordinary spells and beloved characters come to life. Filled with unprecedented stagecraft and thrilling storytelling, this Tony Award-winning show is a singular, unforgettable experience. Get to know the current cast of the Broadway production!
Lyric Unlimited, the branch of Lyric Opera of Chicago devoted to education, community engagement, and new artistic initiatives, is excited to announce its latest original opera for young audiences, Earth to Kenzie. Written by composer Frances Pollock with librettist Jessica Murphy Moo, and directed by Jess McLeod, this new opera was created specifically for kids ages 7-12.
Theatre for a New Audience founding artistic director Jeffrey Horowitz, having just received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2019 OBIEs, today announces TFANA's 40th anniversary season. The 2019-2020 programming exemplifies what makes TFANA, in the words of the OBIE committee, one of the city's most vital institutions championing adventurous and urgent productions of Shakespeare alongside other writers.
A Red Orchid Theatre announces its 27th Season, kicking off the with world premiere of Grey House by Ensemble Member Levi Holloway, directed by Ensemble Member Shade Murray (October 10 December 1, 2019). The season continues with the Chicago premiere of Do You Feel Anger? By Mara Nelson-Greenberg, directed by Ensemble Member Jess McLeod (January 16 March 8, 2020), and concludes with the Chicago Premiere of The Moors by Jen Silverman, directed by Marti Lyons (April 23 June 14, 2020). Subscriptions to the 27th Season are on sale now and can be purchased by calling the box office at 312-943-8722 or visiting www.aredorchidtheatre.org.
A Red Orchid Theatre announces the addition of eight new members to the Artistic Ensemble: Karen Aldridge, Myron Elliott-Cisneros, Levi Holloway, Travis A. Knight, Jess McLeod, Sadieh Rifai, Grant Sabin, and Steve Schine. A Red Orchid also welcomes two Resident Stage Managers Stephanie Heller and Christa van Baale.
In celebration of four-time Tony Award winner Terrence McNally's 80th birthday, producers Hunter Arnold, Debbie Bisno and Tom Kirdahy announce a new Broadway production of Terrence McNally's Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune, starring Tony, Grammy and Emmy Award winner Audra McDonald and two-time Academy Award nominee Michael Shannon, directed by Obie Award winner Arin Arbus.
Thrown Stone Theatre Company under the leadership of Co-Artistic Directors Jason Peck & Jonathan Winn announces casting for their 2019 Summer Repertory season, the Connecticut Premiere of Cry It Out by Molly Smith Metzler and the East Coast Premiere of Birds of North America by Anna Moench.
BoHo Theatre continues its 2019 season with THE RIVER, a haunting and complex new play by playwright Jez Butterworth, directed by Jerrell L. Henderson. THE RIVER was called "a magnetically eerie, luminously beautiful psychodrama" by TIME OUT LONDON. Henderson's cast will include Joe Lino as Man, Christina Gorman as Woman, Chelsee Carter as Other Woman. THE RIVER will be staged at the Greenhouse Theater Center and will open to the press on Saturday, June 15, following previews from June 8.
Cast announced for Midwest Premiere of Traci Godfrey's SWEET TEXAS RECKONING, opening June 7 at The Den. Comedy of a Texas native paying a visit home from New York with her new African-American wife will play throughout the Pride Month of June
Unveiling Emily Mann's final season as Artistic Director and Resident Playwright, McCarter Theatre Center has announced the full schedule for its upcoming 2019-2020 Theater Series, dubbed "Signature Emily." The highly anticipated series pays homage to Mann's trailblazing career, embodying the powerful themes that have cemented her personal legacy and influenced the American theater at large: giving a voice to women and people of color, embracing risk in pursuit of art that inspires social dialogue, discovering and mentoring emerging talent, and championing inventive cross-company collaborations.
The AA Arts Incubator Program of Asian Improv Arts Midwest (AIRMW) is pleased to announce that its historic series, 'Our Perspective: Asian American Play Readings,' continues with its second reading in 2019. The next reading is the comedic full length play Lucy and Charlie's Honeymoon by Matthew C. Yee, Monday, May 13, at the Steppenwolf 1700 Theatre, 1700 N Halsted St, at 6:30 p.m. The running time is 90 minutes with no intermission. Tickets are $8 for general admission seating and may be reserved online at steppenwolf.org. Seating is limited. For any additional information about the event, go to Our-Perspective.com or call 773.972.6745.
The Second City's knockout show She the People: The Resistance Continues is electrifying UP Comedy Club with a refreshed name, updated material, new cast members, and all of its signature witty, empowering bite. The all-female, all-funny show directed by Carly Heffernan welcomes Mary Catherine Curran, Sayjal Joshi, and Kaye Winks who join original cast members Carisa Barreca, Alex Bellisle, and Katie Caussin.
A Red Orchid Theatre presents the Chicago Premiere of Fulfillment Center by Abe Koogler, directed by Jess McLeod, and featuring Ensemble Member Natalie West, Artistic Associate Steve Schine, Jose Nateras, and Toya Turner. Fulfillment Center runs January 31 - March 24, 2019 at A Red Orchid Theatre, 1531 N Wells in Chicago. Press performances are scheduled for Saturday, February 9, 2019 at 3:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
