A.C. Smith News

In its 52nd annual celebration of theater excellence, the Jeff Awards has recognized 39 recipients for the 2020 awards, selected from among 142 theater artist nominees across 30 artistic and technical categories.

The Jeff Awards has announced the nominees for the 52nd annual awards for theater excellence that include 142 theater artists across 30 artistic and technical categories. The awards will be presented in an online program on Monday, November 9, 2020 at 7:00PM.

Today HighTide have announced the twelve new writers making up the Playwright Crisis Support Programme, as part of their Lighthouse Programme, to support artists during the pandemic, as well as setting up their new Playwright's Network.

MPTheatricals are working in collaboration with The Other Palace to present on hope: a digital song cycle - a live, one of a kind musical theatre trilogy exploring the many shades of hope. Written by over 60 composers from around the world, on hope: a digital song cycle explores the spectrum of sounds, experiences and perspectives of hope.

Court Theatre presents for August Wilson's King Hedley II, directed by Resident Artist Ron OJ Parson. King Hedley II runs through October 13, 2019 at Court Theatre, 5535 S. Ellis Ave. 

Court Theatre, under the continuing leadership of Charles Newell, Marilyn F. Vitale Artistic Director, and Angel Ysaguirre, Executive Director, has announced casting for August Wilson's King Hedley II, directed by Resident Artist Ron OJ Parson. King Hedley II runs September 12 - October 13, 2019 at Court Theatre, 5535 S. Ellis Ave. The press opening is Saturday, September 21, 2019 at 7:30pm.

TimeLine Theatre Company, in partnership with the Chicago Teachers Union Foundation and the Chicago Teachers Union, will present a reading of John Conroy's play My Kind of Town in support of curriculum that teaches Chicago Public school students about the police torture scandal that plagued Chicago for more than three decades, focusing on learning about abuse of government power and violation of the public trust and empowering students to be agents of change. The reading will take place on Monday, April 29 at 11 a.m. at Chicago Teachers Union, 1901 W. Carroll Ave., Chicago, for an audience of approximately 300 students from four schools, and their teachers.

This visceral American classic serves as the 1920s chapter of August Wilson's epic American Century Cycle. What begins as a routine recording session becomes more strained as tensions rise between the members of a blues band and the owners of the recording studio. The white producers mean to exploit the talents of the band especially the gifted and impulsive Levee but when Ma insists on having things her way, tensions are enflamed and the play builds to an unexpected and searing climax.

Flying downhill on a bicycle. Whispering with a sweetheart. Wedding toasts and first dances. With intricate choreography and a cinematic live musical score, Theatre Re creates a powerful visual narrative about a father experiencing early onset dementia in The Nature of Forgetting, playing at The New Victory Theater March 23 - 31, 2019.

Writers Theatre, under the leadership of Artistic Director Michael Halberstam and Executive Director Kathryn M. Lipuma, continues its 2018/19 season with August Wilson's Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, directed by Writers Theatre Resident Director Ron OJ Parson. Ma Rainey's Black Bottom runs February 6 - March 17, 2019 in the Alexandra C. and John D. Nichols Theatre at 325 Tudor Court, Glencoe. The Press Opening is Wednesday, February 13 at 7:30 p.m.

Writers Theatre, under the leadership of Artistic Director Michael Halberstam and Executive Director Kathryn M. Lipuma, continues its 2018/19 season with August Wilson's Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, directed by Writers Theatre Resident Director Ron OJ Parson.  Ma Rainey's Black Bottom runs February 6 - March 17, 2019 in the Alexandra C. and John D. Nichols Theatre at 325 Tudor Court, Glencoe. The Press Opening is Wednesday, February 13 at 7:30 p.m.

Ground-breaking new musical theatre event SIGNAL is taking over The Hospital Club's Oak Room for the fourth time. This free concert showcases some of the best and boldest new British musical theatre and since its first incarnation last December has presented over fifty world premieres of new musical theatre songs. Helped by a selection of West End performers and accompanied by a live house band, SIGNAL looks to showcase the breadth and talent of those currently developing new British musical theatre.

Victory Gardens Theater Artistic Director Chay Yew, Managing Director Erica Daniels and Director of New Play Development Skyler Gray announce the lineup for the 10th Anniversary IGNITION Festival of New Plays, including Prosthesis by Robert Askins; Untitled Road Trip Play by Lauren Yee; White History by Dave Harris; How to Defend Yourself by Lily Padilla; Seeing Eye by Nick Malakhow; and The First Deep Breath by Lee Edward Colston II. The 2018 Festival runs August 3 -5, 2018 at Victory Gardens Theater, located at 2433 N Lincoln Avenue.

This afternoon the winners of the Stephen Sondheim Society Student Performer of the Year and Stiles + Drewe Prize were announced at the 12th anniversary West End Gala at the Savoy Theatre which was hosted Olivier Award winner Tracie Bennett.

Writers Theatre Artistic Director Michael Halberstam and Executive Director Kathryn M. Lipuma announce initial casting for the company's previously announced 2018/19 season.

Court Theatre, under the continuing leadership of Charles Newell, Marilyn F. Vitale Artistic Director, concludes its 2017/18 season with the Asolo Repertory Theatre, Arena Stage, Pasadena Playhouse production of The Originalist by John Strand, directed by Molly Smith with Associate Director Seema Sueko, and featuring Edward Gero as Antonin Scalia. The Originalist runs May 10 - June 10, 2018 at Court Theatre, 5535 S. Ellis Ave. The press opening is Saturday, May 19, 2018 at 8:00pm.

This March the world premiere of a brand new musical from Barlow & Smith starring Tiffany Graves (Chicago, Sweet Charity, West End) and Evelyn Hoskins (Carrie, Southwark Playhouse, Peter and the Starcatcher, Royal & Derngate, Mrs Henderson Presents) comes to VAULT Festival for a strictly limited run directed by Adam Lenson (Superhero, Songs for a New World)

University Women in the Arts, the one off mentoring scheme to improve the transition from women studying the arts to working in the arts, has announced more details for its International Women's Day event to be held at the Royal Court Theatre on March 9th.

This March the world premiere of a brand new musical from Barlow & Smith starring Tiffany Graves (Chicago, Sweet Charity, West End) and Evelyn Hoskins (Carrie, Southwark Playhouse, Peter and the Starcatcher, Royal & Derngate, Mrs Henderson Presents) comes to VAULT Festival for a strictly limited run directed by Adam Lenson (Superhero, Songs for a New World).

In 1920s rural Connecticut, Phil Hogan cobbles together a living on rented farmland that he hopes to someday own outright, when his landlord Jim Tyrone comes into his inheritance. Hogan has driven away his three sons, but his towering daughter Josie understands her father and can hold her own. When the two learn that the land may be sold out from under them, they concoct a plan to save it that ultimately reveals the secret desires that two lonely souls have kept hidden for years.