About Face Theatre News

Random Acts is thrilled to announce the next #SafeSpace event, hosted by comedian, actor and radio-host Scott Duff. The variety show, which will benefit The Night Ministry, will take place at Mrs. Murphy and Son's Irish Bistro (3905 N. Lincoln Ave, Chicago) on Thursday, May 31st at 8pm.

Rivendell Theatre Ensemble (RTE), Chicago's only Equity theatre dedicated to producing new work with women at the core will add four performances to the run The Cake by Bekah Brunstetter, directed by Lauren Shouse, and featuring RTE Founders Tara Mallen and Keith Kupferer, RTE Member Krystel McNeil, with Tuckie White.  Eight performances have been added to the run, which must close June 2, 2018 at Rivendell Theatre Ensemble, 5779 N. Ridge Avenue in Chicago. 

About Face Theatre is pleased to present the Midwest premiere of Bryna Turner's comedy BULL IN A CHINA SHOP, based on the true story of revolutionary academics and lovers Mary Woolley and Jeannette Marks.

Writers Theatre, under the leadership of Artistic Director Michael Halberstam and Executive Director Kathryn M. Lipuma, presents Buried Child, written by Sam Shepard and directed by WT Resident Director Kimberly Senior. Buried Child runs May 9 - June 17, 2018 in the Alexandra C. and John D. Nichols Theatre at 325 Tudor Court, Glencoe. The Press Opening is Wednesday, May 16 at 7:30 p.m.

From the sun baked Oklahoma Territory at the turn of the 20th century comes the Broadway classic, Oklahoma!, beginning April 11 with a press opening on Wednesday, April 18 at 7:30 p.m. at 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire. Due to high demand, an additional week is now on sale through June 10. Featuring a powerful score by legendary duo Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II, and based on Lynn Riggs' 1931 play, Green Grow the Lilacs, Oklahoma! will be directed by Artistic Director and Jeff Award-winner Aaron Thielen (She Loves Me, Spring Awakening). Jeff Award nominee Alex Sanchez (Marriott Theatre: Newsies, Evita, On the Town, Mary Poppins) will choreograph, with Musical Direction and orchestrations by Jeff Award winner Ryan T. Nelson.

Point Park University's Playhouse Jr., the second longest running children's theatre company in the country, will be wrapping up the 2017-2018 season and bringing down the curtain at the historic Pittsburgh Playhouse with two unique shows for children of all ages.

From the sun baked Oklahoma Territory at the turn of the 20th century comes the Broadway classic, Oklahoma!, beginning April 11 with an opening on Wednesday, April 18 at 7:30 p.m. at 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire.

From the sun baked Oklahoma Territory at the turn of the 20th century comes the Broadway classic, Oklahoma!, beginning April 11 with a press opening on Wednesday, April 18 at 7:30 p.m. at 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire. Due to high demand, an additional week is now on sale through June 10. Featuring a powerful score by legendary duo Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II, and based on Lynn Riggs' 1931 play, Green Grow the Lilacs, Oklahoma! will be directed by Artistic Director and Jeff Award-winner Aaron Thielen (She Loves Me, Spring Awakening). Jeff Award nominee Alex Sanchez (Marriott Theatre: Newsies, Evita, On the Town, Mary Poppins) will choreograph, with Musical Direction and orchestrations by Jeff Award winner Ryan T. Nelson.

First Floor Theater is thrilled to continue their sixth season with the world premiere of Lucas Baisch's poetic and poignant drama REFRIGERATOR, directed by artistic director Hutch Pimentel. REFRIGERATOR will play May 13 - June 9, 2018 at The Den Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago. Tickets are on sale now at firstfloortheater.com. The press opening is Wednesday, May 16 at 7:30 pm.

Victory Gardens Theater continues its 43rd season with the World Premiere of Lettie, written by Boo Killebrew and directed by Artistic Director Chay Yew. Lettie runs April 6 - May 6, 2018, with the press performance on Friday, April 13, 2018 at 7:30pm at Victory Gardens Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Avenue.

About Face Theatre is pleased to present its annual gala and Chicago's hottest party: WONKA BALL at Saturday Night Live: The Experience! on Friday, May 11, 2018 at 8 pm (VIP Cocktail Reception at 7 pm) at the Museum of Broadcast Communications, 360 N. State St. in Chicago. Tickets are currently available at www.aboutfacetheatre.com or by calling (773) 784-8565. Discounted early bird ticket specials are available through Wednesday, April 11, 2018.

Abingdon Theatre Company (Tony Speciale, Artistic Director; Denise Dickens, Producing Director) has announced casting for the first production of its 25th Anniversary main stage season, The Gentleman Caller, a new play by Philip Dawkins (Charm, Le Switch, The Homosexuals).

American Blues Theater concludes its 2017-2018 Season with BUDDY - The Buddy Holly Story, written by Alan Janes, directed by Lily-Anne Brown, with musical direction by Ensemble Member Michael Mahler. BUDDY - The Buddy Holly Story runs April 27 - May 26, 2018 at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago. 

Raven Theatre is pleased to continue its 35th anniversary season with the world premiere of Philip Dawkins' provocative drama THE GENTLEMAN CALLER, directed by Artistic Director Cody Estle.

Steep Theatre is thrilled to welcome several new members to its ensemble of artists. Nate Faust, Brandon Rivera, Amber Sallis, and Sasha Smith are the newest members of Steep's acting ensemble. Both Faust and Sallis appeared in last year's Earthquakes in London, and Sallis returns to Steep's stage next week in Simon Stephens' Birdland. Brandon Rivera debuted at Steep in Brilliant Adventures, and Sasha Smith appeared in Steep's Hookman and Hinter.

After selling out more than half its run prior to opening, Raven Theatre is pleased to announce a two week extension for its world premiere of Philip Dawkins' provocative drama THE GENTLEMAN CALLER, directed by Artistic Director Cody Estle, now playing through May 27, 2018 in Raven's intimate 55-seat West Stage, 6157 N. Clark St. (at Granville) in Chicago.

Lookingglass Theatre Company announces its complete 2018-2019 season lineup. The season begins with the World Premiere of The Steadfast Tin Soldier: A Christmas Pantomime, conceived and directed by Ensemble Member Mary Zimmerman from the story by Hans Christian Andersen. Following The Steadfast Tin Soldier is the World Premiere of Act(s) of God written by Ensemble Member Kareem Bandealy and directed by Ensemble Member Heidi Stillman.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company presents the Chicago premiere production of The Roommate by Jen Silverman, directed by Tony Award Winner Phylicia Rashad. A unique story that expresses how early-life choices can lead to mid-life challenges and the humorous, touching and unexpected rewards of bridging the divide, the Steppenwolf production will feature ensemble members Ora Jones as Robyn and Sandra Marquez as Sharon.

Court Theatre, under the continuing leadership of Charles Newell, Marilyn F. Vitale Artistic Director, continues its 2017/18 season with Guess Who's Coming to Dinner by Todd Kreidler (based on the screenplay by William Rose), directed by Marti Lyons with Associate Director Wardell Julius Clark. Guess Who's Coming to Dinner runs March 15 - April 15, 2018 at Court Theatre, 5535 S. Ellis Ave. The press opening is Saturday, March 24, 2018 at 8:00pm.

Commission Theatre (CT) presents CLEARING, a social drama by Beth Hyland. CLEARING will be directed by Claire Reinhart. The opening night and press performance will take place on Friday June 8th at 8pm with Thursday - Saturday performances through June 23rd. This is the first production of Commission Theatre's 2018 season.