About Face Theatre News

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.

Random Acts is thrilled to announce the complete list of artists for the inaugural #SafeSpace event, launching on Monday, March 19th at 8pm hosted by Sadieh Rifai (Amazon's Patriot.) Proceeds from the event, which will be held at Galway Arms (2442 N. Clark) will be donated to Planned Parenthood.

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.

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.

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is ready to il-lumos-nate your mind, tug at your dragon heart strings, and most importantly, welcome you back home to Hogwarts as it begins previews tonight. Get to know the cast below as they begin Broadway performances!

The Geffen Playhouse today announced the full cast for its production of Joshua Harmon's (Bad Jews) critically-acclaimed hit play, Significant Other, directed by Stephen Brackett. The cast features Melanie Field (Paramount Network's Heathers) as Laura, Vella Lovell (CW's Crazy Ex-Girlfriend) as Vanessa, Preston Martin as Zach/Evan/Roger, Keilly McQuail (Amazon's The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel) as Kiki, John Garet Stoker (CBS's Code Black) as Will/Conrad/Tony, Concetta Tomei (Deep Impact) as Helene Berman and Will Von Vogt as Jordan Berman.

Random Acts new variety event series, #SafeSpace, will launch with a show on Monday, March 19th at 8pm hosted by actor and comedian Sadieh Rifai (Amazon's Patriot.). Proceeds from the 3/19 event will be donated to Planned Parenthood.

Rivendell Theatre Ensemble (RTE), Chicago's only Equity theatre dedicated to producing new work with women at the core, announces the Midwest premiere of 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.

Porchlight Music Theatre announced that Lorenzo Rush Jr has replaced James Earl Jones II in Porchlight Revisits They're Playing Our Song, music by Marvin Hamlisch, lyrics by Carole Bayer Sager and book by Neil Simon, with direction and choreography by Christopher Carter and musical direction by Andra Velis Simon. Porchlight Revisits They're Playing our Song is presented for three-nights-only Tuesday, March 6 through Thursday, March 8 at 7:15 p.m. and is performed on the set of Porchlight's Merrily We Roll Along (previews begin January 26) at Porchlight's new home, The Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn Street. Tickets for They're Playing Our Song are $35.

About Face Theatre is pleased to announce casting for its 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 Jeanette Marks.

Following its sell-out hit Significant Other, About Face Theatre is pleased to continue its 2017-18 season with the Midwest premiere of R. Eric Thomas' gleeful mystery TIME IS ON OUR SIDE, directed by Artistic Director Megan Carney, playing March 1 - April 7, 2018 at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago.