About Face Theatre News

The popular stand-up comedy show, S.U.C.K. (Stand Up Comedy Klub), returns to The Mockingbird Bar in the East Village with performances on September 22, October 21, and November 17.

Victory Gardens Theater begins its 43rd season with Fun Home, with music written by Jeanine Tesori, book and lyrics written by Lisa Kron and directed by Gary Griffin.

The Board of Directors of About Face Theatre Company is pleased to announce the appointment of Megan Carney as AFT's new Artistic Director. Carney, who currently serves as the Director of the Gender and Sexuality Center at the University of Illinois at Chicago, will join the company this fall. She succeeds Andrew Volkoff, who stepped down earlier this summer.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company announces full casting for its upcoming productions of BLKS by poet Aziza Barnes (December 7, 2017 - January 28, 2018); You Got Older by Clare Barron (January 25 - March 11, 2018); and Steppenwolf for Young Adults' production of The Burn by Philip Dawkins (February 14 - March 3, 2018).

Windy City Playhouse announces an expansion in programming with a world-premiere immersive theatrical production, 'Southern Gothic,' premiering February 7, 2018 and running through April 1, 2018 as a stand-alone production following the 2017 season.

On Monday, September 25, the Chicago theater community will come together to fight racism in a special event co-produced by Black Ensemble Theater and Steppenwolf Theatre Company.

A Red Orchid Theatre opens its 2017-2018 Season with Wallace Shawn's Evening at the Talk House, directed by Ensemble Member Shade Murray.

About Face Theatre and Theater Wit are pleased to announce full casting for the Midwest premiere of the romantic comedy SIGNIFICANT OTHER by Joshua Harmon, playwright of the hit comedy Bad Jews, directed by AFT Artistic Associate Keira Fromm.

 Porchlight Music Theatre and Artistic Director Michael Weber are proud to announce the first mainstage production it its 2017 - 2018 season Billy Elliot the Musical, music by Elton John and book and lyrics by Lee Hall, with direction and choreography by Porchilght Artistic Associate Brenda Didier, with Associate Choreographer Craig V. Miller and music direction by Porchlight Artistic Associate Linda Madonia at Porchlght's new home, the Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn Street. Previews are Friday, Oct. 6 and Oct. 13 at 8 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 7 and Oct. 14 at 8 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 8 at 2 p.m., Monday, Oct. 9 at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 12 at 7:30 p.m. Opening night is Sunday, Oct. 15 at 6 p.m. The regular run performance schedule is Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sundays at 6 p.m. (October 22, October 29 and November 5) and at 2 p.m. (November 12 and 19) with an open captioned performance, Saturday, Oct. 28 at 4 p.m. and a weekday matinee Thursday, Nov. 16 at 1:30 p.m. Please note: there is no 7:30 p.m. performance Thursday, Nov. 16. Tickets are $33 - $60 and available at PorchlightMusicTheatre.org or by calling the Porchlight Music Theatre  box office, 773.777.9884.

First Floor Theater is pleased to announce casting for its world premiere of Leah Nanako Winkler's explosive satire of the classic white American family drama, TWO MILE HOLLOW, directed by Artistic Director Hutch Pimentel.

MCC Theater presents the first show of its upcoming 2017-18 season: the NYC premiere of the acclaimed transgender-themed play Charm-inspired by the real-life story of Miss Gloria Allen.

In October, New Conservatory Theatre Center welcomes the return of the plays of Philip Dawkins with the regional premiere of Le Switch, directed by Tom Bruett. Following the success of NCTC's production of Dawkin's play The Homosexuals in its 2013-14 Season, NCTC brings the play that has been hailed by Chicago Tribune as "another significant play from one of the Chicago's theater's brightest talents." Le Switch follows David, a self-possessed New York librarian with a need for classification, a love for collecting rare books he never opens and a strong ambivalence about marriage. What happens when his best friend's bachelor party takes him to Montreal, and he is swept off his feet by a charming young florist? A witty and whimsical romantic comedy tied in knots.

Route 66 Theatre company has announced the cast and design team for the second show of its ninth season, the Chicago premiere of Halley Feiffer's dark comedy A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE GYNECOLOGIC ONCOLOGY UNIT AT SLOAN-KETTERING MEMORIAL CANCER CENTER OF NEW YORK CITY.

Route 66 Theatre company will conclude its ninth season with the Chicago premiere of Halley Feiffer's dark comedy A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE GYNECOLOGIC ONCOLOGY UNIT AT SLOAN-KETTERING MEMORIAL CANCER CENTER OF NEW YORK CITY, directed by Keira Fromm, playing August 24 - September 23, 2017 at The Den Theatre's new Bookspan Theatre, 1333 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago.

Seven world premiere plays seen first by Chicago audiences were among those receiving nominations by The Jeff Awards. 158 nominations in 33 categories honor Chicago Equity theatrical productions that opened between August 1, 2016 and July 31, 2017.

Pride Films and Plays is delighted to announce Kellee Terrell's GEMMA as the winner of its 2017 LezPlay Contest. Out of three dozen entries, three scripts advanced to the finals. LezPlay Literary Coordinator Allison Fradkin says, "These two screenplays and one stage play elevate and celebrate dyke drama (and comedy), showcasing Sapphic-centric narratives that spoke loud and queer to our judges. "

Pride Films and Plays today announced a new monthly series of shows spotlighting a cross-genre feast of queer and queer-ally local performers.

Porchlight Music Theatre and Artistic Director Michael Weber are proud to announce the first mainstage production it its 2017 - 2018 season Billy Elliot the Musical, music by Elton John and book and lyrics by Lee Hall, with direction and choreography by Porchilght Artistic Associate Brenda Didier, with Associate Choreographer Craig V. Miller and music direction by Porchlight Artistic Associate Linda Madonia at Porchlght's new home, the Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn Street. 

The monthly comedy show S.U.C.K. (Stand Up Comedy Klub), returns to the stage on Friday, August 25th at 8:00 pm with August of Wind at The Mockingbird Bar in the East Village.

About Face Theatre is pleased to present the world premiere of BRAVE LIKE THEM, a punk-infused exploration of the underground "riot grrrl" movement of the 1990s, devised and performed by members of the About Face Youth Theatre Ensemble and co-directed by AFT Education and Outreach Director Ali Hoefnagel and Education Coordinator Kieran Kredell.