Breon Arzell News

More than 60 Chicagoland students make their Goodman Theatre debut on the mainstage to conclude summer programming-PlayBuild Youth Intensive and Musical Theater Intensive-on August 10 and 11 at 7pm. The free programs were taught over a course of seven-to-eight weeks in the Alice Rapoport Center for Education and Engagement.

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.

Red Theater Chicago announces that its Jeff Award-winning production of The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity will receive a limited remount next month as part of the 2018 Theater on the Lake Summer Theater Festival. Written by Kristoffer Diaz and directed by company member Jeremy Aluma, performances will take place August 7-10, 2018 at The South Shore Cultural Center.

The House Theatre of Chicago is proud to announce casting and the production team for the company's season opener, Borealis. Director Monty Cole helms the professional premiere of playwright Bennett Fisher's epic adventure through the corporate guts of Big Oil. Borealis runs August 30 through October 21 at Chopin Theatre's Upstairs Theater, 1543 W. Division St., Previews begin Thursday, August 30 and play through Friday, September 7.

Goodman Theatre is pleased to announce the "Disney Musicals in Schools" Student Share Celebration, featuring nearly 200 students from five Chicago schools performing for their classmates, families and community members.

The Gift Theatre is pleased to continue its 17th season with William Shakespeare's HAMLET. Directed by guest artist Monty Cole, this production of the Bard's great tragedy will crack open the mind of one of western drama's most fascinating and complex characters. HAMLET will play June 1 - July 29, 2018 at 4802 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago's Jefferson Park neighborhood. Single tickets and season subscriptions are currently available by calling the Gift's box office at (773) 283-7071 or visiting thegifttheatre.org. 

Chicago Children's Theatre's much anticipated 2017-18 season finale has arrived, and it's the hip-hop, heart-thumpin', toe-tappin' joy ride Last Stop on Market Street, a world premiere musical based on the 2016 Newbery-winning, Caldecott-honored children's book by Matt de la Peña.

The Jeff Awards announced today a total of 115 nominations in 19 categories for the 45th Annual Non-Equity Jeff Awards.

Haven Theatre is pleased to announce its 2018-19 Season, kicking off this fall with its fourth consecutive DIRECTOR'S HAVEN, three short plays showcasing the talents of early career directors. Helming this year's productions are Charlotte Drover, Anna Sung-En Medill and Dani Wieder.

First Floor Theater is pleased to continue their sixth season with the Chicago premiere of Nathan Alan Davis's poetic and poignant drama, DONTRELL, WHO KISSED THE SEA, directed by Chika Ike. DONTRELL, WHO KISSED THE SEA will play March 4 - 31, 2018 at The Den Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago. Tickets are currently on sale at firstfloortheater.com. 

Goodman Theatre announces the five Chicagoland elementary schools that have been selected to participate in the 2018 "Disney Musicals in Schools" program, an outreach initiative developed by Disney Theatrical Productions to create sustainable theater programs in under-resourced elementary schools. Coordinated by Goodman Theatre artists Adrian Azevedo and Anna Gelman, under the leadership of Walter Director of Education and Engagement Willa J. Taylor, the five area public elementary schools received performance rights to a Disney musical of their choice, at no cost.

First Floor Theater is pleased to continue their sixth season with the Chicago premiere of Nathan Alan Davis's poetic and poignant drama, DONTRELL, WHO KISSED THE SEA, directed by Chika Ike. DONTRELL, WHO KISSED THE SEA will play March 4 - 31, 2018 at The Den Theatre, 1333 N Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago. Tickets are currently on sale at firstfloortheater.com. 

Stage Left Theatre presents Robert O'Hara's INSURRECTION: HOLDING HISTORY. Directed by Wardell Julius Clark, INSURRECTION: HOLDING HISTORY runs January 11th through February 11th.

INSURRECTION: HOLDING HISTORY, directed by Wardell Julius Clark, opened at Stage Left Theatre on January 11th and runs through February 11th. The play, written by Robert O'Hara, tells the story of a Ron, a young African-American man who trying to complete his grad school thesis on Nat Turner's Slave Rebellion. Aided by his great-great grandfather, he travels 189 years back in time to meet Nat in person. This journey forces Ron to confront his identity, his sexuality, and his family history.

INSURRECTION: HOLDING HISTORY, directed by Wardell Julius Clark, opened at Stage Left Theatre on January 11th and runs through February 11th. The play, by Robert O'Hara, tells the story of a young African-American man who trying to complete his grad school thesis on Nat Turner's Slave Rebellion. Aided by his great-great grandfather, he travels back in time to meet Nat in person.

Stage Left Theatre announces the upcoming Chicago premiere of Insurrection: Holding History, written by Robert O'Hara and directed by Wardell Julius Clark.

The votes have been counted... Check out the fill list of winners for the 2017 BWW Regional Awards!

More Chicagoland families now have the opportunity to experience A Christmas Carol as Goodman Theatre offers its first-ever sensory-friendly/relaxed performance. Presented in partnership with Autism Speaks-Chicago, the Goodman welcomes families with members who have autism or other social, cognitive and physical challenges that create sensory sensitivities.

Goodman Theatre and Candlelighters NYC partner for the launch of the theater's Tiny Tim Drive a charitable effort during A Christmas Carol that spotlights one service organization selected by the young performer portraying Tiny Tim. Candlelighters NYC from which 10-year-old actor Paris Strickland has personally benefited supports families who travel to New York City for pediatric cancer treatment.

Over four decades, 1.5 million people have delighted in Scrooge's unforgettable discovery of kindness, generosity and love. Goodman Theatre's A Christmas Carol celebrates 40 years. This year's spotlight falls on Paris Strickland, the adorable 10 year-old girl with a miraculous story of her own. CBS Sunday Morning chatted with the young actress and her Goodman company.