Brian Sidney Bembridge News

Run. Do not walk. Run to Oakbrook Terrace-or, at least, run to your car, train, bus, taxi or helicopter-in order to get to Chicago's western suburbs. There you will witness an extraordinary night of theater, Jim Corti's staging of 'Cabaret,' which is seamless, courageous and frequently state-of-the-art.

Strawdog Theatre Company of Chicago announces their 22nd anniversary season of presenting 'the whole wide world in a little black box,' with the three mainstage plays focusing on the theme of 'why we fight': the Midwest premiere of Matt Pepper's St. Crispin's Day, Curt Columbus' translation of Anton Chekhov's Uncle Vanya and David Harrower's translation of Bertolt Brecht's The Good Soul of Szechuan. The productions run Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 4 and 8 p.m., and Sunday at 7 p.m.

In response to extraordinary ticket demand and with the initial 9-week run already essentially sold out, TimeLine Theatre Company announces a 6-week extension of its critically acclaimed Chicago premiere of The History Boys by Alan Bennett, directed by Nick Bowling. The play, originally scheduled to close on June 21, will now continue through August 2, 2009, at TimeLine Theatre, 615 W. Wellington Ave., Chicago.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) brings Disney's Aladdin, an enchanting adaptation of the 1992 animated film, to the stage continuing CST's tradition of bringing family-friendly theater to Navy Pier all summer long.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) brings Disney's Aladdin, an enchanting adaptation of the 1992 animated film, to the stage continuing CST's tradition of bringing family-friendly theater to Navy Pier all summer long.

Strawdog Theatre Company of Chicago announces their 22nd anniversary season of presenting 'the whole wide world in a little black box,' with the three mainstage plays focusing on the theme of 'why we fight': the Midwest premiere of Matt Pepper's 'St. Crispin's Day,' David Harrower's translation of Bertolt Brecht's 'Good Soul of Szechuan,' and Curt Columbus' translation of Anton Chekhov's 'Uncle Vanya.' The shows run Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Sundays at 7 p.m.

Writers' Theatre Artistic Director Michael Halberstam and Executive Director Kathryn M. Lipuma announce the World Premiere of A Minister's Wife, a new musical adapted from George Bernard Shaw's Candida, conceived and directed by Michael Halberstam with musical direction by Richard Casey. A Minister's Wife was adapted by Austin Pendleton with music by Joshua Schmidt and lyrics by Jan Tranen.

In response to extraordinary ticket demand and with the initial 9-week run already essentially sold out, TimeLine Theatre Company announces a 6-week extension of its critically acclaimed Chicago premiere of The History Boys by Alan Bennett, directed by Nick Bowling. The play, originally scheduled to close on June 21, will now continue through August 2, 2009, at TimeLine Theatre, 615 W. Wellington Ave., Chicago.

TimeLine Theatre Company presents the Chicago premiere of the Tony and Olivier award-winning play The History Boys by Alan Bennett. Directed by TimeLine Company member Nick Bowling, The History Boys will open April 25 and run through June 21 (previews April 22 - 24), 2009, at TimeLine Theatre, 615 W. Wellington Ave. in Chicago. Press opening performances are Saturday, April 25 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, April 26 at 2 p.m. For tickets, visit timelinetheatre.com or call 773.281.TIME (8463).

Writers' Theatre Artistic Director Michael Halberstam and Executive Director Kathryn M. Lipuma announce the World Premiere of A Minister's Wife, a new musical adapted from George Bernard Shaw's Candida, conceived and directed by Michael Halberstam with musical direction by Richard Casey. A Minister's Wife was adapted by Austin Pendleton with music by Joshua Schmidt and lyrics by Jan Tranen.

TimeLine Theatre Company presents the Chicago premiere of the Tony and Olivier award-winning play The History Boys by Alan Bennett. Directed by TimeLine Company member Nick Bowling, The History Boys will open April 25 and run through June 21 (previews April 22 - 24), 2009, at TimeLine Theatre, 615 W. Wellington Ave. in Chicago. Press opening performances are Saturday, April 25 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, April 26 at 2 p.m. For tickets, visit timelinetheatre.com or call 773.281.TIME (8463).

This world premiere drama follows famed journalist-turned-playwright Sophie Treadwell as she is drawn into the real-life tragedy of Ruth Snyder?s famous 1928 murder trial. Treadwell is haunted by Ruth?s story and finds herself compelled to bring it to the stage in the form of her landmark play Machinal, acclaimed as one of the highpoints of expressionist theater on the American stage.

TimeLine Theatre Company announces the world premiere of Not Enough Air by Masha Obolensky. The play, directed by Nick Bowling, runs through March 22, 2009 at TimeLine Theatre, 615 W. Wellington Ave., Chicago. To purchase tickets, visit timelinetheatre.com or call 773.281.TIME (8463).

A fantastical epic follows a young girl's amazing pregnancy and kaleidoscopic journey through history: Circle X Theatre Co. presents the World Premiere production of Battle Hymn, by multiple award-winning playwright Jim Leonard (The Diviners, CBS's Close to Home), directed by John Langs. Battle Hymn runs January 17 through February 21 at the 87-seat [Inside] the Ford. This is the second production (following Song of Extinction) in the adventurous 2008-09 season of new plays that is part of the Ford Theatres' partnership program with L.A. County-based performing arts organizations.

Northlight Theatre continues its 2008-2009 Season with the World Premiere of Po Boy Tango by Kenneth Lin, directed by Chay Yew. The production, featuring Ken Narasaki, Jeanne Sakata and Jacqueline Williams, runs January 7-February 15, 2009 at Northlight Theatre, 9501 Skokie Blvd in Skokie.

TimeLine Theatre Company announces the world premiere of Not Enough Air by Masha Obolensky. The play, directed by Nick Bowling, runs January 24 through March 22, 2009 (previews January 21 through January 23) at TimeLine Theatre

Northlight Theatre continues its 2008-2009 Season with the World Premiere of Po Boy Tango by Kenneth Lin, directed by Chay Yew. The production, featuring Ken Narasaki, Jeanne Sakata and Jacqueline Williams, runs January 7-February 15, 2009 at Northlight Theatre, 9501 Skokie Blvd in Skokie.

A fantastical epic follows a young girl's amazing pregnancy and kaleidoscopic journey through history: Circle X Theatre Co. presents the World Premiere production of Battle Hymn, by multiple award-winning playwright Jim Leonard (The Diviners, CBS's Close to Home), directed by John Langs. Battle Hymn runs January 17 through February 21 at the 87-seat [Inside] the Ford. This is the second production (following Song of Extinction) in the adventurous 2008-09 season of new plays that is part of the Ford Theatres' partnership program with L.A. County-based performing arts organizations.

TimeLine Theatre Company announces the world premiere of Not Enough Air by Masha Obolensky. The play, directed by Nick Bowling, runs January 24 through March 22, 2009 (previews January 21 through January 23) at TimeLine Theatre

You couldn't throw at rock at the Wednesday night opening performance of 'Meet Me In St. Louis' at the Drury Lane Theatre Water Tower Place without striking the cream of Chicago's hometown musical theater talent. And THAT was if you threw a rock at the audience!