Charles Abbott News

The Walnut Street Theatre opens its 211th season (no typo) with an uproarious YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN. This venerable theatre has seen the likes of all the Barrymores, Katherine Hepburn and Edwin Booth, to name a few. (Although his brother's legacy probably tanked his career).

Walnut Street Theatre opens its 211th season with Mel Brooks' hilarious musical comedy, YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN THE MUSICAL. Directed by Charles Abbott and choreographed by Mary Jane Houdina, the electrifying production begins previews on September 3, opens September 11, and continues through October 20.

Walnut Street Theatre opens its 211th season with Mel Brooks' hilarious musical comedy, YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN THE MUSICAL. Previews on September 3, opens September 11, and continues through October 20.

Walnut Street Theatre opens its 211th season with Mel Brooks' hilarious musical comedy, YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN THE MUSICAL. Directed by Charles Abbott and choreographed by Mary Jane Houdina, the electrifying production begins previews on September 3, opens September 11, and continues through October 20.

Shattered Globe Theatre announces its 2019-20 Season, featuring two Chicago premieres: BE HERE NOW by Deborah Zoe Laufer, directed by Producing Artistic Director Sandy Shinner* a?" a bittersweet comedy about searching for happiness; and SHEEPDOG by Kevin Artigue, directed by Wardell Julius Clark a?" a love story colliding with today's headlines; followed by WHEN THE RAIN STOPS FALLING by Andrew Bovell, directed by Elizabeth Margolius a?" a stunning mystery of love and loss that reverberates through four generations.

Cleveland Play House (CPH), offers the thought-provoking comedy Native Gardens from playwright Karen Zacarias, to be performed April 27th - May 19th  in the Allen Theatre at Playhouse Square.  The production is directed by CPH Associate Artistic Director Robert Barry Fleming, with a press opening Friday, May 3rd. 

Firebrand Theatre presents the Chicago premiere of QUEEN OF THE MIST, based on the sensational true story of Anna (Annie) Edson Taylor, the first woman to go over Niagara Falls.

Firebrand Theatre is pleased to announce award-winning actress Barbara E. Robertson will star as Anna (Annie) Edson Taylor in its Chicago premiere of QUEEN OF THE MIST featuring book, music and lyrics by Michael John LaChiusa (The Wild Party, Marie Christine) direction by Elizabeth Margolius and music direction by Charlotte Rivard-Hoster. Newly-arranged for an all-femme quintet, QUEEN OF THE MIST will play May 25 - July 6, 2019 at The Den Theatre's Janet Bookspan Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago.

The Walnut Theater opens its 210th season with HOLIDAY INN with music by America's songwriter, Irving Berlin. One is invariably impressed by the institution's lavish sets (Robert Andrew Kovach) and the quality and attention to detail of their entire Creative Crew.

Walnut Street Theatre opens its landmark 210th season with the lush romantic comedy Irving Berlin's HOLIDAY INN, featuring a score by "America's Songwriter."  Based on the classic film by the same name, the production will be directed by Charles Abbott and choreographed by Michelle Gaudette. Irving Berlin's Holiday Inn begins previews on September 4th, opens on September 12th, and runs through October 21st on the Walnut's Mainstage.

Firebrand Theatre, the first musical theatre company committed to employing and empowering women by expanding opportunities on and off the stage, is pleased to announce its second season, featuring two fully-produced musicals, including a Chicago premiere. 

Anniversaries are customarily times to reflect on the past, but for Maine State Music Theatre's Artistic Director, Curt Dale Clark, the 2018 gala celebration of the company's sixty years is not only a time to celebrate history, but also to use the significant milestone as an opportunity to look to the future. 'We are thinking forward and not resting on our laurels. We are accentuating what works, trying to fix what doesn't, and trying to find new ways to engage the community and make them happy,' Clark explains his philosophy about the Brunswick-based theatre's upcoming historic season.

Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation (SDCF), the not-for-profit foundation of Stage Directors and Choreographers Society, has opened the application for the first of this season's two Charles Abbott Fellowships and announced the timetable for the second Fellowship application process. The fellowship opportunities will be with Curt Columbus, artistic director of Trinity Repertory Company in Providence RI on his production of the musical Ragtime at Trinity Rep, and with Joseph Haj, artistic director of the Guthrie Theatre in Minneapolis MN on his production of the musical West Side Story at The Guthrie.

Greenhouse Theater Center has launched its 2017-18 season with Artistic Director Jacob Harvey and Elizabeth Margolius' bold reimagining of Sophie Treadwell's most celebrated play, MACHINAL.

Audiences will be swept away by the life-changing, four-day love affair in the lush musical 'The Bridges of Madison County' at Peninsula Players Theatre July 26 through August 13, 2017.   One of the most romantic stories ever written, 'The Bridges of Madison County' first captured the nation's attention in 1992 as a best-selling novel, then again in 1995 as a major motion picture.  It is now an irresistible, two-time Tony Award-winning musical.

Greenhouse Theater Center has launched its 2017-18 season with Artistic Director Jacob Harvey and Elizabeth Margolius' bold reimagining of Sophie Treadwell's most celebrated play, MACHINAL.

Theater Resources Unlimited (TRU) announces Catharsis, the first show of the TRU Voices New Plays Reading Series, on Monday, June 12, 2017 at 7pm at Soho Playhouse, 15 Vandam Street, NYC.

Theater Resources Unlimited (TRU) announces the TRU Voices New Plays Reading Series, on Mondays, June 12, 19 & 26, 2017 at 7pm at Soho Playhouse, 15 Vandam Street, NYC. A 'Dollars and Sense' talkback on the future development of the presented works will be held after each performance. Admission is free. Please RSVP at least a day in advance (or much sooner) by calling 212/714-7628, or e-mailing TRUVoicesReservations@gmail.com. The three selected works are as follows:

Theater Resources Unlimited (TRU) announces the TRU Voices New Plays Reading Series, on Mondays, June 12, 19 & 26, 2017 at 7pm at Soho Playhouse, 15 Vandam Street, NYC.  A 'Dollars and Sense' talkback on the future development of the presented works will be held after each performance. Admission is free.