Chicago Dramatists News

Rogers Park?s award-winning Lifeline Theatre continues bringing educational opportunities to children for the ninth summer, with its Summer Drama Camp for children aged 7-12. Instructors Jasmin Cardenas and Edward Paul lead the camp?s drama sessions, which emphasize self-esteem building, artistry and teamwork in an atmosphere of mutual encouragement and respect. The camp culminates in a special performance for family and friends on the evening of Friday, July 24, 2009.

16th Street Theater, a part of the North Berwyn Park District, is proud to announce its production of the remount of Brett Neveu's The Last Barbecue directed by Artistic Director Ann Filmer. The Last Barbecue will run July 9 - August 8, 2009 at the Berwyn Cultural Center, with a press opening of Saturday July 11 at 5:00 PM.

The New York Post's Michael Riedel is reporting that film stars Hugh Jackman and Daniel Craig will team up in a new play this fall on Broadway.

Profiles Theatre concludes its 20th Anniversary Season with the World premiere of the comedy/drama Graceland by Ellen Fairey, directed by Matt Miller. The production runs May 22-June 28, 2009, at Profiles Theatre, 4147 N. Broadway. The press opening is Thursday, May 28, 2009, at 8:00 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.

The soloNOVA Arts Festival presents Creating Illusion written and performed by Jeff Grow, directed by Jessi D. Hill

Court Theatre concludes its 54th season with August Wilson's beloved classic The Piano Lesson, directed by Resident Artist Ron OJ Parson. The fourth play in Wilson's Century Cycle will run at Court Theatre, 5535 S Ellis Avenue, May 5 - June 7, 2009. The press opening is Saturday, May 16, 2009 at 8:00 p.m.

Profiles Theatre concludes its 20th Anniversary Season with the World premiere of the comedy/drama Graceland by Ellen Fairey, directed by Matt Miller. The production runs May 22-June 28, 2009, at Profiles Theatre, 4147 N. Broadway. The press opening is Thursday, May 28, 2009, at 8:00 p.m.

Mary-Arrchie Theatre Co. is proud to present the Midwest premiere of MUD PEOPLE at Angel Island, 735 W. Sheridan. It will open Thursday June 4th at 8 p.m. and run Thursday through Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 7 p.m. Tickets are $18 on Thursday and Sunday, $20 on Friday, and $22 on Saturday. There will be $5 previews on Tuesday June 2 and Wednesday June 3rd at 8 p.m. We will close on Sunday, July 12th.

The 16th Annual Merritt Award for Excellence in Design and Collaboration program, honoring world class scenic designer Todd Rosenthal (August: Osage County), will take place on Monday, April 27, at the Steppenwolf Merle Reskin Garage Theatre. The doors open at 5:30 p.m. with a viewing of the third annual ?Theater Design Expo' showcasing the works of over 20 Chicago-area emerging theatrical designers and a student portfolio review. Martha Lavey, Artistic Director of Steppenwolf Theatre Company, will moderate an inclusive discussion, 'Moving Chicago Productions to New York and Beyond' with the awardees, Director Anna Shapiro and Joshua Schmidt, composer and librettist, from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

The Cleveland Play House Artistic Director Michael Bloom announces the world premiere production of Thornton Wilder's novel Heaven's My Destination, adapted by award-winning playwright Lee Blessing. The play is the centerpiece of the fourth annual FusionFest, a multidisciplinary performing arts festival.

Currently celebrating its 30th Anniversary Season, the Pegasus Players Board of Directors is excited to welcome Christopher Schram as its new Executive Director. Schram replaces Arlene Crewdson, who founded the company and served as its Executive Director for 30 years before stepping down last January to spend more time with her family.

Court Theatre concludes its 54th season with August Wilson's beloved classic The Piano Lesson, directed by Resident Artist Ron OJ Parson. The fourth play in Wilson's Century Cycle will run at Court Theatre, 5535 S Ellis Avenue, May 5 - June 7, 2009. The press opening is Saturday, May 16, 2009 at 8:00 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.

STAGEWORKS Theatre is now accepting submissions of original, previously un-produced and unpublished full-length plays for consideration for a STAGED READING during our 2008 - 2009 Season. Preference is given to plays that encourage multi-racial casting. Three (3) plays will be selected. Playwrights will receive, if their play is chosen, a staged reading with the assistance of a dramaturg.

Artistic Director BJ Jones and Executive Director Timothy J. Evans announce the Chicago Premiere of Mauritius by Theresa Rebeck, directed by Rick Snyder. The production, featuring Anne Adams, Lance Baker, Gary Houston, Dan Kuhlman and Suzanne Lang runs February 25- April 5, 2009 at Northlight Theatre, 9501 Skokie Blvd in Skokie. The press performance is Thursday, March 5, 2009, at 7:30 p.m.

Joyce Award-recipient Naomi Iizuka brings her tale of family ties, a lingering debt, mystical stories-and magical food-to the Goodman stage in her newest work, Ghostwritten, April 4 - May 3, 2009. Lisa Portes, who has shepherded this play from its first appearance at the 2007 New Stages Series, directs its world-premiere production with a cast of Chicago favorites led by Lisa Tejero (Mirror of the Invisible World and Metamorphoses) and Kim Martin-Cotten (King Lear).

The Cleveland Play House Artistic Director Michael Bloom announces the world premiere production of Thornton Wilder's novel Heaven's My Destination, adapted by award-winning playwright Lee Blessing. The play is the centerpiece of the fourth annual FusionFest, a multidisciplinary performing arts festival.

Bristol Riverside Theatre continues its America Rising: Voices of Today reading series with Brett Neveu's Harmless. This reading will take place Sunday, March 29 at 5 p.m. at St. James Parish Hall, 225 Walnut Street in Bristol. Individual reading tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students. Tickets include entertainment, a post-show discussion and a soul food dinner.

Rubicon Theatre Company continues its 'Brave New World' Season with FIDDLER ON THE ROOF. The musical begins previews Thursday, March 19, open on Saturday, March 21 at 7pm and run through Sunday, April 26, 2009 at Rubicon Theatre, 1006 E. Main Street in Ventura. FIDDLER ON THE ROOF is the Tony Award? winning musical that captured the hearts of people all over the world with its universal appeal. The play tells the story of Tevye, a Jewish milkman coping with day-to-day 'shtetl' life, Jewish traditions and the women in his life in pre-Revolutionary Russia.