Chicago Shakespeare Theater News

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. It's our annual Summer Musical Theater Guide! This week, Part One: Chicagoland. Check out 'The Jungle Book,' 'Kiss Of The Spider Woman,' 'Next To Normal,' 'The Color Purple,' 'Spelling Bee,' 'Cabaret' and a whole lot more!

Greek mythology meets burlesque, puppetry, and a modern Americana score in the latest original piece from acclaimed ensemble Liars & Believers, creators of last year's gritty hit, 28 Seeds. Minnie's Menagerie, a peculiar Depression-era sideshow, is raking it in with the help of Daedalus's whimsical technology. But when Daedalus's son falls in love with Minnie's daughter, the star attraction, their passion and plans to escape threaten to bring it all crashing down.

The Judas Redux team (led by Executive Producers Julia Albain and Corey Lubowich of Team StarKid fame) announces casting for a new production of The Last Days of Judas Iscariot by Stephen Adly Guirgis, and directed by Julia Albain. The Last Days of Judas Iscariot will be presented at Stage 773, 1225 West Belmont in Chicago, for 18 performances, August 23 - September 8, 2013. The Press Opening is scheduled for Sunday, August 25 at 6:00 p.m.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced today the expanded Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks program as part of the City's "Night Out in the Parks" initiative.Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST), the City of Chicago, Chicago Park District and leaders of Chicago's corporate community partner to expand the Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks program, after its inaugural success in 2012. The citywide tour of The Comedy of Errors travels to neighborhood parks across Chicago, FREE FOR ALL, July 25-August 25, 2013. From Humboldt Park to Garfield and Loyola Park to South Shore, this summer's Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks will break down barriers to arts participation and give Chicagoans direct access to their City's cultural resources by bringing 27 free Shakespeare performances into 18 different neighborhood parks.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) produces a summer program annually featuring a festival of plays-from family musicals to international guest artists to classic and re-imagined productions of Shakespeare's canon-attracting Chicagoans and tourists alike. Over nine million people come to Navy Pier each year, the majority in the summer months, and Chicago Shakespeare is the premier theatrical attraction at the Midwest's most visited site.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Will 'Big Fish' swim? 'Buddy,' the Bee Gees, 'Flashdance' and the new 'Phantom,' plus our own 'South Pacific,' Waa-Mu, 'A New Brain,' a showtune showdown and more!

Long Wharf Theatre concludes its 2012-13 season with Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winning play Clybourne Park, by Bruce Norris, and directed by Associate Artistic Director Eric Ting. The play will take place on The Claire Tow Stage in the C. Newton Schenck III Mainstage from tonight, May 8, 2013 through June 2, 2013.

STAGES ST. LOUIS celebrates music legend and cross-over sensation Patsy Cline, May 31 through June 30 at the Robert G. Reim Theatre in Kirkwood. The touching true story, Always... Patsy Cline combines humor, heartache and 27 of Patsy's most unforgettable hits, such as 'Crazy,' 'Walkin' After Midnight,' 'Sweet Dreams,' and more.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) announces William Shakespeare's Henry VIII, the first professional Chicago production in 400 years since its debut at Shakespeare's Globe in London. Staged by Artistic Director Barbara Gaines in CST's Courtyard Theater April 30-June 16, 2013, Henry VIII features a celebrated company of artists that includes Gregory Wooddell in the title role and Christina Pumariega as Anne Boleyn. The Acting Company features an ensemble of veteran CST actors which includes Kate Buddeke, David Darlow, Kevin Gudahl, Scott Jaeck, Ora Jones, David Lively and Mike Nussbaum. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the production highlights below.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) announces William Shakespeare's Henry VIII, the first professional Chicago production in 400 years since its debut at Shakespeare's Globe in London. Staged by Artistic Director Barbara Gaines in CST's Courtyard Theater April 30-June 16, 2013, Henry VIII features a celebrated company of artists that includes Gregory Wooddell in the title role and Christina Pumariega as Anne Boleyn. The acting company features an ensemble of veteran CST actors which includes Kate Buddeke, David Darlow, Kevin Gudahl, Scott Jaeck, Ora Jones, David Lively and Mike Nussbaum. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the production shots below.

Broadway veteran and Saturday Night Live favorite, Ana Gasteyer, brings her unique comic wit and style to the stage in her show of songs and stories. The comedy superstar dons a dress and works her hardest to keep the evening elegant with her powerhouse vocals showcased in Broadway ditties, standards and more. Gasteyer fronts a swinging ensemble in an evening that promises to be classy, brassy and sassy or jazzy, quirky and tear-jerky depending on world events and/or her hair frizz factor.

TimeLine Theatre Company, dedicated to presenting plays inspired by history that connect to today's social and political issues, announces that The How and the Why by Sarah Treem (Netflix's House of Cards, HBO's In Treatment), directed by Keira Fromm and starring Janet Ulrich Brooks and Elizabeth Ledo, will be the third production of its 2013-14 season.

Summer 2013 will bring a wealth of new works to Chicago stages, closing out this season with some of the most exciting theater in the country, and holding Chicago's place as a leader on the national scene. Offerings from the city's more than 200 producing theaters includes a range of special summer programming, featuring everything from the latest musicals and highly anticipated world premieres to updated classics.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) presents Henry VIII, for the first time in CST's history, staged by the masterful hand of Artistic Director Barbara Gaines, whose vision provides audience members the opportunity to discover Shakespeare's unparalleled insight into the collective human condition. As the sordid tale unfolds of England's most opulent king-notorious for his habit of wedding and beheading-Anne Boleyn rises to power, Queen Katherine is ousted from her throne, and the political machinations and exploits of a king's reign are laid bare. Chicago Shakespeare's Henry VIII plays in CST's Courtyard Theater tonight, April 30-June 16, 2013.

Greek mythology meets burlesque, puppetry, and a modern Americana score in the latest original piece from acclaimed ensemble Liars & Believers, creators of last year's gritty hit, 28 Seeds. Minnie's Menagerie, a peculiar Depression-era sideshow, is raking it in with the help of Daedalus's whimsical technology. But when Daedalus's son falls in love with Minnie's daughter, the star attraction, their passion and plans to escape threaten to bring it all crashing down.

The Rose Theater, one of the country's largest theaters specializing in professional productions for young audiences, will present nine shows for the 2013-14 season. Included are two world premieres, Leo Lionni's Frederick, a musical based on the popular 1968 children's book, and The Grocer's Goblin & The Little Mermaid adapted from two Hans Christen Andersen tales by Rose Playwright-in-Residence Brian Guehring and Rose Director of Youth Productions Stephanie Jacobson.

STAGES ST. LOUIS is proud to announce casting for Always... Patsy Cline, Legally Blonde, The Musical and My Fair Lady. This season exceptional talent will bring life tothree passionate women who broke down society's barriers and stereotypes by refusing to be limited by the vision of others. STAGES also announces the cast for the Theatre for Young Audiences production of, the 'princess story' that started it all, Disney's Cinderella. All season and single tickets are on sale now.

Celebrate Shakespeare's birthday with Talk Like Shakespeare Day -- a day when everyone gets to be a Lord or Lady... or a Fool! -- today, April 23, 2013, Shakespeare's 449th Birthday.

Celebrate Shakespeare's birthday with Talk Like Shakespeare Day -- a day when everyone gets to be a Lord or Lady... or a Fool! -- on April 23, 2013, Shakespeare's 449th Birthday.

Porchlight Music Theatre presents Pal Joey, book by John O'Hara, music by Richard Rodgers and lyrics by Lorenz Hart, tonight, April 20 - May 26, at Stage 773, 1225 West Belmont Ave. Directed by Porchlight Music Theatre's Artistic Director, Michael Weber with music direction by Porchlight Artistic Associate Doug Peck (reuniting with Weber for the first time since their collaboration on Porchlight's triumphant production of Assassins) and choreography by Porchlight Artistic Associate Brenda Didier, Pal Joey stars Adrian Aguliar, 'Joey Evans,' Susie McMonagle, 'Vera Simpson,' Laura Savage, 'Linda English,' Matt Orlando, 'Ludlow Lowell' and Sharriese Hamilton, 'Gladys Bumps.'