Chicago Shakespeare Theater News

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.

Jedlicka Performing Arts Center concludes its 2012-13 season with the Tony Award-winning Best Musical Monty Python's SPAMALOT with book and lyrics by Eric Idle, music by John Du Prez and Eric Idle, directed by Dante J. Orfei, music direction by John Warren and choreography by Christopher Pazdernik. Monty Python's SPAMALOT plays April 19 - May 4, 2013 at the Jedlicka Performing Arts Center, 3801 S. Central Ave. in Cicero.

The Shakespeare Theatre Company, recipient of the 2012 Regional Theatre Tony Award, probes the burdens of leadership and the price of power in its Hero/Traitor Repertory of Coriolanus and Wallenstein. In the hands of The Studio Theatre's Artistic Director David Muse and STC's Artistic Director Michael Kahn, this pairing of Shakespearean and German epics challenges the concept of control among military and government institutions. Coriolanus and Wallenstein play at Sidney Harman Hall (610 F Street NW) from tonight, March 28-June 2, 2013.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel, his wife Amy Rule and their three children attended Chicago Shakespeare Theater's Sunday matinee of Othello: The Remix, the hip hop, tragi-comic adaptation of Shakespeare's play, commissioned by Chicago Shakespeare. The City's 'first family' stayed to congratulate the Q Brothers and the acting company after the performance-a homecoming after the work's world premiere in London at Shakespeare's Globe and subsequent tour to Germany and Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Check out a photo of Emanuel with the cast below!

First Folio Theatre (Mayslake Peabody Estate, 31st St. & Rt. 83) presents the acclaimed play UNDERNEATH THE LINTEL, directed by Jeff Award nominee Alison C. Vesely, previewing tonight, March 27, opening March 30 and running through April 28, 2013.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) launches the 2013/14 Season with Gala 2013 on June 17 at its home on Navy Pier. Funds raised will benefit the Regional Theatre Tony Award recipient's education and civic engagement initiatives, including Team Shakespeare and Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks. Through the generosity of Gala Lead Sponsor the Donna Van Eekeren Foundation, the support of the Gala 2013 Host Committee, and the advocacy of CST's Board of Directors, the Theater anticipates raising over one million dollars in support of its continuing work in Chicago's schools and communities. A highlight of the evening will be the presentation of the third annual Spirit of Shakespeare Awards. This year's Civic Honoree is former Mayor Richard M. Daley and the Artistic Honoree is composer/lyricist Stephen Sondheim. Both honorees will be in attendance to accept their award. Gala 2013 will also feature performances by Broadway stars Jason Danieley, who triumphed in CST's production ofSunday in the Park with George earlier this season, and Marin Mazzie, who was recently seen opposite Danieley in the Pulitzer Prize-winning Broadway musical Next to Normal.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) and The Market Theatre in Johannesburg, South Africa host the world premiere of Cadre, written and directed by Omphile Molusi, opening at The Market Theatre on South Africa's Human Rights Day, March 21, with performances continuing through April 14, 2013.

Porchlight Music Theatre presents Pal Joey, book by John O'Hara, music by Richard Rodgers and lyrics by Lorenz Hart, 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.'

First Folio Theatre (Mayslake Peabody Estate, 31st St. & Rt. 83) presents the acclaimed play UNDERNEATH THE LINTEL, directed by Jeff Award nominee Alison C. Vesely, previewing March 27, opening March 30 and running through April 28, 2013. The production stars Kristine Thatcher, a member of the 2001 Tony Award-winning Victory Gardens Playwrights Ensemble, where her play Voice of Good Hope premiered and was nominated for the Joseph Jefferson Award for Best New Work in 2000. Thatcher most recently appeared as Terri in Jeffrey Sweet's new play Immoral Imperatives. Prior to that, she appeared in First Folio Theatre's production of Macbeth. Other credits include "Hannah Jarvis" in Tom Stoppard's Arcadia at the Goodman Theatre, "Candida" in George Bernard Shaw's Candida at Writers' Theatre, and "Regan" in King Lear and "Kate" in Taming of the Shrew at Chicago Shakespeare Theater.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) presents the American premiere of Othello: The Remix, created by the Q Brothers, March 12-April 28, 2013 in the theater Upstairs at Chicago Shakespeare. Othello: The Remix, the CST-commissioned hip-hop adaptation of William Shakespeare's tragedy, spun out and lyrically rewritten over original beats, returns home for a limited engagement following an acclaimed world premiere in London at Shakespeare's Globe and a tour to Germany and Edinburgh. Tickets for Othello: The Remix are on sale now for $20-$35. BroadwayWorld has a first look at highlights of the production below.

Hartford Stage, under the leadership of Artistic Director Darko Tresnjak and Managing Director Michael Stotts, today announced the full cast and creative team of Abundance by Beth Henley, directed by Jenn Thompson, on stage from April 4 through April 28.

Yale Repertory Theatre presents Paul Giamatti in HAMLET by William Shakespeare, directed by James Bundy, at the University Theatre (222 York Street), tonight, March 15-April 13. Opening Night is Thursday, March 21, at 7:30PM.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) presents the American premiere of Othello: The Remix, created by the Q Brothers, March 12-April 28, 2013 in the theater Upstairs at Chicago Shakespeare. Othello: The Remix, the CST-commissioned hip-hop adaptation of William Shakespeare's tragedy, spun out and lyrically rewritten over original beats, returns home for a limited engagement following an acclaimed world premiere in London at Shakespeare's Globe and a tour to Germany and Edinburgh. Tickets for Othello: The Remix are on sale now for $20-$35. BroadwayWorld has a first look below.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'Fiddler' and the Paramount triumph and make plans, two Sondheim shows next year from Gary Griffin, the return of 'Hank Williams' and 'Last Five Years,' 'Parade' and 'Pirates' in short runs, and two Victorian musical dramas, spanning the pond...and more!

Goodman Theatre Artistic Director Robert Falls presents the revival of the rarely-produced Measure for Measure-William Shakespeare's 'last comedy and his blackest-pitched' in which the 'unquenchable influence of sex in society is a central theme' (New York Times). This production marks Falls' first return to Shakespeare's work since his critically-acclaimed 2006 revival of King Lear, starring Stacy Keach in the title role. BroadwayWorld has a first look at highlights of the production below.

Goodman Theatre Artistic Director Robert Falls presents the revival of the rarely-produced Measure for Measure-William Shakespeare's 'last comedy and his blackest-pitched' in which the 'unquenchable influence of sex in society is a central theme' (New York Times). This production marks Falls' first return to Shakespeare's work since his critically-acclaimed 2006 revival of King Lear, starring Stacy Keach in the title role. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the production below.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) presents the American premiere of Othello: The Remix, created by the Q Brothers, tonight, March 12-April 28, 2013 in the theater Upstairs at Chicago Shakespeare. Othello: The Remix, the CST-commissioned hip-hop adaptation of William Shakespeare's tragedy, spun out and lyrically rewritten over original beats, returns home for a limited engagement following an acclaimed world premiere in London at Shakespeare's Globe and a tour to Germany and Edinburgh.