Chicago Shakespeare Theater News

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 Short Shakespeare! Romeo and Juliet, a 75-minute abridged production of Shakespeare's tragedy of true love found-and tragically lost, adapted and staged by Jeff Award-winning director and Chicagoan of the Year in Theater Rachel Rockwell. Providing a quality, family-friendly introduction to Shakespeare on Saturday mornings from February 23 to March 23, 2013, the cast of Rockwell's production includes Chicago actors Christopher Allen and Laura Rook, who make their CST debuts in the title roles. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the production below.

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 Aguilar, 'Joey Evans,' Susie McMonagle, 'Vera Simpson,' Laura Savage, 'Linda English,' Matt Orlando, 'Ludlow Lowell' and Sharriese Hamilton, 'Gladys Bumps.' Meet the cast in the photos below!

Producers announced today that Ryan Silverman (Passion, The Phantom of the Opera) and Hannah Elless (Godspell, Mamma Mia!) will star as Richard Collier and Elise McKenna in Portland Center Stage's (PCS) upcoming world-premiere production of the new musical Somewhere in Time, based on the novel by renowned author Richard Matheson (I Am Legend, What Dreams May Come) and the subsequent hit film starring Christopher Reeve, Jane Seymour and Christopher Plummer.

Producers announced today that Ryan Silverman (Passion, The Phantom of the Opera) and Hannah Elless (Godspell, Mamma Mia!) will star as Richard Collier and Elise McKenna in Portland Center Stage's (PCS) upcoming world-premiere production of the new musical Somewhere in Time, based on the novel by renowned author Richard Matheson (I Am Legend, What Dreams May Come) and the subsequent hit film starring Christopher Reeve, Jane Seymour and Christopher Plummer.

EXPO CHICAGO, The International Exposition of Contemporary & Modern Art, in conjunction with Choose Chicago and Chicago's Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE), announces EXPO ART WEEK Sept. 16 - 22, 2013.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) and The Market Theatre in South Africa host the world premieres of Cadre, written by Omphile Molusi, in Chicago as part of CST's World's Stage Series February 15-23, 2013 and in Johannesburg, South Africa, March 18-April 14, 2013. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the production below.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) and The Market Theatre in South Africa host the world premieres of Cadre, written by Omphile Molusi, in Chicago as part of CST's World's Stage Series February 15-23, 2013 and in Johannesburg, South Africa, March 18-April 14, 2013. BroadwayWorld has a first look at highlights of the production below.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) presents its contemporary retelling of William Shakespeare's Julius Caesar, staged by acclaimed British director Jonathan Munby in his Chicago debut, now playing through March 24, 2013 in CST's Courtyard Theater. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the production below.

On April 24, American Theater Group, New Jersey's newest professional theater company, will present, direct from its success at the 2012 New York Musical Theatre Festival, Jonathan Brielle's new musical Himself and Nora at its new home, Hamilton Stage in Rahway, New Jersey.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Grammy and Oscar, 'Smash' and 'Million Dollar Quartet' on TV, Lyric Opera's five R and H shows, Rachel Rockwell directs 'Brigadoon' and 'Shrek,' two college shows, and the two singing Callaway sisters!

New York Theatre Workshop (NYTW) Artistic Director James C. Nicola and Managing Director William Russo have announced that performances begin tonight for the New York premiere of Belleville, written by Amy Herzog and directed by Anne Kauffman, at NYTW, 79 East 4 Street, between Bowery and Second Avenue. Opening night is set for Sunday, March 3 at 7pm. Belleville is scheduled to run through Sunday, March 31.

Chicago Children's Theatre Artistic Director Jacqueline Russell has announced the company's 2012-13 season finale, a world premiere collaboration with Redmoon's Frank Maugeri to create The Elephant and The Whale.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) presents its contemporary retelling of William Shakespeare's Julius Caesar, staged by acclaimed British director Jonathan Munby in his Chicago debut, now playing through March 24, 2013 in CST's Courtyard Theater. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the production below.

BroadwayWorld.com noticed something today as we scoured Facebook and it's something that we really liked, so we wanted to share it with you because it's not so often that you find such generosity for actors. This weekend, all roads lead to St. Louis as actors are headed there from all over the country to audition for the Muny's summer production of LES MISERABLES directed by Richard Jay-Alexander and with music direction by Kevin Stites.

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 April 30-June 16, 2013.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) announced today two upcoming productions: the American premiere of Othello: The Remix, created by the Q Brothers, March 12-April 28, 2013 in the theater Upstairs at Chicago Shakespeare, and the upcoming CST Family production Shrek The Musical, staged by Jeff Award-winning director Rachel Rockwell, July 13-September 1, 2013 in CST's Courtyard Theater.

The Colony Theatre will present the fifth production of its 'Season of Premieres' with the Los Angeles Premiere of I'LL BE BACK BEFORE MIDNIGHT, written and directed by Peter Colley. I'LL BE BACK BEFORE MIDNIGHT will preview tonight, February 6; Thursday, February 7; and Friday, February 8 at 8:00pm. It will open on Saturday, February 9 at 8:00pm and continue through Sunday, March 3 at The Colony Theatre, 555 North Third Street (at Cypress) adjacent to the Burbank Town Center.

According to the Chicago Tribune, Rachel Rockwell is set to helm Chicago Shakespeare Theater's Shrek The Musical on Navy Pier. The show will run July 13- September. 1. Additionally CST will put on a new version of Othello, titled Othello: The Remix. Written by the Q Brothers the rap musical will run at the Upstairs Theatre, March 12- April 28.