Chicago Shakespeare Theater News

FREUD'S LAST SESSION will feature a post-show talkback discussion with Scott Kelley, Assistant Vice President for Vincentian Scholarship in the Office of Mission and Values and Assistant Professor in the Religious Studies Department at DePaul University, and James Halstead, Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Religious Studies at DePaul University, following the 1:00 p.m. performance on Sunday, July 29 at the Mercury Theater, 3745 N. Southport in Chicago.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) presents Disney's Beauty and the Beast, the Theater's annual summer family musical, directed by Rachel Rockwell with Music Direction by Doug Peck, featuring Emily Rohm as Belle and William Travis Taylor as the Prince turned into a Beast by an enchantress's spell. This Tony Award-winning musical is filled with lovable characters, beautiful sets and costumes, and dazzling production numbers, including 'Be Our Guest' and the beloved title song. BroadwayWorld has the production photos below.

TRIASSIC PARQ The Musical, 2010's Best Musical winner at FringeNYC, celebrated its Off-Broadway opening night Wednesday, June 27th with a post-performance party at the SoHo Playhouse. The limited engagement is set to run through August 5th. Written by Marshall Pailet, Bryce Norbitz and Stephen Wargo, TRIASSIC PARQ is directed by Mr. Pailet, with choreography by Kyle Mullins and musical direction by Zak Sandler. The cast of TRIASSIC PARQ features Lindsay Nicole Chambers, Brandon Espinoza, Wade McCollum, Claire Neumann, Lee Seymour, Shelley Thomas, and Alex Wyse. Check out photos of the cast and creative team at opening night below!

Right from the Broadway production of Godspell, Hannah Elless joins the cast of Michael Ogborn's award winning musical Baby Case, playing the role of Adela St. John. Baby Case is directed by Jeremy Dobrish and produced by Charlie Fink, Michael Ogborn, Robert Soslow, Juliana Schauerman, Dorothy Flynn, Caroline Castagno, Glenn Gunderson, Kathy Lou Leone, Diane Santillo, and Anne Makara. Baby Case will play from July 16 - 22, 2012, at The Pershing Square Signature Center (480 W 42 St). Baby Case is presented by The New York Musical Theatre Festival.

Porchlight Music Theatre launches its 18th season with the Chicago premiere of A Class Act, September 1 - October 7, at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. A Class Act's music and lyrics are by Edward Kleban and the book is by Linda Kline and Lonny Price.

Disney's Beauty and the Beast is now playing in Chicago Shakespeare's Courtyard Theater on Navy Pier through August 26, 2012. Director Rachel Rockwell shares her enthusiasm for Disney's Beauty and the Beast with the company on the first day of rehearsal. Get a glimpse inside the rehearsal room by watching the video below.

The Board of Directors of Chicago Muse, an organization dedicated to the development of new musical-theater projects, announced today it has ceased operations and will contribute the Corporation's assets to Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST). The contribution of more than $500,000 will establish a newly endowed fund at CST in support of the Theater's ongoing commitment to commission, develop and produce new musicals.

Enchanting audiences of all generations worldwide, Disney's Beauty and the Beast casts its spell in Chicago Shakespeare's Courtyard Theater on Navy Pier June 28 to August 26, 2012. Tickets are $18-$25 with special discounts available for groups of 10 or more. All patrons receive a 40 percent parking discount at Navy Pier garages. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Chicago Shakespeare Theater's Box Office at 312.595.5600 or visit the Theater's website at www.chicagoshakes.com.

TRIASSIC PARQ The Musical, 2010's Best Musical winner at FringeNYC, is set to open tonight, June 27th for a limited Off-Broadway engagement through August 5th.

The Fourth Bi-Annual conference for musical theatre writers and composers is coming to Los Angeles, July 20-22 at the NoHo Arts Center in North Hollywood, CA. Confirmed panelists include: Cheri Steinkellner (the Tony Award-nominated writer of Sister Act), Paul Gordon (Tony Award-nominated lyricist/composer of Jane Eyre); Michael Jung (Disney Theatricals); Michael Shapiro (Kensington Entertainment), Michael Kerker (ASCAP Director of Musical Theatre); David Elzer (award-winning producer of The Marvelous Wonderettes); Tim Dang (Producing Artistic Director of East West Players, the nation's premiere Asian American theatre company); Gordon Firemark (CEO of Fierce Theatricals) and more!

According to the Daily Mail's Baz Bamigboye, two-time Olivier winner Samantha Spiro will play Kate in the new production of The Taming Of The Shrew at Shakespeare's Globe. Toby Frow helms the production, which begins performances tonight, June 23.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST), concluded its 25th Anniversary celebration on June 11 with Gala 2012 at its home on Navy Pier. Three hundred and fifty of Chicago's civic and cultural leaders attended the event benefiting the Regional Theatre Tony Award recipient's far-reaching education and civic engagement programs. Through the leadership of Gala 2012 Lead Sponsors Northern Trust, Donna Van Eekeren Foundation and Food For Thought Catering, the support of the Gala 2012 Host Committee and the advocacy of CST's Board of Directors, the Theater raised nearly $1 million for its continuing work as a partner in literacy for Chicago Public Schools.

FREUD'S LAST SESSION will celebrate its 100th performance of the Chicago engagement tonight, June 22 at 8 p.m. at the Mercury Theater, 3745 N Southport Avenue.

FREUD'S LAST SESSION will celebrate its 100th performance of the Chicago engagement on Friday, June 22 at 8 p.m. at the Mercury Theater, 3745 N Southport Avenue.

The Marriott Theatre (10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire) presents HERO, a new musical written by Aaron Thielen with music and lyrics by Michael Mahler, previewing tonight, June 20, opening June 27 at 8 p.m. and running through August 19, 2012. Eleven-time Jeff award-winner David H. Bell directs and choreographs. Erich Bergen (JERSEY BOYS, Nat'l Tour) stars as Hero Batowski.

Route 66 Theatre Company presents its newest world premiere collaboration, a one-of-a-kind original musical by local sensation Diana Lawrence (of Diana and the Dishes, and currently musical director of TICK, TICK, BOOM at Porchlight Music Theatre). NEXT STOP runs Monday and Tuesday nights at 7:30pm, tonight, June 18 through June 26, at Theater Wit, 1229 West Belmont Ave, Chicago IL.

FREUD'S LAST SESSION will feature Love, Sex, the Meaning of Life and the Existence of God, a post-show talkback discussion with Mark Galli, Senior Managing Editor of Christianity Today, Stanton L. Jones, Provost of Wheaton College, and W. Jay Wood, professor and chair in the department of philosophy at Wheaton College, following the 8 p.m. performance on Friday, June 29 at the Mercury Theater, 3745 N. Southport in Chicago

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Our Tony Award wrap-up, all that 'Rock Of Ages,' three musical tribute shows, two operettas, a stellar TYA 'Beauty' and Kristin Chenoweth, plus more!

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST), Chicago Park District and The Boeing Company announced today plans to bring Shakespeare, FREE FOR ALL, to community parks across the City of Chicago this summer. From Portage Park to Humboldt Park and Austin to South Shore, this summer from July 29 to August 19, 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 free Shakespeare performances into their neighborhoods.

TRIASSIC PARQ The Musical, presented by Amas Musical Theatre, is set to begin performances tomorrow, June 12th for a limited Off-Broadway engagement through August 5th at the SoHo Playhouse. Opening night is Wednesday, June 27th. Winner of 2010's Best Musical Award at FringeNYC, TRIASSIC PARQ is written by Marshall Pailet, Bryce Norbitz and Steve Wargo, with direction by Mr. Pailet, choreography by Kyle Mullins and musical direction by Zak Sandler. The cast of TRIASSIC PARQ features Lindsay Nicole Chambers, Brandon Espinoza, Wade McCollum, Claire Neumann, Lee Seymour, Shelley Thomas, and Alex Wyse.