Chicago Shakespeare Theater News

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.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) concludes its 25th Anniversary season with Gala 2012 tonight, June 11 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, which serves over 40,000 students and teachers annually across the Midwest. Through the generosity of Gala 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 anticipates raising $1 million in support of its continuing work as a partner in literacy for Chicago Public Schools.

Mc Coy Rigby Entertainment & Fox Operator Bill Malone of FX Arts, in association with Nederlander Presentations, Albert Nocciolino, Larry Payton, Michael Filerman and Heni Koenigsberg, bring audiences in Riverside the final production of the 2011-2012 season with the ultimate musical theatre experience for the entire family, Cathy Rigby and Brent Barrett starring in PETER PAN, a musical production of the play by Sir James Barrie, with lyrics by Carolyn Leigh, music by Moose Charlap, additional lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green and additional music by Jule Styne, beginning June 29.

Ten Chimneys Foundation has announced the ten actors who will participate in the 2012 Lunt- Fontanne Fellowship Program, a widely acclaimed national program to serve the future of American theatre. July 22-29, the Lunt-Fontanne Fellows will join Broadway legend Joel Grey for an intensive, weeklong master class and immersion experience at Ten Chimneys, the National Historic Landmark estate of Broadway legends Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne in Genesee Depot, Wisconsin.

Ten Chimneys Foundation has announced that Washington, D.C. actors E. Faye Butler, Christopher Bloch, and Brad Oscar have been selected as 2012 Lunt-Fontanne Fellows.

As the summer days near, BroadwayWorld rounded up our worldwide community - from Australia to Spain, California and beyond! - to bring you our top picks for the best of summer theater in each of our main markets! Looking for the best of the summer venue and production offerings in your area? Let's hear from a sampling of the BroadwayWorld experts!

Summer Stages - Top 5 Picks for Chicago