Chicago Shakespeare Theater News

In February Chicago Shakespeare Theater will open Michael Pennington's 'Sweet William' as part of the World's Stage Series. Pennington's one-man salute to Shakespeare runs February 3 - 22, 2009 Upstairs at Chicago Shakespeare.

The Kennedy Center presents the world premiere of The Trumpet of the Swan: A Novel Symphony based on the book by E.B. White, adapted for the stage by Marsha Norman, with music by Jason Robert Brown, and direction by Gary Griffin. The production features a 35-piece orchestra conducted by Jason Robert Brown. Trumpet of the Swan: A Novel Symphony is part of a season-long initiative Broadway: The Third Generation, celebrating the current generation of Broadway musical composers, and will appear for five performances in the Eisenhower Theater December 4-6, 2008. The theatrical adaptation is recommended for audiences aged seven and up.

The John W. Engeman Theater at Northport is proud to announce its production of OLIVER! which arrives just in time for the holidays. This precocious and charming classic has enchanted and entertained audiences for years. Lionel Bart's show is based on Charles Dickens' touching tale of an orphan boy who runs away from the orphanage and learns to live life on the hard streets of a not so merry ole' England. With such unforgettable songs as Food, Glorious Food, You've Got To Pick-A-Pocket Or Two, and I'd Do Anything, this show will have you wanting more, sir!

The John W. Engeman Theater at Northport is proud to announce its production of OLIVER! which arrives just in time for the holidays. This precocious and charming classic has enchanted and entertained audiences for years. Lionel Bart's show is based on Charles Dickens' touching tale of an orphan boy who runs away from the orphanage and learns to live life on the hard streets of a not so merry ole' England. With such unforgettable songs as Food, Glorious Food, You've Got To Pick-A-Pocket Or Two, and I'd Do Anything, this show will have you wanting more, sir!

Younger audiences, Lincoln Park residents, families, and musical theater enthusiasts: get more out of your live theater experience - at the same price as a regular ticket - when you chose to attend any of these special events scheduled in association with the smash hit holiday musical The Snow Queen, playing November 28 through December 29 at the Victory Gardens' Biograph Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Avenue, Chicago:

Consistently included among the Midwest's top-tier holiday events, Goodman Theatre's annual production of A Christmas Carol returns for its 31st season. Guided by sixteen years of experience with the production, Chicago actor/director William Brown returns to direct Tom Creamer's adaptation of Charles Dickens' 1843 novella for his third consecutive year.

The John W. Engeman Theater at Northport is proud to announce its production of OLIVER! which arrives just in time for the holidays. This precocious and charming classic has enchanted and entertained audiences for years. Lionel Bart's show is based on Charles Dickens' touching tale of an orphan boy who runs away from the orphanage and learns to live life on the hard streets of a not so merry ole' England. With such unforgettable songs as Food, Glorious Food, You've Got To Pick-A-Pocket Or Two, and I'd Do Anything, this show will have you wanting more, sir!

The Kennedy Center presents the world premiere of The Trumpet of the Swan: A Novel Symphony based on the book by E.B. White, adapted for the stage by Marsha Norman, with music by Jason Robert Brown, and direction by Gary Griffin. The production features a 35-piece orchestra conducted by Jason Robert Brown. Trumpet of the Swan: A Novel Symphony is part of a season-long initiative Broadway: The Third Generation, celebrating the current generation of Broadway musical composers, and will appear for five performances in the Eisenhower Theater December 4-6, 2008. The theatrical adaptation is recommended for audiences aged seven and up.

Chicago Shakespeare opens three shows in the month of January reflecting the Theater's diverse programming. Artistic Director Barbara Gaines stages Macbeth in the Courtyard Theater, January 2-March 8, 2009; CST's World's Stage international program initiative, presents a company from Rwanda performing The Investigation in the Theater Upstairs at Chicago Shakespeare, January 21-31, 2009; and CST welcomes families to the theater with an abridged production of one of Shakespeare's most popular comedies, Short Shakespeare! A Midsummer Night's Dream, January 24-March 7, 2009, on Saturdays in the Courtyard Theater.

Writers' Theatre Artistic Director Michael Halberstam and Executive Director Kathryn M. Lipuma announce Jean Genet's The Maids directed by Jimmy McDermott. The production runs November 18, 2008- April 5, 2009, at Writers' Theatre, 664 Vernon Avenue, Glencoe. The official press performances are December 3 and 4, 2008, at 7:30 p.m.

Pittsburgh CLO's production of A Musical Christmas Carol will make musical memories once again at the Byham Theater from December 5 - 21. The talented cast will feature returning audience favorites as well as several new faces, including previously announced Pittsburgh native Tom Atkins as Scrooge.

59E59 Theaters' Holiday E:Café toasts the Festive season with SIMON GREEN Sings COWARD AT CHRISTMAS: A Cabaret for Noël

Writers' Theatre Artistic Director Michael Halberstam and Executive Director Kathryn M. Lipuma announce Jean Genet's The Maids directed by Jimmy McDermott. The production runs November 18, 2008- April 5, 2009, at Writers' Theatre, 664 Vernon Avenue, Glencoe. The official press performances are December 3 and 4, 2008, at 7:30 p.m.

CHICAGO SHAKESPEARE'S WORLD'S STAGE SERIES PRESENTS MULTILINGUAL 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' Director Tim Supple's Adaptation-a Vivid Dream from India featuring Acrobats, Dancers, Martial Artists and Musicians. November 25 through December 7, 2008

Hold on tight, because Victory Gardens Theater's smash hit winter musical The Snow Queen - conceived by Chicago folk music legend Michael Smith, Tony Award-winning director Frank Galati, and master puppeteer Blair Thomas & Co - is sledding back into town for her third season as Chicago's #1 alternative to traditional holiday fare.

Artistic Director BJ Jones and Executive Director Timothy J. Evans announce the Chicago premiere of the Tony Award-winning musical Grey Gardens, book by Doug Wright, lyrics by Michael Korie and music by Scott Frankel. The production, directed by BJ Jones with musical direction by Doug Peck, choreography by Marla Lampert and featuring Hollis Resnik, Tempe Thomas and Ann Whitney, has already been extended and will now run November 12-December 28, 2008, at Northlight Theatre, 9501 Skokie Blvd in Skokie.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater's (CST) recently announced two additions to the 2008/09 World's Stage Series, its international programming initiative.

Come enjoy a special evening featuring emerging composers and excerpts of new musicals presented by Chicago theater companies this season, including Annoyance Productions, Bare Boned Theatre, Bohemian Ensemble Theatre, Theatre Building Chicago Musical Theater Workshop, a special first look at American Theater Company's Yeast Nation, Victory Gardens' own The Snow Queen, and more.

Today, the Jefferson Awards announced the winners among the 150 nominees in 35 categories for Chicago Equity theatrical productions which opened between August 1, 2007 and July 31, 2008. Beginning with this season, the Jeff Awards is acknowledging the work of Large and Midsize theatres in separate categories for productions and technical elements.

Artistic Director BJ Jones and Executive Director Timothy J. Evans announce the Chicago premiere of the Tony Award-winning musical Grey Gardens, book by Doug Wright, lyrics by Michael Korie and music by Scott Frankel. The production, directed by BJ Jones with musical direction by Doug Peck, choreography by Marla Lampert and featuring Hollis Resnik, Tempe Thomas and Ann Whitney, has already been extended and will now run November 12-December 28, 2008, at Northlight Theatre, 9501 Skokie Blvd in Skokie.