Chicago Shakespeare Theatre News

The Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive in Lincolnshire, will present an all-star cast in the World Premiere of NOW AND FOREVER: The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber, featuring the legendary composer's greatest musical treasures. The production, which launches the 2013 season, will preview January 16, open January 23 and run through March 17.

Raven Theatre's 30th season continues with Rebecca Gilman's dark drama, Boy Gets Girl. Two opening nights are scheduled for Sunday, January 20 at 7:00 p.m. and Monday, January 21 at 7:30 p.m. at Raven Theatre, 6157 N. Clark. Tickets and information are available at www.raventheatre.com or 773-338-2177.

Following its acclaimed 16-week run at the Lookingglass Theatre Company this fall, Metamorphoses brings the mythical tales of Ovid to life at Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater, 10 years after the Broadway premiere. Written and directed by Tony Award winner Mary Zimmerman, Metamorphoses is based on David Slavitt's translation and marks the first time Zimmerman will direct the production since its Broadway run. This is also the first time Zimmerman will stage Metamorphoses in the round, and a custom set will be designed with the largest pool of water ever created for this production. Metamorphoses dives onto the Fichandler Stage February 8-March 17, 2013.

From the author of Pride and Prejudice comes this heartwarming, humorous tale of two sisters struggling to move past a family disaster. Sensible, reserved Elinor and passionate, impulsive Marianne find the road to true love beset with dashing suitors and well-meaning relatives, devoted friends and devious rivals, and scandalous secrets and unexpected twists in a period-perfect adaptation that captures all of the deliciousness, flirtation and folly of Jane Austen's well-loved novel.

Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater announces the full company for Good People, the humor-filled Broadway hit about class, fate and economic hardship from Pulitzer Prize winner David Lindsay-Abaire (Rabbit Hole). Esteemed Canadian director Jackie Maxwell, now in her 11th season as Artistic Director of the Shaw Festival, makes her D.C. directorial debut and returns to direct in the United States after five years. Named Best Play by the New York Drama Critics' Circle during its Broadway run, Good People runs February 1-March 10, 2013 in the Kreeger Theater.

Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, makes a splash with the effervescent musical comedy SINGIN' IN THE RAIN, opening November 30 and running through January 13, 2013. SINGIN' IN THE RAIN features one of the largest all-star casts ever assembled on the Drury Lane stage, led by Tony Yazbeck.

Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, makes a splash with the effervescent musical comedy SINGIN' IN THE RAIN, opening November 30 and running through January 13, 2013. SINGIN' IN THE RAIN features one of the largest all-star casts ever assembled on the Drury Lane stage, led by Tony Yazbeck. Yazbeck's Broadway creditsinclude starring as "Billy Flynn" in the long running revival of CHICAGO, "Phil Davis" in Irving Berlin's White Christmas, "Tulsa" in the recent revival of Gypsy starring Patti LuPone (for which he earned an Outer Critics Circle Award nomination), "Al" in A Chorus Line, Never Gonna Dance, Oklahoma! and Gypsy with Tyne Daly. His Off-Broadway credits include the City Center Encores! productions of On The Town, Gypsy, The Apple Tree, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn and Pardon My English, as well as the York Theatre production of Fanny Hill.

Following 2011's The Sparrow and last season's sold-out-hit Death and Harry Houdini, the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County is proud to partner with the famed House Theatre of Chicago for a third consecutive season to present a new holiday-themed production, THE NUTCRACKER, A MAGICAL NEW PLAY, playing November 29 through December 30 in the intimate Carnival Studio Theater (Ziff Ballet Opera House). Written by House company members Jake Minton and Phillip Klapperich, and featuring original music by Jefferson Award-winning composer Kevin O'Donnell, THE NUTCRACKER, A MAGICAL NEW PLAY is a "riveting reinvention" (The Chicago Sun-Times) of the beloved holiday classic by E.T.A. Hoffmann and boasts an in-the-round set perfect for up-close enchanting experiences.

In response to extraordinary critical acclaim and popular demand, Soho Rep, in association with John Adrian Selzer, extends the New York premiere of Jackie Sibblies Drury's We Are Proud to Present a Presentation About the Herero of Namibia, Formerly Known as South West Africa, From the German Sudwestafrika, Between the Years 1884-1915, directed by Eric Ting, to Sunday, December 9.

From the author of Pride and Prejudice comes this heartwarming, humorous tale of two sisters struggling to move past a family disaster. Sensible, reserved Elinor and passionate, impulsive Marianne find the road to true love beset with dashing suitors and well-meaning relatives, devoted friends and devious rivals, and scandalous secrets and unexpected twists in a period-perfect adaptation that captures all of the deliciousness, flirtation and folly of Jane Austen's well-loved novel.

Following 2011's The Sparrow and last season's sold-out-hit Death and Harry Houdini, the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County is proud to partner with the famed House Theatre of Chicago for a third consecutive season to present a new holiday-themed production, THE NUTCRACKER, A MAGICAL NEW PLAY, playing November 29 through December 30 in the intimate Carnival Studio Theater (Ziff Ballet Opera House). Written by House company members Jake Minton and Phillip Klapperich, and featuring original music by Jefferson Award-winning composer Kevin O'Donnell, THE NUTCRACKER, A MAGICAL NEW PLAY is a "riveting reinvention" (The Chicago Sun-Times) of the beloved holiday classic by E.T.A. Hoffmann and boasts an in-the-round set perfect for up-close enchanting experiences.

Kyle DeSantis, Executive Producer of Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, announced today that Broadway actor Tony Yazbeck will take over the role of "Don Lockwood" in SINGIN' IN THE RAIN, replacing Sean Palmer who suffered an injury. The production, which is currently in previews, will now have its press opening on Friday, Nov. 30 at 8:30pm. Yazbeck will go into the production on Wednesday, November 21.

Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, makes a splash with the effervescent musical comedy SINGIN' IN THE RAIN, previewing tonight, November 8, opening November 15, and running through January 13, 2013.

Soho Rep presents the New York premiere of Jackie Sibblies Drury's We Are Proud to Present a Presentation About the Herero of Namibia, Formerly Known as South West Africa, From the German Sudwestafrika, Between the Years 1884-1915, directed by Eric Ting. The 13-time OBIE-winning theater presents We Are Proud to Present a Presentation…,in association with John Adrian Selzer, from tonight, November 7 to December 2, 2012. Soho Rep will also offer FEED companion programming throughout the run; see details below.

Chicago Children's Theatre (CCT) will skip a few grades with its follow-up to its current smash hit, Harold and the Purple Crayon, with a new production of Bud, Not Buddy, January 12-February 24, 2013 at the Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn St., Chicago. Press opening is Friday, January 18 at 7 p.m.

Recently celebrated in Martin Scorsese's Academy Award-winning adventure Hugo, French filmmaker George Melies is considered the father of cinematic special effects. To celebrate the 150th anniversary of his birth, Melies' family has created a unique "cine-concert" that's touring the world. The tour comes to Chicago's Music Box Theatre, 3733 N. Southport Avenue, today, October 27, 12:15 p.m.