Chicago Shakespeare Theatre News

Victory Gardens Theater begins its 43rd season with Fun Home, with music written by Jeanine Tesori, book and lyrics written by Lisa Kron and directed by Gary Griffin.

Kokandy Productions is pleased to present the Chicago premiere of Michael John LaChiusa's LITTLE FISH, an oblique parable for urban life after the attacks of September 11th, directed by Producing Artistic Director Allison Hendrix with music direction by Kory Danielson and choreography by Kasey Alfonso, playing July 9 - August 20, 2017 at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago. Tickets for LITTLE FISH are currently available at www.kokandyproductions.com, by calling (773) 975-8150 or in person at the Theater Wit Box Office. The press opening is Saturday, July 15 at 8 pm.

From the picturesque covered bridges of 1965 Winterset, Iowa, comes the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical, THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY, continuing Marriott Theatre's spectacular 2017 Season, running June 21 through August 13, 2017 with a press opening on Wednesday, June 28 at 8 p.m. at 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire.

American Theater Company (ATC) opens the world premiere of Dan Aibel's T. tonight, Thursday, May 25. The competitive ice skating saga is directed by Margot Bordelon and features Guy Massey (Al), Leah Raidt (T.), ensemble member Tyler Ravelson (Jeff), Kelli Simpkins (Joanne) and Nate Whelden (Shawn).  

Known for stylish award-winning productions and their signature flair for bringing to the stage thoughtfully reimagined interpretations of musical theatre spectaculars, 3-D Theatricals of Los Angeles and Orange County takes on Rodgers & Hammerstein's Oklahoma!... with a new point of view.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company presents the world premiere production ofPass Over by Antoinette Nwandu, directed by Danya Taymor. A provocative and hilarious riff on Waiting for Godot, the complete cast features ensemble member Jon Michael Hill (Moses), Julian Parker (Kitch) and Ryan Hallahan (Mister). Pass Over runs June 1 - July 9, 2017 in the Upstairs Theatre, 1650 N Halsted St. Press performances are Saturday, June 10 at 3pm and Tuesday, June 13 at 7:30pm. Tickets ($20-$89) are available through Audience Services at 312-335-1650 or steppenwolf.org. Note: There are a limited number of $30 seats for all performances located in the first front two rows of the theatre with code "CLOSEUP."

Silas Weir Mitchell and Dana Green star in Constellations - playwright Nick Payne's exploration of love in the multiverse - opening at The Armory on May 19, with preview performances beginning May 13, and regular performances running through June 11. Portland Center Stage at The Armory's Artistic Director Chris Coleman will direct this multifaceted love story. Silas Weir Mitchell, who starred as the beloved Blutbad Monroe in NBC's six-season series Grimm, will play the beekeeper Roland. Dana Green, who was last seen at The Armory in Great Expectations and was also featured on Grimm as the Wesen Mabel Kurlon in season four, will play Roland's love interest, the physicist Marianne.

This week, 'Everything's Coming Up Rose...and Cabernet' as we toast our original fans: the #MomsOfTheShow. On this special Mother's Day episode we sit down with Jill Plofsky, Gail A. Cooper and, since she's in Florida, Jennifer Jaeger is being played by Broadwaysted Favorite Hannah Elless (#RecastWithHannahElless). We chat with our mothers about the naked scene in HAIR, their theatrical experiences that led them to expose us to theater at a young age, and their favorite experiences seeing us in shows.  

Aura Curiatlas Physical Theatre will present DREAM LOGIC and A LIFE WITH NO LIMITS at Firehouse Theatre on Friday June 2 (7:30pm); Saturday June 3 (7:30pm), and Sunday June 4 (3pm).

Court Theatre, under the leadership of Marilyn F. Vitale Artistic Director Charles Newell and Executive Director Stephen J. Albert, concludes the 2016-2017 Season with the Pulitzer Prize-winning comedy Harvey by Mary Chase, directed by Devon De Mayo. Harvey runs May 11 - June 11, 2017 at Court Theatre, 5535 S. Ellis Avenue in Chicago. The Press Opening is Saturday, May 20 at 8:00 p.m.

The nationally regarded Maine State Music Theatre celebrates music legend and cross-over sensation Patsy Cline, June 7 - 24. The touching true story, Always… Patsy Cline combines humor, heartache and 27 of Patsy's most unforgettable hits, such as "Crazy," "Walkin' After Midnight," "Sweet Dreams," and more.

Griffin Theatre Company concludes its 2016-17 Season with a newly-orchestrated chamber version of the Tony Award-winning musical RAGTIME, reimagined by director Scott Weinstein with new orchestrations by Matt Deitchman, music direction by Jermaine Hill and Ellen Morris and choreography by William Carlos Angulo.

Artistic Director Jeffrey Cass and Executive Director Julie Ann Kornak are proud to announce BrightSide Theatre's 2017-2018 Season - "Season Seven- Cinema to Stage" "Join us as we celebrate three entertaining pieces of theatre created from three award winning films.

The 24th Annual Merritt Awards for Excellence in Design and Collaboration will take place on Monday, May 15th, 2017 at Loyola University Chicago.Legendary Broadway and Film Costume Designer Ann Roth (The Nance, The Book of Mormon, The English Patient, Midnight Cowboy) will receive the 2017 Merritt Award. 

The nationally regarded Fulton Theatre and Maine State Music Theatre celebrate music legend and cross-over sensation Patsy Cline, April 18 through May 21.

Porchlight Music Theatre and Artistic Director Michael Weber are proud to announce the final mainstage production it its 2016 - 2017 season Marry Me a Little starring Austin Cook and Bethany Thomas, music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and originally conceived by Craig Lucas and Norman Rene, with direction by Jess McLeod and music direction by Porchlight Artistic Associate Cook. Previews are Friday, April 14 at 8 p.m., Saturday, April 15 at 8 p.m., Sunday, April 16 at 2 p.m. and Monday, April 17 at 7:30 p.m. Opening night is Tuesday, April 18 at 7:30 p.m. The performance schedule is Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 4 and 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. with an added matinee performance Thursday, May 11 at 1:30 p.m. NOTE There are no 7:30 p.m. performances Thursday, April 20 and  May 11 and no 4 p.m. performance  Saturday, April 22. Tickets to Marry Me a Little are available at PorchlightMusicTheatre.org or by calling the Stage 773 box office, 773.327.5252. 

Griffin Theatre Company is pleased to announce casting for its newly-orchestrated chamber version of the Tony Award-winning musical RAGTIME, reimagined by director Scott Weinstein with new orchestrations by Matt Deitchman, music direction by Jermaine Hill and Ellen Morris and choreography by William Carlos Angulo.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company has announced accomplished director Danya Taymor will direct Steppenwolf's world premiere production of Pass Over by Antoinette Nwandu.

Get ready for a musical comedy to die for! In this madcap adventure, The Winter Park Playhouse serves up big laughs, with a 'whodunit' twist, in their next professional musical production - Murder For Two - playing May 12 - 21 and June 1 -11.

Silas Weir Mitchell and Dana Green star in Constellations - playwright Nick Payne's exploration of love in the multiverse - opening at The Armory on May 19, with preview performances beginning May 13, and regular performances running through June 11.