Chicago Shakespeare Theatre News

Beginning in April, 2013, 1812 Productions will present the world premiere comedy It's My Party: The Women and Comedy Project, created and directed by 1812 Productions' Artistic Director, Jennifer Childs, and featuring a diverse ensemble of Philadelphia actresses. A production which will use physical comedy, storytelling, and music in a one-of-a-kind theatrical event, the creative process for It's My Party: The Women and Comedy Project began in 2010 with two questions: how do women use comedy and how does that usage change as they age. With these pointed inquiries as her guides, Ms. Childs embarked on three inclusive and ongoing initiatives which, together, would form the core of the Project.

BroadwayWorld.com noticed something today as we scoured Facebook and it's something that we really liked, so we wanted to share it with you because it's not so often that you find such generosity for actors. This weekend, all roads lead to St. Louis as actors are headed there from all over the country to audition for the Muny's summer production of LES MISERABLES directed by Richard Jay-Alexander and with music direction by Kevin Stites.

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 tonight, February 8-March 17, 2013.

First Folio Theatre (Mayslake Peabody Estate, 31st St. & Rt. 83) presents Jeff Award winning musical star Cory Goodrich in her first solo concerts, on Monday, February 11 at 8 p.m. and Tuesday, February 12 at 8 p.m. One of Chicago's musical theater legends, Goodrich weaves a musical tapestry about life, love...and being a mom.

Winner of the 2011 Pulitzer Prize, London's Olivier Award for Best Play and the 2012 Tony Award for Best Play, Clybourne Park is a wickedly funny and fiercely provocative new play about the volatile combination of race and real estate. Clybourne Park runs in The Rep's Quadracci Powerhouse from tonight, January 29, 2013 - February 24 , 2013 and opens on Friday, February 1, 2013.

The Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive in Lincolnshire, presents 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, opened January 23 and runs through March 17. BroadwayWorld has a first look at highlights from the show below.

Winner of the 2011 Pulitzer Prize, London's Olivier Award for Best Play and the 2012 Tony Award for Best Play, Clybourne Park is a wickedly funny and fiercely provocative new play about the volatile combination of race and real estate. Clybourne Park runs in The Rep's Quadracci Powerhouse from January 29, 2013 - February 24 , 2013 and opens on Friday, February 1, 2013.

The Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive in Lincolnshire, presents 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, opened last night, January 23 and runs through March 17. BroadwayWorld has photos from the opening below!

Polarity Ensemble Theatre presents the world premiere of Never the Bridesmaid, a sweet, funny, life-affirming comedy by Chicago playwright Bill Jepsen. Directed by award-winning director Richard Shavzin, Never the Bridesmaid runs at the Polarity space at the Josephinum Academy, 1500 N. Bell St. in the Wicker Park neighborhood of Chicago, February 26 through April 7, 2013.

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 open January 23 and run through March 17. Get a first look at the production in the photos below!

Executive Producer Mike Isaacson announced today the directors, choreographers and music directors for its 2013 Season, which opens on June 17 with Monty Python's Spamalot. 'This is a phenomenally talented group of artists, and I'm thrilled to be working with all of them. Last season our audience inspired us to take many risks and push ourselves far. These directors and choreographers are already working on ways to top last season's level of excitement and excellence.'

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.

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, tonight, January 12-February 24, 2013 at the Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn St., Chicago.

Gulfshore Playhouse continues their spectacular seventh season with the one-man Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning drama "I Am My Own Wife" by Doug Wright, playing January 18 through February 3, 2013, with a preview performance on January 17th.

Jack Viertel, Artistic Director of New York City Center's Encores! series, today announced the directors and choreographers of the Encores! 20th Anniversary season, opening on January 30, 2013. The Tony Award-winning series welcomes back directors Gary Griffin, John Rando and Warren Carlyle, choreographers Alex Sanchez and Joshua Bergasse, and Guest Music Director Rob Fisher.

Chicago Shakespeare Theatre presents the World Stage Announcement of Belarus Free Theatre's production of Minsk, 2011: A Reply to Kathy Acker, presented in the theater Upstairs at Chicago Shakespeare, January 30-February 3, 2013. In addition, Chicago Shakespeare Theater and The Market Theatre of Johannesburg partner will present the world premiere of Cadre, written by and featuring South African artist Omphile Molusi, in the theater Upstairs at Chicago Shakespeare, February 15-23, 2013. Finally, Mercy Ojelade stars in the Olivier Award-winning production of Roadkill, which will have its American premiere in Chicago, presented by Chicago Shakespeare May 11-26, 2013.

The Royal Shakespeare Company and The Dodgers today announced the casting of the principal roles and the ensemble in the eagerly anticipated Broadway-bound musical MATILDA THE MUSICAL. They are (alphabetically): Karen Aldridge (Mrs. Phelps), Gabriel Ebert (Mr. Wormwood), Lesli Margherita (Mrs. Wormwood), and Lauren Ward (Miss Honey).