Christopher Donahue News

Watch as Sylvia Hernandez DiStasi, the Acrobatic Coordinator of Moby Dick, discusses her approach to circus arts - and David Catlin, the Director and Adaptor of Moby Dick discusses how aerial acrobatics can add depth to creative storytelling.

The Rep’s Moby Dick isn’t just a cleverly staged reinvention of a stodgy classic, it’s an emotionally driven theatrical voyage that challenges, engrosses and captivates audiences. This is breathtaking and jaw dropping theater.

Watch an all new trailer for Moby Dick, which comes to The Rep February 6-25. The Repertory Theater of St. Louis (The Rep) presents the captivating timeless classic, Moby Dick at the Loretto-Hilton Center on the Campus of Webster University.  Moby Dick is based on the book of the same name by Herman Melville and adapted and directed by Lookingglass Theater Company founding ensemble member and former Artistic Director David Catlin. 

 The Repertory Theater of St. Louis (The Rep) presents the captivating timeless classic, Moby Dick this February 6-25, 2024 at the Loretto-Hilton Center on the Campus of Webster University. 

It’s only fitting that for his swan song at Goodman Theatre Artistic Director Robert Falls has adapted and directed Anton Chekhov’s THE CHERRY ORCHARD, a play that’s also very much a swan song. With this staging, Falls has completed the cycle of directing all four of Chekov’s full-length plays for the Goodman stage. Fall’s take on THE CHERRY ORCHARD is surprisingly comedic and strips the play of the more obscure Russian references (though it’s still a period piece), which also demonstrates an artful understanding of the text and how 2023 audiences are best primed to receive it. THE CHERRY ORCHARD’s central character, estate owner Lyubov Ranevskaya, desperately clings to her glamorized version of the past even as the world around her moves inexorably forward. It’s a farewell, indeed, and a lesson in learning when to hold on and when to let go.

THE NOTEBOOKS  OF LEONARDO DA VINCI at The Old Globe brings a visually sumptuous peek into the mind of a creative genius.  The production is so much more than a play; it is art, movement, dance, math, and philosophy all brought to life on stage.

Lookingglass Theatre Company has announced the cast for the return of Chicago's beloved holiday tradition, The Steadfast Tin Soldier! The ensemble cast features Lookingglass Ensemble Members Kasey Foster as Ballerina and Anthony Irons as Goblin, with Christopher Donahue as Nursemaid, John Gregorio as Rat, and Adeoye as Tin Soldier. 

What did our critic think of THE NOTEBOOKS OF LEONARDO DA VINCI at Shakespeare Theatre Company?

Rarely do I see theater that feels truly unique, but Mary Zimmerman's THE NOTEBOOKS OF LEONARDO DA VINCI at Goodman Theater is indeed unlike any other piece of theater.

Nearly 30 years after its acclaimed premiere, one of the most popular works in Goodman Theatre history opens tonight in the Owen Theatre in a major revival—and will be available to view online next month!

Goodman Theatre is now presenting their major revival of Mary Zimmerman’s The Notebooks of Leonardo da Vinci—three decades after the play premiered in the Goodman’s Studio Series (at the Art Institute of Chicago). Movement and music unite to deliver a poetic glimpse into the mind of history’s ultimate Renaissance man.

 Movement and music unite to deliver a poetic glimpse into the mind of history’s ultimate Renaissance man in Mary Zimmerman’s The Notebooks of Leonardo da Vinci—one of the most popular works in Goodman Theatre history—in a major revival nearly 30 years after its premiere.

Goodman Theatre Artistic Director Robert Falls has announced casting for his upcoming revival of Molly Sweeney by Brian Friel. In assuming the title role, Chicago favorite Kate Fry returns to the Goodman, following her recent appearance in Falls' production of The Winter's Tale. Joining Fry are stage and screen star Brendan Coyle (Downton Abbey), who returns to the Goodman following his triumphant appearance in last season's St. Nicholas by Conor McPherson, and Chicago's Christopher Donahue (Oedipus Rex at Court Theatre, Moby Dick at Lookingglass).

Lookingglass Theatre Company welcomes five new Ensemble Members and four new Artistic Associates into the Lookingglass family. Joining the Ensemble are Walter Briggs (Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, Moby Dick), Kasey Foster (The Steadfast Tin Soldier, 20,000 Leagues Under the Seas), circus choreographer Sylvia Hernandez-DiStasi (The Steadfast Tin Soldier, Mary Shelley's Frankenstein), Anthony Irons (The Steadfast Tin Soldier, Act(s) of God), and composer and sound designer Andre Pluess (The Steadfast Tin Soldier, Eastland). New Artistic Associates include Cordelia Dewdney (Moby Dick, Hard Times), Wendy Mateo (Big Lake Big City, Beyond Caring), costume designer Sully Ratke (Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, 20,000 Leagues Under the Seas) and Matthew C. Yee (Treasure Island, Moby Dick).

Court Theatre, under the continuing leadership of Charles Newell, Marilyn F. Vitale Artistic Director, and Angel Ysaguirre, Executive Director, continues its 2019/20 season with Oedipus Rex by Sophocles, translated by Nicholas Rudall and directed by Charles Newell. Oedipus Rex runs November 7 a?" December 8, 2019 at Court Theatre, 5535 S. Ellis Ave. The press opening is Saturday, November 16, 2019 at 7:30pm.

Lookingglass Theatre Company presents the world premiere of The Steadfast Tin Soldier, from the story by Hans Christian Andersen, conceived and directed by Ensemble Member Mary Zimmerman. This family-friendly, holiday show runs November 7, 2018-January 13, 2019 at Lookingglass Theatre Company, located inside Chicago's historic Water Tower Water Works, 821 N. Michigan Ave. at Pearson. Tickets can be purchased online at lookingglasstheatre.org or by phone at (312) 337-0665.

Lookingglass Theatre Company announces casting for the world premiere of The Steadfast Tin Soldier: A Christmas Pantomime, from the story by Hans Christian Andersen, conceived and directed by Ensemble Member Mary Zimmerman. This family-friendly, holiday show runs November 7, 2018 - January 13, 2019 at Lookingglass Theatre Company, located inside Chicago's historic Water Tower Water Works, 821 N. Michigan Ave. at Pearson. 

Lookingglass Theatre Company announces Family Days for The Steadfast Tin Soldier, from the story by Hans Christian Andersen, conceived and directed by Ensemble Member Mary Zimmerman. Family Days will be held on Saturdays, December 1 and 15, 2018, Thursday, January 3, 2019, and Saturday, January 12, 2019 at 2 p.m. with a meet and greet to follow at 3:15 p.m.

Lookingglass Theatre Company presents the world premiere of The Steadfast Tin Soldier, from the story by Hans Christian Andersen, conceived and directed by Ensemble Member Mary Zimmerman

Lookingglass Theatre Company announces casting for the world premiere of The Steadfast Tin Soldier: A Christmas Pantomime, from the story by Hans Christian Andersen, conceived and directed by Ensemble Member Mary Zimmerman. This family-friendly, holiday show runs November 7, 2018 - January 13, 2019 at Lookingglass Theatre Company, located inside Chicago's historic Water Tower Water Works, 821 N. Michigan Ave. at Pearson.