Christopher Kriz News

"The Portrait" will make its world premiere this summer at the Greenhouse Theater Center (2257 N. Lincoln Ave.) as part of the theater's "Solo Celebration!" series, an eight-month series of provocative and powerful solo plays.

"The Portrait" will make its world premiere this summer at the Greenhouse Theater Center (2257 N. Lincoln Ave.) as part of the theater's "Solo Celebration!" series, an eight-month series of provocative and powerful solo plays. Written and directed by Susan Padveen, starring Cameron Pfiffner and co-produced with The Neopolitans, "The Portrait" tells the story of Gustav Klimt, the renowned painter of The Kiss, as he wrestles with a life- altering decision while also attempting to secure a sizable commission from a woman of Viennese society. The press performance will be Wednesday, July 20 at 7:30 p.m.

"The Portrait" will make its world premiere this summer at the Greenhouse Theater Center (2257 N. Lincoln Ave.) as part of the theater's "Solo Celebration!" series, an eight-month series of provocative and powerful solo plays.

Peninsula Players Theatre, America's Oldest Professional Resident Summer Theatre and Door County's theatrical icon, announces company members for its 81st season, running June 14 through October 16, 2016. The mix of plays include a late-in-life romance, an intriguing whodunit, a raucous pop-rock musical, an engaging Midwest premiere and a wildly comic thriller.

Griffin Theatre Company concludes its 2015-16 season with the Chicago premiere of the off-Broadway hit BAT BOY: THE MUSICAL, with book by Keythe Farley and Brian Flemming, music and lyrics by Laurence O'Keefe (Legally Blonde, Heathers: The Musical), direction by Scott Weinstein, music direction by Charlotte Rivard-Hoster and choreography by Rhett Guter. BAT BOY: THE MUSICAL will play June 4 - July 24, 2016 at The Den Theatre's Heath Main Stage, 1329 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago. Tickets are currently available at www.griffintheatre.com. The press opening is Sunday, June 12, 2016 at 3 pm.

Rehearsals are underway for Steppenwolf Theatre Company's Chicago premiere production of CONSTELLATIONS, the 80-minute, award-winning hit by British playwright Nick Payne. Directed here by prolific Chicago director and Steppenwolf artistic producer Jonathan Berry, Constellations premiered at the Royal Court in London to rave reviews before transferring to the West End and Broadway. BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at the company in rehearsal below!

?The Gift Theatre, Chicago's most intimate Equity theater, presents John Steinbeck's Pulitzer Prize-winning tale, The Grapes of Wrath, centering on an American family forced off of their land during the Great Depression and their epic journey west to California. New ensemble member Erica Weiss (Vigils) returns to direct the extraordinary and emotionally wrenching The Grapes of Wrath, adapted by Frank Galati.  The Grapes of Wrath opens Thursday, June 23 at The Gift Theatre, 4802 N. Milwaukee Avenue. Press performance is on Monday, June 20 at 7:30pm.

Chicago is hosting the Midwest premiere of Alan Lester Brooks' gripping post-World War II drama A SPLINTERED SOUL, directed by Keira Fromm and presented by ARLA Productions. A SPLINTERED SOUL plays now through May 29, 2016 at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago. The press opening was last Saturday, April 23. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Steppenwolf Theatre Company announced today the complete casting for two upcoming productions. Celebrated actress Jessie Fisher (Chicago Shakespeare Theatre's Othello, Once on Broadway) joins ensemble member Jon Michael Hill (CBS's Elementary, Steppenwolf's Superior Donuts) in the Chicago premiere production of Constellations, the moving two-character drama by Nick Payne, directed by artistic producer Jonathan Berry to take place this summer in the Upstairs Theatre (May 26 - July 3, 2016; Press/Opening is June 1 at 7:30pm).

The Gift Theatre, Chicago's most intimate Equity theater, presents John Steinbeck's Pulitzer Prize-winning tale, The Grapes of Wrath, centering on an American family forced off of their land during the Great Depression and their epic journey west to California. New ensemble member Erica Weiss (Vigils) returns to direct the extraordinary and emotionally wrenching The Grapes of Wrath, adapted by Frank Galati. 

 Griffin Theatre Company has announced casting for the Chicago premiere of the off-Broadway hit BAT BOY: THE MUSICAL, with book by Keythe Farley and Brian Flemming, music and lyrics by Laurence O'Keefe (Legally Blonde, Heathers: The Musical), direction by Scott Weinstein, music direction by Charlotte Rivard-Hoster and choreography by Rhett Guter. 

Following its hit world premiere of Le Switch, About Face Theatre is pleased to continue its 20th Anniversary Season with the Chicago premiere of A. Rey Pamatmat's compelling drama after all the terrible things I do, directed by Artistic Director Andrew Volkoff, playing now through April 10, 2016 at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago. BroadwayWorld has fresh shots of the cast in action below!

Chicago will host the Midwest premiere of Alan Lester Brooks' gripping post-World War II drama A SPLINTERED SOUL, directed by Keira Fromm and presented by ARLA Productions. A SPLINTERED SOUL will play April 20 - May 29, 2016 at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago. Tickets are currently available at www.stage773.com, in person at the Stage 773 Box Office or by calling (773) 327-5252. The press opening is Saturday, April 23 at 8 pm.

Following its hit world premiere of Le Switch, About Face Theatre is pleased to continue its 20th Anniversary Season with the Chicago premiere of A. Rey Pamatmat's compelling drama after all the terrible things I do, directed by Artistic Director Andrew Volkoff, playing March 11 - April 10, 2016 at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago. Tickets are currently available at www.aboutfacetheatre.org, by calling (773) 975-8150 or in person at the Theater Wit Box Office. The press opening is Thursday, March 17 at 7:30 pm.

About Face Theatre is pleased to continue its 20th Anniversary Season with the Chicago premiere of A. Rey Pamatmat's compelling drama AFTER ALL THE TERRIBLE THINGS I DO, directed by Artistic Director Andrew Volkoff, playing March 11 - April 10, 2016 at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago.

Following its hit world premiere of Le Switch, About Face Theatre is pleased to continue its 20th Anniversary Season with the Chicago premiere of A. Rey Pamatmat's compelling drama after all the terrible things I do, directed by Artistic Director Andrew Volkoff, playing March 11 - April 10, 2016 at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago. Tickets are currently available at www.aboutfacetheatre.org, by calling (773) 975-8150 or in person at the Theater Wit Box Office. The press opening is Thursday, March 17 at 7:30 pm.

First Folio Theatre (Mayslake Peabody Estate, 31st St. & Rt. 83) is proud to present a special two-night only performance of the most timely shows it has ever produced. 

Steppenwolf Theatre Company has announced the addition of Constellations by Nick Payne to this summer's lineup. Directed by Steppenwolf Artistic Producer Jonathan Berry, the Chicago premiere production features ensemble member Jon Michael Hill as 'Roland' (CBS's Elementary, Steppenwolf's Superior Donuts). Casting for the role of 'Marianne' will be announced at a later date. Constellations debuted in London at the Royal Court to critical acclaim before moving on to successful runs in both The West End and on Broadway. Previews begin May 26, 2016 (Press/Opening night is Wednesday, June 1 at 7:30pm) and the production runs through July 3, 2016 in Steppenwolf's Upstairs Theatre, 1650 N Halsted St. Tickets ($20 - $89) go on sale Friday, March 18 at 11am through Audience Services (1650 N Halsted), 312-335-1650 and steppenwolf.org.

?Chicago will host the Midwest premiere of Alan Lester Brooks' gripping post-World War II drama A SPLINTERED SOUL, directed by Keira Fromm and presented by ARLA Productions. A SPLINTERED SOUL will play April 20 - May 29, 2016 at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago. Tickets are currently available at www.stage773.com, in person at the Stage 773 Box Office or by calling (773) 327-5252. The press opening is Saturday, April 23 at 8 pm.

First Folio Theatre (Mayslake Peabody Estate, 31st St. & Rt. 83) presents the Chicago premiere of the witty comedy JEEVES AT SEA, opening Saturday, January 30, 2016 at 8:00 p.m., and running through February 28, 2016 with previews January 27- 29. Directed by Jeff Award nominee Alison C. Vesely (First Folio's Winter's Tale and The Madness of Edgar Allan Poe), the stars of First Folio's productions of Jeeves in Bloom and Jeeves Takes a Bow, will reprise their roles in JEEVES AT SEA, with Jim McCance as "Jeeves" and Christian Gray (The Madness of Edgar Allan Poe and Winter's Tale at First Folio Theatre, The Glass Menagerie at Oak Park Festival Theatre) as "Bertie."