Christopher Kriz News

To kick off its 19th season, First Folio Theatre (Mayslake Peabody Estate, 31st St. & Rt. 83) is proud to present the World Premiere of the gothic drama THE GRAVEDIGGER, opening October 4 and running through November 2, 2014. The production is written by First Folio Artistic Associate Joseph Zettelmaier, who recently opened the World Premiere of his play Salvage at First Folio Theatre to sold-out audiences. Jeff Award nominee Alison C. Vesely (First Folio's A Moon for the Misbegotten) will direct. The cast is led by Craig Spidle (Brigadoon at The Goodman Theatre, Twelfth Night at First Folio Theatre, Fiddler on the Roof at Drury Lane Theatre) as "Kurt" (The Gravedigger), Joshua Caroll as "Anton" (The Monster), Simina Contras as "Nadya" (A Gypsy), and Doug MacKechnie as "Victor" (The Creator).

Step Up Productions will launch its 2014-15 season with the Chicago premiere of Theresa Rebeck's new comedy DEAD ACCOUNTS, directed by Jason Gerace (2014 Jeff Award, Best Director, Great Expectations), playing today, October 3 - November 2, 2014 at The Den Theatre - Mainstage, 1333 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago.

Step Up Productions is pleased to launch its 2014-15 season with the Chicago premiere of Theresa Rebeck's new comedy DEAD ACCOUNTS, directed by Jason Gerace (2014 Jeff Award, Best Director, Great Expectations), playing today, October 3 - November 2, 2014 at The Den Theatre - Mainstage, 1333 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago.

To kick off its 19th season, First Folio Theatre (Mayslake Peabody Estate, 31st St. & Rt. 83) is proud to present the World Premiere of the gothic drama THE GRAVEDIGGER, which previews today, October 1, opens October 4 and runs through November 2, 2014.

Due to popular demand, Route 66 Theatre Company's hit world premiere The Downpour, by Caitlin Parrish, directed by Route 66 Theatre Company's Associate Artistic Director, Erica Weiss is adding one additional week of performances, extending through October 19, 2014. The Downpour is playing at the Greenhouse Theater Center: 2257 N Lincoln Avenue in Chicago. Tickets are at www.greenhousetheater.org, by calling 773.404.7336, or in person at the Greenhouse Theater Center box office. Press comps are still available for reviews.

Teatro Vista begins their 2014 - 2015 season with William Mastrosimone's Tamer of Horses, playing at The Richard Christiansen Theater at The Victory Gardens Biograph Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Ave., November 8 - December 14. Tamer of Horses is directed by Teatro Vista Artistic Associate Ron OJ Parson and stars Artistic Associate Juan Villa. Preview performances are Saturday, Nov. 8 at 3 and 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 9 at

Griffin Theatre Company will launch its 2014-15 season with a new, intimate version of the Tony Award-winning Best Musical TITANIC, with music and lyrics by Maury Yeston (Nine, Phantom), book by Peter Stone (Woman of the Year, 1776), new orchestrations by Ian Weinberger, directed by Scott Weinstein (Griffin Theatre's Spelling Bee, Chicago Shakespeare Theater's Seussical) and music direction by Elizabeth Doran (Timeline's Juno). TITANIC will play October 18 - December 7, 2014 at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago. Tickets are available at www.theaterwit.org, in person at the Theater Wit Box Office or by calling (773) 975-8150. The press opening is Sunday, October 26 at 7 pm.

To kick off its 19th season, First Folio Theatre (Mayslake Peabody Estate, 31st St. & Rt. 83) is proud to present the World Premiere of the gothic drama THE GRAVEDIGGER, which previews October 1, opens October 4 and runs through November 2, 2014. Scroll down for some creepy promo pics!

Route 66 Theatre Company will present the world premiere of The Downpour, by Caitlin Parrish, directed by Route 66 Theatre Company's Associate Artistic Director, Erica Weiss. Performances begin tonight, September 10 and run through October 12, 2014 at the Greenhouse Theater Center: 2257 N Lincoln Avenue in Chicago.

Step Up Productions is pleased to launch its 2014-15 season with the Chicago premiere of Theresa Rebeck's new comedy DEAD ACCOUNTS, directed by Jason Gerace (2014 Jeff Award, Best Director, Great Expectations), playing October 3 - November 2, 2014 at The Den Theatre - Mainstage, 1333 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago. Tickets are available at www.stepupproductions.org or by calling (312) 316-8255. The press performance is Tuesday, October 7 at 7:30 pm.

Griffin Theatre Company is pleased to announce casting for its 2014-15 season opener - a new, intimate version of the Tony Award-winning Best Musical TITANIC, with music and lyrics by Maury Yeston (Nine, Phantom), book by Peter Stone (Woman of the Year, 1776), new orchestrations by Ian Weinberger, directed by Scott Weinstein (Griffin Theatre's Spelling Bee, Chicago Shakespeare Theater's Seussical) and music direction by Elizabeth Doran (Timeline's Juno). TITANIC will play October 18 - December 7, 2014 at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago. Tickets are available at www.theaterwit.org, in person at the Theater Wit Box Office or by calling (773) 975-8150. The press opening is Sunday, October 26 at 7 pm.

Chicago actress, TV and film star Jane Lynch did the honor today of announcing the nominees for the 2013-2014 Equity Jeff Awards.

Richard Strand's Civil War drama 'Butler' makes its Midwest Premiere August 20 at Peninsula Players Theatre, America's oldest professional resident summer theater and Door County's theatrical icon. 'Butler' is a winner of the Edgerton Foundation New American Plays Program and made its world premiere in June at the New Jersey Repertory Company.

To kick off its 19th season, First Folio Theatre (Mayslake Peabody Estate, 31st St. & Rt. 83) is proud to present the World Premiere of the gothic drama THE GRAVEDIGGER, which previews October 1, opens October 4 and runs through November 2, 2014. The production is written by First Folio Artistic Associate Joseph Zettelmaier, who recently opened the World Premiere of his play Salvage at First Folio Theatre to sold-out audiences. Jeff Award nominee Alison C. Vesely (First Folio's A Moon for the Misbegotten) will direct. The cast is led by Craig Spidle (Brigadoon at The Goodman Theatre, Twelfth Night at First Folio Theatre, Fiddler on the Roof at Drury Lane Theatre) as 'Kurt' (The Gravedigger), Joshua Caroll as 'Anton' (The Monster), Simina Contras as 'Nadya' (A Gypsy), and Doug MacKechnie as 'Victor' (The Creator).

Route 66 Theatre Company will present the world premiere of The Downpour, by Caitlin Parrish, directed by Route 66 Theatre Company's Associate Artistic Director, Erica Weiss. Performances begin September 10 and run through October 12, 2014 at the Greenhouse Theater Center: 2257 N Lincoln Avenue in Chicago.

Step Up Productions will launch its 2014-15 season with the Chicago premiere of Theresa Rebeck's new comedy DEAD ACCOUNTS, directed by Jason Gerace (2014 Jeff Award, Best Director, Great Expectations), playing October 3 - November 2, 2014 at The Den Theatre - Mainstage, 1333 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago. Tickets go on sale August 15, 2014 at www.stepupproductions.org or by calling (312) 316-8255. The press performance is Tuesday, October 7 at 7:30 pm.

The frighteningly funny farce "The Mystery of Irma Vep- A Penny Dreadful" by Charles Ludlam opens July 30 at Peninsula Players Theatre, America's oldest professional resident summer theater and Door County's theatrical icon. The Drama Desk-and Obie Award-winning comedy is a true mix of Victorian gothic romance and Universal monster movies.

Lifeline Theatre presents an adaptation of Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre, by Lifeline Theatre ensemble member Christina Calvit (four-time Jeff Award winner), and directed by Lifeline Theatre Artistic Director Dorothy Milne (Jeff Award and After Dark Award winner). After a troubled childhood, Jane Eyre searches for new purpose as a governess at Thornfield Hall. But a fragile peace gives way to turbulent passion when she meets Mr. Rochester, a man concealing a dark secret. Their unconventional relationship leads to a terrible revelation, and Jane must forge a new future amid the ashes of her ravaged dreams. As she struggles to free herself from the ghosts of her past, Jane realizes that her only hope is to find love on her own terms. A highly theatrical exploration of one woman's independent spirit in a beloved adaptation freshly updated for its first appearance on the Lifeline stage in thirteen years. Produced by special arrangement with Playscripts, Inc. (www.playscripts.com).

Lifeline Theatre presents an adaptation of Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre, by Lifeline Theatre ensemble member Christina Calvit (four-time Jeff Award winner), and directed by Lifeline Theatre Artistic Director Dorothy Milne (Jeff Award and After Dark Award winner).

Interrobang Theatre Project concludes its 2013-14 season with Calamity West's world premiere THE DOLL'S HOUSE PROJECT: IBSEN IS DEAD, based on Henrik Ibsen's classic drama A Doll's House, directed by Co-Artistic Director James Yost, playing through June 8, 2014 at The Athenaeum Theatre, 2936 N. Southport in Chicago. Tickets for THE DOLL'S HOUSE PROJECT: IBSEN IS DEAD are available at www.athenaeumtheatre.org, in person at The Athenaeum Theatre Box office or by calling (773) 935-6875.