Criss Henderson News

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) announced today casting for its 25th Anniversary Season production of William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, directed by CST Associate Artistic Director Gary Griffin (CST's Follies, Broadway's The Color Purple) and featuring a celebrated company of artists that includes stage and screen actor Ron Orbach as Nick Bottom, former Saturday Night Live funnyman Tim Kazurinsky as Peter Quince, and veteran CST actors Tracy Michelle Arnold as Hippolyta/Titania and Timothy Edward Kane as Theseus/Oberon. Performing the role of Puck is Elizabeth Ledo.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater brings the National Theatre of Scotland back to Chicago for CST's World's Stage Series on the heels of its acclaimed production of Black Watch, presented by CST at the Chicago Park District's Broadway Armory. See photos from LONG GONE LONESOME below!

Chicago Shakespeare Theater brings the National Theatre of Scotland back to Chicago for CST's World's Stage Series on the heels of its acclaimed production of Black Watch, presented by CST at the Chicago Park District's Broadway Armory.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) announced today casting for its 25th Anniversary Season production of The Feast: an intimate Tempest, an original CST commission and artistic collaboration with Redmoon.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) announced today the return of British film and stage actor Simon Callow to Chicago for CST's 25th Anniversary engagement of his acclaimed Being Shakespeare-a virtuosic solo performance that weaves together excerpts from William Shakespeare's plays and poems, breathing new life into his unforgettable characters and the real man behind the legend.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater's (CST) 25th Anniversary Season includes Elizabeth Rex, directed by CST Artistic Director Barbara Gaines and playing in CST's Courtyard Theater now through January 22, 2012. Set in Shakespeare's time, Timothy Findley's Elizabeth Rex is a fictional drama based on an obscure historical fact: on the eve of the beheading of her court favorite and rumored lover, the Earl of Essex, Queen Elizabeth was entertained with a royal command performance by William Shakespeare and his company. Findley's daring and original play imagines the troubled Queen's impassioned confrontation with an ailing actor-who dares to reveal the woman buried beneath the role of the 'Virgin Queen.'

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) announced today the casting for its 10th annual concert collaboration with The Chicago Chamber Musicians (CCM), Witches, Wizards, Spells and Elves: The Magic of Shakespeare, introducing families and children to the joys of live performance-through music performed by CCM ensemble members, and through the plays of Shakespeare brought to life by CST actors.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) announced today casting for its 25th Anniversary Season production of The Feast: an intimate Tempest, an original CST commission and artistic collaboration with Redmoon.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) announced today casting for its 25th Anniversary Season production of William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, directed by CST Associate Artistic Director Gary Griffin (CST's Follies, Broadway's The Color Purple) and featuring a celebrated company of artists that includes stage and screen actor Ron Orbach as Nick Bottom, former Saturday Night Live funnyman Tim Kazurinsky as Peter Quince, and veteran CST actors Tracy Michelle Arnold as Hippolyta/Titania and Timothy Edward Kane as Theseus/Oberon. Performing the role of Puck is Elizabeth Ledo.

Performances begin today for Chicago Shakespeare Theater's (CST) 25th Anniversary Season production of Elizabeth Rex, directed by CST Artistic Director Barbara Gaines and playing in CST's Courtyard Theater now through January 22, 2012.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) will host to a panel of distinguished speakers that includes Tony Award-winning director Anna Shapiro and platinum-selling recording artist Matt Nathanson for Chicago Ideas Week Talk: Creative Process on Saturday, October 15 at 10 a.m. in CST's Courtyard Theater.

Gary Griffin is directing Chicago Shakespeare Theatre's first production of the 2011-12 season, FOLLIES. The production will play today through November 6. For additional information, visit: www.chicagoshakes.com.

On the eve of its 25th Anniversary Season, Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) has been named a recipient of the 2011 British Consul General Award in recognition of sharing its acclaimed productions abroad and regularly engaging celebrated UK artists through its World's Stage Series.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) announced today casting for its 25th Anniversary Season production of Elizabeth Rex, directed by CST Artistic Director Barbara Gaines from November 29, 2011 to January 22, 2012.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) presents the world premiere family musical The Adventures of Pinocchio, which will close on August 28, 2011.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) presents the world premiere family musical The Adventures of Pinocchio from July 13 to August 28, 2011. Based on Carlo Collodi's classic tale of a wooden puppet who yearns to be a real boy, this original CST Family commission will turn CST's Courtyard Theater stage into a larger-than-life, European-style marionette theater. Created by multiple Drama Desk Award-nominated team Neil Bartram (music/lyrics) and Brian Hill (book), The Adventures of Pinocchio is directed by Rachel Rockwell, who returns to CST after staging last summer's world premiere CST Family musical The Emperor's New Clothes. Tickets for The Adventures of Pinocchio from July 13 to August 28, 2011, in CST's Courtyard Theater are $18-$25 with special discuonts available for groups of 10 or more. All patrons receive a 40% parking discount at Navy Pier garages. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Chicago Shakespeare Theater's Box Office at 312.595.5600 or visit the Theater's website at www.chicagoshakes.com.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) presents the world premiere family musical The Adventures of Pinocchio from July 13 to August 28, 2011. Based on Carlo Collodi's classic tale of a wooden puppet who yearns to be a real boy, this original CST Family commission will turn CST's Courtyard Theater stage into a larger-than-life, European-style marionette theater. Created by multiple Drama Desk Award-nominated team Neil Bartram (music/lyrics) and Brian Hill (book), The Adventures of Pinocchio is directed by Rachel Rockwell, who returns to CST after staging last summer's world premiere CST Family musical The Emperor's New Clothes. Tickets for The Adventures of Pinocchio from July 13 to August 28, 2011, in CST's Courtyard Theater are $18-$25 with special discuonts available for groups of 10 or more. All patrons receive a 40% parking discount at Navy Pier garages. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Chicago Shakespeare Theater's Box Office at 312.595.5600 or visit the Theater's website at www.chicagoshakes.com.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) presents the world premiere family musical The Adventures of Pinocchio from July 13 to August 28, 2011. Based on Carlo Collodi's classic tale of a wooden puppet who yearns to be a real boy, this original CST Family commission will turn CST's Courtyard Theater stage into a larger-than-life, European-style marionette theater. Created by multiple Drama Desk Award-nominated team Neil Bartram (music/lyrics) and Brian Hill (book), The Adventures of Pinocchio is directed by Rachel Rockwell, who returns to CST after staging last summer's world premiere CST Family musical The Emperor's New Clothes. Tickets for The Adventures of Pinocchio from July 13 to August 28, 2011, in CST's Courtyard Theater are $18-$25 with special discuonts available for groups of 10 or more. All patrons receive a 40% parking discount at Navy Pier garages. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Chicago Shakespeare Theater's Box Office at 312.595.5600 or visit the Theater's website at www.chicagoshakes.com.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater's North American premiere of en route hits city streets from July 12 to August 13, 2011.

From the pulsating heart of the Arabic-speaking world, Chicago Shakespeare Theater's (CST) World's Stage Series presentation of a spectacular retelling of One Thousand and One Nights will close on July 3, 2011.