Dana Lyn News

Surprising and unique is the name of the game here.

From an Autistic young man attempting to make friends in Wrigleyville bars to a single mother's desperate venture to realize the American Dream, Chicago Dramatists' 2015-2016 season features the world premieres of plays that aren't afraid to tackle complex, intense issues with bold story lines, sharp wit and emotional depth. Stocked with characters that challenge perceptions of people with developmental disabilities and uncover simple, poignant truths about family, BEAUTIFUL AUTISTIC by Scott Woldman will kick off the new season in February followed by AMERICAN BEAUTY SHOP by Dana Lynn Formby in May.

Members of the 'Pro99' movement of Actors' Equity Association have issued an open letter to AEA's newly elected president, Kate Shindle, in response to her victory and to her inaugural address as president of the national union for actors and stage managers. The open letter is signed by over 400 Equity members (listed below), including such notable names as Ed Asner, Francis Fisher, Sally Kirkland and Alfred Molina. The 'Pro99' movement formed in late 2014 in opposition to AEA's rollout of a new plan that will effectively force 'intimate theaters' in Los Angeles to pay Equity actors minimum wage, go 'non-union' or even close - despite an overwhelming vote against the plan by 66% of the Los Angeles membership on an advisory referendum. 'Pro99' members around the nation, who take their name from the current AEA '99 Seat Plan' that allows members to volunteer in smaller venues, oppose AEA's new promulgated plan. They are requesting that Equity leadership put a moratorium on the plan until local members' voices can be heard, and that the union work with its members to develop an alternative plan that will more realistically address the needs of the Los Angeles theater community.

The gangbusters theatre company presents SUNSHINE, written by William Mastrosimone & directed by Corryn Cummins, produced by Dana Lyn Baron, and starring Mary Kelsey, Donnie Smith and Adam Garst. The show runs as part of the Hollywood Fringe Festival, playing now through June 28, 2015.

A play in 65 minutes, SUNSHINE is the story of a small-time stripper at Club Paradise, where women sit in isolated Plexiglas booths and talk dirty to their customers. Sunshine is the star of this place, with her name up in lights. And her unexpected encounter with disillusioned paramedic Nelson offers two lost souls a window to love and acceptance.

The gangbusters theatre company presents SUNSHINE, written by William Mastrosimone & directed by Corryn Cummins, produced by Dana Lyn Baron, and starring Mary Kelsey, Donnie Smith and Adam Garst. The show runs as part of the Hollywood Fringe Festival, playing June 7-28, 2015.

Sideshow Theatre Company is pleased to announce its full 2015/16 Season, beginning this fall with the world premiere of Hansol Jung's surreal and mischievous new comedy NO MORE SAD THINGS, directed by Elly Green. Next winter, the season continues with another world premiere, David Jacobi's chilling new drama MAI DANG LAO directed by artistic associate Marti Lyons. The season concludes next spring with CAUGHT, a new, head-spinning collaboration with playwright Christopher Chen, Chicago's Xiong Art Gallery and director Seth Bockley. All three productions will be presented at Chicago's Victory Gardens Richard Christiansen Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Ave., where Sideshow continues its multi-year residency. For additional information and updates, visit www.sideshowtheatre.org.

Pegasus Theatre Chicago presents the World Premiere of Award-winning playwright Steven Simoncic's 'Ghost Gardens', today, May 1 through May 31 at Chicago Dramatists, 1105 W. Chicago Ave. Simoncic reunites with director Ilesa Duncan, Pegasus' Artistic Director, after working together on last year's 'Broken Fences,' and the world premiere of 'Heat Wave' in 2008. 'Ghost Gardens' runs Thursday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. Preview performances are April 24, 25, 26 and 30. Tickets are $18 to $30 and are available at www.PegasusTheatreChicago.org.

The One-Minute Play Festival (Dominic D'Andrea, Producing Artistic Director and Caitlin Wees, Associate Producer) in association with The Den Theatre, is pleased to present the 5th Annual CHICAGO ONE-MINUTE PLAY FESTIVAL playing two nights only tonight, April 29 and tomorrow, April 30, 2015 at 8 pm at The Den Theatre, 1333 N. Milwaukee Ave in Chicago's Wicker Park neighborhood.

The One-Minute Play Festival in association with The Den Theatre, is pleased to present the 5th Annual CHICAGO ONE-MINUTE PLAY FESTIVAL playing two nights only Wednesday, April 29 and Thursday, April 30, 2015 at 8 pm at The Den Theatre, 1333 N. Milwaukee Ave in Chicago's Wicker Park neighborhood. Tickets, priced at $20, are currently available at 1mpf.brownpapertickets.com.

The One-Minute Play Festival (Dominic D'Andrea, Producing Artistic Director and Caitlin Wees, Associate Producer) in association with The Den Theatre, is pleased to present the 5th Annual CHICAGO ONE-MINUTE PLAY FESTIVAL playing two nights only Wednesday, April 29 and Thursday, April 30, 2015 at 8 pm at The Den Theatre, 1333 N. Milwaukee Ave in Chicago's Wicker Park neighborhood. Tickets, priced at $20, are currently available at 1mpf.brownpapertickets.com.

Pegasus Theatre Chicago presents the World Premiere of Award-winning playwright Steven Simoncic's 'Ghost Gardens', May 1 through May 31 at Chicago Dramatists, 1105 W. Chicago Ave. Simoncic reunites with director Ilesa Duncan, Pegasus' Artistic Director, after working together on last year's 'Broken Fences,' and the world premiere of 'Heat Wave' in 2008. 'Ghost Gardens' runs Thursday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. Preview performances are April 24, 25, 26 and 30. Tickets are $18 to $30 and are available at www.PegasusTheatreChicago.org.

Vocalist Joey Arias is not what he appears to the uninitiated. This is not a drag performer executing pastiche, but rather an artist serious about music with the talent to offer a full-blooded show. Lifelong affinity for Billie Holiday first professionally surfaced in 1987's Recording Arias on Holiday and continued with the Off-Broadway run of Strange Fruit, an homage to the icon. Her concert Wednesday night for Lincoln Center's American Songbook series, with evocative musical arrangement by Matt Ray, brings Arias' devotion "all the way from downtown above 14th Street."

The Apple Hill String Quartet to Perform World-Renowned Composer Meredith Monk's only String Quartet, Stringsongs, as part of Meredith Monk's 50th Year Celebrations.

Joe's Pub at the Public has announced its upcoming performances over the holiday season, from December 17 to December 28, 2014. Scroll down for details!

Joe's Pub at the Public has announced its upcoming performances over the holiday season, from December 17 to December 28, 2014. Scroll down for details!

'Tis the season! Step Up Productions is pleased to continue its 2014-15 season with the return of its wildly popular HoliDaze, a hilarious and heartwarming line-up of original holiday-themed short works by Kristiana Rae Colon, Dana Lynn Formby, Aline Lathrop, Steven Peterson, Joshua Rollins and Steve Simoncic playing now through December 21, 2014 at Chicago Dramatists, 1105 W. Chicago Ave. in Chicago. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Joe's Pub has announced its performances running December 10 - December 21, 2014. Details below!

Joe's Pub has announced its performances running December 10 - December 21, 2014. Details below!

'Tis the season! Step Up Productions is pleased to continue its 2014-15 season with the return of its wildly popular HoliDaze, a hilarious and heartwarming line-up of original holiday-themed short works by Kristiana Rae Colon, Dana Lynn Formby, Aline Lathrop, Steven Peterson, Joshua Rollins and Steve Simoncic playing through December 21, 2014 at Chicago Dramatists, 1105 W. Chicago Ave. in Chicago. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!