Daniel Martinez News

Have you ever seen a movie that you thought was so bad, that it was actually good? That's what happened on the road from turning laughably ridiculous 1936 anti-drug propaganda film REEFER MADNESS into a hit Off-Broadway musical. Despite continually being repurposed and repackaged throughout the 30s, 40s, and 50s, AMC considers the original REEFER MADNESS to be 'one of the worst movies ever made.' So, when Dan Studney (music) and Kevin Murphy (book and lyrics) brought the movie to the stage in 1998, it was with tongue firmly implanted in cheek. The musical, playing at Rollins College's Annie Russell Theatre through October 3rd, is a hilarious look at the paranoid fear-mongering that is often the default response to anything new. Having seen the 2005 star-studded film adaptation (and having recently interviewed original star Lori Alan), going in, my expectations for the Rollins' production were extremely 'high' (pun completely intended). However, as is standard for shows at the Annie, the REEFER MADNESS cast is exceptionally strong and, under the direction of Missy Barnes, manages to create the perfectly manic tone for this laugh-out-loud musical.

Jackalope Theatre Company, the Edgewater-based theatre company currently in its 7th season, announced today new leadership and redefined roles within the company. Current artistic director and founding member AJ Ware will step down from her position, as the company enters a new phase of artistic and financial growth. AJ assumes the role of a company member, and remains integral towards Jackalope's future art-making. Jackalope founding member and director of the acclaimed Exit Strategy , Gus Menary, will succeed AJ Ware, as interim artistic director. Jackalope is currently conducting a search for a new permanent artistic director.

Playwrights Foundation (PF) and the New York-based company The One-Minute Play Festival are thrilled to announce the final casting for the 5th Annual SF One-Minute Play Festival (#1MPF), December 15th and 16th, 2014 - an evening of 86 brand- new one-minute plays by a highly vaunted group of 50 Bay Area playwrights, all written within the past month specially for the event.

Omaha Performing Arts presents Joyful Noise: A Gospel Christmas featuring Salem Baptist Church in the Kiewit Hall at the Holland Performing Arts Center on Sunday, December 7, at 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $15 in advance and are available at TicketOmaha.com, 402.345.0606 or at the Ticket Omaha Office inside the Holland Center, 1200 Douglas St. Tickets will be $20 the day of the performances.

Due to popular demand, Jackalope's hit production of Ike Holter's Exit Strategy will 10 performances, spanning two weekends, extending through June 29, 2014 at Broadway Armory Park, 5917 N Broadway, Chicago. Tickets will be available starting at 10am on Monday, May 26 via www.jackalopetheatre.org.

Clandestine-Arts is bringing the award-winning Broadway musical Elton John & Tim Rice's AIDA to the stage. This riveting, romantic pop/rock epic will appear at Blue Star's "The Venue" June 13-29, 2014.

Due to popular demand, Jackalope's hit production of Ike Holter's Exit Strategy will 10 performances, spanning two weekends, extending through June 29, 2014 at Broadway Armory Park, 5917 N Broadway, Chicago. Tickets will be available starting at 10am on Monday, May 26 via www.jackalopetheatre.org.

Jackalope Theatre Company's season concludes with the world premiere of EXIT STRATEGY written by Ike Holter and directed by founding company member Gus Menary. It will play May 9 - June 15 in Broadway Armory Park, 5917 N. Broadway in Chicago. Tickets will be available through jackalopetheatre.org beginning April 17. The Press Performance is Thursday, May 15 at 7:30pm.

Jackalope Theatre Company's season concludes with the world premiere of EXIT STRATEGY written by Ike Holter and directed by founding company member Gus Menary. It will play May 9 - June 15 in Broadway Armory Park, 5917 N. Broadway in Chicago. Tickets will be available through jackalopetheatre.org beginning April 17. The Press Performance is Thursday, May 15 at 7:30pm.

Haven Theatre Chicago follows their hit run of Hedwig and the Angry Inch with The Wedding Singer, now through November 17, at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. Based on the 1998 romantic comedy starring Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore, The Wedding Singer is directed by Jess McLeod, music directed by Kory Danielson and choreographed by Jim Beaudry. The production has music by Matthew Sklar, lyrics by Chad Beguelin and book by Chad Beguelin and Tim Herlihy. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Haven Theatre Chicago follows their hit run of Hedwig and the Angry Inch with The Wedding Singer, October 13 - November 17, at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. Based on the 1998 romantic comedy starring Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore, The Wedding Singer is directed by Jess McLeod, music directed by Kory Danielson and choreographed by Jim Beaudry. The production has music by Matthew Sklar, lyrics by Chad Beguelin and book by Chad Beguelin and Tim Herlihy. With its second production, the newly formed Haven Theatre continues to conserve, renew and reinvent theatre traditions while providing ongoing support and mentorship to emerging artists. Preview performances are Sunday, Oct. 13 and Monday, Oct. 14 at 8 p.m. and Thursday, Oct. 17 - Saturday, Oct. 19 at 8 p.m. Opening night is Sunday, Oct. 20 at 7 p.m. The regular performance schedule is Thursdays and Fridays at 8 p.m, Saturdays at 2 and 8 p.m. and Sundays at 7 p.m. Preview tickets are $20 and regular run tickets are $42. Senior tickets are $35 and ndustry/Student tickets are $20. Tickets may be purchased by visiting www.theaterwit.org or by calling the box office at 773.975.8150. Industry/Student/Senior prices are $20. For more information, go towww.haventheatrechicago.org.

LiveWire Chicago Theatre will join the Chicago Theatre Week line-up with Bekah Brunstetter's I LOVE YOU, I THINK, an evening of refined and important monologues on the topic of love - featuring longing, Lean Cuisines and sex with homeless people.