Dennis Zacek News

The 16th Annual Merritt Award for Excellence in Design and Collaboration program, honoring world class scenic designer Todd Rosenthal (August: Osage County), will take place on Monday, April 27, at the Steppenwolf Merle Reskin Garage Theatre. The doors open at 5:30 p.m. with a viewing of the third annual ?Theater Design Expo' showcasing the works of over 20 Chicago-area emerging theatrical designers and a student portfolio review. Martha Lavey, Artistic Director of Steppenwolf Theatre Company, will moderate an inclusive discussion, 'Moving Chicago Productions to New York and Beyond' with the awardees, Director Anna Shapiro and Joshua Schmidt, composer and librettist, from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

On behalf of Goodman Theatre and Artistic Director Robert Falls, Executive Director Roche Schulfer proudly accepted Actors Equity Association (AEA)'s 'Spirit Recognition Award,' honoring individuals and institutions that have made non-traditional casting a way of life. The award was presented at AEA's Central Region Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Committee's 'Spirit 2009 - A Celebration of Diversity' event held on Monday, March 30 at the Goodman, recognizing Central Region Members of Color and minority-focused theaters and producers.

The 16th Annual Merritt Award for Excellence in Design and Collaboration program, honoring world class scenic designer Todd Rosenthal (August: Osage County), will take place on Monday, April 27, at the Steppenwolf Merle Reskin Garage Theatre. The doors open at 5:30 p.m. with a viewing of the third annual ?Theater Design Expo' showcasing the works of over 20 Chicago-area emerging theatrical designers and a student portfolio review. Martha Lavey, Artistic Director of Steppenwolf Theatre Company, will moderate an inclusive discussion, 'Moving Chicago Productions to New York and Beyond' with the awardees, Director Anna Shapiro and Joshua Schmidt, composer and librettist, from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Blackbird- Starring William L. Petersen, Directed by Dennis Zacek by David Harrower William L. Petersen, star of CBS-TV's CSI, returns to the theater where he first earned his Equity card to star in Blackbird. This searing two-person drama about the destructive cycle of desire and illicit love brings to mind Petersen's earliest work on Chicago's stages, playing morally questionable characters in In the Belly of the Beast, The Night of the Iguana, and Flyovers. 'The most powerful drama of the season...masterly, mesmerizing...extraordinary...a miracle' (New York Times), and winner of the 2007 Laurence Olivier Award, Britain's equivalent to the Tony's, Blackbird will leave you stunned into silence.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company will pay tribute to late literary legend Studs Terkel with a free staged reading with music of Will the Circle Be Unbroken?, adapted by Derek Goldman from Terkel's book Will the Circle Be Unbroken?

If you're a die-hard fan of classic American musicals, then grab your checkbook and a few supportive friends and buy your way to stardom at Victory Gardens Theater's 27th Annual Casting Auction, Saturday, November 15 at 6 pm at the Victory Gardens Biograph Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Avenue, Chicago.

Victory Gardens, the 2001 Tony winning Chicago Theater, opened its 2008/09 season last night (October 13, 2008) with an interesting take on the Orpheus Myth. Eurydice, by Sarah Ruhl, is definitely not your college professor's version of the Greek Myth...

Eurydice, a bold, slyly comic, visually fascinating take on the classic Orpheus myth by Sarah Ruhl, is enjoying an ambitious revival by Victory Gardens Theater, to open the 35th season at Chicago's #1 presenter of new plays.

Victory Gardens Theater, Chicago's #1 presenter of new plays, will host two 2008-09 Season Preview events - Sunday, September 14 at 11 am, and Wednesday, September 24 at 6 pm - to give prospective new audiences an exclusive sneak peek at all six productions that make up the company's upcoming subscription season.

Victory Gardens Theater, Chicago's #1 presenter of new work, announced today it will present the Midwest premiere of British playwright David Harrower's provocative drama Blackbird as the final production of its 2008-2009 season.

Victory Gardens Theater, Chicago's #1 presenter of new work, announced today it will present the Midwest premiere of British playwright David Harrower's provocative drama Blackbird as the final production of its 2008-2009 season.