Driscoll Otto News

Drury Lane Theatre announces a special Family Day for its Regional Premiere of Roald Dahl's Matilda The Musical, scheduled for Sunday, June 9, 2019, before the 2:00 p.m. matinee.

Wonder and amazement abound! Drury Lane Theatre announces casting for its Regional Premiere of Roald Dahl's Matilda The Musical, featuring Chicago resident Audrey Edwards and Warrenville native Natalie Galla sharing the title role. With book by Dennis Kelly, music and lyrics by Tim Minchin, and orchestrations and additional music by Chris Nightingale, Roald Dahl's Matilda The Musical is directed and choreographed by Mitch Sebastian and runs April 26 June 23, 2019, at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace.

Wonder and amazement abound! Get a first look below at Drury Lane Theatre's Regional Premiere of Roald Dahl's Matilda The Musical, featuring Chicago resident Audrey Edwards and Warrenville native Natalie Galla sharing the title role.

Ten strangers meet on a clandestine island. Each holds a murderous secret. Who will pay the ultimate price? Drury Lane Theatre continues its 2019/2020 season with the edge-of-your-seat murder mystery And Then There Were None, written by Agatha Christie and directed by Jessica Fisch. And Then There Were None runs July 12 September 1, 2019, at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace.

Wonder and amazement abound! Drury Lane Theatre announces casting for its Regional Premiere of Roald Dahl's Matilda The Musical, featuring Chicago resident Audrey Edwards and Warrenville native Natalie Galla sharing the title role. With book by Dennis Kelly, music and lyrics by Tim Minchin, and orchestrations and additional music by Chris Nightingale, Roald Dahl's Matilda The Musical is directed and choreographed by Mitch Sebastian and runs April 26 June 23, 2019, at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace. The press opening is scheduled for Thursday, May 2 at 8:00 p.m.

New York Classical Theatre kicks off its 20th anniversary season with a gender-flipping production of Oscar Wilde's comic masterpiece The Importance of Being Earnest, with the entire cast swapping roles at every other performance. The production, directed by Stephen Burdman, also marks the debut of NY Classical's annual indoor performance, extending its season year-round and continuing its all-free performance policy. The production will be presented from March 5-24, 2019 at The Mezzanine Theatre at A.R.T./New York Theatres (502 West 53rd Street).

Crowded Outlet announces its production, beep boop, a multimedia clown show created by physical comedian Richard Saudek (Balls at 59E59), TV and film composer Jesse Novak ('BoJack Horseman,' 'The Mindy Project') and director Wes Grantom (Lone Star Spirits, Eager to Lose). beep boop will play a limited return-engagement at 14th Street Y (344 E 14th Street, New York, NY 10003; at 14th Street and 1st Avenue), performing Wednesday, February 6th through Sunday, February 17th.

New York Classical Theatre (Stephen Burdman, Artistic Director) kicks off its 20th anniversary season with a gender-flipping production of Oscar Wilde's comic masterpiece The Importance of Being Earnest, with the entire cast swapping roles at every other performance. The production, directed by Stephen Burdman, also marks the debut of NY Classical's annual indoor performance, extending its season year-round and continuing its all-free performance policy. The production will be presented from March 5-24, 2019 at The Mezzanine Theatre at A.R.T./New York Theatres (502 West 53rd Street).

THE LION IN WINTER at Pioneer Theatre Company is a regal production that also feels relevant to contemporary life. Pioneer Theatre Company consistently produces high quality theatre, and THE LION IN WINTER is no exception with its strong concept, execution and entertainment value.

I have to admit, when I first saw that WaterTower Theatre's season touted a modern adaptation of A Doll's House by Henrik Ibsen, I was wary. Modernizing a classic is a risk whose success depends largely on motive. If done as a conscious and careful choice, it can deepen an audience's understanding of the piece. If done haphazardly, perhaps to cover an inadequate budget or a director's cursory understanding of the original text, it may have some fun modern elements, but they will likely be distracting rather than illuminating. Thankfully, WaterTower offers a sophisticated and enlightening modernization. Director and adapter Joanie Schultz modernizes the language and keeps the design firmly rooted in history. The choice to adapt does not hide a lack of understanding on Schultz's part - it in fact shows a true depth of understanding and familiarity with the text. It certainly does not disguise an insufficient budget; elaborate and historically correct fashions created by Melissa Panzarello and Amy Poe, in conjunction with a marvelous set designed by Chelsea M. Warren, convincingly portray the wealth of the late 17th century family at the heart of the drama. And if Schultz feared the audience might not understand? Rather than putting a band aid on that fear with some flashy modern props, she digs into the root of the misunderstanding, the translation from old Norwegian into modern English.

Chicago Opera Theater (COT) will kick off the 2018/2019 season with "Iolanta," a Chicago premiere of legendary composer P.I. Tchaikovsky's final opera. Internationally renowned and award-winning conductor Lidiya Yankovskaya will make her conducting debut as Chicago Opera Theater's Staley Music Director and set the tone for the season to come. Acclaimed stage director Paul Curran, known for his work at Santa Fe Opera, Lyric Opera Chicago and more, will shape the retelling of this joyous love-story, featuring an almost entirely Chicago-based cast including soprano Katherine Weber as Iolanta, and renowned Russian bass Mikhail Svetlov as Rene. The opening night and press performance takes place on Saturday, November 10 at 7:30 p.m. at the historic Studebaker Theater (410 S. Michigan Ave.) Additional performances will take place Thursday, November 15 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, November 18 at 3 p.m.

Crowded Outlet proudly presents beep boop, a multimedia clown show created by physical comedian Richard Saudek now performing through Sunday, October 7th.

Crowded Outlet presents beep boop, a multimedia clown show created by physical comedian Richard Saudek

WaterTower Theatre Artistic Director, Joanie Schultz, today announced casting and creative team details for A Doll's House by Henrik Ibsen, adapted and directed by Joanie Schultz.

'Less Than 50%' is now on stage at 59E59 Theaters. Written by Gianmarco Soresi and directed by Jen Wineman, this show has a great deal of comic appeal but it also smacks of reality. The unique two-hander has a clever combination of storytelling and stand-up comedy.

Crowded Outlet announces its next production, beep boop, a multimedia clown show created by physical comedian Richard Saudek (Balls at 59E59), TV and film composer Jesse Novak ("BoJack Horseman," "The Mindy Project") and director Wes Grantom (Lone Star Spirits, Eager to Lose). beep boop will play a limited engagement at HERE (145 6th Ave, New York, NY 10013; enter on Dominick, 1 Block South of Spring), performing Thursday September 6th through Sunday, September 30th. The Opening is Saturday, September 8th.

Drury Lane Theatre openied its sultry summer drama, Tennessee Williams' Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, directed by Tony nominee Marcia Milgrom Dodge (2009 Broadway revival of Ragtime, Drury Lane's Smokey Joe's Cafe), On Thursday, July 12, 2018. Cat on a Hot Tin Roof runs through August 26, 2018, at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace.

As the curtain rises on Drury Lane Theatre's production of CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF, we view a striking image: the interior of a derelict Mississippi mansion, complete with crumbling masonry, mossy growths on the ceiling, and a none-too-sturdy grand staircase. Amid these ruins, each member of the dysfunctional Pollitt family battles other forms of decay: failing health, eroding relationships, toxic jealousy, and thwarted ambitions.

Drury Lane Theatre announces casting for its sultry summer drama, Tennessee Williams' Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, directed by Tony nominee Marcia Milgrom Dodge (2009 Broadway revival of Ragtime, Drury Lane's Smokey Joe's Cafe). Cat on a Hot Tin Roof runs July 5 - August 26, 2018, at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace. The press opening is scheduled for Thursday, July 12 at 8:00 p.m.

Drury Lane Theatre announces casting for its sultry summer drama, Tennessee Williams' Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, directed by Tony nominee Marcia Milgrom Dodge (2009 Broadway revival of Ragtime, Drury Lane's Smokey Joe's Cafe). Cat on a Hot Tin Roof runs July 5 - August 26, 2018, at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace. The press opening is scheduled for Today, July 12 at 8:00 p.m.