Edith Miller News

The Broadway smash hit musical THE WIZ, with book by William F. Brown and music by Charlie Smalls, will blow audiences away July 7 through August 7, 2011 at Theatre at the Center, 1040 Ridge Road, Munster, Indiana. The production will open Sunday, July 10 at 7 p.m. Stacey Flaster will direct and choreograph. THE WIZ first opened on Broadway in 1975 and ran for four years (1600 performances). It made a historic footprint as the first large-scale big-budget musical featuring an all-African American cast. THE WIZ won seven Tony Awards including Best Musical and was produced in 1978 by Motown/Universal as a film starring Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Lena Horne, and Richard Pryor.

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.

Collaboraction's widely celebrated SKETCHBOOK FESTIVAL returns for its 11th year to the Chopin Theatre, 1543 W. Division St., June 2 - 25. One of the most innovative and communal theater, music and video festivals in the country, this year's festival, titled 'SKETCHBOOK: Evolution,' features nine short plays and seven devised works, all eight minutes or less, inspired by the theme of ‘Evolution.' A different musical guest creates a unique soundscape for each performance, and the lineup of works will vary each night. Full music and play schedule available at collaboraction.org.

Drury Lane Theatre presents the Tony Award-winning international hit musical AIDA, Directed and Choreographed by Jeff Award winner Jim Corti (Sweet Charity, Meet Me in St. Louis, Cabaret, and Sugar.) Featuring a dynamic cast led by Stephanie Umoh as 'Aida' ('Sarah' in the 2009 Broadway production of Ragtime) and Jared Zirilli as 'Radames' (first National Tour of Wicked), AIDA closes May 29 at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane.

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.

Collaboraction's widely celebrated SKETCHBOOK FESTIVAL returns for its 11th year to the Chopin Theatre, 1543 W. Division St., June 2 - 25. One of the most innovative and communal theater, music and video festivals in the country, this year's festival, titled 'SKETCHBOOK: Evolution,' features nine short plays and seven devised works, all eight minutes or less, inspired by the theme of ‘Evolution.' A different musical guest creates a unique soundscape for each performance, and the lineup of works will vary each night. Full music and play schedule available at collaboraction.org.

Drury Lane Theatre presents the Tony Award-winning international hit musical AIDA, Directed and Choreographed by Jeff Award winner Jim Corti (Sweet Charity, Meet Me in St. Louis, Cabaret, and Sugar.) Featuring a dynamic cast led by Stephanie Umoh as 'Aida' ('Sarah' in the 2009 Broadway production of Ragtime) and Jared Zirilli as 'Radames' (first National Tour of Wicked), AIDA opens March 24 and runs through May 29 at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane.

Drury Lane Theatre presents the Tony Award-winning international hit musical AIDA, Directed and Choreographed by Jeff Award winner Jim Corti (Sweet Charity, Meet Me in St. Louis, Cabaret, and Sugar.) Featuring a dynamic cast led by Stephanie Umoh as 'Aida' ('Sarah' in the 2009 Broadway production of Ragtime) and Jared Zirilli as 'Radames' (first National Tour of Wicked), AIDA previews March 17, opens March 24 and runs through May 29 at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane.

Redmoon and the Chicago Park District celebrate the 5th year of spectacles in the parks with the Joyous Outdoor Event (J.O.E). Labor Day weekend, Thursday - Monday, Sept. 2-6, in Lincoln Park's South Belmont Harbor at Belmont Avenue and Lake Shore Drive.

Redmoon and the Chicago Park District celebrate the 5th year of spectacles in the parks with the Joyous Outdoor Event (J.O.E). Labor Day weekend, Thursday - Monday, Sept. 2-6, in Lincoln Park's South Belmont Harbor at Belmont Avenue and Lake Shore Drive.

Redmoon and the Chicago Park District celebrate the 5th year of spectacles in the parks with the Joyous Outdoor Event (J.O.E). Labor Day weekend, Thursday - Monday, Sept. 2-6, in Lincoln Park's South Belmont Harbor at Belmont Avenue and Lake Shore Drive.

Theatre Under The Stars (TUTS) announces the cast of the carnivorous cult classic, Little Shop of Horrors! This marks TUTS' 43rd summer of free musicals at Miller Outdoor Theater (100 Concert Drive).

Theatre Under The Stars (TUTS) announces the cast of the carnivorous cult classic, Little Shop of Horrors! This marks TUTS' 43rd summer of free musicals at Miller Outdoor Theater (100 Concert Drive).

Hold on tight, because Victory Gardens Theater's smash hit winter musical The Snow Queen - conceived by Chicago folk music legend Michael Smith, Tony Award-winning director Frank Galati, and master puppeteer Blair Thomas & Co - is sledding back into town for her fourth season as Chicago's #1 alternative to traditional holiday fare.

Hold on tight, because Victory Gardens Theater's smash hit winter musical The Snow Queen - conceived by Chicago folk music legend Michael Smith, Tony Award-winning director Frank Galati, and master puppeteer Blair Thomas & Co - is sledding back into town for her fourth season as Chicago's #1 alternative to traditional holiday fare.

Hold on tight, because Victory Gardens Theater's smash hit winter musical The Snow Queen - conceived by Chicago folk music legend Michael Smith, Tony Award-winning director Frank Galati, and master puppeteer Blair Thomas & Co - is sledding back into town for her fourth season as Chicago's #1 alternative to traditional holiday fare.

Hold on tight, because Victory Gardens Theater's smash hit winter musical The Snow Queen - conceived by Chicago folk music legend Michael Smith, Tony Award-winning director Frank Galati, and master puppeteer Blair Thomas & Co - is sledding back into town for her fourth season as Chicago's #1 alternative to traditional holiday fare.

Hold on tight, because Victory Gardens Theater's smash hit winter musical The Snow Queen - conceived by Chicago folk music legend Michael Smith, Tony Award-winning director Frank Galati, and master puppeteer Blair Thomas & Co - is sledding back into town for her fourth season as Chicago's #1 alternative to traditional holiday fare.

InFusion Theatre Company, in association with Chicago DCA Theater, presents the Midwest premiere of Rhymes With Evil. Written by Charles R. Traeger and directed by InFusion Artistic Director Mitch Golob, the production comes to Chicago DCA Theater's Storefront Theater at 66 E. Randolph Street, from October 5 - November 8, 2009.