Elizabeth Bagby News

The Strange Tree Group presents the world premiere of the elaborate time travel comedy THE HALF-BROTHERS MENDELSSOHN by Elizabeth Bagby, directed by Thrisa Hodits, playing tonight, June 18 - July 20, 2013 at Signal Ensemble Theatre, 1802 W. Berenice Ave. in Chicago.

The Strange Tree Group presents the world premiere of the elaborate time travel comedy THE HALF-BROTHERS MENDELSSOHN by Elizabeth Bagby, directed by Thrisa Hodits, playing June 18 - July 20, 2013 at Signal Ensemble Theatre, 1802 W. Berenice Ave. in Chicago. The production features Strange Tree Ensemble members Cory Aiello, Kate Nawrocki, Stuart Ritter and Jenifer Starewich with Audrey Flagel, Andy Hager, Brandon Ruiter and Joe Stearns. Tickets for THE HALF-BROTHERS MENDELSSOHN are currently on sale at www.strangetree.org. The press opening is Thursday, June 20 at 8 pm.

Summer 2013 will bring a wealth of new works to Chicago stages, closing out this season with some of the most exciting theater in the country, and holding Chicago's place as a leader on the national scene. Offerings from the city's more than 200 producing theaters includes a range of special summer programming, featuring everything from the latest musicals and highly anticipated world premieres to updated classics.

The Strange Tree Group presents the world premiere of the elaborate time travel comedy THE HALF-BROTHERS MENDELSSOHN by Elizabeth Bagby, directed by Thrisa Hodits, playing June 18 - July 20, 2013 at Signal Ensemble Theatre, 1802 W. Berenice Ave. in Chicago.

Adapted by Robert Ross Parker of New York's Obie Award-winning Vampire Cowboys Theatre, with the literal translation by Marina Raydun, Goodbye Cruel World 'crackles with comedy, costume changes and terrible tuba playing. In the vein of Strange Trees 2010 Jeff Award-winning Shakespeare's King Phycus, the ensemble is made up of six fearless actors portraying 22 distinctly different parts.'

Adapted by Robert Ross Parker of New York's Obie Award-winning Vampire Cowboys Theatre, with the literal translation by Marina Raydun, Goodbye Cruel World 'crackles with comedy, costume changes and terrible tuba playing. In the vein of Strange Trees 2010 Jeff Award-winning Shakespeare's King Phycus, the ensemble is made up of six fearless actors portraying 22 distinctly different parts.'

The Chicago Theater Beat (formerly the Chicago Theater Blog) today announced the nominees for the 1st Annual Chicago Theater Critics' Beat Awards. The Beat Awards provide an opportunity for Chicago's critics to give recognition to outstanding achievements in Chicago's theatre community and the artists involved.

Filled with magic, mystery and live music, The Strange Tree Group brings Chicago's ghosts to life this Halloween season with The Spirit Play. The world premiere production is written by Emily Schwartz and directed by Jimmy McDermott, who last collaborated on the smash hit show The Three Faces of Doctor Crippen, which won 2011 Joseph Jefferson Awards for Best New Work and Best Director. Presented in association with the DCA Theater, The Spirit Play will close at the DCA Theater's Storefront Theater, 66 E. Randolph St., in the heart of Chicago's downtown theater district, on November 6, 2011.

Filled with magic, mystery and live music, The Strange Tree Group brings Chicago's ghosts to life this Halloween season with The Spirit Play.

Filled with magic, mystery and live music, The Strange Tree Group brings Chicago's ghosts to life this Halloween season with The Spirit Play.

WHAT: Signal Ensemble Theatre announces the fourth production in their 2010-2011, eighth anniversary season, the world premiere comedy 'Aces,' written by ensemble member and multiple Jeff award-winner Jon Steinhagen, and directed by Ronan Marra.

Signal Ensemble Theatre announces the fourth production in their 2010-2011, eighth anniversary season, the world premiere comedy 'Aces,' written by ensemble member and multiple Jeff award-winner Jon Steinhagen, and directed by Ronan Marra. In the summer of 1975 Saigon has fallen, the Watergate scandals continue, and Bobby Fischer refuses to play chess, but in Las Vegas, none of this matters to six casino employees who are busy running their nickel-and-dime scam during business hours. When a blackjack dealer named Samantha is added to their lives, these losers are forced to take a close look at their desperate lives, their selfish behavior, and each other. The show will run about 110 minutes with one intermission, and $5 from every ticket sold on June 11 will benefit www.SeasonofConcern.org

Signal Ensemble Theatre announces the fourth production in their 2010-2011, eighth anniversary season, the world premiere comedy "Aces," written by ensemble member and multiple Jeff award-winner Jon Steinhagen, and directed by Ronan Marra.

Signal Ensemble Theatre announces the third production in their 2010-2011, eighth anniversary season, Dario Fo's "Accidental Death of An Anarchist," directed by ensemble member Anthony Ingram. A bomb blast in a bank kills dozens and injures over a hundred, and the police pick up a professed anarchist for questioning.

Signal Ensemble Theatre announces the third production in their 2010-2011, eighth anniversary season, Dario Fo's 'Accidental Death of An Anarchist,' directed by ensemble member Anthony Ingram. A bomb blast in a bank kills dozens and injures over a hundred, and the police pick up a professed anarchist for questioning. While being interrogated, he 'accidentally' falls out of a fourth floor window. Based on this true event which marked the beginning of a decade of state-sponsored terror, Nobel Award-winner Fo's play is a hilariously scathing satire that uses brutally funny violence and tragic wit to shine a light on the terrifying lengths governments will go to preserve their grip on power. The show will run about two hours with one intermission, and $5 from every ticket sold on March 12 will benefit SeasonofConcern.org

Signal Ensemble Theatre announces the third production in their 2010-2011, eighth anniversary season, Dario Fo's 'Accidental Death of An Anarchist,' directed by ensemble member Anthony Ingram. A bomb blast in a bank kills dozens and injures over a hundred, and the police pick up a professed anarchist for questioning. While being interrogated, he 'accidentally' falls out of a fourth floor window.

Signal Ensemble Theatre announces the third production in their 2010-2011, eighth anniversary season, Dario Fo's "Accidental Death of An Anarchist," directed by ensemble member Anthony Ingram. A bomb blast in a bank kills dozens and injures over a hundred, and the police pick up a professed anarchist for questioning.

The Ruckus Theater is making some noise again with its upcoming Season 2 opener: All Saints' Day: 44 Plays About Jeffrey Jones by Ron Riekki, directed by Brian Ruby. A trio of Ruckus newcomers-Chicago actors Elizabeth Babgy, Kevin Crispin and Matthew Humphrey-star in this new play recounting a series of Halloween encounters. On the heels of a successful first season in Chicago, and having sold out nearly every performance of Heist Play, Tell It & Speak It & Think It & Breathe It, The Gay American and Escape from the Haltsburg Boys Choir, The Ruckus doubles the number of performances for each play in the 2010/2011 season, for a total of four weekends. The Ruckus also hosts a special performance of New York City band Not Blood Paint, featuring Ruckuser Seth Miller on Sunday, September 5 following that evening's 7:30pm performance. All Saints' Day: 44 Plays About Jeffrey Jones is performed at The Side Project Theatre September 2 - 26, 2010 (opening night is September 3). All performances are at 7:30pm. Tickets are $15. For mature audiences. A complete performance schedule including dates, times and ticket prices appears at the end of this release.