Eric Backus News

American Blues Theater continues its 2017-2018 Season with the Chicago premiere of Steve Murray's This Wonderful Life and directed by Ensemble member Carmen Roman, starring Founding Ensemble Member James Leaming. This Wonderful Life runs November 2-26, 2017 at The Edge Theater, 5451 N Broadway in Chicago. The official press opening is November 5, 2017 at 2:00 p.m.

The United States premiere of Pine, by Jacqui Honess-Martin, directed by Arianna Soloway, December 1 - 10 in the outdoor Christmas Tree lot at Uncommon Ground Edgewater, 1401 W. Devon Ave. The press opening is Friday, Dec. 1 at 6 p.m.

Theatre Y and Red Tape Theatre will present Federico Garc a Lorca's tragic poem, Yerma, in a new adaptation by Theatre Y Ensemble Member Hector lvarez to be played at the companies' new shared, and recently named space, The Ready, 4546 N. Western Ave.

Windy City Playhouse's critically acclaimed production of Gina Gionfriddo's Becky Shaw has extended its run through December 10. Directed by Jeff Award winner Scott Weinstein, the show opened on September 28 to highly favorable reviews, with Chris Jones of Chicago Tribune calling it wise, complex, and really very moving. Funny, too, and Buzz Center Stage deeming the show funny and provocative. Picture This Post said it was impeccably directed and Performink called it a must see.

Previews continue this weekend for Gina Gionfriddo's 'Becky Shaw,' playing now through November 12. Under the direction of Jeff Award winner Scott Weinstein, the dark comedy stars Carley Cornelius as the titular character, an emotionally-fragile single woman swept up in the chaos of a blind-date gone array. Press nights for the production are Today, Sept. 28 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, Sept. 30 at 8 p.m. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

American Blues Theater continues its 2017-2018 Season with the Chicago premiere of Steve Murray's This Wonderful Life and directed by Ensemble member Carmen Roman, starring Founding Ensemble Member James Leaming. This Wonderful Life runs November 2-26, 2017 at The Edge Theater, 5451 N Broadway in Chicago. The official press opening is November 5, 2017 at 2:00 p.m.

Previews continue this weekend for Gina Gionfriddo's 'Becky Shaw,' playing now through November 12. Under the direction of Jeff Award winner Scott Weinstein, the dark comedy stars Carley Cornelius as the titular character, an emotionally-fragile single woman swept up in the chaos of a blind-date gone array. Press nights for the production are Thursday, Sept. 28 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, Sept. 30 at 8 p.m. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Rehearsals are underway for Gina Gionfriddo's "Becky Shaw," playing September 21 through November 12. Under the direction of Jeff Award winner Scott Weinstein, the dark "ferociously funny" (The New York Times) comedy stars Carley Cornelius as the titular character, an emotionally-fragile single woman swept up in the chaos of a blind-date gone array. The cast of "Becky Shaw" also features Michael Doonan as Max Garrett, Suzanne Petri as Susan Slater, Michael Aaron Pogue as Andrew Porter and Amy Rubenstein as Suzanna Slater.

Lifeline Theatre's KidSeries presents Arnie The Doughnut, a family musical based on the popular children's book by Laurie Keller, with script by Lifeline Theatre ensemble member Frances Limoncelli (three-time Non-Equity Jeff Award winner), music and lyrics by George Howe (two-time Non-Equity Jeff Award winner), and directed by Lifeline Theatre ensemble member Elise Kauzlaric (two-time Non-Equity Jeff nominee). Arnie, a loveable chocolate-frosted, rainbow-sprinkled doughnut, is the happiest pastry in the bakery when he's chosen to be taken home by a new owner. But when mild-mannered Mr. Bing tries to eat the unsuspecting Arnie, both are in for the surprise of their lives. Man and doughnut are drawn into a sugar-fueled existential crisis as they work to redefine their relationship while trying to outwit the meddlesome President of the Cozy Confines Condo Community. Join Arnie on a zany quest to prove that he's more than just delicious - and that friends come in all shapes and sizes - in this hit musical adaptation of the 2003 book that kicked off the beloved series by Laurie Keller. This production is recommended for children ages five and up (children under two not permitted), and runs approximately one hour with no intermission. 

Lifeline Theatre's KidSeries presents Arnie The Doughnut, a family musical based on the popular children's book by Laurie Keller.

American Blues Theater opens its 2017-2018 Season with the Chicago Premiere of Beauty's Daughter by Dael Orlandersmith, directed by Ron OJ Parson, and Artistic Affiliate Wandachristine. Beauty's Daughter runs July 7 - August 5, 2017 at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago.  

Windy City Playhouse (3014 W. Irving Park Road) announces the complete casting for Gina Gionfriddo's "Becky Shaw," the dark, "ferociously funny" (The New York Times) comedy. Jeff Award winner Scott Weinstein directs the final production in Windy City Playhouse's third season, starring Theo Allyn ("The Matchmaker" at Goodman Theatre) in the title role as Becky Shaw.

American Blues Theater opens its 2017-2018 Season with the Chicago Premiere of Beauty's Daughter by Dael Orlandersmith, directed by Ron OJ Parson, and Artistic Affiliate Wandachristine. Beauty's Daughter runs July 7 - August 5, 2017 at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago.  The official press opening is Thursday, July 13, 2017 at 7:30 p.m.

Fresh off their sold-out production of PEERLESS, First Floor Theater is excited to conclude their fifth season with the Chicago premiere of Bess Wohl's AMERICAN HERO, directed by Cody Estle. AMERICAN HEROwill play May 8 - June 3, 2017 at The Den Theatre, 1333 N Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago. Tickets are on sale now atfirstfloortheater.com. 

American Blues Theater opens its 2017-2018 Season with the Chicago Premiere of Beauty's Daughter by Dael Orlandersmith and directed by Ron OJ Parson. Beauty's Daughter runs July 7 - August 5, 2017 at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago.  The official press opening is Thursday, July 13, 2017 at 7:30 p.m.

The Jeff Awards announced, via a special video presentation, a total of 127 nominations in 26 categories for the 44th Annual Non-Equity Jeff Awards for productions that opened between April 1, 2016, and March 31, 2017.  Hosting the video presentation were Alexis Roston and Lillian Castillo, who will be this year's Mistresses of Ceremonies at the Awards event on June 5 at The Athenaeum.

Fresh off their sold-out production of PEERLESS, First Floor Theater will conclude their fifth season with the Chicago premiere of Bess Wohl's AMERICAN HERO, directed by Cody Estle. AMERICAN HERO will play May 8 - June 3, 2017 at The Den Theatre, 1333 N Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago.

To accommodate extraordinary ticket demand, Lifeline Theatre announces ten added performances of its Jeff Recommended and critically-acclaimed production of A Wrinkle in Time, adapted by James Sie (Non-Equity Jeff Award: New Work, Island of Blue Dolphins), and directed by Lifeline Theatre ensemble member Elise Kauzlaric (Non-Equity Jeff nomination: Director-Play, Mariette in Ecstasy), based on the novel by Madeleine L'Engle. Ever since her father vanished under mysterious circumstances, Meg Murry's life has been spiraling out of control. But one dark and stormy night, Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs. Who, and Mrs. Which appear with a promise to help rescue him from the monstrous darkness that threatens the universe. Join Meg, her brother Charles Wallace, their pal Calvin, and a host of extraterrestrial friends and foes as they journey into the heart of a terrible evil in the hope of reuniting a fragmented family. A heartwarming adventure across the stars, in a newly-revised adaptation of the beloved 1963 favorite by Madeleine L'Engle, not seen on the Lifeline stage since 1999. The production runs two hours with one intermission. The novel is on sale in the lobby.

The Factory Theater presents the world premiere of Born Ready. Written by Stacie Barra and directed by Wm. Bullion, Born Ready runs March 17 - April 29 at The Factory Theater, 1623 W. Howard St. Previews are Friday, March 17 and Saturday, March 18 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, March 19 at 3 p.m. 

Lifeline Theatre presents A Wrinkle in Time, adapted by James Sie (Non-Equity Jeff Award: New Work, Island of Blue Dolphins), and directed by Lifeline Theatre ensemble member Elise Kauzlaric (Non-Equity Jeff nomination: Director-Play, Mariette in Ecstasy), based on the novel by Madeleine L'Engle. Ever since her father vanished under mysterious circumstances, Meg Murray's life has been spiraling out of control. But one dark and stormy night, Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs. Who, and Mrs. Which appear with a promise to help rescue him from the monstrous darkness that threatens the universe. Join Meg, her brother Charles Wallace, their pal Calvin, and a host of extraterrestrial friends and foes as they journey into the heart of a terrible evil in the hope of reuniting a fragmented family. A heartwarming adventure across the stars, in a newly-revised adaptation of the beloved 1963 favorite by Madeleine L'Engle, not seen on the Lifeline stage since 1999. The production runs approximately two hours with one intermission. The novel will be on sale in the lobby.