Frank Galati News

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey celebrates the summer with two back-to-back classic comedies on the Main Stage. Molière's classic farce, The School for Wives, directed by Brian B. Crowe, kicks off the summer's mirth on July 8 and runs through July 26. The Tony Award nominated Noises Off, the hugely popular British farce by Michael Frayn and directed by Paul Mullins, begins performances on August 5 and continues through August 30.

For the fifth consecutive summer, Goodman Theatre welcomes young people from the Chicagoland area as participants in its General Theater Studies program (GTS), a free, six week intensive introduction to the theater arts.

Goodman Theatre's Board of Trustees proudly announces Patricia Cox as the new Chairman-Elect. Cox, whose involvement with the Goodman spans two decades, is currently its Vice Chairman. A founding member of Chicago's legendary St. Nicholas Theatre Company (with Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright David Mamet and actors William H. Macy and Stephen Schachter), Cox was among the city's first performing arts marketing, development and management leaders to emerge under the late, great Lyric Opera impresario Danny Newman. She has since worked with and consulted for a wide range of not-for-profit arts organizations in Chicago and across the country. Cox will assume chairmanship in the fall, as current Chairman Shawn M. Donnelley concludes her two-year tenure.

'Hooray for Joey Slotnick!' Director Henry Wishcamper has tapped Chicago native Joey Slotnick for the lead role of the African explorer 'Captain Jeffrey T. Spaulding'-the heightened vaudevillian persona created by Groucho Marx for the 1929 stage and screen original-in Goodman Theatre's season opening musical Animal Crackers, written by George S. Kaufman and Morrie Ryskind, with music and lyrics by Bert Kalmar and Harry Ruby.

Our correspondent speaks to the producer and playwright behind the new soul musical...

Goodman Theatre is the proud recipient of an unprecedented $275,000 gift from the Shubert Foundation, marking the largest annual general operating support grant in the theater's 84-year history. The grant, which represents a $35,000 increase for the Goodman over last season, is part of a record $17.6 million funding that the Shubert Foundation announced for not-for-profit companies in 2009.

Goodman Theatre is proud to participate in Science Chicago, a year-long program that is aimed at engaging the Chicago-land region in science and raising awareness of the importance of science education. Through three free readings from Tom Stoppard, Richard Rhodes, and Caryl Churchill, the Goodman and Science Chicago tap into the ?chemistry? between art and science, and explore the scientific themes that are resurrected through these modern plays. Readings take place on three consecutive Mondays, June 8, 15 and 22, beginning at 6pm. A post-play discussion, led by a member of the Goodman?s Artistic staff and noted experts in the fields of physics and bioengineering, follows each reading. Events are free but reservations are recommended by calling the Goodman box office at 312.443.3800.

For the fifth consecutive summer, Goodman Theatre welcomes young people from the Chicagoland area as participants in its General Theater Studies program (GTS), a free, six week intensive introduction to the theater arts.

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey continues its annual summer tradition of family theatre 'under-the-stars' with William Shakespeare's magical and mysterious romance The Tempest directed by Joe Discher.

Goodman Theatre proudly concludes its 2008/2009 season with José Rivera's newest play, Boleros for the Disenchanted, 'an epic study of wedded life that is simply?and not so simply?marvelous' (Variety). A true love story inspired by Rivera's parents' courtship and eventual migration from Puerto Rico to Alabama, Boleros for the Disenchanted makes its Chicago premiere directed by Henry Godinez?the Goodman's Resident Artistic Associate who was named 2008 Latino of the Year by the Chicago Latino Network. Chicago actors Elizabeth Ledo and Sandra Marquez command the stage in the role of Flora, based on Rivera's mother, at various points in her life. Godinez's cast also includes Liza Fernandez, Joe Minoso, Rene Rivera and Felix Solis. Boleros for the Disenchanted is performed in English in the Albert Theatre June 20 ? July 26, 2009. Tickets are $25 ? $70. A complete performance schedule including dates, times and ticket prices appears at the end of this release. Meet the playwright and director at a free post-performance discussion on Thursday, June 25, moderated by Myrna Salazar of the International Latino Cultural Center. Tickets and information: 312.443.3800 or GoodmanTheatre.org. The Chicago Community Trust is the Major Production Sponsor.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company continues its 2008-2009 season, an exploration of the imagination, with The Tempest by William Shakespeare, directed by ensemble member Tina Landau - playing March 26 - May 31, 2009 in Steppenwolf's Downstairs Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted St. The Tempest features ensemble members Alana Arenas, K. Todd Freeman, Frank Galati, Jon Michael Hill, Tim Hopper, James Vincent Meredith, Yasen Peyankov, Lois Smith and Alan Wilder with Eric James Casady, Miles Fletcher, Stephen Louis Grush, Emma Rosenthal and Craig Spidle. The press performance is Saturday, April 4, 2009 at 3:00 p.m.

Renowned Theatrical Agent Peter Franklin has been let go from the William Morris Agency, according to Variety. Franklin, the head of the theater division at WMA, is among the 100+ employees fired as part of the ongoing William Morris-Endeavor merger.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company continues its 2008-2009 season, an exploration of the imagination, with The Tempest by William Shakespeare, directed by ensemble member Tina Landau - playing March 26 - May 31, 2009 in Steppenwolf's Downstairs Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted St.

San Francisco's cutting-edge Cutting Ball Theater today announced that due to overwhelming popular response, the company will extend its Bay Area Premiere of Will Eno's London and Off-Broadway hit THOM PAIN (based on nothing) a second time; the company has added three weeks of shows in addition to the previously announced extension to April 19. THOM PAIN (based on nothing) plays now through May 9.

Two countries, three generations, 22 turbulent years?and a dynamic soundtrack ranging from Syd Barrett to The Plastic People of the Universe to U2?are at the heart of Rock 'n' Roll, a sweeping and passionate drama about love, music and revolution from Academy Award and four-time Tony Award-winner Tom Stoppard. For the play?s Chicago premiere at Goodman Theatre, Artistic Director Robert Falls taps director Charles Newell, whose reputation for directing acclaimed Stoppard productions precedes him. Newell?s cast of 12 is led by Stephen Yoakam and Chicago favorites Timothy Edward Kane and Mary Beth Fisher, who explore the unique intersection of politics and art against the background of John Culbert?s rock concert-inspired set design?complete with a floor resembling the cover art of Barrett?s solo album, Madcap Laughs. Rock ?n? Roll will be performed in the Albert Theatre May 2 ? June 7, 2009. Tickets are $25 ? $75. A complete performance schedule including dates, times and ticket prices appears at the end of this release. The Edith-Marie Appleton Foundation and Goodman Theatre Women?s Board are the Major Production Sponsors for Rock ?n? Roll and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP is the Corporate Sponsor Partner. Additional support is provided by the Director?s Society Sponsors. WXRT is the Official Radio Sponsor of Rock ?n? Roll.

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey kicks off its 2009 Season with a world premiere stage adaptation of Around the World in Eighty Days. Adapted for the stage by Bonnie J. Monte from the beloved novel by Jules Verne, this inventive production is an exhilarating treat for people of all ages. Around the World in Eighty Days began performances on April 29 and continues through May 24 at the Shakespeare Theatre's Main Stage - The F. M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre, 36 Madison Avenue at Lancaster Road in Madison. For tickets or more information, call the box office at 973-408-5600, email boxoffice@shakespearenj.org or visit www.ShakespeareNJ.org.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company continues its 2008-2009 season, an exploration of the imagination, with The Tempest by William Shakespeare, directed by ensemble member Tina Landau - playing March 26 - May 31, 2009 in Steppenwolf's Downstairs Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted St. The Tempest features ensemble members Alana Arenas, K. Todd Freeman, Frank Galati, Jon Michael Hill, Tim Hopper, James Vincent Meredith, Yasen Peyankov, Lois Smith (March 26 - May 10) and Alan Wilder with Eric James Casady, Miles Fletcher, Stephen Louis Grush, Mike Nussbaum (May 12 - 31) Emma Rosenthal and Craig Spidle.

Goodman Theatre is proud to participate in Science Chicago, a year-long program that is aimed at engaging the Chicago-land region in science and raising awareness of the importance of science education. Through three free readings from Tom Stoppard, Richard Rhodes, and Caryl Churchill, the Goodman and Science Chicago tap into the ?chemistry? between art and science, and explore the scientific themes that are resurrected through these modern plays. Readings take place on three consecutive Mondays, June 8, 15 and 22, beginning at 6pm. A post-play discussion, led by a member of the Goodman?s Artistic staff and noted experts in the fields of physics and bioengineering, follows each reading. Events are free but reservations are recommended by calling the Goodman box office at 312.443.3800.

Steppenwolf celebrated its 33rd season with GALA 2009: A Celebration of the Season of the Imagination on Saturday, April 18, 2009 at Steppenwolf Theatre Company, 1650 N. Halsted St. The ?urban chic? event was attended by 550 guests and raised nearly $1 million for Steppenwolf?s artistic and community programming.

San Francisco's cutting-edge Cutting Ball Theater today announced a two-week extension of its Bay Area Premiere of Will Eno's London and Off-Broadway hit THOM PAIN (based on nothing). Crowded Fire Artistic Director Marissa Wolf helms this Pulitzer Prize-nominated one-man meditation on the empty promises that life makes, starring Jonathan Bock.