Frank Gasparro News

After charming audiences last winter, Strawdog Theatre Company's holiday hit HERSHEL AND THE HANUKKAH GOBLINS returns December 7 a?" 29, 2019

City Lit Theater Artistic Director Terry McCabe today announced his 17-person cast for the company's 2018-2019 season closer - a double-bill of one-acts, dubbed TWO DAYS IN COURT,  offering first a fantastic and then a silly and satiric look at the legal system. McCabe will direct the bill, which will open with THE DEVIL AND DANIEL WEBSTER -  the play by Stephen Vincent Benet based on his 1936 short story.

Strawdog Theatre Company celebrates the holidays with its world premiere adaptation of the family classic HERSHEL AND THE HANUKKAH GOBLINS, based on the book by Eric Kimmel, with book and adaptation by ensemble member Michael Dailey*, music and lyrics by Jacob Combs, direction by Jacqueline Stone and music direction by Rachel Hoovler. HERSHEL will play December 1, 2018 - January 5, 2019 at Strawdog's new home at 1802 W. Berenice Ave.

Strawdog Theatre Company celebrates the holidays with its world premiere adaptation of the family classic HERSHEL AND THE HANUKKAH GOBLINS, based on the book by Eric Kimmel, with book and adaptation by ensemble member Michael Dailey*, music and lyrics by Jacob Combs, direction by Jacqueline Stone and music direction by Rachel Hoovler.

Strawdog Theatre Company is pleased to announce casting for its world premiere adaptation of the family holiday classic HERSHEL AND THE HANUKKAH GOBLINS, based on the book by Eric Kimmel, with book and adaptation by ensemble member Michael Dailey*, music and lyrics by Jacob Combs, direction by Jacqueline Stone and music direction by Rachel Hoovler.

Eclectic announces casting for its 7th season opening show DEAR BRUTUS by J. M. Barry.

Claire has a rare form of psychogenic amnesia that erases her memory whenever she goes to sleep. This morning, like all mornings, she wakes up a blank slate. But today turns out different. She's kidnapped by a limping, lisping, half-blind, half-deaf man in a ski mask who claims he's there to save her, and he spirits her off to her mother's house. Every twist and turn in this funhouse plot bring Claire closer to revealing her past life and everything she thought she'd forgotten. It's one harrowing and hilarious turn after another on this roller coaster ride through the day of an amnesiac trying to decipher her fractured life. This poignant and brutal comedy traces one woman's attempt to regain her memory while surrounded by a curio-cabinet of alarmingly bizarre characters.

Being an amnesiac isn't easy. See the world through their eyes and everything flips on its head in a minute. Who's your friend? Who's your enemy? What's with the hand puppet?

Claire has a rare form of psychogenic amnesia that erases her memory whenever she goes to sleep. This morning, like all mornings, she wakes up a blank slate. But today turns out different. She's kidnapped by a limping, lisping, half-blind, half-deaf man in a ski mask who claims he's there to save her, and he spirits her off to her mother's house. Every twist and turn in this funhouse plot bring Claire closer to revealing her past life and everything she thought she'd forgotten. It's one harrowing and hilarious turn after another on this roller coaster ride through the day of an amnesiac trying to decipher her fractured life. This poignant and brutal comedy traces one woman's attempt to regain her memory while surrounded by a curio-cabinet of alarmingly bizarre characters.

Being an amnesiac isn't easy. See the world through their eyes and everything flips on its head in a minute. Who's your friend? Who's your enemy? What's with the hand puppet?

Nell Benjamin's comedy THE EXPLORERS CLUB is a spoof of all those bold Victorian adventurers who ravaged foreign lands and annihilated indigenous cultures in the name of science. It's London 1879 and the prestigious Explorers Club is in crisis: a brilliant, beautiful woman who has discovered a legendary Lost City wants to join, but letting her in might shake the very foundations of the British Empire! THE EXPLORERS CLUB, which enjoyed a successful run off-Broadway in 2013, was honored with awards including the Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Off-Broadway Play, the Edgerton Foundation New American Plays Award, and an Alfred P. Sloan Foundation grant.

Citadel Theatre will follow up their Jeff-recommended production of SEX WITH STRANGERS with Nell Benjamin's comedy THE EXPLORERS CLUB - a spoof of all those bold Victorian adventurers who ravaged foreign lands and annihilated indigenous cultures in the name of science. It's London 1879 and the prestigious Explorers Club is in crisis: a brilliant, beautiful woman who has discovered a legendary Lost City wants to join, but letting her in might shake the very foundations of the British Empire! THE EXPLORERS CLUB, which enjoyed a successful run off-Broadway in 2013, was honored with awards including the Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Off-Broadway Play, the Edgerton Foundation New American Plays Award, and an Alfred P. Sloan Foundation grant.

Eclectic Full Contact Theatre presents a one-night-only concert performance of 'Ordinary Days,' music and lyrics by Adam Gwon.

Eclectic Full Contact Theatre presents a one-night-only concert performance of 'Ordinary Days,' music and lyrics by Adam Gwon.

Quest Theatre Ensemble's 15th annual Christmas celebration of Blue Nativity features visually arresting large-scale puppetry, soaring music and the greatest story ever told. Embraced by many as a holiday tradition, Blue Nativity tells the story of Christmas and the birth of Christ with beautiful large-scale puppetry accompanied by live music. Suitable for audiences of all ages and a favorite of families, Blue Nativity breaks the mold of Holiday productions, portraying "the greatest story ever told" with original puppets guaranteed to dazzle and beautiful music to enhance the experience. The ensemble cast, sings folksongs and classic carols as twelve foot blue moon puppets bring the story to life visually.

Eclectic is proud to announce casting for its 5th season opener DOG SEES GOD:CONFESSIONS OF A TEENAGE BLOCKHEAD by Bert V. Royal.

Eclectic is proud to announce casting for its 5th season opener DOG SEES GOD:CONFESSIONS OF A TEENAGE BLOCKHEAD by Bert V. Royal.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'Plaid Tidings,' the Q Brothers and 'Die Hard' bring us holiday shows, and shows come and go at Lyric Opera and the Royal George. 'The Wiz' comes to TV and to a Bailiwick benefit, and 'The Lion King' and 'Pinocchio' promise family-friendly fare. And buy 'Season Of Carols 3!'

Filament presents Pinocchio: a Folk Musical a new musical adaptation by Tyler Beattie (Hungry Hungry Hippos film in development with Hasbro).and directed by Scott Ferguson (Schoolhouse Rock Live! writer/creator). Chicagoans will experience Pinocchio as he's never been seen before in this freewheeling folk musical adventure of the puppet who learns to be real. Pinocchio: a Folk Musical plays Filament Theatre located at 4041 N Milwaukee Ave from January 22nd thru March 6, 2016.