Gail Rastorfer News

Merrimack Repertory Theatre (MRT) continues its 2016-17 Season with the absolutely off-the-wall "Women in Jeopardy!". The riotous comedy follows Mary and Jo, two middle-aged women who jump to the rescue when their best friend Liz falls for a creepy (and potentially murderous) dentist. MRT Artistic Director Sean Daniels, who helmed the 2015 world premiere at Geva Theatre Center in Rochester, NY, returns to direct.

Six world premiere plays and four new adaptations seen first by Chicago audiences were among those receiving nominations by The Jeff Awards Committee. 178 nominations in 32 categories honor Chicago Equity theatrical productions that opened between August 1, 2015 and July 31, 2016.

Following its highly acclaimed inaugural production of Churchill, which played in Chicago, New York City and continues to play in several places around the country, SoloChicago Theatre presents THE UNFORTUNATES by Australian playwright Aoise Stratford. SoloChicago Artistic Director Kurt Johns directs the piece about survival, celebrity, violence and friendship, which begins performances today, June 17 at Theater Wit.

Following its highly acclaimed inaugural production of Churchill, which played in Chicago, New York City and continues to play in several places around the country, SoloChicago Theatre is pleased to announce its second production - THE UNFORTUNATES by Australian playwright Aoise Stratford. SoloChicago Artistic Director Kurt Johns will direct the piece about survival, celebrity, violence and friendship, which begins performances June 17 at Theater Wit.

A four-hour play with more than two dozen characters tackled by two actors in 50 minutes. That's the setup for Jeff Christian's adaptation of Shakespeare's great revenge tragedy, HAMLET, in which Christopher Prentice and Gail Rastorfer will play 'two mighty opposites.'

A beloved Agatha Christie murder mystery will keep you on the edge of your seat at the Maltz Jupiter Theatre.

?The Shakespeare Project of Chicago is proud to announce that it will present a special live performance of Tom Stoppard's radio play DARKSIDE on Sunday, September 27 at 7 p.m. at The Mayne Stage, 1328 W. Morse Avenue, Chicago.

Producing Artistic Director Gwendolyn Whiteside and American Blues Theater, Chicago's second oldest Equity ensemble, just announced that two additional matinees, Saturday, May 15 and 23 at 3 p.m., have been added to the Tony Award-winning Side Man, written by Warren Leight, directed by Jonathan Berry, and running now through May 24, at the Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave. Opening night is tonight, April 30 at 7:30 pm. BroadwayWorld has a look at the cast in action below!

Producing Artistic Director Gwendolyn Whiteside and American Blues Theater, Chicago's second oldest Equity ensemble, just announced that two additional matinees, Saturday, May 15 and 23 at 3 p.m., have been added to the Tony Award-winning Side Man, written by Warren Leight, directed by Jonathan Berry, and running now through May 24, at the Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave. Opening night is Thursday, April 30 at 7:30 pm. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Producing Artistic Director Gwendolyn Whiteside and American Blues Theater, Chicago's second oldest Equity ensemble, are proud to announce the Tony Award-winning Side Man, written by Warren Leight, directed by Jonathan Berry, tonight, April 24 - May 24, at the Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave.

Producing Artistic Director Gwendolyn Whiteside and American Blues Theater, Chicago's second oldest Equity ensemble, announce that two additional matinees, Saturday, May 16 and 23 at 3 p.m., have been added to the Tony Award-winning Side Man, written by Warren Leight, directed by Jonathan Berry, April 24 - May 24, at the Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave. 'Pink Previews,' where tickets sales benefit the Lynn Sage Foundation for breast cancer research, are Friday, April 24 and Saturday, April 25 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, April 26 at 2:30 p.m. Opening night is Thursday, April 30 at 7:30 pm. The performance schedule is Thursday - Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. with Saturday matinee performances May 16 and 23 at 3 p.m. Tickets for 'Pink Preview' performances are $19. Regular run performances tickets are $29 Thursdays and Fridays and $39 Saturdays and Sundays. Opening night tickets are $49 and include access to the post-show reception. All tickets are currently on sale at 773.404.7336 or AmericanBluesTheater.com.

Producing Artistic Director Gwendolyn Whiteside and American Blues Theater, Chicago's second oldest Equity ensemble, are proud to announce the Tony Award-winning Side Man, written by Warren Leight, directed by Jonathan Berry, April 24 - May 24, at the Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave.

Producing Artistic Director Gwendolyn Whiteside and American Blues Theater, Chicago's second oldest Equity ensemble, present their 2015 productions of Steven Dietz's Yankee Tavern, today, February 20 - March 22, 2015, directed by Joanie Schultz and Warren Leight's Sideman, April 24 - May 24, 2015,directed by Jonathan Berry. All productions take place at the Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave.

Producing Artistic Director Gwendolyn Whiteside and American Blues Theater, Chicago's second oldest Equity ensemble, are proud to announce the casts for the 2015 productions of Steven Dietz's Yankee Tavern, February 20 - March 22, 2015, directed by Joanie Schultz and Warren Leight's Sideman, April 24 - May 24, 2015,directed by Jonathan Berry. All productions take place at the Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave.

First Folio Theatre presents Tom Stoppard's hysterical farce ROUGH CROSSING through March 2, 2014. Directed by Jeff Award nominee and First Folio Theatre favorite Alison C. Vesely, ROUGH CROSSING is a musical romp on the high seas. Jeff Award winner Christopher Kriz ("The Turn of the Screw") will be composing three new jazz songs to Stoppard's original lyrics. Check out highlights from the production below!

First Folio Theatre (Mayslake Peabody Estate, 31st St. & Rt. 83) presents Tom Stoppard's hysterical farce ROUGH CROSSING opening Saturday, February 1 at 8 p.m. and running through March 2, 2014. Directed by Jeff Award nominee and First Folio Theatre favorite Alison C. Vesely, ROUGH CROSSING is a musical romp on the high seas. Jeff Award winner Christopher Kriz ("The Turn of the Screw") will be composing three new jazz songs to Stoppard's original lyrics.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'Into The Woods,' the Chicago Musical Theater Festival, new music for Tom Stoppard, Rob Ashford to direct Lyric's 'Carousel,' Ellington's 'Queenie Pie,' 'Love Story,' NU's 'Shrek,' my Grammy and Oscar views, and more!

First Folio Theatre presents Tom Stoppard's hysterical farce ROUGH CROSSING previewing tonight, January 29, opening Saturday, February 1 at 8 p.m., and running through March 2, 2014. Directed by Jeff Award nominee and First Folio Theatre favorite Alison C. Vesely, ROUGH CROSSING is a musical romp on the high seas. Jeff Award winner Christopher Kriz ('The Turn of the Screw') will be composing three new jazz songs to Stoppard's original lyrics. Check out a first look below!

First Folio Theatre presents Tom Stoppard's hysterical farce ROUGH CROSSING previewing January 29, opening Saturday, February 1 at 8 p.m., and running through March 2, 2014. Directed by Jeff Award nominee and First Folio Theatre favorite Alison C. Vesely, ROUGH CROSSING is a musical romp on the high seas. Jeff Award winner Christopher Kriz ("The Turn of the Screw") will be composing three new jazz songs to Stoppard's original lyrics.

Noises Off is truly a show meant for theatre people. Focusing on the production of a fictional play called Nothing On, the audience is taken behind the scenes of a play that seems cursed from the start.