Gary Griffin News

When Caroline Heffernan leaves Chicago for Los Angeles to share the title role in Amanda Peet's World Premiere, Our Very Own Carlin McClough at the Geffen Playhouse and attend UCLA as a Business Economics major in the fall of 2018, she will likely have spent more hours on Chicago's stages than any other kid in Chicago theatre history. She has starred in leading roles in World Premieres written by Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winning playwrights (Tracy Letts and David Rabe), guest starred on NBC's Chicago Med and played a lead in Lifetime Movie Channel's My Daughter Was Stolen, filmed in Chicago. She was Steppenwolf's only Scout in To Kill a Mockingbird, Paramount Theatre's only Annie in Annie and Chicago Lyric's only Young Kim in Showboat.

Broadway star Chilina Kennedy, currently starring in Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, is launching her own theatre company in Toronto, according to The Globe and Mail.

It's been more than 50 years since Mrs. Robinson seduced Benjamin Braddock-as well as film audiences-in Mike Nichols' cinematic classic, The Graduate. This summer, Dirt Dogs Theatre Co. pays homage to this iconic picture by incorporating film into its production of the play.

Just last week, Carnegie Hall presented a one-night-only concert performance of Leonard Bernstein's Candide in Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage. The cast was led by Paul Appleby in the title role of Candide alongside Erin Morley as Cunegonde, Patricia Racette as the Old Lady, William Burden as Governor, and John Lithgow as Voltaire / Dr. Pangloss, with Ryan Silverman (Maximilian) and Bryonha Marie Parham (Paquette).

SOUL DOCTOR, which was to have performed May 3 to 13, at the Saban Theatre, 8440 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, has been cancelled. SOUL DOCTOR is still travelling to Jerusalem to the Hirsch Theatre for its Israel premiere performances as part of the celebration of the 70th anniversary of Israel, as planned. For more information, please visit souldoctorontour.com, or call 888-645-5006.

One of the most charismatic figures from the Peace and Free-Love era is celebrated in the Broadway musical SOUL DOCTOR, which tells the fascinating story of the father of popular Jewish music, Shlomo Carlebach.   A modern-day troubadour, Carlebach ignited the spirit of millions around the world with his soul-stirring melodies, engrossing storytelling and boundless love.

When you buy a new flex pass before tomorrow, March 25th, Victory Gardens is offering  two free drink vouchers to use at the VG bar next season.

Director and playwright Stan Zimmerman has found his quartet of actors for his new comedy Knife to the Heart, co-written with Christian McLaughlin. The show will play a limited run of 3 WEEKS ONLY for 9 performances (May 4-20) at the Dorie Theatre, part of The Complex on LA's famed Theatre Row (6476 Santa Monica Blvd, LA CA 90038). Show times are Friday and Saturday at 8pm and Sunday at 3pm. The cast includes Chelsea Kane ('Baby Daddy'), Todd Sherry ('Parks & Recreation'), Josh Zuckerman (A Delicate Ship) and four-time Emmy-nominee Patricia Richardson ('Home Improvement'). Tickets are $35 for Reserved Seating /$25 General Admission/$30 at the door, if available, and can be purchased at www.brownpapertickets.com. A special preview performance is Friday May 4 with an Opening Night of Saturday May 5.

Carnegie Hall announced today that its one-night-only benefit concert performance of Leonard Bernstein's Candide on Wednesday, April 18 at 7:00 p.m. in Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage will feature Broadway starsRyan Silverman (Side Show, Cry-Baby,Chicago) as Maximilian and Bryonha Marie Parham (The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess, AfterMidnight, Prince of Broadway) as Paquette. They join the previously announced Paul Appleby (Candide), Erin Morley (Cunegonde),Patricia Racette (Old Lady), William Burden(Governor), and John Lithgow (Voltaire / Dr. Pangloss).

American Blues Theater announces casting for the World Premiere of Six Corners, written by Keith Huff and directed by Gary Griffin. The production features Brenda Barrie, Ensemble member Manny Buckley, Peter DeFaria, Monica Orozco, Lyric Sims and Byron Glenn Willis. Six Corners runs February 16, 2018 - March 24, 2018 at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago. The official press opening is February 22, 2018 at 7:30 p.m.

Victory Gardens Theater, under the leadership of Artistic Director Chay Yew and Managing Director Erica Daniels, announces the lineup for its 2018-2019 Season. Victory Gardens' 44th Season will include the Tony Award-nominated play Indecent by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Paula Vogel; the Chicago premieres of Pipeline by Dominique Morisseau and Cambodian Rock Band by Lauren Yee; and the world premieres of Rightlynd by Ike Holter and Miriam for President by Madhuri Shekar.

Following sold out performances and rave reviews for Lyrics & Lyricists season opener The Bobby Darin Story, the series continues with Lenny's Lyricists, 92Y's nod to the centennial of Leonard Bernstein, including never-before-heard stories about this extensively documented composer.

Award-winning director and two-time Tony Award nominee Alex Timbers is on board as director for The Bobby Darin Story, the opening show of 92Y's American Songbook series Lyrics & Lyricists.

American Blues Theater announces casting for the World Premiere of Six Corners, written by Keith Huff and directed by Gary Griffin. The production features Brenda Barrie, Ensemble member Manny Buckley, Grier Burke, Peter DeFaria, Monica Orozco, and Byron Glenn Willis. Six Corners runs February 16, 2018 March 24, 2018 at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago. The official press opening is February 22, 2018 at 7:30 p.m.

2017 BroadwayWorld Chicago Awards Finalists Announced!

Carnegie Hall announced today that its one-night-only benefit concert performance of Leonard Bernstein's Candide on Wednesday, April 18 at 7:00 p.m. in Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage will star Paul Appleby in the title role of Candide alongside Erin Morley as Cunegonde, Patricia Racette as the Old Lady,William Burden as Governor, and John Lithgow as Voltaire / Dr. Pangloss. Remaining cast members will be announced at a later date.

January 4, 2018 Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) continues the 2017/18 Season with a full line-up of productions through June 2018.

The 2017 awards honor productions which opened between October 1, 2016 and September 30, 2017. Nominations were completely reader-submitted and after the nomination period ended October 31, BroadwayWorld's local editors proofed the list for eligibility and errors.

The 2017 awards honor productions which opened between October 1, 2016 and September 30, 2017. Nominations were completely reader-submitted and after the nomination period ended October 31, BroadwayWorld's local editors proofed the list for eligibility and errors.