Goodman Theatre News

Goodman Theatre announces Cheyenne Jackson, Broadway veteran, television star and Grammy Award-nominated singer/songwriter, will headline its a?oeShades of Coola?? major gala fundraiser. For one night only, the multitalented entertainer brings his charisma and charm to a set of musical theater favorites and classic standards.

Babes With Blades Theatre Company's (BWBTC) 22nd season continues with Duchess of Malfi, running April 17 - May 30, written by John Webster, adaptation and direction by BWBTC Artistic Director Hayley Rice and fight choreography by Maya Vinice Prentiss. All performances are at The Factory Theater, 1623 W. Howard Street.

The Drama League (Artistic Director Gabriel Stelian-Shanks, Executive Director Bevin Ross) will present the 36th annual *DirectorFest, the only festival in the United States dedicated to the art of contemporary stage directing.

Eclipse Theatre Company announces the recipient of 2020's Eleventh Annual Corona Award: Mary Ann Thebus and Michael and Mona Heath. The Corona Award honors individuals and organizations which play an important role in supporting and nurturing the growth of the Chicago theatre community as well as small- to medium-sized theatres like Eclipse Theatre.

Vineyard Theatre Artistic Directors Douglas Aibel and Sarah Stern announce dates for Dana H. by Lucas Hnath, adapted from interviews with Dana Higginbotham conducted by Steve Cosson, and directed by Les Waters. Previews will begin on February 11 (previously February 7) at Vineyard Theatre (108 East 15th Street) with Deirdre O'Connell reprising the title role for the New York premiere direct from engagements at Center Theatre Group and The Goodman Theatre. Opening night for Dana H. is set for February 25.

San Francisco Playhouse announced casting for the second production of their 2019/2020 Sandbox Series of World Premieres: Born in East Berlin, written by Rogelio Martinez. Margarett Perry will direct the world premiere production, presented at The Creativity Theater.

In what has become an annual ritual, a total of 40 established and emerging composers, lyricists, and librettists will converge on the Goodspeed campus from mid-January through mid-February 2020 to participate in the Johnny Mercer Foundation Writers Colony at Goodspeed Musicals. The writing teams, representing 15 new musicals, will populate the campus, creating a truly exciting environment for discovery and inspiration.

Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater has announced the full company for the world premiere of Eduardo Machado's (Havana Is Waiting, The Cook) Celia and Fidel.

Producers Brennan T. Jones and Danielle Demisay have announced the first New York presentation of Grace McLeod's acclaimed New Play, Herland, directed by James Fleming. Herland is cast by Hano Casting.

Huntington Theatre Company has announced the extension of the Boston premiere of the Pulitzer Prize-winning drama Sweat.  Due to high ticket demand, this a?oebreathtakingly timelya?? (The Wall Street Journal), Tony Award-nominated play by two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage and directed by Kimberly Senior (The Niceties at the Huntington, Disgraced on Broadway) will now run at the Huntington Avenue Theatre (264 Huntington Avenue, Boston) from Friday, January 31, 2020 through Sunday, March 1, 2020.

Congo Square Theatre Company, well known for its powerful portrayal of African American classics and gripping new works, commemorates its 20th Anniversary season with a rare production of the 1965 satirical fantasy Day of Absence at the Richard Christiansen Theatre (housed inside Victory Gardens Biograph Theatre, 2433 N. Lincoln Ave.), February 27-March 22, 2020. The official opening night is Monday, March 2 at 7:30 p.m.

Lil & Louis Armstrong Come to Life in Sarasota

Vineyard Theatre Artistic Directors Douglas Aibel and Sarah Stern have announced that Tina Satter, Michael R. Jackson, and Brandon Victor Dixon will be among the artists to appear onstage at Vineyard Theatre's annual Open House event on Monday, January 13. The Vineyard's Open House is an opportunity for Vineyard supporters to learn more about the theatre through artist panels, rehearsal space tours, and a design exhibition. Panels include a conversation with director Tina Satter (Is This A Room), a discussion and preview of new work by Michael R. Jackson (A Strange Loop) and Vineyard Theatre Board Member Brandon Victor Dixon ('Rent' on Fox) in dialogue with members of Vineyard Theatre Student Ensemble.

Two Time Tony Award and Grammy Winner Michael Cerveris Plays first solo show in Chicago in 16 years Saturday, February 1st, 2020 at The Wine Goddess.

Gavin Creel is set to take the stage at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on June 22 at 8pm.

Victory Gardens Theater continues its 45th season with the Co-World Premiere of How to Defend Yourself by Liliana Padilla and directed by Marti Lyons. A Co-World Premiere with Actors Theatre of Louisville, How to Defend Yourself runs January 24 - February 23, 2020, with press performance on Friday, January 31, 2020 at 7:30pm at Victory Gardens Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Avenue.

Raven Theatre will continue its 2019-20 season with a revival of Henrik Ibsen's masterpiece A DOLL'S HOUSE, in a vibrant and progressive new adaptation making its Chicago premiere. Directed by Lauren Shouse, the new work features translation by Anne-Charlotte Hanes Harvey and adaptation by Hanes Harvey and Kirsten Brandt. A DOLL'S HOUSE will play February 6 - March 22, 2020 on Raven's 85-seat East Stage, 6157 N. Clark St. (at Granville) in Chicago. Tickets are currently available at raventheatre.com or by calling (773) 338-2177. The press opening is Monday, February 10, 2020 at 7:30 pm.

Casting has been announced for Jeremy Dyson and Andy Nyman's supernatural spectacular, Ghost Stories, which begins it's first ever UK tour at The Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham on 8th January 2020. After exhilarating audiences across the globe with record breaking, sell out productions and a smash hit film, the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre's production of Ghost Stories has this year played yet another successful run at it's original Hammersmith home and at is currently playing at the Ambassadors Theatre in London's West End, until Saturday 4th January. The show heads to Theatre Royal Brighton from Tuesday 11 - Saturday 15 February.

Porchlight Music Theatre's 25th Anniversary Mainstage season continues with Duke Ellington's Sophisticated Ladies, January 24 - March 6, 2020 at The Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn St. Featuring music by Duke Ellington, concept by Donald McKayle, direction and choreography by Brenda Didier and Florence Walker Harris, and music direction by Jermaine Hill.

Due to popular demand, Firebrand Theatre has announced a second extension of its hit revival of ALWAYS... PATSY CLINE, now playing through Saturday, January 25, 2020 at The Den Theatre's Janet Bookspan Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago.