Goodman Theatre News

Asolo Rep continues its winter rep season and the fifth and final year of its American Character Project with THE ORIGINALIST, Charles MacArthur Award-winner John Strand's gripping political masterpiece that spotlights the late polarizing judicial titan, Justice Antonin Scalia.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) announces the cast and creative team for the world premiere of The Book of Joseph, a new play by award-winning playwright Karen Hartman chronicling three generations of the Hollander family in a sweeping story that spans history from occupied Poland to present-day America. Directed by CST Artistic Director Barbara Gaines and developed with Creative Producer Rick Boynton, The Book of Joseph debuts in the theater Upstairs at Chicago Shakespeare, January 29-March 5, 2017.

In what has become an annual ritual, a total of 32 established and emerging composers, lyricists, and librettists will converge on the Goodspeed campus from mid-January through mid-February 2017 to participate in the Johnny Mercer Foundation Writers Colony at Goodspeed Musicals. The writing teams, representing 18 new musicals, will populate the campus, creating a truly exciting environment for discovery and inspiration.

Hollywood legends and stars of Love Story, Ali MacGraw and Ryan O'Neal will star in the upcoming UK tour of LOVE LETTERS at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre from Monday 13 - Saturday 18 November 2017.

As part of its new permanent residency and management role at Colony Theatre on Lincoln Road in Miami Beach, Miami New Drama officially begins its 2017 season with the American premiere of Terror. The play will be directed by two-time Tony Award-winning Director Gregory Mosher, who is also the former Artistic Director of Lincoln Center in New York City. Under the Artistic Direction of Co-Founder Michel Hausmann, Miami New Drama brings the American adaptation and translation of this German play stateside. The original German version has been translated not only in script, but also to be consistent with American law. Previews for the American premiere of Terror begin January 26, 2017 and the show runs January 28 through February 19, 2017.  

Berkeley Repertory Theatre today announced the West Coast premiere of Hand to God written by Robert Askins and directed by David Ivers. The Broadway smash hit and Tony Award-nominated play begins previews on Friday, February 3, and the show runs through Sunday, March 19. Individual tickets begin at $29 and can be purchased online at berkeleyrep.org or by phone, 510 647-2949. Press night will be on Friday, February 10.

Goodman Theatre announces complete casting and creative teams for four Winter/Spring 2017 productions - one world premiere Goodman commission and three Chicago premieres - continuing the 2016/2017 'Essential Goodman' season.

Goodman Theatre Artistic Director Robert Falls announced today that his longtime creative collaborator, Artistic Associate and Producer Steve Scott, will direct the theater's production of Eugene O'Neill's Ah, Wilderness! this spring. Scott assumes this responsibility from Falls, who was originally announced as the production's director.

Light Opera Works presents the Johann Strauss operetta DIE FLEDERMAUS (in English) with a 30-piece orchestra, December 26, 2016- January 1, 2017, at Cahn Auditorium in Evanston.

Classic as well as never-before-seen illusions have amazed audiences at the Royal George Cabaret space, as the nationally regarded illusionist Ricardo Rosenkranz stars in The Rosenkranz Mysteries, an evening of magic to lift the spirits. The astounding numbers have captivated audiences in its cabaret style setting with tables featured in the space. This one-man, 90-minute production runs through January 22 at the Royal George Theatre's Cabaret space, 1641 North Halsted Street.

Playwrights Foundation (PF) and the National Center for New Plays at Stanford's 2016/17 Rough Reading Series present early draft  readings on January 23 & 24 of THIRD EYE MOONWALK  by Jon Bernson, a  PF Resident Playwright. The readings of THIRD EYE MOONWALK are on Monday, January 23 2017 - 7:30 pm at Stanford and Tuesday January 24 2017 - 2:00 pm at Custom Made Theatre in San Francisco.

Sideshow Theatre Company is pleased to continue its 10th anniversary season with the U.S. premiere of debbie tucker green's powerful and epic journey truth and reconciliation, directed by Artistic Director Jonathan L. Green* and featuring a 22-member cast. truth and reconciliation will play March 12 - April 16, 2017 at Victory Gardens Richard Christiansen Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Ave. in Chicago. Casting will be announced shortly. Tickets go on sale Tuesday, January 31, 2017 at www.victorygardens.org, by calling (773) 871-3000 or in person at the Victory Gardens Box Office. 

Greenhouse Theater Center is pleased to conclude its Solo Celebration! Series with the Chicago premiere of John Walch's savagely funny one-man show CIRCUMFERENCE OF A SQUIRREL, directed by Artistic Director Jacob Harvey and starring Will Allan. CIRCUMFERENCE OF A SQUIRREL will play January 13 - February 12, 2017 at The Greenhouse Theater Center (Upstairs Mainstage), 2257 N. Lincoln Ave. in Chicago.

Two-time Tony Award winners Patti LuPone and Christine Ebersole, returning to Broadway this spring in the acclaimed new musical War Paint, were featured guests at this week's New York Times 'War Paint Times Talk,' hosted at the Times Center. They were joined by Tony-nominated composer Scott Frankel and moderator Alexandra Jacobs. Below, watch their discussion, plus see them sing songs from the show!

Lyric Opera announced today that Tony Award-winning Broadway star Jessie Mueller and gospel and R&B sensation Michelle Williams will join the line-up of performers slated for the Chicago Voices Gala Concert, a special, one-night-only concert on Saturday, February 4, at 7:30pm at Lyric's Civic Opera House.

Paul Shultz, President of the WaterTower Theatre Board of Directors, and Derek Blount, Chairman of the WaterTower Theatre Artistic Director Search Committee, today announced the appointment of Joanie Schultz as Artistic Director.

The Muny announced today the directors, choreographers and music directors for The Muny's 2017 Season, which opens on June 12 with Jesus Christ Superstar.

Feinstein's/54 Below has added The Skivvies' Lauren Molina,  and Wicked's Caroline Bowman to From Guffman to Spinal Tap: 54 Sings Christopher Guest Movies.

Asolo Rep kicks off its winter repertory season with THE GREAT SOCIETY, Pulitzer Prize-winner Robert Schenkkan's gripping political drama that chronicles the second chapter of Lyndon Baines Johnson's presidency. Asolo Rep is proud to be the only theatre in the country granted the rights to produce THE GREAT SOCIETY during the 2016-17 season. The sequel to last season's box office record-breaking production of All the Way will be directed by Nicole A. Watson. THE GREAT SOCIETY previews January 11 and 12, opens January 13 and runs in rotating repertory through April 2 in the Mertz Theatre, located in the FSU Center for the Performing Arts. 

Pegasus Theatre Chicago is proud to announce the authors and plays being presented at the 30th Young Playwrights Festival, January 4 - 29 at Pegasus's resident home Chicago Dramatists, 773 N. Aberdeen. This year's world premieres, written by high school students and given a staged professional production, explore the theme of 'Assumptions.' Each winning production is performed in tandem Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. with weekday student matinees. Previews are Wednesday, Jan. 4 - Saturday, Jan. 7 at 7:30 p.m. Opening night is Sunday, Jan. 8 at 3 p.m. Tickets are $18 - $30 and available at PegausTheatreChicago.com or by phone at 866.811.4111.