Goodman Theatre News

Two-Time Tony Award winner CHITA RIVERA will perform songs from her legendary Broadway career in her own concert CHITA RIVERA: MY BROADWAY presented by Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma, August 7-11 at the Civic Center Musical Hall

Theatre Communications Group (TCG) convened 1,000 theatre practitioners from around the world at its 22nd National Conference June 21-23 in Boston. This year's conference was the culmination of TCG's 50th anniversary and the beginning of TCG's year-round conference and online community, Conference 2.0. The conference theme of Model the Movement invited attendees to transform their field into a movement for the digital age by better sharing, measuring and adapting models of making theatre. Executive Director Teresa Eyring also publically shared for the first time TCG's new vision statement.

Black Lab Theatre's 2012-2013 season will feature the Broadway hit "CHINGLISH," by Tony Award® winner and Pulitzer Prize finalist David Henry Hwang (M. Butterfly). The famous comedy about the challenges of Americans doing business in China will be presented by Black Lab Theatre in collaboration with Asia Society Texas Center. CHINGLISH will open May 9, 2013 and run through May 26, 2013 in the Asia Society Texas Center's beautiful Brown Foundation Performing Arts Theater. A public presentation by Mr. Hwang is also planned.

Silk Road Rising presents three staged readings of Shane Sakhrani's new play THE DOCTOR IS INDIAN, directed by Anish Jethmalani, and featuring Minita Ghandi, Puja Mohindra, Kelly O'Sullivan, Anita Chandwaney, Dipika Cherala, Behzad Dabu, Neal Dandade, Kamal Hans, and Khurram Mozaffar.

Goodman Theatre's General Theater Studies has put together a performance themed 'Fear and Progress' that will showcase the summer's work on August 6 at 7 p.m. at 170 North Dearborn in Chicago, Ill.

FREUD'S LAST SESSION will feature a post-show talkback discussion with Dr. Jeffrey W. Barbeau, Associate Professor of Theology in the Graduate School of Wheaton College; Dr. Tracy L. Caldwell, Associate Professor of Psychology at Dominican University; and Dr. Larry Arnhart, Presidential Research Professor of Political Science at Northern Illinois University, following the 1:00 p.m. performance on Sunday, August 19 at the Mercury Theater, 3745 N. Southport in Chicago. The scholars will discuss the thought-provoking themes addressed in the play, such as the existence of God and the meaning of life.

Trinity Repertory Company has announced a one-night-only engagement with award-winning television, stage and screen actor Brian Dennehy tonight, July 30 at 7:00pm in Trinity Rep's Dowling Theater. Together onstage with Trinity Rep resident actor Fred Sullivan, Jr., the pair will discuss and perform the work of America's premier playwright Eugene O'Neill.

Chazz Palminteri, best known for his performances in The Usual Suspects, A Bronx Tale and his Academy Award nominated role for Best Supporting Actor in Bullets Over Broadway, will participate in a free staged reading of Kenny D'Aquila's new play Unorganized Crime, directed by Edward Torres, Monday, August 6, 2012 at 7:30 p.m. in the mainstage at the Victory Gardens Biograph Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Avenue, Chicago.

Producing Artistic Director Gwendolyn Whiteside of American Blues Theater (ABT), Chicago's second oldest Equity ensemble, proudly announces the Ensemble's 27th season will take place at the Victory Gardens Biograph Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Ave.. For more information, visit americanbluestheater.com.

Milwaukee Repertory Theater announced casting today for Gutenberg! The Musical, the first production in The Rep's 2012/13 season, and The Mountaintop, which opens this September.

Stage and screen star Sanaa Lathan (A Raisin in the Sun, Contagion) returns to the title role in Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage's By the Way, Meet Vera Stark for its West Coast premiere at the Geffen Playhouse. Lathan, who originated the character of Vera Stark in the critically acclaimed New York run, will once again take the stage as the 1930's era maid turned movie star, reunited with original cast member Kimberly Hebert Gregory (Spike Lee's Red Hook Summer) reprising her role as fellow aspiring African American actress Lottie. Broadway vet and Geffen alum Merle Dandridge (Spamalot, Rent, Aida) will take on the spicy role of Anna Mae, who fakes a Brazilian accent for a slice of fame, and former leading lady of ABC's Man Up, Amanda Detmer, will portray Gloria Mitchell, the white starlet dubbed "America's little sweetie pie" and Vera's first employer. Helmed by award-winning director Jo Bonney, the West Coast premiere cast also features Kevin Carroll (Paid in Full, Being John Malkovich), Spencer Garrett (Iron Man 3, Air Force One) and Geffen alum Mather Zickel (Extraordinary Chambers, Rachel Getting Married).

Profiles Theatre announces the Midwest premiere of Sweet and Sad by Richard Nelson, opening the company's 2012-2013 season. Sweet and Sad, directed by Joe Jahraus and featuring Co-Artistic Director Darrell W. Cox, runs August 17, 2012 - October 7, 2012 with the press opening on Friday, August 24 at 8:00 pm. Performances are held at Profiles newest venue, The Main Stage, 4139 N. Broadway.

TimeLine Theatre Company opens its 16th season with the Chicago premiere of 33 Variations by Moises Kaufman, directed by Nick Bowling, August 30 - October 21, 2012 (previews August 24 - 29). Note that performances will be held at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. Chicago. Press Opening performance is Thursday, August 30, 2012 at 7:30 p.m.

The final play of the Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival's 21st season, King John, opens tonight, July 26 in the Schubert Theatre, running through August 5, 2012.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'Oklahoma!' at Lyric Opera, 'Assassins,' Lake County shows like 'Sweeney Todd,' summer musical theater camps, summer show extensions, 'Bunheads' and more!