Heidi Kettenring News

 Chicago Shakespeare Theater brings together 300 high school students and their teacher coaches from 40 public, private, and parochial schools across the region for this year's Chicago Shakespeare Slam. A series of Saturday workshops and regional preliminary bouts throughout the fall culminate in a spirited, fun-filled Final Bout on Monday, December 10 at 6:00 p.m. on the stage of The Yard at Chicago Shakespeare. Emcees warm up the crowd and an onstage DJ drops beats as nine teams perform, cheered on by a full house of fellow participants, classmates, and friends.

Northlight Theatre, under the direction of Artistic Director BJ Jones and Executive Director Timothy J. Evans, continues its 2018-19 season with Mansfield Park, written by Kate Hamill, based on the novel by Jane Austen, and directed by Stuart Carden. Mansfield Park runs November 8 - December 16, 2018 at Northlight Theatre, 9501 Skokie Blvd in Skokie. The press opening is scheduled for Friday, November 16, 2018 at 8pm.

Northlight Theatre, under the direction of Artistic Director BJ Jones and Executive Director Timothy J. Evans, continues its 2018-19 season with Mansfield Park, written by Kate Hamill, based on the novel by Jane Austen, and directed by Stuart Carden. Mansfield Park runs November 8 - December 16, 2018 at Northlight Theatre, 9501 Skokie Blvd in Skokie. The press opening is scheduled for Today, November 16, 2018 at 8pm.

Betty Buckley, star of stage, screen and television will accept the "Actor of the Year" Award at this year's Sarah Siddons gala fundraiser. Ms.Buckley, who has been called 'The Voice of Broadway,' is one of theater's most respected and legendary leading ladies. 2018 also finds her leading the first national tour ofHello, Dolly!, as Dolly Levi, which will play Broadway In Chicago's Oriental Theatre (24 W. Randolph) for a limited four-week engagement October 23 through November 17, 2018. She is also currently co-starring in AMC's hit series "Preacher". Among her many illustrious credits, Betty Buckley is a Tony Award winner, Olivier Award nominee and American Theater Hall of Fame inductee.

Northlight Theatre, under the direction of Artistic Director BJ Jones and Executive Director Timothy J. Evans, continues its 2018-19 season with Mansfield Park, written by Kate Hamill, based on the novel by Jane Austen, and directed by Stuart Carden. Mansfield Park runs November 8 - December 16, 2018 at Northlight Theatre, 9501 Skokie Blvd in Skokie. The press opening is scheduled for Friday, November 16, 2018 at 8pm.

Northlight Theatre, under the direction of Artistic Director BJ Jones and Executive Director Timothy J. Evans, continues its 2018-19 season with Mansfield Park, written by Kate Hamill, based on the novel by Jane Austen, and directed by Stuart Carden. Mansfield Park runs November 8 - December 16, 2018 at Northlight Theatre, 9501 Skokie Blvd in Skokie. The press opening is scheduled for Friday, November 16, 2018 at 8pm.

Artists Lounge Live presents AN UNFORGETTABLE NAT KING COLE CHRISTMAS starring Evan Tyrone Martin on December 18, at Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire, IL, 60069.

Northlight Theatre, under the direction of Artistic Director BJ Jones and Executive Director Timothy J. Evans, announces its 44th season, opening withCurve of Departure by Rachel Bonds and directed by BJ Jones. The season continues with the World Premiere of Mansfield Park, Kate Hamill's new adaptation of Jane Austen's classic tale of social satire, directed by Stuart Carden; followed by Christina Ham's Nina Simone: Four Women,directed by Kenneth L. Roberson; and the World Premiere of Landladies (previously titled The Janice), written by Sharyn Rothstein and directed by Jess McLeod. Closing out the season is Into the Breeches! by George Brant and directed by Jessica Thebus.

Indiana Repertory Theater closes its season with the slamming of the door, or rather many slamming doors, in Noises Off. I'll admit that farces don't tend to tickle my funny bone, but this one is an exception to the rule. It rises above the general stereotype of mistaken identities and slapstick (though there is plenty of both) by adding another brilliant layer. It is a play within a play, three acts and two intermissions packed with nonstop humor.

Northlight Theatre, under the direction of Artistic Director BJ Jones and Executive Director Timothy J. Evans, announces its 44th season, opening withCurve of Departure by Rachel Bonds, directed by BJ Jones and featuring Mike Nussbaum and Sean Parris. The season continues with the World Premiere of Mansfield Park, Kate Hamill's new adaptation of Jane Austen's classic tale of social satire and the quest for romance, directed by Stuart Carden, and featuring Kayla Carter and Heidi Kettenring; followed by the World Premiere of The Janice, written by Sharyn Rothstein; and Christina Ham's Nina Simone: Four Women. Closing out the season is Into The Breeches! by George Brant.

The red carpet was full of beauty and style at the Opening Night of Steel Magnolias at Theatre at the Center on Sunday, February 25.  Cory Goodrich, in the role of M'Lynn, Landree Fleming, as Shelby, and Heidi Kettenring as Truvy, lead the cast of Theatre at the Center's Steel Magnolias with Joslyn Yvonne Jones as Ouiser, Jeannie Affelder as Clairee and Myesha-Tiara as Annelle.  The show continues through March 25.

Court Theatre, under the continuing leadership of Charles Newell, Marilyn F. Vitale Artistic Director, announces the extension of All My Sons by Arthur Miller, directed by Charles Newell and featuring Kate Collins, John Judd and Timothy Edward Kane. All My Sons now runs through February 18, 2018 at Court Theatre, 5535 S. Ellis Ave. Tickets to extension performances of All My Sons go on sale Friday, February 2, 2018 and available by calling the box office at (773) 753-4472 orwww.CourtTheatre.org.

Court Theatre Artistic Director Charles Newell lends a deft hand to this stunning, newly searing production of Arthur Miller's ALL MY SONS. Though Miller's classic play takes place in 1946, the all-star ensemble makes the plight of the crumbling Keller family feel raw and altogether present.

Court Theatre, under the continuing leadership of Charles Newell, Marilyn F. Vitale Artistic Director, continues its 2017/18 season with All My Sons by Arthur Miller, directed by Charles Newell and featuring Kate Collins, John Judd and Timothy Edward Kane. All My Sons runs January 11 February 11, 2018 at Court Theatre, 5535 S. Ellis Ave. The press opening is Saturday, January 20, 2018 at 8:00 p.m.

Court Theatre, under the continuing leadership of Charles Newell, Marilyn F. Vitale Artistic Director, and Stephen Albert, Executive Director, continues its 2017/18 season with All My Sons by Arthur Miller, directed by Charles Newell and featuring Kate Collins, John Judd and Timothy Edward Kane. All My Sons runs January 11 February 11, 2018 at Court Theatre, 5535 S. Ellis Ave. The press opening is Saturday, January 20, 2018 at 8:00 p.m.

Cory Goodrich, in the role of M'Lynn, Landree Fleming, as Shelby, and Heidi Kettenring as Truvy, lead the cast of Theatre at the Center's Steel Magnolias with Joslyn Yvonne Jones as Ouiser, Jeannie Affelder as Clairee and Myesha-Tiara as Annelle. Previews begin February 22 with Opening Night on February 25 for the run through March 25.

Court Theatre, under the continuing leadership of Charles Newell, Marilyn F. Vitale Artistic Director, and Stephen Albert, Executive Director, continues its 2017/18 season with All My Sons by Arthur Miller, directed by Charles Newell and featuring Kate Collins, John Judd and Timothy Edward Kane. All My Sons runs January 11 February 11, 2018 at Court Theatre, 5535 S. Ellis Ave. The press opening is Saturday, January 20, 2018 at 8:00 p.m.

Court Theatre, under the continuing leadership of Charles Newell, Marilyn F. Vitale Artistic Director, and Stephen Albert, Executive Director, continues its 2017/18 season with All My Sons by Arthur Miller, directed by Charles Newell and featuring Kate Collins, John Judd and Timothy Edward Kane. All My Sons runs January 11 February 11, 2018 at Court Theatre, 5535 S. Ellis Ave. The press opening is Saturday, January 20, 2018 at 8:00 p.m.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) Artistic Director Barbara Gaines stages Shakespeare's raucous comedy The Taming of the Shrew with a powerhouse, all-woman cast-setting up a witty and thought-provoking debate on politics, power, and love. Framed as a performance by a band of Suffragettes with additional dialogue by Second City's Ron West, The Taming of the Shrew launches Chicago Shakespeare's 2017/18 Season in the Courtyard Theater, September 16-November 12, 2017.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) Artistic Director Barbara Gaines stages Shakespeare's raucous comedy The Taming of the Shrew with a powerhouse, all-woman cast-setting up a witty and thought-provoking debate on politics, power, and love. Framed as a performance by a band of Suffragettes with additional dialogue by Second City's Ron West, The Taming of the Shrew launches Chicago Shakespeare's 2017/18 Season in the Courtyard Theater, September 16-November 12, 2017.