James Ijames News

What did our critic think of THE MOST SPECTACULARLY LAMENTABLE TRIAL OF MIZ MARTHA WASHINGTON at Steppenwolf Theatre Company? Steppenwolf’s season opener THE MOST SPECTACULARLY LAMENTABLE TRIAL OF MIZ MARTHA WASHINGTON is a wild fever dream of a play. James Ijames’s play asks audiences to grapple with the question of who is truly free in America and at what cost do we perpetuate cycles of oppression and abuse, even though they may fall under the guise of forward movement.

Where to begin to explain Alric Davis' semi-autobiographical play Bashful, and the Noize. Equal parts Michael R. Jackson's A Strange Loop, Pasek and Paul's Dear Evan Hansen, and Simon Stephens A Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime, Davis' play is an amalgamation of storylines that are equal parts celebratory of black American life, but also is a play that needs some improvement. While I know this has been a 9 year journey for young Davis, this play has the guts to one day truly be outstanding. There is some polishing that can be done to have the play truly excel and eventually become as iconic and discussed as James Ijames Fat Ham, or Branden Jacobs-Jenkins Gloria.

Griffin Theatre Company has announced casting for its Midwest premiere of Marys Seacole by Pulitzer Prize winner Jackie Sibblies Drury, directed by Jerrell L. Henderson and Hannah Todd. Launching Griffin’s 33rd season, Marys Seacole will play October 1 – November 6, 2022 on Raven Theatre’s Schwartz Stage.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company is opening its 47th season with the Chicago premiere of Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright James Ijames’ fantastical play The Most Spectacularly Lamentable Trial of Miz Martha Washington, in Steppenwolf’s Downstairs Theater, now through October 9, 2022. Get a first look at photos here!

Multiple Obie Award-winning actor David Greenspan stars in Kesselring Prize-winner Matthew Freeman's Back at the Start: A Situation Comedy, an outlandish, surreal six-part audio drama released by the Brooklyn-based independent theater production company Theater Accident.

Chicago is never lacking outstanding theatre, whether epic Broadway shows, engrossing dramas or bold fringe offerings. BroadwayWorld is rounding up our top recommended theatre every month. Coming up in September are The Most Spectacularly Lamentable Trial of Miz Martha Washington, Dreamgirls, Clyde's and more!

Griffin Theatre Company will launch its 33rd season with the Midwest premiere drama Marys Seacole by Pulitzer Prize winner Jackie Sibblies Drury, directed by Jerrell L. Henderson and Hannah Todd, playing October 1 – November 6, 2022 on Raven Theatre’s Schwartz Stage.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company is opening its 47th season with the Chicago premiere of Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright James Ijames’ fantastical play The Most Spectacularly Lamentable Trial of Miz Martha Washington September 1 – October 9, 2022. Check out rehearsal photos here!

Philadelphia Theatre Company has announced a new duo on their artistic leadership team. Taibi Mager and Tyler Dobrowsky are a married couple who will assume the role of artistic director together.

Top stories include a first look at Rob McClure as Seymour in Little Shop of Horrors. Plus, playwright Christopher Durang has been diagnosed with logopenic primary progressive aphasia (PPA), and more.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company will open its 47th season with the Chicago premiere of Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright James Ijames’ fantastical play The Most Spectacularly Lamentable Trial of Miz Martha Washington, playing September 1 – October 9, 2022.

Mykal Kilgore and Company members of Fat Ham came together for a cover of Kill The Lights! Watch the music video here!

The Public Theater announced the schedule today for The Public’s 2022-23 Season at the Public Theater. Learn all about the shows, schedule and how to get tickets.

The 2022 Pulitzer Prize-Winning Play FAT HAM has extended for a third time at The Public Theater and will now run through Sunday, July 17th.

The Wilma Theater announced today a one-week extension for Fairview, the groundbreaking 2019 Pulitzer Prize-winning play by Jackie Sibblies Drury, directed by Pulitzer Prize winner James Ijames. Originally set to close on Saturday June 18, the production will now conclude its run on Sunday June 26. Take a look at photos of the production!

The Wilma Theater announced today that Fête 2022 will honor retiring Co-Founding Artistic Director Blanka Zizka, who recently departed the company after 40 years in the position. Fête 2022 will be held on Monday June 13, 2022.

Today's top stories include a look inside the Queen's Platinum Jubilee, which included a musical theatre tribute featuring Six, Hamilton, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and more! Plus, go behind the scenes of Pulitzer Prize-winning Fat Ham, and more!

Critically-acclaimed playwright James Ijames reinvents Shakespeare's masterpiece with his new, Pulitzer prize-winning drama, FAT HAM, which is currently playing at the Public Theater. Below, watch as PBS NewsHour's Jeffrey Brown gets the scoop on the new show from Ijames as a part of the arts and culture series, CANVAS.

Kevin Rolston's critically acclaimed Deal with the Dragon, a three-character, one-man performance comes to the Magic Theatre for a limited run.

FAT HAM, the 2022 winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, celebrated its opening night last night at The Public Theater! Go inside the celebration!