Janice Pytel News

TimeLine Theatre Company begins its 2013-14 season with the award-winning play A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry, directed by Ron OJ Parson, now through November 17, 2013 at TimeLine Theatre, 615 W. Wellington Ave, Chicago. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Chicago Opera Theater (COT) offers more opportunities to look inside its operas through its new initiative, “Viewpoints.” These collaborations with Chicago cultural institutions draw audiences even further into the passionate world of COT's 2013 Season, “Power of Love – Love of Power,” and offer new insight and perspective on the artistry and vision of upcoming productions.

By popular demand, Steppenwolf Theatre Company has extended the hit summer production of Slowgirl by Greg Pierce, directed by ensemble member Randall Arney, and featuring ensemble member William Petersen with Rae Gray. Slowgirl continues for six additional performances, through September 1. Tickets to the additional performances of Slowgirl ($20 - $78) go on sale today, August 6 at 11am through Audience Services (1650 N Halsted), at 312-335-1650 or at steppenwolf.org.

What does it mean to be a stranger in your own skin? In a foreign land? Steppenwolf Theatre Company encourages audiences to confront these difficult questions of deceit, displacement and dependency in Amy Herzog's Belleville, directed by Anne Kauffman. The conversation continues with Explore: The World of Belleville, when Steppenwolf brings together Northwestern University professor Laura Kipnis and Steppenwolf Artistic Director Martha Lavey for a deeper discussion of Belleville.

What does it mean to be a stranger in your own skin? In a foreign land? Steppenwolf Theatre Company encourages audiences to confront these difficult questions of deceit, displacement and dependency in Amy Herzog's Belleville, directed by Anne Kauffman. The conversation continues with Explore: The World of Belleville, when Steppenwolf brings together Northwestern University professor Laura Kipnis and Steppenwolf Artistic Director Martha Lavey for a deeper discussion of Belleville.

Slowgirl began previews July 18, 2013 (opening night is July 28; press performances are July 27 at 3pm and July 31 at 7:30pm) and runs through August 25 in Steppenwolf's Upstairs Theatre. Tickets ($20 - $78) are on sale now through Audience Services (1650 N Halsted St), 312-335-1650 and steppenwolf.org. Check out a first look below!

This summer, Steppenwolf ensemble member-and former artistic director--Randall Arney returns to Chicago to stage Greg Pierce's hit play, Slowgirl, which premiered at Lincoln Center Theater in 2012. Arney reunites with fellow ensemble member William Petersen in the role of Sterling (the two first appeared on stage together in Steppenwolf's 1980 production of Balm in Gilead); the two-hander also includes Rae Gray (The Book Thief) as Becky. A playwright with 'impressive writing chops' who 'builds suspense, releases tension through laughs and grabs your attention with life-or-death stakes' (NY1), Pierce's plays later travels to Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles, where Arney currently serves as artistic director, as part of the 2013/14 season.

Performances of Steppenwolf Theatre Company's season-concluding, Chicago-premiere production of Belleville by Amy Herzog begin June 27. Obie Award-winning director Anne Kauffman-who staged the play's acclaimed world premiere at Yale Repertory Theatre in 2011 and earlier this season Off-Broadway at New York Theatre Workshop-makes her Steppenwolf debut directing ensemble members Alana Arenas and Kate Arrington with Chris Boykin andCliff Chamberlain. Belleville begins previews tonight, June 27, 2013 (Opening night is July 7 and runs through August 25 in Steppenwolf's Downstairs Theatre (1650 N Halsted St). Tickets ($20 - $78) are on sale now.

This summer, Steppenwolf ensemble member-and former artistic director--Randall Arney returns to Chicago to stage Greg Pierce's hit play, Slowgirl, which premiered at Lincoln Center Theater in 2012. Arney reunites with fellow ensemble member William Petersen in the role of Sterling (the two first appeared on stage together in Steppenwolf's 1980 production of Balm in Gilead); the two-hander also includes Rae Gray (The Book Thief) as Becky. A playwright with 'impressive writing chops' who 'builds suspense, releases tension through laughs and grabs your attention with life-or-death stakes' (NY1), Pierce's plays later travels to Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles, where Arney currently serves as artistic director, as part of the 2013/14 season.

Performances of Steppenwolf Theatre Company's season-concluding, Chicago-premiere production of Belleville by Amy Herzog begin June 27. Obie Award-winning director Anne Kauffman-who staged the play's acclaimed world premiere at Yale Repertory Theatre in 2011 and earlier this season Off-Broadway at New York Theatre Workshop-makes her Steppenwolf debut directing ensemble members Alana Arenas and Kate Arrington with Chris Boykin andCliff Chamberlain. Belleville begins previews June 27, 2013 (Opening night is July 7 and runs through August 25 in Steppenwolf's Downstairs Theatre (1650 N Halsted St). Tickets ($20 - $78) are on sale now.

Rivendell Theatre Ensemble (RTE), Chicago's only Equity theatre devoted to the work of women theatre artists, is proud to announce Stefanie Zadravec's The Electric Baby as the third and final production of its 2012-2013 Season of Reinvention. RTE Artistic Director and founder Tara Mallen directs the Chicago premiere, now through June 22 at the new Rivendell Theatre, 5779 N. Ridge. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Rivendell Theatre Ensemble (RTE), Chicago's only Equity theatre devoted to the work of women theatre artists, has announced Stefanie Zadravec's The Electric Baby as the third and final production of its 2012-2013 Season of Reinvention. RTE Artistic Director and founder Tara Mallen directs the Chicago premiere, tonight, May 16 through June 22 at the new Rivendell Theatre, 5779 N. Ridge.

Rivendell Theatre Ensemble (RTE), Chicago's only Equity theatre devoted to the work of women theatre artists, is proud to announce Stefanie Zadravec's The Electric Baby as the third and final production of its 2012-2013 Season of Reinvention. RTE Artistic Director and founder Tara Mallen directs the Chicago premiere, May 16 through June 22 at the new Rivendell Theatre, 5779 N. Ridge.

Rivendell Theatre Ensemble (RTE), Chicago's only Equity theatre devoted to the work of women theatre artists, is proud to announce Stefanie Zadravec's The Electric Baby as the third and final production of its 2012-2013 Season of Reinvention. RTE Artistic Director and founder Tara Mallen directs the Chicago premiere, May 16 through June 22 at the new Rivendell Theatre, 5779 N. Ridge. Previews are Thursday, May 16, Friday, May 17 and Saturday May 18 at 8 p.m. and tickets are $15. Press opening is Monday, May 20 at 7 p.m. The play runs Thursdays and Fridays at 8 p.m. and Saturdays at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.; regular tickets are $30 and are available online at www.RivendellTheatre.org or by calling 773.334.7728.

Rivendell Theatre Ensemble (RTE), Chicago's only Equity theatre devoted to the work of women theatre artists, has announced Stefanie Zadravec's The Electric Baby as the third and final production of its 2012-2013 Season of Reinvention. RTE Artistic Director and founder Tara Mallen directs the Chicago premiere, May 16 through June 22 at the new Rivendell Theatre, 5779 N. Ridge.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company ensemble member Randall Arney directs fellow ensemble member William Petersen with Rae Gray this summer in Slowgirl by Greg Pierce. Performances of this Chicago premiere are in Steppenwolf's newly reconfigured Upstairs Theatre (1650 N Halsted St). Slowgirl begins previews July 18, 2013 (opening night is July 28; press performances are July 27 at 3pm and July 31 at 7:30pm) and runs through August 25. Tickets ($20 - $78) go on sale May 3 to the public through Audience Services (1650 N Halsted St), 312-335-1650 and steppenwolf.org.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company concludes the 2012/13 subscription season with the Chicago premiere of Belleville by Amy Herzog, directed by Anne Kauffman. Belleville features ensemble members Alana Arenas and Kate Arrington with Chris Boykin and Cliff Chamberlain. Belleville begins previews June 27, 2013 (Opening night is July 7; Press performances are July 6 at 3pm and July 9 at 7:30pm) and runs through August 25 in Steppenwolf's Downstairs Theatre (1650 N Halsted St). Tickets ($20 - $78) go on sale Friday, April 26 at 11am.

Silk Road Rising Artistic Director Jamil Khoury and Executive Director Malik Gillani have announced the World Premiere of The Lake Effect, written by Rajiv Joseph, directed by Timothy Douglas. The Lake Effect runs April 23 - May 26, 2013, in Pierce Hall at The Historic Chicago Temple Building, 77 W. Washington St, Chicago. Press opening is Saturday, April 27 at 4:00 pm.