Jeff Parker News

Today's top stories: The Lightning Thief begins previews on Broadway tonight, and more!

Chicago Shakespeare's production of The King's Speech is now on stage and we've got an exclusive first look at the production!

Chicago Shakespeare Theater stages the North American Premiere production of The King's Speech, beginning September 12 in The Yard at Chicago Shakespeare.

Chicago Shakespeare's production of The King's Speech begins performances September 12, and they've released a special first look at the cast!

Chicago Shakespeare Theater announces today the cast and creative team for the North American Premiere production of The King's Speech, beginning September 12 in The Yard at Chicago Shakespeare. Writer David Seidler brings the remarkable true story that inspired the Academy Award-winning film back to the stage in a new production of the play, directed by Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Award-winner Michael Wilson. Following the play's North American premiere in Chicago, the production is slated for engagements at other theaters across the country.

Today, PBDY (pronounced Peabody) releases a brand new single 'Eucalyptus & Lavender / So Help Me (DOG)' via Brainfeeder, as the LA-based producer and DJ prepares to head out on a 33 date tour across North America with the label's founding father Flying Lotus. The track features Jeff Parker (of pioneering post-rock outfit Tortoise) on guitar, Miguel Atwood-Ferguson on viola and Justin Brown (Thundercat, Ambrose Akinmusire) on drums.

Drury Lane Theatre announces casting for its production of the international megahit Mamma Mia!, with music and lyrics by Benny Andersson and Bj rn Ulvaeus, some songs with Stig Anderson, and book by Catherine Johnson. Originally conceived by Judy Craymer, Mamma Mia! is directed by Artistic Director William Osetek and choreographed by Jane Lanier with music direction by Roberta Duchak. Mamma Mia! runs February 7 April 14, 2019, at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace. The press opening is scheduled for Thursday, February 21 at 8:00 p.m.

Red Bull Music Presents' inaugural New York show will celebrate the release of Makaya McCraven's much-anticipated 2018 album, Universal Beings. The album is composed of recordings the accomplished jazz composer created during intimate sessions in New York, London, Chicago and Los Angeles with old friends and new collaborators. Some notable artists from the sessions who will join Makaya for the celebration in New York include Jeff Parker, Miguel Atwood-Ferguson, Carlos Niño, Brandee Younger and Nubya Garcia.

3Arts, the Chicago-based nonprofit grantmaking organization, is honored to award 20 Chicago artists with unrestricted grants at the 11th annual 3Arts Awards Celebration, taking place tonight, November 5 at the Museum of Contemporary Art. The celebration will honor the ten annual 3Arts Awards recipients along with ten recipients of Make a Wave-an unprecedented artist-to-artist giving initiative.

Red Bull Music will launch the latest installment of their critically acclaimed international music series Red Bull Music Festival this Saturday, November 3rd in Chicago with Opening Night at Wintrust Arena. Chicago is the home to some of hip hop's most cutting edge artists and the event series will celebrate many of them, kicking the festival off with one of the largest RBMF events to-date. Legends, luminaries, and rising stars in rap and R&B will come together for an unprecedented ensemble performance and REVOLT will be on hand to capture it as a livestream.

Red Bull Music will launch the latest installment of their critically acclaimed international music series in Chicago this November, bringing with it a month-long slate of expertly curated original programming spanning the city's diverse music genres. Red Bull Music Festival Chicago will explore and celebrate Chicago's rich cultural heritage while spotlighting its modern music landscape. Red Bull Music Festival (RBMF) makes its midwest debut after six acclaimed installments in New York City and a 2017 Los Angeles festival, and will feature live performances, club nights and lectures at some of Chicago's most unique venues. The festival also marks Red Bull Music's return to the Windy City after 2017's 30 Days in Chicago.

Writers Theatre, under the leadership of Artistic Director Michael Halberstam and Executive Director Kathryn M. Lipuma, adds a week of performances to the run of Parade, with book by Alfred Uhry and music and lyrics by Jason Robert Brown, co-conceived by Harold Prince.  The Writers Theatre production of Parade is directed by Gary Griffin and features musical direction by Michael Mahler and choreography by Ericka Mac.  Parade now runs through July 15, 2017 in the Alexandra C. and John D. Nichols Theatre at 325 Tudor Court, Glencoe.

Writers Theatre, under the leadership of Artistic Director Michael Halberstam and Executive Director Kathryn M. Lipuma, adds a week of performances to the run of Parade, with book by Alfred Uhry and music and lyrics by Jason Robert Brown, co-conceived by Harold Prince.  The Writers Theatre production of Parade is directed by Gary Griffin and features musical direction by Michael Mahler and choreography by Ericka Mac.  Parade now runs through July 15, 2017 in the Alexandra C. and John D. Nichols Theatre at 325 Tudor Court, Glencoe.

Writers Theatre, under the leadership of Artistic Director Michael Halberstam and Executive Director Kathryn M. Lipuma, adds a week of performances to the run of Parade, with book by Alfred Uhry and music and lyrics by Jason Robert Brown, co-conceived by Harold Prince.

This stirring, Tony Award-winning musical explores the endurance of love and hope against seemingly insurmountable odds, telling the true story of Leo Frank, a Brooklyn-born Jewish man falsely accused of murder in 1913 Atlanta.

In keeping with the tradition of playing a special set on the opening night of its Solid Sound Festival, this year Wilco will perform one of its studio albums in its entirety, with songs performed in their original track-listed order.

Writers Theatre, under the leadership of Artistic Director Michael Halberstam and Executive Director Kathryn M. Lipuma, concludes its 2016/17 season with the musical Parade, with book by Alfred Uhry and music and lyrics by Jason Robert Brown, co-conceived by Harold Prince. 

Hoist thine noble banner and may ye heralding trumpets sound! On Wednesday, May 10th, 2017, Parker Arts will present its first annual Shakespeare Festival, a theatrical competition for Parker middle schools and high schools.

Writers Theatre, under the leadership of Artistic Director Michael Halberstam and Executive Director Kathryn M. Lipuma, concludes its 2016/17 season with the musical Parade, with book by Alfred Uhry, music and lyrics by Jason Robert Brown, and co-conceived by Harold Prince.  The Writers Theatre production of Parade is directed by Gary Griffin and features musical direction by Michael Mahler and choreography by Ericka Mac. 

Wilco has announced an early summer tour in the lead up to the band's own Solid Sound Festival, which takes place at MASS MoCA in North Adams, MA on June 23-25. Newly announced dates include concerts in Rochester Hills, MI, Pittsburgh, Louisville, KY, Indianapolis, Rockford, IL and Milwaukee. The band also headlines Eaux Claires on June 17. Tickets for upcoming shows are on sale Friday via wilcoworld.net. Three-day passes for Wilco's Solid Sound Festival are also available now via solidsoundfestival.com.