Joe Foust News

'Should a woman sleep with a man she finds repellent if by doing so she serves a greater good?' (New York Times) is among the questions of William Shakespeare's Measure for Measure, at Goodman Theatre in a new production directed by Artistic Director Robert Falls. Falls sets his production of Shakespeare's dark comedy against the backdrop of New York City circa 1970s-an era in which economic challenges, urban flight and the sexual revolution transformed one of the greatest cities in the world into one of the most troubled.

'Should a woman sleep with a man she finds repellent if by doing so she serves a greater good?' (New York Times) is among the questions of William Shakespeare's Measure for Measure, at Goodman Theatre in a new production directed by Artistic Director Robert Falls. Falls sets his production of Shakespeare's dark comedy against the backdrop of New York City circa 1970s-an era in which economic challenges, urban flight and the sexual revolution transformed one of the greatest cities in the world into one of the most troubled.

Goodman Theatre Artistic Director Robert Falls announces the cast for his revival of the rarely-produced Measure for Measure-William Shakespeare's "last comedy and his blackest-pitched" in which the "unquenchable influence of sex in society is a central theme" (New York Times). This production marks Falls' first return to Shakespeare's work since his critically-acclaimed 2006 revival of King Lear, starring Stacy Keach in the title role.

One of the nation's most prominent of the many productions of "A Christmas Carol" that crop up like greenery this time of year is the one at Chicago's Goodman Theatre. Now in its 35th annual outing, it's a warm, thought-provoking and timeless tale of redemption and good will, humanity and universality that, surprisingly , shares with Jonathan Larson's "Rent" an immediate central theme. "No day but today" might very well be a line from Charles Dickens' short 1843 novel of the same name, as pithy and wise as the novel's, and this show's, ending line: "God bless us, everyone."

Northlight Theatre, under the direction of Artistic Director BJ Jones and Executive Director Timothy J. Evans, continues its 2012-2013 season with Neil Simon's The Odd Couple, featuring legendary comic actors Tim Kazurinsky and George Wendt, directed by Artistic Director BJ Jones. The comedy will play at Northlight Theatre, 9501 Skokie Blvd in Skokie, from November 2-December 9, 2012. The Press Opening is Today, November 9, at 7:30 pm.

Northlight Theatre, under the direction of Artistic Director BJ Jones and Executive Director Timothy J. Evans, continues its 2012-2013 season with Neil Simon's The Odd Couple, featuring legendary comic actors Tim Kazurinsky and George Wendt, directed by Artistic Director BJ Jones. The comedy will play at Northlight Theatre, 9501 Skokie Blvd in Skokie, from November 2-December 9, 2012. The Press Opening is Friday, November 9, at 7:30 pm.

American Blues Theater (ABT), Chicago's second oldest Equity ensemble, kicks off the Ensemble's 27th season with the world premiere of Illegal Use of Hands by Emmy Award-winner, two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist and ABT Artistic Affiliate James Still, directed by Sandy Shinner, tonight, August 31 - September 30 at Victory Gardens' Richard Christiansen Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Avenue. Press opening for Illegal Use of Hands is Thursday, Sept. 6 at 7 p.m. Tickets range from $10 - $39. Complete ticket information including ticket on-sale date and performance schedule will be announced at a later date.

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.

Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, presents the Tony Award-winning Broadway and West End smash hit THE 39 STEPS, opening July 12 at 8 p.m. and running through August 26. THE 39 STEPS stars Peter Simon Hilton as "Richard Hannay."

American Blues Theater (ABT), Chicago's second oldest Equity ensemble, kicks off the Ensemble's 27th season with the world premiere of Illegal Use of Hands by Emmy Award-winner, two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist and ABT Artistic Affiliate James Still, directed by Sandy Shinner, August 31 - September 30 at Victory Gardens' Richard Christiansen Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Avenue. Press opening for Illegal Use of Hands is Thursday, Sept. 6 at 7 p.m. Tickets range from $10 - $39. Complete ticket information including ticket on-sale date and performance schedule will be announced at a later date.

Inspired by the Woody Allen joke, "If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans", Sean Grennan's newest work, MAKING GOD LAUGH, just made its Chicago Premiere at Theatre at the Center. Produced in association with First Folio Theatre, this heartwarming comedy runs through June 10 at 1040 Ridge Road, Munster, Indiana. Directed by William Pullinsi, MAKING GOD LAUGH stars Chicago favorites Peggy Roeder, Craig Spidle, Kevin McKillip, Joe Foust and Erin Noel Grennan. Check out interviews with the creative team and actors on opening night in the video below!

Inspired by the Woody Allen joke, "If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans", Sean Grennan's newest work, MAKING GOD LAUGH, made its Chicago Premiere at Theatre at the Center. Produced in association with First Folio Theatre, this heartwarming comedy runs through June 10 at 1040 Ridge Road, Munster, Indiana. Directed by William Pullinsi, MAKING GOD LAUGH stars Chicago favorites Peggy Roeder, Craig Spidle, Kevin McKillip, Joe Foust and Erin Noel Grennan.

MAKING GOD LAUGH marks its Chicago Premiere at Theatre at the Center. Produced in association with First Folio Theatre, this heartwarming comedy opens tonight, May 6 at 7 p.m., and runs through June 10 at 1040 Ridge Road, Munster, Illinois.

nspired by the Woody Allen joke, "If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans", Sean Grennan's newest work, MAKING GOD LAUGH, marks its Chicago Premiere at Theatre at the Center. Produced in association with First Folio Theatre, this heartwarming comedy previews tonight, May 3 and runs through June 10 at 1040 Ridge Road, Munster, Indiana. The press performance will be Sunday, May 6 at 7 p.m. Directed by William Pullinsi, MAKING GOD LAUGH will star Chicago favorites Peggy Roeder, Craig Spidle, Kevin McKillip, Joe Foust and Erin Noel Grennan.

MAKING GOD LAUGH will mark its Chicago Premiere at Theatre at the Center. Produced in association with First Folio Theatre, this heartwarming comedy previews May 3 and runs through June 10 at 1040 Ridge Road, Munster, Indiana. The press performance will be Sunday, May 6 at 7 p.m.

Producing Artistic Director Gwendolyn Whiteside of American Blues Theater (ABT), Chicago's second oldest Equity ensemble, today announced the Ensemble's 27th season. The season kicks off with the world premiere of Illegal Use of Hands by Emmy Award-winner, two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist and ABT Artistic Affiliate James Still, directed by Sandy Shinner, August 31 - September 30 and followed by the critically acclaimed It's a Wonderful Life: Live on State Street! , now at the Museum of Broadcast Communications, directed by ABT Artistic Affiliate Marty Higginbotham, November 16 - December 30. ABT's final 2012 -2013 production is Pulitzer Prize playwright Donald Margulies' 2010 Broadway script Collected Stories, co-directed by Steppenwolf Artistic Affiliate Jessica Thebus and Mary Ann Thebus.