Joe Foust News

American Blues Theater, Chicago's second oldest Equity Ensemble, announces the appointment of the theater's new Managing Director, Claude Binder. He will begin his tenure at American Blues Theater today, March 6, 2017.

Enjoy an adventurous trip with First Stage and their singing Troubadour through the 14th century Sherwood Forest. In a collaboration with playwrights Joe Foust and John Maclay, Jeff Frank directs the world premiere Robin Hood--- complete with thrilling stage combat from the legendary anti-hero. This courageous Robin Hood 'asked for donations' from the English Elite at the point of his sword, collected and then contributed to the poor surrounding him in England. Among Robin's following where those, merry men and women who wanted to participate in as Maclay says, 'a rebellion against greed and corruption' in an attempt to right the wrongs in their world. Frank, Foust and Maclay turn the stage into Robin Hood's playground through Jody Sekas' stage design and Melissa Torchia's costume design, which allows an extremely fluid and fast paced production. Geoffrey, a young performer Jeff Burns from the Sherwood Forest cast, sings and strums Musical Director Jeff Schaetzke's original ballads playing the roving troubadour. His idiosyncratic lyrics make the audience laugh, as does the often contemporary, tongue in cheek humor throughout the play-often hilarious. While actor Dominique Worsley embodies a fierce, yet sympathetic Robin, Maclay's Sheriff of Nottingham and Foust's incomparable Archbishop of York stir their own brand of extraordinary humor and strength trying to capture 'the Hood.'

American Blues Theater continues its 2016-2017 Season with the Chicago Premiere of The Columnist by David Auburn and directed by Keira Fromm. The Columnist runs February 17 - April 9, 2017 at the Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave. in Chicago.  The official press opening is Thursday, February 23, 2017 at 7:30 p.m.

American Blues Theater, under the continued leadership of Producing Artistic Director Gwendolyn Whiteside, announces the lineup for its 2017 - 2018 Season, 'The Beat Goes On.'

American Blues Theater, Chicago's second oldest Equity Ensemble, under the continued leadership of Producing Artistic Director Gwendolyn Whiteside, has named Idris Goodwin the winner of the 2017 National Blue Ink Playwriting Award. Goodwin's play, HYPE MAN, was selected from a pool 543 submissions. As part of the award, Goodwin receives a $1,000 cash prize and the opportunity to further develop his script with American Blues Theater.

American Blues Theater continues its 2016-2017 Season with the Chicago Premiere of The Columnist by David Auburn and directed by Keira Fromm. The Columnist runs February 17 - April 1, 2017 at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago.  

American Blues Theater continues its 2016-2017 Season with the Chicago Premiere of The Columnist by David Auburn and directed by Keira Fromm. The Columnist runs February 17 - April 9, 2017 at the Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave. in Chicago.  The official press opening is Thursday, February 23, 2017 at 7:30 p.m.

With new stage magic and Chicago favorites, Goodman Theatre's A Christmas Carol takes the stage in its 39th year. Returning for his fourth year, Henry Wishcamper directs Charles Dickens' tale of hope and redemption.

Route 66 Theatre Company continues its 'Driver's Seat' Monthly Reading Series at Mrs. Murphy and Sons Irish Bistro (3905 N. Lincoln Ave) with CHANGING CHANNELS by John Reeger on Monday, November 7th at 7:30 p.m.

With new stage magic and Chicago favorites, Goodman Theatre's A Christmas Carol takes the stage in its 39th year. Returning for his fourth year, Henry Wishcamper directs Charles Dickens' tale of hope and redemption.

What other regional or national theater company can be credited with producing 61 total world premieres? Professional children's theater company First Stage began a legacy 30 years ago, and continues in their new season under the theme 'Theater You Never Outgrow.' Artistic Director Jeff Frank believes the company creates the strongest theater, at home, in Milwaukee, which eventually reverberates around the country. Now authors and producers nationally recognize First Stage and knock on the company's door, approaching them with opportunities, so the company can envision new legacies in Theater for Young Audiences.

American Blues Theater announces the addition of a new Ensemble member and three new Artistic Affiliates.

Peninsula Players Theatre, America's oldest professional resident summer theater and Door County's theatrical icon, is thrilled to present the riotous spy-thriller "The 39 Steps" September 7 through October 16, 2016. 

Peninsula Players Theatre, America's oldest professional resident summer theater and Door County's theatrical icon, is thrilled to present the riotous spy-thriller "The 39 Steps" September 7 through October 16, 2016. 

Stage Left Theatre announces Drekfest 2016, which performs on Tuesday, August 16th at 7:30pm at CSz Theatre, 929 W Belmont. Stage Left is proud to again partner with CSz Chicago for Drekfest 2016. CSz team members will be joining Stage Left company members and guest artists in staging the four finalists.

Peninsula Players Theatre, America's Oldest Professional Resident Summer Theatre and Door County's theatrical icon, continues its 81st season now through July 24 when it presents Agatha Christie's intriguing whodunit, 'The Hollow.' A weekend in the English countryside goes deathly awry with an explosive murder in this spell-binding mystery.

American Blues Theater kicks off its 31st Season - 'Define Yourself' - with a pair of one acts, including Dutchman by Amiri Baraka, directed by Chuck Smith and the World Premiere of TRANSit by Darren Canady, directed by Lisa Portes. Dutchman and TRANSit run August 26 - September 25, 2016 at the Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave. in Chicago. The official press opening is Thursday, September 1 at 7:30 pm.

American Blues Theater, Chicago's second oldest Equity Ensemble, under the continued leadership of Producing Artistic Director Gwendolyn Whiteside, announce the submission period for the 2017 National Blue Ink Playwriting Award. Playwrights are invited to submit one (1) manuscript for consideration. The winner will have the opportunity to further develop their script with American Blues Theatre. The submission period runs July 1 - August 31, 2016. Submissions are accepted via email at BlueInk@AmericanBluesTheater.com.

Peninsula Players Theatre, America's Oldest Professional Resident Summer Theatre and Door County's theatrical icon, announces company members for its 81st season, running June 14 through October 16, 2016. The mix of plays include a late-in-life romance, an intriguing whodunit, a raucous pop-rock musical, an engaging Midwest premiere and a wildly comic thriller.

American Blues Theater, Chicago's second oldest Equity Ensemble, under the continued leadership of Producing Artistic Director Gwendolyn Whiteside, hosts 2016 Ripped: The Living Newspaper Festival on Tuesday, May 17, 2016.