It's October 4, 1965, and Pope Paul VI is spending 14 hours in New York City, marking the first visit by a reigning pope to the United States. Millions line the streets to greet him and zookeeper Artie Shaughnessy, a wannabe Hollywood songwriter with big dreams and no discernible talent, joins the throngs in the hope that a papal blessing will help propel him out of Queens, away from his mentally ill wife, Bananas, and into a new life in Los Angeles with his girlfriend, Bunny Flingus.
Mary McColl, Executive Director of Actors' Equity Association, has issued the following statement about Malcolm Ewen, a longtime Chicago-based stage manager who served as a National Councillor representing members on the Central Regional Board of Actors' Equity. Ewen passed away last night surrounded by loved ones following a battle with cancer.
Three decades later SAY ANYTHING remains one of best romantic comedies of the late 1980s. Confronting issues like adolescent love, social status and independence. Its crisp dialogue, witty charm and killer soundtrack provides the perfect launching point for John Cusack's enduring career.
Registration is now open for the MRT Young Company summer program, a professional theatre training program for high school students, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for three weeks, July 15 to August 2, in downtown Lowell. Nationally recognized creative producer, director, and performer Will Rogers will return to lead the program.
The Barrow Group, under the leadership of Co-Artistic Directors Seth Barrish and Lee Brock and Executive Director Robert Serrell, closes its 2018-2019 season with the world premiere of Perp by Lyle Kessler. Under the direction of Ms. Brock, Perp is scheduled to run at The Barrow Group (312 West 36th St.) from March 16 through April 11, with an opening night of March 25.
Helicopter parents facing the question of what they want to be when their kids grow up is the focus in the new comedy-drama The Empty Nesters at the Zephyr Theatre by award-winning playwright Garret Jon Groenveld.
By popular demand, Steppenwolf Theatre Company will host a second conversation with co-founder Gary Sinise on Monday, February 18 at 9pm, following the sold out 7pm discussion. During the event Sinise and fellow co-founder Jeff Perry will discuss Sinise's new book Grateful American: A Journey from Self to Service in a candid conversation. A copy of the book is included in the ticket cost. The late-night event will take place in Steppenwolf's Downstairs Theatre, 1650 N Halsted, on Monday, February 18, 2019 at 9pm. Single tickets ($45) are available through Audience Services at 312-335-1650 or steppenwolf.org. Steppenwolf Black Card Members may use credits towards this event.
Helicopter parents facing the question of what they want to be when their kids grow up is the focus in the new comedy-drama The Empty Nesters by award-winning playwright Garret Jon Groenveld. This warm and witty look at a couple who drop their youngest child off at college and then take what may be a life-changing trip to the Skywalk at the Grand Canyon, is helmed by Los Angeles based director Richard Seyd, and stars real-life empty nesters John (JW) Walker and Pamela Gaye Walker, who reunite on stage after a 20 year hiatus.
Previews begin tonight for the world premiere production of The Convent, a new play by critically acclaimed playwright Jessica Dickey (The Amish Project, Charles Ives Take Me Home), directed by Daniel Talbott.
Just in time for the holiday season, THE WOMAN IN BLACK is inviting guests to try something new this year with a holiday ticket package. For those looking to bond over a spine-tingling live theater performance, THE WOMAN IN BLACK will include a drink from the bar with the purchase of a ticket using the code HOLIDAY through January 6, 2019. An experience surely not to miss, the production has been called "Spectacular" by the Chicago Sun-Times, and "Brilliant" by Chicago Theater Review, receiving rave reviews from critics across the board.
Steppenwolf Theatre Company is pleased to announce a special event as part of co-founder Gary Sinise's book tour promoting his new book Grateful American: A Journey from Self to Service. Sinise will reflect on his book in a candid conversation with fellow Steppenwolf co-founder Jeff Perry.
Helicopter parents facing the question of what they want to be when their kids grow up is the focus in the new comedy-drama The Empty Nesters by award-winning playwright Garret Jon Groenveld. This warm and witty look at a couple who drop their youngest child off at college and then take what may be a life-changing trip to the Skywalk at the Grand Canyon, is helmed by Los Angeles based director Richard Seyd, and stars real-life empty nesters John (JW) Walker and Pamela Gaye Walker, who reunite on stage after a 20 year hiatus.
Audiences will have a chance to experience both lesser known classic plays and new works when Bucks County Playhouse launches its Play Discovery Series with a reading of 'The Outgoing Tide' by Philadelphia playwright Bruce Graham on November 14 at 7:30 p.m. Directed by four-time Oscar nominee, Marsha Mason, 'The Outgoing Tide' is the first of several plays that will be part of the series for which Mason also serves as curator. Additional titles will be announced shortly.
Audiences will have a chance to experience both lesser known classic plays and new works when Bucks County Playhouse launches its Play Discovery Series with a reading of 'The Outgoing Tide' by Philadelphia playwright Bruce Graham on November 14 at 7:30 p.m. Directed by four-time Oscar nominee, Marsha Mason, 'The Outgoing Tide' is the first of several plays that will be part of the series for which Mason also serves as curator. Additional titles will be announced shortly.
Porchlight Music Theatre begins its sixth season of Chicago's "lost" musicals in staged concert series with Porchlight Revisits 1776, music and lyrics by Sherman Edwards and book by Peter Stone with direction by Artistic Director Michael Weber, musical direction by Jeremy Ramey and musical staging by Michelle Lauto.
John J. Mahoney has done it again! The author of Wine for Intellectuals has written a book that both educates and captivates. His latest release Wine: The Source of Civilization traces the beginnings of wine culture from the earliest days of mankind.
Steppenwolf Theatre Company Artistic Director Anna D. Shapiro announced today the addition of Rajiv Joseph and Karen Rodriguez to the world-renowned Steppenwolf ensemble. An Obie Award-wining and Pulitzer Prize finalist playwright, Rajiv Joseph's Guards at the Taj was produced at Steppenwolf this past May to great acclaim. Karen Rodriguez, a celebrated Chicago-based actor, recently performed at Steppenwolf in The Doppelganger (an international farce) and The Rembrandt, and will be featured in this season's world premiere of Isaac Gomez's La Ruta, in a role written specifically for her.
Cleveland Play House (CPH) kicks off its 2018-2019 Season with the spine tingling tale of Susan Hill's The Woman in Black. Hill's gothic ghost story, adapted for the stage by Stephen Mallatratt, will star Bradley Armacost as Arthur Kipps and Adam Wesley Brown as the Actor in the show that Daily Mail called, "A nerve-shredding experience." Director Robin Herford will recreate his original staging from the London West End. The American premiere of the West End Production is produced by PW Productions and Pemberley Productions. Previews begin on September 15th, with press opening on September 21st at the Allen Theatre in Playhouse Square.