Evan Linder's new play BYHALIA, MISSISSIPPI begins with a scene familiar to those in the audience: a mother and her adult daughter squabbling. The daughter, Laurel, is several months pregnant. And while her mother just wants to be present for the birth of her grandchild, Laurel has had enough. But as the play progresses, we soon learn that Laurel and her husband Jim may not be quite ready for the demands of parenthood. And in a surprising twist following the birth of the child, Laurel and Jim-who are self-declared "white trash"-must also come face-to-face with some harsh realities and confront long-standing, deeply embedded racist beliefs. In this way, Linder's play provides striking food for thought on contemporary social issues, while also becoming a specific portrait of the life of this one couple. And while Chicago audiences may largely be unfamiliar with the small-town Southern lifestyle of BYHALIA'S characters, he makes us feel for these flawed personalities.
Travel to Bali Ha'i with Billis and his crew in Rodgers & Hammerstein's SOUTH PACIFIC, starring Broadway's Ben Davis, James Snyder and Erika Henningsen August 5-14 at the Benedum Center. Tickets are now available and can be purchasedonline, by visiting the Theater Square Box Office or calling 412-456-6666.
The New Colony is pleased to continue its 2016 Season with the world premiere of the fantastical family drama KIN FOLK, by William Glick, directed by Co-Artistic Director Evan Linder, playing now through August 14, 2016 at its resident home, The Den Theatre's Upstairs Main Stage, 1333 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago's Wicker Park neighborhood. BroadwayWorld has new photos from the show below!
The New Colony and Definition Theatre Company's runaway hit BYHALIA, MISSISSIPPI, winner of three 2016 Jeff Awards including Best New Work, returns this summer featuring the full original cast now through August 21, 2016 as part of Steppenwolf's Visiting Company Initiative at their new 1700 Theatre, 1700 N. Halsted St. in Chicago. The press performance is tonight, July 25, and BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!
The Lyric Hammersmith will welcome Joe Stilgoe and his big band who take up residency at the Lyric for three nights of seasonal mayhem, mischief and romance on Monday 5, 12 and 19 of December 2016. Tickets go on sale today at 10am.
The Ogunquit Playhouse will present the New England premiere of THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME, on stage from tonight, July 13, to August 6, making The Playhouse one of the first regional theaters in the U.S. to stage this new musical.
The New Colony is pleased to continue its 2016 Season with the world premiere of the fantastical family drama KIN FOLK, by William Glick, directed by Co-Artistic Director Evan Linder, playing July 8 - August 14, 2016 at its resident home, The Den Theatre's Upstairs Main Stage, 1333 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago's Wicker Park neighborhood. Tickets for KIN FOLK are currently available at www.thenewcolony.org. The press opening is Tuesday, July 12 at 7:30 pm.
The Ogunquit Playhouse will present the New England premiere of THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME, on stage from July 13 to August 6, making the Playhouse one of the first regional theaters in the U.S. to stage this new musical.
The New Colony and Definition Theatre Company's runaway hit BYHALIA, MISSISSIPPI, winner of three 2016 Jeff Awards including Best New Work, returns this summer featuring the full original cast from July 22 - August 21, 2016 as part of Steppenwolf's Visiting Company Initiative at their new 1700 Theatre, 1700 N. Halsted St. in Chicago. The searing new American drama by The New Colony Co-Artistic Director Evan Linder, directed by Definition Theatre's Founding Artistic Director Tyrone Phillips, enjoyed two sold-out extensions during its world premiere last winter at The Den Theatre. Tickets for BYHALIA, MISSISSIPPI are available at www.steppenwolf.org or by calling (312) 335-1650. The press performance is Monday, July 25 at 8 pm.
Arion Productions has announced West End leading lady, Anna Jane Casey, as the latest artist to join the line-up of extraordinary performers and industry professionals providing expert 'one day only' training in much-sought-after specialist fields. These masterclasses take place at Diorama Arts Studios on various Sunday afternoons throughout 2016.
Broadway's 40 theatres aren't the only places to catch performances from your favorite stars! Well after Broadway orchestras begin their overtures, ensemble members take their dance breaks, and performers belt out their eleven o'clock numbers, the party continues at various cabaret venues throughout New York City. Below, BroadwayWorld brings you some cabaret highlights for this week as picked by our theatre editors, including: Al(exandra) Silber's Casual Monday, The Broadway Princess Party feat. Laura Osnes, Barbara Cook, Lorna Luft Celebrates Pride Week, and Anything But Love the Musical in Concert.
Ehrenkranz Artistic Director Jane Moss today announced the schedule for Lincoln Center's seventh White Light Festival, running from October 16 through November 16, 2016. The international multidisciplinary festival, which takes its name from a quotation by the Estonian composer Arvo Part, is an annual exploration of the power of art to illuminate our interior and communal lives. 'I could compare my music to white light which contains all colors. Only a prism can divide the colors and make them appear; this prism could be the spirit of the listener.' - Arvo Part
Last night, Wednesday 15 June, saw the Opening Night of Disney's new West End musical Aladdin at the Prince Edward Theatre, London. Footage is also available to download featuring the cast's curtain call bows, celebrity arrivals on the carpet and interviews with the Aladdin cast and creative team including Dean John Wilson (Aladdin), Trevor Dion Nicholas (Genie) and Jade Ewen (Jasmine), composer Alan Menken and director and choreographer Casey Nicholaw at the post-show party at the National Gallery.
The New Colony will continue its 2016 Season with the world premiere of the fantastical family drama KIN FOLK, by William Glick, directed by Co-Artistic Director Evan Linder, playing July 8 - August 14, 2016 at its resident home, The Den Theatre's Upstairs Main Stage, 1333 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago's Wicker Park neighborhood. Tickets for KIN FOLK are currently available at www.thenewcolony.org. The press opening is Tuesday, July 12 at 7:30 pm.
"The Hairy Ape"- Eugene O'Neill's expressionist play presented in a stark, brutal and imaginative setting; "Byhalia, Mississippi"- a new work of southern love and forgiveness, and "Rent"- the musical update of "La Boheme" performed in a small storefront theatre, took home the most honors on Monday, June 6, at Park West during the 43rd Annual Non-Equity Jeff Awards ceremony recognizing excellence in non-union Chicago theatre.
Charismatic British conductor John Wilson will join the Sydney Symphony Orchestra for an exciting journey through the golden age of Hollywood when he takes the podium for a program of cinematic highlights from classic films such as Gone with the Wind, Ben Hur, Psycho and Casablanca.
When Rooftop Films began 20 summers ago on the roof of a tenement building in the Lower East Side it was a single evening of short films. 19 years later the organization has grown tremendously- hosting over 50 extraordinary events every summer, with live music and after-parties all across NYC- but they still strive to champion emerging in the short film community, and still believe that the medium is ripe for experimentation and opportunity. This season, Rooftop Films will present over 130 short films in over 13 programs, each curated with complementary and riveting themes.
This month, Opera Colorado presents the world premiere of THE SCARLET LETTER -- a new adaptation of Nathaniel Hawthorne's iconic American novel by composer Lori Laitman and librettist David Mason. The premiere marks yet another major milestone for Opera Colorado, which recently announced a return to a three-production season in 2016-17. Ahead of tomorrow's first performance, BroadwayWorld has a first look at the company in action below!
The Jeff Awards Committee today announced 121 nominations in 24 categories for the 43rd Annual Non-Equity Jeff Awards for productions that opened between April 1, 2015, and March 31, 2016. The Non-Equity Awards honor excellence in Chicago theatres not under a union contract. Jeff judges attended opening nights of 148 productions offered by 67 Non-Equity producing organizations. The Jeff Committee recommended 65 of those shows (or 44%), making them eligible for Non-Equity Jeff Award nominations. Of the 65 Jeff Recommended productions, a record 53 (or 82%) received nominations, representing 32 theatre companies.
