August in August means Pittsburgh Playwrights Theater Company will present August Wilson's Seven Guitars at the playwright's boyhood home in Pittsburgh's historic Hill District neighborhood each weekend in the month.
Steppenwolf Theatre Company launches its 41st season, the first curated by Artistic Director Anna D. Shapiro, with the moving and enthralling world premiere of Visiting Edna by renowned American playwright David Rabe (Streamers, Good for Otto).
Steppenwolf Theatre Company presents the Chicago premiere of BETWEEN RIVERSIDE AND CRAZY, a rowdy dark comedy written by 2015 Pulitzer Prize winner Stephen Adly Guirgis and directed by ensemble member Yasen Peyankov.
Steep Theatre Company has announced the programming for its upcoming 16th season, which continues the company's tradition of presenting bold plays from today's most exciting playwrights, brought to life by fearlessly honest ensembles and visionary directors. Season 16 will feature a world premiere from Chicago playwright Alex Lubischer, a U.S. premiere from Olivier Award-winning playwright Mike Bartlett, a U.S. premiere from rising English playwright Cordelia Lynn, and a Midwest premiere from California-based playwright Lauren Yee. Steep Ensemble Members and Jeff Award-winning directors Robin Witt and Jonathan Berry will helm two of the productions, to be joined by two guest directors.
This week, we go around our Broadway World to feature stories in Connecticut, Columbus, Los Angeles and more. Check out our top 10 stories around our Broadway World below, which include the World Premiere of ANASTASIA at Hartford Stage, JEKYLL & HYDE in Columbus, and HEDDA GABLER at Antaeus Company, just to name a few.
Victory Gardens Theater announces the June lineup for The VG Reading Series. This regularly scheduled program of play readings provides playwrights a platform to develop their plays-in-progress, and will give audiences opportunities to experience exciting new work throughout the year. The Reading Series adds to VG's current programming of world premieres and new plays and the IGNITION Festival of New Plays.
In the opening moments of Nick Payne's new play CONSTELLATIONS-now in its Chicago premiere in the Upstairs Theatre at Steppenwolf-the playwright presents audiences with an archetypal 'Boy Meets Girl' story. But then that moment occurs again and again, each time playing out in a different universe. And thus, in a swift 80 minute run-time, Payne crafts the love story of Roland, a bee keeper (Jon Michael Hill), and Marianne, a theoretical physicist (Jessie Fisher). Each time Roland and Marianne 'meet' in the first scene, the outcome varies-sometimes closely mirroring the first 'universe' that audiences see, other times radically diverging from that first encounter. Over the span of the play, Payne plots seven sequences in Roland and Marianne's relationship-from the awkward first moments to those of deep connection, heartbreak, and unimaginable suffering.
Rehearsals are underway for Steppenwolf Theatre Company's Chicago premiere production of Constellations, the 80-minute, award-winning hit by British playwright Nick Payne. Directed here by prolific Chicago director and Steppenwolf artistic producer Jonathan Berry, Constellations premiered at the Royal Court in London to rave reviews before transferring to the West End and Broadway. The romantic two-hander stars ensemble member Jon Michael Hill as Roland (CBS-TV's Elementary, Steppenwolf's Superior Donuts) and Jessie Fisher as Marianne (Once on Broadway, Chicago Shakespeare Theater's Othello). Constellations begins previews May 26, 2016 (Press/Opening night is Wednesday, June 1 at 7:30pm) and runs through July 3, 2016 in the Upstairs Theatre, 1650 N Halsted St. Tickets ($20 - $89; $35 tickets offered every Tuesday with code 'TUESDAYS') are available through Audience Services at 312-335-1650 and steppenwolf.org. Check out a first look below!
Due to overwhelming demand, American Blues Theater has again extended Little Shop of Horrors, the comedic rock musical with book and lyrics by Howard Ashman, music by Alan Menken, directed by Jonathan Berry, and music direction by Ensemble member Austin Cook. Little Shop of Horrors now runs through July 31, 2016 at the Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave. in Chicago. Tickets to Little Shop of Horrors extension (July 1-31) are on sale Monday, May 31 at 10 a.m. and can be purchased by phone at 773-404-7336 or online at www.americanbluestheater.com. Tickets for the regular run are on sale now.
HBO has confirmed fall debuts for the new series WESTWORLD, DIVORCE, INSECURE and HIGH MAINTENANCE.
Rehearsals are underway for Steppenwolf Theatre Company's Chicago premiere production of CONSTELLATIONS, the 80-minute, award-winning hit by British playwright Nick Payne. Directed here by prolific Chicago director and Steppenwolf artistic producer Jonathan Berry, Constellations premiered at the Royal Court in London to rave reviews before transferring to the West End and Broadway. BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at the company in rehearsal below!
American Blues Theater presents an extended run of LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, the comedic rock musical with book and lyrics by Howard Ashman, music by Alan Menken, directed by Jonathan Berry, and music direction by Ensemble member Austin Cook. LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS runs now through June 26, 2016 at the Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave. in Chicago. The official press opening is this Today, May 6 at 7:30 pm. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!
American Blues Theater presents an extended run of LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, the comedic rock musical with book and lyrics by Howard Ashman, music by Alan Menken, directed by Jonathan Berry, and music direction by Ensemble member Austin Cook. LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS runs now through June 26, 2016 at the Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave. in Chicago. The official press opening is this Friday, May 6 at 7:30 pm. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast 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.
Steppenwolf Theatre Company announced today the complete casting for two upcoming productions. Celebrated actress Jessie Fisher (Chicago Shakespeare Theatre's Othello, Once on Broadway) joins ensemble member Jon Michael Hill (CBS's Elementary, Steppenwolf's Superior Donuts) in the Chicago premiere production of Constellations, the moving two-character drama by Nick Payne, directed by artistic producer Jonathan Berry to take place this summer in the Upstairs Theatre (May 26 - July 3, 2016; Press/Opening is June 1 at 7:30pm).
Due to early ticket demand, American Blues Theater announces the extension of Little Shop of Horrors, the comedic rock musical with book and lyrics by Howard Ashman, music by Alan Menken, directed by Jonathan Berry, and music direction by Ensemble member Austin Cook. Little Shop of Horrors now runs April 29 - June 26, 2016 at the Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave. in Chicago.
Steppenwolf Theatre Company announced today the complete cast for the Chicago premiere of BETWEEN RIVERSIDE AND CRAZY, a rowdy dark comedy written by 2015 Pulitzer Prize winner Stephen Adly Guirgis and directed by ensemble member Yasen Peyankov. The cast features London-born actor Eamonn Walker as ex-cop Pops.
Rehearsals are underway for Steppenwolf Theatre Company's highly anticipated world premiere production of MARY PAGE MARLOWE, written by Pulitzer- and Tony Award-winning playwright and ensemble member Tracy Letts. Artistic Director Anna D. Shapiro, who directed Letts's internationally acclaimed August: Osage County, teams up with him again for this intimate and moving production in Steppenwolf's 40th anniversary season. Previews begin March 31 (opening night is April 10; press performances are Saturday, April 9 at 3pm and Tuesday, April 12 at 7:30pm) and runs through May 29, 2016 in Steppenwolf's Downstairs Theatre (1650 N Halsted St). BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at the company in rehearsal below!
KILL FLOOR at American Theater Company is truly a killer production. Abe Koogler's intense and poignant new play is in excellent hands in this Midwest premiere directed by Jonathan Berry. KILL FLOOR insightfully examines contemporary issues of humanity, race, and identity, and with its superb casting, also genuinely moves. This exhilarating production certainly merits the attention of any Chicago theater lover.
