Jonathan Berry News

Steppenwolf Theatre Company announced complete casting for two productions today: The Most Spectacularly Lamentable Trial of Miz Martha Washington by James Ijames, directed by Whitney White (April 2 a?" May 17, 2020); and Catch as Catch Can by Mia Chung, which also announced ensemble member Amy Morton as director (June 4 a?" July 26, 2020).

Returning for its ten-episode, fourth season SUNDAY, APRIL 12 (10:00-10:30 p.m. ET/PT), INSECURE follows our favorite characters as they evaluate their relationships, both new and old, in an effort to figure out who and what comes with them in this next phase of their lives. 

The Gift Theatre is pleased to present TEN 2020, the company's annual season kick-off festival of ten world premiere ten-minute pieces by The Gift and guest artists, curated by Artistic Director Michael Patrick Thornton and Associate Artistic Directors Paul D'Addario and Emjoy Gavino.

The Gift Theatre will present TEN 2020, the company's annual season kick-off festival of ten world premiere ten-minute pieces by The Gift and guest artists, curated by Artistic Director Michael Patrick Thornton and Associate Artistic Directors Paul D'Addario and Emjoy Gavino. TEN will play January 9 - 18, 2020 at 4802 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago's Jefferson Park neighborhood. Tickets for TEN are free for Gift subscribers and $10 for the general public. Tickets are currently available at thegifttheatre.org or by calling the Gift's box office at 773-283-7071.

Steep Ensemble Member Jonathan Berry returns to Steep to direct Martyna Majok's Ironbound, opening in April. Majok won the 2018 Pulitzer Prize for Cost of Living. Ironbound received a workshop production in 2014 at Steppenwolf Theatre. Steep Ensemble Member Jonathan Berry has been at the helm of many of the company's most memorable shows, including the recent smash-hit productions of Ike Holter's Red Rex and Simon Stephens' Birdland.

Steppenwolf's world premiere production of LINDIWE, a collaboration between ensemble member Eric Simonson and acclaimed South African music group Ladysmith Black Mambazo, finds the most success in its musical moments. The production, co-directed by Simonson and Jonathan Berry, features new music from Ladysmith Black Mambazo to tell the love story of the titular Lindiwe and her boyfriend Adam. It helps that the narrative focuses on Lindiwe's experience as a singer touring with Ladysmith Black Mambazo-and, indeed, the group literally accompanies her at several moments throughout the production. Lindiwe explains that she never goes anywhere without her 'guys,' as she affectionately refers to them. Thus, Ladysmith Black Mambazo functions as a kind of Greek chorus underscoring the romantic storyline at the play's center. The conceit also allows for the play to utilize the group's original music.

Steppenwolf's world premiere production of Lindiwe, written by ensemble member Eric Simonson and featuring music written and performed by the five-time GRAMMY® winning group, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, is now on stage. Directed by ensemble member Eric Simonson and Jonathan Berry, the life-affirming love story travels from Chicago's Kingston Mines to South Africa and beyond.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company announces the addition of ensemble member Randall Arney in the role of 'Dr. Sweet' to the cast of Bug by Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning ensemble member Tracy Letts, directed by Tony Award winner David Cromer (January 23 a?" March 8, 2020). Completing the cast of this acclaimed cult classic are Chicago favorites Jennifer Engstrom (R.C.) and Steve Key (Jerry Goss) along with previously announced ensemble members Carrie Coon (Agnes White) and Namir Smallwood (Peter Evans).

Announced today on the stage at the HBO Max WarnerMedia Day are three new projects in the works at the forthcoming streamer: DC Super Hero High from Elizabeth Banks, Rap Sh*t (working title) from Issa Rae and College Girls (working title) from Mindy Kaling.

Rehearsals are underway for Lindiwe, Steppenwolf's highly anticipated world premiere production written by ensemble member Eric Simonson and featuring music written and performed by the five-time GRAMMY® winning group, Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Directed by ensemble member Eric Simonson and Jonathan Berry, the life-affirming love story travels from Chicago's Kingston Mines to South Africa and beyond.

Rehearsals are underway for Lindiwe, Steppenwolf's highly anticipated world premiere production written by ensemble member Eric Simonson and featuring music written and performed by the five-time GRAMMY winning group, Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Directed by ensemble member Eric Simonson and Jonathan Berry, the life-affirming love story travels from Chicago's Kingston Mines to South Africa and beyond.

The rehearsal room was electric as artists came together today for the first day of Lindiwe, Steppenwolf's highly anticipated world premiere production written by ensemble member Eric Simonson and featuring music written and performed by the five-time GRAMMY winning group, Ladysmith Black Mambazo.

Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winner Tracy Letts takes a brutally comedic look at Wheeler, a 50-year-old divorcee in the throes of a mid-life spiral. Get to know the cast below as they begin Broadway performances!

Tickets go on sale today for Steppenwolf Theatre Company's highly anticipated world premiere production of Lindiwe, featuring music written and performed by the five-time GRAMMY winning group, Ladysmith Black Mambazo.

Steep Theatre announces the programming for its upcoming 19th season, which will continue the company's tradition of presenting bold plays from today's most exciting playwrights, brought to life by fearless ensembles and visionary directors.

Rescripted is thrilled to announce the third session of The Key: Young Critics Mentorship Program, September 25 a?" December 4 and hosted for the second year at Steppenwolf Theater, 1650 N. Halsted. Regina Victor, founder of the online arts journalism platform Rescripted, and entertainment critic Oliver Sava created the 10-week training program for Chicago youth in arts criticism. In league with The Chicago Inclusion Project, The Key has successfully held two sessions, educating young writers on the skills and industry knowledge needed to pursue careers in arts criticism. Alumni of The Key have written for outlets like Chicago Reader, Howlround, The Windy City Times, and Rescripted. 

A BLACK LADY SKETCH SHOW, debuting FRIDAY, AUG. 2 (11:00-11:30 p.m. ET/PT), is a narrative series set in a limitless magical reality full of dynamic, hilarious characters and celebrity guests. The show presents sketches performed by a core cast of black women, including creator Robin Thede, Ashley Nicole Black, Gabrielle Dennis and Quinta Brunson. Thede executive produces, writes and stars and Issa Rae (Emmy® and Golden Globe nominee for HBO's “Insecure”) executive produces. 

The New Colony, under the artistic direction of Fin Coe* and Stephanie Shum*, announces its full 2019-20 season, to presented at its resident home, The Den Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago's Wicker Park neighborhood.

The sketch comedy series A BLACK LADY SKETCH SHOW debuts FRIDAY, AUG. 2 (11:00-11:30 p.m. ETPT), exclusively on HBO.

The New Colony presents UNCHARTED, a two-week showcase of plays at different points in their journeys to production, playing July 11 - 20, 2019 at TNC's resident home, The Den Theatre (2B) 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago's Wicker Park neighborhood.