Kareem Bandealy News

American Theater Company (ATC) announces the eighth annual production of It's a Wonderful Life: The Radio Play adapted from Frank Capra's classic film and directed by Jason W. Gerace.

American Theater Company (ATC) announces the eighth annual production of It's a Wonderful Life: The Radio Play adapted from Frank Capra's classic film and directed by Jason W. Gerace.

Two countries, three generations, 22 turbulent years?and a dynamic soundtrack ranging from Syd Barrett to The Plastic People of the Universe to U2?are at the heart of Rock 'n' Roll, a sweeping and passionate drama about love, music and revolution from Academy Award and four-time Tony Award-winner Tom Stoppard. For the play?s Chicago premiere at Goodman Theatre, Artistic Director Robert Falls taps director Charles Newell, whose reputation for directing acclaimed Stoppard productions precedes him. Newell?s cast of 12 is led by Stephen Yoakam and Chicago favorites Timothy Edward Kane and Mary Beth Fisher, who explore the unique intersection of politics and art against the background of John Culbert?s rock concert-inspired set design?complete with a floor resembling the cover art of Barrett?s solo album, Madcap Laughs. Rock ?n? Roll will be performed in the Albert Theatre May 2 ? June 7, 2009. Tickets are $25 ? $75. A complete performance schedule including dates, times and ticket prices appears at the end of this release. The Edith-Marie Appleton Foundation and Goodman Theatre Women?s Board are the Major Production Sponsors for Rock ?n? Roll and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP is the Corporate Sponsor Partner. Additional support is provided by the Director?s Society Sponsors. WXRT is the Official Radio Sponsor of Rock ?n? Roll.

?Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) continues its 2008-09 CST Family Series with Short Shakespeare! A Midsummer Night's Dream, a 75-minute abridged production of Shakespeare's classic comedy, adapted and directed by Amanda Dehnert. CST's Short Shakespeare! Series is designed for parents, grandparents, teachers?and all adults with children in their lives?to introduce young people to theater. Tickets are $16 for students (18 and younger), and $20 for adults. Immediately following each performance, the actors remain on stage for a brief question-and-answer session and then join the audience in the Lobby for one-on-one conversations and photo opportunities. The production will run for seven Saturdays at 11 a.m., January 24 through March 7, 2009 in Chicago Shakespeare's Courtyard Theater on Navy Pier. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.chicagoshakes.com/shortshakes.

?Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) continues its 2008-09 CST Family Series with Short Shakespeare! A Midsummer Night's Dream, a 75-minute abridged production of Shakespeare's classic comedy, adapted and directed by Amanda Dehnert. CST's Short Shakespeare! Series is designed for parents, grandparents, teachers?and all adults with children in their lives?to introduce young people to theater. Tickets are $16 for students (18 and younger), and $20 for adults. Immediately following each performance, the actors remain on stage for a brief question-and-answer session and then join the audience in the Lobby for one-on-one conversations and photo opportunities. The production will run for seven Saturdays at 11 a.m., January 24 through March 7, 2009 in Chicago Shakespeare's Courtyard Theater on Navy Pier. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.chicagoshakes.com/shortshakes.

Chicago Shakespeare opens three shows in the month of January reflecting the Theater's diverse programming. Artistic Director Barbara Gaines stages Macbeth in the Courtyard Theater, January 2-March 8, 2009; CST's World's Stage international program initiative, presents a company from Rwanda performing The Investigation in the Theater Upstairs at Chicago Shakespeare, January 21-31, 2009; and CST welcomes families to the theater with an abridged production of one of Shakespeare's most popular comedies, Short Shakespeare! A Midsummer Night's Dream, January 24-March 7, 2009, on Saturdays in the Courtyard Theater.

Chicago Shakespeare opens three shows in the month of January reflecting the Theater's diverse programming. Artistic Director Barbara Gaines stages Macbeth in the Courtyard Theater, January 2-March 8, 2009; CST's World's Stage international program initiative, presents a company from Rwanda performing The Investigation in the Theater Upstairs at Chicago Shakespeare, January 21-31, 2009; and CST welcomes families to the theater with an abridged production of one of Shakespeare's most popular comedies, Short Shakespeare! A Midsummer Night's Dream, January 24-March 7, 2009, on Saturdays in the Courtyard Theater.

Edward II, by Christopher Marlowe, directed and adapted by Sean Graney will premiere Upstairs at Chicago Shakespeare Theater October 1 - November 9, 2008.

American Theater Company proudly announces Michael Thomas Newberry as its Executive Director. Newberry joins Artistic Director PJ Paparelli for his first full season as ATC embarks upon its ambitious Season 24, which includes an expanded mainstage season, new Ensemble Members and a bold new logo designed by Noble.

For the first time at Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST), Shakespeare's contemporary rival playwright Christopher Marlowe, infiltrates Shakespeare's home as Sean Graney brings a contemporary perspective to The Troublesome Reign and Lamentable Death of Edward II, King of England, with the Tragical Fall of Proud Mortimer.

Goodman Theatre's intimate Owen Bruner Theatre becomes a North Side family-owned fill-up station for the world premiere of Gas For Less by Brett Neveu…