Karen Aldridge News

On the occasion of the 400th Anniversary of Shakespeare's legacy in 2016, Chicago Shakespeare Theater embarks on an epic theatrical endeavor-Artistic Director Barbara Gaines' TUG OF WAR, which distills six Shakespeare histories into two action-packed dramas. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

On the occasion of the 400th Anniversary of Shakespeare's legacy in 2016, Chicago Shakespeare Theater  (CST) prepares to begin an epic theatrical endeavor-Artistic Director Barbara Gaines' Tug of War, which distills six Shakespeare histories into two action-packed dramas. Adapted and directed by Gaines as the Theater's centerpiece of the yearlong Shakespeare 400 Chicago festival, the Tug of War saga traces the injustice and intrigues of war from the perspectives of both kings and common soldiers through two, six-hour marathon productions-Foreign Fire (Edward III, Henry V and Henry VI, Part 1) in the spring and Civil Strife (Henry VI, Parts 2 and 3 and Richard III) in the fall. Featuring some of Chicago's most celebrated actors, the dynamic ensemble cast of 19 performs over 100 characters throughout the electrifying drama. The musicality of Shakespeare's text is complemented with live music performances ranging from Bach and the blues, to contemporary pop and folk anthems. Songs from P!nk, Pete Townshend and Tim Buckley are accompanied onstage by a band of ensemble members on electric guitar, cello, keyboard, ukulele and percussion. Tug of War: Foreign Fire debuts on the Courtyard Theater stage for a limited run of only 18 performances, May 12-June 12, 2016.

On the occasion of the 400th Anniversary of Shakespeare's legacy in 2016, Chicago Shakespeare Theater  (CST) prepares to begin an epic theatrical endeavor-Artistic Director Barbara Gaines' Tug of War, which distills six Shakespeare histories into two action-packed dramas. Adapted and directed by Gaines as the Theater's centerpiece of the yearlong Shakespeare 400 Chicago festival, the Tug of War saga traces the injustice and intrigues of war from the perspectives of both kings and common soldiers through two, six-hour marathon productions-Foreign Fire (Edward III, Henry V and Henry VI, Part 1) in the spring and Civil Strife (Henry VI, Parts 2 and 3 and Richard III) in the fall. Featuring some of Chicago's most celebrated actors, the dynamic ensemble cast of 19 performs over 100 characters throughout the electrifying drama. The musicality of Shakespeare's text is complemented with live music performances ranging from Bach and the blues, to contemporary pop and folk anthems. Songs from P!nk, Pete Townshend and Tim Buckley are accompanied onstage by a band of ensemble members on electric guitar, cello, keyboard, ukulele and percussion. Tug of War: Foreign Fire debuts on the Courtyard Theater stage for a limited run of only 18 performances, May 12-June 12, 2016.

The Bard is back! Shakespeare 400 Chicago today announced the festival line-up for 2016, featuring 850 events on stages and in museums, restaurants, parks, schools and neighborhoods across Chicago.

The 27th Annual Awards for Excellence in the Arts, held on Monday, November 9th, at the Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel, raised funds for scholarships and celebrated talented artists and visionaries who came together in support of Theatre School students.

In Chicago last night (November 9), two-time Tony Award nominee and Emmy Award winner Andre De Shields was honored by The Theatre School at DePaul University with the 2015 Award for Excellence in the Arts. The 27th Annual Awards for Excellence in the Arts Gala, which also honored Broadway In Chicago President Lou Raizin and Theatre School alumna Karen Aldridge, was held in the Atlantic Ballroom of the Radisson Blue Aqua Hotel. Scroll down for photos!

The Theatre School at DePaul University (John Culbert, Dean) is pleased to present The 2015 Awards for Excellence in the Arts gala on Monday, November 9, 2015, in the Atlantic Ballroom of the Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel. The Radisson Blu is located at 221 North Columbus Drive. The event will begin with a 6 PM cocktail reception, followed by dinner and program at 7 PM, and will conclude with a dessert reception.

Lesli Margherita -- Matilda the Musical's long-running 'Mrs. Wormwood' -- will play her final performance in the Broadway show today, Sept. 6.

Matilda The Musical has paid back its $16 million investment on Broadway, making the show a rare hit simultaneously on Broadway and in London's West End.

Producers of the Tony Award-winning MATILDA THE MUSICAL announced today that Alison Luff will join the company as Miss Honey beginning tomorrow, Saturday, September 6.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company's world-premiere production of The Qualms by ensemble member Bruce Norris is currently in previews, and BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below! Tony Award-winner Pam MacKinnon (Steppenwolf's Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?) directs a cast of nine featuring ensemble member Kate Arrington with Owais Ahmed, Karen Aldridge, Diane Davis, Kirsten Fitzgerald, Keith Kupferer, David Pasquesi, Paul Oakley Stovall and Greg Stuhr. This sexy comedy marks Steppenwolf's eighth production and seventh world premiere by the Pulitzer Prize- and Tony Award-winning author of Clybourne Park. The Qualms runs through August 31, 2014 in Steppenwolf's Downstairs Theatre (1650 N Halsted St).

Steppenwolf Theatre Company's world-premiere production of The Qualms by ensemble member Bruce Norris is a provocative comedy marks Steppenwolf's eighth production and seventh world premiere by the Pulitzer Prize- and Tony Award-winning author of Clybourne Park. Tony Award-winner Pam MacKinnon (Steppenwolf's production of Edward Albee's Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?) directs a cast of nine featuring ensemble member Kate Arrington with Owais Ahmed, Karen Aldridge, Diane Davis, Kirsten Fitzgerald, Keith Kupferer, David Pasquesi, Paul Oakley Stovall and Greg Stuhr. The Qualms begins previews tonight, July 3, 2014 (opening night is July 13; press performances are July 12 at 3pm and July 15 at 7:30pm) and runs through August 31, 2014 in Steppenwolf's Downstairs Theatre (1650 N Halsted St).

Rehearsals are underway for Steppenwolf Theatre Company's world-premiere production of The Qualms by ensemble member Bruce Norris.

Casting is complete for Steppenwolf Theatre Company's world-premiere production of The Qualms by ensemble member Bruce Norris. Tony Award-winner Pam MacKinnon (Steppenwolf's Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?) directs a cast of nine featuring ensemble member Kate Arrington with Owais Ahmed, Karen Aldridge, Diane Davis, Kirsten Fitzgerald, Keith Kupferer, David Pasquesi, Paul Oakley Stovall and Greg Stuhr. This sexy comedy marks Steppenwolf's eighth production and seventh world premiere by the Pulitzer Prize- and Tony Award-winning author of Clybourne Park. The Qualms begins previews July 3, 2014 (opening night is July 13; press performances are July 12 at 3pm and July 15 at 7:30pm) and runs through August 31, 2014 in Steppenwolf's Downstairs Theatre (1650 N Halsted St). Tickets ($20 - 86) are on sale now at steppenwolf.org.

Producers of the Tony Award-winning MATILDA THE MUSICAL announced today that Matt Harrington and Christopher Sieber will join the company as Mr. Wormwood and Miss Trunchbull, respectively.

The 2013 theatre season brought some truly extraordinary productions, including Matilda, which is still playing at the Shubert Theatre. The musical earned thirteen Tony nominations- taking home five, including a special honor for the four girls playing the title role.

The four girls who share the title role in MATILDA THE MUSICAL appeared on WLNY TV's "Live from The Couch" this morning. Watch Sophia Gennusa, Oona Laurence, Bailey Ryon and Milly Shapiro sing an a cappella version of "Naughty," and talk to hosts John Elliott and Elise Finch about their pre-show rituals and learning an English accent. Check out their appearance below!

The four girls who share the title role in MATILDA THE MUSICAL will be guests on WLNY TV's "Live from The Couch" tomorrow morning Wednesday September 18 between 8-9 AM. They are Sophia Gennusa, Oona Laurence, Bailey Ryon and Milly Shapiro, each of whom makes her Broadway debut. WLNY TV is Channel 55 on Time Warner and Channel 14 on RCN. Please check your local cable listings for more information.

Theatre writers who were lured to that other coast by Hollywood greenbacks have been known to express their disillusionment with the film industry via the Broadway stage.  George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart based their comedy Once In A Lifetime on their maddening movie studio experiences as did Betty Comden and Adolph Green with the musical Fade Out – Fade In.

BroadwayWorld's Richard Ridge was there for all of the opening night festivities and chatted with director Matthew Warchus about casting the new musical. Check out what he had to say about the four leading ladies and Bertie Carvel below!