Keith Kupferer News

The nominations have been announced for the 2018 Equity Joseph Jefferson ('Jeff') Awards.

Ellen Fairey's SUPPORT GROUP FOR MEN, now in a world premiere at Goodman Theatre, finds that sweet spot between hilarious and gently critical of modern society. As might be presumed from the title, Fairey's play concerns a gathering of four Chicago men who come together on Thursday nights in an apartment that borders on the edge of Wrigleyville and Boystown. Fairey's exploration of gender roles and the increasing need to become more open and embracing of those outside the binary means that the play's locale is particularly central to its narrative. And while some of the characters in SUPPORT GROUP seem rather set in their ways, Fairey is careful to never point fingers in a mean-spirited way. The play succeeds in large part because Fairey displays such a great deal of empathy for each of her characters.

'We are brothers, we are men. We do not give advice or comment on other people's feelings or situations. We only talk when we have the stick.' These are the rules of Support Group for Men, a new comedy by Ellen Fairey (Graceland, TV's Nurse Jackie, Masters of Sex, The Sinner) about what it means to be a man in today's America.

"We are brothers, we are men. We do not give advice or comment on other people's feelings or situations. We only talk when we have the stick." These are the rules of Support Group for Men, a new comedy by Ellen Fairey (Graceland, TV's Nurse Jackie, Masters of Sex, The Sinner) about what it means to be a man in today's America.

The world's changing, bro. This summer, Goodman Theatre premieres Support Group for Men, a new comedy by Ellen Fairey, directed by Kimberly Senior. Fairey, whose work has been hailed 'a must-see for anyone who follows important new plays' (Chicago Tribune), explores shifting social and gender roles through the lens of four men who gather every Thursday night to vent about middle-aged maladies.

Rivendell Theatre Ensemble (RTE), Chicago's only Equity theatre dedicated to producing new work with women at the core will add four performances to the run The Cake by Bekah Brunstetter, directed by Lauren Shouse, and featuring RTE Founders Tara Mallen and Keith Kupferer, RTE Member Krystel McNeil, with Tuckie White.  Eight performances have been added to the run, which must close June 2, 2018 at Rivendell Theatre Ensemble, 5779 N. Ridge Avenue in Chicago. 

The best desserts are made with delicious layers that include some surprising flavors. They make you want another piece and to know how they were made. That's how it is with Bekah Brunstetter's THE CAKE now running at Rivendell Theatre. Each scene of this wonderful work is filled with bites that are both bitter and sweet. And you definitely want more than just one slice.

Jen lives in New York but has always dreamed of getting married in her small North Carolina hometown, so she heads down south with her partner to ask Della, her late mother's best friend, to do the honors of making the wedding cake at her bakery. Della's cakes are legendary,­ even earning her a spot as a contestant on the 'Great American Baking Show.'

Rivendell Theatre Ensemble (RTE), Chicago's only Equity theatre dedicated to producing new work with women at the core, announces the Midwest premiere of The Cake by Bekah Brunstetter, directed by Lauren Shouse, and featuring RTE Founders Tara Mallen and Keith Kupferer, RTE Member Krystel McNeil, with Tuckie White.

Rivendell Theatre Ensemble proudly announces its 2018 Season, "The Reckoning." The season includes three plays about women who come face to face with an essential truth that threatens to shatter the things they love most. The 2018 Season will be performed at Rivendell Theatre Ensemble, 5779 N. Ridge Avenue in Chicago.

Rivendell Theatre Ensemble (RTE), Chicago's only Equity theatre dedicated to producing new work with women at the core, announces the Midwest premiere of Cal in Camo by RTE member William Francis Hoffman and directed by RTE member Hallie Gordon. Cal in Camo runs January 5 February 17, 2018, at Rivendell Theatre Ensemble, 5779 N. Ridge Avenue in Chicago. The press opening is Saturday, January 13, 2018 at 7:00pm.

Rivendell Theatre Ensemble (RTE), Chicago's only Equity theatre dedicated to producing new work with women at the core, announces the Midwest premiere of Cal in Camo by RTE member William Francis Hoffman and directed by RTE memberHallie Gordon. Cal in Camo runs January 5 February 17, 2018, at Rivendell Theatre Ensemble, 5779 N. Ridge Avenue in Chicago.

A down-on-his-luck Elvis impersonator has an overdrawn checking account and a baby on the way. When a drag show takes over the entertainment at the Florida Panhandle bar where he performs, he'll also be out of a job unless he's willing to step into some high heels. This heartwarming, music-filled comedy celebrates the unexpected path to finding your true voice.

Northlight Theatre, under the direction of Artistic Director BJ Jones and Executive Director Timothy J. Evans, presents the Chicago Premiere of The Legend of Georgia McBride, written by Matthew Lopez, directed by Lauren Shouse. The Legend of Georgia McBride runs September 14-October 22at Northlight Theatre, 9501 Skokie Blvd in Skokie. The press performance is Friday, September 22 at 8:00pm.

Seven world premiere plays seen first by Chicago audiences were among those receiving nominations by The Jeff Awards. 158 nominations in 33 categories honor Chicago Equity theatrical productions that opened between August 1, 2016 and July 31, 2017.

Northlight Theatre, under the direction of Artistic Director BJ Jones and Executive Director Timothy J. Evans, announces casting for the full 2017-2018 season, which includes The Legend of Georgia McBride by Matthew Lopez, The Book of Will by Lauren Gunderson, Skeleton Crew by Dominique Morisseau, The Beauty Queen of Leenane by Martin McDonagh and Cry It Out by Molly Smith Metzler.

Writers Theatre, under the leadership of Artistic Director Michael Halberstam and Executive Director Kathryn M. Lipuma, continues its 2016/17 season with The Mystery of Love & Sex written by Bathsheba Doran and directed by Marti Lyons. The production runs April 5 - July 2, 2017 in The Gillian Theatre, 325 Tudor Court, Glencoe. The Press Opening is Wednesday, April 12, 2017 at 7:30 p.m.

Rivendell Theatre Ensemble announces its 2017 Season, 'The Mind/Body Connection.' The season includes three new plays linked under this mind/body connection and told from distinctly female perspectives. These bold works explore how we separate our primal, instinctive physical beings from our intellectual and emotional selves. The season will be performed at Rivendell Theatre Ensemble, 5779 N. Ridge Avenue in Chicago.

The three 'developmental productions' featured in Goodman Theatre's 13th annual New Stages festival, a free celebration of new works by some of the country's finest established and emerging playwrights, are underway. These three plays, which are staged in repertory with modest production values following three weeks of rehearsal, include Blue Skies Process by Abe Koogler, directed by Henry Wishcamper; Support Group for Men by Ellen Fairey, directed by Kimberly Senior; and The King of Hell's Palace by Frances Ya-Chu Cowhig, directed by Tea Alagi. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the casts in action below!

Casting is complete for the three 'developmental productions' featured in Goodman Theatre's 13th annual New Stages festival, a free celebration of new works by some of the country's finest established and emerging playwrights. These three plays, which are staged in repertory with modest production values following three weeks of rehearsal, include Blue Skies Process by Abe Koogler, directed by Henry Wishcamper; Support Group for Men by Ellen Fairey, directed by Kimberly Senior; and The King of Hell's Palace by Frances Ya-Chu Cowhig, directed by Tea Alagi. Full cast lists are included below.