Laura Eason News

Steppenwolf Theatre Company has announced the line-up for the ninth annual First Look Repertory of New Work, featuring three developmental productions of new plays presented in rotating repertory July 26 - August 24, 2014 in the Garage Theatre (1624 N Halsted St). First Look 2014 includes: Ironbound by Martyna Majok, Hushabye by Tanya Saracho and Okay, Bye by Joshua Conkel. The 2014 festival also features readings of two new plays, American Beauty Shop by Dana Lynn Formby and Opium Den by Julie Marie Myatt. Tickets to First Look Repertory of New Work ($20) are on sale now. To purchase tickets or RSVP for the free readings, call Audience Services at 312-335-1650.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. The latest Jeff Award nominations, 'Brigadoon' gets cast, 'The Sound Of Music' and 'Motown' light up the Loop, new musicals from Writers Theatre and American Theater Company, 'Nunsense,' 'The Wild Party,' a new web series to support and more!

Artistic Director Michael Halberstam and Executive Director Kathryn M. Lipuma announce Writers Theatre's World Premiere production of Days Like Today, with music and lyrics by Alan Schmuckler and book by Laura Eason, directed by Artistic Director Michael Halberstam, music direction by Doug Peck and choreography by Tommy Rapley. The production runs May 6-July 13, 2014 at 325 Tudor Court, Glencoe. The press opening is May 22, 2014 at 7:30pm.

Second Stage Theatre kicks off the 2014 Uptown Series with the New York premiere of AMERICAN HERO, written by Bess Wohl and directed by Leigh Silverman. AMERICAN HERO will feature ARI GRAYNOR (2ST Trust), DAOUD HEIDAMI (Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo), JERRY O'CONNELL (Seminar) and ERIN WILHELMI (The Great God Pan). Previews begin Monday, May 12th and opening night is Thursday, May 22nd.

SundanceTV announces its 2014 Programming Guide.

The Episcopal Actors' Guild's annual celebration of new work continues with a staged reading of Man in the Moon by Mark Karafin. The reading will be held tonight, March 20 in Guild Hall at 7:00 pm, and followed by a reception. Past Barbour Award winners include Ian August (Donna Orbits the Moon), Lynn Rosen (Apple Cove), and Laura Eason (40 Days).

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'Passion,' 'Road Show' and 'Into The Woods' celebrate Sondheim's birthday, 'Dessa Rose' and 'Rent' rake in the reviews, Black Ensemble and Bailiwick announce spring shows, new musicals from Writers Theatre and Chicago Shakespeare, plus Ravinia and Court plan summers 2014 and 2015 and more....

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis (The Rep) continues the Ignite! Festival of New Plays. Taking place in March, the festival will include commissions of nationally recognized playwrights, culminating with three public readings including Ten Questions to Ask Your Biology Teacher About Evolution by Stephen Massicotte and directed by Tracy Brigden; Every Reason to Hope and Believe by Laura Eason and directed by Seth Gordon; and Georama-A Mostly True Story of the Forgotten John Banvard by West Hyler and Matt Schatz and directed by West Hyler.

Tony Award-winning Signature Theatre announces its 25th Anniversary season, illustrating its commitment to provide theater artists a home to create, explore and reinvent new works.

The Episcopal Actors' Guild's annual celebration of new work continues with a staged reading of Man in the Moon by Mark Karafin. The reading will be held on Thursday, March 20 in Guild Hall at 7:00 pm, and followed by a reception. Past Barbour Award winners include Ian August (Donna Orbits the Moon), Lynn Rosen (Apple Cove), and Laura Eason (40 Days).

Writers Theatre presents the World Premiere of Days Like Today, inspired by the plays of Charles L. Mee with music and lyrics by Alan Schmuckler and book by Laura Eason, directed by Artistic Director Michael Halberstam and music direction by Doug Peck. The production runs May 6-July 13, 2014 at 325 Tudor Court, Glencoe.

The 7th Annual Thomas Barbour Playwrights' Award contenders will be showcased on March 10, 20, 24 at 7:00 pm at Guild Hall at The Little Church, 1 E. 29th St., New York, NY 10016 (b/w Fifth Ave. and Madison Ave.)

SundanceTV announced today that the second season of its critically acclaimed original series “The Writers' Room,” hosted by Academy Award®-winning screenwriter (The Descendants), comedian and actor (“Community”) Jim Rash, will premiere Monday, April 14 at 10:00 PM ET/PT.

THE ADVENTURES OF Tom Sawyer plays WaterTower Theatre through February 16, 2014. The show officially opens tomorrow, January 27 at 7:30 pm. Check out a first look below!

THE ADVENTURES OF TOM SAWYER will play WaterTower Theatre, tonight, January 24- February 16, 2014.

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis (The Rep) continues the Ignite! Festival of New Plays. Taking place in March, the festival will include commissions of nationally recognized playwrights, culminating with three public readings including Ten Questions to Ask Your Biology Teacher About Evolution by Stephen Massicotte and directed by Tracy Brigden; Every Reason to Hope and Believe by Laura Eason and directed by Seth Gordon; and Georama-A Mostly True Story of the Forgotten John Banvard by West Hyler and Matt Schatz and directed by West Hyler.

Kathy Evans, Founding Executive Director of Rhinebeck Writers Retreat, announced that applications are open for the fourth summer of retreats for musical theatre writers. Rhinebeck Writers Retreat provides a writing team with a weeklong residency to work on their musical in a private home near Rhinebeck, New York. There will be eight one-week retreats offered between June 29 and August 31st. Applications are due February 15 and the submission fee is $20. The submitted musical can be at any stage of development, as long as it has not been published or licensed. All information, guidelines, and online application can be found at www.rhinebeckwriters.org.

THE ADVENTURES OF TOM SAWYER will play WaterTower Theatre, January 24- February 16, 2014.

Following the sold out performances and overflow crowds for its Cino Nights presentations (including new plays by Gary Sunshine, Mando Alvarado, Courtney Baron, Florencia Lozano, Kristen Palmer, Emily DeVoti, Lucy Thurber, Jessica Dickey, Adam Szymkowicz, Laura Eason, Daniel Reitz, Megan Mostyn-Brown, Dael Orlandersmith, Keith Reddin, Crystal Skillman, Charlotte Miller, Brooke Berman, Cusi Cram, Daniel Talbott, Diana Stahl, Micheline Auger, Halley Feiffer, Steve DiUbaldo, Catya McMullen, Alec Silberblatt, and Emily Zemba), Rising Phoenix Rep continued the series on Tuesday, November 26th at 8 p.m. with a new play by Sarah Shaefer titled I Can't Explain It Better Than That. BroadwayWorld has photos from the show below!

Following the sold out performances and overflow crowds for its Cino Nights presentations (including new plays by Gary Sunshine, Mando Alvarado, Courtney Baron, Florencia Lozano, Kristen Palmer, Emily DeVoti, Lucy Thurber, Jessica Dickey, Adam Szymkowicz, Laura Eason, Daniel Reitz, Megan Mostyn-Brown, Dael Orlandersmith, Keith Reddin, Crystal Skillman, Charlotte Miller, Brooke Berman, Cusi Cram, Daniel Talbott, Diana Stahl, Micheline Auger, Halley Feiffer, Steve DiUbaldo, Catya McMullen, Alec Silberblatt, and Emily Zemba), Rising Phoenix Rep continues the series tonight, November 26th at 8 p.m. with a new play by Sarah Shaefer titled I Can't Explain It Better Than That.