Laura Eason News

Performances begin in three weeks for Steppenwolf Theatre Company's upcoming eighth annual First Look Repertory of New Work, featuring three developmental productions of new plays presented in rotating repertory July 29 - August 25, 2013 in the Garage Theatre (1624 N Halsted St).

Escape the New York summer heat with 'Christmas in July' at Joe's Pub at The Public where Chicago's About Face Theatre in association with John Sanders presents a concert version of WE THREE LIZAS, the new hit holiday musical that wowed Chicago audiences this past winter. WE THREE LIZAS plays Joe's Pub (425 Lafayette St., New York) one night only on Monday, July 15 at 7 pm.

Second Stage Theatre's (Carole Rothman, Artistic Director) upcoming 35th Anniversary Season will kick off with the previously announced new musical LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE, by James Lapine and William Finn, and will continue with the New York premiere of Quiara Alegria Hudes' THE HAPPIEST SONG PLAYS LAST, the follow-up to last season's acclaimed Pulitzer Prize-winning, Water by the Spoonful, and the final play in Ms. Hudes' Elliot trilogy, directed by Ruben Santiago-Hudson. The season will also include the New York Premiere of Laura Eason's provocative play,SEX WITH STRANGERS, directed by David Schwimmer.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company will host two initiatives giving behind-the-scenes looks at the process of developing and producing new plays for local theatergoers and theater professionals from around the country alike. As part of the eighth annual First Look Repertory of New Work, Steppenwolf continues First Look 101, a unique two-month experience from June 1 - August 10 that takes enrolled participants on a backstage journey through all aspects of the new play development process-from the first rehearsal to the final performance. In addition, Steppenwolf hosts a Professionals' Weekend, August 8 - 11, during which theater practitioners join Steppenwolf in conversation about new plays, and attend First Look productions and readings in addition to special industry events.

Terry Martin, WaterTower Theatre Producing Artistic Director, announced this evening the Company's 2013-2014 Main Stage season at a special VIP Sneak Preview held at the Addison Theatre Centre.

The National Alliance for Musical Theatre (NAMT) announces 11 awards granted from their National Fund for New Musicals, a major funding program to support NAMT member not-for-profit theatres in their collaborations with writers to create, develop and produce new musicals. Now in its fifth year, the Fund will provide grants totaling $37,000 to 11 organizations across the country.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'South Pacific' at the Marriott, two shows with Gene Kelly's vibe, cabarets from Porchlight, Brown Paper Box and Darrian Ford, 2014 premieres from Marc Blitzstein and Alan Schmuckler, lots of Doug Peck and more!

Writers' Theatre Artistic Director Michael Halberstam and Executive Director Kathryn M. Lipuma announce the 2013/14 Season. The work next year includes multiple premiere productions that not only exemplify Writers' dedication to the Word and the Artist, but celebrate the diversity of the theatrical experience.

Representatives from 23 states flocked to the Mile High City to attend a marathon of new plays at the 8th Annual Colorado New Play Summit, presented by the Denver Center Theatre Company (DCTC) February 8 - 10, 2013. With a stunning representation of today's top American playwrights, DCTC demonstrated its commitment to new work and solidified its position as one of the nation's top tier new play festivals. This year's Summit hosted artistic directors, literary managers, and dramaturgs representing 31 theatre organizations from across the country, plus media, playwrights, directors, and members of the public, all eager to discover "the next Great American Play." The 2013 Colorado New Play Summit took place at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, 14th and Curtis Streets, in downtown Denver, February 8 - 10, 2013.

Pine Box Theater Company continues its 2012/13 season with the world premiere drama 25 SAINTS by Ensemble Member Joshua Rollins, author of Pine Box's smash hit A Girl With Sun In Her Eyes, directed by Ensemble Member Susan E. Bowen, playing now through March 31, 2013 at the Greenhouse Theater Center Upstairs Studio, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave. in Chicago. 25 SAINTS features Pine Box Ensemble Member Josh Odor with Danny Goldring, Drew Johnson, Ashley Neal, Caroline Neff, Molly Reynolds and John Ross Wilson. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the production below!

Pine Box Theater Company continues its 2012/13 season with the world premiere drama 25 SAINTS by Ensemble Member Joshua Rollins, author of Pine Box's smash hit A Girl With Sun In Her Eyes, directed by Ensemble Member Susan E. Bowen, playing tonight, February 21 - March 31, 2013 at the Greenhouse Theater Center Upstairs Studio, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave. in Chicago.

Following its acclaimed 16-week run at the Lookingglass Theatre Company this fall, Metamorphoses brings the mythical tales of Ovid to life at Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater, 10 years after the Broadway premiere. Written and directed by Tony Award winner Mary Zimmerman, Metamorphoses is based on David Slavitt's translation and marks the first time Zimmerman will direct the production since its Broadway run. This is also the first time Zimmerman will stage Metamorphoses in the round, and a custom set will be designed with the largest pool of water ever created for this production. Metamorphoses dives onto the Fichandler Stage tonight, February 8-March 17, 2013.

Continuing its 25th Anniversary Season, Lookingglass Theatre Company presents the 2010 Pulitzer Prize Finalist Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo, written by Rajiv Joseph and directed by Ensemble Member Heidi Stillman. Tickets are now on sale for the production, running tonight, January 30 - March 17, 2013 at Lookingglass Theatre Company.

Pine Box Theater Company continues its 2012/13 season with the world premiere drama 25 SAINTS by Ensemble Member Joshua Rollins, author of Pine Box's smash hit A Girl With Sun In Her Eyes, directed by Ensemble Member Susan E. Bowen, playing February 16 - March 31, 2013 at the Greenhouse Theater Center Upstairs Studio, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave. in Chicago. 25 SAINTS features Pine Box Ensemble Member Josh Odor with Danny Goldring, Drew Johnson, Ashley Neal, Caroline Neff, Molly Reynolds and John Ross Wilson. Tickets are currently available at www.greenhousetheater.org. The press opening is Thursday, February 21 at 8 pm.

Following the sold out performances and overflow crowds for its original 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, and Daniel Talbott), Rising Phoenix Rep continues the series with three new plays, starting tonight, January 27th with East Colfax by Diana Stahl.

Lookingglass Theatre Company, now celebrating its 25th Anniversary announces the addition of two new Ensemble Members: Kevin Douglas and B They are both frequent performers on the Lookingglass stage and have been members of the company as Artistic Associates.

Following the sold out performances and overflow crowds for its original 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, and Daniel Talbott), Rising Phoenix Rep continues the series with three new plays, starting on Sunday, January 27th with East Colfax by Diana Stahl.

Kathy Evans, Founder and Executive Director of the Rhinebeck Writers Retreat, announced that applications are open to all musical theatre writers for eight retreats taking place in Summer 2013. 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 22 and August 25th. Applications are due February 28 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.

A total of 35 established and emerging writers, composers and lyricists will converge on the Goodspeed campus this month to participate in the first-ever Johnny Mercer Writers Colony at Goodspeed Musicals. The writing teams, representing more than twenty new musicals, will populate the campus, creating a truly exciting environment for discovery and inspiration.

Pine Box Theater Company continues its 2012/13 season with the world premiere drama 25 SAINTS by Ensemble Member Joshua Rollins, author of Pine Box's smash hit A Girl With Sun In Her Eyes, directed by Ensemble Member Susan E. Bowen, playing February 16 - March 31, 2013 at the Greenhouse Theater Center Upstairs Studio, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave. in Chicago. 25 SAINTS features Pine Box Ensemble Member Josh Odor with Danny Goldring, Drew Johnson, Ashley Neal, Caroline Neff, Molly Reynolds and John Ross Wilson. Tickets are currently available at www.greenhousetheater.org. The press opening is Thursday, February 21 at 8 pm.