Mark Larson News

Chicago Dramatists will host a unique two-night theatrical celebration of acclaimed Mark Larson's new book, Working in the 21st Century: An Oral History of American Work in a Time of Social and Economic Transformation.

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Lincoln Square's Book Cellar Bookstore at 4736 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago hosts a reading and book signing of GIVE MY REGARDS TO NOWHERE at 7pm March 22nd, the day the book goes on sale. The novel is a work of comedic fiction informed by author Richard Engling's years as an artistic director in one of Chicago's storefront theatres.

An all-star line-up of Chicago natives and stars who got their start in the Windy City have come together for a new music video, performing the Blues anthem a?oeSweet Home Chicago.a?? 

Chicago-based Brickworld LEGO Expo, which regularly hosts LEGO conventions throughout the Midwest, announces the Brickworld LEGO Fireworks Virtual Con on Saturday, June 27, 2020, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. CT. The Fireworks Virtual Con will present an online array of LEGO activities for all ages, featuring exhibits, presentations, builds, games and vendors in a suite of Zoom rooms, including interactions with popular 'LEGO Masters' TV contestants and fan favorite displays like the Great Ball Contraption, and, of course, LEGO fireworks!

Brickworld, which regularly hosts LEGO conventions throughout the Midwest, announces four more virtual expos in 2020 for fans throughout the US and the world:

Rising Phoenix Repertory (Daniel Talbott, Artistic Director) has announced that it will present the world-premieres of three short plays by Amy Berryman, Larry Powell, and Helen Shang. The plays are commissioned by the company to be performed at Larry Edmunds Bookshop in downtown Hollywood, Sunday November 3rd at 7pm.

Author Mark Larson reflects on his new book, Ensemble: An Oral History of Chicago Theater, in conversation with Deanna Dunagan, ensemble member Francis Guinan, and other artists to be announced. A book signing will follow in Front Bar. This event will be held Monday, October 14 at 7pm in Steppenwolf's 1700 Theatre.

On this episode of BroadwayRadio's 'Tell Me More,' Matt Tamanini talks to scholar and author Mark Larson whose book 'Ensemble: An Oral History of Chicago Theater' is available now. In this 650 page tome, Larson chronicles the rise of the Second City's theatre community starting with Second City and the Compass Players in the 1950s and 60s, and via over 300 interviews tells the story to Chicago's gritty climb to theatrical prominence.

DARKLIGHT: COMMANDO INC. Has Been Called 'Space Opera at its Finest' ...   And You Can See Why Fans And Critics Are Greeting C.J. Daniels' Sci-Fi Classic-In-The-Making With Enthusiasm!  

Opening this weekend at City Lights, M. Butterfly weaves realism, ritual, and vivid theatricality into a haunting tale of a French diplomat who thinks he's found the ideal woman. It's a story that all started with real-life events.

Opening this weekend at City Lights, M. Butterfly weaves realism, ritual, and vivid theatricality into a haunting tale of a French diplomat who thinks he's found the ideal woman. It's a story that all started with real-life events.

The Brown University/Trinity Rep MFA Program proudly presents Thornton Wilder's profoundly philosophical and epic comedic-drama, The Skin of Our Teeth, directed by Taibi Magar (Brown/Trinity Rep MFA Programs '14). Scroll down for a first look at the show!

The Brown University/Trinity Rep MFA Programs presents Thornton Wilder's profoundly philosophical and epic comedic-drama, The Skin of Our Teeth, directed by Taibi Magar (Brown/Trinity Rep MFA Programs '14). Propelling through time and place, the Antrobus family perseveres against an ice age, politics, and world war, only to discover that some things never change. A raw awakening to the depths of human survival, The Skin of our Teeth, exposes the meaning behind faith and the nature behind what it truly means to be a family. Performances run February 27 through March 9 in the Pell Chafee Performance Center, 87 Empire Street, Providence. General admission $12, and $6 for students and seniors. Tickets are on-sale now at the Trinity Rep box office, by phone (401) 351-4242, and online at www.trinityrep.com.

These days, it is said more and more often that there are no new ideas under the sun. These accusations of a lack of originality are especially directed at Hollywood and the television studios. Every weekend sees the opening of a new sequel or reboot or re-imagining. While there are, in reality, some great original ideas coming out of Hollywood and television, there is also no shortage of originality in the world of live theater. Unfortunately, Christopher Durang's Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, playing at Trinity Rep, feels like little more than a needless attempt to update and reboot Chekov while using as many modern day and mostly unnecessary pop-culture references as possible.

Trinity Rep continues their 50th anniversary season with the New England premiere of Christopher Durang's smash-hit comedy Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike. Directed by The Richard L. Bready Artistic Director Curt Columbus, the show beings in previews November 21st in the intimate Dowling Theater and runs through December 22nd. Taking takes his cue from some of Anton Chekhov's most recognizable characters, Durang wickedly adds more than a dash of pop culture, a huge helping of dark humor and then lets the characters stew in a pressure cooker of their own devising. The result is a whirlwind weekend of classic Durang barbs, over the top tirades and ridiculously hysterical situations hailed. Tickets on sale now through the box office at 201 Washington St., by phone at (401) 351-4242 and online at www.trinityrep.com.

Fresh on the heels of their sold out run of season opener The Grapes of Wrath, Trinity Rep continues their 50th anniversary season with the New England premiere of Christopher Durang's smash-hit comedy Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike. Directed by The Richard L. Bready Artistic Director Curt Columbus, the show beings in previews November 21st in the intimate Dowling Theater and runs through December 22nd. Taking takes his cue from some of Anton Chekhov's most recognizable characters, Durang wickedly adds more than a dash of pop culture, a huge helping of dark humor and then lets the characters stew in a pressure cooker of their own devising. The result is a whirlwind weekend of classic Durang barbs, over the top tirades and ridiculously hysterical situations hailed as "Terrifically kooky!" by Entertainment Weekly. For those that are not familiar with Uncle Vanya or Cherry Orchard, Critics agree that 'Even if you've never read a word of Chekhov, you're likely to find plenty to make you laugh…' (The New York Times.) Tickets on sale now through the box office at 201 Washington, by phone at (401) 351-4242 and online at www.trinityrep.com.

The Brown University/Trinity Rep MFA Programs will present a three week run of two unique and rarely produced plays running in repertory next month at the Pell Chafee Performance Center (PCPC), Providence, RI.

The Brown University/Trinity Rep MFA Programs will present a three week run of two unique and rarely produced plays running in repertory next month at the Pell Chafee Performance Center (PCPC), Providence, RI.

The Brown University/Trinity Rep MFA Programs will present one of Shakespeare's most popular plays, As You Like It, directed by Heidi Handelsman (Brown/Trinity Rep MFA Programs '14). With clever gender reversals and surprising twists of fate, As You Like It has long been considered one of Shakespeare's most romantic comedies. Performances are Today November 2 at 7:30PM, Saturday November 3 at 2:00PM and 7:30PM, and Sunday November 4 at 2:00PM in the Citizens Bank Theater, Pell Chafee Performance Center, 87 Empire Street, Providence. General admission is $10, with a $5 admission for seniors and students. Tickets are now on sale at the Trinity Rep box office, by phone (401) 351-4242, and online at trinityrep.com.