Martin Ryan News

Steppenwolf for Young Adults (SYA) begins its 2016/17 season with The Burials, a world premiere by acclaimed playwright Caitlin Parrish, directed by Erica Weiss. Inspired by the enduring Greek tragedy, Antigone, the production explores the aftermath of a mass shooting and how one family and one community respond to the tragedy in unique ways. SYA curates numerous workshops, residencies and post-show events to engage both students and adults in the conversation. BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at the company of The Burials in rehearsal below!

Haven Theatre Company announces How We Got On to begin their fourth season, written by Idris Goodwin and directed by Jess McLeod, at the company's new home within the Den Theatre's new Bookspan Theatre, 1335 Milwaukee Ave., September 29 - November 12. Previews are Thursday, Sept. 29 - Saturday, Oct.1 at 8 p.m. Opening night isSunday, Oct. 2 at 7 p.m. The regular performance schedule is Thursdays - Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m.Regular run tickets are $32, senior tickets are $20 and college/industry tickets are $15 (preview tickets are $12). You may purchase tickets and get more information at www.haventheatrechicago.com.

Haven Theatre Company announces How We Got On to begin their fourth season, written by Idris Goodwin and directed by Jess McLeod, at the company's new home within the Den Theatre's new Bookspan Theatre, 1335 Milwaukee Ave., September 29 - November 12.

The Den Theatre is pleased to announce the expansion into its newest space, The Bookspan Theatre, set to open in fall 2016. Named for respected arts educator, performance coach, director and performer Janet Bookspan, the 99-seat, fully adaptable theatre will open at 1335 N. Milwaukee Ave., adjacent to The Den's six other theatres and spaces. Haven Theatre Company will be the head resident company of the The Bookspan, set to inaugurate the space with the Chicago premiere of How We Got On by Idris Goodwin, directed by Jess McLeod from September 29 - November 12, 2016. Other companies expected to produce in the space during the 2016-17 season include Griffin Theatre and Route 66 Theatre Company. 

Lance Corporal Richard Jones, stole the hearts of the nation when he was crowned the first ever magician to win Britain's Got Talent last month. He is now set to will guest star in the return of West End magic showIMPOSSIBLE at the Noel Coward Theatre from tonight 8 July - 27 August.

Lance Corporal Richard Jones, stole the hearts of the nation when he was crowned the first ever magician to win Britain's Got Talent last month. He is now set to will guest star in the return of West End magic showIMPOSSIBLE at the Noel Coward Theatre from 8 July - 27 August. As previously announced, IMPOSSIBLE, the world's greatest magic show, returns to London this summer, following its acclaimed West End season last year. The show features the world's greatest illusionists including Josephine Lee, Sabine Van Diemen, Magical Bones, Jonathan Goodwin, Ben Hart and Chris Cox. Press Night: Wednesday 13 July, 7pm.

IMPOSSIBLE, the world's greatest magic show, will return to London this summer, following its acclaimed West End season last year. The show, which features the world's greatest illusionists including new cast members Josephine Lee, Sabine Van Diemen and Magical Bones, will begin performances at the Noel Coward Theatre on Friday 8 July and run through to Saturday 27 August (Press Night: Wednesday 13 July at 7:00pm).

Inspired by a true story, Six Degrees of Separation follows the trail of a young African-American con man who insinuates himself into the lives of a wealthy, white New York couple, claiming he is the son of actor Sidney Poitier, and that he has just been mugged and all his money is gone. No subject is left untouched in this comic, fast-paced and affecting piece.  Six Degrees is directed by Stuart Bousel, who directed last season's award-winning Grey Gardens.  Six Degrees of Separation runs May 19-June 18 at Custom Made Theatre, 533 Sutter Street, San Francisco, 94102.

Fresh from its hugely successful run in the West End, Impossible is a brand new stage spectacle featuring six of the best magicians and illusionists that this country has to offer. From death-defying stunts to close-up magic, the show manages to strike the perfect balance in scale and has the audiences enchanted and on the edge of their seats for the whole two and a half hour show.

Carley Stenson (Fiona in West End's Shrek; Hollyoaks) recently performed Scott Alan's 'Take Me Away' at the St. James Theatre. Check out the video below!

The Dolphin Show, America's largest student-produced musical, announces TITANIC as the 73rd Annual Dolphin Show. TITANIC is to be directed by Communication senior Brendan Flynn and produced by Communication senior Jack Eidson and School of Education and Social Policy senior Izzy Garcia, with support from a cast and team of over 150 Northwestern University students. TITANIC will run for five performances from tonight, January 23rd through January 30th in Cahn Auditorium.

The Dolphin Show, America's largest student-produced musical, announces TITANIC as the 73rd Annual Dolphin Show. TITANIC is to be directed by Communication senior Brendan Flynn and produced by Communication senior Jack Eidson and School of Education and Social Policy senior Izzy Garcia, with support from a cast and team of over 150 Northwestern University students. TITANIC will run for five performances from January 23rd through January 30th in Cahn Auditorium, with tickets going on sale to the general public December 1st.

The Den Theatre is pleased to announce its expansion into a new street-level theater space set to open in late summer as the new resident home of The Hypocrites. The fully adaptable, 6,000 square foot space will feature seating for up to 200 patrons, a bar and other amenities in Chicago's popular Wicker Park neighborhood. Anchored by The Hypocrites' full season, programming will also include an annual Den Theatre production and availability for other companies. The new theatre will open at 1329 N. Milwaukee Ave., directly below the Den's existing five performance spaces at 1333 N. Milwaukee Ave. Future plans include marquee signage, valet parking, a nearby parking lot and elevators to the 2nd and 3rd floors making the entire building accessible to people with disabilities. The space is made possible through the generous support of Michael and Mona Heath.

NATURAL GAS, the five-year-old house improv team of The Gift Theatre, appears Friday nights at Wicker Park's The Den Theatre, performing entirely improvised group sets in addition to their standing Wednesday night set at The Gift in Jefferson Park. Every other week is YOU & ME-a two-person, entirely improvised show featuring ensemble member/The Gift artistic director Michael Patrick Thornton with a special guest from the Chicago arts community.

Last fall NATURAL GAS, the five-year-old house improv team of The Gift Theatre, took up an open run on Friday nights at Wicker Park's The Den Theatre, performing entirely improvised group sets in addition to their standing Wednesday night set at The Gift in Jefferson Park. Now, NATURAL GAS presents YOU & ME-a two-person, entirely improvised show featuring NATURAL GAS ensemble member/The Gift artistic director Michael Patrick Thornton with a special guest from the Chicago improv/theatre community. Upcoming performances of YOU & ME are Fridays Feb. 28 (with NATURAL GAS' Jim Kozyra), March 14 (with Susan Messing) and April 4 (with Keith Neagle) at 10:30 p.m. An ongoing schedule can be found at thegifttheatre.org/shows-events/gas-the-den.

While 'visions of sugarplums' may appear fantastical, Artistic Director Michael Pink presents these marvelous performance delights for the city this December. Under Pink's direction and choreography, The Milwaukee Ballet presents Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker for another holiday season. While Pink's revisions have created treasured memories for the past decade during his tenure, various other versions along with live music from the Milwaukee Ballet Orchestra have transformed the ballet into reality in Milwaukee for almost 40 years.

Performance Riverside and RCC Fine and Performing Arts to present Monty Python's SPAMALOT.

NATURAL GAS, the five-year-old house improv team of The Gift Theatre, has taken up residence Friday nights at Wicker Park's The Den Theatre. NATURAL GAS @ The Den shows will alternate between entirely improvised group sets (NATURAL GAS) and a two-person, entirely improvised show featuring Michael Patrick Thornton with a guest (NATURAL GAS presents: YOU & ME (Michael Patrick Thornton)). On Friday, November 29, special guest Ed Flynn joins Thornton's two-person show. An updated schedule can be found at thegifttheatre.org/shows-events/gas-the-den

San Diego Musical Theatre announces the final production of their 2013 season IRVING BERLIN'S WHITE CHRISTMAS, December 12-22, 2013 (press opening on Friday, December 13) at the Birch North Park Theatre.

Porchlight Theatre Company presents Scapino by Frank Dunlop and Jim Dale.