Matt Engle News

Gerard Canonico (Groundhog Day, American Idiot, Spring Awakening) has joined cast of On The Quays and Cas Di Cultura's Aruban production of 'RENT'.

On The Quays, a NYC-based international production company will present 'The #howaboutlove? Tour: LONG ISLAND', a benefit concert in their series of 'Hometown Concerts - the How About Love Tour' at Backstage at Woodmere Lanes today, October 7th at 3:00 p.m.

On The Quays, a NYC-based international production company will present 'The #howaboutlove? Tour: LONG ISLAND', a benefit concert in their series of 'Hometown Concerts - the How About Love Tour' at Backstage at Woodmere Lanes on Saturday, October 7th at 3:00 p.m.

On The Quays, a NYC-based international production company will present An Afternoon With Keiji Ishiguri & On The Quays , a benefit concert in their series of Hometown Concerts - the How About Love Tour at the St. James the Less Parish Hall on Sunday, September 17 at 4:00 p.m.

Special guests Ariana DeBose (Hamilton, A Bronx Tale), Stephanie Klemons (Hamilton, If/Then), Marcus Paul James (RENT), and The Lost Keys of NYC joined On The Quays & their cast of RENT at 'How About Love?' June 18th at The Green Room 42. Scroll down for photos!

On The Quays, a NYC-based international production company will present 'How About Love?', a benefit concert at The Green Room 42--NYC's newest cabaret venue--on June 18th.

On December 13th and 14th at 8pm, WalkUpArts will be premiering Philip Santos Schaffer's A PLAY ABOUT DREW CAREY. Tickets on sale now at www.walkuparts.org.

This Fall, The Factory Theater will open its second season at its home in Rogers Park with the world premiere comedy Zombie Broads.

This Fall, The Factory Theater will open its second season at its home in Rogers Park with the world premiere comedy Zombie Broads.

Lifeline Theatre presents a world premiere adaptation of James Leo Herlihy's 1965 novel, Midnight Cowboy, adapted by Lifeline Theatre ensemble member Chris Hainsworth (2015 Non-Equity Jeff nomination: New Adaptation - Monstrous Regiment), and directed by Lifeline ensemble member Christopher M. Walsh. Joe Buck escapes his dead-end life in Texas and heads to New York City with dreams of making his fortune as a hustler for wealthy socialites. But his rugged cowboy persona masks the gullibility of a child, and Joe falls victim to all manner of con artists and predators. At the end of his rope, he partners with street-savvy Rico "Ratso" Rizzo in an alliance that could either save or destroy them both. A meditation on loneliness and the need to form real connections amidst the crushing isolation of 20th-century life. The production runs approximately two hours with one intermission. The book will be on sale in the lobby.

The 13th Street Rep has  presented  its 'Lisa Lambert Award'--named after the Tony Award-winning co-creator of the musical comedy 'The Drowsy Chaperone,' and honoring an outstanding woman in theater--to actress Maite Uzal.  Currently appearing in the musical 'Mad About the Boy,' Uzal is a resident member of both the New York-based  Rebel Theater Company and of Chip Deffaa's repertory company at the 13th Street Theater.  

Factory Theater presents Hotel Aphrodite by Angelina Martinez, directed by Matt Engle, playing previews today, November 7th and Saturday, November 8th at 8pm and Sunday, November 9th at 3pm. Opening Night Performance: Friday, November 14th at 8:00pm. The run continues Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, Sundays at 3pm through Saturday December 20th. (No show on Friday, Nov. 27th)

Factory Theater presents Hotel Aphrodite by Angelina Martinez, directed by Matt Engle, playing previews Friday, November 7th and Saturday, November 8th at 8pm and Sunday, November 9th at 3pm. Opening Night Performance: Friday, November 14th at 8:00pm. The run continues Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, Sundays at 3pm through Saturday December 20th.

This October, WalkUpArts presents an exciting adaptation of William Shakespeare's As You Like It. This play is a fantastical exploration of adolescence, age, and love.

Monstrous Regiment runs tonight, May 30-July 20 at Lifeline Theatre, 6912 N. Glenwood Ave. (free parking and shuttle; see below). Press opening is Sunday, June 8 at 4 p.m. Opening night is Monday, June 9 at 7:30 p.m. (Previews are Todays, May 30 and June 6 at 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays, May 31 and June 7 at 8 p.m.; and Sunday, June 1 at 4 p.m.)

Monstrous Regiment runs May 30-July 20 at Lifeline Theatre, 6912 N. Glenwood Ave. (free parking and shuttle; see below). Press opening is Sunday, June 8 at 4 p.m. Opening night is Monday, June 9 at 7:30 p.m. (Previews are Fridays, May 30 and June 6 at 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays, May 31 and June 7 at 8 p.m.; and Sunday, June 1 at 4 p.m.)

The Jeff Awards Committee today announced 128 nominations in 24 categories of Non-Equity Jeff Awards for productions that opened between April 1, 2013, and March 31, 2014. The Non-Equity Awards honor excellence in Chicago theatres not under a union contract. Jeff judges attended opening nights of 147 productions offered by 65 Non-Equity producing organizations. The judges recommended 66 of those shows, making them eligible for Non-Equity Jeff Award nominations. Thirty theatre companies received nominations.

Lifeline Theatre presents a world premiere adaptation of Terry Pratchett's Monstrous Regiment, by ensemble member Chris Hainsworth, and directed by Kevin Theis (two-time Non-Equity Jeff Award nominee). Borogravia is at war. Again. When Polly Perks' brother goes missing in action, she cuts off her hair, stuffs a sock down her breeches, and enlists, hoping to find him. Passing successfully as a young man, she soon discovers that she's not alone in protecting a secret and that nothing in the improbable war is as it seems. Scrambling to survive both the enemy and their untried officer, Polly's misfit company makes its way to the front, where it might just prove to be the least likely regiment to ever win a battle. A wickedly funny look at the absurdities of war and ambiguities of identity, brought to life by a cast of eleven actors, including Lifeline Theatre ensemble members Robert Kauzlaric, Katie McLean Hainsworth, and Christopher M. Walsh.

The Strange Tree Group, in association with the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, is pleased to kick off its 2013-14 Season with the world premiere of THE DEAD PRINCE, an original, rambunctious, fairly-family-friendly, fairy tale muzikal, with book, music and lyrics by Jeff Award-winning playwright Emily Schwartz and directed by Lifeline ensemble member Paul Holmquist. THE DEAD PRINCE plays November 17 - December 22, 2013 at The DCASE Storefront Theater, 66 E. Randolph St. in Chicago. Tickets are available at www.strangetree.org. The press opening is Friday, November 22 at 7:30 pm. Check out a first look below!