Michael Halberstam News

The League of Chicago Theatres announces the Theatre Thursdays line-up for the remainder of the 2015-2016 Chicago theatre season, including world premiere productions of Death of a Streetcar Named Virginia Woolf: A Parody (Writers Theatre), Thaddeus and Slocum: A Vaudeville Adventure (Lookingglass Theatre), Dating and Dragons (The Factory Theater) and good friday (Oracle Productions).

Writers Theatre, under leadership of Artistic Director Michael Halberstam and Executive Director Kathryn M. Lipuma, continues its 2015/16 season with DEATH OF A STREETCAR NAMED VIRGINIA WOOLF: A PARODY created by Tim Ryder and Tim Sniffen, written by Tim Sniffen and directed by Stuart Carden and Michael Halberstam. The production has been extended by two weeks, and runs now through July 31, 2016 in the Gillian Theatre at Writers Theatre's new theater center at 325 Tudor Court, Glencoe. The Press Opening is tomorrow, May 4, and BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

The Chicago theater community will present a wide variety of plays and musicals, as well as dance and concert offerings this summer. In support, the League of Chicago Theatres will once again create a comprehensive Summer Theater Guide that will be available at hotels, theaters, events, and destinations across the Chicago area.

A Poet is a Loathsome Thing...

Writers Theatre, under leadership of Artistic Director Michael Halberstam and Executive Director Kathryn M. Lipuma, continues its 2015/16 season with Death of a Streetcar Named Virginia Woolf: A Parody created by Tim Ryder and Tim Sniffen, written by Tim Sniffen and directed by Stuart Carden and Michael Halberstam.

Writers Theatre Artistic Director Michael Halberstam and Executive Director Kathryn M. Lipuma announce the 25th Anniversary Season, the company's first full season in its new home at 325 Tudor Court in Glencoe.

Writers Theatre, under leadership of Artistic Director Michael Halberstam and Executive Director Kathryn M. Lipuma, presents the first production in their new home, Arcadia, written by Tom Stoppard, directed by Michael Halberstam. The production, which begins performances on March 16, 2016 has already been extended by one week, and will now play through May 1, 2016 in the Alexandra C. and John D. Nichols Theatre in Writers Theatre's new theater center at 325 Tudor Court, Glencoe. The Press Opening is Wednesday, March 23 at 7:30 p.m.

Writers Theatre today opened its new theatre center, featuring two theatres in a stunning building designed by Studio Gang Architects, led by principal Jeanne Gang, and built by general contractor W.E. O'Neil Construction. The new home, the centerpiece of a $34 million fundraising campaign, provides nationally-recognized Writers Theatre with two intimate performance spaces under one roof, improved patron and artist amenities, and rehearsal and production spaces. Located on the site of the former Woman's Library Club of Glencoe, the new center was developed in partnership with the Woman's Library Club and the Village of Glencoe.

Jackalope Theatre Company, the Edgewater-based theatre company currently in its 8th season, announces that Gus Menary will become its third artistic director, effective immediately. Menary had been serving in an interim capacity since March 2015. Additionally, longtime collaborators Paloma Nozicka and Corinne Bass have been named as Jackalope's newest company members.

Writers Theatre opens its 10th annual tour of THE MLK PROJECT: The Fight for Civil Rights, written by Yolanda Androzzo, directed by Jimmy McDermott and featuring Caren Blackmore.

Writers Theatre, under the leadership of Artistic Director Michael Halberstam and Executive Director Kathryn M. Lipuma, presents the first production in the Theatre's new home, Arcadia by Tom Stoppard, directed by Michael Halberstam. The show runs March 16 - April 24, 2016 at the Alexandra C. and John D. Nichols Theatre in Writer Theatre's new theater center at 325 Tudor Court, Glencoe. The Press Opening is Wednesday, March 23 at 7:30 p.m.

Artistic Director Michael Halberstam and Executive Director Kathryn M. Lipuma announce an additional two weeks of performances for the critically-acclaimed production of Marjorie Prime by Jordan Harrison, directed by Kimberly Senior. Due to demand, the show will now run through March 13, 2016 at Books on Vernon, 664 Vernon Ave, Glencoe.

The National Endowment for the Arts today announced awards totaling more than $27.6 million in its first funding round of fiscal year 2016, including an Art Works award of $20,000 to Writers Theatre to sponsor Tom Stoppard's Arcadia, the inaugural production in the new theatre center designed by internationally renowned Studio Gang Architects led by Founder and Design Principal Jeanne Gang,

The 27th Annual Awards for Excellence in the Arts, held on Monday, November 9th, at the Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel, raised funds for scholarships and celebrated talented artists and visionaries who came together in support of Theatre School students.

Writers Theatre Artistic Director Michael Halberstam and Executive Director Kathryn M. Lipuma announce the Inaugural Season in the company's new theatre center, to include a season kick-off at Books on Vernon with Marjorie Prime by Jordan Harrison, directed by Kimberly Senior, followed by the Grand Opening of the state-of-the-art facility, designed by Jeanne Gang and Studio Gang Architects. Arcadia by Tom Stoppard, directed by Artistic Director Michael Halberstam will be the inaugural production in the Alexandra C. and John D. Nichols Theatre. A new collaboration with Chicago's The Second City entitled Death of a Streetcar Named Virginia Woolf-A Parody, by Tim Sniffen, with additional material by Tim Ryder, directed by Artistic Director Michael Halberstam and Stuart Carden, will open the Gillian Theatre. Company, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by George Furth, directed by William Brown with musical direction by Tom Vendafreddo, will follow Arcadia in the Alexandra C. and John D. Nichols Theatre.

The League of Chicago Theatres announces the re-launch of Theatre Thursdays for the 2015-2016 Chicago theatre season, featuring 12 world premiere plays by companies across the city. Each monthly event provides audiences with an inside look at the creative process behind new works, including exclusive access to artists. This collaborative initiative first launched in 2005 and was created to strengthen and diversify the Chicago theatre community by encouraging Chicagoans to explore new venues and companies.

Writers Theatre Artistic Director Michael Halberstam and Executive Director Kathryn M. Lipuma announce casting for the Inaugural Season in the company's new theatre center.

Artistic Director Michael Halberstam and Executive Director Kathryn Lipuma announce the extension of the critically acclaimed and box office hit The Diary of Anne Frank by Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett, adapted by Wendy Kesselman and directed Kimberly Senior. The show, which was originally on sale through June 28, has extended in response to overwhelming demand, adding additional weeks of performances at the Theatre's Books on Vernon location, 664 Vernon Avenue, Glencoe.

Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation (SDCF) opened the nomination process for The Zelda Fichandler Award on June 1, 2015. This award is unrestricted grant of $5000 to an outstanding director or choreographer making an exceptional contribution to the national arts landscape through theatre work in a particular region. In 2015, the award will honor achievement in the Western region, comprised of Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.

Artistic Director Michael Halberstam and Executive Director Kathryn M. Lipuma announce the extension of Writers Theatre production of Doubt: A Parable by John Patrick Shanley, directed by William Brown. The show, originally on sale through July 19, is now running through August 2, 2015 at Glencoe Union Church, 263 Park Ave, Glencoe.