Mike Leigh News

The New Group has announced four productions for its 2017-2018 Season.

Thank you for being a friend, indeed! Due to popular demand Hell in a Handbag Productions' campy world premiere THE GOLDEN GIRLS - THE LOST EPISODES is adding six additional weeks of performances, extending through August 26, 2017 at Mary's Attic, 5400 N. Clark St. in Chicago's Andersonville neighborhood.

The Old Laundry Theatre has just announced the full cast, led by Bill Champion and Nadim Naaman, of the revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Alan Ayckbourn's light-hearted, fun musical BY JEEVES, opening on Friday 6 October - Saturday 4 November 2017 (Press Night: Monday 9 October 2017 at 7.30pm) and directed by Alan Ayckbourn.

Rising British stars Calvin Demba (Evening Standard Emerging Talent Award nominee, The Red Lion,  National Theatre), Sam Frenchum (Private Peaceful, Grantchester) and award-winning Sinead Matthews (Mrs Elvsted in Ivo van Hove's Hedda Gabler, National Theatre), are to star in the 50th anniversary production of Joe Orton's darkly comic masterpiece, LOOT.

Excitement is mounting for the world premiere of a new musical based on Carla Lane's much-loved BBC series The Liver Birds.

THE BARROW GROUP (Lee Brock and Seth Barrish, Co-Artistic Directors; Robert Serrell, Executive Director) is proud to announce complete casting for the final show in their 2016/17 season EXPECTING ISABEL written by Lisa Loomer. Directed by Seth Barrish,EXPECTING ISABEL begins performances Saturday, June 10, 2017 at the TBG Theatre at The Barrow Group (312 West 36th Street, 3rd Floor) and officially opens Tuesday, June 13, 2017 for a limited run through Saturday, July 8, 2017. Tickets are on sale now at www.barrowgroup.org.

The Barrow Group announced today their 2017 Benefit Parties, which will celebrate the work of TBG's long-successful producing theatre company while also raising funds for student scholarships to support greater diversity at The Barrow Group. TBG will honor Shimite Obialo and Vaughn Buffalo, two supporters who have championed the company's mission to create excellent theatre, using an aesthetic that encourages authentic, clear, and spontaneous storytelling.

Hell in a Handbag Productions thanks you for being a friend this summer with its campy world premiere parody of one of TV's most beloved sitcoms: THE GOLDEN GIRLS - THE LOST EPISODES by David Cerda, directed by Shade Murray, playing June 14 - July 12, 2017 at Mary's Attic, 5400 N. Clark St. in Chicago's Andersonville neighborhood. Single tickets are on sale at www.handbagproductions.org or by calling (800) 838-3006. The press opening is Thursday, June 15 at 7:30 pm.

Casting is today announced for the world premiere of the new musical based on Carla Lane's beloved BBC series The Liver Birds. Taking on the iconic roles of Sandra and Beryl are Joanna Monro and Lesley Molony.

Due to demand, The New Group has announced an additional week for the company's world premiere production of Hamish Linklater's The Whirligig, with Noah Bean, Norbert Leo Butz, Jon DeVries, Alex Hurt, Zosia Mamet, Jonny Orsini, Grace Van Patten and Dolly Wells. 

The Geffen Playhouse today announced that Downton Abbey star Allen Leech will make his U.S. stage debut opposite Ginnifer Goodwin (Once Upon a Time, Big Love) in the Los Angeles Premiere of Constellations, Nick Payne's 2015 Broadway sensation. The Geffen's production is directed by Giovanna Sardelli (Guards at the Taj) and marks Goodwin's Los Angeles stage debut.

Two of Liverpool's most celebrated daughters will return to the city for one night only this May, for the world premiere of a new musical based on Carla Lane's beloved BBC series The Liver Birds.

Cover My Tracks, a new production with live music, starring Charlie Fink and Jade Anouka will be performed at The Old Vic from Monday 5 to Saturday 17 June at 10pm, as part of Lates at The Old Vic.

The Muny announced today 21 principal cast members for its 99th season. Full company casting will be announced throughout April. The 2017 Muny season opens with Jesus Christ Superstar followed by Disney's The Little Mermaid and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. The season continues with the premiere of All Shook Up! and a newly re- envisioned The Unsinkable Molly Brown. Season 99 closes with A Chorus Line and the much- anticipated Muny debut of Newsies.

The New Group has announced that Dolly Wells will join Noah Bean, Norbert Leo Butz, Jon DeVries, Alex Hurt, Zosia Mamet, Jonny Orsini and Grace Van Patten in Hamish Linklater's The Whirligig.

Theatre Royal Bath Productions has today released production photography of Mike Leigh's Abigail's Party starring Amanda Abbington and directed by Sarah Esdaile. Celebrating the 40th anniversary of the classic comedy, the production opened at Theatre Royal Bath and has its official opening night for press on Thursday 6 April at Oxford Playhouse before continuing on its UK Tour and to London's West End. Scroll down for a first look at the cast in action!

Irish Repertory Theatre has announced full casting for the world premiere of REBEL IN THE SOUL, a new play by Larry Kirwan (Liverpool Fantasy).

???????A Red Orchid Theatre concludes its 2016-2017 Season with the Chicago premiere of 3C, written by David Adjmi and directed by Ensemble Member Shade Murray. The production runs April 20 - June 4, 2017, at A Red Orchid Theatre, 1531 N. Wells. The press opening is Monday, April 24 at 7:00 p.m.

The Barrow Group has announced complete casting for the second show in their 2016/17 season, Henrik Ibsen's ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE, in a new adaptation by Seth Barrish and K. Lorrel Manning.

Print Room at the Coronet has today announced further details for Out of Blixen and Babette's Feast, two productions that will run consecutively, putting a spotlight on the fascinating life and writing of Karen Blixen.