Mike Nussbaum News

Set in Grand Rapids, Michigan, acclaimed playwright and screenwriterNoah Haidle explores the passage of time and the fleeting pleasures of life through three generations of one family in Smokefall, his newest work. The Michigan native playwright, who describes Smokefall as "an incredibly personal play that has been with me for a long time," most recently wrote the 2012 film Stand Up Guys (starring Alan Arkin, Christopher Walken and Al Pacino) and previously authored Mr. Marmalade,Vigils (at the Goodman in 2006) and Persephone for the stage. Directed by Obie Award-winner Anne Kauffman in her Goodman debut, Smokefall is a world-premiere co-production with South Coast Repertory, running October 5 - November 3 in the Owen Theatre (opening night is Monday, October 14). Tickets ($10-$40; subject to change) are on sale now at GoodmanTheatre.org/Smokefall, by phone at 312.443.3800or at the box office (170 North Dearborn). Bank of America is the 2013/2014 Owen Season Sponsor. Time Warner Foundation and The Elizabeth F. Cheney Foundation are the Major Supporters of New Play Development; and The Glasser and Rosenthal Family and the Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust are Supporters of New Work Development. The Joyce Foundation is the Principal Supporter of Artistic Development and Diversity Initiatives.

Acclaimed playwright and screenwriter Noah Haidle returns to Chicago with his newest work, Smokefall, which examines life's big questions through the prism of an ordinary family. Hailed by The New Yorker as "formidably talented, with a sort of freewheeling intuitive daring," the Michigan native playwright most recently wrote the 2012 film Stand Up Guys (starring Alan Arkin, Christopher Walken and Al Pacino) and previously authored Mr. Marmalade, Vigils (at the Goodman in 2006) and Persephone for the stage. Director Anne Kauffman, in her Goodman debut, assembles an ensemble cast for the Goodman production, including legendary Chicago actor Mike Nussbaum (Henry VIII at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre) as the Colonel; Catherine Combs (The Delling Shore at Actors Theatre of Louisville Humana Festival) in the roles of Beauty and Blessing; Katherine Keberlein (Boeing, Boeing at Drury Lane Oakbrook) as Violet; Guy Massey (Failure: A Love Story at Victory Gardens Theater) as Footnote and Fetus Two; and Eric Slater (Gloryana at New York City's Public Theater) as Daniel and Fetus One. A world-premiere co-production with South Coast Repertory, Smokefall runs October 5 - November 3 in the Owen Theatre (opening night is Monday, October 14). Tickets ($10-$40; subject to change) are on sale now at GoodmanTheatre.org/Smokefall, by phone at 312.443.3800 or at the box office (170 North Dearborn). Bank of America is the 2013/2014 Owen Season Sponsor.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) announces William Shakespeare's Henry VIII, the first professional Chicago production in 400 years since its debut at Shakespeare's Globe in London. Staged by Artistic Director Barbara Gaines in CST's Courtyard Theater April 30-June 16, 2013, Henry VIII features a celebrated company of artists that includes Gregory Wooddell in the title role and Christina Pumariega as Anne Boleyn. The Acting Company features an ensemble of veteran CST actors which includes Kate Buddeke, David Darlow, Kevin Gudahl, Scott Jaeck, Ora Jones, David Lively and Mike Nussbaum. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the production highlights below.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) announces William Shakespeare's Henry VIII, the first professional Chicago production in 400 years since its debut at Shakespeare's Globe in London. Staged by Artistic Director Barbara Gaines in CST's Courtyard Theater April 30-June 16, 2013, Henry VIII features a celebrated company of artists that includes Gregory Wooddell in the title role and Christina Pumariega as Anne Boleyn. The acting company features an ensemble of veteran CST actors which includes Kate Buddeke, David Darlow, Kevin Gudahl, Scott Jaeck, Ora Jones, David Lively and Mike Nussbaum. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the production shots below.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) announces William Shakespeare's Henry VIII, the first professional Chicago production in 400 years since its debut at Shakespeare's Globe in London. Staged by Artistic Director Barbara Gaines in CST's Courtyard Theater April 30-June 16, 2013, Henry VIII features a celebrated company of artists that includes Gregory Wooddell in the title role and Christina Pumariega as Anne Boleyn. The acting company features an ensemble of veteran CST actors which includes Kate Buddeke, David Darlow, Kevin Gudahl, Scott Jaeck, Ora Jones, David Lively and Mike Nussbaum.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Three theatrical radio plays called 'It's A Wonderful Life,' two Second City touring companies, Gilbert and Sullivan in rep, the Rockettes, Karen Mason in town, holiday films we fancy, Congo Square's 'Nativity' and a special holiday thought....

American Theater Company (ATC) presents the beloved holiday classic, It's a Wonderful Life: The Radio Play adapted from Frank Capra's film and directed by ATC Artistic Associate Jason W. Gerace and featuring Mike Nussbaum and Cliff Chamberlain. The production will run November 23 - December 30, 2012, at American Theater Company, 1909 W Byron St, Chicago, IL.

Broadway and film star William H. Macy (Fargo, Door to Door, etc.) attended the final performance of FREUD'S LAST SESSION at the Mercury Theatre in Chicago this past Sunday, November 11th. Check out a photo of him with stars Mike Nussbaum and Coburn Goss below!

The Chicago production of FREUD'S LAST SESSION, New York's long-running hit play by Mark St. Germain, will end its run this Sunday, November 11th at the Mercury Theatre. Starring Mike Nussbaum and Coburn Goss, FREUD'S LAST SESSION was extended several times by popular demand after opening on March 26th to unanimous rave reviews. Next up for the international hit play will be this winter's Los Angeles run, starring Judd Hirsch as Sigmund Freud and Tom Cavanagh as C. S. Lewis under the direction of Tyler Marchant, who helmed the New York and Chicago productions. Presented by The Broad Stage and CRC Productions, FREUD'S LAST SESSION will begin performances January 11th for a strictly limited engagement through February 10th at The Broad Stage in Santa Monica.

FREUD'S LAST SESSION will celebrate Halloween today, October 31st by offering free tickets to the 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. performances to anyone who comes to the Mercury Theater, 3745 N. Southport, dressed as the father of psychoanalysis, Sigmund Freud. It's time to brush the dust off your old tweed jacket, find your round spectacles and don a white beard. Bring a cigar! The production has been extended multiple times and is now in final weeks, ending its successful Chicago run on November 11.

American Theater Company (ATC) presents the beloved holiday classic, It's a Wonderful Life: The Radio Play adapted from Frank Capra's film and directed by ATC Artistic Associate Jason W. Gerace and featuring Mike Nussbaum and Cliff Chamberlain. The production will run November 23 - December 30, 2012, at American Theater Company, 1909 W Byron St, Chicago, IL. Press opening is Tuesday, November 27, 2012 at 7:00 p.m.

FREUD'S LAST SESSION will celebrate Halloween on Wednesday, October 31st by offering free tickets to the 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. performances to anyone who comes to the Mercury Theater, 3745 N. Southport, dressed as the father of psychoanalysis, Sigmund Freud. It's time to brush the dust off your old tweed jacket, find your round spectacles and don a white beard. Bring a cigar! The production has been extended multiple times and is now in final weeks, ending its successful Chicago run on November 11.

FREUD'S LAST SESSION will feature a post-show talkback series in October to discuss Love, Sex, the Meaning of Life and the Existence of God at the Mercury Theater, 3745 N. Southport in Chicago. Winner of the 2011 Off Broadway Alliance Award for Best Play, the Midwest Premiere of FREUD'S LAST SESSION has received rave reviews and three Jeff Award nominations, including Best Play. The production has been extended multiple times and is now in final weeks, ending its successful Chicago run on November 11. Written by Mark St. Germain, under the direction of Tyler Marchant, the production stars local theater legend, Mike Nussbaum (Emmy, Drama Desk Award, four-time Jeff Award winner, and recent Sarah Siddons Award recipient), as "Sigmund Freud" and Coburn Goss (Vigils at the Goodman Theatre, Dead Man's Cell Phone at Steppenwolf Theatre Company and Off Broadway When the Messenger is Hot at 59E59) as "C.S. Lewis."

FREUD'S LAST SESSION will celebrate its 200th performance on Thursday, Sept. 20 at 7:30 p.m. at the Mercury Theater, 3745 N. Southport, in Chicago.

FREUD'S LAST SESSION will feature a post-show talkback discussion with Dr. Jeffrey W. Barbeau, Associate Professor of Theology in the Graduate School of Wheaton College; Dr. Tracy L. Caldwell, Associate Professor of Psychology at Dominican University; and Dr. Larry Arnhart, Presidential Research Professor of Political Science at Northern Illinois University, following the 1:00 p.m. performance today, August 19 at the Mercury Theater, 3745 N. Southport in Chicago. The scholars will discuss the thought-provoking themes addressed in the play, such as the existence of God and the meaning of life.

Due to popular demand, the smash hit FREUD'S LAST SESSION today announced its final extension through November 11th at the Mercury Theater, 3745 N. Southport, in Chicago.

FREUD'S LAST SESSION will feature a post-show talkback discussion with Dr. Jeffrey W. Barbeau, Associate Professor of Theology in the Graduate School of Wheaton College; Dr. Tracy L. Caldwell, Associate Professor of Psychology at Dominican University; and Dr. Larry Arnhart, Presidential Research Professor of Political Science at Northern Illinois University, following the 1:00 p.m. performance on Sunday, August 19 at the Mercury Theater, 3745 N. Southport in Chicago. The scholars will discuss the thought-provoking themes addressed in the play, such as the existence of God and the meaning of life.

FREUD'S LAST SESSION will feature a post-show talkback discussion with Scott Kelley, Assistant Vice President for Vincentian Scholarship in the Office of Mission and Values and Assistant Professor in the Religious Studies Department at DePaul University, and James Halstead, Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Religious Studies at DePaul University, following the 1:00 p.m. performance on Sunday, July 29 at the Mercury Theater, 3745 N. Southport in Chicago.

FREUD'S LAST SESSION will celebrate its 100th performance of the Chicago engagement tonight, June 22 at 8 p.m. at the Mercury Theater, 3745 N Southport Avenue.

FREUD'S LAST SESSION will celebrate its 100th performance of the Chicago engagement on Friday, June 22 at 8 p.m. at the Mercury Theater, 3745 N Southport Avenue.