Mike Tutaj News

'It was in the 'hell' of a refugee camp in the African republic of Guinea that Shedrick Yarkpai first dreamed about a career as an actor' (The Australian) - a path that eventually acquainted him with Chicago native playwright Charles Smith, who has now chronicled the Liberian refugee's gripping story in his newest play, Objects in the Mirror. The world premiere of Objects in the Mirror, which was developed through the Goodman's New Stages Festival, appears now through June 4 (opening night is May 8) in the 856-seat Albert Theatre. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

What began as a 1970s rock opera concept album became a global stage phenomenon that captured seven Tony Award nominations and countless awards overseas in its 40-plus years. Jesus Christ Superstar, the beloved rock opera that explores the story and internal struggles of the last seven days of the greatest idol in history - Jesus - is the 2016-17 Broadway Series finale, now through May 28, 2017 at the Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd. in downtown Aurora. BroadwayWorld has highlights from the show below!

The world premiere of Objects in the Mirror, which was developed through the Goodman's  New Stages Festival, appears April 29 through June 4 (opening night is May 8) in the 856-seat Albert Theatre.

Explore the vivid history of America's largest Chinatown through the eyes of a new generation in Lauren Yee's King of the Yees - a Goodman Theatre-commissioned world premiere that was developed in the 2015 New Stages Festival. Yee's longtime collaborator Joshua Kahan Brody directs her offbeat and electric joy ride about living in the contemporary world while honoring one's rich ancestral heritage - and the conflict that ensues. The production will debut at A Contemporary Theatre and Canada's National Arts Centre later this year. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below! 

If you are already a Hathaway fan, you really must not miss this show. If you are not already a fan, prepare to be converted. I walk into the show knowing very little of Donny Hathaway and walk out touched and changed forever. Writer/Performer Kelvin Roston has created a brilliant work of heartbreak, genius and intimacy to terrify and delight patrons of Center Stage.

Explore the vivid history of America's largest Chinatown through the eyes of a new generation in Lauren Yee's King of the Yees - a Goodman Theatre-commissioned world premiere that was developed in the 2015 New Stages Festival. Yee's longtime collaborator Joshua Kahan Brody directs her offbeat and electric joy ride about living in the contemporary world while honoring one's rich ancestral heritage-and the conflict that ensues. The production will debut at A Contemporary Theatre and Canada's National Arts Centre later this year. BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at the company in rehearsal below!

Baltimore Center Stage will present, in association with Congo Square Theatre Company, Twisted Melodies.

The cast and creative team is complete for Objects in the Mirror, a Goodman Theatre-commissioned world premiere by Charles Smith. Directed by Resident Director Chuck Smith, Objects in the Mirror is inspired by the playwright's real-life friendship with a Liberian refugee-turned-actor, Shedrick Yarkpai-portrayed by Daniel Kyri, in his Goodman debut. The production was developed through the 2015 New Stages festival and features a 5-member cast who brings to life the gripping account of one Liberian refugee's attempts to find peace by exposing a potentially dangerous lifelong secret. Objects in the Mirror appears April 29 through June 4 (opening night is May 8) in the Albert Theatre. Tickets ($20-$75; subject to change) are now on sale and available at GoodmanTheatre.org/Objects, the box office (170 N. Dearborn) or by phone at 312.443.3800.

Orange by Aditi Brennan Kapil-inspired by and set in Orange County, Calif.-has its west coast premiere at South Coast Repertory, March 5-26. Seen through Leela's eyes, the coastal county is a wondrous and thrilling place in a tale that is part rebellious teen thrill ride and part self-discovery. Jessica Kubzansky directs Orange on the Julianne Argyros Stage. Tickets are available now atwww.scr.org.

Steep Theatre will present the first professional U.S. production of Tony nominee and Olivier Award-winning playwright Mike Bartlett's Earthquakes in London, opening January 26, 2017. Steep's production opens on the heels of another Chicago production of this enormously exciting playwright's work, the critically-acclaimed King Charles III at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre. Earthquakes will be helmed by one of Chicago's most exciting talents, Steep Ensemble Member and Jeff Award-winning director Jonathan Berry.  Berry recently directed Steppenwolf Theatre's Constellations, and, over the years, has consistently produced some of Steep's most notable shows, including Season 15's Posh by Laura Wade, which won the Non-Equity Jeff Award for Best Ensemble, and was nominated for Best Director and Best Production. 

This week, we go around our Broadway World to feature stories in Maine, Columbus, Santa Barbara and more. Check out our top 10 stories around our Broadway World below, which include A CHRISTMAS CAROL in Maine, MAMMA MIA! in Columbus, and HARD RAIN in Santa Barbara, just to name a few.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) announces the cast and creative team for the world premiere of The Book of Joseph, a new play by award-winning playwright Karen Hartman chronicling three generations of the Hollander family in a sweeping story that spans history from occupied Poland to present-day America. Directed by CST Artistic Director Barbara Gaines and developed with Creative Producer Rick Boynton, The Book of Joseph debuts in the theater Upstairs at Chicago Shakespeare, January 29-March 5, 2017.

Goodman Theatre announces complete casting and creative teams for four Winter/Spring 2017 productions - one world premiere Goodman commission and three Chicago premieres - continuing the 2016/2017 'Essential Goodman' season.

Lookingglass Theatre Company continues its Season with Mr. and Mrs. Pennyworth, written and directed by Ensemble Member Doug Hara. Mr. and Mrs. Pennyworth now through February 19, 2017 at Lookingglass Theatre Company, located inside Chicago's historic Water Tower Water Works, 821 N. Michigan Ave. at Pearson. The Press Opening is Today, December 17, 2016 at 7:30pm. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

The Ruffians are thrilled to announce the return of their critically acclaimed holiday hit, BURNING BLUEBEARD for three performances only, December 16, 17 & 18, 2016.  The fantastical tale inspired by Chicago's 1903 Iroquois Theatre celebrates the fifth anniversary of its creation at the theater where it was born, The Neo-Futurarium, 5153 N. Ashland Ave. in Chicago. Tickets go on Thursday, December 1, 2016 at brownpapertickets.com.  

Lookingglass Theatre Company continues its Season with Mr. and Mrs. Pennyworth, written and directed by Ensemble Member Doug Hara. Mr. and Mrs. Pennyworth now through February 19, 2017 at Lookingglass Theatre Company, located inside Chicago's historic Water Tower Water Works, 821 N. Michigan Ave. at Pearson. The Press Opening is Saturday, December 17, 2016 at 7:30pm. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Lookingglass Theatre Company continues its Season with Mr. and Mrs. Pennyworth, written and directed by Ensemble Member Doug Hara. Mr. and Mrs. Pennyworth runs December 7, 2016 - February 19, 2017.

MCC Theater (Robert LuPone, Bernard Telsey, William Cantler, Artistic Directors; Blake West, Executive Director) has announced a two-week extension - now through December 29, 2016 - for the New York City premiere of MCC Theater's new musical Ride the Cyclone, the third musical in MCC's now-iconic 30-year history of producing new works for the American theater.

The Ruffians are thrilled to announce the return of their critically acclaimed holiday hit, BURNING BLUEBEARD for three performances only, December 16, 17 & 18, 2016.  The fantastical tale inspired by Chicago's 1903 Iroquois Theatre celebrates the fifth anniversary of its creation at the theater where it was born, The Neo-Futurarium, 5153 N. Ashland Ave. in Chicago. Tickets go on Thursday, December 1, 2016 at brownpapertickets.com.