Nicole Michelle Haskins News

Goodman Theatre announces the casts for its one-time-only staged readings as part of its free 14th annual New Stages Festival, October 5-8. The four staged readings include: How to Catch Creation by Christina Anderson; Eden Prairie, 1971 by Mat Smart; The Untranslatable Secrets of Nikki Corona written and directed by Jos Rivera; We're Only Alive for A Short Amount of Time by David Cale, music by Matthew Dean Marsh. Plus, a sneak peek at an immersive work-in-progress POSTNATION conceived by Mikhael Tara Garver, an exploration of immigrants' roles in the creation of the U.S. Postal Service. Audiences also have the final opportunity to experience the three developmental productions (staged in repertory) during the weekend: Lottery Day by Ike Holter, directed by Lili-Anne Brown; Continuity by Bess Wohl, directed by Annie Tippe; and Twilight Bowl by Rebecca Gilman, directed by Erica Weiss. To reserve FREE tickets, call 312.443.3800, visit GoodmanTheatre.org/NewStagesFestival or the box office (170 N. Dearborn); For more information about Industry Professionals Weekend, visit GoodmanTheatre.org/Professionals

BoHo Theatre closes out its successful 2017 season with the passionate musical MARIE CHRISTINE by Michael John LaChiusa at the Theater Wit, directed by Lili-Anne Brown.

Due to numerous SOLD OUT performances, Redtwist Theatre announces the extension of the Jeff Recommended play OUR TOWN by Thornton Wilder, directed by Redtwist's Associate Artistic Director, James Fleming.

A Pulitzer Prize-winning masterpiece of the 20th century is brought lovingly into the 21st century. Redtwist Associate Artistic Director James Fleming directs an intimate production of this American classic as a love letter to Chicago's many communities and a reminder that life's most ordinary moments are often the most profound.

Redtwist Theatre presents the 1st show of the 2017-2018 Season, OUR TOWN by Thornton Wilder and directed by Redtwist's Associate Artistic Director, James Fleming. The show opens Saturday, September 9, 2017, at 3pm and runs Thu, Fri, Sat at 7:30pm; Sun at 3pm, through Sun, Oct 8.

A Pulitzer Prize-winning masterpiece of the 20th century is brought lovingly into the 21st century with a diverse cast. Redtwist Associate Artistic Director James Fleming directs an intimate production of this American classic as a love letter to Chicago's many communities and a reminder that life's most ordinary moments are often the most profound.

Writers Theatre, under the leadership of Artistic Director Michael Halberstam and Executive Director Kathryn M. Lipuma, adds a week of performances to the run of Parade, with book by Alfred Uhry and music and lyrics by Jason Robert Brown, co-conceived by Harold Prince.  The Writers Theatre production of Parade is directed by Gary Griffin and features musical direction by Michael Mahler and choreography by Ericka Mac.  Parade now runs through July 15, 2017 in the Alexandra C. and John D. Nichols Theatre at 325 Tudor Court, Glencoe.

Today, The Hawk Chicago announced nominations for the inaugural Chicago Theatre Awards, a contest in which all winners are chosen entirely by audience vote. The first round, which invited write-in submissions, ended June 23rd. The official nominees were decided by almost 1,600 voters.

Writers Theatre, under the leadership of Artistic Director Michael Halberstam and Executive Director Kathryn M. Lipuma, adds a week of performances to the run of Parade, with book by Alfred Uhry and music and lyrics by Jason Robert Brown, co-conceived by Harold Prince.  The Writers Theatre production of Parade is directed by Gary Griffin and features musical direction by Michael Mahler and choreography by Ericka Mac.  Parade now runs through July 15, 2017 in the Alexandra C. and John D. Nichols Theatre at 325 Tudor Court, Glencoe.

Writers Theatre, under the leadership of Artistic Director Michael Halberstam and Executive Director Kathryn M. Lipuma, adds a week of performances to the run of Parade, with book by Alfred Uhry and music and lyrics by Jason Robert Brown, co-conceived by Harold Prince.

PARADE is now in a blistering and beautifully minimalist production from director Gary Griffin. Though it is based off the real-life 1913 trial of Jewish pencil factory worker Leo Frank and was written by Jason Robert Brown and Alfred Uhry in 1998, this musical feels entirely of this moment. Set in Atlanta, Georgia, the musical follows Leo as he is imprisoned and put on trial after being falsely accused of the murder of Mary Phagan, a pre-teen girl found dead in the basement of the pencil factory. Georgia governor Hugh Dorsey wants to rapidly resolve the case and pins the blame on Leo-and coerces factory janitor Jim Conley to serve as an eye witness. The residents of Atlanta buy into Dorsey's false narrative, as they're distrustful of Frank and also want to see Mary's death avenged.  

This stirring, Tony Award-winning musical explores the endurance of love and hope against seemingly insurmountable odds, telling the true story of Leo Frank, a Brooklyn-born Jewish man falsely accused of murder in 1913 Atlanta.

Writers Theatre, under the leadership of Artistic Director Michael Halberstam and Executive Director Kathryn M. Lipuma, concludes its 2016/17 season with the musical Parade, with book by Alfred Uhry and music and lyrics by Jason Robert Brown, co-conceived by Harold Prince. 

The Jeff Awards announced, via a special video presentation, a total of 127 nominations in 26 categories for the 44th Annual Non-Equity Jeff Awards for productions that opened between April 1, 2016, and March 31, 2017.  Hosting the video presentation were Alexis Roston and Lillian Castillo, who will be this year's Mistresses of Ceremonies at the Awards event on June 5 at The Athenaeum.

The fifth annual Indie Boots Theatre Festival 2017: The Zoe Plays celebrates new short plays featuring underrepresented perspectives on whose stories are worth telling, what's funny, and how the world works.

Writers Theatre, under the leadership of Artistic Director Michael Halberstam and Executive Director Kathryn M. Lipuma, concludes its 2016/17 season with the musical Parade, with book by Alfred Uhry, music and lyrics by Jason Robert Brown, and co-conceived by Harold Prince.  The Writers Theatre production of Parade is directed by Gary Griffin and features musical direction by Michael Mahler and choreography by Ericka Mac. 

Due to popular demand, Kokandy Productions hit revival of THE WIZ will add one additional week of performances, extending through April 23, 2017 at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago. BroadwayWorld has a fresh batch of production photos below!

Under the direction of Lili-Anne Brown, Kokandy Productions' staging of THE WIZ radiates joy, and at the performance I saw Saturday night, the audience was soaking up every single joyful moment. From my vantage point, I can say that the audience reaction comes from the satisfaction of watching a solid musical theater production that leans into the musical numbers and embraces this all-black version of the classic THE WIZARD OF OZ to milk it for every possible ounce of delight and vibrancy. All of the ensemble members onstage seem to be truly enjoying themselves, and that energy is undeniably infectious.

Kokandy Productions is pleased to launch its fifth anniversary season with a revival of the Tony Award-winning Best Musical THE WIZ, with book by William F. Brown, music and lyrics by Charlie Smalls, directed by guest director Lili-Anne Brown, music direction by Jimmy Morehead and choreography by Breon Arzell. THE WIZ will play March 5 - April 16, 2017 at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago. Tickets are currently available at www.kokandyproductions.com, by calling (773) 975-8150 or in person at the Theater Wit Box Office. The press opening isSaturday, March 11 at 8 pm. 

Kokandy Productions is pleased to launch its fifth anniversary season with a revival of the Tony Award-winning Best Musical THE WIZ, with book by William F. Brown, music and lyrics by Charlie Smalls, directed by guest director Lili-Anne Brown, music direction by Jimmy Morehead and choreography by Breon Arzell. THE WIZ will play March 5 - April 16, 2017 at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago. Tickets are currently available at www.kokandyproductions.com, by calling (773) 975-8150 or in person at the Theater Wit Box Office. The press opening isSaturday, March 11 at 8 pm.