Northwestern University News

About Face Theatre blends classic Christmas tales with queer pop culture for its world premiere holiday production WE THREE LIZAS with book and lyrics by AFT Artistic Associate Scott Bradley, music by Alan Schmuckler, directed by AFT Artistic Associate Scott Ferguson, playing November 30 - December 23, 2012 in The Steppenwolf Garage, 1624 N. Halsted St., Chicago.

Lookingglass Theatre's Board of Directors and Gala Committee announce one of Chicago's highly anticipated events of the season, the 2013 Lookingglass gglassquerade, which will celebrate 25 years of ensemble collaboration, transformation and invention. Host Stephen Colbert, of Comedy Central's The Colbert Report, will be presented with the Lookingglass Civic Engagement Award at the event. gglassquerade will be held Saturday, March 2, 2013, at 6:00 p.m. at The Four Seasons, 120 East Delaware Place in Chicago.

The new musical "The Verona Project"-an electric hybrid of theatre and live concert infused with original indie-folk-rock music-will kick off the 2012-13 Mainstage season in mid-October at the Theatre and Interpretation Center (TIC) at Northwestern University.

The Chicago Park District's Theater on the Lake: The Chicago Summer Theater Festival at Fullerton Avenue and Lake Michigan announces the new co-artistic curators to select the 2013 season: Halena Kays, artistic director of The Hypocrites, and Joanie Schultz, freelance opera and theater director.

ISLAND SONG, a new musical anthology with music by Derek Gregor and words by Sam Carner, will have a one-night-only developmental concert at (le) Poisson Rouge Monday, November 12, 2012. Showtime is at 7PM. Doors open at 6PM.

Johnny Mercer Foundation and Kaufman Center Present CELEBRATE! SONGS FROM THE JOHNNY MERCER FOUNDATION. 'Broadway Close Up Series' spotlights new songwriters in dazzling performances with Teacher/Mentors Tony Nominated composers Craig Carnelia & Andrew Lippa, Grammy Winning songwriter Lari White & Marilyn Maye Shine. Photos from the event inside!

Next Theatre Company's second production of their 32nd season is the Midwest premiere of Welcome Home, Jenny Sutter by Julie Marie Myatt and directed by Jessica Thebus, at Noyes Cultural Arts Center, 927 Noyes Street. Previews are Thursday, Nov. 15 at 7:30 p.m.; Friday, Nov. 16 and Saturday, Nov. 17 and 24 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 18 and 25 at 2 p.m. Opening night is Monday, Nov. 19 at 7 p.m.

Lynn Sage Cancer Research Foundation (LSCRF) named model, movie star, TV actress, Broadway performer and bestselling author Brooke Shields as the newly-named Guest Speaker at its Annual Fall Benefit Luncheon today, October 17th beginning at 11 a.m. at the Hilton Chicago, 720 South Michigan Ave. (Diane Keaton, who was originally scheduled, cancelled due to a new movie commitment). Proceeds will support innovative contributions to breast cancer research and educational programs, as well as fellowships, at Northwestern Memorial Hospital and the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University.

Lynn Sage Cancer Research Foundation (LSCRF) announces Academy Award-Winning Actress and Director Diane Keaton as Guest Speaker at its Annual Fall Benefit Luncheon today, October 17th beginning at 11 a.m. at the Hilton Chicago, 720 South Michigan Ave. Proceeds will support innovative contributions to breast cancer research and educational programs, as well as fellowships, at Northwestern Memorial Hospital and the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company has announced the line-up for Next Up 2013, the third annual collaboration with Northwestern University's MFA programs in Direction and Design featuring the work of graduates of those programs with casts of professional Chicago actors. Next Up continues Steppenwolf's commitment to Chicago's next generation of theater artists and includes three productions presented in rotating repertory, May 28 - June 16, 2013 in The Steppenwolf Garage (1624 N Halsted St). The directors and designers make their Steppenwolf debut under the mentorship of Steppenwolf staff and artists, including ensemble member Anna D. Shapiro, associate artist Jessica Thebus and scenic designer Todd Rosenthal-all members of the Northwestern faculty-as well as Steppenwolf Associate Artistic Director Erica Daniels. Tickets to Next Up go on sale March 29, 2013.

The SOS show, 'SOS, A Journey Out of the Forgotten Borough... Staten Island...' is returning to the Laurie Beechman Theatre tonight, October 15th at 7 p.m. Candice Guardin impersonates more than 15 characters, including her family, as she takes you through what 'growing up Ginni' was really like, all while singing with a full band.

The National Alliance for Musical Theatre (NAMT) announced today that Tony nominee Nancy Opel and Tony winner and NAMT alum Joe DiPietro (O. Henry's Lovers '98) will host the NAMT Songwriters Showcase as part of the 24th Annual Festival of New Musicals on Friday, October 12 from 1:20-2:30pm at New World Stages (340 West 50th Street).

This October, at Berkeley Repertory Theatre, an ancient tale comes roaring back to life in a compelling new telling filled with contemporary wit and wisdom. The clash of swords and shields, the broken hearts and broken oaths, the bonds of friendship and family - An Iliad arises on a bare stage, told by an old man who's seen too much. Two-time Obie Award-winner Lisa Peterson directs a stunning show that stars Henry Woronicz, who masterfully captures the grief and glory of the battle for Troy.

The National Alliance for Musical Theatre (NAMT) announced today the eight musicals selected to be part of the 24th Annual Festival of New Musicals at New World Stages (340 West 50th Street).

Lookingglass Theatre Company announces a four week extension of Metamorphoses, based on the myths of Ovid from a translation by David Slavitt, written and directed by Ensemble Member Mary Zimmerman. The revival production, coinciding with the 10th Anniversary of the Broadway production, is now playing through December 16, 2012, at Lookingglass Theatre Company, located inside Chicago's historic Water Tower Water Works, 821 N. Michigan Ave. at Pearson.

Lookingglass Theatre Company announces a four week extension of Metamorphoses, based on the myths of Ovid from a translation by David Slavitt, written and directed by Ensemble Member Mary Zimmerman. The revival production, coinciding with the 10th Anniversary of the Broadway production, is now playing through December 16, 2012, at Lookingglass Theatre Company, located inside Chicago's historic Water Tower Water Works, 821 N. Michigan Ave. at Pearson.

Johnny Mercer Foundation and Kaufman Center present 'New Music from The Johnny Mercer Songwriters Project' tonight, October 11 at Merkin Hall as part of the Kaufman Center Broadway Close Up Series. The evening, celebrating the first seven years of the Johnny Mercer Foundation's Songwriters Project at Northwestern University, will feature faculty members, Broadway composers and Tony nominees Craig Carnelia (Is There Life After High School?) and Andrew Lippa (The Addams Family), Grammy-winning singer and songwriter Lari White and cabaret performer Marilyn Maye with Mike Renzi.

Eclipse Theatre has announced the recipient of their Fourth Annual Corona Award: Steve Scott, Associate Producer of The Goodman Theatre. Eclipse's Corona Award honors an individual who has played an important role in supporting and nurturing the Chicago Theatre community as well as Eclipse Theatre.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. The Equity Jeffs, 'Sunday' at Chicago Shakes, 'Hoodoo Love,' the new musicals 'Clear' and 'The Verona Project,' concerts of operetta and cabaret, a Chicago original cast album and more!

Last fall, Theatre Development Fund (TDF) piloted the new program, Autism Theatre Initiative, as part of TDF's Accessibility Programs (TAP), to make theatre accessible to children and adults on the autism spectrum, and their families. They presented the first-ever autism-friendly performance of a Broadway show at Disney's landmark The Lion King on October 2, 2011 and followed that up with an autism-friendly performance of Disney and Cameron Mackintosh's Mary Poppins on April 29, 2012. On September 30, the cast of The Lion King took part in another autism-friendly performance, and Rod Thomas, an actor in the show, wrote about the experience from his perspective. The full piece is as follows: