Northwestern University News

The first installment of the four-part series Faces of Curtain Up. An interview with Amy Jakiel, who will be appearing as Marian Paroo in Music Man at Musicalfare Theatre from 9/5-10/14. I met with Amy to discuss this year's role and her career as a performer/director extraordinaire.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. One more Jeff Awards category, new musicals at the Fringe Festival, Broadway Playhouse, Stage 773 and Northwestern, and a cabaret spotlight on Davenport's, Petterino's, 3160 and more!

Composer/lyricist Neil Bartram and book writer Brian Hill, Drama Desk Nominated authors of Broadway's The Story of My Life, will workshop their newest musical Something Wicked This Way Comes, adapted from the novel by Ray Bradbury, with the Weitzenhoffer School of Musical Theatre at the University of Oklahoma in October 2012.

The Chicago Commercial Collective has announced its first production, the remount of the Chicago and Broadway hit drama, A Steady Rain, will tour Wisconsin and Michigan this fall. Currently, A Steady Rain completes its successful nine-week run at the Chicago Dramatists Sunday, Sept. 2.

Now in the forefront of play development, with local writers, KTC presents their 11th World Premiere in only two years, Focus Group Play. Chosen from seven new works, this stand-out production is being directed by Eric Hunicutt.

Azuka Theatre's 13th Season continues the company's tradition of introducing thought-provoking new works to the region. This season will include two World Premieres and one East Coast Premiere.

Award winning play ends short run August 26, 2012

Five powerful productions have been scheduled for Center Theatre Group's 2013 season at the Mark Taper Forum, it was announced today by CTG Artistic Director Michael Ritchie.

Music Theatre of Connecticut School of the Performing Arts in Westport will conduct the College Bound in the Performing Arts Seminar, a crash course in performing arts degree programs for high school performers and their parents, on Saturday, September 15 at 10am in Westport.

The Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the crown jewel of Ravinia's summer classical programming, closes out their Ravinia summer residency in a concert led by Ravinia Music Director James Conlon in the Martin Theatre at 8 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 20. The performance features CSO soloists and includes Spohr's Nonet in F Major, Op. 31 and Schubert's Octet in F Major, D. 803. The concert also features a ticket and dining package for a special price of $75.

La Jolla Playhouse presents An Iliad, a one-man adaptation of Homer's classic tale, adapted by Denis O'Hare (Tony Award-winning actor in Take Me Out) and Lisa Peterson (director of The Playhouse's Surf Report and Be Aggressive), based on a translation by Robert Fagles, directed by Lisa Peterson. A co-production with Berkeley Repertory Theatre, An Iliad features Henry Woronicz as the "Poet," with Brian Ellingsen as the "Musician" and runs now through September 9 in the Mandell Weiss Forum. Get a first look Woronicz and more on stage below!

Lookingglass Theatre Company will open its 25th Anniversary Season with Metamorphoses, based on the Myths of Ovid, written and directed by Lookingglass Ensemble Member Mary Zimmerman. The show will play September 19 - September 28, 2012. The return of Lookingglass' seminal production, coinciding with the 10th Anniversary of the Broadway run, will open at Lookingglass in the fall of 2012 and will then move to Washington D.C.'s Arena Stage.

Actors' Equity Association (Equity) announced today the appointment of Thomas Carpenter to the position of Eastern Regional Director/Assistant Executive Director and General Counsel. Mr. Carpenter joins the Equity staff on August 27, 2012.

For 12 years, Merkin Concert Hall's Broadway Close Up series has been taking audiences behind the scenes of classic musicals old and new with eye-opening interviews and inspiring performances. The annual Bound for Broadway show hosted by Liz Callaway gives theater lovers sneak peeks at some of the best new shows in production. This season's line-up includes:

Sideshow Theatre Company has announced its full 2012/13 Season, which brings to light lingering secrets and apocalyptic preparations.

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.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company has announced the three Chicago companies selected for the fourth annual Garage Rep: Bailiwick Chicago, Buzz22 Chicago and Theatre Seven of Chicago. These innovative storefront companies present three productions in rotating repertory for a ten-week run February 14 - April 21, 2013in The Steppenwolf Garage (1624 N Halsted St).

Lynn Sage Cancer Research Foundation (LSCRF) today 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 on Wednesday, 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.

Burning Coal Theatre Company's Playwriting Class, taught by Jason Tyne-Zimmerman, takes place from 6:30 to 9:30 pm on Mondays from September 3rd to October 22nd. The cost of the class is $155 for eight sessions, payable on or prior to the first day of class. For information or to enroll, call 919-834-4001 or visit us at www.burningcoal.org.

Cyndi Lauper joins various actors to preview the coming Broadway in Chicago season-in song.