Northwestern University News

Opening the week, Red Branch Theatre Company, the professional theatre company in residence at Drama Learning Center, is pleased to present their first show of the 2011 season.

The final play of Florida Stage's 24th subscription season is the world premiere of a darkly funny, electric and timely new play by Carter W. Lewis, The Cha-Cha of a Camel Spider. From the award-winning author of The Storytelling Ability of a Boy and Women Who Steal, The Cha-Cha of a Camel Spider asks the questions, what happens when our 'soldiers of fortune' outnumber our army troops and can art really make a difference in a corporatized world? The Cha-Cha of a Camel Spider continues Florida Stage's first season as the resident company in the Rinker Playhouse at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts.

Northwestern University student actors and drama pupils from Haven Middle School in Evanston will appear on stage together before live audiences for the first time in Edward Mast's 'Jungalbook' from April 8 through 17.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater's (CST) Short Shakespeare! Macbeth embarks on a five-week tour of Midwest schools from March 7 to April 8, 2011, following its critically-acclaimed run on CST's Courtyard Theater stage.

Paper Mill Playhouse (Mark S. Hoebee-Producing Artistic Director, Todd Schmidt-Managing Director) is proud to announce casting for Curtains. Directed by Mark S. Hoebee, with choreography by JoAnn M. Hunter, Curtains will run at the Millburn theater from April 27 through May 22, 2011. Family Week is April 27 through May 1 and during this period, children 18 and under receive half off the regular ticket price (certain restrictions apply). Curtains is generously supported by a gift from Allen and Joan Bildner. Curtains is a co-production with Theatre Under The Stars in Houston, Texas. Press opening is set for Sunday, May 1st at 7:00pm.

New dance works created, designed and performed by the NU Group -- a collaboration of Northwestern University alumni artists -- will take place on the Evanston campus and in a Chicago performance space this spring.

Following last year's well-received debut, The Dance COLEctive (TDC), under the direction of award-winning choreographer and teacher Margi Cole, again presents "COLEctive Notions 2011," a concert program promoting the development of new work created by TDC company members. Performances are June 3-5, 2011 at Links Hall, 3435 N. Sheffield in Chicago.

Green Beetle Productions is thrilled to announce that their critically-acclaimed (LA Times CRITICS' CHOICE, Backstage CRITIC'S PICK!) production of PLAY DATES, written by Sam Wolfson (Jewtopia), directed by Jennifer Chambers and produced by Kristen Lee Kelly is EXTENDING AGAIN and will now "play" through SUNDAY, MAY 1 at THEATRE ASYLUM, 6320 Santa Monica Blvd. in Hollywood.

Next Theatre Company is proud to present the Midwest Premiere of Adam Rapp's The Metal Children, directed by Joanie Shultz, April 7- May 8 at 927 Noyes Street in Evanston. Previews are April 7 - 10.

As a 2010-11 mainstage Resident Artist production, HERE proudly presents the premiere of Epona's Labyrinth from The South Wing Theatre Company in collaboration with the Nibroll art collective hailing from Japan.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) premieres Murder for Two-A Killer Musical, created by Joe Kinosian (music/book) and Kellen Blair (lyrics/book), May 12-June 19, 2011, Upstairs at Chicago Shakespeare. This comedic Agatha Christie-like whodunit musical comes with a surprising twist: one actor plays the inspector, the other plays all 10 suspects, and both play the piano. Staged by CST veteran director David H. Bell, this 75-minute premiere features the show's co-creator Joe Kinosian playing the slew of hilarious would-be criminals and Chicago favorite Alan Schmuckler performing the role of the inspector. Tickets for Murder for Two-A Killer Musical Upstairs at Chicago Shakespeare May 12-June 19, 2011, are $25-$30, with special discounts available for groups of 10 or more. All patrons receive a 40% parking discount at Navy Pier garages. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Chicago Shakespeare Theater's Box Office at 312.595.5600 or visit the Theater's website at www.chicagoshakes.com

Next Theatre Company is proud to present the Midwest Premiere of Adam Rapp's The Metal Children, directed by Joanie Shultz, April 7- May 8 at 927 Noyes Street in Evanston. Previews are April 7 - 10.

Asolo Repertory Theatre today announced its selections and details for the 2011 Unplugged festival of new plays. Playwrights include Jeff Baron, one of the world's most-produced playwrights in the past decade; Jamie Pachino, winner of this year's Francesca Primus Prize from the American Theatre Critics Association; Bill Rosenfeld, who was nominated for 30 Grammy Awards and won 4 times; and Mat Smart, winner of two Jerome Fellowships and the San Diego Playbill Award for Best New Play.

THE WORKSHOP THEATER and ALVIN OUT PRODUCTIONS present the final performance of Lizzie Borden at Eight O'Clock at the WorkShop Jewel Box Theater on April 10.

Buzz22 Chicago presents Ibsen's masterpiece up close and personal, in an intimate and visceral site-specific production.

Roger Kumble, David Elzer and Molly O'Keefe are thrilled to announce that their critically-acclaimed (LA Times CRITICS' CHOICE, LA Weekly GO!), smash-hit world premiere play, GIRLS TALK, written and directed by Roger Kumble (turnaround, d girl) is EXTENDING with two new "girls" at the Lee Strasberg Theatre, 7936 Santa Monica Blvd.

The League of Chicago Theatres announces the 2011 Spring Gala, an elegant, extravagant evening filled with philanthropy, food and entertainment.

April at The Metropolitan Room

Nominations in 14 categories and 3 special awards were announced today by the Off-Broadway League for the 2011 Lucille Lortel Awards for Outstanding Achievement Off-Broadway.

Nominations in 14 categories and 3 special awards were announced today by the Off-Broadway League for the 2011 Lucille Lortel Awards for Outstanding Achievement Off-Broadway. This year's ceremony will benefit The Actors Fund. A list of nominees follows below.