Ora Jones News

Rivendell Theatre Ensemble's (RTE) Artistic Director Tara Mallen is proud to announce Rivendell Theatre Ensemble's 18th season. Chicago's only producing company dedicated to women's voices features three original American plays during their 2013-14 season named 'Stirring the Pot.' Rivendell chose three provocative, contemporary stories that 'stir the pot' and unflinchingly expose challenging issues and instigate vital dialogues on some of the relevant issues facing women today: women in the military, racial tensions at work and negative body image in women. The season begins with Women at War, Thursday, Nov. 21. This Public Workshop Performance at UIC School of Theatre & Music, 1040 W. Harrison Ave., has been developed as part of Rivendell's annual Fresh Produce new play development series and is directed by RTE ensemble member Megan Carney with producing partner 'VetCAT'. The season continues with Rasheeda Speaking by Chicago's critically acclaimed Joel Drake Johnson, directed by Sandy Shinner, January 18 - February 16, 2014, and concludes with the Midwest premiere of Eat Your Heart Out by Courtney Baron, directed by Hallie Gordon, artistic director of Steppenwolf Young Adults Program, May 31 - June 28, 2014. Both Rasheeda Speaking and Eat Your Heart Out will take place at Rivendell Theatre, 5779 North Ridge Ave. Subscriptions, tickets and information are available at www.RivendellTheatre.org.

Attendees might come for the wine at the 4th Annual Gloucester Wine Festival hosted by the Gloucester Chamber of Commerce at Brent and Becky's Bulbs on Oct. 26 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company presents the American premiere of The Wheel by Zinnie Harris. Ensemble member Tina Landau directs Harris's epic, a work of magic realism chronicling the trials of Beatriz as she attempts to reunite a young girl with her father in nineteenth-century Spain. Landau's cast of 17 features ensemble members Joan Allen (in her first appearance on stage at Steppenwolf since 1991), Robert Breuler, Tim Hopper, Ora Jones and Yasen Peyankov. The National Theatre of Scotland commissioned and produced the world premiere of The Wheel in 2011. The Wheel began previews September 12, 2013 (Opening night is September 22; Press performances are September 21 at 3pm and September 24 at 7:30pm) and runs through November 10 in Steppenwolf's Downstairs Theatre (1650 N Halsted St). BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Steppenwolf Theatre Company presents the American premiere of The Wheel by Zinnie Harris. Ensemble member Tina Landau directs Harris's epic, a work of magic realism chronicling the trials of Beatriz as she attempts to reunite a young girl with her father in nineteenth-century Spain. Landau's cast of 17 features ensemble members Joan Allen (in her first appearance on stage at Steppenwolf since 1991), Robert Breuler, Tim Hopper, Ora Jones and Yasen Peyankov. The National Theatre of Scotland commissioned and produced the world premiere of The Wheel in 2011. The Wheel begins previews tonight, September 12, 2013 (Opening night is September 22; Press performances are September 21 at 3pm and September 24 at 7:30pm) and runs through November 10 in Steppenwolf's Downstairs Theatre (1650 N Halsted St).

Five world premiere plays and three new adaptations seen first by Chicago audiences received Jeff nominations by the Jeff Awards Committee and are among the 166 nominations in 36 categories announced for Chicago Equity theatrical productions opened between August 1, 2012 and July 31, 2013.

Rehearsals recently began at Steppenwolf Theatre Company for the American premiere of The Wheel by Zinnie Harris. Ensemble member Tina Landau directs Harris's epic, a work of magic realism chronicling the trials of Beatriz as she attempts to reunite a young girl with her father in nineteenth-century Spain. Landau's cast of 17 features ensemble members Joan Allen (in her first appearance on stage at Steppenwolf since 1991), Robert Breuler, Tim Hopper, Ora Jones and Yasen Peyankov. The National Theatre of Scotland commissioned and produced the world premiere of The Wheel in 2011.The Wheel begins previews September 12, 2013, with an opening night officially set for September 22. The Wheel runs through November 10 in Steppenwolf's Downstairs Theatre (1650 N Halsted St). Tickets ($20 - $82) go on sale tomorrow, August 9 at 11am. Check out a first look at Allen and the cast in rehearsal below!

Rehearsals begin next week at Steppenwolf Theatre Company for the American premiere of The Wheel by Zinnie Harris. Ensemble member Tina Landau directs Harris's epic, a work of magic realism chronicling the trials of Beatriz as she attempts to reunite a young girl with her father in nineteenth-century Spain. Landau's cast of 17 features ensemble members Joan Allen (in her first appearance on stage at Steppenwolf since 1991), Robert Breuler, Tim Hopper, Ora Jones and Yasen Peyankov. The National Theatre of Scotland commissioned and produced the world premiere of The Wheel in 2011. The Wheel begins previews September 12, 2013 (Opening night is September 22; Press performances are September 21 at 3pm and September 24 at 7:30pm) and runs through November 10 in Steppenwolf's Downstairs Theatre (1650 N Halsted St). Tickets ($20 - $82) go on sale tomorrow, August 9 at 11am.

Casting is complete for Steppenwolf Theatre Company's American-premiere production of The Wheel by Zinnie Harris. Ensemble member Tina Landau directs a cast of 17 featuring ensemble members Joan Allen (in her first appearance on stage at Steppenwolf since 1991), Robert Breuler,Tim Hopper, Ora Jones and Yasen Peyankov with Kareem Bandealy, La Shawn Banks, Chaon Cross, Emma Gordon, Mark L. Montgomery, Erin Oechsel,Stephanie Park, Daniel Pass, Edgar Sanchez, Scott Stangland, Demetrios Troy and Matthew Yee.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) announces William Shakespeare's Henry VIII, the first professional Chicago production in 400 years since its debut at Shakespeare's Globe in London. Staged by Artistic Director Barbara Gaines in CST's Courtyard Theater April 30-June 16, 2013, Henry VIII features a celebrated company of artists that includes Gregory Wooddell in the title role and Christina Pumariega as Anne Boleyn. The Acting Company features an ensemble of veteran CST actors which includes Kate Buddeke, David Darlow, Kevin Gudahl, Scott Jaeck, Ora Jones, David Lively and Mike Nussbaum. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the production highlights below.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) announces William Shakespeare's Henry VIII, the first professional Chicago production in 400 years since its debut at Shakespeare's Globe in London. Staged by Artistic Director Barbara Gaines in CST's Courtyard Theater April 30-June 16, 2013, Henry VIII features a celebrated company of artists that includes Gregory Wooddell in the title role and Christina Pumariega as Anne Boleyn. The acting company features an ensemble of veteran CST actors which includes Kate Buddeke, David Darlow, Kevin Gudahl, Scott Jaeck, Ora Jones, David Lively and Mike Nussbaum. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the production shots below.

The Atlanta Symphony Associates has just announced a series of signature events as part of the 43rd Annual Decorators' Show House & Gardens. In addition to touring the home, these events welcome all attendees to participate and indulge in tailored special presentations - including lectures, book signings, garden tours, wine tastings, and cooking demonstrations - that will take place at Tuffeau Estate in April and May.

The Atlanta Symphony Associates is pleased to announce a series of signature events as part of the 43rd Annual Decorators' Show House & Gardens. In addition to touring the home, these events welcome all attendees to participate and indulge in tailored special presentations - including lectures, book signings, garden tours, wine tastings, and cooking demonstrations - that will take place at Tuffeau Estate in April and May.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) announces William Shakespeare's Henry VIII, the first professional Chicago production in 400 years since its debut at Shakespeare's Globe in London. Staged by Artistic Director Barbara Gaines in CST's Courtyard Theater April 30-June 16, 2013, Henry VIII features a celebrated company of artists that includes Gregory Wooddell in the title role and Christina Pumariega as Anne Boleyn. The acting company features an ensemble of veteran CST actors which includes Kate Buddeke, David Darlow, Kevin Gudahl, Scott Jaeck, Ora Jones, David Lively and Mike Nussbaum.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company Artistic Director Martha Lavey announced today the 2013/14 Subscription Season, including two world premieres, an American premiere and two Chicago premieres. The season begins in Steppenwolf's Downstairs Theatre with Zinnie Harris's The Wheel, directed by ensemble member Tina Landau. Up next, ensemble member Austin Pendleton directs Tribes by Nina Raine. In the Upstairs Theatre, ensemble member Yasen Peyankov directs Russian Transport by Erika Sheffer. In April 2014, ensemble member Amy Morton directs the world premiere of The Way West by Mona Mansour. And in July 2014, the season concludes with the world premiere of The Qualms by Bruce Norris, directed by Pam MacKinnon.

TimesTalks just welcomed Nora Jones. TimesTalks events take place at TheTimesCenter, 242 West 41st Street, New York City. For additional information or to purchase advance tickets, which are $30 for each interview plus service fees, please call: 1.888.NYT.1870 or visit www.TimesTalks.com.

One of the nation's most prominent of the many productions of "A Christmas Carol" that crop up like greenery this time of year is the one at Chicago's Goodman Theatre. Now in its 35th annual outing, it's a warm, thought-provoking and timeless tale of redemption and good will, humanity and universality that, surprisingly , shares with Jonathan Larson's "Rent" an immediate central theme. "No day but today" might very well be a line from Charles Dickens' short 1843 novel of the same name, as pithy and wise as the novel's, and this show's, ending line: "God bless us, everyone."

Stephen Sondheim's SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE is part of Chicago Shakespeare Theater's upcoming season, currently running through November 11, 2012. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the production below.