Patrick Thornton News

TEN, The Gift Theatre's annual season kickoff celebration of ten 10-minute plays curated by artistic director Michael Patrick Thornton and associate artistic director Paul D'Addario, returns this year as TEN (+5) to honor the 15 year anniversary, January 1-10, 2016.

To accommodate demand for tickets, The Gift Theatre has added performances and extended the run of its critically acclaimed new play for the second time, Good for Otto, written by Tony Award-winning playwright David Rabe and directed by Gift artistic director Michael Patrick Thornton. After announcing their extension, the show was scheduled to close December 20, Good for Otto, will continue performances January 14 - February 7, 2016. Performances are Thursday-Saturday at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. Please consult The Gift's website at thegifttheatre.org or call the box office at 773-283-7071 for the most current schedule and ticket availability.

To accommodate demand for tickets, The Gift Theatre has added performances and extended the run of its critically acclaimed new play, Good for Otto, written by Tony Award-winning playwright David Rabe and directed by Gift artistic director Michael Patrick Thornton. Originally scheduled to close November 22, Good for Otto, will continue performances December 3- December 20, 2015. Performances are Thursday-Saturday at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. Please consult The Gift's website at thegifttheatre.org or call the box office at 773-283-7071 for the most current schedule and ticket availability.  

The Gift Theatre's artistic director Michael Patrick Thornton presents the world premiere of GOOD FOR OTTO by Tony Award-winning playwright David Rabe.

The Gift Theatre's artistic director Michael Patrick Thornton announces the cast for the world premiere of GOOD FOR OTTO by Tony Award-winning playwright David Rabe.

The Gift Theatre's artistic director Michael Patrick Thornton announces the world premiere of psychological drama Good For Otto by Tony Award-winning playwright David Rabe.

During last night's Season Release Bash at Fischman Liquors and Tavern, artistic director and co-founder Michael Patrick Thornton proudly announced The Gift Theatre's 2016 season will include: Shakespeare's Richard III to be presented in Steppenwolf's Garage Theatre starring Thornton as the villainous Richard; John Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath, adapted by Frank Galati; and Melissa Ross' world premiere of A Life Extra Ordinary.

The Gift Theatre's artistic director Michael Patrick Thornton, co-founder William Nedved and associate artistic director Paul D'Addario are proud to announce nine artists have joined the company ensemble: playwrights Will Eno and Laura Marks; directors Marti Lyons and Erica Weiss; and actors Cyd Blakewell, Darci Nalepa, Keith Neagle, Mary Ann Thebus, and Kyle Zornes. Conceived in 1997 by Michael Patrick Thornton and William Nedved, The Gift's mission was to grow and nurture an ensemble while laying roots in an artistically underserved Chicago neighborhood. Today, The Gift Theatre thrives in Jefferson Park as Chicago's most intimate Equity theater and is home to a nationally respected acting ensemble.

The Gift Theatre hosts its second annual artist-friendly fundraiser, The Season Release Bash, for friends and colleagues in the theater community. Attendees of this spirited party in the old-school style of early Gift fundraisers will be the first to hear Artistic Director Michael Patrick Thornton reveal The Gift's 2016 season. Entertainment is provided by DJ White Russian, Sidewalk Chalk and Sad Brad Smith, and food trucks will be on hand to purchase vittles. The Gift's Season Release Bash takes place Sunday, July 12, 4 - 10 p.m. at the Fischman Liquors and Tavern Back Lot, 4780 N Milwaukee Ave. $25 tickets - available at thegifttheatre.org, 773-283-7071, or at the door - include unlimited beer courtesy of Lake Effect, Slapshot, and Mikerphone Breweries.

The Gift Theatre artistic director Michael Patrick Thornton announces the world premiere of smart, exhilarating new play Body & Blood by Gift Co-Founder and playwright, William Nedved and directed by Marti Lyons, who previously directed Bethany last season and recently directed Thornton in Lookingglass' Title and Deed. Body & Blood features Gift ensemble members Lynda Newton (The Royal Society of Antarctica) and Gabe Franken (Thinner Than Water) with guest artists Cyd Blakewell (Griffin Theatre Company's Balm in Gilead), Stephen Spencer (Remy Bumppo's Our Class) and Nicholas Harazin (Chicago Shakespeare Theater's Macbeth).

The Gift Theatre artistic director Michael Patrick Thornton presents the World Premiere of Body & Blood, the smart, exhilarating new play by Gift Co-Founder and playwright William Nedved, directed by Marti Lyons, who recently directed Thornton in Lookingglass' Title and Deed. Body & Blood features The Gift ensemble members Lynda Newton (The Royal Society of Antarctica) and Gabriel Franken (Thinner Than Water) with guest artists Cyd Blakewell (Griffin Theatre Company's Balm in Gilead), Stephen Spencer (Remy Bumppo's Our Class) and Nicholas Harazin (Chicago Shakespeare Theater's Macbeth). Body & Blood runs tonight, June 11 - August 9 at The Gift Theatre, 4802 N. Milwaukee Avenue. Press opening is Monday, June 15 at 7:30pm.

The Gift Theatre artistic director Michael Patrick Thornton announces the cast for the World Premiere of Body & Blood, the smart, exhilarating new play by Gift Co-Founder and playwright William Nedved, directed by Marti Lyons, who recently directed Thornton in Lookingglass' Title and Deed. Body & Blood features The Gift ensemble members Lynda Newton (The Royal Society of Antarctica) and Gabriel Franken (Thinner Than Water) with guest artists Cyd Blakewell (Griffin Theatre Company's Balm in Gilead), Stephen Spencer (Remy Bumppo's Our Class) and Nicholas Harazin (Chicago Shakespeare Theater's Macbeth). Body & Blood runs June 11 - August 9 at The Gift Theatre, 4802 N. Milwaukee Avenue. Press opening is Monday, June 15 at 7:30pm.

Lookingglass Theatre Company presents In the Room, a special event developed by Lookingglass Ensemble member Joey Slotnick and artistic collaborators Lauren Katz and Jim Dennen. In the Room will be presented for three nights only, tonight, April 30 - May 2, 2015 at 9:00pm at Lookingglass Theatre Company, located inside Chicago's historic Water Tower Water Works, 821 N. Michigan Ave. at Pearson.

In 2015, our producers and curators programmed over 175 Chicago artists in 15 homes across Chicago from May 5th to 24th to reroute our city's segregated maps. From Uptown to Englewood, Little Village to Austin, the festival explores private homes as public forums for cross-cultural conversation, radical generosity and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Lookingglass Theatre Company presents In the Room, a special event developed by Lookingglass Ensemble member Joey Slotnick and artistic collaborators Lauren Katz and Jim Dennen.  In the Room will be presented for three nights only, April 30 - May 2, 2015 at 9:00pm at Lookingglass Theatre Company, located inside Chicago's historic Water Tower Water Works, 821 N. Michigan Ave. at Pearson.

Chicago Inclusion Project Founder and Producer Emjoy Gavino announces the launch of The Chicago Inclusion Project, a collective dedicated to championing inclusion and diversity in Chicago theatre.

Continuing its 27th Season, Lookingglass Theatre Company presents the Midwest Premiere of Title and Deed, by Will Eno and directed by Marti Lyons. Title and Deed runs March 18 - May 3, 2015 at Lookingglass Theatre Company, located inside Chicago's historic Water Tower Water Works, 821 N. Michigan Ave. at Pearson. The Press Openings are Friday, March 27 at 7:30pm and Saturday, March 28 at 7:30 p.m.Tickets can be purchased through the box office at (312) 337-0665 or www.lookingglasstheatre.org.

The Gift Theatre artistic director Michael Patrick Thornton announces the world premiere of smart, exhilarating new play Body & Blood by Gift Co-Founder and playwright, William Nedved and directed by Marti Lyons, who previously directed Bethany last season and recently directed Thornton in Lookingglass' Title and Deed. Body & Blood features Gift ensemble members Lynda Newton (The Royal Society of Antarctica) and Gabe Franken (Thinner Than Water) with guest artists Cyd Blakewell (Griffin Theatre Company's Balm in Gilead), Stephen Spencer (Remy Bumppo's Our Class) and Nicholas Harazin (Chicago Shakespeare Theater's Macbeth).

Continuing its 27th Season, Lookingglass Theatre Company presents the Midwest Premiere of Title and Deed, by Will Eno and directed by Marti Lyons. Title and Deed runs tonight, March 18 - May 3, 2015 at Lookingglass Theatre Company, located inside Chicago's historic Water Tower Water Works, 821 N. Michigan Ave. at Pearson.