Philip Dawkins News

The 31st annual PlayLabs new play festival runs Monday, October 20 through Sunday, October 26 at the Playwrights' Center. Audiences are invited to readings of new plays by Playwrights' Center Core Writers, brought to life by top actors and incorporating design elements-elevating the staged reading to an intimate art form all its own.

Victory Gardens Theater announces the first play of its 40th Anniversary Season: the Midwest Premiere of Rest by Ensemble Playwright Samuel D. Hunter, directed by Joanie Schultz. Rest runs tonight, September 12-October 12, 2014, with the press performance on September 19, 2014, at Victory Gardens Theatre, 2433 N. Lincoln Avenue.

The Playwrights' Center has announced the plays and playwrights to be featured in its 2014 PlayLabs festival and 2014-15 Ruth Easton New Play Series. This year, the Ruth Easton New Play Series will grow from one reading of each play to two.

Continuing its 40th Anniversary Season, Victory Gardens Theater announces the Midwest Premiere of The Testament of Mary by Colm Toibin, directed by Dennis Zacek and featuring Linda Reiter. The Testament of Mary runs November 14-December 14, 2014, with the press performance on Friday, November 21, 2014, at Victory Gardens Theatre, 2433 N. Lincoln Avenue.

Lark Play Development Center has announced that seven plays have been chosen for its 21st Annual Playwrights' Week, which will take place September 22nd - 27th. This year's plays and playwrights are Parachute Men by Mando Alvarado, Lucky Ladies by Dominic Finocchiaro, INC. by Diana Grisanti, No More Sad Things by Hansol Jung, Girl of Glass by Jennifer A. Kokai, Chalk by Walt McGough, and The Tiger Among Us by Lauren Yee.

On the eve of Northlight's 40th Anniversary Season, the theatre celebrates its rich history of developing and producing new work. In the upcoming season, Northlight is producing two world premiere works (White Guy on the Bus and Shining Lives: A Musical), the second-ever productions of two plays (The Commons of Pensacola and Outside Mullingar) and a classic rarely produced in the US (The Mousetrap). In addition, Northlight has a number of new works in development through Interplay, a program that has sent 25 out of 29 scripts on to full professional productions throughout the country and developed Northlight's three best-selling plays: Better Late by Larry Gelbart and Craig Wright, The Outgoing Tide by Bruce Graham and Chapatti by Christian O'Reilly.

Victory Gardens Theater hosts Small Fish Radio Theatre and Thespinarium for a one-night-only performance of the radio adaptation of Mercury Considers the Last Layer, written and directed by Trina Kakacek. Mercury Considers the Last Layer is a melodramatic romp, set in the dualistic world of burlesque, which follows the age-old quest of finding one's heart and one's self. Mercury was developed in the Victory Gardens Access Project Artist Development Workshop, with the lead male role written for actor, writer and Thespinariam Michael Herzovi. This special performance, which includes open captioning and American Sign Language interpretation, is meant for a mature audience. The performance is Sunday, August 3, 2014 at 7:30PM in the Zacek-McVay Theater at the Victory Gardens Biograph, 2433 N. Lincoln Avenue in Lincoln Park.

First Floor Theater has announced its Second Annual LitFest, TWAIN'S WORLD, a kaleidoscope of new work inspired by the life and work of one of America's greatest writers. Last year's GrimmFest brought together some of Chicago's most exciting writers and directors, including Bonnie Metzgar, Seth Bockley, Philip Dawkins and Greg Allen. Given the choice of three classic authors, the attendees of this year's annual season kick-off party selected Mark Twain. This moved an exciting, diverse group of playwrights to bring their voice to a conversation around themes in Twain's work, like establishing a new American identity, racism, and the satirization of civilized society. This year's fest promises a full range of adaptation, with everything from page-to-stage to a shadow puppet musical. The press opening is tonight, Friday, July 11, 2014 at 8 pm. Tickets are available at firstfloortheater.com.

First Floor Theater has announced its Second Annual LitFest, TWAIN'S WORLD, a kaleidoscope of new work inspired by the life and work of one of America's greatest writers. Last year's GrimmFest brought together some of Chicago's most exciting writers and directors, including Bonnie Metzgar, Seth Bockley, Philip Dawkins and Greg Allen. Given the choice of three classic authors, the attendees of this year's annual season kick-off party selected Mark Twain. This moved an exciting, diverse group of playwrights to bring their voice to a conversation around themes in Twain's work, like establishing a new American identity, racism, and the satirization of civilized society. This year's fest promises a full range of adaptation, with everything from page-to-stage to a shadow puppet musical. The press opening will be tonight, July 11, 2014 at 8 pm.

The New York Musical Theatre Festival and Spectre Productions, LLC will present the new Pop Musical, ZOMBIE STRIPPERS, featuring Billboard chart-topping pop singer Sariah ('Deep N Luv'), July 21 at 3PM, July 25 at 9PM & July 26 at 1PM, at Ford Foundation Studio Theatre at The Pershing Square Signature Center, 480 West 42nd St. ZOMBIE STRIPPERS is directed by Diane Englert with book, Lyrics and music by Mark LaPierre.

Victory Gardens Theater announces the first play of its 40th Anniversary Season: the Midwest Premiere of Rest by Ensemble Playwright Samuel D. Hunter, directed by Joanie Schultz. Rest runs September 12-October 12, 2014, with the press performance on September 19, 2014, at Victory Gardens Theatre, 2433 N. Lincoln Avenue.

First Floor Theater is thrilled to announce its Second Annual LitFest, TWAIN'S WORLD, a kaleidoscope of new work inspired by the life and work of one of America's greatest writers. Last year's GrimmFest brought together some of Chicago's most exciting writers and directors, including Bonnie Metzgar, Seth Bockley, Philip Dawkins and Greg Allen. Given the choice of three classic authors, the attendees of this year's annual season kick-off party selected Mark Twain. This moved an exciting, diverse group of playwrights to bring their voice to a conversation around themes in Twain's work, like establishing a new American identity, racism, and the satirization of civilized society. This year's fest promises a full range of adaptation, with everything from page-to-stage to a shadow puppet musical. The press opening will be Friday, July 11, 2014 at 8 pm. Tickets are available at firstfloortheater.com.

When I was in Afghanistan, all's I wanted to do was come back to America. But when I got home to America there was this empty feeling and I just wanted to go back to Afghanistan. When your life is so extreme every single day, and you're just adrenaline pumping every day, and then you just come home to this perfect little world, it kind of just sets you off balance.­-Lance Corporal Kevin Daly.

Due to early ticket demand, Victory Gardens Theater adds an additional week of performances to the run of Death and the Maiden by Ariel Dorfman, directed by Artistic Director Chay Yew. Death and the Maiden now runs June 13 - July 20, 2014, with the press performance on June 20, 2014, at Victory Gardens Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Avenue.

First Floor Theater has announced its Second Annual LitFest, TWAIN'S WORLD, a kaleidoscope of new work inspired by the life and work of one of America's greatest writers. Last year's GrimmFest brought together some of Chicago's most exciting writers and directors, including Bonnie Metzgar, Seth Bockley, Philip Dawkins and Greg Allen. Given the choice of three classic authors, the attendees of this year's annual season kick-off party selected Mark Twain. This moved an exciting, diverse group of playwrights to bring their voice to a conversation around themes in Twain's work, like establishing a new American identity, racism, and the satirization of civilized society. This year's fest promises a full range of adaptation, with everything from page-to-stage to a shadow puppet musical. The press opening will be Friday, July 11, 2014 at 8 pm. Tickets are available at firstfloortheater.com.

To close its 47th Season, Marin Theatre Company will produce the West Coast premiere of Failure: A Love Story by the 'hugely talented Chicago writer' (Chicago Tribune) Philip Dawkins. Directed by MTC's artistic director Jasson Minadakis, this 'enchanted and enchanting' play about love and loss will feature five actors playing multiple characters, using puppets and playing live music both original (by MTC's frequent collaborator Chris Houston, a Berkeley-based composer and musician) and from the era of the play - 1920s Chicago.

To close its 47th Season, Marin Theatre Company will produce the West Coast premiere of Failure: A Love Story by Philip Dawkins. Directed by MTC's artistic director Jasson Minadakis, this play about love and loss will feature five actors playing multiple characters, using puppets and playing live music both original (by MTC's frequent collaborator Chris Houston, a Berkeley-based composer and musician) and from the era of the play - 1920s Chicago. Scroll down to meet the cast!

The Playwrights' Center today announced its 2014-15 roster of playwriting fellows and new Core Writers, who together will receive more than $200,000 in awards and additional development funds. The Playwrights' Center is an internationally renowned play development center and artist service organization dedicated to supporting the development of playwrights and new plays. Core Writers and fellows are selected by independent panels composed of nationally recognized theater artists and leaders.

First Floor Theater is thrilled to announce its Second Annual LitFest, TWAIN'S WORLD, a kaleidoscope of new work inspired by the life and work of one of America's greatest writers. Last year's GrimmFest brought together some of Chicago's most exciting writers and directors, including Bonnie Metzgar, Seth Bockley, Philip Dawkins and Greg Allen. Given the choice of three classic authors, the attendees of this year's annual season kick-off party selected Mark Twain. This moved an exciting, diverse group of playwrights to bring their voice to a conversation around themes in Twain's work, like establishing a new American identity, racism, and the satirization of civilized society. This year's fest promises a full range of adaptation, with everything from page-to-stage to a shadow puppet musical. The press opening will be Friday, July 11, 2014 at 8 pm. Tickets will be available at firstfloortheater.com.

To close its 47th Season, Marin Theatre Company will produce the West Coast premiere of Failure: A Love Story by Philip Dawkins. Directed by MTC's artistic director Jasson Minadakis, this play about love and loss will feature five actors playing multiple characters, using puppets and playing live music both original (by MTC's frequent collaborator Chris Houston, a Berkeley-based composer and musician) and from the era of the play - 1920s Chicago. Scroll down to meet the cast!