Portia News

First Folio Theatre, known for bringing high quality performances of Shakespeare and other classics to the Chicagoland suburbs, closes its landmark 15th season with William Shakespeare's most controversial play, THE MERCHANT OF VENICE. A complex tale of hatred, love, revenge, and betrayal, THE MERCHANT OF VENICE opened on Saturday, July 14, and runs through August 19, 2012. Click below to watch video interviews with the cast about their inspirations, favorite scenes and more!

First Folio Theatre, (Mayslake Peabody Estate, 31st St. & Rt. 83), is presenting a special fully staged reading of SHYLOCK AND HIS DAUGHTER by Maurice Schwartz tonight, July 26 and Thursday, August 2, 9, and 16 at 8:15 p.m. Originally written for the Yiddish theater and translated into English, this play tells the same story as First Folio's main stage Shakespeare-under-the-Stars production, THE MERCHANT OF VENICE, but from Shylock's perspective.

First Folio Theatre, (Mayslake Peabody Estate, 31st St. & Rt. 83), is presenting a special fully staged reading of SHYLOCK AND HIS DAUGHTER by Maurice Schwartz on Thursday, July 26 and Thursday, August 2, 9, and 16 at 8:15 p.m. Originally written for the Yiddish theater and translated into English, this play tells the same story as First Folio's main stage Shakespeare-under-the-Stars production, THE MERCHANT OF VENICE, but from Shylock's perspective.

Award-winning actress and screenwriter Eileen Atkins will recreate the persona of the most famous British actress of the 19th century to deliver two timeless speeches on Shakespeare's Women at Theatre on the Fly in Chichester.

Today we are talking to one of Broadway's most recent stars to make a big impression in Hollywood with his many recent TV and film appearances - from GLEE, 30 ROCK and CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM to the forthcoming HBO Liberace biopic BEHIND THE CANDELABRA as well as the new NBC series MOCKINGBIRD LANE - following his stints on the Great White Way in the lead roles of musicals such as ALL SHOOK UP, XANADU and FINIAN'S RAINBOW - the convivial, exceedingly talented Cheyenne Jackson. Giving us an all-access pass to his new role as songwriter, crafting two pop gems - "Drive" and "Before You" - and creating accompanying music videos for them as a preview of his forthcoming EP, which will also include collaborations with Sia and more. In addition to his recording career and songwriting responsibilities, Jackson also has a number of high profile film and TV projects coming up and he gives us the 411 on his role opposite Michael Douglas in the new Steven Soderbergh HBO film BEHIND THE CANDELABRA, as well as shares his experiences filming the new Bryan Fuller-created NBC reboot of THE MUNSTERS titled MOCKINGBIRD LANE. Also, will he be returning to 30 ROCK for its final season? What about a GLEE reprise? Plus, Jackson fills us in on the newest member of his family, as well as recollections of working on Dustin Lance Black's remarkable landmark PROP 8 live multi-media presentation, his involvement with Neil LaBute's THE HEART OF THE MATTER, his new film MUTUAL FRIENDS, participating in BARACK ON BROADWAY duetting with SMASH star Megan Hilty and what we can expect from his appearance in the new Christopher Ashley-directed movie musical adaptation of Ahrens & Flaherty's LUCKY STIFF. All of that and much, much more!

SOMETHING OF SILVER, otherwise known as The Merchant of Venice with Music, is Tony Tanner's latest adaptation for Classical Theatre Lab & the City of West Hollywood's Free Shakespeare in the Park.

First Folio Theatre, known for bringing high quality performances of Shakespeare and other classics to the Chicagoland suburbs, closes its landmark 15th season with William Shakespeare's most controversial play, THE MERCHANT OF VENICE. A complex tale of hatred, love, revenge, and betrayal, THE MERCHANT OF VENICE opened on Saturday, July 14, and runs through August 19, 2012. Check out photos from opening night below!

First Folio Theatre (Mayslake Peabody Estate, 31st St. & Rt. 83), known for bringinghigh quality performances of Shakespeare and other classics to the Chicagoland suburbs, will close its landmark 15th season with William Shakespeare's most controversial play, THE MERCHANT OF VENICE.

Lesser America, in residence at Theater for the New City, presents the world premiere of American River, written by Micheline Auger and directed by Stephen Brackett, opening tonight, July 14th at 8pm at Theater for the New City, 155 First Avenue, between 9th and 10th Streets. American River marks the close of the inaugural season for Lesser America, a young theater company in residence at Theater for the New City.

THE LION KING definitely roared into Houston.

First Folio Theatre will close its landmark 15th season with William Shakespeare's most controversial play, THE MERCHANT OF VENICE, directed by Artistic Director, Alison C. Vesely, opening July 16 through August 19. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the production photos below.

The series premiere of THE BURN WITH JEFF ROSS debuts Tuesday, August 14 and the world premiere of 'Jeff Ross Roasts America' airs Saturday, August 11. In addition, check out all-new episodes of 'The Daily Show with Jon Stewart,' 'The Colbert Report,' 'Futurama' and 'John Oliver's New York Stand-Up Show.'

The Royal Shakespeare Company's acclaimed production of Shakespeare's Julius Caesar will transfer to the venue of the Moscow Arts Theatre in Russia for five performances from 14 to 17 November, following its UK tour.

Lesser America, in residence at Theater for the New City has announced that it will present the world premiere of American River, written by Micheline Auger and directed by Stephen Brackett, opening Saturday, July 14th at 8pm at Theater for the New City. American River marks the close of the inaugural season for Lesser America, a young theater company in residence at Theater for the New City. Get a first look at the production in the photos below!

First Folio Theatre (Mayslake Peabody Estate, 31st St. & Rt. 83), known for bringinghigh quality performances of Shakespeare and other classics to the Chicagoland suburbs, will close its landmark 15th season with William Shakespeare's most controversial play, THE MERCHANT OF VENICE.

Actors' Theatre of Columbus tackles The Merchant of Venice as its mid-summer offering in order to let audiences decide Shakespeare's intent for Shylock themselves. John S. Kuhn, Artistic Director of Actors' Theatre, who is also playing the role of Shylock, promises a nuanced performance from all of the actors in this production, which runs June 28 through July 29.

Actors' Theatre of Columbus tackles The Merchant of Venice as its mid-summer offering in order to let audiences decide Shakespeare's intent for Shylock themselves. John S. Kuhn, Artistic Director of Actors' Theatre, who is also playing the role of Shylock, promises a nuanced performance from all of the actors in this production, which runs June 28 through July 29.

Lesser America, in residence at Theater for the New City has announced that it will present the world premiere of American River, written by Micheline Auger and directed by Stephen Brackett, opening Saturday, July 14th at 8pm at Theater for the New City, 155 First Avenue, between 9th and 10th Streets. American River marks the close of the inaugural season for Lesser America, a young theater company in residence at Theater for the New City.

Following the sold out performances and overflow crowds for its Cino Nights presentations, Rising Phoenix Rep finished the series on June 10th with Break My Face on Your Hand by Daniel Talbott. Check out photos from the production below!

The Public Theater's AS YOU LIKE IT, the first show of The Public's 50th Anniversary season at the Delacorte, officially opened last night, June 21 and continues through Saturday, June 30.