Rachel Lambert News

Eclipse Theatre Company, the only Midwest theatre company to feature one playwright in one season, continues their 24th anniversary, 2016 Stephen Adly Guirgis season with the Chicago Premiere of The Little Flower of East Orange, with Eclipse ensemble member Steve Scott directing.

Casting is complete for the three 'developmental productions' featured in Goodman Theatre's 13th annual New Stages festival, a free celebration of new works by some of the country's finest established and emerging playwrights. These three plays, which are staged in repertory with modest production values following three weeks of rehearsal, include Blue Skies Process by Abe Koogler, directed by Henry Wishcamper; Support Group for Men by Ellen Fairey, directed by Kimberly Senior; and The King of Hell's Palace by Frances Ya-Chu Cowhig, directed by Tea Alagi. Full cast lists are included below.

The Toronto International Film Festival® announced today its Discovery programme showcasing 35 outstanding and absorbing feature films, including 16 World Premieres, by first and second time feature directors from Canada and across the globe, sponsored by Dropbox.

Peninsula Players Theatre, America's Oldest Professional Resident Summer Theatre and Door County's theatrical icon, continues its 81st season now through July 24 when it presents Agatha Christie's intriguing whodunit, 'The Hollow.' A weekend in the English countryside goes deathly awry with an explosive murder in this spell-binding mystery.

BoHo Theatre completes its 2016 season with NEXT TO NORMAL, Brian Yorkey and Tom Kitt's rock opera about struggling with grief and mental illness in suburban America. The production is directed by Theater at the Center Artistic Director Linda Fortunato, who recently earned a Jeff Award for choreographing BoHo's KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN and a Jeff Award nomination for directing BoHo's PARADE.

Peninsula Players Theatre, America's Oldest Professional Resident Summer Theatre and Door County's theatrical icon, announces company members for its 81st season, running June 14 through October 16, 2016. The mix of plays include a late-in-life romance, an intriguing whodunit, a raucous pop-rock musical, an engaging Midwest premiere and a wildly comic thriller.

Stand-up comedian, actor and writer Mark Roberts returns home for the Midwest Premiere of NEW COUNTRY at The Den Theater, 1333 N. Milwaukee Ave. The no-holds-barred show runs now through May 14, 2016. Under the direction of Ian Streicher, the uncensored comedy about a country star's Nashville bachelor party going wildly amiss is sure to entertain audiences looking to push the proverbial envelope for a moving and hilarious night out. Scroll down for photos from the opening night festivities!

Stand-up comedian, actor and writer Mark Roberts returns home for the Midwest Premiere of The New York Times' Critics' Pick NEW COUNTRY at The Den Theater, 1333 N. Milwaukee Ave. The no-holds-barred show, described by Stage and Cinema as a"...hilarious, poignant, and at times heart-wrenching comedic drama," previews February 20, 2016 and runs through May 14, 2016.  Under the direction of Ian Streicher, the uncensored comedy about a country star's Nashville bachelor party going wildly amiss is sure to entertain audiences looking to push the proverbial envelope for a moving and hilarious night out.

Eclipse Theatre Company, the only Midwest theatre company to feature oneplaywright in one season, opens their 24th anniversary, 2016 Stephen Adly Guirgis season with JESUS HOPPED THE 'A' TRAIN, with Eclipse ensemble member Anish Jethmalani directing.   

Stand-up comedian, actor and writer Mark Roberts returns home for the Midwest Premiere of The New York Times' Critics' Pick NEW COUNTRY at The Den Theatre, 1333 N. Milwaukee Ave. The no-holds-barred show, described by Stage and Cinema as a '...hilarious, poignant, and at times heart-wrenching comedic drama,' previews tonight, February 20, 2016 and runs through May 14, 2016.

Stand-up comedian, actor and writer Mark Roberts returns home for the Midwest Premiere of The New York Times' Critics' Pick NEW COUNTRY at The Den Theatre, 1333 N. Milwaukee Ave. The no-holds-barred show, described by Stage and Cinema as a '...hilarious, poignant, and at times heart-wrenching comedic drama,' previews February 20, 2016 and runs through May 14, 2016.

First Folio Theatre (Mayslake Peabody Estate, 31st St. & Rt. 83) presents THE MADNESS OF EDGAR ALLAN POE: A LOVE STORY, an original play by Executive Director David Rice. This critically acclaimed production first premiered in 2006 and has sold out all four of its previous productions. The riveting tale of life and death, love and heartbreak opened on September 26 and runs through November 1, 2015. BroadwayWorld has photos from the opening night festivities below!

Eclipse Theatre Company, the only Midwest theatre company to feature oneplaywright in one season, concludes their 23rd anniversary, 2015 Terrence McNally season with The Lisbon Traviata, with Eclipse Ensemble Member and Goodman Theatre Artistic Associate Steve Scott directing.

First Folio Theatre (Mayslake Peabody Estate, 31st St. & Rt. 83) presents THE MADNESS OF EDGAR ALLAN POE: A LOVE STORY, an original play by Executive Director David Rice. This critically acclaimed production first premiered in 2006 and has sold out all four of its previous productions. The riveting tale of life and death, love and heartbreak opens tonight, September 26 through November 1, 2015. Scroll down for a first look at the cast in action!

First Folio Theatre (Mayslake Peabody Estate, 31st St. & Rt. 83) presents THE MADNESS OF EDGAR ALLAN POE: A LOVE STORY, an original play by Executive Director David Rice. This critically acclaimed production first premiered in 2006 and has sold out all four of its previous productions. The riveting tale of life and death, love and heartbreak begins previews tonight, September 23, for a regular run September 26 through November 1, 2015. Scroll down for a first look at the cast in action!

First Folio Theatre (Mayslake Peabody Estate, 31st St. & Rt. 83) presents THE MADNESS OF EDGAR ALLAN POE: A LOVE STORY, an original play by Executive Director David Rice.

Chicago stage, TV and film star Michael Shannon did the honor of announcing the nominees for the 2014-2015 Equity Jeff Awards. A video of the presentation is available at www.JeffAwards.org.

Peninsula Players Theatre, America's Oldest Professional Resident Summer Theater and Door County's theatrical icon, continues its 80th season tonight, July 29, through August 16 when it presents Ken Ludwig's hilarious comedy, 'Lend Me A Tenor.'

First Folio Theatre (Mayslake Peabody Estate, 31st St. & Rt. 83) presents THE WINTER'S TALE as part of its annual outdoor Shakespeare Under the Stars series. The show opened Saturday, July 11, and runs through August 9, 2015. Pack a picnic and experience the Shakespearean classic that the The New York Times hails as 'Enthralling!' The spellbinding story of jealousy, love, and the price of both is directed by Jeff Award-nominee Alison C. Vesely. Scroll down for a peek at the cast!

First Folio Theatre (Mayslake Peabody Estate, 31st St. & Rt. 83) will present THE WINTER'S TALE as part of its annual outdoor Shakespeare Under the Stars series, opening tonight, July 11 at 8:15 p.m., running through August 9, 2015. Pack a picnic and experience the Shakespearean classic that the The New York Times hails as 'Enthralling!' The spellbinding story of jealousy, love, and the price of both is directed by Jeff Award-nominee Alison C. Vesely. BroadwayWorld has a look at the cast in action below!