Rachel Lambert News

Promethean Theatre Ensemble will return from its pandemic hiatus with a modern dress storefront production of Shakespeare's epic RICHARD III. The play will be directed by Steve Scott, an Artistic Associate with the Goodman Theatre, where he most recently directed VANYA AND SONIA AND MASHA AND SPIKE.

First Folio Theatre will present Jane Austen's EMMA by Phil Timberlake, previewing March 23rd, 24th, and 25th, opening March 26th, and running through April 24th, 2022.

First Folio Theatre will present the World Premiere of Agatha Christie’s The Secret Council, adapted by David Rice. The show will preview January 26th - 28th, open January 29th, and run through February 27th, 2022.

First Folio Theatre’s Board of Directors has announced that Founding Executive Director David Rice will be stepping down in the spring of 2024. In conjunction with that decision, the Board has also determined that First Folio will cease operations at the end of the 2023-2024 season.

First Folio Theatre presents the World Premiere of Joseph Zettelmaier’s THE JIGSAW BRIDE, previewing October 13th-15th, opening October 16th and running through November 14th, 2021. 

A mesmerizing tale of gothic horror and suspense, The Jigsaw Bride transports the audience to the world of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, where 100 years have passed and something or someone lies in the ruins of the infamous Castle of Dr. Frankenstein.

A mesmerizing tale of gothic horror and suspense, THE JIGSAW BRIDE transports the audience to the world of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, where 100 years have passed and something or someone lies in the ruins of the infamous Castle of Dr. Frankenstein. A perfect production for crisp fall nights that invites us to question what makes us (in)human and to explore the depths we will go to in the name of scientific discovery.  

First Folio Theatre presents the World Premiere of Joseph Zettelmaier's THE JIGSAW BRIDE, previewing October 13th-15th, opening October 16th and running through November 14th, 2021.

In its continuing mission to help address the absence of live theater performances, First Folio Theatre will offer a streaming video recording of MADMEN & PRISONERS: TWO TALES BY POE, adapted for the stage by David Rice and directed by Skyler Schrempp.

The Jeff Awards has announced the nominees for the 52nd annual awards for theater excellence that include 142 theater artists across 30 artistic and technical categories. The awards will be presented in an online program on Monday, November 9, 2020 at 7:00PM.

 As a way to help address the absence of live theater performances, First Folio Theatre will offer a streaming video recording of the award-winning Cymbeline: A Folk Tale with Music, directed by Michael Goldberg. Adapted from Shakespeare's romance by David Rice with original music and lyrics by Michael Keefe and David Rice, this production was recorded live during a 2013 performance on First Folio's outdoor stage. The show will be streaming on the Vimeo video service June 3 a?" 14. With an original bluegrass/gospel score played by the cast members themselves, Cymbeline is just the tonic folks need in these difficult times.

To conclude its 24th season, First Folio Theatre (Mayslake Peabody Estate, 31st St. & Rt. 83.) welcomes the literary-inspired World Premiere production of Louisa May Alcott's LITTLE WOMEN, adapted for the stage by Heather Chrisler. Directed by Tara Branham, Louisa May Alcott's LITTLE WOMEN previews March 25-27, opens March 28 and runs through April 26, 2020.

Griffin Theatre Company is pleased to launch its 32nd season with the Midwest premiere of Lynn Nottage's drama Mlima's Tale directed by Jerrell L. Henderson, playing February 15 – March 21, 2020 on Raven Theatre's Schwartz Stage, 6157 N. Clark St. in Chicago. Tickets go on sale Monday, January 20 at www.griffintheatre.com or by calling (773) 338-2177. The press opening is Sunday, February 23 at 7 pm.

Eclipse Theatre Company, the only Midwest theatre company to feature one playwright in one season, will begin their 2020 Caryl Churchill Season this spring with a production of Cloud 9, with Rachel Lambert directing.

To begin the new year with laughs a-plenty, First Folio Theatre (Mayslake Peabody Estate, 31st St & Rt. 83) presents the World Premiere production of JEEVES SAVES THE DAY, by Margaret Raether, to continue its 2019-2020 season. Based on stories by P.G. Wodehouse and directed by Artistic Associate Joe Foust, JEEVES SAVES THE DAY previews January 29-31, opens February 1, and runs through March 1, 2020.

To begin the new year with laughs a-plenty, First Folio Theatre (Mayslake Peabody Estate, 31st St & Rt. 83) presents the World Premiere production of JEEVES SAVES THE DAY, by Margaret Raether, to continue its 2019-2020 season. Based on stories by P.G. Wodehouse and directed by Artistic Associate Joe Foust, JEEVES SAVES THE DAY previews January 29-31, opens February 1, and runs through March 1, 2020.

To begin the new year with laughs a-plenty, First Folio Theatre (Mayslake Peabody Estate, 31st St & Rt. 83) presents the World Premiere production of JEEVES SAVES THE DAY, by Margaret Raether, to continue its 2019-2020 season. Based on stories by P.G. Wodehouse and directed by Artistic Associate Joe Foust, JEEVES SAVES THE DAY previews January 29-31, opens February 1, and runs through March 1, 2020. The indefatigable Jeeves and his balmy employer Bertie Wooster are back. Once again, Bertie finds himself suffering the slings and arrows of misfortune at the hands of his relatives, caught between the magisterial machinations of his fierce Aunt Agatha and the plaintive pleadings of his cousin Egbert. Throw in the imperious Sir Roderick Glossop and the sexy chanteuse Red Hot Maisie Dawson, and you've got another precarious predicament that cannot be overcomea??unless one calls upon the redoubtable Jeeves to save the day.

The ceaselessly cynical Crumpet the Elf has returned to Goodman Theatre for the second year in a row. This year Steven Strafford takes the lead in David Sedaris's THE SANTALAND DIARIES under the direction of Steve Scott. While Strafford's take on David/Crumpet remains as foul-mouthed and blunt as ever, the actor's take on the role has some real vulnerability. Strafford gives us the sense that Crumpet wears his cynicism like armor, using it as a defense mechanism to combat his loneliness and discontentment with his current career status (Crumpet's declaration that being an elf seems like a a?oeterrifyinga?? job opportunity rings especially true here). Although Strafford's Crumpet has a deft emotional center, he still never compromises on the humora?'but his delivery is smartly such that audiences may land on different moments as the funniest in Sedaris's text (adapted by Joe Mantello for the stage).

To open its 24th season, First Folio Theatre (Mayslake Peabody Estate, 31st St. & Rt. 83.) will begin with the literary-inspired production SHERLOCK'S LAST CASE, by Charles Marowitz. A threat hangs over the world's most famous detective as he faces an opponent he never expected. This thrilling adventure mixes suspense, humor, and breath-stopping surprises. Directed by Janice L. Blixt, SHERLOCK'S LAST CASE previews October 2-4, opens October 5 and runs through November 3, 2019.

To open its 24th season, First Folio Theatre (Mayslake Peabody Estate, 31st St. & Rt. 83.) will begin with the literary-inspired production SHERLOCK'S LAST CASE, by Charles Marowitz. A threat hangs over the world's most famous detective as he faces an opponent he never expected. This thrilling adventure mixes suspense, humor, and breath-stopping surprises. Directed by Janice L. Blixt, SHERLOCK'S LAST CASE previews October 2-4, opens October 5 and runs through November 3, 2019.