Robert Falls News

OPERATHON 2014, Lyric Opera of Chicago's annual live-radio marathon fundraiser on 98.7WFMT, celebrated its 35th anniversary by raising more than $550,000 (gross) during its 16-hour broadcast on Saturday, October 11.

The star-studded Broadway production of the backstage comedy It's Only A Play, by 4-time Tony Award winner Terrence McNally, opened on October 9, 2014, at Broadway's Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre (236 West 45th Street). Scroll down to learn more about the full cast and watch interviews with the company below!

Lyric Opera of Chicago's 60th anniversary starts in style with a brand-new production of Mozart's Don Giovanni, conducted by Sir Andrew Davis, Lyric's music director, and staged by director Robert Falls, artistic director of Chicago's Goodman Theatre. It opens on Saturday, September 27 with 10 performances through Wednesday, October 29. Performance dates are Sept. 27, 30, Oct. 11, 14, 17, and 29 at 7:30pm; Oct. 2, 5, 8, and 24 at 2pm. Check out the trailer, behind-the-scenes videos and more below!

The 46th Annual Jeff Awards ceremony honoring excellence in professional theatre produced within the immediate Chicago area is tonight, October 13 at Drury Lane Oakbrook, 100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace.

Casting is complete for the three developmental productions featured in 2014 New Stages, a free annual festival of new American plays that also includes three staged readings.

Happy Birthday, Liev Screiber! Schreiber's performance as Ricky Roma in the 2005 Broadway revival of David Mamet's 'Glengarry Glen Ross', directed by Joe Mantello, earned him his first Tony Award. He was again a Tony nominee for his portrayal of Barry Champlain in the 2007 Broadway revival of Eric Bogosian's 'Talk Radio', directed by Robert Falls, Other stage work includes The Public Theater's Shakespeare in the Park production of 'Macbeth', in the lead role opposite Jennifer Ehle, directed by Moises Kaufman; 'Iago'; 'Hamlet'; 'Henry the V'; and 'Cymbeline'.

Lyric Opera of Chicago's 60th anniversary starts in style with a brand-new production of Mozart's Don Giovanni, conducted by Sir Andrew Davis, Lyric's music director, and staged by director Robert Falls, artistic director of Chicago's Goodman Theatre. It opens on Saturday, September 27 with 10 performances through Wednesday, October 29. Performance dates are Sept. 27, 30, Oct. 11, 14, 17, and 29 at 7:30pm; Oct. 2, 5, 8, and 24 at 2pm.

Lyric Opera of Chicago's 60th anniversary starts in style with a brand-new production of Mozart's Don Giovanni, conducted by Sir Andrew Davis, Lyric's music director, and staged by director Robert Falls, artistic director of Chicago's Goodman Theatre. It opens on Saturday, September 27 with 10 performances through Wednesday, October 29. Performance dates are Sept. 27, 30, Oct. 11, 14, 17, and 29 at 7:30pm; Oct. 2, 5, 8, and 24 at 2pm.

Lyric Opera of Chicago is proud to present the all-new exhibition DON GIOVANNI: Past to Present at the Civic Opera House. The exhibit will open onSaturday, September 27, coinciding with opening night of Lyric's new production ofDon Giovanni, conducted by Sir Andrew Davis, Lyric's music director, and directed by Robert Falls, artistic director of the Goodman Theatre.

Is it possible to change one's destiny? Goodman Theatre's milestone 90th Anniversary Season begins with an 'All-New Fall' of new works, starting with Frances Ya-Chu Cowhig's The World of Extreme Happiness-a provocative exploration of a factory girl struggling to gain control over her life amid China's modern economic transformation.

Today in 2000, Aida opened at the Palace Theatre, where it ran for 1852 performances. Aida is a musical with music by Elton John, lyrics by Tim Rice, and book by Linda Woolverton, Robert Falls, and David Henry Hwang. Aida was nominated for five Tony Awards and won four Tony Awards in 2000, including Best Musical Score and Best Performance by a Leading Actress. Aida was also named by Time Magazine in 2000 as one of the top ten theatre productions of the year. The First National tour was nominated for nine National Broadway Theatre awards (now 'Touring Broadway Awards') and won five awards, including Best Musical, Best Direction, Best Actor, and Best Actress.

To open its 60th anniversary season, Lyric Opera of Chicago presents Mozart's Don Giovanni, conducted by Sir Andrew Davis in a brand-new production by renowned director Robert Falls, artistic director of Chicago's Goodman Theatre. It opens on Saturday, September 27 with 10 performances through Wednesday, October 29. Performance dates are Sept. 27, 30, Oct. 11, 14, 17, and 29 at 7:30pm; Oct. 2, 5, 8, and 24 at 2pm.

Tickets are on sale beginning September 4 for David Rabe's Sticks and Bones, the production launching The New Group's 20th Anniversary Season. Directed by Scott Elliott, this production features Richard Chamberlain, Nadia Gan, Holly Hunter, Morocco Omari, Bill Pullman, Ben Schnetzer and Raviv Ullman. Previews begin Tuesday, October 21 in advance of an Official Opening Night on Thursday, November 6. A limited Off-Broadway engagement plays through December 14 at The New Group at The Pershing Square Signature Center (480 West 42nd Street).

Tickets ($25-$81; subject to change) are on sale now at GoodmanTheatre.org/Smokefall, by phone at 312.443.3800 or at the box office (170 North Dearborn). The Goodman is grateful for the generosity of its production supporters, including Abbott Fund, the Sponsor Partner; the Paul M. Angell Family Foundation, the Foundation Partner; and Mayer Brown, the Corporate Sponsor Partner.

Chicago actress, TV and film star Jane Lynch did the honor today of announcing the nominees for the 2013-2014 Equity Jeff Awards.

Is it possible to change one's destiny? Goodman Theatre's milestone 90th Anniversary Season begins with an 'All-New Fall' of new works, starting with Frances Ya-Chu Cowhig's The World of Extreme Happiness-a provocative exploration of a factory girl struggling to gain control over her life amid China's modern economic transformation.

Join award winning actress Andrea Martin as she discusses her new memoir, Andrea Martin's Lady Parts with good friend Nathan Lane - a not-to-be missed conversation on the triumphs and challenges, both professional and personal of a lifetime in show business, including lots of laugher along the way.

The New Group has announced today complete casting for David Rabe's Sticks and Bones, the production that launches the company's 20th Anniversary Season. This production will feature Richard Chamberlain, Nadia Gan, Morocco Omari, Ben Schnetzer, Raviv Ullman, and as previously announced, Holly Hunter and Bill Pullman. Scott Elliott directs. Previews begin October 2014. A limited Off-Broadway engagement is slated through December 14, 2014. Opening Night date to be announced.

By popular demand, Brigadoon extends its stay at Goodman Theatre for the second time; seven performances just added, running now through August 17.

This summer, it's 'almost like being in love!' Goodman Theatre produces the first large-scale, professional revival of Brigadoon -- Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick's Loewe's legendary musical of Broadway's Golden Age -- in more than three decades. Under director/choreographer Rachel Rockwell, a company of 28 actors, dancers and singers breathe new life into the enchanting tale of an 18th century Scottish village that appears every century for one day only -- and the complications that arise when it's discovered by two 20th century Americans. With adapter Brian Hill, Rockwell revisits the libretto for this production, while music director Roberta Duchak and an orchestra of 13 use new orchestrations to enhance Loewe's lilting score.