Scott Olson News

Toss together James Joyce, Vladimir Lenin, and Dadaist poet Tristan Tzara in Zurich in 1917 (where they really were), throw in limericks and lyrics and The Importance of Being Earnest, then shred the whole melange through the mixed-up mind of an aging British civil servant (who has a big grudge against Joyce concerning a pair of trousers), and you've entered the Wilde-ly witty world of Travesties.

It's bloody perfect for Halloween! AstonRep Theatre Company launches its 2014-15 season with Martin McDonagh's acclaimed modern classic THE LIEUTENANT OF INISHMORE, directed by Company Member Derek Bertelsen, playing tonight, October 23 - November 23, 2014 at The Raven Theatre (West Stage), 6157 N. Clark St. in Chicago. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

It's bloody perfect for Halloween! AstonRep Theatre Company launches its 2014-15 season with Martin McDonagh's grisly dark comedy THE LIEUTENANT OF INISHMORE, directed by Company Member Derek Bertelsen, playing tonight, October 23 - November 23, 2014 at The Raven Theatre (West Stage), 6157 N. Clark St. in Chicago. Scroll down for a sneak peek at the cast!

It's bloody perfect for Halloween! AstonRep Theatre Company launches its 2014-15 season with Martin McDonagh's grisly dark comedy THE LIEUTENANT OF INISHMORE, directed by Company Member Derek Bertelsen, playing October 23 - November 23, 2014 at The Raven Theatre (West Stage), 6157 N. Clark St. in Chicago. Scroll down for a sneak peek at the cast!

It's bloody perfect for Halloween! AstonRep Theatre Company launches its 2014-15 season with Martin McDonagh's grisly dark comedy THE LIEUTENANT OF INISHMORE, directed by Company Member Derek Bertelsen, playing October 23 - November 23, 2014 at The Raven Theatre (West Stage), 6157 N. Clark St. in Chicago. Tickets are available at www.astonrep.com or by calling (773) 828-9129. The press opening is Sunday, October 26 at 3:30 pm.

Fall Registration is now open for Stage 773's Fall Education and Programming Series, offering specialized classes, workshops and programming taught by some of the biggest names in Chicago's theater community, offered at a lower cost than comparable training centers in the area. Stage 773 offers a la carte options for both emerging and experienced artists. The multi-disciplinary classes offered broaden any actor's training and can fill any gaps in their repertoire.

Midsommer Flight announces its third summer season of Shakespeare in the Park with the delightful comedy Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare and directed by Midsommer Flight's Founder and Producing Artistic Director Beth Wolf. Dedicated to presenting outdoor performances of Shakespeare's plays, Midsommer Flight is a proud arts partner with the Chicago Park District. Much Ado About Nothing runs today, July 19 through August 24, Saturdays at 6 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m.

Midsommer Flight announces its third summer season of Shakespeare in the Park with the delightful comedy Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare and directed by Midsommer Flight's Founder and Producing Artistic Director Beth Wolf. Dedicated to presenting outdoor performances of Shakespeare's plays, Midsommer Flight is a proud arts partner with the Chicago Park District. Much Ado About Nothing runs July 19 through August 24, Saturdays at 6 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. The July 19 - 20 and 26 - 27 performances are at Schreiber Park, 1552 W. Schreiber Avenue, in the field at the corner of Bosworth Avenue and Schreiber Avenue. August 2 - 3 and 9 - 10 performances are at Gross Park, 2708 W. Lawrence Avenue, at the north end of the park along Gunnison Street. The August 16 - 17 and 23 - 24 performances are at Touhy Park, 7348 N. Paulina Street, in the southeast grove along Paulina Street. All performances will be presented free of charge (donations gratefully accepted). In addition, live music will be presented prior to each performance. Audiences are encouraged to come early and bring a picnic to enjoy this free programming. For more information go to www.midsommerflight.com.

AstonRep Theatre Company will launch its 2014-15 season with Martin McDonagh's black comedy THE LIEUTENANT OF INISHMORE, directed by Company Member Derek Bertelsen, playing October 23 - November 23, 2014 at The Raven Theatre (West Stage), 6157 N. Clark St. in Chicago. Tickets go on sale Friday, August 1, 2014 at www.astonrep.com or by calling (773) 828-9129. The press opening is Sunday, October 26 at 3:30 pm.

Stage 773 is turning its redesigned Box performance space into an actor's training and performing destination. Starting in July, the Box will host an ever-growing number of classes, workshops, and programming opportunities in a rejuvenated space complete with a new staging system.

Midsommer Flight announces its third summer season of Shakespeare in the Park with the delightful comedy Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare and directed by Midsommer Flight's Founder and Producing Artistic Director Beth Wolf. Dedicated to presenting outdoor performances of Shakespeare's plays, Midsommer Flight is a proud arts partner with the Chicago Park District. Much Ado About Nothing runs July 19 through August 24, Saturdays at 6 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m.

Midsommer Flight announces its third summer season of Shakespeare in the Park with the delightful comedy Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare and directed by Midsommer Flight's Founder and Producing Artistic Director Beth Wolf. Dedicated to presenting outdoor performances of Shakespeare's plays, Midsommer Flight is a proud arts partner with the Chicago Park District.

Join Bainbridge Performing Arts for the laugh-out-loud racy hit Avenue Q May 9 - 25, a hilarious envelope-pushing modern musical focusing on a group of unique 20-somethings making their way in the big city to seek their purpose in life. Although the show addresses humorous adult issues, it is similar to a beloved children's show; a place where puppets are friends, monsters are good, and life lessons are learned. Scroll down to see some pictures from the production!

Step up to the plate with The EDGE Improv tonight, May 3rd as the troupe presents an ingeniously improvised evening of on-the-spot comedy, all from audience suggestions.

Step up to the plate with The EDGE Improv May 3rd as the troupe presents an ingeniously improvised evening of on-the-spot comedy, all from audience suggestions.

BPA's preview performances of The Kentucky Cycle were met with rave reviews. Arthur Mortell entreats his Bainbridge Island and Seattle friends to "please see this wonderful, exciting, beautifully directed and staged play. Dinah and I saw PART I last night and we are SO excited about seeing PART II. The Acting! We get to have this level of talent here on our little island! Buy your tickets now and be ready for a real 'happening'."

Dead Writers Theatre Collective has announced the Chicago Premiere of Michael Bloom's adaptation of Jane Austen's EMMA, presented for a limited run April 18- May 25, 2014 at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago. Click here to purchase tickets online, or call the box office at 773.327.5252

BPA goes green in October with the Tony Award-winning SHREK! Full of all-new songs, great dancing and fairy tale misfits, SHREK THE MUSICAL is part romance, part twisted fairy tale and all irreverent fun for everyone! With SHREK, THE MUSICAL, Broadway gives us the back story for characters we thought we knew, such as Shrek, Princess Fiona, and even evil Lord Farquaad. The stage version has everything you liked about the movie plus more about the characters, all while keeping the irreverent humor that spices up the plot.