Sean Graney News

The Flea Theater has announced the World Premiere of Mallery Avidon's MARY-KATE OLSEN IS IN LOVE. This satire about love and growing-up and "being real" will be directed by Flea Resident Director Kristen Seemel and feature members of The Bats. Previews begin November 1 with opening slated for November 18. Says Producing Director Carol Ostrow, "this witty and wise play by on-the-rise writer Mallery Avidon tackles the notion of love, sex and marriage and the challenges of 20-somethings who think they know how to have it all."

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'The Book Of Mormon' and other significant local shows close this Sunday, with two productions of 'The Mikado' on the horizon, Gershwin at Light Opera Works, 'Ruthless!' and Linda Eder in the suburbs, Audra and 'Frog And Toad' downtown, plus 'Once' finally appears!!

The Hypocrites has announced the return production of Gilbert and Sullivan's The Mikado adapted and directed by Founding Artistic Director Sean Graney. The Mikado will be remounted at the Steppenwolf Garage (1624 N Halsted St) this coming winter.

The Hypocrites is proud to announce the return production of Gilbert and Sullivan's The Mikado adapted and directed by Founding Artistic Director Sean Graney. The Mikado will be remounted at the Steppenwolf Garage (1624 N Halsted St) this coming winter.

The American Repertory Theater/Moscow Art Theater School Institute for Advanced Theater Training announced today the productions for the 2013/14 Season.

The Flea Theater presents the World Premiere of SARAH FLOOD IN SALEM MASS by Obie Award winner Adriano Shaplin (Pig Iron's Hell Meets Henry Halfway). This radical re-telling of the events leading up to the Salem Witch Trials will be directed by Rebecca Wright featuring members of The Bats. Previews begin tonight, September 24 with opening slated for October 6. The Flea's Producing Director Carol Ostrow says, 'bringing Shaplin's work and his team of collaborators together with The Bats will be one of the most combustible theatrical events of the season.'

Due to critical acclaim The Flea Theater has announced a limited extension through October 7th. This play about friendship, class and where loyalty has its limits is directed by Flea Resident Director Kel Haney and features members of The Bats. Previews began August 23 with closing originally slated for September 22.

The Flea Theater will present the limited Off-Broadway engagement of FAMILY FURNITURE by A.R. Gurney. It is directed by Tony Award nominee Thomas Kail (In The Heights) starring Carolyn McCormick (Law & Order), Peter Scolari (Girls, Newhart, Bosom Buddies), and Andrew Keenan-Bolger (Newsies) with newcomers Ismenia Mendes and Molly Nordin. Previews begin November 12 at The Flea with opening slated for Sunday, November 24.

The Flea Theater presents the World Premiere of SARAH FLOOD IN SALEM MASS by Obie Award winner Adriano Shaplin (Pig Iron's Hell Meets Henry Halfway). This radical re-telling of the events leading up to the Salem Witch Trials will be directed by Rebecca Wright featuring members of The Bats. Previews begin September 24 with opening slated for October 6. The Flea's Producing Director Carol Ostrow says, 'bringing Shaplin's work and his team of collaborators together with The Bats will be one of the most combustible theatrical events of the season.'

Dancer/actress Charlotte Bydwell brings her acclaimed solo show, Woman of Leisure and Panic, to the 17th annual New York International Fringe Festival for five performances, beginning today, August 11, and continuing through August 23 at the Theater at the 14th Street Y, 344 East 14th Street (near First Avenue). The show, written, choreographed and performed by Bydwell, premiered in the 8th Annual soloNOVA Festival, 2011, and received a nomination for a New York Innovative Theatre Award for Outstanding Performance Art Production.

The Flea Theater is proud to announce the New York Premiere of Jonathan Caren's THE RECOMMENDATION. This play about friendship, class and where loyalty has its limits will be directed by Flea Resident Director Kel Haney and feature members of The Bats. Previews begin August 23 with opening slated for September 6. Says Producing Director Carol Ostrow, "we are thrilled to open our fall season with a play that speaks to our times and shows off the talents and diversity of our company."

Phillstock Entertainment presents the World-Premiere of the new musical UNDER THE GREENWOOD TREE - a 90-minute re-imagining of Shakespeare's classic 'As You Like It' using original Shakespearean text, an indie-Americana score and a multi-talented cast of actor/singer/musicians to create a melodic journey through the Forest of Arden Workshopped this past march in a Brooklyn warehouse, UNDER THE GREENWOOD TREE is now stretching it's boughs and limbs across the East River. Performances of UNDER THE GREENWOOD TREE begin August 8th prior to an official press opening of August 11th at The Flea Theater (41 White Street) in Manhattan.

After sold out shows at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Toronto, NYC, and recently in Pakistan Dirty Paki Lingerie by Aizzah Fatima directed by Erica Gould returns to NYC at The Flea Theater for a three week run from July 31 through August 18.

The Flea Theater kicks off its Fall 2013 Season with the New York Premiere of Jonathan Caren's THE RECOMMENDATION - a play about class, race, power and what happens to a friendship when the tables get turned. The 2012 production at The Old Globe in San Diego won the Craig Noel Outstanding New Play Award. Helmed by Flea Resident Director Kel Haney and featuring The Bats, the resident acting company at The Flea, this production plays August 23 - September 22, Wednesday - Sunday at 7pm with press opening on September 6. Tickets are $15 - $35.

Dancer/actress Charlotte Bydwell brings her acclaimed solo show, Woman of Leisure and Panic, to the 17th annual New York International Fringe Festival for five performances, August 11-23 at the Theater at the14th Street Y, 344 East 14th Street (near First Avenue). The show, written, choreographed and performed by Bydwell, premiered in the 8th Annual soloNOVA Festival, 2011, and received a nomination for a New York Innovative Theatre Award for Outstanding Performance Art Production.

Phillstock Entertainment presents the World-Premiere of the new musical UNDER THE GREENWOOD TREE - a 90-minute re-imagining of Shakespeare's classic 'As You Like It' using original Shakespearean text, an indie-Americana score and a multi-talented cast of actor/singer/musicians to create a melodic journey through the Forest of Arden Workshopped this past march in a Brooklyn warehouse, UNDER THE GREENWOOD TREE is now stretching it's boughs and limbs across the East River. Performances of UNDER THE GREENWOOD TREE begin August 8th prior to an official press opening of August 11th at The Flea Theater (41 White Street) in Manhattan.

Haven Theatre Chicago presents the company's inaugural production, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, beginning tonight, July 5 - August 11, at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. Hedwig and the Angry Inch, written by John Cameron Mitchell, with lyrics and music by Stephen Trask is directed by Kyle Trentwith music direction by Kory Danielson. The newly formed Haven Theatre strives to conserve, renew and reinvent theatre traditions while providing ongoing support and mentorship to emerging artists.

Due to popular demand, The Flea Theater is extending of the World Premiere of a cautionary tail by christopher oscar peña. a cautionary tail is a play of impossible choices set in a world of magical characters. First generation Chinese-Americans growing up in New York City, Vivienne and Luke confront a confused tangle of family, a diverse array of friends, and their rampant sexuality. In our digital age, how can they navigate the traditional expectations of their mother with their American culture of individuality?

The Strange Tree Group presents the world premiere of the elaborate time travel comedy THE HALF-BROTHERS MENDELSSOHN by Elizabeth Bagby, directed by Thrisa Hodits, playing tonight, June 18 - July 20, 2013 at Signal Ensemble Theatre, 1802 W. Berenice Ave. in Chicago.

PIRATES OF PENZANCE at the American Repertory Theater's Loeb Drama Center is tantamount to a three-ring circus being held at a beach volleyball tournament. There are beach balls, kiddie pools, beach chairs, and a grass cocktail shack. The cast performs as roving troubadours, each proficiently playing an instrument. The singing voices are good across the board and the songs are delivered with brio. As an acting troupe, The Hypocrites fit nicely with the A.R.T. aesthetic, making a strong connection with the audience both physically and emotionally. Director Sean Graney's vision serves as an introduction to the great work of Gilbert and Sullivan, albeit equivalent to a 'Reader's Digest' abridgement, and one might hope that it would motivate the previously uninitiated to learn more about them.