Steven Strafford News

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).

Goodman Theatre presents the return of The Santaland Diaries by David Sedaris, adapted by Joe Mantello, November 29 - December 29 in the Owen Theatre.

Goodman Theatre presents the return of The Santaland Diaries by David Sedaris, adapted by Joe Mantello, November 29 - December 29 in the Owen Theatre. Directed by longtime Goodman Artistic Associate Steve Scott, The Santaland Diaries has been performed across the nation over the past two decades and is perfect for those who prefer their eggnog spiked.

The 51st Annual Jeff Awards Ceremony took place on October 21, 2019, during a spirited evening at Drury Lane Oakbrook. 'Frankenstein,' produced by Remy Bumppo Theatre Company, took home five awards, including Best Production a?' Play in the Midsize category. Court Theatre also took home five awards, including the coveted Ensemble Award for 'For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/When the Rainbow is Enuf' and four awards for a?oePhotograph 51.a?? Steppenwolf Theatre Company's production of 'Downstate' received the Jeff Award for Best Production - Play in the Large category. The award for Best Production - Musical in the Large category went to 'Six' at Chicago Shakespeare Theater, and the award for Best Production - Musical in the Midsize category went to 'Caroline, or Change,' produced by Firebrand Theatre in partnership with TimeLine Theatre Company.

It's time to escape the zoo and head to the stage! The musical twist on the blockbuster DreamWorks motion picture, MADAGASCAR a?" A MUSICAL ADVENTURE, comes to life for children of all ages at Marriott Theatre for Young Audiences, 10 Marriott Drive in Lincolnshire, from October 4 to December 29, 2019, with a press opening on Saturday, October 12 at 10 a.m.

Chicagoans, lend me your ears: SOMETHING ROTTEN! has landed in Lincolnshire (the one due north of Chicago, not the one due east of Liverpool), and Marriott Theatre's regional premiere is a must-see for fans of musicals, Shakespeare, and comedy. Nominated for ten Tony Awards when it opened on Broadway in 2015, this madcap musical by Karey Kirkpatrick, John O'Farrell, and Wayne Kirkpatrick is in excellent hands with director Scott Weinstein, choreographer Alex Sanchez, and music director Ryan T. Nelson.

Take a trip back to the Renaissance with the regional premiere of SOMETHING ROTTEN! at Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Dr. in Lincolnshire, previewing Wednesday, August 28th, opening Thursday, September 5th at 7:30 p.m., and closing Sunday, October 20th. Nominated for ten Tony Awards including Best Musical, this hilarious smash hit tells the tale of two playwright brothers who are desperate to outshine Shakespeare and end up producing the first ever musical! Jeff Award winner Scott Weinstein (Murder for Two and Shrek at Marriott Theatre; National Tour, Las Vegas and Chicago productions of Million Dollar Quartet) returns to the Marriott Theatre to direct, along with musical direction by Jeff Award winnerRyan T. Nelson and choreography by Jeff Award nominee Alex Sanchez.

Take a trip back to the Renaissance with the regional premiere of SOMETHING ROTTEN! at Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Dr. in Lincolnshire, previewing Wednesday, August 28th, opening Thursday, September 5th at 7:30 p.m., and closing Sunday, October 20th.

Goodman Theatre announces the return of The Santaland Diaries by David Sedaris, adapted by Joe Mantello, November 29 a?" December 29 in the Owen Theatre. Directed by longtime Goodman Artistic Associate Steve Scott, The Santaland Diaries has been performed across the nation over the past two decades and is perfect for those who prefer their eggnog spiked.

Take a trip back to the Renaissance with the regional premiere of SOMETHING ROTTEN! at Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Dr. in Lincolnshire, previewing Wednesday, August 28th, opening Wednesday, September 4th at 7:30 p.m., and closing Sunday, October 20th. Nominated for ten Tony Awards including Best Musical, this hilarious smash hit tells the tale of two playwright brothers who are desperate to outshine Shakespeare and end up producing the first ever musical! Jeff Award winner Scott Weinstein (Murder for Two and Shrek at Marriott Theatre; National Tour, Las Vegas and Chicago productions of Million Dollar Quartet) returns to the Marriott Theatre to direct, along with musical direction by Jeff Award winner Ryan T. Nelson and choreography by Jeff Award nominee Alex Sanchez.

16th Street Theater announces Season Thirteen 2020: Redemption featuring two National New Play Network (NNPN) rolling world premieres by playwrights Maya Malan-Gonzalez and Audrey Cefaly, one world premiere by Julie Marie Myatt in collaboration with MC-10 Playwrights' Ensemble, one Chicago premiere by Lisa Langford co-produced with Pegasus Theatre Chicago with director Ilesa Duncan at the helm, and two true tales by Chicago writer/performers Steven Strafford and Debbie Baños.

The 2019 season gets underway with the Broadway At Music Circus premiere of the Tony Award-winning musical comedy Shrek the Musical. Sure to delight the entire family, the musical comedy, which Variety calls 'a gently subversive fairytale with a contemporary edge, conjuring genuine enchantment and brimming with heart and irreverent charm,' runs Tuesday, June 11 through Sunday, June 16 at the Wells Fargo Pavilion.

As parents, we try to instill in our children the idea that it is what's inside a person that counts. Shrek the Musical is certainly an apropos vessel in which to deliver this message when its green, bulbous-nosed, full-of-gas star is a sensitive and clever romantic wrapped up in a gloriously hideous package. Shrek is one of the musicals that have made the successful transition from film to stage. Its Broadway opening in 2008 garnered both Tony and Drama Desk Awards. Its themes of inclusivity, pride, and resilience resonate across all ages and backgrounds, making it a story that withstands the test of time.

The 2019 season gets underway with the Broadway At Music Circus premiere of the Tony Award-winning musical comedy Shrek the Musical. Sure to delight the entire family, the musical comedy, which Variety calls 'a gently subversive fairytale with a contemporary edge, conjuring genuine enchantment and brimming with heart and irreverent charm,' runs Tuesday, June 11 through Sunday, June 16 at the Wells Fargo Pavilion. Check out photos of the cast in action!

The 2019 season gets underway with the Broadway At Music Circus premiere of the Tony Award-winning musical comedy Shrek the Musical. Sure to delight the entire family, the musical comedy, which Variety calls "a gently subversive fairytale with a contemporary edge, conjuring genuine enchantment and brimming with heart and irreverent charm," runs Tuesday, June 11 through Sunday, June 16 at the Wells Fargo Pavilion.

Casting has been confirmed for the 69th Broadway At Music Circus season, which begins June 11 at the Wells Fargo Pavilion. The season includes four Broadway At Music Circus premieres, Shrek the Musical, The Drowsy Chaperone, The Wiz, and In the Heights.

Dames at Sea opened at Theatre at the Center in Munster on Sunday night, May 5. Director and Artistic Director Linda Fortunato cast Kelly Felthous as Ruby, Todd Aulwurm as Dick, Colette Todd as Mona Kent, Sierra Schnack as Joan, Sam Shankman as Lucky, and Steven Strafford as Hennesey and The Captain in the spring musical production.  Dames at Sea and continues through June 2.

16th Street Theater will give a FREE community performance of Debbie Baños' Bell's Palsy and Other American Side Effects directed by Esteban Arevalo Ibañez at the historic Chodl Auditorium-a 2,500-seat venue listed with the National Register of Historic Places-at Morton East High School at 2423 S Austin Blvd. in Cicero, IL, on Wednesday, April 17 at 7:00 PM. Underwritten by 16th Street's 100 Club Members, this free performance continues the 2019 Pop Up New Play Reading Series. All are welcome.

Steppenwolf's LookOut Series is thrilled to share their dynamic Spring 2019 Lineup. From comedy to poetry, one-person plays to music groups, familiar faces and new there's something for everyone this spring in the 1700 Theatre. Spring 2019 highlights include The Gift Theatre's now playing production of Doubt, the Q Brothers's Dress the Part, Eighth Blackbird's Dissolve, Melissa DuPrey's SEXomedy 2.0: The Second Coming, PREACH!'s We Have Nothing Left to Lose but Our Chains and more. Full lineup below.

16th Street Theater announces the world premiere of GOOD ENOUGH written and performed by Julie Ganey, directed by Megan Shuchman, with Donna Miller on cello, March 14 - April 20, 2019 at North Berwyn Park District's 16th Street Theater, 6420 16th Street in Berwyn with a press opening of Thursday, March 21 at 7:30 PM.