Sydney Charles News

Drury Lane Theatre announces casting for its production of the 2016 Tony Award-winning The Color Purple, with book by Marsha Norman and music and lyrics by Brenda Russel, Allee Willis, and Stephen Bray. The Color Purple is directed by Lili-Anne Brown, choreographed by Breon Arzell, and music directed by Jermaine Hill. The production runs September 13 a?" November 3, 2019, at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace. The press opening is scheduled for Thursday, September 19 at 8:00 p.m.

16th Street Theater announces the world premiere of Loy A. Webb's HIS SHADOW directed by Wardell Julius Clark September 5 - October 12, 2019 at North Berwyn Park District's 16th Street Theater, 6420 16th Street in Berwyn with a press opening of Thursday, September 12 at 7:30 PM.    

We've just learned that an NYC reading is taking place this week, led by Emily Skinner as Miranda Priestly, Krystina Alabado as Andy Sachs, Helene Yorke as Emily, Mario Cantone as Nigel, Etai Benson as Nate, Jo Lampert as Lily and Nicholas Christopher as Christian. The reading also stars: Sydney Charles, Britney Coleman, Dayna Dantzler, Tyrone Davis Jr., Henry Gottfried, Molly Hager, Katie Lee Hill, Anne Hollister, Jessie Hooker-Bailey, Liana Hunt, Christopher Innvar, Blaine Krauss, and Nikka Graff Lanzarone.

The Colorado New Play Festival announces full casting for all five readings for the 2019 season. The 22nd Annual Festival, to be held on June 2-8, 2019 in Steamboat Springs, CO, will develop five new works in partnership with City Theatre Company, Curious Theatre Company, The Public Theater, South Coast Repertory and Steppenwolf Theatre.

It seems only fitting that Ike Holter would conclude his seven-play "Rightlynd Saga," set in the fictional 51st Ward of Chicago, by literally sending it off with a party. And this is no ordinary celebration. A cast of characters from previous installments in the "Rightlynd Saga" gathers in Mallory's backyard; she's the neighborhood's maternal figure, and she's poised to give away a sizable sum of money to one lucky winner.

"Not everyone will go home a winner" in Goodman Theatre's world-premiere production of Lottery Day by Ike Holter, which appears through April 28 in the Owen Theatre. Holter concludes his seven-play "Rightlynd Saga"-the first play of which premiered five years ago, and has been hailed as "one of the most significant literary achievements in modern-day Chicago" (Chicago Tribune)-with a raucous theatrical bash, directed by Chicago native Lili-Anne Brown. Commissioned by the Goodman and developed through its New Stages Festival of new plays, Lottery Day takes place in a Rightlynd backyard where new characters and returning characters from the saga come together to create a work about the cost of belonging and the gift of community. Lottery Day appears through April 28 in the Owen Theatre.

Firebrand Theatre presents the Chicago premiere of QUEEN OF THE MIST, based on the sensational true story of Anna (Annie) Edson Taylor, the first woman to go over Niagara Falls.

Goodman Theatre proudly announces the casts for its Chicago premiere of the Pulitzer Prize-winning drama Sweat by Lynn Nottage, directed by Ron OJ Parson, as well as its world premiere of Lottery Day-Ike Holter's final work in his seven-play "The Rightlynd Saga," directed by Lili-Anne Brown. Tickets are now available for both productions at GoodmanTheatre.org, by telephone 312.443.3800 or at the box office (170 N. Dearborn).

In the aftermath of 1963's 16th Street Baptist Church bombing, Nina Simone rocked the nation with "Four Women," her tribute in song to the four little girls lost in the tragedy.

Northlight Theatre, under the direction of Artistic Director BJ Jones and Executive Director Timothy J. Evans, continues its 2018-19 season with Nina Simone: Four Women, written by Christina Ham and directed by Kenneth L. Roberson.Nina Simone: Four Women runs January 24 - March 2, 2019 at Northlight Theatre, 9501 Skokie Blvd in Skokie. The press opening is scheduled for Friday, February 1, 2019 at 8pm.

TimeLine Theatre Company announces its inaugural "FIRST DRAFT: A TimeLine Playwrights Collective Festival,' the culmination of the company's latest two-year new-play incubator program offering residency to Chicago-based emerging and established writers. FIRST DRAFT will take place December 1 - 3, 2018, at TimeLine's home at 615 W. Wellington Avenue in Chicago, with free public readings of new plays by current Playwrights Collective members Tyla Abercrumbie, Will Allan, Maureen Gallagher, and Calamity West. 

Firebrand Theatre is pleased to announce award-winning actress Barbara E. Robertson will star as Anna (Annie) Edson Taylor in its Chicago premiere of QUEEN OF THE MIST featuring book, music and lyrics by Michael John LaChiusa (The Wild Party, Marie Christine) direction by Elizabeth Margolius and music direction by Charlotte Rivard-Hoster. Newly-arranged for an all-femme quintet, QUEEN OF THE MIST will play May 25 - July 6, 2019 at The Den Theatre's Janet Bookspan Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago.

Northlight Theatre, under the direction of Artistic Director BJ Jones and Executive Director Timothy J. Evans, continues its 2018-19 season with Nina Simone: Four Women, written by Christina Ham and directed by Kenneth L. Roberson. Nina Simone: Four Women runs January 24 - March 2, 2019 at Northlight Theatre, 9501 Skokie Blvd in Skokie. The press opening is scheduled for Friday, February 1, 2019 at 8pm.

American Blues Theater announces the cast for its 2018-2019 season opener, Flyin' West, written by Pearl Cleage and directed by Artistic Affiliate Chuck Smith. Flyin' West features Sydney Charles (Fannie Dove), Wardell Julius Clark (Frank Charles), Tiffany Renee Johnson (Minnie Dove Charles), Joslyn Jones (Miss Leah), Tiffany Oglesby (Sophie Washington) and Henri Watkins (Wil Parish).

BroadwayWorld has a first look at American Blues Theate's Flyin' West, written by Pearl Cleage and directed by Artistic Affiliate Chuck Smith. Check out the video below!

American Blues Theater announces the cast for its 2018-2019 season opener, Flyin' West, written by Pearl Cleage and directed by Artistic Affiliate Chuck Smith. Flyin' West features Sydney Charles (Fannie Dove), Wardell Julius Clark (Frank Charles), Tiffany Renee Johnson (Minnie Dove Charles), Joslyn Jones (Miss Leah), Tiffany Oglesby (Sophie Washington) and Henri Watkins (Wil Parish).

Firebrand Theatre, in partnership with TimeLine Theatre Company, is pleased to launch its 2018-19 season with a revival of the Tony Award-nominated Best Musical CAROLINE, OR CHANGE, playing September 22 - October 28, 2018, at The The Den Theatre's Heath Main Stage, 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave.

Firebrand Theatre, in partnership with TimeLine Theatre Company, is pleased to launch its 2018-19 season with a revival of the Tony Award-nominated Best Musical CAROLINE, OR CHANGE, playing September 22 - October 28, 2018, at The The Den Theatre's Heath Main Stage, 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave.

The nominations have been announced for the 2018 Equity Joseph Jefferson ('Jeff') Awards.

Firebrand Theatre, in partnership with TimeLine Theatre Company, is pleased to launch its 2018-19 season with a revival of the Tony Award-nominated Best Musical CAROLINE, OR CHANGE, playing September 22 - October 28, 2018, at The The Den Theatre's Heath Main Stage, 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave.