Writers Theater News

The 2017 awards honor productions which opened between October 1, 2016 and September 30, 2017. Nominations were completely reader-submitted and after the nomination period ended October 31, BroadwayWorld's local editors proofed the list for eligibility and errors.

The 2017 awards honor productions which opened between October 1, 2016 and September 30, 2017. Nominations were completely reader-submitted and after the nomination period ended October 31, BroadwayWorld's local editors proofed the list for eligibility and errors.

Break out the cheesecake and eggnog Chicago's favorite gals are headed back to Andersonville for the holidays, where it all began! Following an 18-week sell-out run, including six-weeks at Lakeview's Stage 773, Hell in a Handbag Productions' campy world premiere parody THE GOLDEN GIRLS THE LOST EPISODES will return to Mary's Attic (5400 N. Clark St., Chicago) for six additional performances from December 6, 2017 January 10, 2018. Written by David Cerda and directed by Shade Murray, AJ Wright and David Lipschutz, the campy parody of one of TV's most beloved sitcoms will feature the best of the original run plus a new holiday-themed episode! THE GOLDEN GIRLS will run in conjunction with the return of Handbag's holiday favorite RUDOLPH THE RED-HOSED REINDEER. Tickets for both productions are currently available at www.handbagproductions.org or by calling (800) 838-3006.

Following an open submission process, Greenhouse Theater Center is pleased to announce the seven artists chosen for THE TRELLIS RESIDENCY INITIATIVE, a new professional development program led by Artistic Director Jacob Harvey and Literary Manager Nick Thornton.

The 'Girls' are headed to Boystown! After an eleven-week sell-out run, including two extensions at Mary's Attics in Andersonville, Hell in a Handbag Production' campy world premiere THE GOLDEN GIRLS - THE LOST EPISODES is transferring to Lakeview's Stage 773 for an additional six-weeks. The new condensed, late-night edition will feature the best of the original run - plus new material.

A Red Orchid Theatre opens its 2017-2018 Season with Wallace Shawn's Evening at the Talk House, directed by Ensemble Member Shade Murray.

A Red Orchid Theatre opens its 2017-2018 Season with Wallace Shawn's Evening at the Talk House, directed by Ensemble Member Shade Murray.

The 'Girls' are headed to Boystown! After an eleven-week sell-out run, including two extensions at Mary's Attics in Andersonville, Hell in a Handbag Production' campy world premiere THE GOLDEN GIRLS - THE LOST EPISODES is transferring to Lakeview's Stage 773 for an additional six-weeks. The new condensed, late-night edition will feature the best of the original run - plus new material.

A Red Orchid Theatre announces the appointment of Ensemble Member Shade Murray as the company's Associate Artistic Director. Murray's appointment marks the first Associate Artistic Directorship in the company's history. A Red Orchid also welcomes new Development Director Amanda Runge and Audience Services Manager David Marden.

Tickets are selling faster than cheesecake, pussycat! After a month of sell-out performances, Hell in a Handbag Productions is pleased to announce a second extension of its campy world premiere THE GOLDEN GIRLS - THE LOST EPISODES, with added performances through through Saturday, September 16, 2017 at Mary's Attic, 5400 N. Clark St. in Chicago's Andersonville neighborhood. The campy parody of one of TV's most beloved sitcoms is written by David Cerda and directed by Shade Murray. Ticket for all performances are currently available at www.handbagproductions.org or by calling (800) 838-3006. 

Thank you for being a friend, indeed! Due to popular demand Hell in a Handbag Productions' campy world premiere THE GOLDEN GIRLS - THE LOST EPISODES is adding six additional weeks of performances, extending through August 26, 2017 at Mary's Attic, 5400 N. Clark St. in Chicago's Andersonville neighborhood.

Five thousand dollars are at stake in the largest audience-judged theater competition in the country, PianoFight's ShortLived VI. Thirty six plays from Bay Area writers, theater companies, sketch groups, and dance troupes vie for the audience's affection over the seven week competition to crown the Bay Area's best and win $5,000.

Jackalope Theatre Company, under the artistic direction of Gus Menary, announces its 2017/18 season, the company's 10th. The upcoming season features four productions, including three world premieres.

Hell in a Handbag Productions thanks you for being a friend this summer with its campy world premiere parody of one of TV's most beloved sitcoms: THE GOLDEN GIRLS - THE LOST EPISODES by David Cerda, directed by Shade Murray, playing June 14 - July 12, 2017 at Mary's Attic, 5400 N. Clark St. in Chicago's Andersonville neighborhood. Single tickets are on sale at www.handbagproductions.org or by calling (800) 838-3006. The press opening is Thursday, June 15 at 7:30 pm.

Due to popular demand, Shattered Globe Theatre's hit Chicago premiere of Sarah Ruhl's FOR PETER PAN ON HER 70th BIRTHDAY will add one additional week of performances, extending through May 27, 2017 at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago.  Directed by Jessica Thebus, the imaginative and moving drama was written for Ruhl's mother, Kathleen Ruhl, who stars in the Shattered Globe production. Tickets for all performances are currently available at www.theaterwit.org, in person at the Theater Wit Box Office or by calling (773) 975-8150.

16th Street Theater's 10th Anniversary Season continues with the National New Play Network rolling world premiere of INTO THE BEAUTIFUL NORTH by KAREN ZACARÍAS adapted from the novel by LUIS ALBERTO URREA and co-directed by ANN FILMER and MIGUEL NUÑEZ, April 13 - June 17, 2017 at North Berwyn Park District's 16th Street Theater, 6420 16th Street in Berwyn.

16th Street Theater's 10th Anniversary Season continues with the National New Play Network rolling world premiere of INTO THE BEAUTIFUL NORTH by KAREN ZACARÍAS adapted from the novel by LUIS ALBERTO URREA and co-directed by ANN FILMER and MIGUEL NUÑEZ, April 13 - June 3, 2017 at North Berwyn Park District's 16th Street Theater, 6420 16th Street in Berwyn, with Press Opening on Thursday, April 20 @ 7:30 PM.  

???????A Red Orchid Theatre concludes its 2016-2017 Season with the Chicago premiere of 3C, written by David Adjmi and directed by Ensemble Member Shade Murray. The production runs April 20 - June 4, 2017, at A Red Orchid Theatre, 1531 N. Wells. The press opening is Monday, April 24 at 7:00 p.m.

The cast and creative team is complete for Objects in the Mirror, a Goodman Theatre-commissioned world premiere by Charles Smith. Directed by Resident Director Chuck Smith, Objects in the Mirror is inspired by the playwright's real-life friendship with a Liberian refugee-turned-actor, Shedrick Yarkpai-portrayed by Daniel Kyri, in his Goodman debut. The production was developed through the 2015 New Stages festival and features a 5-member cast who brings to life the gripping account of one Liberian refugee's attempts to find peace by exposing a potentially dangerous lifelong secret. Objects in the Mirror appears April 29 through June 4 (opening night is May 8) in the Albert Theatre. Tickets ($20-$75; subject to change) are now on sale and available at GoodmanTheatre.org/Objects, the box office (170 N. Dearborn) or by phone at 312.443.3800.

It's been nothing but 'memories' for Betty Buckley this theater season. She won a Tony Award for her portrayal of Grizabella, the glamour cat, in Cats when it opened in 1982 and replaced Glenn Close as Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard. Both shows are in revival runs right now on Broadway.