A Tale of Two Cities - Chicago Articles Page 13

The Pantages Theatre today reveals its lineup for the 2013-2014 SEASON, a seven-show package. Back by popular demand, THE BOOK OF MORMON which played a record-breaking 12-week run in the fall of 2012 will return for a limited engagement beginning January 21, 2014.

'Should a woman sleep with a man she finds repellent if by doing so she serves a greater good?' (New York Times) is among the questions of William Shakespeare's Measure for Measure, at Goodman Theatre in a new production directed by Artistic Director Robert Falls. Falls sets his production of Shakespeare's dark comedy against the backdrop of New York City circa 1970s-an era in which economic challenges, urban flight and the sexual revolution transformed one of the greatest cities in the world into one of the most troubled.

Bringing together an outstanding, large cast with a world-class artistic team, Alley Theatre Artistic Director Gregory Boyd directs Aaron Sorkin's A Few Good Men. This epic production brings this captivating military courtroom drama to life. A Few Good Men runs March 1 through March 24, 2013, on the Hubbard Stage.

Arizona Theatre Company (ATC) brings Neil Simon's comic masterpiece about show business, friendship and growing old, 'The Sunshine Boys' to Arizona audiences. David Ira Goldstein directs one of Neil Simon's most beloved and acclaimed plays in ATC's new production that will premiere in Tucson for three weeks of performances and continue to Phoenix for an additional three weeks. ATC's 'The Sunshine Boys' opens at the Temple of Music and Art, running from March 2, 2013 through March 23, 2013. It continues its run in Phoenix at the Herberger Theater Center from March 28, 2013 through April 14, 2013.

New York City Opera opens its spring 2013 season with a new production of Powder Her Face (1995), composed by Thomas Ades (b.1971) to a libretto by Philip Hensher (b. 1965).

The New York Philharmonic has announced that New York City Ballet principal dancers Robert Fairchild and Tiler Peck will perform in the staged production of Rodgers & Hammerstein's Carousel, February 27-March 2, 2013. Robert Fairchild will portray the Carnival Boy, and Tiler Peck will portray Louise. With original choreography by Warren Carlyle, Mr. Fairchild and Ms. Peck will dance the pas de deux ballet in Act II. Reflecting this production's focus on Carousel's music, the ballet will be the sole fully choreographed scene. These performances mark Warren Carlyle's first time choreographing Mr. Fairchild and Ms. Peck, and represent Mr. Carlyle, Mr. Fairchild, and Ms. Peck's Philharmonic debuts. Mr. Fairchild and Ms. Peck are appearing courtesy of the New York City Ballet.

BroadwayWorld.com noticed something today as we scoured Facebook and it's something that we really liked, so we wanted to share it with you because it's not so often that you find such generosity for actors. This weekend, all roads lead to St. Louis as actors are headed there from all over the country to audition for the Muny's summer production of LES MISERABLES directed by Richard Jay-Alexander and with music direction by Kevin Stites.

100 Shades of Green presents the world premiere of The Fourth Messenger, a brand new musical by celebrated local playwright Tanya Shaffer and popular singer/songwriter Vienna Teng. What if the Buddha were a woman? What if she were alive today? How would the world view her life and teachings differently? Loosely inspired by the life of the historical Buddha, the captivating new musical imagines a modern-day 'awakened one' named Mama Sid.

La Jolla Playhouse announces a new play development initiative, the DNA New Work Series, entailing a six-week period of workshop productions and public readings of new plays and musicals, taking place today, January 24 through March 3, 2013. The focus of the DNA New Work Series is to allow playwrights and directors the opportunity to develop a script by providing rehearsal time, space and resources, culminating in a workshop production or public reading.

Executive Producer Mike Isaacson announced today the directors, choreographers and music directors for its 2013 Season, which opens on June 17 with Monty Python's Spamalot. 'This is a phenomenally talented group of artists, and I'm thrilled to be working with all of them. Last season our audience inspired us to take many risks and push ourselves far. These directors and choreographers are already working on ways to top last season's level of excitement and excellence.'

It's the story of a family where secrets are currency and everyone is rich. From tonight, January 11 through February 9, 2013, SpeakEasy Stage will present the New England Premiere of the award-winning drama OTHER DESERT CITIES by Jon Robin Baitz.

New York City Opera opens its spring 2013 season with a new production of Powder Her Face (1995), composed by Thomas Adès (b.1971) to a libretto by Philip Hensher (b. 1965).

It's the story of a family where secrets are currency and everyone is rich. From January 11 through February 9, 2013, SpeakEasy Stage will proudly present the New England Premiere of the award-winning drama OTHER DESERT CITIES by Jon Robin Baitz.

The Guthrie Theater today announced that beginning December 27, the theater will offer its first-ever "Tweet Seats" during four consecutive Thursday performances of The Servant of Two Masters, allowing social media users an opportunity to interact during the show. A limited number of seats located in a balcony level of the McGuire Proscenium in a section that will not be disruptive to other patrons will be designated as Tweet Seats. Tweet Seat tickets are $15 and are available by calling the Guthrie Box Office at 612.377.2224, and mentioning "Tweet." Tickets are not available online, with other offers, or on previously purchased tickets. Handing fees may apply.

La Jolla Playhouse announces a new play development initiative, the DNA New Work Series, entailing a six-week period of workshop productions and public readings of new plays and musicals, taking place January 24 through March 3, 2013. The focus of the DNA New Work Series is to allow playwrights and directors the opportunity to develop a script by providing rehearsal time, space and resources, culminating in a workshop production or public reading.

100 Shades of Green presents the world premiere of The Fourth Messenger, a brand new musical by celebrated local playwright Tanya Shaffer and popular singer/songwriter Vienna Teng. What if the Buddha were a woman? What if she were alive today? How would the world view her life and teachings differently? Loosely inspired by the life of the historical Buddha, the captivating new musical imagines a modern-day "awakened one" named Mama Sid.

Many of the movie industry's biggest names came out to pay tribute to an eclectic group of honorees at the Academy's fourth annual Governors Awards held on December 1 at the Hollywood & Highland Center's Ray Dolby Ballroom. Below, watch Jeffrey Katzenberg accept the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award at the ceremony.

Hennepin Theatre Trust and Theater Latte Da announced today the launch of Broadway Re-Imagined, a new collaborative partnership taking a fresh look at Broadway and other musical theatre productions. The series kicks off in January 2013 with a co-production of Elton John and Tim Rice's Aida, imaginatively directed by Latte Da's acclaimed artistic director Peter Rothstein, at the historic Pantages Theatre, 710 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis.

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey will launch the Fall portion of its 50th Anniversary Season with the critically acclaimed stage adaptation of Charles Dickens' Oliver Twist by British playwright, author, and director, Neil Bartlett. The production begins tonight, September 12, with several discounted Preview performances, and continues through Oct. 7 at The Shakespeare Theatre's Main Stage - the intimate F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre.

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey will launch the Fall portion of its 50th Anniversary Season with the critically acclaimed stage adaptation of Charles Dickens' Oliver Twist by British playwright, author, and director, Neil Bartlett. The production begins on September 12, with several discounted Preview performances, and continues through Oct. 7 at The Shakespeare Theatre's Main Stage - the intimate F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre.

Summer in Chicago continues this month with the Grant Park Music Festival, led by Artistic Director and Principal Conductor Carlos Kalmar and the Grammy Award-nominated Grant Park Orchestra, along with Chorus Director Christopher Bell and the Grant Park Chorus in the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Chicago's Millennium Park. The Festival will bring performances by outstanding guest conductors and guest artists from around the world, in a month of exciting programming that includes a world premiere commission, a live concert screening of Frozen Planet, the latest hit series from BBC/Discovery Channel, a tribute concert to Broadway and Hollywood legend, Frank Loesser and other Festival favorites.

REBECCA, the new musical based on the classic novel by Daphne du Maurier novel, has found its male and female leads: Jill Paice will play the role of "I" and Ryan Silverman the role of "Maxim de Winter." REBECCA will open on Broadway Sunday, November 18 at The Broadhurst Theatre. Previews will begin Tuesday, October 30.

Tickets to the general public are now available for REBECCA, the new musical based on the classic novel by Daphne du Maurier novel (and later turned into an Oscar-winning film by Alfred Hitchcock) which will open on Broadway Sunday, November 18 at The Broadhurst Theatre (235 West 44th Street).

Summer in Chicago continues this July with the Grant Park Music Festival, led by Artistic Director and Principal Conductor Carlos Kalmar and the Grammy Award-nominated Grant Park Orchestra, along with Chorus Director Christopher Bell and the Grant Park Chorus in the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Chicago's Millennium Park. The Festival will bring performances by outstanding guest conductors and guest artists from around the world, in a month of exciting programming that includes a world premiere commission, a live concert screening of Frozen Planet, the latest hit series from BBC/Discovery Channel, a tribute concert to Broadway and Hollywood legend, Frank Loesser and other Festival favorites.

Eleanor O'Brien is a force of nature and her one-woman show, Good Girls Guide: Dominatrix for Dummies has thrilled Portland audiences with its unexpected tale of a woman finding self-confidence and self-acceptance while looking to survive as an actress in New York City. In the upcoming months, O'Brien is taking her show on the road and performing in several fringe festivals across the country. I had the pleasure of talking with Eleanor about her show and other exciting projects she has in the works for her theatre company Dance Naked Productions.