Raven Theatre Cancels Full 2020-21 Season; Programming Set To Resume Fall 2021
Raven Theatre today announced it will cancel its full 2020-21 Season due the COVID 19 pandemic. Cancelled productions include Beautiful Thing by Jonathan Harvey, directed by Mikael Burke (February 11 – March 28, 2021); the world premiere of Eden Prairie, 1971 by Mat Smart, directed by Henry Wishcamper (May 6 – June 20, 2021) and more.
Raven Theatre Postpones EDEN PRAIRIE, 1971
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Raven Theatre today announced it will postpone its upcoming world premiere of Mat Smart's Eden Prairie, 1971, directed by Henry Wishcamper, originally scheduled for May 7 - June 21, 2020 on Raven's 85-seat East Stage, 6157 N. Clark St. in Chicago. New dates will be announced shortly.
Emmy Award-Winner Sean Hayes To Appear At Goodman Theatre's 2019 Education Luncheon
Goodman Theatre, now in its 95th season, announces the a?oeLegacy & Promisea?? Education and Engagement luncheon on Wednesday, February 5 featuring Emmy Award-winning and Tony Award-nominated actor Sean Hayes. Hayes joins the Goodman's Walter Director of Education and Engagement Willa J. Taylor and more for this 5th annual event, which celebrates the theater's programs for youth, schools and lifelong learners. Proceeds from the event support these programs, all of which are offered completely FREE of charge to participants and are 100% funded by individual contributions. Event leadership includes Joan Clifford, Immediate Past Chair and Benefit Events Leadership Chair; Patricia Cox, Education and Engagement Trustee Leadership Chair; Kathleen Cowie, Goodman Theatre Trustee and Education and Engagement Committee Chair; and Teri Brown and Lorrayne Weiss, Women's Board Education and Engagement Co-chairs. The event takes place at The Palmer House (17 E. Monroe) at 12noon (registration opens at 11:30am). Tickets start at $250; call 312.443.3811 ext. 220. Proceeds benefit Education and Engagement at the Goodman. Media interested in attending/covering should call 312.443.5151.
BWW Review: 42nd Annual Production of A CHRISTMAS CAROL at Goodman Theatre
Although Goodman Theatre is now producing A CHRISTMAS CAROL for the 42nd year, and although I have seen the production four times myself, it still has an immense capacity to tug at the heartstrings. While the Goodman's production has few surprises to reveal for repeat viewers at this point, the emotions of delight and humor I experienced on opening night reminded me why this production feels magical for so many. And because I attended the show with a first-time viewer, it was particularly special to share the Goodman's brand of holiday joy.
Henry Wishcamper And Grammy-Winning John McDaniel Bring MAX & WILLY'S LAST LAUGH To Life in Staged Reading
When German star, comedian Max Ehrlich, and his best friend, composer Willy Rosen were caught in Holland in 1942 and sent to the Westerbork Transit Camp, the commandant recognized Max and made him an offer he couldn't refuse: Every Monday night before the train leaves for Auschwitz the next morning, Max and Willy will do a cabaret. IF they are funny, they do it next week. If not - they are on the train. What followed was 18 months of the funniest cabaret in all of Europe!
VIDEO: Kids Tell All About A CHRISTMAS CAROL at the Goodman
Now in its 42nd year at Goodman Theatre, A Christmas Carol plays November 16 - December 29. Under Artistic Associate Henry Wishcamper's direction for the seventh year, the annual production features Chicago actor Larry Yando, who leads the 25-member cast as the irascible businessman Ebenezer Scrooge. Joining Yando is Paris Strickland, 12, who reprises her role as Tiny Tim for the third year along with a host of returning favorites and eight newcomers; a complete cast list appears below. The new young performers in A Christmas Carol, cast from hundreds of Chicagoland youth who auditioned, include Jillian-Giselle Fabulous, 11, as Emily Cratchit, Isabel Kaegi, 17, as Belinda Cratchit; Vikram Konkimalla, 7, as Tiny Tim Alternate; and returning young performers include Asher Alcantara, 14, as Boy Scrooge; Nelson Simmons, 12, as Turkey Child.
Cast Announced For A CHRISTMAS CAROL at the Goodman
More than 1.5 million people have experienced A Christmas Carol, 'the greatest seasonal story of alla?? (Chicago Tribune), now in its 42nd year at Goodman Theatre, November 16 a?" December 29. Under Artistic Associate Henry Wishcamper's direction for the seventh year, the annual production features Chicago actor Larry Yando, who leads the 25-member cast as the irascible businessman Ebenezer Scrooge. Joining Yando is Paris Strickland, 12, who reprises her role as Tiny Tim for the third year along with a host of returning favorites and eight newcomers; a complete cast list appears below. The new young performers in A Christmas Carol, cast from hundreds of Chicagoland youth who auditioned, include Jillian-Giselle Fabulous, 11, as Emily Cratchit, Isabel Kaegi, 17, as Belinda Cratchit; Vikram Konkimalla, 7, as Tiny Tim Alternate; and returning young performers include Asher Alcantara, 14, as Boy Scrooge; Nelson Simmons, 12, as Turkey Child.
Goodman Theatre Announces Venue And Date Changes For Two Spring 2020 Productions
Artistic Director Robert Falls announces an update to Goodman Theatre's 2019/2020 Season. The Chicago premiere of School Girls; Or, the African Mean Girls Play by Jocelyn Bioh, directed by Lili-Anne Brown, originally scheduled for the Owen Theatre, will move into the 856-seat Albert Theatre; the Falls-directed major revival of Molly Sweeney by Brian Friel, originally scheduled for the Albert Theatre, will move into the 350-seat flexible Owen Theatre.
The Politically Conscious Theater Company Presents 24-Hour Reading of The Mueller Report
The Neo-Futurist Theater announce that it will host a 24-hour staged reading of a redacted version of the report delivered by Special Counsel Robert Mueller beginning on August 9th, 2019 7:30 PM. The Neo-Futurists, who are celebrating their 30th anniversary this year as an established Chicago company, see the artistic movement's desire to maintain the report in public discourse as a part of the ongoing mission of the company to engage community in a timely piece that addresses the current constitutional quagmire.
Acclaimed Director Kimberly Senior Joins Goodman Theatre's Artistic Collective
Artistic Director Robert Falls has named Kimberly Senior the newest member of Goodman Theatre's Artistic Collective-ten American theater artists whose work has cemented the theater's international reputation for excellence over three decades. The Collective, which Falls established when he became Artistic Director, currently includes award-winning playwrights, directors and actors: Brian Dennehy, Rebecca Gilman, Henry Godinez, Dael Orlandersmith, Steve Scott, Chuck Smith, Regina Taylor, Henry Wishcamper and Mary Zimmerman.
The World Premiere Of LOTTERY DAY Concludes Ike Holter's Seven-Play Saga
"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.