Matt Raftery

Chicago Shakespeare Theater will welcome artists back to make theater again as dozens of actors, directors, designers, and technicians are busy creating upcoming productions, captured live in the Theater's performance spaces and streaming on-demand for audiences at home via the new Chicago ShakesSTREAM platform. 

Chicago Shakespeare Theater announces nine productions of the 2017/18 Season-which will engage audiences with timeless stories in transformational settings. The season also marks the introduction of the Theater's new and innovative third performance venue, The Yard at Chicago Shakespeare. Additional productions are to be announced this summer.

Check out the top stories from Chicago you might have missed this week and more!

Chicago Shakespeare Theater  (CST) continues its summer tradition of vibrant family programming with Madagascar - A Musical Adventure, directed and choreographed by Matt Raftery at the Theater's home on Navy Pier, July 13-August 27, 2017. Based on the DreamWorks Animation motion picture, this wild and wacky new musical is written by Emmy Award-winner Kevin Del Aguila with original music and lyrics by George Noriega and Joel Someillan.

It's time to escape the zoo and head to the stage! The musical twist on the blockbuster DreamWorks motion picture, MADAGASCAR - A MUSICAL ADVENTURE, comes to life for children of all ages at The Marriott Theatre for Young Audiences, 10 Marriott Drive in Lincolnshire, now through April 15, 2017, with a press opening on March 4 at 10 a.m. BroadwayWorld has a look at highlights from the show below!

It's time to escape the zoo and head to the stage! The musical twist on the blockbuster DreamWorks motion picture, MADAGASCAR - A MUSICAL ADVENTURE, comes to life for children of all ages at The Marriott Theatre for Young Audiences, 10 Marriott Drive in Lincolnshire, from February 25 through April 15, 2017, with a press opening on March 4 at 10 a.m.

It's time to escape the zoo and head to the stage! The musical twist on the blockbuster DreamWorks motion picture, MADAGASCAR - A MUSICAL ADVENTURE, comes to life for children of all ages at The Marriott Theatre for Young Audiences, 10 Marriott Drive in Lincolnshire, now through April 15, 2017, with a press opening on March 4 at 10 a.m. BroadwayWorld has a look at highlights from the show below!

It's time to escape the zoo and head to the stage! The musical twist on the blockbuster DreamWorks motion picture, MADAGASCAR - A MUSICAL ADVENTURE, comes to life for children of all ages at The Marriott Theatre for Young Audiences, 10 Marriott Drive in Lincolnshire, from February 25 through April 15, 2017, with a press opening on March 4 at 10 a.m.

It's time to escape the zoo and head to the stage! The musical twist on the blockbuster DreamWorks motion picture, MADAGASCAR - A MUSICAL ADVENTURE, comes to life for children of all ages at The Marriott Theatre for Young Audiences, 10 Marriott Drive in Lincolnshire, from February 25 through April 15, 2017, with a press opening on March 4 at 10 a.m.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) announces the cast and creative team for the world premiere of The Book of Joseph, a new play by award-winning playwright Karen Hartman chronicling three generations of the Hollander family in a sweeping story that spans history from occupied Poland to present-day America. Directed by CST Artistic Director Barbara Gaines and developed with Creative Producer Rick Boynton, The Book of Joseph debuts in the theater Upstairs at Chicago Shakespeare, January 29-March 5, 2017.

The musical twist on the classic tale of THE NUTCRACKER comes to life for children of all ages at The Marriott Theatre for Young Audiences, 10 Marriott Drive in Lincolnshire, now through December 30, with a press opening on November 19 at 10:00 a.m. Filled with magic, mystery and heartwarming numbers, this classic holiday musical will be directed and choreographed by Matt Raftery. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

???????The musical twist on the classic tale of THE NUTCRACKER comes to life for children of all ages at The Marriott Theatre for Young Audiences, 10 Marriott Drive in Lincolnshire, from November 11 through December 30, with a press opening today, November 19 at 10 a.m.

The musical twist on the classic tale of THE NUTCRACKER comes to life for children of all ages at The Marriott Theatre for Young Audiences, 10 Marriott Drive in Lincolnshire, now through December 30, with a press opening on November 19 at 10:00 a.m. Filled with magic, mystery and heartwarming numbers, this classic holiday musical will be directed and choreographed by Matt Raftery. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

???????The musical twist on the classic tale of THE NUTCRACKER comes to life for children of all ages at The Marriott Theatre for Young Audiences, 10 Marriott Drive in Lincolnshire, from November 11 through December 30, with a press opening on Saturday, November 19 at 10 a.m.

???????The musical twist on the classic tale of THE NUTCRACKER comes to life for children of all ages at The Marriott Theatre for Young Audiences, 10 Marriott Drive in Lincolnshire, from November 11 through December 30, with a press opening on Saturday, November 19 at 10 a.m.

Writers Theatre Artistic Director Michael Halberstam and Executive Director Kathryn M. Lipuma announce casting for the first five plays of the company's 25th Anniversary Season. 

The Old Globe presents the West Coast premiere of Paul Gordon's delightfully romantic new musical SENSE AND SENSIBILITY, developed with Rick Boynton and presented in association with Chicago Shakespeare Theater, where it was commissioned and had its world premiere in April 2015. CST Artistic Director Barbara Gaines returns to the show as director of the Globe production. SENSE AND SENSIBILITY will play now through August 14, 2016 on the Donald and Darlene Shiley Stage in the Old Globe Theatre, part of the Conrad Prebys Theatre Center. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

The Old Globe presents the West Coast premiere of Paul Gordon's delightfully romantic new musical SENSE AND SENSIBILITY, developed with Rick Boynton and presented in association withChicago Shakespeare Theater, where it was commissioned and had its world premiere in April 2015. CST Artistic Director Barbara Gaines returns to the show as director of the Globe production. SENSE AND SENSIBILITY will play now through August 14, 2016 on the Donald and Darlene Shiley Stage in the Old Globe Theatre, part of the Conrad Prebys Theatre Center. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

The Old Globe presents the West Coast premiere of Paul Gordon's delightfully romantic new musical SENSE AND SENSIBILITY, developed with Rick Boynton and presented in association with Chicago Shakespeare Theater, where it was commissioned and had its world premiere in April 2015.

The Old Globe presents the West Coast premiere of Paul Gordon's delightfully romantic new musical SENSE AND SENSIBILITY, developed with Rick Boynton and presented in association with Chicago Shakespeare Theater, where it was commissioned and had its world premiere in April 2015.