Paul Oakley Stovall News

About Face Theatre commemorates Pride Month with THE PRIDE PERFORMANCE SERIES, a spectacular line-up of readings, performances and special events throughout June celebrating the LGBTQIA experience. The series kicks off with a reading of Jonathan Tolins' comedy The Last Sunday in June, starring real life couple Michael Urie (of TV's Ugly Betty) and his partner Ryan Spahn. Urie is currently starring in Tolins' comedy Buyer & Cellar at Chicago's Broadway Playhouse. Up next, AFT Artistic Associate Paul Oakley Stovall leads a panel of Chicago artists through an exploration of Lesbians & Literature. Then, playwright Bixby Elliot (Girl You Know It's True) unravels everything you've ever learned about our 16th President as AFT presents a reading of his hilarious play Abraham Lincoln was a F*gg*t. Finally, Steven Strafford stars in a reading of Methtacular!, his own brutally honest and often comedic story of survival as a meth addict in Chicago.

About Face Theatre commemorates Pride Month with THE PRIDE PERFORMANCE SERIES, a spectacular line-up of readings, performances and special events throughout June celebrating the LGBTQIA experience. The series kicks off with a reading of Jonathan Tolins' comedy The Last Sunday in June, starring real life couple Michael Urie (of TV's Ugly Betty) and his partner Ryan Spahn.

Casting is complete for Steppenwolf Theatre Company's world-premiere production of The Qualms by ensemble member Bruce Norris. Tony Award-winner Pam MacKinnon (Steppenwolf's Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?) directs a cast of nine featuring ensemble member Kate Arrington with Owais Ahmed, Karen Aldridge, Diane Davis, Kirsten Fitzgerald, Keith Kupferer, David Pasquesi, Paul Oakley Stovall and Greg Stuhr. This sexy comedy marks Steppenwolf's eighth production and seventh world premiere by the Pulitzer Prize- and Tony Award-winning author of Clybourne Park. The Qualms begins previews July 3, 2014 (opening night is July 13; press performances are July 12 at 3pm and July 15 at 7:30pm) and runs through August 31, 2014 in Steppenwolf's Downstairs Theatre (1650 N Halsted St). Tickets ($20 - 86) are on sale now at steppenwolf.org.

Pivot Arts launches its second annual celebration of innovative performance events, May 28 - June 14, throughout Chicago's Uptown, Edgewater and Rogers Park neighborhoods. The PIVOT ARTS FESTIVAL serves to bring audiences together for unique performance events. This year the festival's focus highlights the intersection between the performing arts and science. Tickets go on sale for "Art Meets Science" April 20, with a range of free events and entrance fees no higher than $15 per event. To purchase tickets and for complete festival information, visit www.pivotarts.org/festival or call 773.609.0782.

The Eugene O'Neill Theater Center announced today its two new musicals selected for development at the 36th National Music Theater Conference: The War Dept. and The White City.

The Eugene O'Neill Theater Center announced today its two new musicals selected for development at the 36th National Music Theater Conference: THE WAR DEPT., and THE WHITE CITY.

Joey Contreras, Bobby Cronin, Jonathan Reid Gealt, McGuire & Simo, Michael Mott, Drew Overcash, Zoe Sarnak, and Brad Simmons will star in INSPIRED 3: A Benefit Concert for A PLACE TO BARK (TN) & SECOND CHANCE RESCUE NYC, on Sunday, January 26 at 7pm at Stage 72, NYC. Watch a trailer for the show below!

Produced and created by Bobby Cronin, INSPIRED is a benefit concert series for animal rescue organizations across the country that will play every other month, with a rotating line-up of some of today's exciting musical theatre writers in a casual and intimate setting as they sit behind the piano and, unlike traditional concerts of their material, perform songs by other writers that have inspired their work. The INSPIRED series hopes to spread the word about the 2.7 million adoptable animals that are euthanized each year in America.

About Face Theatre Company will kick off its new OUT FRONT SERIES, a year-round collection of free public readings and developmental workshops. This month, AFT presents BILLIE AND BILLY by AFT Artistic Associate Paul Oakley Stovall, with original music by Brad Simmons and directed by Krissy Vanderwarker, playing today, November 16 and tomorrow the 17th, 2013 at American Theater Company, 1909 W. Byron St. in Chicago.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. The BCA nominations are out, Levi Kreis leads a reading, 'We Three Lizas' return, two holiday shows from Broadway In Chicago, three more versions of 'A Christmas Carol,' more reindeer, and Palatine's 'White Christmas.' And it's still early November!

About Face Theatre Company will kick off its new OUT FRONT SERIES, a year-round collection of free public readings and developmental workshops. This month, AFT presents BILLIE AND BILLY by AFT Artistic Associate Paul Oakley Stovall, with original music by Brad Simmons and directed by Krissy Vanderwarker, playing November 16 and 17, 2013 at American Theater Company, 1909 W. Byron St. in Chicago.

For one exclusive night, step back into the golden age of underground society as About Face Presents THE BLACK AND TAN SUPPER CLUB tonight, October 11 from 7 pm - 10 pm. This magical throwback to Chicago's 'black and tan' nightclubs of the 1920s will take place at secret venue revealed just one week prior to the event, creating a singular experience of mystery.

Before Thursday's opening night performance of Paul Oakley Stovall's IMMEDIATE FAMILY, The Ensemble Theatre's Artistic Director Eileen J. Morris explained that their 37th season is all about creating magical moments within productions and within the community of their ever-growing audience base. Creating the first of many magical moments for the evening, she then proudly asserted that the E in ensemble stands for everyone, welcoming every member of the opening night audience to the theatre. Following suit, the heartwarming family-centered comedy IMMEDIATE FAMILY left audiences rolling in the aisles while exploring the importance of family and the power and beauty of acceptance, love, and understanding that members of our chosen and biological families can offer us.

The Ensemble Theatre kicks off its 2013-2014 season with Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer patrons and Allies, tonight, September 21, 2013, 7:00 PM.

For one exclusive night, step back into the golden age of underground society as About Face Presents THE BLACK AND TAN SUPPER CLUB on Friday, October 11 from 7 pm - 10 pm. This magical throwback to Chicago's "black and tan" nightclubs of the 1920s will take place at a secret venue revealed just one week prior to the event, creating a singular experience of mystery.

About Face Theatre is pleased to announce its 2013-14 programming, showcasing premiere productions and developmental works that explore gender and sexual identity. AFT's mainstage kicks-off this winter with the return of the hit holiday musical WE THREE LIZAS, featuring a new book and expanded score. In the spring, AFT presents the Chicago premiere of Aditi Brennan Kapil's stand-up comedy play, BRAHMAN/I, exploring gender, culture, mythology and puberty all through the lens of a hijra, an Indian intersex person. Next summer, About Face Youth Theatre investigates the intersection of immigration and queer identity in the world premiere of CHECKING BOXES. AFT's 2013-14 offerings will also feature the OUT FRONT Series, a year-round line-up of workshops and readings of new and developmental works by LGBTQA playwrights, as well as a month-long PRIDE CABARET Music Series in June 2014. For additional information on About Face Theatre's 2013-14 programming, please visit www.aboutfacetheatre.com.

CLEAR, a new American musical by Paul Oakley Stovall (book, music and lyrics) will receive a reading in NYC today, August 27th.

CLEAR, a new American musical by Paul Oakley Stovall (book, music and lyrics) will receive a reading in NYC on August 27th. Stafford Arima (Carrie, Altar Boyz) directs, with musical direction by Brad Simmons (Lysistrata Jones). CLEAR was first developed at the 2010 Eugene O'Neill National Music Theatre Conference, and has also received workshop productions at Dixon Place, About Face Theatre, and a concert reading at Pritzker Pavilion for the city of Chicago's IN THE WORKS program.

Coming up this week, 54 BELOW, the performance venue located just below the legendary Studio 54 at 254 West 54th Street, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz and beyond. 54 Below also launched its series of late night events. Joining Tuesday nights' popular 'Backstage' with Susie Mosher is 15:54, and more:

For one exclusive night, step back into the golden age of underground society as About Face Presents THE BLACK AND TAN SUPPER CLUB on Friday, October 11 from 7 pm - 10 pm. This magical throwback to Chicago's 'black and tan' nightclubs of the 1920s will take place at secret venue revealed just one week prior to the event, creating a singular experience of mystery.