SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE Comes to Chicago Shakespeare Theater

Chicago Shakespeare Theater brings to the stage one of the most popular romantic films of all time, Shakespeare in Love-in an enchanting, music-filled theatrical event staged by acclaimed director Rachel Rockwell. Based on the Academy Award-winner for Best Picture with screenplay by Marc Norman and Tom Stoppard, Shakespeare in Love is adapted for the stage by Tony and Olivier Award-winner Lee Hall.

Young playwright Will Shakespeare is stuck. He is overdue in finishing his latest play-a half-baked mess of a comedy called Romeo and Ethel, the Pirate's Daughter. He finds his muse in Viola de Lesseps, who is driven to do anything-even disguise herself as a man-to fulfill her dream of performing on stage, where no women are permitted. Surrounded by familiar players, including Queen Elizabeth herself, backstage antics collide with onstage dramas. Will and Viola's passionate, forbidden love affair goes on to inspire Shakespeare's masterpiece-the most romantic tragedy ever written. Culminating the Theater's 30th Anniversary Season, this high-spirited romantic comedy is magnificently rendered onstage in the magical intimacy of Chicago Shakespeare's Courtyard Theater, now through June 11, 2017.

Production Photo 01: Will Shakespeare (Nick Rehberger) unfurls the binding from Viola de Lesseps (Kate McGonigle) that had disguised her as a man in Chicago Shakespeare Theater's production of Shakespeare in Love, a stage adaptation of the Oscar Award-winning film, directed by Rachel Rockwell in CST's Courtyard Theater, April 15-June 11, 2017. Photo by Liz Lauren.