Music Box to Screen RSC's RICHARD II with David Tennant, 12/7 & 18

Music Box Theatre expands its Stage-to-Screen programming this winter, importing even more captured live stage performances from the UK than ever before. Additional programming includes a new collaboration with the UK's Royal Shakespeare Company kicking off December 7 and 18 with Richard II, starring Doctor Who's David Tennant, beamed from the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon.

This is in addition to the ongoing partnership with London's National Theatre, celebrating its 50th anniversary with two encores of past NT Live performances (Danny Boyle's Frankenstein starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Jonny Lee Miller in December and Alan Bennett's The Habit of Art in January) before the February 16, 2014 premiere of Donmar Warehouse's production of Coriolanus, starring War Horse's Tom Hiddleston. Tickets to all Stage-to-Screen presentations at Music Box Theatre are $15 in advance at www.musicboxtheatre.com/; or $18 at the door

In the new production of Shakespeare's Richard II directed by RSC Artistic Director Gregory Doran, a king's human weaknesses secure his downfall. His vanity threatens to divide the great houses of England and drag his people into a dynastic civil war that will last 100 years. King Richard II, a monarch ordained by God to lead his people, is performed by Tennant, best known for his title role in the TV series Doctor Who. Joining the company is Oliver Ford Davies as Duke of York, Michael Pennington as John of Gaunt and Jane Lapotaire as Duchess of Gloucester.

In celebration of National Theatre's 50th anniversary, the 2011 performances of Frankenstein directed by Oscar winner Danny Boyle (Trainspotting, Slumdog Millionaire) enjoys encore presentations. The popular production stars Benedict Cumberbatch (Star Trek: Into Darkness, BBC's Sherlock) and Jonny Lee Miller (Trainspotting, CBS's Elementary) alternating roles as Victor Frankenstein and his creation on different nights. A story of a friendless creature that becomes desperate and vengeful when he meets cruelty wherever he goes. Urgent concerns of scientific responsibility, parental neglect, cognitive development and the nature of good and evil are embedded within this thrilling gothic tale.

National Theatre Live's 2010 production of Alan Bennett's acclaimed The Habit of Art, with Richard Griffiths, Alex Jennings and Frances de la Tour, also returns as part of the National Theatre's 50th anniversary celebration. Benjamin Britten, sailing uncomfortably close to the wind with his new opera, Death in Venice, seeks advice from his former collaborator and friend, W H Auden. During this imagined meeting, their first in 25 years, they are observed and interrupted by, amongst others, their future biographer and a young man from the bus station. Bennett's play is as much about the theater as it is about poetry or music. It looks at the unsettling desires of two difficult men, and at the ethics of biography. It reflects on growing old, on creativity and inspiration, and on persisting when all passion's spent: ultimately, on the habit of art.

National Theatre Live premieres Donmar Warehouse's production of Coriolanus, Shakespeare's searing tragedy of political manipulation and revenge, with Tom Hiddleston (The Avengers, War Horse , BBC's The Hollow Crown) in the title role and Mark Gatiss (Season's Greetings at the National Theatre, BBC's Sherlock) as Menenius, directed by the Donmar's Artistic Director Josie Rourke. When an old adversary threatens Rome, the city calls once more on her hero and defender: Coriolanus. But he has enemies at home, too. Famine threatens the city, the citizens' hunger swells to an appetite for change, and on returning from the field Coriolanus must confront the march of realpolitik and the voice of an angry people.

Royal Shakespeare Company presents Richard II

(Premiere) Saturday, Dec. 7, noon and Monday, Dec. 18, 7:00 pm

RSC Artistic Director Gregory Doran directs David Tennant (Doctor Who, Broadchurch) in the title role of the King whose vanity threatens to divide the great houses of England and drag his people into a dynastic civil war that will last 100 years.

$15 in advance at the Music Box Theatre box office and online at www.musicboxtheatre.com/events/national-theatre-live-presents-richard-ii-2013-dec-7-sat-1200pm; $18 at the door.

National Theatre Live presents Frankenstein

(Encore) Monday, Dec. 16, 6:00pm (Version 1) and 9:00pm (Version 2); Sunday, Jan. 12, noon (Version 1); Sunday, Jan. 19, noon (Version 2)

Oscar-winner Danny Boyle (Trainspotting, Slumdog Millionaire) directs the sensational 2011 production with Benedict Cumberbatch (Star Trek: Into Darkness, BBC's Sherlock) and Jonny Lee Miller (Trainspotting, CBS's Elementary) alternating roles as Victor Frankenstein and his creation. Version 1 stars Benedict Cumberbatch as The Creature; Version 2 stars Jonny Lee Miller as The Creature.

$15 in advance at www.musicboxtheatre.com/events/nt-live-presents-frankenstein-2014-jan-12-sun-1200pm; $18 at the door

National Theatre Live presents The Habit of Art

(Encore) Saturday, Dec. 28, noon

NTL's 2010 broadcast of Alan Bennett's acclaimed play starring Richard Griffiths as Benjamin Britten and Alex Jennings as W H Auden, returns for one showing as part of the National Theatre's 50th anniversary celebration. During an imagined meeting, Britten, sailing uncomfortably close to the wind with his new opera Death in Venice, seeks advice from his former collaborator and friend, W H Auden.

$15 in advance; $18 at the door

National Theatre Live at Music Box Theatre presents

Coriolanus

(Premiere) Sunday, Feb. 16, 11:30 a.m.

Donmar Warehouse's production of Shakespeare's searing tragedy of political manipulation and revenge stars Tom Hiddleston (The Avengers, War Horse) in the title role and Mark Gatiss (BBC's Sherlock) as Menenius, directed by the Donmar's Artistic Director Josie Rourke.

$15 in advance; $18 at the door

Music Box Theatre has been the premier venue in Chicago for independent and foreign films, festivals and some of the greatest cinematic events in Chicago. It currently has the largest cinema space operated full time in the city. The Music Box Theatre is independently owned and operated by the Southport Music Box Corporation. SMBC, through its Music Box Films division, also distributes foreign and independent films in the theatrical, DVD and television markets throughout the United States. For additional information please visit www.musicboxtheatre.com .

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