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Photo Flash: Raven Theatre Presents the Chicago Premiere of CHOIR BOY

Raven Theatre is pleased to launch its 35th anniversary season with the Chicago premiere of CHOIR BOY, by recent Academy Award winner Tarell Alvin McCraney who, together with writer-director Barry Jenkins, won the Best Adapted Screenplay Oscar for the Academy's Best Picture winner, Moonlight. Directed by Artistic Director Michael Menendian, CHOIR BOY will play September 27 November 12, 2017 in Raven's 120-seat East Stage, 6157 N. Clark St. (at Granville) in Chicago. Tickets are currently available at www.raventheatre.com or by calling (773) 338-2177.
Raven Theatre Founders Michael Menendian and JoAnn Montemurro to Step Down After 35th Season

Raven Theatre Company today announced the theater's founders and co-artistic directors Michael Menendian and JoAnn Montemurro will retire at the end of the 2017-2018 season, after leading the company for 35 years.
Raven Theatre Extends 'DIRECT FROM DEATH ROW'

Direct from Death Row The Scottsboro Boys (An Evening of Vaudeville and Sorrow), which on Monday, June 6 was honored for 'Outstanding Ensemble' at the annual Jeff Awards (Non-Equity Branch), has extended its previously announced remount by one week, with a new closing date of August 27, 2016. The entire Jeff award-winning all-African-American cast of the production will return for the run from July 21 through August 27, 2016.
Jon Steinhagen Stars in THE HOUSE OF BLUE LEAVES at Raven Theatre, Beginning Today

JoAnn Montemurro, co-Artistic Director of Raven Theatre, presents THE HOUSE OF BLUE LEAVES by John Guare. The play begins on the company's East Stage from today, April 20 through June 18, 2016 under Montemurro's direction.
Jon Steinhagen to Star in THE HOUSE OF BLUE LEAVES at Raven Theatre

JoAnn Montemurro, co-Artistic Director of Raven Theatre, has announced casting for the company's upcoming production of THE HOUSE OF BLUE LEAVES by John Guare. The play will run on the company's East Stage from April 20 through June 18, 2016 under Montemurro's direction.
Raven Theatre to Remount DIRECT FROM DEATH ROW This Summer

Direct from Death Row The Scottsboro Boys (An Evening of Vaudeville and Sorrow), which earned rave reviews, was Jeff-recommended, won the BroadwayWorld Chicago Awards for Best Revival, Best Director and Best Actor (Andrew Malone) and became one of the largest selling hits in Raven Theatre Company's 32-year history, will return for a limited engagement in July and August of 2016. Michael Menendian, Producing Artistic Director of the company and director of this production, announced the remount today. The entire all-African-American cast of the production will return for the run from July 21 through August 21, 2016.
Photo Flash: First Look at Raven Theatre Company's THE PLAY ABOUT MY DAD

THE PLAY ABOUT MY DAD, by Boo Killebrew, which opened at New York's 59E59 Theatres in June 2011, tells of the author's father, a doctor in Gulfport, Mississippi who stayed behind to take care of patients as Hurricane Katrina hit in August 2005. The play will be performed in Raven's intimate West Stage space. The production officially opens tonight, October 27, and runs through November 28, 2015. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!
Photo Flash: First Look at Raven Theatre Company's DIVIDING THE ESTATE

Dividing the Estate, a 2008-09 Tony Award nominee for Best Original Play and Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role (Hallie Foote), can finally be seen in Chicago in Raven Theatre's production, which began preview performances on Tuesday, January 27.
Photo Flash: First Look at Raven Theatre's VIEUX CARRE

Raven's revival of this later play by Tennessee Williams that was 'rediscovered' in acclaimed productions in London and New York is autobiographical play that Williams first began writing around the time he started The Glass Menagerie. It concerns a young writer who in 1938 moves to a ramshackle French Quarter rooming house that's home to an assortment of desperate and eccentric characters. The New York Times said Vieux Carre is, along with The Glass Menagerie, Williams' other autobiographical memory play, one of two 'critical bookends' to Williams' career. Scroll down to see some pictures of the cast in action!
Photo Flash: First Look at Raven Theatre's THE PLAYBOY OF THE WESTERN WORLD

This year, one of the many ways Chicagoans can observe St. Patrick's Day beyond dropping in to an Irish pub might be a visit to Raven Theatre in Edgewater to see the theatre's acclaimed production of The Playboy of the Western World. J. M. Synge's pioneering classic of modern Irish drama is a non-alcoholic trip to the Emerald Isle, though the play is, incidentally, set in an Irish country pub (they call it a shebeen). Scroll down for a first look at the cast in action!
THE PLAYBOY OF THE WESTERN WORLD to Begin Previews 2/4 at Raven Theatre

Raven Theatre will present THE PLAYBOY OF THE WESTERN WORLD, by J.M. Synge, and directed by Michael Menedian. The show will begin previews on Feb. 4, and continue through Feb. 9, with ticket prices at $22. Opening night is set for Feb. 10, and the show wil run through April 5, Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30 pm, Sundays at 3 pm Tickets $36, $15 for students, teachers and military personnel, $5 discount for seniors
Photo Flash: First Look at Goodman Theatre and Teatro Vista's FISH MEN

Goodman Theatre and Teatro Vista team up for their second world-premiere production with Fish Men, Puerto Rican playwright Cándido Tirado's new comedic drama about a group of urban chess hustlers drawn together by a shared need to overcome their individual demons. Edward Torres, Artistic Director of Teatro Vista, makes his Goodman directorial debut with this second play of a three-year producing partnership between the Goodman and Teatro Vista, Chicago's first and largest not-for-profit professional Latino theater company. Fish Men runs opening night, tomorrow, April 16, through May 6, 2012, in the Goodman's Owen Theatre. Check out photos of the production below!
Raven Theatre Presents Sherlock Holmes Christmas Radio Play, 12/16-18

Raven Theater presents a live, radio-style presentation of Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Christmas Goose by Michael Menendian and John Weagly, adapted from one of the most popular of Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes stories, "The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle." This delightful holiday mystery features Ian Novak and Frederick Harris in definitive performances as the famous detective and his ally Dr. Watson. The story concerns the disappearance of a gem called the Blue Carbuncle, which has been hidden inside a Christmas goose. Stolen from the Countess of Morcar, the jewel's trail leads Holmes and Watson all over wintry London and to a surprising conclusion. This holiday treat comes complete with live musical accompaniment, humorous commercials, and an audience sing-a-long.
Raven Theatre Presents Sherlock Holmes Christmas Radio Play, 12/16-18

Raven Theater presents a live, radio-style presentation of Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Christmas Goose by Michael Menendian and John Weagly, adapted from one of the most popular of Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes stories, "The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle." This delightful holiday mystery features Ian Novak and Frederick Harris in definitive performances as the famous detective and his ally Dr. Watson. The story concerns the disappearance of a gem called the Blue Carbuncle, which has been hidden inside a Christmas goose. Stolen from the Countess of Morcar, the jewel's trail leads Holmes and Watson all over wintry London and to a surprising conclusion. This holiday treat comes complete with live musical accompaniment, humorous commercials, and an audience sing-a-long.

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