Posted on October 7, 2009 by Scotty Zacher
Rumor has it that Showtime and Steven Spielberg are considering creating a show about putting on a Broadway production. Facebook has added Latin to list of available languages. Playwrights Bruce Norris, Tarell Alvin McCraney and David Adjmi are the first recipients of the Steinberg Playwright Awards. The awards were established [...]
Filed under: Human Interest, Jeff Awards, Lookingglass, Steppenwolf, Theater News, Think Fast | Tagged: Jeff Awards, Steppenwolf Theatre, Lookingglass Theatre, David Adjmi, The Pain and the Itch, Bruce Norris, Showtime, Steven Spielberg, Facebook, Facebook latin, Spielberg Broadway show, Tarell Alvin McCraney, Steinberg Playwright Awards | Leave a Comment »
Posted on October 1, 2009 by Scotty Zacher
Good news for Old Town’s A Red Orchid Theatre: tickets for their current production Mistakes Were Made (our review here), by Craig Wright, have been selling like hot cakes – so much so that they’ve added an extra Wednesday night performance for all of October. Be sure to check it out before it closes on [...]
Filed under: A Red Orchid, Broadway, Chicago Shakespeare, Chris Jones, Extensions-Remounts, Navy Pier, Steppenwolf, Theater Gossip, Theater News, Think Fast, Ticket Sales, Tracy Letts, William Shakespeare | Tagged: Chris Jones, Tracy Letts, August: Osage County, Steppenwolf Theatre, A Red Orchid Theatre, Dexter Bullard, Navy Pier, Xanadu, Perez Hilton, Superior Donuts, Craig Wright, Barbara Gaines, Tina Fey, Cheyenne Jackson, All Shook Up!, The Daily Beast | Leave a Comment »
Posted on September 1, 2009 by Scotty Zacher
Arts Alliance Awards Thursday, October 29, 2009 The Merchandise Mart Chicago, IL 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm Among other awards, the event will honor Pamela B. Strobel (Arts Advocate Award), Homer Hans Bryant (Arts Legend Award) and Dance for Life (Special Recognition Award). The Signature Theatre (of Arlington, VA) has commissioned a [...]
Filed under: Think Fast | Tagged: Adam Guettel, American Musical Voices Project, Arts Alliance Awards, Dance for Life, Floyd Collins, Goodman Theatre, Homer Hans Bryant, Joseph Thalken, Light in the Piazza, Merchandise Mart, Michael John LaChiusa, Pamela B. Strobel, Ricky Ian Gordon, Signature Theatre | Leave a Comment »
Posted on August 18, 2009 by Scotty Zacher
Check out a great podcast interview with Stef Tovar, one of the producers and stars of High Fidelity…The Musical, currently playing at Piper’s Alley (map). Tovar talks about the show as well as his career. What caused Mozart’s death? A recent study says it might have been strep throat. Another big Hollywood name has [...]
Filed under: Broadway, Broadway-bound, Casting, Financials, Human Interest, Marketing, Physical Environs, Piper's Alley, Theater Gossip, Theater News, Think Fast, Tony Awards, William Shakespeare | Tagged: cocain found on money, cocain on dollar bills, cocain paper money, Hamlet, High Fidelity, Hilton Theater, Jude Law, Jude Law Tony Award, Patrick Sutton, Piper's Alley, Smock Alley Theatre, Spiderman the Musical, Stef Tovar, Theatre in Chicago, Tony Award, William Shakespeare Hamlet, Wolfgang Mozart | Leave a Comment »
Posted on August 16, 2009 by Scotty Zacher
Is it a good idea for theatres to offer your ticket money back if you did not enjoy the play (as the Goodman Theatre did in El Grito del Bronx)? Chicago Tribune’s Chris Jones thinks not. Jerry Springer, infamous TV talk show host, Dancing with the Stars contestant, Cincinnati mayor, host of America’s Got Talent, [...]
Filed under: Chris Jones, Goodman Theatre, Human Interest, Just For Fun, Marketing, Outreach | Education, Theater Gossip, Theater News, Think Fast, Ticket Sales, Writers' Theatre | Tagged: Chris Jones, Writers' Theatre, Michael Halberstam, Goodman Theatre, Chicago the Musical, Jerry Springer, Dancing With the Stars, Project Runway, America's Got Talent, Billy Flynn, Heidi Klum, Tim Gunn, The Coach House, Richard Christiansen, Rachel Weinstein | 1 Comment »
Posted on July 27, 2009 by Scotty Zacher
New York City’s critically acclaimed Pulse Ensemble Theatre, now celebrating its 20th season, will present its 5th season of Harlem Summer Shakespeare with free performances of William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, beginning on August 6th. The company will perform in various venues all over Harlem during the month of August. More here. The [...]
Filed under: All State Arena, Financials, Physical Environs, Theater News, Think Fast, Ticket Sales, William Shakespeare | Tagged: William Shakespeare, Britney Spears, Pulse Ensemble Theatre, Harlem Summer Shakespeare, Allstate Arena, Philips Arena, American Idols Live, Ricardo Arjona, Pink, Taylor Swift, Disney on Ice, Harlem Globe Trotters, WWE, Ringling Brothers Circus, Cleveland Play House, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland State University, PlayhouseSquare, Lincoln Park Arts & Music Festival, Graham Parker, john West, Royal Hunt, Alexa Wilkinson, Paris Delane, Paris Delane Trio, Sonia Dada | Leave a Comment »
Posted on July 20, 2009 by Scotty Zacher
Look out America: Susan Boyle, the “Britain’s Got Talent” phenomenon, is coming to America on a media blitz, replete with a new look. (photo courtesy of CNN) The infamous Watergate Hotel is going up for auction. (UPDATE: No bidders; will be foreclosed by lender) If marijuana is legal, will addiction rise? Horrors of horrors – [...]
Filed under: Just For Fun, Think Fast | Tagged: American Idol, Britains Got Talent, Hildebrandt marriage, Kelly Hildebrandt, Paula Abdul, Susan Boyle, Watergate, Watergate Hotel | Leave a Comment »
Posted on July 19, 2009 by Scotty Zacher
Broadway in Chicago has announced that the performance dates for The Color Purple has been reduced from two weeks to one week. We are told the reason is to allow Fantasia, the tour’s star, to also play a week in North Carolina. But could there be another reason? A study by the National Center for [...]
Filed under: Arie Crown Theater, Broadway in Chicago, Human Interest, Theater News, Theatre at the Center, Think Fast | Tagged: Broadway in Chicago, Fantasia, Lifetime TV, Project Runway, Stacy Flaster, Talk Theatre In Chicago, The Color Purple, Theatre at the Center | Leave a Comment »
Posted on July 9, 2009 by Scotty Zacher
This is great news: Michael McKean – who did such a brilliant job in Steppenwolf’s world-premier of Tracy Letts’ Superior Donuts – will reprise his role as donut shop owner on Broadway, set to open October 1st. More here, here and here. I’m so relieved to hear that the Jonas Brothers will “Rock” again. Now [...]
Filed under: Broadway, Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago Tribune, Chris Jones, New York Times, Personnel Changes, Steppenwolf, Theater News, Think Fast, Tracy Letts, YouTube | Tagged: Chris Jones, Tracy Letts, Steppenwolf Theatre, Jonas Brothers, Blago, Ravinia Music Festival, Michael McKean, Superior Donuts, CSO, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Ben Brantley, Peter Pan the Musical, West End | Leave a Comment »
Posted on July 7, 2009 by Scotty Zacher
Mashable.com, the go-to social media industry site, examines how Broadway is using social media to talk to their hardcore fans and, in the process, drawing in future audiences. Particularly, Mashable takes a look at the use of Ning.com to create Facebook-type sites for fans of your show – one example being Altarholics.com, for fans/groupies [...]
Filed under: Broadway, Noble Fool Theatre, Ravinia, Think Fast | Tagged: AltarBoyz, Noble Fool Theatre, Pheasant Run Resort, Antiques Roadshow, Chien Lung Dynasthy, Ravinia Music Festival, Ravinia, National Hot Dog Month, Mashable.com, Ning, Rock of Ages, Altarholics.com, St. Charles, BroadwaySpace.com | Leave a Comment »
Posted on July 1, 2009 by Scotty Zacher
Goodman Theatre’s recent cancellation of a fall production of Joan D’Arc has sparked an international outcry. Cutting the show from the Goodman’s 2009-2010 season has provoked a furious response from Airan Berg, artistic director of the performance component of the Linz09 cultural festival, held in the Austrian city of Linz. More here. here! TV [...]
Filed under: Broadway, Broadway in Chicago, Chris Jones, Closings, David Mamet, Goodman Theatre, Human Interest, Theater News, Think Fast | Tagged: Airan Berg, Arthur Allan Seidelman, Broadway in Chicago, Constance Towers, David Mamet, Frank Wedekind, Goodman Theatre, here! TV, Jason Graee. The Little Mermaid, Jesse Lee Sofer, Joan d'Arc, John Aniston, Linz, Michael Jackson, Oleanna, Spring Awakening, Victoria Tennant | Leave a Comment »
Posted on June 29, 2009 by Scotty Zacher
Audience members were in for an unexpected treat regarding yesterday’s final performance of the Tony award-winning August: Osage County: Rondi Reed, the originator of the role of the boozy Mattie Fae Aiken, returned to play the role for the last time. Ms. Reed is currently performing the role of Madame Morrible in Wicked, which [...]
Filed under: Broadway, Broadway in Chicago, Cadillac Palace Theatre, Closings, Eclipse Theatre Company, Goodman Theatre, Scotty Zacher, Theater Gossip, Theater History, Theater News, Think Fast, Tony Awards | Tagged: August: Osage County, Avenue Q, Broadway in Chicago, Daniel Sullivan, Eclipse Theatre, Gaper's Block, Goodman Theatre, Mary Poppins the Musical, Max Grinnell, Mitzi Newhouse Theatre, Rebecca Gilman, Rondi Reed, Spinning Into Butter, Wicked the Musical, William Finn | Leave a Comment »
Posted on June 19, 2009 by Scotty Zacher
Jeremy Piven will preside over an annual benefit this Saturday to raise money for the Piven Theatre Workshop. The Emmy-winning “Entourage” star (who has been embroiled in a messy Broadway spat), will oversee the silent auction, which includes an “Entourage” walk-on role. Time: 6pm, Location; Rockit Bar & Grill. More info here. Also [...]
Filed under: Ahrens & Flaherty, Fundraising, Just For Fun, Piven Theatre, Porchlight Music Theatre, Theater Gossip, Theater News, Theatre Building Chicago, Think Fast, Ticket Sales, Viaduct Theatre | Tagged: Chicago Horror Society, Entourage, Jeremy Piven, Once On This Island, Piven Theatre Workshop, Porchlight Music Theatre, Rockit Bar & Grill, Theatre Building Chicago, Viaduct Theater | Leave a Comment »
Posted on June 3, 2009 by Scotty Zacher
Anima Young Singers of Greater Chicago (formerly Glen Ellyn Children’s Chorus) is accepting new singers of all interested children and there is no pre-requisite for admission. Ensemble placements are being held now. Families are encouraged to call immediately for information or to schedule an appointment: (630) 858-2471. This is an event I would never have [...]
Filed under: Auditorium Theatre, Broadway in Chicago, Casting, Musical Revue, Think Fast, Upcoming Shows | Tagged: Anima Young Singers, Auditorium Theatre, Glen Ellyn Children's Chorus, Handel's Messiah, Handel's Messiah Rocks, Josef Handel | Leave a Comment »
Posted on June 1, 2009 by Scotty Zacher
Celebrated playwright Tony Kushner has demanded requested that no critics be allowed to review his newest play “The Intelligent Homosexual’s Guide to Capitalism and Socialism with a Key to the Scriptures”. From TwinCities.com: Playwright Tony Kushner has asked that no national reviewers critique the Minneapolis production of his world-premiere play at the Guthrie Theater — [...]
Filed under: Think Fast | Tagged: Tony Kushner, Angels in America, millvina Dean, RMS Titanic, Titanic, The Guthrie, Guthrie Theater, The Guthrie Theater, Minneapolis | Leave a Comment »
Posted on May 21, 2009 by Scotty Zacher
Did American Idol’s Adam Lambert lose because he’s (presumably) gay? More here. Also, word is out that AT&T may have swayed ‘Idol’ results. Per the NY Times: AT&T, one of the biggest corporate sponsors of “American Idol,” might have influenced the outcome of this year’s competition by providing phones for free text-messaging services and lessons [...]
Filed under: Just For Fun, Think Fast | Tagged: Adam Lambert, American Idol, AT&T, Barack Obama, Chicago Olympics 2016, Kris Allen, New York Times, The Onion, Washington Post | Leave a Comment »
Posted on April 25, 2009 by Scotty Zacher
In honor of “Talk Like Shakespeare Day“, Chicago Public School students talk like Shakespeare….. Judging by international coverage, it looks like “Talk Like Shakespeare Day” (April 23rd) was a huge success. You have only until Tuesday, April 28th to pick up reduced tickets to Emerald City Theatre’s “Oz Ball” fundraiser in the Harold Washington Library [...]
Filed under: Broadway in Chicago, Chicago Shakespeare, Children's Theatre, Emerald City Theatre, Fund-Raiser, Fundraising, Marketing, Outreach | Education, Think Fast, William Shakespeare, YouTube | Tagged: Chicago Public Schools, CPS, Emerald City Theatre, Harold Washington Library, Oz Ball, Talk Like Shakespeare, William Shakespeare, Winter Garden, You Tube | Leave a Comment »
Posted on March 10, 2009 by Scotty Zacher
The National Broadway Touring Production of “Hairspray”, Broadway’s big, fat musical-comedy hit, comes to The Center for Performing Arts at Governors State University Friday, March 13 at 8 p.m. and Saturday, March 14 at 2 and 8 p.m. More information is available at hairsprayontour.com The Lakeshore Theater, near the corner of Broadway and [...]
Filed under: A Red Orchid, About Face Theatre, Cabaret-Concert, Closings, Columbia College, Dance, Gift Theatre, Gorilla Tango, Governors State, Lakeshore Theater, League of Chicago Theatres, Musical, National Tours, Think Fast, Village Players | Tagged: A Red Orchid Theatre, The Gift Theatre, Governors State University, Village Players, Gorilla Tango Theatre, Beat the Jester Productions, About Face Theatre, The Dance Center of Columbia College, Amy Armstrong, Freddy Allen, Lakeshore Theater, Comedy Central, Prescott Tolk, Hairspray the Musical, The Center for Performing Arts, Columbia College Chicago, Rousseve/Reality, Saudade, Citadel Theatre, Paramount Theatre, Open Door Repertory, How I Learned to Drive | Leave a Comment »
Posted on February 27, 2009 by Scotty Zacher
»» Broadway in Chicago’s upcoming musical, Mary Poppins, has extended their run for 2 more weeks, which now will run through July 12th. Contact Broadway in Chicago for info and tickets. »» Emerald City Theatre will be offering a St. Patrick’s Day special for Saturday, March 14 and Sunday March 15 [...]
Filed under: Broadway in Chicago, Cadillac Palace Theatre, Children's Theatre, Emerald City Theatre, Extensions-Remounts, Fundraising, Monologue, Musical, Pegasus Players, Porchlight Music Theatre, Theater News, Think Fast, World Premier | Tagged: Alice Wedoff, Broadway in Chicago, Cadillac Palace Theatre, Drake Hotel, Emerald City Theatre, Ilesa Duncan, Jazz Brunch, Joan MacLeod, Mary Poppins the Musical, Pegasus Players, Porchlight Music Theatre, Reena Vick, The Shape of the Girl | Leave a Comment »
Posted on February 24, 2009 by Scotty Zacher
»» Lifeline Theatre is welcoming two new members into their creative team – Robert Kauzlaric as marketing director and Lea Pinsky as the new Director of Education. I’m sure they’ll add a lively creative energy to this remarkable theater company. (currently playing at Lifeline: Mariette in Ecstasy) »» TimeOutChicago is holding [...]
Filed under: About Face Theatre, Columbia College, Lifeline Theatre, Personnel Changes, Think Fast, TimeOut Chicago | Tagged: About Face Theatre, Center on Halsted, Lea Pinsky, Lifeline Theatre, Mordine & Company, Robert Kauzlaric, Stupid Kids, The Dance Center of Columbia College | Leave a Comment »
