Posted on March 7, 2010 by Scotty Zacher
REMY BUMPPO THEATRE COMPANY ANNOUNCES 2010/2011 SEASON Remy Bumppo Theatre Company Artistic Director James Bohnen and Executive Director Kristin Larsen announced today the company’s line up for its 14th consecutive year of think theatre: Night and Day by Tom Stoppard directed by James Bohnen September 22 – October [...]
Filed under: Edward Albee, Greenhouse Theater Center, Hedy Weiss, Oscar Wilde, Remy Bumppo, Season, Tom Stoppard, YouTube | Tagged: Edward Albee, Greenhouse Theater Center, Hedy Weiss, Importance of Being Earnest, Jomes Bohnen, Kristin Larsen, Oscar Wilde, Remy Bumppo 2010-2011 Season, Remy Bumppo Theatre, Shawn Douglass, Tom Stoppard, YouTube | Leave a Comment »
Posted on January 25, 2010 by Scotty Zacher
‘Wicked’ returning for holidays – but at Cadillac Palace When it comes to the highly-successful musical Wicked, the Emerald City wasn’t the only thing green about the show – the 2.9 million audience members over its 3.5 year run at the Oriental Theatre also brought in a whole lot of green, as in cold, hard [...]
Filed under: Cadillac Palace Theatre, Chicago Tribune, Chris Jones, National Tours, Oriental Theatre (Ford), Stephen Schwartz, Theater News | Tagged: Cadillac Palace Theatre, Chris Jones, Ford Center for the Performing Arts, Oriental Theatre (Ford), Stephen Schwartz, Theater Loop, Wicked in Chicago, Wicked the Musical | Leave a Comment »
Posted on October 8, 2009 by Scotty Zacher
Per Chris Jones’ Theater Loop blog, the Bank of America Theatre (The Shubert) was evacuated about half-way through the evening performance after suspicious boxes were found in the alley behind the theatre. Per the blog: According to a report from the Tribune’s William Lee, who was quoting a police source, one letter read "this is [...]
Filed under: Bank of America (Shubert), Broadway in Chicago, Chicago Tribune, Chris Jones, Theater News | Tagged: Bank of America Theatre, Broadway in Chicago, Chris Jones, Jersey Boys, Shubert Theatre Chicago, William Lee Tribune | 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 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 August 6, 2009 by Scotty Zacher
The Fellowship for the Performing Arts just announced that their critically acclaimed production, The Screwtape Letters (website), starring Max McLean, will embark on a national tour this fall. Future appearances include The Lesher Center for the Arts (October 2nd and 3rd), The Herberger Theater Center (October 30th and November 1st) Brown Theatre (November 6th), Coral [...]
Filed under: Chris Jones, National Tours, Theater News | Tagged: Chris Jones, Mercury Theatre, The Screwtape Letters, C. S. Lewis, Max McLean, Jeffrey Fiske, Cameron Anderson, Michael Bevins, Bart Fasbender, Jesse Klug, Lesher Center for the Arts, Brown Theatre, Coral Spring Center for the Arts, Tivoli Auditorium, Lansburgh Theatre, Karen Eleanor Wight, Wormwood, Toadpipe, Daniel Kelly, Jayne Blanchard, Frank Scheck, Celia Wren, John J. Miller | Leave a Comment »
Posted on July 27, 2009 by Scotty Zacher
From Chicago Trubune writer Chris Jones’ excellent theater blog: “Convinced that the legendary comedy theater’s representation of the infamous implement used to tame the indicted former Illinois Gov’s famous coif was inadequately sized, the showbiz-loving Blagojevich has sent along the actual brush for use as an historic artifact in the show, Rod Blagojevich Superstar, [...]
Filed under: Chicago Shakespeare, Chicago Tribune, Chris Jones, Navy Pier, Second City, Theater News | Tagged: Chris Jones, Chicago Shakespeare, The Theater Loop, Navy Pier, Second City, Blago, Blagojevich, Blagojevich Superstar | 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 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 May 8, 2009 by Scotty Zacher
Hedda Gabler does the time warp at Raven Theatre Review by Paige Listerud Hedda Gabler most often gets the 19th century period treatment, so that it’s eponymous role, an epic role for women, more often than not, is interpreted in stark, severe, neurotic and even sociopathic ways. (see examples of such augmented portrayals after the [...]
Filed under: 2009 Reviews, Hedy Weiss, Henrik Ibsen, Paige Listerud, Raven Theatre, Steppenwolf | Tagged: Cate Blanchett, Claudia Garrison, Hedda Gabler, Henrik Ibsen, Ian Novak, Ian Paul Custer, JoAnn Montemurro, Jon Robin Baitz, Jon Steinhagen, Mackenzie Kyle, Martha Plimpton, Michael Menendian, Nina Metz, Raven Theatre, Steppenwolf Theatre, Symphony Saunders | Leave a Comment »
Posted on April 27, 2009 by Scotty Zacher
The Chicago-premiere of the Tony-Award winning play The History Boys , by Alan Bennett, held its opening night this past Saturday, and I can personally say that it was a highly-imaginative, stellar production of an enthralling, rambunctious play. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Pictures and a compendium of reviews (as they are produced) follow: Dennis [...]
Filed under: Dramatic-Comedy, Hedy Weiss, Openings, Theater News, TimeLine Theatre | Tagged: Alan Bennett, Alex Weisman, Behzad Badu, Brad Bukauskas, Dennis Polkow, Donald Brearley, Govind Kumar, Hedy Weiss, Joel Gross, LinkedIn, Maren Robinson, Michael Peters, New City, New City Stage, Nick Bowling, PJ Powers, The History Boys, Tony Award, Will Allan Rob Fenton | Leave a Comment »
Posted on April 24, 2009 by Scotty Zacher
Via Chris Jones’ blog: The Theater Loop Besides buying a new building, Actors’ Equity has plans to expand presence here in Chi-Town (i.e. which means more jobs!!) Actors’ Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers in the United States, has purchased its own building on Randolph Street just a block or two [...]
Filed under: Chris Jones, Physical Environs, Politics, Theater News | Tagged: Chris Jones, The Theater Loop, BroadwayWorld.com, Mark Stables, Grubb and Ellis Company, Actors' Equity Association, Ogilvie Transportation Center, Steven DiPaola, Office Group, Chicago theater district | 1 Comment »
Posted on April 15, 2009 by Scotty Zacher
Daily Herald’s Barbara Vitello – Highly Recommended Excited doesn’t begin to describe the audience for the opening of the long-awaited “Mary Poppins” national tour Wednesday at the Cadillac Palace Theatre. Exhilarated is more like it. Young children bounced in their seats, adults gasped with surprise and the applause that accompanied the overture’s opening notes didn’t [...]
Filed under: Cadillac Palace Theatre, Chris Jones, Musical | Tagged: Abagail Droeger, Aida Neitenbach, Ashley Brown, Barbara Vitello, Cadillac Palace Theatre, Chicago Sun-Times, Chris Jones, Christopher Flaim, Daily Herald, Disney Theatricals, Gavin Lee, Hedy Weiss, Joan Marcus, Justin Hall, Margie Korshak, Mary Poppins, Mary Poppins review, Mary Poppins the Musical | Leave a Comment »
Posted on March 12, 2009 by Scotty Zacher
Following a sold out run at Second City e.t.c., the popular comedy review “Rod Blagojevich Superstar‘ will be playing a limited engagement Chicago Shakes on Navy Pier. The Navy Pier version has been updated with new sketches and music to include recent Blago happenings, such as his 6-figure book deal and Roland Burris’ son [...]
Filed under: Chicago Shakespeare, Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago Tribune, Chris Jones, Comedy, Extensions-Remounts, Hedy Weiss, Navy Pier, Playbill, Second City, Theater News, TimeOut Chicago | Tagged: Ben Bass, Brian Mackey, Catey Sullivan, Chicago Stage Review, Christina Couch, Ed Furman, Hedy Weiss, J. Scott Hill, James Finn Garner, Joey Bland, Justin Hayford, Lauren Dowden, Lisa Madigan, Lori McClain, Matt Hovde, Mike Bradecich, Navy Pier, Nina Metz, Pat Fitzgerald, Patti Blagojevich, Richard Mell, Rod Blagojevich Superstar, Roland Burris, Sam Richardson, Second City Chicago, Second City e.t.c., Second City Improv, Steve Oxman, T.J. Shanoff, Venus Zarris | 2 Comments »
Posted on March 2, 2009 by Scotty Zacher
Thursday, March 5 Rose and the Rime The House Theatre of Chicago The Chopin Theatre, 1543 W. Division Street (click on map for bigger picture) Enjoy an evening in Wicker Park with pizza from Apart Pizza and a performance of Rose and the Rime, the House Theatre’s latest original work by the creators of The [...]
Filed under: Chicago Tribune, Chopin Theatre, Chris Jones, House Theatre, League of Chicago Theatres, Theater Thursdays | Tagged: Apart Pizza, ChicagoCritic.com, Chopin Theatre, Chris Jones, House Theatre, Rose and the Rime, The Sparrow, Theater Thursdays, TVstands.com, Wicker Park | Leave a Comment »
Posted on February 28, 2009 by Scotty Zacher
Check out the Looking Glass Theatre‘s “Our Town” cast photo gallery at ChicagoTribune.com, starring David Schwimmer. Our Town plays at the downtown theatre through April 5th. Info and tickets here. UPDATE – REVIEWS Hedy Weiss of the Chicago Sun-Times: Apart from its (“trussed up”) set, the Lookingglass “Our Town” — co-directed by Anna D. Shapiro [...]
Filed under: Casting, Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago Tribune, Chris Jones, Drama, Hedy Weiss, Jeff Awards, Lookingglass, YouTube | Tagged: Chris Jones, Hedy Weiss, Jeff Awards, Jessica Thebus, Lookingglass Theatre, Heidi Stillman, Laura Eason, Our Town, Thornton Wilder, Philip R. Smith, Kevin Douglas, David Schwimmer, Catey Sullivan, Examiner, Anna D. Shapiro, ChicagoPride.com, Michael J. Roberts, Examiner.com, Joey Slotnick, David Catlin, David Kersnar, Thomas Cox, Andy White, Raymond Rox, Patia Bartlett, Tracy Walsh, Louise Lamson | 2 Comments »
Posted on February 26, 2009 by Scotty Zacher
XANADU, the show that has surprised and delighted Broadway, is now delighting Chicago fans by offering a “Happy Sale” featuring $44 tickets. Reviews for the Chicago production have ranged mostly from good to exuberant (though there are a some naysayers). But now – with this “happy” ticket deal – it could be a perfect time [...]
Filed under: Broadway in Chicago, Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago Tribune, Chris Jones, Drury Lane Water Tower, Hedy Weiss, Marketing, Musical | Tagged: Drury Lane Water Tower, Chris Jones, Hedy Weiss, Broadway in Chicago, Xanadu the musical, Fabrizio Almeida | 1 Comment »
Posted on February 19, 2009 by Scotty Zacher
Second City (and its TV spin-off “Saturday Night Live“) has always capitalized on current events, but it’s amazing that Second City was able to create an entire show, songs and all, in just a few wekks.. This super-funny and super-successful troupe birthed the show “Rod Blagojevich Superstar” – and when the first skit’s opening with [...]
Filed under: Chicago Sun-Times, Comedy, Hedy Weiss, Mayor Daley, Musical Revue, Openings, Second City | Tagged: Chicago Reader, Ed Furman, Mayor Daley, Rod Blagojevic, Rod Blagojevich Superstar, Saturday Night Live, Second City, SNL, T.J. Shanoff, TheatreInChicago.com | Leave a Comment »
Posted on February 6, 2009 by Scotty Zacher
The hit Broadway-musical Xanadu joyously roller-skated its way onto Michigan Avenue last night at Drury Lane Water Tower. Here’s a collection of Xanadu theater reviews: * UPDATED * UPDATED * UPDATED * UPDATED * UPDATED * UPDATED * UPDATED * Christopher Piatt (TimeOut Chicago) You don’t have to be gay to dig Xanadu; [...]
Filed under: Broadway in Chicago, Broadway-bound, Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago Tribune, Chris Jones, Drury Lane Water Tower, Hedy Weiss, Musical, Openings, TimeOut Chicago, World Premier | Tagged: Chicago Theater, ChicagoCritic.com, Chris Jones, Christopher Ashley, Christopher Piatt, disco music, Douglas Carter Beane, Drury Lane Water Tower, Electric Light Orchestra, Elizabeth Stanley, ELO, Hedy Weiss, Larry Marshall, LinkedIn, Olivia Newton-John, Starlight Express, TimeOut Chicago, Tom Williams, Xanadu | 1 Comment »
