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 December 27, 2009 by Scotty Zacher
The Tribune’s Chris Jones announces Top 10 Plays of 2009 For the complete description, explanations and reviews of these plays (and others), be sure to visit Chris Jones’ excellent blog: The Theater Loop 1. The Arabian Nights by Mary Zimmerman – Lookingglass Theatre (our review) 2. The History Boys by Nicholas Hytner – [...]
Filed under: American Theatre Company, Best-of-Year, Chicago Shakespeare, Chicago Tribune, Congo Square, Court Theatre, Drury Lane Oakbrook, Goodman Theatre, Lookingglass, Marriott Theatre, Next Theatre, Profiles Theatre, Second City e.t.c., Shattered Globe, Teatro Vista, Theater News, TimeLine Theatre, Victory Gardens, Writers' Theatre | Tagged: Chris Jones, Shattered Globe, Victory Gardens, Chicago Shakespeare, Teatro Vista, Kander and Ebb, Next Theatre, Drury Lane Oakbrook, Marriott Theatre, Writers' Theatre, TimeLine Theatre, Lookingglass Theatre, American Theater Company, Goodman Theatre, Profiles Theatre, Chicago Tribune, Court Theatre, Second City e.t.c., Sean Graney, Congo Square Theatre, Mary Zimmerman, Nicholas Hytner, Ellen Fairey, David Harrower, Graceland, Kristoffer Diaz, Stud Terkel, Noel Coward, Roderick Cook, J.T. Rogers, Blackbird, Teatro Vista Theatre | 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 2, 2009 by Scotty Zacher
Tracy Letts’ most recent play, Superior Donuts, just opened on Broadway with the same Steppenwolf cast. After receiving moderate to warm reviews here in Chicago, the NYC reviews so far appear mixed. The NY Post gives Superior Donuts a very positive review – 3.5 stars: After Superior Donuts, Tracy Letts‘ follow-up to August: Osage [...]
Filed under: Broadway, Chicago Tribune, Dramatic-Comedy, New York Times, Pulitzer Prize, Steppenwolf, Theater Interviews, Theater News, Tony Awards, Tracy Letts, Video, YouTube | Tagged: Tracy Letts, August: Osage County, Tina Landau, Steppenwolf Theatre, New York Times, Edward Sobel, Cliff Chamberlain, James Vincent Meredith, Tony Awards, Charles Isherwood, Ana Kuzmanic, Yasen Peyankov, Pulitzer Prize, Jon Michael Hill, Christopher Akerlind, Michael McKean, Superior Donuts, Rick Sordelet, New York Post, James Schuette, Rob Milburn, Michael Bodeen, Charles LaPointe, Jeremy Scott, Scott Blaustein, Patrick Daly, susan Jean Steiger, Donna Roehn Ward, Jeffrey Richards, Jean Doumanian, Jerry Frankel, Music Box Theater, Jane Alderman, Kate buddeke, Michael Garvey, Robert Maffia | Leave a Comment »
Posted on September 2, 2009 by Scotty Zacher
Writers’ Theatre has appointed Stuart Carden associate artistic director. “I’m so excited to be in collaboration with Stuart,” said Michael Halberstam, executive director the Writers’. “He has a rich background in literary development, a keen and ambitious scope of work as a director and a passion for the administrative challenges that come with supporting artistic [...]
Filed under: Arthur Miller, Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago Tribune, Personnel Changes, Silk Road Theatre Project, TimeOut Chicago, Writers' Theatre | Tagged: Silk Road Theatre Project, Shishir Kurup, Stuart Carden, Writers' Theatre, Michael Halberstam, Martin Crimp, Jeffrey Hatcher, Martin McDonagh, Kathryn Lipuma, Literary Development Initiative, City Theatre Company, David Henry Hwang, Tristine Skyler, Richard Dresser, Yussef El Guindi, The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, kevin Kline Awards, Nikolai Gogol, Hartt School, Marilyn Campbell, Act One Studios, Curt Columbus | 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 May 14, 2009 by Scotty Zacher
ADULTS – Chemically Imbalanced Theater BURIED CHILD – Shattered Globe Theatre EIFMAN BALLET OF ST. PETERSBURG – Auditorium Theatre LEGALLY BLONDE THE MUSICAL – Ford Center for the Performing Arts/Oriental Theatre MEASURE FOR MEASURE – Promethean Theatre Ensemble ON AN AVERAGE DAY – BackStage Theatre Company OWEN WINGRAVE – Chicago Opera Theater THE [...]
Filed under: American Theatre Company, Auditorium Theatre, Babes With Blades, Backstage Theatre, Chemically Imbalanced, Chicago Opera Theater, Chicago Tribune, Circle Theatre, Court Theatre, Goodman Theatre, Marketing, Opening-Closing This Week, Openings, Oriental Theatre (Ford), Promethean Theatre, Rivendell Theatre, Saint Sebastian Players, Shattered Globe, Ticket Sales, William Shakespeare | Tagged: American Theater Company, Shattered Globe Theatre, Goodman Theatre, Circle Theatre, Court Theatre, Oriental Theatre (Ford), Charles Newell, Auditorium Theatre, Chicago Opera Theater, Babes With Blades, Tom Stoppard, Rivendell Theatre, Bill Ayers, Erica Meiners, Therese Quinn, David Stovall, Kevin Kumashiro, Greg Kot, Jim DeRogatis, Lin Brehmer, Fair Herald, Chimically Imbalanced Theater, Promethean Theatre Ensemble, BackStage Theatre Company, Rivendell Theatre Ensemble | 1 Comment »
Posted on April 1, 2009 by Scotty Zacher
Livent Producers Drabinsky and Gottlieb Are Guilty of Fraud, Canadian Courts Say Garth Drabinsky and Myron Gottlieb, the producers who gave North American theatre a shot in the arm with award-winning productions of Show Boat, Ragtime, Kiss of the Spider Woman, Fosse and more, were found guilty of fraud and forgery carried out at their [...]
Filed under: Oriental Theatre (Ford), Playbill, Politics, Theater Gossip, Theater News | Tagged: Fosse the Musical, Garth Drabinsky, Kenneth Jones, Kiss of the Spider Woman, Livent Productions, Mary Lou Benotto, Michael Cooper, Myron Gottlieb, Oriental Theatre (Ford), Parade the Musical, Ragtime the Musical, Sweeney Todd | Leave a Comment »
Posted on March 17, 2009 by Scotty Zacher
per Adam Hetrick The recent cast of the Public Theater production of the new Stephen Sondheim musical Road Show (originally entitled “Bounce” — including Tony Award winner Michael Cerveris and Alexander Gemignani — head to a Manhattan recording studio Feb. 23 to preserve the score for PS Classics and Nonesuch Records. The musical penned by [...]
Filed under: Broadway, Playbill, Stephen Sondheim, Theater News | Tagged: Stephen Sondheim, Playbill.com, Tony Awards, Michael Cerveris, John Weidman, Public Theater, Road Show, Bounce, Alexander Gemignani, PS Classics Records, Nonesuch Records, Addison Mizner, Wilson Mizner, Jonathan Tunick, Adam Hetrick, Joan Marcus | 3 Comments »
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 5, 2009 by Scotty Zacher
There were a number of theater-related passings recently, including: Dorothy Bridges Eric Blau Eric Blau, 87, writer who transformed an infatuation with the songs of a Belgian singer (Jacques Brel) into the off-Broadway hit “Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well and Living in Paris“. Entire bio here. Dorothy Bridges, 93, poet, widow of [...]
Filed under: Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago Tribune, Goodman Theatre, Playbill, Theater News, Theater passings | Tagged: Goodman Theatre, Jacques Brel, Eric Blau, Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well and Living in Paris, Dorothy Bridges, Lloyd Bridges, Jeff Bridges, Beau Bridges, Pearl Lang, Joseph Wiseman, Stephen Broussard, Morthwestern University, Medill School of Journalism | Leave a Comment »
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 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 »
Posted on February 24, 2009 by Scotty Zacher
Barack Obama musical: “Obama On My Mind” Okay, I knew it would appear sooner or later, but I never thought that a musical about Barrack Obama (and his campaign) would first be created in London! It is tentatively called “Obama On My Mind“. Says CBS News: “Teddy Hayes, an American playwright currently living in London, [...]
Filed under: Musical, New York Times, Theater News | Tagged: Barack Obama, CBSNews.com, Ellen Verenieks, NYTimes.com, Obama on my Mind, Shrek, Teddy Hayes, Tim McArthur | Leave a Comment »
Posted on February 19, 2009 by Scotty Zacher
While scanning through the Sun-Times a few days ago, I had one of those “wow, time goes fast” moments. It seems like just a few years ago that the much-admired Chicago movie critic Gene Siskel passed away. But, as Roger Ebert‘s poignant article says, Siskel’s death was actually 10 years ago! I always liked seeing [...]
Filed under: Chicago Sun-Times, Theater News | Tagged: Gene Siskel, Gene Siskel Film Center, LinkedIn, Remembering Gene, Roger Ebert, Sun-Times | Leave a 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 »
