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 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 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 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
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 »
Posted on February 1, 2009 by Scotty Zacher
This past Friday, the Sun-Times featured Misha Davenport’s interview with pop culture’s film icon Olivia Newton-John. I really loved hearing her take on reasons why Xanadu the movie could be so god-awfully bad while Xanadu the musical could be so successful. The entire interview is here, but here’s a few out-takes to pique your [...]
Filed under: Chicago Sun-Times, Just For Fun, Theater News | Tagged: Chicago Sun-Times, Olivia Newton-John, Xanadu the Movie, Xanadu the musical, Sun-Times, Misha Davenport, Chippendales | Leave a Comment »
Posted on January 29, 2009 by Scotty Zacher
UPDATE: Excerpts from Hedy Weiss’s new article regarding Ms. Torem has been added at the bottom of this post. I am always incredibly impressed by young theatrical talent that can hold their own among a group of professional actors. Often these young prodigies easily steal the show. Past examples include Edward Heffernan in American Theatre [...]
Filed under: Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago Tribune, Chris Jones, Drama, Hedy Weiss, Profiles Theatre, Second City, Theater News, William Inge, World Premier | Tagged: American Theatre Company, Hedy Weiss, Steppenwolf Theatre, William Inge, Chelsea Meyers, Second City, Kevin O'Donnell, ChicagoCritic.com, Profiles Theater, Lee Blessing, Great Falls, Jodie Foster, Darrell W. Cox, Joe Jahraus, Edward Heffernan, Lillian Almaguer, Stppenwolf Theatre, The Pain and the Itch, Bruce Norris, Entertainment Project, Prologue Children's Theatre | Leave a Comment »
Posted on January 3, 2009 by Scotty Zacher
Hedy Weiss, theater-critic extraordinaire for the Chicago Sun-Times, has put together an excellent list of her 10 favorite plays of 2008. Along with the list, Hedy notes the wonderful year Chicago theater has had on the national stage: …this was the year that Steppenwolf Theatre picked up five Tony Awards for its Chicago-bred Broadway production [...]
Filed under: Best-of-Year, Broadway in Chicago, Broadway-bound, Cadillac Palace Theatre, Chicago Shakespeare, Chicago Sun-Times, Court Theatre, David Mamet, Goodman Theatre, Hedy Weiss, Hypocrites Theatre, Lookingglass, Next Theatre, Profiles Theatre, Raven Theatre, Remy Bumppo, Shattered Globe, Theater On The Lake, Tony Awards, Tracy Letts, William Inge, William Shakespeare, Writers' Theatre | Tagged: Hedy Weiss, Chicago Theater, Chicago Shakespeare, Next Theatre, David Cromer, Tracy Letts, August: Osage County, Steppenwolf Theatre, Rod Serling, Requiem for a Heavyweight, Writers' Theatre, Raven Theatre, Lookingglass Theatre, Stephen Karam, William Inge, William Brown, Larry Yando, Doug Peck, Nick Sandys, E. Faye Butler, Shattered Globe Theatre, Goodman Theatre, Greg Kolack, Tony Awards, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Laura Eason, Sean Graney, Lynn Nottage, LinkedIn, Tony Kushner, Charles Newell, Jeanine Tesori, Elevator Repair Service Theatre, John Collins, PJ Paparelli, Laura Wade, Chicago Sun-Times, Best Chicago Theater 2008, Royal National Theatre, Adding Machine, The Hypocrites Theatre, Neil LaBute, Remy Bumppo Theatre, Christopher Marlowe, Malcolm Durning, Purlitzer Prize, Manhattan Theatre Club, Thronton Wilder, Lou Contey, Peter Schaffer, Gary Griffin, Daniel Ostling, Robert Sella, Robbi Collier Sublett, Elizabeth Ledo, Lance Baker, The Drowsy Chaperone, Cadillac Palace Theatre, Casey Nicholaw, Philip R. Smith, Kevin Douglas, Joe Dempsey, Ravi Batista, Anish Jethmalani, Ericka Ratcliff, Rom Barkhordar, Matthew Klingler, Jamie Abelson | 2 Comments »
Posted on July 19, 2008 by Scotty Zacher
A summary of theatre recommendations from the Tribune (Trib), Sun-Times (ST), Chicago Theatre Blog (CTB), and TimeOut Chicago (TO). Play (Producers and/or Location) Recommended By Campaign Supernova (Second City etc.) Trib, ST Cirque Shanghai Gold (Navy Pier) Trib, TO, CTB Dead Man’s Cellphone (Steppenwolf) Trib, CTB Hizzoner (Beverly Arts Center) Trib, CTB Jacques Brel’s [...]
Filed under: Annoyance Theatre, Black Ensemble Theatre, Bohemian Theatre, Chicago Shakespeare, Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago Tribune, Circle Theatre, Drury Lane Oakbrook, Goodman Theatre, Lifeline Theatre, Lookingglass, MidTangent Productions, National Tours, Prop Thtr, Second City, Steppenwolf, Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre, TimeOut Chicago, Victory Gardens | Tagged: Steppenwolf, Victory Gardens, Chicago Shakespeare, Jersey Boys, Broadway in Chicago, Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre, Writers' Theatre, Black Ensemble Theater, Bohemian Theatre, Lifeline Theatre, William Shakespeare, Navy Pier, Second City, Annoyance Theatre, Royal George Theatre, Hizzoner, Goodman Theatre, Circle Theatre, Cirque du Soleil, Kooza, Gift Theatre, Drury Lane Oakbrok, Gutenberg the Musical, Chicago Shakespeare, Lookinglass Theatre, MidTangent, Teddy Pendergrass, Millennium Park | Leave a Comment »
Posted on March 16, 2008 by Scotty Zacher
In 2004, the Goodman Theatre presented an amazing all-black cast production of “Proof”. Looks like Broadway is finally playing catch-up, including an all-black “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof”. Hey Broadway – get with it!
Filed under: Broadway, Chicago Sun-Times, Goodman Theatre, Tennessee Williams, Theater News | Tagged: Goodman, Mary Houlihan, Tennessee Williams | Leave a Comment »
Posted on February 9, 2008 by Scotty Zacher
Kirsten Fitzgerald has been a veteran ensemble member for A Red Orchid Theatre (based in Old Town) for many years. She now can add another title to her acting bio – that of artistic director. Kirsten Fitzgerald will replace Guy Van Swearingen, who has been the AD since the theatre’s founding in 1993. In an [...]
Filed under: A Red Orchid, Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago Tribune, Chris Jones, Hedy Weiss, Theater News | Tagged: A Red Orchid Theatre, Chris Jones, Guy Van Swearingen, Hedy Weiss, Kirsten Fitzgerald | Leave a Comment »
