Roller Derby-ish ‘Jammer’ comes to a grinding hault
Pine Box Theater rolls backward with “The Jammer,” a strident production that doesn’t begin to approach the relatively high standards set by the young company’s previous productions. The so-called “King Lear of Roller Derby Plays” is under-rehearsed, but muffed lines and clunky blackouts aren’t the …
Obama, Clinton headed to Broadway for fundraiser
President Barack Obama heads to Broadway next month as part of a double bill with former President Bill Clinton — and the stars will be out to welcome them.
James Earl Jones, Angela Lansbury, Patti LuPone, Audra McDonald, Mandy Patinkin, Nina Arianda, Kerry Butler, Norbert …
Second City holding auditions for teen troupe
Second City is holding auditions June 1 (4-6 p.m.) and June 2 (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.) for its new teen troupe. Applicants, ages 13-17, should email a current photo or headshot to auditions@secondcity.com. The subject line must read “Teen Troupe.” Audition space is limited. …
The Guide — Theater Listings 05.25.12
OPENING
THE BLONDE, THE BRUNETTE AND THE VENGEFUL REDHEAD. Writers’ Theatre persents the tale of a thwarted housewife whose moment of heated passion sets into motion a series of events that ripple through the lives of everyone around her. Directed by Joseph Hanreddy. Previews May …
Eclectic shows on the horizon at Chicago Shakespeare, Hubbard Street Dance
ONTROEREND GOED’S “A HISTORY OF EVERYTHING” Ontroerend Goed is a Belgian company that tries to stretch the traditional definition of theater. Widely known in Europe and beyond, the ensemble — whose name translates roughly as “Feel Estate” — now is being discovered by Chicago audiences as …
Deborah Staples takes on ‘Vengeful’ six-role challenge
Deborah Staples is playing a colorful role at Writers’ Theatre in Glencoe. Actually, she’s playing several of themin “The Blond, The Brunette and the Vengeful Redhead.”
Robert Hewett’s one-woman play begins when a redheaded housewife named Rhonda Russell (Staples)reveals that her husband is moving out. …
Black Ensemble Theater to stage Tupac Shakur story
Black Ensemble Theater will turn to the world of rap music in a very big way for its 2013 season. “Amaru (The History of Tupac Amaru Shakur),” written by Lyle Miller, will chronicle the life of the late rapper, gunned down in Las Vegas in …
David Schwimmer headed to N.Y. via ‘Detroit’
David Schwimmer is heading back to the New York stage — by way of “Detroit.”
The former “Friends” star will make his Playwrights Horizons debut this summer in Lisa D’Amour’s play about the tensions lurking under the surface of American life. He will star opposite …
Joffrey Ballet to perform with Philharmonic
HEDY WEISS: The Joffrey Ballet has announced that beginning with its 2012-2013 season in October, the company will be working with the Chicago Philharmonic, an orchestra consisting of area musicians who have performed with Lyric Opera of Chicago, the Ravinia Festival Orchestra, the Grant Park Orchestra and the American Ballet Theatre.
Black Ensemble Theater spotlights Marvin Gaye’s music, complex life
The late singer’s former wife plans to attend the opening and says she’s excited about the new revue after hearing great things about the company’s “Jackie Wilson Story.”
Plenty of good cheer in ‘Making God Laugh’
For those tired of the harsh dysfunctional family productions that leave one depressed (and which so many theaters love to mount), “Making God Laugh” is a gem of comic relief. Written by Sean Grennan and playing at Theatre at the Center in Munster, Ind., to …
The Guide — Theater Listings 05.18.12
OPENING
AFTER MISS JULIE. Focal Point Theatre Company presents a re-telling of Strindberg’s “Miss Julie.”Directed by Melissa Albertario. Preview May 18. Opens May 19. Thu-Sat, 8 pm; Sun, 2 pm. $15-$20. To June 10. The Piccolo Theater, 600 Main St., Evanston. focalpointtheatre.com.
ANGER/FLY. Trap Door …
Stage notes: Noah Haidle play in Goodman’s future
Talk about planning ahead. The Goodman Theatre has announced it has joined forces with South Coast Rep in Orange County, Calif., to co-produce the world premiere of Noah Haidle’s play, “Smokefall.” The play is by the author of the quirky “Vigils” (seen at the Goodman …
American Theater Company announces 2012-2013 season
Faith, community, school violence and war will be the themes dominating American Theater Company’s 2012-2013 season. Here’s the lineup:
+ The Catholic Repertory: Two Tony Award-winning plays - John Peilmeier’s “Agnes of God” and John Patrick Shanley’s “Doubt” running in rotating rep (Sept. 6-Oct. 28). …
Nothing comes of not much in ‘title of show’
You’ve got to hand it to composer-lyricist Jeff Bowen and writer Hunter Bell, the creators of ‘title of show,’the self-erasingly-named musical that played Off Broadway in 2006, on Broadway (briefly) in 2008, and is now in its Chicago debut at Northlight Theatre under the direction …
