Chicago 2014 Summer Theatre Podcast with the League of Chicago Theatres’ Executive Director DEB CLAPP

The League of Chicago Theatres’ Mission Statement

The League of Chicago Theatres is an alliance of theaters which leverages its collective strength to promote, support and advocate for Chicago’s theater industry locally, nationally and internationally. The League of Chicago Theatres Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the art of theater in the Chicago area through audience development and support services for theaters and theater professionals.

For a comprehensive list of Chicago productions, visit the League of Chicago website, www.chicagoplays.com.  Discounted tickets are available at www.hottix.com.

Summer 2014 will see Chicago continue to produce some of the most exciting theater in the country.  Offerings from the city’s more than 200 producing theaters include highly-anticipated new works and adaptations, critically-acclaimed musicals and a wide range of dramatic works.

“There is a show for absolutely everyone this summer in Chicago,” says Deb Clapp, Executive Director of the League of Chicago Theatres. “From exciting new adaptations to beloved musicals, Chicago’s vibrant theater community offers up some of the highest-quality and most creative works of theater in the country, and we can’t wait to share them with audiences this summer.” 

The following is a selection of notable work playing in Chicago throughout the summer:

New works and adaptions include:

American Blues Theatre’s Grounded will be presented at the Greenhouse Theatre Center. June 6 – July 13, 2014.

The New Colony at Signal Ensemble Theatre presents David Zellnik’s Orville and Wilbur Did It! directed by Andrew Hobgood. June 13 – July 20, 2014.

Tyrant, a tense and provocative play makes its world premiere at Theatre Wit presented by Sideshow Theatre Company. May 24 – June 29, 2014.

Heartbreaking yet hilarious, Rivendell Theatre Ensemble presents Courtney Baron’s Eat Your Heart Out.  May 22 – June 28, 2014.

Based on the novel by Terry Pratchett and adapted by Chris Hainsworth, Lifeline Theatre presents the wickedly funnyMonstrous Regiment. May 30 – July 20, 2014.

Musicals include:

The unforgettable musical adventure, Brigadoon, comes alive in a bountiful new adaption directed by Rachel Rockwell at the Goodman Theatre. June 27 – August 3, 2014.

Broadway in Chicago presents the world premiere of The Last Ship, with a score by Sting, based on his childhood experiences, June 10-July 13.  The production is directed by Joe Mantello with book by John Logan and Brian Yorkey and choreography by Steven Hoggett.

The story of Motown founder Berry Gordy lights up the stage at the Oriental Theatre in the Broadway in Chicago production of Motown. Playing through July 13, 2014.

Presented by Kokandy Productions, Stephen Sondheim’s Assassins rounds out the season at Theater Wit, with direction by Rachel Edwards Harvith and choreography by Mike Ford. June 13 – July 20, 2014.

Bailiwick Chicago presents Carrie: The Musical, based off of the Stephen King novel of the same name, at Victory Gardens Theatre. May 29 – July 12, 2014.

American Theatre Company returns to the original 1967 off-Broadway script of Hair to revise and restore material never-before-seen. Directed by PJ Paparelli. Now through June 29, 2014.

Originally on Broadway in 1959, TimeLine Theatre Company’s Juno tells the story of a fearless matriarch in the 1920’s Irish Civil War. Now through July 27, 2014.

Dramatic works include:

Organic Theatre present’s Jim Leonard Jr’s extraordinary play The Diviners at the Greenhouse Theatre Center. May 30 – July 4, 2014.

Michael Cera (Arrested Development, Juno), Kieran Culkin and Tavi Gevinson star in Steppenwolf Theatre Company’scomedic drama This is Our Youth. June 10 – July 27, 2014.

The world premiere of Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Bruce Norris’ newest work The Qualms, will play atSteppenwolf, July 3-August 31.

Trafford Tanzi is an action packed coming-of-age story set in a 1970’s wrestling ring presented by Prologue Theatre Company at Fizz Bar & Grill. June 6- June 28, 2014.

The Artistic Home presents The Late Henry Moss, a story about two brothers trying to determine the truth of their childhood after their father’s death. June 22 – August 3, 2014.

August Strindberg’s masterpiece The Dance of Death is filled with black comedy and biting humor. Presented byWriters Theatre at Books on Vernon. Now through August 3, 2014.

The Shakespearean classic, Hamlet, is presented by the Oak Park Festival Theatre at Austin Gardens with an early 30’s jazz twist. June 14 – July 19, 2014.

Family-friendly shows include:

The Second City’s Go, Improv, GO!: An Improvised Kids Show returns this summer to UP Comedy Club. June 17 – July 31, 2014.

The whimsical world of Dr. Seuss comes to life on stage in Seussical at Chicago Shakespeare Theater. July 5 – August 17, 2014. Chicago Shakespeare will also produce a free A Midsummer Night’s Dream, adapted and directed by David H. Bell in 18 neighborhood parks across the city.

Ongoing productions continuing in Chicago include:

The hit musical, Million Dollar Quartet, continues in its sixth year at the Apollo Theater.

The Second City’s Incomplete Guide to Everything  will continue through the summer at Up Comedy Club, along withSecond City’s Game Night, The Second City’s Summer Blockbuster: Now in 4D and The Second City’s Go, Improv, GO!: An Improvised Kids Show

The hit show Blue Man Group performs at the Briar Street Theatre in Lakeview. Through August 9.

About Chicago theater

Chicago is the cultural leader in the U.S. with the largest and most diverse theater community that produces more world premieres than anywhere else in the world. Chicagoland boasts more than 250 professional theaters and consists of a rich and varied community ranging from storefront, non-union theaters to the most renowned resident theaters in the country, including 4 which have been honored with Regional Tony Awards, and the largest touring Broadway organization in the nation. Chicago’s theaters serve 5 million audience members annually and have a combined budget of more than $250 million – and no other city in the country has such a creative, respected and thriving theater community. Chicago’s theater industry, with both its exceptional theater and an extraordinary talent pool, has long been the envy of the world’s top theater cities and is second to none in number and innovation.   

The League of Chicago Theatres announces the five finalists for the 2014 Broadway In Chicago Emerging Theater Award.  This is the eighth year of the award, which provides $5,000, consultation with Broadway In Chicago staff members, and a marketing package that includes advertising support.

The award was created in 2007 to encourage, support and promote young theaters in Chicago that have demonstrated great ability and promise, artistic excellence and fiscal responsibility in business practices. The honoree will be selected from this group of finalists by a majority vote of member companies of the League of Chicago Theatres.

The 2014 finalists are:

Filament Theatre

Jackalope Theatre

Oracle Theatre

Pavement Group

Sideshow Theatre Company

Applications for the award were accepted during April and May of 2014.  Eligible companies must be a member of the League of Chicago Theatres, have been incorporated at least 3 and no longer than 10 years, and have demonstrated artistic excellence, fiscal responsibility, community leadership, and potential for future growth.

A nomination committee comprised of Chicago theatre industry professionals and educators reviewed the applications and selected five finalists. The finalists will be presented before the entire League membership for a final vote in May.  The award recipient is determined by majority vote from the entire League membership and will be announced prior to the League of Chicago Theatres Annual Gala to be held this year on June 9. Each member company is permitted to cast one vote toward the finalist of their choice.  The House Theatre of Chicago, Silk Road Theatre Project, the side project, Steep Theatre, The New Colony, Theatre Seven of Chicago and 16^th Street Theater are previous recipients of the award.

“Broadway in Chicago is fortunate to be a part of the Chicago theatre community, one of the most vibrant theatre communities in the world,” comments Lou Raizin, President of Broadway In Chicago.  “It gives us great pleasure each year to recognize theatre companies that are emerging and distinguishing Chicago with their great work.  The Emerging Theater Award celebrates the extraordinary spirit of mentorship that is unique to our city.”

Deb Clapp, Executive Director of the League of Chicago Theatres adds, “The League of Chicago Theatres is once again partnering with award sponsor Broadway In Chicago to present The Emerging Theatre Award to a Chicago theatre company.  The award is a testament to the collaborative and supportive nature of the Chicago theatre community.  This award has made a significant impact on the emerging companies it supports and we are thrilled to honor a company in this manner. 

The award will be presented at the League of Chicago Theatres Annual Gala, an elegant one-night-only event that brings together friends of Chicago theatre to raise funds for programs to support Chicago’s 240 member theatre companies.  This year’s event will be held on Monday, June 9, 2013, at 5:30 p.m. at Swissotel Chicago, 323 E Upper Wacker Dr, Chicago.

Tickets are available for $300 per person, and all proceeds benefit The League of Chicago Theatres which promotes, supports and advocates for theater in Chicago.  To purchase tickets, or for sponsorship opportunities and participation information, visit www.chicagoplays.com or call 312-554-9800.

About Chicago theater

Chicago is the cultural leader in the U.S. with the largest and most diverse theater community that produces more world premieres than anywhere else in the world. Chicagoland boasts more than 250 professional theaters and consists of a rich and varied community ranging from storefront, non-union theaters to the most renowned resident theaters in the country, including 4 which have been honored with Regional Tony Awards, and the largest touring Broadway organization in the nation. Chicago’s theaters serve 5 million audience members annually and have a combined budget of more than $250 million – and no other city in the country has such a creative, respected and thriving theater community. Chicago’s theater industry, with both its exceptional theater and an extraordinary talent pool, has long been the envy of the world’s top theater cities and is second to none in number and innovation.