FALL 2012 THEATER HIGHLIGHTS
Fall 2012 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 includes a range of special fall programming, featuring everything from the latest musicals to highly anticipated world premieres.
“This fall will bring a fantastic new season of the theater to Chicago that is guaranteed to be exciting, creative, and unique to this vibrant theater community. The plays we’ll see will range from world premieres to anniversary productions, family-friendly shows to hard-hitting dramas,” says Deb Clapp, Executive Director of the League of Chicago Theatres. “Having seen such variety and success during the summer season, we are anticipating even greater triumphs of the stage this fall.”
This fall, a number of notable theater artists have chosen to make Chicago their chosen artistic home. Just a few of the notable artists working in Chicago include Diane Lane, George Wendt, Tim Kazurinsky, Cyndi Lauper, Harvey Fierstein, Gary Griffin, and Mary Zimmerman.
The following is a selection of notable work playing in Chicago throughout the fall:
New works and adaptations include:
Broadway in Chicago presents the world premiere of Grammy Award winner Cyndi Lauper and Tony Award winner Harvey Fierstein’s new musical Kinky Boots, October 2- November 4 at the Bank of America Theatre.
Silk Road Rising opens their season with the rolling world premiere of Night Over Erzinga by Adriana Sevahn Nichols October 9 – November 11. Lisa Portes directs.
Stage Left Theatre presents the world premiere of Impenetrable by Chicago playwright Mia McCullough, September 1- October 7.
Bill Cain’s award-winning play Equivocation premieres at Victory Gardens Theater on September 14- October 14.
A Red Orchid presents the world premiere of ensemble member Brett Neveu’s The Opponent from October 18 – December 2, directed by ensemble member Karen Kessler.
Black Ensemble Theatre presents the world premiere of One Name Only, (Featuring the hits of Aretha, Gladys, Patti, Chaka and a tribute to Whitney) a BE original musical tribute to the women of soul written and directed by Associate Director Rueben Echoles.
Musicals include:
Chicago Shakespeare Theater presents Sondheim’s Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning musical, Sunday in the Park with George, directed by Gary Griffin, September 26- November 4.
The musical A Class Act will make its Chicago debut at Porchlight Music Theatre September 1- October 7.
Broadway in Chicago presents the brand new musical hit I Love Lucy Live Onstage at the Broadway Playhouse September 12 – November 11.
Dramatic works include:
Goodman Theatre presents Tennessee Williams’ Sweet Bird of Youth September 14- October 25, directed by David Cromer and starring Academy Award nominee Diane Lane and Broadway’s Finn Wittrock.
10 years after its Broadway Debut, the award winning Metamorphoses written and directed by Mary Zimmerman, returns to Lookingglass Theatre to open its 25th Anniversary season, September 19- November 18.
Steppenwolf Theatre Company opens its season with Pulitzer-Prize winner David Lindsay-Abaire’s play Good People, September 13- November 11.
Writers’ Theatre stages a production of William Shakespeare’s Hamlet directed by Artistic Director Michael Halberstam and featuring Scott Parkinson in the title role, September 4 – November 11.
The Chicago Premiere of 33 Variations by Moises Kaufman will open the 2012-2013 season of TimeLine Theatre Company at Stage 773 from August 24- October 21.
Strawdog Theatre Company presents Jennifer Haley’s Neighborhood 3: Requisition of Doom directed by Joanie Schultz, October 7 – November 10.
Mike Daisey’s work American Utopias opens at the Museum of Contemporary Art, co-presented with the Chicago Humanities Festival November 1 – 11.
Court Theatre will produce the August Wilson classic Jitney directed by Resident Artist Ron OJ Parson and featuring all-Chicago cast, from September 6 – October 14.
Sean Graney adapts and directs The Fall of the House of Usher by Edgar Allan Poe for The Hypocrites at the Chopin Theatre, August 14 – September 30.
American Theatre Company will present two American classics in rotating repertory – The Catholic Repertory: Doubt & Agnes of God – directed by ATC Artistic Director PJ Paparelli, September 6 – October 14.
Profiles Theatre Company will be opening its season with two Midwest Premieres Sweet and Sad by Tony Award winning playwright Richard Nelson August 17 – October 7 and Afterby Chad Beckim, August 31- October 14.
Comedic works include:
Northlight Theatre presents Neil Simon’s classic comedy The Odd Couple starring George Wendt and Tim Kazurinsky, November 2- December 9.
The Annoyance Theatre is celebrating its 25th Anniversary with new plays, The Association, Kitty Massacre, and Solo Ole! and new improv shows Almost Atlanta and One-on-One.
Ongoing productions continuing in Chicago include:
The hit musical, Million Dollar Quartet, continues in its fourth year at the Apollo Theater.
The Second City’s History of Chicago will continue through the summer at Up Comedy Club.
The hit show Blue Man Group performs at the Briar Street Theatre in Lakeview.
About Chicago theater
Chicago theater is the leader in the U.S. with more than 250 theaters throughout Chicagoland, comprising a rich and varied community ranging from storefront, non-union theaters to the most renowned resident theaters in the country, including 5 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. Chicago produces and/or presents more world premieres annually than any other city in the nation. In 2009-10 alone Chicago theater companies produced more than 130 world premiere productions and adaptations. Each year Chicago theaters send new work to resident theaters across the country, to Broadway, and around the world.
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.