FALL 2013 THEATER HIGHLIGHTS
Fall 2013 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.
For a comprehensive list of Chicago productions, visit the League of Chicago website, www.chicagoplays.com. Discounted tickets are available at www.hottix.com or at the three Hot Tix half-price ticket locations: across from the Chicago Cultural Center at Expo72 (72 E. Randolph); in the Water Works Visitor Information Center (163 E. Pearson); and the newest location at Block Thirty Seven, Shops at 108 N. State. Hot Tix offers half-price tickets to more than 200 Chicago area theatres, full price tickets to all Ticketmaster events including concerts and sports, and Play Money gift certificates.
“This fall will bring a brand new theater season to Chicago that is guaranteed to be exciting, creative, and unique. The vibrant theater community will present works ranging from world premieres to family-friendly shows to hard-hitting dramas,” says Deb Clapp, Executive Director of the League of Chicago Theatres. “Having seen such variety and success all last season, we are anticipating even greater triumphs of the stage this fall.”
The following is a selection of notable work playing in Chicago throughout the fall:
New works and adaptations include:
Goodman Theatre explores the passage of time and the fleeting pleasures of life in Noah Haidle’s Smokefall, directed by Anne Kauffman, October 5 – November 3, 2013.
Heidi Stillman’s adaptation of The North China Lover plays at Lookingglass Theatre Company September 25 – November 10, 2013.
Remy Bumppo Theatre Company presents Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey adapted by Tim Luscombe at the Greenhouse Theater Center October 2 – November 10, 2013.
Motti Lerner’s World Premiere, Paulus, is presented by Silk Road Rising, directed by Jimmy McDermott November 7 – December 15, 2013.
The Crownless King, a fantasy action-adventure by Chris Mathews and Nathan Allen premieres at The House Theatre of Chicago August 30 – October 20, 2013.
Victory Gardens Theater presents the co-World Premiere with Actors Theatre of Louisville of Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’sAppropriate, directed by Gary Griffin. November 8 – December 8, 2013.
Theatre Seven of Chicago presents the World Premiere of Unwilling and Hostile Instruments, directed by Elly Green.September 30 – October 27, 2013.
Stage Left Theatre’s World Premiere, Barbara Lhota’s Warped, runs at Theater Wit. Directed by Jason Fleece. August 31 – October 6, 2013.
Black Ensemble Theater’s World Premiere of It’s All-Right to Have a Good Time: The Curtis Mayfield Story by Jackie Taylor. opening September 22, 2013
Musicals include:
The music-fueled Pullman Porter Blues by Cheryl L. West rolls into the Goodman Theatre, directed by Chuck SmithSeptember 14 – October 20, 2013.
Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Tony Award-winning musical, Evita, returns to Broadway in Chicago at the Oriental Theatre, directed by Michael Grandage. September 18 – October 6, 2013
American Blues Theater presents Randal Myler and Mark Harelik’s musical Hank Williams: Lost Highway at Greenhouse Theater Center. Directed by Damon Kiely, music directed by Malcolm Ruhl. September 5 – October 6, 2013.
Winner of eight 2012 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Once is coming to Broadway in Chicago at the Oriental Theatre October 9 – October 27, 2013.
Wicked is back in Broadway in Chicago by “Popular” demand in celebration of its 10th anniversary on Broadway. Flies to the Oriental Theatre October 30 – December 31, 2013.
Metropolis Performing Arts Centre presents Roger Bean’s Route 66, directed by Zachary Gray. September 19 –October 20, 2013.
The Chicago Premiere of Signs of Life – A New Musical, directed by Lisa Portes, produced by Step-Two Productions at Victory Gardens Biograph Theater, September 18 – October 27, 2013.
Old Jews telling Jokes starts performances at The Royal George on September 4, starring Tim Kazurinsky, Renee Matthews, Gene Weygandt, Alex Goodrich and Dara Cameron
Dramatic works include:
AstonRep Theatre Company presents a modern take on a Greek tragedy in The Water’s Edge by Theresa Rebeck, directed by Robert Tobin, at Raven Theatre West Stage. September 26 – October 26, 2013.
OBIE Award Winner & Jeff Award for Best Solo Performance, An Illiad, by Lisa Peterson and Denis O’Hare returns to Court Theatre, directed by Charles Newell. November 13 – December 8, 2013.
Emergent Theatre Company presents Bruce Graham’s Coyote on a Fence, directed by Mikey Laird, at The Den Theatre.September 20 – October 27, 2013.
Next Theatre Company presents Compulsion by Rinne Groff, directed by Devon de Mayo. October 10 – November 17, 2013.
The Midwest Premiere of Wrecks, by Resident Artist Neil LaBute, is presented by Profiles Theatre at The Alley Stage, directed by Jason Gerace. September 27 – November 17, 2013.
Signal Ensemble Theatre features the U.S. Premiere of This Is War by Hannah Moscovitch, directed by ensemble member Ronan Marra. August 22 – September 28, 2013.
Steppenwolf Theatre Company opens their 2013-14 season with the American Premiere of The Wheel by Zinnie Harris, directed by ensemble member Tina Landau, featuring ensemble member Joan Allen. September 12 – November 10, 2013.
Amy Herzog’s 4000 Miles at Northight Theatre, directed by Kimberly Senior, makes its Midwest Premiere at Northlight Theatre. September 13-October 20, 2013.
Chicago Shakespeare presents Cyrano de Bergerac by Edmond Rostand, translated and adapted for the stage by Anthony Burgess, directed by Penny Metropulos and featuring Harry Groener in the title role.
The Midwest Premiere of The Old Man and The Old Moon plays at Writers Theatre, written by and featuring PigPen Theater Co., directed by Stuart Carden, September 3-November 10, 2013.
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.