League of Chicago Theatres Lauds New Theater Season

In a season where a Chicago production of Steppenwolf’s Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?  is playing in New York, and Chicago trained Aidy Bryant, Tim Robinson and Cecily Strong have joined the cast of SNL, the 2012-13 season in Chicago is marked by a number of nationally noted artists working in its theaters. This fall Chicago theaters, always a place to find extraordinary talent, welcome performers Diane Lane, Jimmy Smits, George Wendt, and Tim Kazurinsky; writers Cyndi Lauper and Harvey Fierstein; and directors Gary Griffin, Mary Zimmerman andDavid Cromer.

“Chicago is a place where extraordinary talent thrives on our stages every month of the year.  At a time when countless Chicago productions and artists are performing in other cities nationally and internationally, Chicago remains a place where top-notch productions can be seen on stages of all sizes and in every neighborhood,” says Deb Clapp, Executive Director of the League of Chicago Theatres. “It’s no coincidence that so many superb artists are coming to Chicago to work.  The community is rich with talent, the audiences are sophisticated, the administrators are supportive and the level of production values is unparalleled.”

Notable productions include:

Goodman Theatre presents Tennessee Williams’ Sweet Bird of Youth, directed by David Cromer and starring Academy Award nominee Diane Lane September 14- October 25.

10 years after its Tony Award-winning Broadway run Metamorphoses written and directed by Lookingglass ensemble member Mary Zimmerman, returns toLookingglass Theatre to open its 25th Anniversary season, September 19- November 18.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater presents Sondheim’s Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning musical, Sunday in the Park with George, directed by CST Associate Artistic Director and notable director Gary Griffin, September 26- November 4.

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.

Northlight Theatre presents Neil Simon’s classic comedy The Odd Couple starring George Wendt and Tim Kazurinsky, reuniting them with fellow alumni of The Second City Danny Breen and Bruce Jarchow, November 2- December 9.

Jimmy Smits joins the cast Steppenwolf Theatre Company’s Motherf**cker With a Hat, directed by Steppenwolf ensemble member and renowned director Anna D. Shapiro, December 27-March 3, 2012.

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.