David Woolley News

"We are all civilized people, which means that we are all savages at heart but observing a few amenities of civilized behavior,' writes Tennessee Williams in his introduction to Sweet Bird of Youth. Goodman Theatre opens its 2012/2013 Season with a major revival of Williams' 1959 play directed by Chicago native David Cromer. As previously announced, Academy Award nominee Diane Lane portrays Alexandra del Lago, an aging Hollywood screen siren on a journey with an unlikely soul mate, Chance Wayne (Broadway's Finn Wittrock)-an ineffectual drifter whose youth and promise have begun to fade.

"We are all civilized people, which means that we are all savages at heart but observing a few amenities of civilized behavior,' writes Tennessee Williams in his introduction to Sweet Bird of Youth. Goodman Theatre opens its 2012/2013 Season with a major revival of Williams' 1959 play directed by Chicago native David Cromer. As previously announced, Academy Award nominee Diane Lane portrays Alexandra del Lago, an aging Hollywood screen siren on a journey with an unlikely soul mate, Chance Wayne (Broadway's Finn Wittrock)-an ineffectual drifter whose youth and promise have begun to fade.

Raven Theatre closes the 2011-2012 season with, Bang the Drum Slowly, directed by Michael Menendian. Opening is tonight, May 20 at 7:00 p.m. at Raven Theatre, 6157 N. Clark, with a reception sponsored by the Fireside Restaurant following in Raven's lobby. Tickets and information are available at www.raventheatre.com or 773-338-2177.

Nominations for the Chicago-based Non-Equity Jeff Awards were announced today; Theo Ubique leads with 14 nominations

The Jeff Awards today announced 124 nominations in 25 categories for Non-Equity Jeff Awards for productions that opened between April 1, 2011, and March 31, 2012. The Non-Equity Awards honor excellence in Chicago theatres not under a union contract. Jeff Awards judges covered opening nights of 154 productions offered by 71 Non-Equity producing organizations. The judges recommended 64 of those shows, making them eligible for Non-Equity Jeff Award nominations. Thirty-two theatre companies received nominations.

Raven Theatre closes the 2011-2012 season with, Bang the Drum Slowly, directed by Michael Menendian. Opening is Sunday, May 20 at 7:00 p.m. at Raven Theatre, 6157 N. Clark, with a reception sponsored by the Fireside Restaurant following in Raven's lobby. Tickets and information are available at www.raventheatre.com or 773-338-2177.

American Theater Company (ATC) announces the World Premiere of Disgraced by Ayad Akhtar, directed by Kimberly Senior.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater's (CST) 25th Anniversary Season production of William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, directed by CST Associate Artistic Director Gary Griffin (CST's Follies, Broadway's The Color Purple) is now playing through April 8, 2012, and features a celebrated company of artists that includes stage and screen actor Ron Orbach as Nick Bottom, former Saturday Night Live funnyman Tim Kazurinsky as Peter Quince, and veteran CST actors Tracy Michelle Arnold as Hippolyta/Titania and Timothy Edward Kane as Theseus/Oberon. Performing the role of Puck is Elizabeth Ledo.

American Theater Company (ATC) announces the World Premiere of Disgraced by Ayad Akhtar, directed by Kimberly Senior. Disgraced is produced by special arrangement with The Araca Group (Broadway's Urinetown, A View From The Bridge and co-producers of Wicked). The production will run January 27 - February 26, 2012 at American Theater Company, 1909 W Byron, Chicago, IL. Press opening is Monday, January 30, 2012 at 7:00PM.

American Theater Company (ATC) announces the World Premiere of Disgraced by Ayad Akhtar, directed by Kimberly Senior.

American Theater Company (ATC) announces the World Premiere of Disgraced by Ayad Akhtar, directed by Kimberly Senior. Disgraced is produced by special arrangement with The Araca Group (Broadway's Urinetown, A View From The Bridge and co-producers of Wicked). The production will run January 27 - February 26, 2012 at American Theater Company, 1909 W Byron, Chicago, IL. Press opening is Monday, January 30, 2012 at 7:00PM.

Fox Valley Repertory kicks off their 2012 season with a variety of improv, musical tributes and comedic combat, including: Chicago's finest improv troupe The Best of Second City, some of the best comedic swordplay in the country, The Swordsmen, and a weekend of the popular Beatles band, American English, at Pheasant Run Resort (4051 E. Main St., St. Charles, IL; 630-584-6342).

American Theater Company (ATC) announces the World Premiere of Disgraced by Ayad Akhtar, directed by Kimberly Senior.

Fox Valley Repertory kicks off their 2012 season with a variety of improv, musical tributes and comedic combat, including: Chicago's finest improv troupe The Best of Second City, some of the best comedic swordplay in the country, The Swordsmen, and a weekend of the popular Beatles band, American English, at Pheasant Run Resort (4051 E. Main St., St. Charles, IL; 630-584-6342).

Strawdog Theatre Company concludes their 23rd anniversary season with Manfred Karge's The Conquest of the South Pole, directed by Kimberly Senior, April 21 - May 28, at the Strawdog Theatre, 3829 N Broadway.

Strawdog Theatre Company concludes their 23rd anniversary season with Manfred Karge's The Conquest of the South Pole, directed by Kimberly Senior, April 21 - May 28, at the Strawdog Theatre, 3829 N Broadway.

Strawdog Theatre Company concludes their 23rd anniversary season with Manfred Karge's The Conquest of the South Pole, directed by Kimberly Senior, April 21 - May 28, at the Strawdog Theatre, 3829 N Broadway.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) rings in the New Year with William Shakespeare's romantic comedy As You Like It, staged by CST's Associate Artistic Director Gary Griffin. The acting company for Griffin's lush production includes a host of Chicago Shakespeare favorites who have collectively performed over 100 roles at CST. Among the returning cast members are Kate Fry, performing the role of Rosalind in her seventh appearance at CST; Chaon Cross as Celia in her sixth CST appearance; Matt Schwader as Orlando in his ninth appearance; Phillip James Brannon as Touchstone in his fourth appearance; and longtime collaborators Ross Lehman as Jaques and Kevin Gudahl as Duke Senior, who return to CST to perform their respective 13th and 27th roles. Chicago Shakespeare Theater's As You Like It runs now through March 6, 2011, in CST's Courtyard Theater. Tickets are $44-$75 with special discounts available for groups of 10 or more. All patrons receive a 40% parking discount at Navy Pier garages. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Chicago Shakespeare Theater's Box Office at 312.595.5600 or visit the Theater's website at www.chicagoshakes.com.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) rings in the New Year with William Shakespeare's romantic comedy As You Like It, staged by CST's Associate Artistic Director Gary Griffin. The acting company for Griffin's lush production includes a host of Chicago Shakespeare favorites who have collectively performed over 100 roles at CST. Among the returning cast members are Kate Fry, performing the role of Rosalind in her seventh appearance at CST; Chaon Cross as Celia in her sixth CST appearance; Matt Schwader as Orlando in his ninth appearance; Phillip James Brannon as Touchstone in his fourth appearance; and longtime collaborators Ross Lehman as Jaques and Kevin Gudahl as Duke Senior, who return to CST to perform their respective 13th and 27th roles. Chicago Shakespeare Theater's As You Like It runs now through March 6, 2011, in CST's Courtyard Theater. Tickets are $44-$75 with special discounts available for groups of 10 or more. All patrons receive a 40% parking discount at Navy Pier garages. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Chicago Shakespeare Theater's Box Office at 312.595.5600 or visit the Theater's website at www.chicagoshakes.com.

?Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) rings in the New Year with William Shakespeare's romantic comedy As You Like It, staged by CST's Associate Artistic Director Gary Griffin.