Driscoll Otto News

I have to admit, when I first saw that WaterTower Theatre's season touted a modern adaptation of A Doll's House by Henrik Ibsen, I was wary. Modernizing a classic is a risk whose success depends largely on motive. If done as a conscious and careful choice, it can deepen an audience's understanding of the piece. If done haphazardly, perhaps to cover an inadequate budget or a director's cursory understanding of the original text, it may have some fun modern elements, but they will likely be distracting rather than illuminating. Thankfully, WaterTower offers a sophisticated and enlightening modernization. Director and adapter Joanie Schultz modernizes the language and keeps the design firmly rooted in history. The choice to adapt does not hide a lack of understanding on Schultz's part - it in fact shows a true depth of understanding and familiarity with the text. It certainly does not disguise an insufficient budget; elaborate and historically correct fashions created by Melissa Panzarello and Amy Poe, in conjunction with a marvelous set designed by Chelsea M. Warren, convincingly portray the wealth of the late 17th century family at the heart of the drama. And if Schultz feared the audience might not understand? Rather than putting a band aid on that fear with some flashy modern props, she digs into the root of the misunderstanding, the translation from old Norwegian into modern English.

Chicago Opera Theater (COT) will kick off the 2018/2019 season with "Iolanta," a Chicago premiere of legendary composer P.I. Tchaikovsky's final opera. Internationally renowned and award-winning conductor Lidiya Yankovskaya will make her conducting debut as Chicago Opera Theater's Staley Music Director and set the tone for the season to come. Acclaimed stage director Paul Curran, known for his work at Santa Fe Opera, Lyric Opera Chicago and more, will shape the retelling of this joyous love-story, featuring an almost entirely Chicago-based cast including soprano Katherine Weber as Iolanta, and renowned Russian bass Mikhail Svetlov as Rene. The opening night and press performance takes place on Saturday, November 10 at 7:30 p.m. at the historic Studebaker Theater (410 S. Michigan Ave.) Additional performances will take place Thursday, November 15 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, November 18 at 3 p.m.

Crowded Outlet proudly presents beep boop, a multimedia clown show created by physical comedian Richard Saudek now performing through Sunday, October 7th.

Crowded Outlet presents beep boop, a multimedia clown show created by physical comedian Richard Saudek

WaterTower Theatre Artistic Director, Joanie Schultz, today announced casting and creative team details for A Doll's House by Henrik Ibsen, adapted and directed by Joanie Schultz.

'Less Than 50%' is now on stage at 59E59 Theaters. Written by Gianmarco Soresi and directed by Jen Wineman, this show has a great deal of comic appeal but it also smacks of reality. The unique two-hander has a clever combination of storytelling and stand-up comedy.

Crowded Outlet announces its next production, beep boop, a multimedia clown show created by physical comedian Richard Saudek (Balls at 59E59), TV and film composer Jesse Novak ("BoJack Horseman," "The Mindy Project") and director Wes Grantom (Lone Star Spirits, Eager to Lose). beep boop will play a limited engagement at HERE (145 6th Ave, New York, NY 10013; enter on Dominick, 1 Block South of Spring), performing Thursday September 6th through Sunday, September 30th. The Opening is Saturday, September 8th.

Drury Lane Theatre openied its sultry summer drama, Tennessee Williams' Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, directed by Tony nominee Marcia Milgrom Dodge (2009 Broadway revival of Ragtime, Drury Lane's Smokey Joe's Cafe), On Thursday, July 12, 2018. Cat on a Hot Tin Roof runs through August 26, 2018, at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace.

As the curtain rises on Drury Lane Theatre's production of CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF, we view a striking image: the interior of a derelict Mississippi mansion, complete with crumbling masonry, mossy growths on the ceiling, and a none-too-sturdy grand staircase. Amid these ruins, each member of the dysfunctional Pollitt family battles other forms of decay: failing health, eroding relationships, toxic jealousy, and thwarted ambitions.

Drury Lane Theatre announces casting for its sultry summer drama, Tennessee Williams' Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, directed by Tony nominee Marcia Milgrom Dodge (2009 Broadway revival of Ragtime, Drury Lane's Smokey Joe's Cafe). Cat on a Hot Tin Roof runs July 5 - August 26, 2018, at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace. The press opening is scheduled for Thursday, July 12 at 8:00 p.m.

Drury Lane Theatre announces casting for its sultry summer drama, Tennessee Williams' Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, directed by Tony nominee Marcia Milgrom Dodge (2009 Broadway revival of Ragtime, Drury Lane's Smokey Joe's Cafe). Cat on a Hot Tin Roof runs July 5 - August 26, 2018, at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace. The press opening is scheduled for Today, July 12 at 8:00 p.m.

59E59 Theaters (Val Day, Artistic Director; Brian Beirne, Managing Director) is thrilled to welcome Gianmarco Soresi's unromantic comedy LESS THAN 50%, directed by Jen Wineman. Produced by Robin Milling in association with James Brent White, Todd & Elizabeth Donovan, Joann Farda, Jesse Kearney, and New Light Theater Project, LESS THAN 50%, begins performances on Friday, August 3 for a limited engagement through Sunday, September 1.

Drury Lane Theatre announces casting for its sultry summer drama, Tennessee Williams' Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, directed by Tony nominee Marcia Milgrom Dodge (2009 Broadway revival of Ragtime, Drury Lane's Smokey Joe's Cafe). Cat on a Hot Tin Roof runs July 5 - August 26, 2018, at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace. The press opening is scheduled for Thursday, July 12 at 8:00 p.m.

In July, The Village Light Opera Group will present On The Twentieth Century at the Riverside Theatre (91 Claremont Avenue).

In July, The Village Light Opera Group will present On The Twentieth Century at the Riverside Theatre (91 Claremont Avenue).

General Director and CEO Deborah Sandler today announced the final performance in 2017-2018 Lyric Opera's ExplorationsSeries. The company will close the second season of this new and innovative series with American Voices on Saturday, March 24 with a 7:30 p.m. performance in the Michael and Ginger Frost Production Arts Building. Continuing the theme of featuring eclectic performances in intimate spaces, this recital will feature Lyric Opera's Resident Artists performing art songs by prominent American composers, past and present.

Atlantis Theatrical Entertainment Group (ATEG) is excited to announce the full cast for the internationally-acclaimed musical, MATILDA, inspired by Roald Dahl's beloved book. Composed of some of the finest musical theater talents of the country, the cast is currently deep into rehearsals gearing up for a November 10th opening night at Meralco Theater in Ortigas Center.

The Dallas Opera is delighted to announce the eagerly awaited DVD and Blu-ray release of Mark Adamo's critically acclaimed new holiday opera, BECOMING SANTA CLAUS, distributed exclusively through CD Baby.

The Golden Cockerel was Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov's last opera. He wrote it in 1905 as a satire on the Russian government of the time. As with many political satires, the libretto that Vladimir Belsky based on Pushkin's poem THE TALE OF THE GOLDEN COCKEREL can still make some points over one hundred years later. On July 28, 2017, Santa Fe Opera presented THE GOLDEN COCKEREL in a production by Paul Curran conducted by Emmanuel Villaume.

Two dozen nominations of outstanding actors, directors, designers and ensembles were announced today by The Boston Theater Critics Association (BTCA), with winners to be revealed at the 35th Annual Elliot Norton Awards on Monday, May 15, 2017 at 7 PM, at Huntington Theatre Company's BU Theatre.