John Donnelly News

Education, education, education - it's an inescapable topic in theatre. Recent years have seen Future Conditional (kicking off Matthew Warchus's Old Vic tenure), Matilda the Musical, The Brink, Kin, Our Ladies of Perpetual Succour, and, of course, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. To celebrate back to school week, here are 10 of the best plays set in school. Get studying!

Steep Theatre Company has announced the programming for its upcoming 16th season, which continues the company's tradition of presenting bold plays from today's most exciting playwrights, brought to life by fearlessly honest ensembles and visionary directors. Season 16 will feature a world premiere from Chicago playwright Alex Lubischer, a U.S. premiere from Olivier Award-winning playwright Mike Bartlett, a U.S. premiere from rising English playwright Cordelia Lynn, and a Midwest premiere from California-based playwright Lauren Yee. Steep Ensemble Members and Jeff Award-winning directors Robin Witt and Jonathan Berry will helm two of the productions, to be joined by two guest directors. 

?Steep Theatre's critically acclaimed production of Laura Wade's Posh has been playing to enthusiastic sold-out houses since its opening in January. In response to enormous ticket demand, Posh has been extended through March 12th, adding 8 new opportunities to see what Chris Jones of the Chicago Tribune called "a bevy of talent" perform in "a dynamic, often shocking little storefront show guaranteed to make you fume anew at the ongoing inequality of the most mature democracies.'

Roald Dahl's The Twits, directed by John Tiffany, is mischievously adapted from Roald Dahl's story. Enda Walsh turns The Twits upside down and brings this revolting revolution to the Royal Court's stage from tonight, April 7, through May 31, 2015.

On the heals of its hit musical production Titanic, Griffin Theatre Company continues its 2014-15 season with Lanford Wilson's acclaimed drama BALM IN GILEAD directed by ensemble member Jonathan Berry and featuring an ensemble cast of 27 actors and musicians. BALM IN GILEAD will play tonight, March 14 - April 19, 2015 at The Den Theatre, 1333 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago.

Mr and Mrs Twit are not very nice. In fact they're extremely nasty. They're nasty to each other, and they're VILE to everyone else. They hold a family of monkeys hostage in a cage and force them to stand on their heads. ALL THE TIME. We told you they weren't very nice. Can the monkeys find a way to show those vicious Twits what for?

On the heals of its hit musical production Titanic, Griffin Theatre Company continues its 2014-15 season with Lanford Wilson's acclaimed drama BALM IN GILEAD directed by ensemble member Jonathan Berry and featuring an ensemble cast of 27 actors and musicians. BALM IN GILEAD will play March 14 - April 19, 2015 at The Den Theatre, 1333 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago.

Casting is announced today for Hope, BAFTA-winning writer Jack Thorne's first original play to be staged at the Royal Court. Hope follows Thorne's success with Glue and This is England '86 and reunites him with director John Tiffany after their celebrated production Let the Right One In, which transferred to the West End earlier this year.

The Royal Court Theatre announces a new season of work today, Friday 27 June, including new plays from Molly Davies, Zinnie Harris, Rory Mullarkey, Tim Price and Jack Thorne; a debut play from first-time playwright Diana Nneka Atuona; a collaboration between scientist Chris Rapley, playwright and director Duncan Macmillan and director Katie Mitchell and a new production for young people and their families - Enda Walsh's new adaptation of Roald Dahl's The Twits.

Director Jonathan Berry will team up with actor Caroline Neff in Steep Theatre's upcoming U.S. Premiere of John Donnelly's The Knowledge. The two long-time Steep associates quickly have become two of Chicago theater's brightest stars. Mr. Berry, 2012 Jeff Award winner for Best Director, and Ms. Neff, 2011 Jeff Award winner for Best Actress in a Featured Role, have been delighting audiences at Steep for the better part of the last decade; however, The Knowledge will mark the first time that the two have collaborated on a Steep production. The Knowledge opens on Thursday, April 18th, at Steep Theatre.

Summer 2013 will bring a wealth of new works to Chicago stages, closing out this season with some of the most exciting theater in the country, and holding Chicago's place as a leader on the national scene. Offerings from the city's more than 200 producing theaters includes a range of special summer programming, featuring everything from the latest musicals and highly anticipated world premieres to updated classics.

Director Jonathan Berry teams up with actor Caroline Neff in Steep Theatre's upcoming U.S. Premiere of John Donnelly's The Knowledge. The two long-time Steep associates quickly have become two of Chicago theater's brightest stars. Mr. Berry, 2012 Jeff Award winner for Best Director, and Ms. Neff, 2011 Jeff Award winner for Best Actress in a Featured Role, have been delighting audiences at Steep for the better part of the last decade; however, The Knowledge will mark the first time that the two have collaborated on a Steep production. The Knowledge opens tonight, April 18th, at Steep Theatre

Director Jonathan Berry will team up with actor Caroline Neff in Steep Theatre's upcoming U.S. Premiere of John Donnelly's The Knowledge. The two long-time Steep associates quickly have become two of Chicago theater's brightest stars. Mr. Berry, 2012 Jeff Award winner for Best Director, and Ms. Neff, 2011 Jeff Award winner for Best Actress in a Featured Role, have been delighting audiences at Steep for the better part of the last decade; however, The Knowledge will mark the first time that the two have collaborated on a Steep production. The Knowledge opens on Thursday, April 18th, at Steep Theatre.

Now through 12 August, 2012, the Criterion Theatre presents Playing The Games, a programme of work that celebrates both artistic and sporting talent featuring emerging and established actors, comedians, musicians, playwrights and Olympians. As part of the programme, Sam Hodges, Producer of the Criterion Theatre, has commissioned two new plays by emerging British playwrights Serge Cartwright and Adam Brace in response to the presence of the Olympic Games in London. See below for production photos from Adam Brace's TAKING PART!

From 26 July - 12 August 2012, the Criterion Theatre will present Playing The Games, a programme of work which will celebrate both artistic and sporting talent featuring emerging and established actors, comedians, musicians, playwrights and Olympians. Sam Hodges, Producer of the Criterion Theatre, has commissioned two new plays by emerging British playwrights Serge Cartwright and Adam Brace in response to the presence of the Olympic Games in London-After the Party and Taking Part, respectively. Check out photos from both shows in rehearsal below!