Rasean Davonte Johnson News

Studio Theatre's production is frustrating since both the creative and acting components of this production are stellar. The real outrage is not what happens onstage, but what doesn't. And for that, the blame lies solely with the playwright Anchuli Felicia King.

The 51st Annual Jeff Awards Ceremony took place on October 21, 2019, during a spirited evening at Drury Lane Oakbrook. 'Frankenstein,' produced by Remy Bumppo Theatre Company, took home five awards, including Best Production a?' Play in the Midsize category. Court Theatre also took home five awards, including the coveted Ensemble Award for 'For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/When the Rainbow is Enuf' and four awards for a?oePhotograph 51.a?? Steppenwolf Theatre Company's production of 'Downstate' received the Jeff Award for Best Production - Play in the Large category. The award for Best Production - Musical in the Large category went to 'Six' at Chicago Shakespeare Theater, and the award for Best Production - Musical in the Midsize category went to 'Caroline, or Change,' produced by Firebrand Theatre in partnership with TimeLine Theatre Company.

THE BROTHERS SIZE is an artful exploration of the obligations put upon its characters. McCraney beautifully reflects on both the societal systems that oppress these three black men, while also deepening the exploration of the personal obligations they feel to one another-and the question of what it means to be part of a brotherhood, whether biological or chosen.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company's 2019/20 season of complex, beautiful and maddening theater kicks off with a thrilling Chicago premiere by in-demand playwright, Lauren Yee, directed by Jesca Prudencio.

Eleven world premiere plays and musicals seen first by Chicago audiences were among those receiving nominations by the Jeff Awards, announced today. A total of 192 nominations were made in 34 categories that honor Chicago Equity theatrical productions that opened between August 1, 2018 and July 31, 2019. During the 2018-19 season, Jeff Awards judges attended opening nights of 132 Equity productions offered by 43 producing organizations and from these openings, 112 productions were a?oeJeff Recommendeda?? and eligible for award nominations.

BroadwayWorld has a first look at Steppenwolf Theatre Company's world premiere of MS. BLAKK FOR PRESIDENT, co-written by ensemble members Tina Landau (SpongeBob SquarePants: The Broadway Musical) and Tarell Alvin McCraney (Moonlight, Academy Award). Conceived by Tina Landau, she also directs this true and little-known Chicago story that will star Tarell Alvin McCraney as Ms. Joan Jett Blakk. Joining McCraney in the cast are Patrick Andrews, Molly Brennan, Daniel Kyri, Jon Hudson Odom and Sawyer Smith.

Steppenwolf Theatre's Ms. Blakk for President is now on stage! What did the critics think? Read all the reviews!

BroadwayWorld has a first look at Steppenwolf Theatre Company's world premiere of MS. BLAKK FOR PRESIDENT, co-written by ensemble members Tina Landau (SpongeBob SquarePants: The Broadway Musical) and Tarell Alvin McCraney (Moonlight, Academy Award). Conceived by Tina Landau, she also directs this true and little-known Chicago story that will star Tarell Alvin McCraney as Ms. Joan Jett Blakk. Joining McCraney in the cast are Patrick Andrews, Molly Brennan, Daniel Kyri, Jon Hudson Odom and Sawyer Smith.

Yale Repertory Theatre presents the world premiere of CADILLAC CREW by Tori Sampson, directed by Jesse Rasmussen, April 26-May 18, at Yale Repertory Theatre (1120 Chapel Street). Opening Night is Thursday, May 2.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company announced today the full casting for the world premiere of MS. BLAKK FOR PRESIDENT, co-written by ensemble members Tina Landau (SpongeBob SquarePants: The Broadway Musical) and Tarell Alvin McCraney (Moonlight, Academy Award). Conceived by Tina Landau, she also directs this true and little-known Chicago story that will star Tarell Alvin McCraney as Ms. Joan Jett Blakk. Joining McCraney in the cast are Patrick Andrews, Molly Brennan, Daniel Kyri, Jon Hudson Odom and Sawyer Smith.

Aziza Barne's BLKS is a stop-you-in-your-tracks, laugh-out-loud comedy that is about to take DC by storm. Barnes' electric writing powerfully celebrates, queerness, sisterhood and the implications of being 'Black and alive.' With director Nataki Garrett at the helm, the cast brings Aziza's words to life with infectious joy. My cheeks still hurt from smiling.

I left the world premiere of Isaac Gomez's LA RUTA at Steppenwolf Theatre Company with a heavy heart, yet one that was also full as I admired the immense work of the all-female Latinx ensemble. Gomez's necessarily tragic play focuses on Mexican women who live in Ciudad Juarez and have been disappearing along the bus route home from their factory jobs. LA RUTA handles its devastating subject matter with compelling gravitas (Gomez conducted several interviews to bring the play to life). Through his strong and deeply human characters, Gomez gives voice to this ongoing tragedy without ever sliding into a didactic tone.

 Steppenwolf Theatre Company presents the world premiere production of La Ruta by acclaimed Chicago playwright Isaac Gomez, directed by ensemble member Sandra Marquez and featuring ensemble member Karen Rodriguez along with an eight-member all female Latinx cast. Inspired by the lives of Mexican women who live, work-and disappear-along a Ciudad Juarez bus route, La Ruta weaves live music through a story of resilience in the wake of loss.

In conjunction with the world premiere of La Ruta by acclaimed Chicago-based playwright Isaac Gomez and directed by ensemble member Sandra Marquez, Steppenwolf Theatre Company has curated an event series of conversations and performances designed to enrich the experience around the world of the play. Inspired by the lives of Mexican women who live, work-and disappear-along a Ciudad Juarez bus route, La Ruta weaves live music through a story of resilience in the wake of loss.

This December, Steppenwolf Theatre Company is proud to present the world premiere production of La Ruta by acclaimed Chicago playwright Isaac Gomez, directed by ensemble member Sandra Marquez. Featuring ensemble member Karen Rodriguez along with an eight-member all female Latinx cast, La Ruta is inspired by the lives of Mexican women who live, work-and disappear-along a Ciudad Juarez bus route. La Ruta weaves live music through a story of resilience in the wake of loss.

 Steppenwolf Theatre Company presents the world premiere production of La Ruta by acclaimed Chicago playwright Isaac Gomez, directed by ensemble member Sandra Marquez and featuring ensemble member Karen Rodriguez along with an eight-member all female Latinx cast. Inspired by the lives of Mexican women who live, work-and disappear-along a Ciudad Juarez bus route, La Ruta weaves live music through a story of resilience in the wake of loss.

Geva Theatre Center presents Thurgood, by George Stevens, Jr. and directed by Lou Bellamy, in the Elaine P. Wilson Stage from October 16 through November 18.

Writers Theatre, under the leadership of Artistic Director Michael Halberstam and Executive Director Kathryn M. Lipuma, adds four performances to the run of Qui Nguyen's Vietgone. The production is directed by Lavina Jadhwani, with original music and music direction by Gabriel Ruiz and choreography by Tommy Rapley. Due to demand, Vietgone now runs through September 29, 2018 in the Alexandra C. and John D. Nichols Theatre at 325 Tudor Court, Glencoe.

Writers Theatre, under the leadership of Artistic Director Michael Halberstam and Executive Director Kathryn M. Lipuma, opens its 2018/19 season with Qui Nguyen's Vietgone, directed by Lavina Jadhwani, featuring original music and music direction by Gabriel Ruiz and choreography by Tommy Rapley. Vietgone runs August 15 - September 23, 2018 in the Alexandra C. and John D. Nichols Theatre at 325 Tudor Court, Glencoe. The Press Opening is Wednesday, August 22 at 7:30 p.m.

Writers Theatre, under the leadership of Artistic Director Michael Halberstam and Executive Director Kathryn M. Lipuma, opens its 2018/19 season with Qui Nguyen's Vietgone, directed by Lavina Jadhwani, featuring original music and music direction by Gabriel Ruiz and choreography by Tommy Rapley. Vietgone runs August 15 - September 23, 2018 in the Alexandra C. and John D. Nichols Theatre at 325 Tudor Court, Glencoe. The Press Opening is Today, August 22 at 7:30 p.m.