Studio Arena Theatre News

Cleveland Play House (CPH) engages the audience's imagination as the epic adventure of An Iliad brings life to 54 characters through a single poet and her muse, a cellist. Performances take place in the Outcalt Theatre at Playhouse Square from January 12th through February 10th, 2019.  Featuring a heroic sound, with original composition by cellist Eva Rose Scholz-Carlson, actress Tarah Flanagan performs as The Poet in this adaptation of Homer's work, written by Lisa Peterson and Denis O'Hare. 

Everyone's favorite characters from Cleveland Street are back for their 11th production with Cleveland Play House (CPH) during the 2018 holiday season. A Christmas Story will once again delight Cleveland audiences with the story you know and love, based on the original motion picture that was filmed in Cleveland. CPH's production of A Christmas Story has quickly become an annual holiday tradition for families of all generations. Each year, these performances attract thousands of new guests to live theatre at Cleveland Play House. Previews begin November 23rd with press opening on November 30th at the Allen Theatre in Playhouse Square. This production will be sponsored by Dollar Bank and Pinecrest.

A soulful retelling of L. Frank Baum's beloved The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, The Wiz combines fairy-tale glamour with street smarts to make a classic fantasy sparkle for today.  And our directors and choreographer will bring a blast of New Orleans Creole magic to this production!  Winner of seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical and Best Score, The Wiz ingeniously mixes rock, gospel, soul, and jazz, and features hits like 'Ease on Down the Road,' 'A Brand New Day,' and 'Home.'

Accomplished actress Lois Robbins takes us on a poignant and comic journey as one woman explores her sexual history, in what ultimately becomes her coming of age story, L.O.V.E.R. Directed by Sonia Sebastian, L.O.V.E.R. opens on April 13, running through May 12 at the Zephyr Theatre on Melrose Avenue.

TimeLine Theatre Company, acclaimed for presenting plays inspired by history that connect to today's social and political issues, is thrilled to announce its 22nd season and to preview an upcoming partnership with Firebrand Theatre.

Accomplished actress Lois Robbins takes us on a poignant and comic journey as one woman explores her sexual history, in what ultimately becomes her coming of age story, L.O.V.E.R. Directed by Sonia Sebastian, L.O.V.E.R. opens on April 13, running through May 12 at the Zephyr Theatre on Melrose Avenue.

Queens Theatre (Taryn Sacramone, Executive Director) will present Broadway Valentine, a concert-style revue produced by Stephen DeAngelis exclusively for Queens Theatre, located at 14 United Nations Avenue South in Flushing Meadows Corona Park for two performances only on February 17 at 8pm and February 18 at 3pm.

Set the table and pull up a chair! Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati presents the regional premiere of the 2016 Tony Award Winner for Best Play, The Humans by Pulitzer Prize finalist Stephen Karam. This evocative drama brings a family face to face with their most familiar fears, and provides a poignant reminder of why we gather together. Featuring an all-star cast and an incredible two-story set, The Humans serves up trials, traditions, and turkey. Playing January 23 February 17, 2018. Directed by Michael Evan Haney. Production Sponsor is The Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, Jr./U.S. Bank Foundation.

Eclipse Theatre Company announces the recipient of 2018's Ninth Annual Corona Award: Ron OJ Parson, Court Theatre Director and Resident Artist. The Corona Award honors individuals who play support and nurture the growth of the Chicago theatre community at-large as well as small- to medium-sized theatres like Eclipse Theatre. The evening will be hosted by Eclipse ensemble member and Goodman Theatre artist emeritus Steve Scott, with other guest presenters to be announced.

59E59 Theaters (Val Day, Artistic Director; Brian Beirne, Managing Director) welcomes the return of St. Louis Actors' Studio with the LaBUTE NEW THEATER FESTIVAL, featuring the NYC premiere of one-act plays written by Neil LaBute, James Haigney, and Carter W. Lewis, and directed by John Pierson. The LaBUTE NEW THEATER FESTIVAL begins performances on Thursday, January 11 for a limited engagement through Sunday, February 4. Press Opening is Sunday, January 14 at 7:30 PM.

Everyone's favorite characters from Cleveland Street are back for their 10th production with Cleveland Play House (CPH) during the 2017 holiday season.

Everyone's favorite characters from Cleveland Street are back for their 10th production with Cleveland Play House (CPH) during the 2017 holiday season.

Mark Cortale, Producing Artistic Director of The Art House in Provincetown has announced that Beth Malone, Broadway star of Ring of Fire and Tony nominee for 2016's smash hit Fun Home, will make her Broadway @ The Art House series debut on August 20 at 7:00 PM for one show only, with Susan Draus at the piano. The 2017 Art House and Town Hall season produced by Mark Cortale is sponsored by Cape Air, Anchor Inn Beach House, Ptown Bikes, Loveland and Provincetown Gym. For Tickets and information, visit www.ptownarthouse.com or call 800-838-3006.

American Blues Theater opens its 2017-2018 Season with the Chicago Premiere of Beauty's Daughter by Dael Orlandersmith, directed by Ron OJ Parson, and Artistic Affiliate Wandachristine. Beauty's Daughter runs July 7 - August 5, 2017 at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago.  

EVERYTHING RHYMES WITH BLORANGE is pleased to announce the premiere of the new musical MATTHEW MCCONAUGHEY VS THE DEVILL: AN AMERICAN MYTH as an official selection of the New York Musical Fesitval's Next Link Project.

American Blues Theater opens its 2017-2018 Season with the Chicago Premiere of Beauty's Daughter by Dael Orlandersmith, directed by Ron OJ Parson, and Artistic Affiliate Wandachristine. Beauty's Daughter runs July 7 - August 5, 2017 at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago.  The official press opening is Thursday, July 13, 2017 at 7:30 p.m.

One of the benefits of working in theater is meeting nice people like Marc-Jon Filippone. I met him a few years ago and it was a pleasure working with him.

A family's desire for wealth is at odds with it's desire for honor in Terence Rattigan's intriguing THE WINSLOW BOY now on stage at the Irish Classical Theatre.

Even after his supposed "death" at Reichenbach Falls, the great detective kept his hold on the world through the frauds, fakes and charlatans claiming to be him, forcing the loyal Dr. Watson to find the truth in Arizona Theatre Company's world premiere of Jeffrey Hatcher's Holmes and Watson.

TimeLine Theatre Company announces the final production of its 20th Anniversary 2016-17 season-the Midwest premiere of PARADISE BLUE by Dominique Morisseau, directed by TimeLine Company Member Ron OJ Parson and featuring original music composed by Orbert Davis, the co-founder, conductor and Artistic Director of Chicago Jazz Philharmonic, May 4 - July 23, 2017 (previews April 26 - May 3) at TimeLine Theatre, 615 W. Wellington Ave., Chicago. Press Night is Wednesday, May 3 at 7:30 p.m.