FREE FOR ALL Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks

Announce 25 Performances in 18 Parks, July 26–August 27, 2017

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST), the City of Chicago, Chicago Park District and Boeing partner to present the annual citywide summer tradition, Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks. Made possible by production sponsor BMO Harris, 25 performances of Shakespeare’s timeless classic Romeo and Juliet, adapted and directed by Marti Lyons, will tour to 18 neighborhood parks across the City, July 26–August 27, 2017.

“Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks has been instrumental in connecting Chicago’s communities with world-class theater and shining a spotlight on our local performers,” said Mayor Rahm Emanuel. “I have personally enjoyed the performances since its inaugural year, and look forward to this summer’s rendition of Romeo and Juliet as part of our Night Out in the Parks.”

The Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks tour of Romeo and Juliet kicks off as one of the inaugural events of the new performance lawns at Polk Bros Park on Navy Pier with three performances: Wednesday, July 26; Thursday, July 27; and Friday, July 28—all at 7:00pm.

Parks scheduled to be visited, rain or shine, include:

• Wednesday, July 26 at 7:00pm – Polk Bros Park at Navy Pier (600 E. Grand Ave.) 
• Thursday, July 27 at 7:00pm – Polk Bros Park at Navy Pier (600 E. Grand Ave.)
• Friday, July 28 at 7:00pm – Polk Bros Park at Navy Pier (600 E. Grand Ave.)
• Sunday, July 30 at 4:00pm – Ellis Park (3520 S. Cottage Grove Ave.)
• Wednesday, August 02 at 6:30pm – Gage Park (2411 W. 55th St.)
• Thursday, August 03 at 6:30pm – Kelvyn Park (4438 W. Wrightwood Ave.)
• Friday, August 04 at 6:30pm – Eckhart Park (1330 W. Chicago Ave.)
• Saturday, August 05 at 6:30pm – Welles Park (2333 W. Sunnyside Ave.)
• Sunday, August 06 at 4:00pm – Welles Park (2333 W. Sunnyside Ave.)
• Tuesday, August 08 at 6:30pm – Columbus Park (500 S. Central Ave.)
• Wednesday, August 09 at 6:30pm – Tuley Park (501 E. 90th Pl.)
• Thursday, August 10 at 6:30pm – Humboldt Park (1301 N. Sacramento Ave.)
• Friday, August 11 at 6:30pm – Humboldt Park (1301 N. Sacramento Ave.)
• Saturday, August 12 at 6:30pm – Frank J. Wilson Park (4630 N. Milwaukee Ave.)
• Sunday, August 13 at 4:00pm – Frank J. Wilson Park (4630 N. Milwaukee Ave.)
• Wednesday, August 16 at 6:30pm – Garfield Park (100 N. Central Park Ave.)
• Thursday, August 17 at 6:30pm – Dvorak Park (1119 W. Cullerton St.)
• Friday, August 18 at 6:30pm – Ridge Park (1817 W. 96th St.)
• Saturday, August 19 at 6:30pm – Ridge Park (1817 W. 96th St.)
• Sunday, August 20 at 4:00pm – Steelworkers Park (E. 87th St. at Lake Michigan)
• Wednesday, August 23 at 6:30pm – Hamilton Park (513 W. 72nd St.)
• Thursday, August 24 at 6:30pm – Piotrowski Park (4247 W. 31st St.)
• Friday, August 25 at 6:30pm – Loyola Park (1230 W. Greenleaf Ave.)
• Saturday, August 26 at 6:30pm – Loyola Park (1230 W. Greenleaf Ave.)
• Sunday, August 27 at 4:00pm – Ping Tom Memorial Park (1700 S. Wentworth Ave.)

For more information on Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks, visit www.chicagoshakes.com/parks.

An Eagle Has Landed

Timothy B. Schmit at City Winery

Easter Sunday 2017 playing to an almost sold out crowd. Another amazing night at the City Winery! This time we were treated to an excellent two 

They Like to Move It, Move It!

Madagascar—A Musical Adventure – Marriott Theatre for Young Audiences 

Following a typical day of crowd-pleasing performances at the Central Park Zoo, Marty the zebra is

Paw Patrol Live! “Race to the Rescue”

Paw Patrol Live based on the Nickelodeon series comes to the Chicago Theatre February 11 and 12.  These pips will take you on an action packed, high energy, musical adventure.

This is interactive show will give the guests the chance to participate and become part of the PAW Patrol Cheer Team.

This show how is making its debut in Chicago and is a co-production from Vstar entertainment group and Nickelodeon.

Tickets can can be purchased online at www.ticketmaster.com or by phone 800-745-3000.

For more info visit www.pawpatrollive.com

Chicago Travel and Adventure Show

The 13th annual Chicago and Adventure Show its landing January 21-22 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois.

This years speakers include Rick Steves, Samantha Brown, Pauline Frommer, Peter Greenberg and Johnny Jet. They will present seminars as well as answer questions.
There are several different theatres with travel experts discussing topics that include how to pack (something I could always use), where to go, what to see, and for the very adventurous person how to stay safe off the beaten path. Top Chefs will be cooking cuisine from all around the world and one can experience dancing from different cultures.

There will be information on local places to visit as well as international and plenty of raffles to win trips and other prizes.

This is definitely a hands on experience. Guests will have a chance to climb rocks, take a virtual bike ride, ride a camel and practice their scuba and snorkeling skills in a large heated pool.

What better time of year then the middle of winter in Chicago to start planning that exotic vacation you have always dreamed of.

For more information visit www.travelshows.com/shows/chicago

Favorite Stories Come to Life

Another Snowy Day with Beatrix Potter & Friends – Chicago Childrens Theatre

Any young child, for whom books have been an important part of growing up, will no doubt be familiar with the

A Deluge of Talent, A Flood of Entertainment

Singin’ in the Rain – Marriott Theatre

In this era of adapting movies into theatrical productions, many have made the transition from film to stage with

Live From Drury Lane Oakbrook Terrace!

The 48th Annual AEA Jeff Awards

Monday evening, October 17, 2016, the Joseph Jefferson Awards once again honored the outstanding theatre artists in Chicago for the previous year. It was a star-studded event, with cocktails and appetizers at 6:00, the ceremony, production numbers and award presentations from 7:00-9:45 and a sumptuous late night buffet that followed. Recipients, participants and the press attended, all dressed to the nines and bubbling over with joy and pride for Chicago’s finest.

The 55+ members of the Jeff Awards committee, presently under the direction of Chairman David Liesse, has been celebrating the vitality of area theatre by honoring excellence in Chicago since 1968. The organization proudly proclaims that “the Awards fosters artistic growth of area theatres and theatre artists and promotes educational opportunities, audience appreciation and civic pride in the achievements of the theatre community.” The Jeff members evaluate over 250 productions annually, also honoring the best in non-Equity theatre in a separate celebration held earlier in the year.

Last night’s festivities were hosted by talented emcees and AEA actors Janet Ulrich Brooks and James Earl Jones II. Nicole Lambert, Demi Zaino and Jos N. Banks presented the beautiful Jeff statuettes to the recipients, between the live and recorded highlights presented from the past year’s best musical productions.

A special award honored Writers Theatre Artistic Director, Michael Halberstam, who received this accolade with his usual articulate dignity and tasteful good humor. In addition, this year, the Jeff Award for “Production—Musical—Large” was renamed the Dr. Harlan Haimes Award, in memory of the late avid supporter of Chicago theatre. His wife Susan and two daughters presented this award for the first time to the winning theatre.

The AEA Jeff Awards went to the following Chicago theatre artists:

PRODUCTION – PLAY – LARGE

“The Tempest” – Chicago Shakespeare Theater

PRODUCTION – PLAY – MIDSIZE

“United Flight 232” – The House Theatre of Chicago

PRODUCTION – MUSICAL – LARGE

“West Side Story” – Paramount Theatre

PRODUCTION – MUSICAL – MIDSIZE

“Dreamgirls” – Porchlight Music Theatre

DIRECTOR – PLAY

Aaron Posner and Teller – “The Tempest” – Chicago Shakespeare Theater

DIRECTOR – MUSICAL

Rachel Rockwell – “Ride the Cyclone” – Chicago Shakespeare Theater

ENSEMBLE

“United Flight 232” – The House Theatre of Chicago

ACTOR IN A PRINICPAL ROLE – PLAY

Dexter Zollicoffer – “Charm” – Northlight Theatre

ACTOR IN A PRINCIPAL ROLE – MUSICAL

Nathaniel Stampley – “Man of La Mancha” – Marriott Theatre

ACTRESS IN A PRINCIPAL ROLE – PLAY

Mary Beth Fisher – “Domesticated” – Steppenwolf Theatre Company

ACTRESS IN A PRINCIPAL ROLE – MUSICAL

Donica Lynn – “Dreamgirls” – Porchlight Music Theatre

ACTOR OR ACTRESS IN A REVUE

Shari Addison – “Dynamite Divas” – Black Ensemble Theater

SOLO PERFORMANCE

Brian Quijada – “Where Did We Sit on the Bus?” – Teatro Vista in association with the

Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events and Victory Gardens Theater

ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE – PLAY

Mike Nussbaum – “The Price” – TimeLine Theatre Company

ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE – MUSICAL

Eric Lewis – “Dreamgirls” –  Porchlight Music Theatre

ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE – PLAY

Jacqueline Williams – “The House That Will Not Stand” – Victory Gardens Theater

ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE – MUSICAL

Mary Antonini – “West Side Story” – Paramount Theatre

NEW WORK

Philip Dawkins – “Charm” – Northlight Theatre

John Reeger, Julie Shannon and Michael Mahler – “The Man Who Murdered Sherlock Holmes”

– Mercury Theater Chicago

NEW ADAPTATION

Robert Falls and Seth Bockley – “2666” – Goodman Theatre

CHOREOGRAPHY

William Carlos Angulo – “West Side Story” – Paramount Theatre

ORIGINAL MUSIC IN A PLAY

Diego Colon and Christopher Kriz – “The Grapes of Wrath” – The Gift Theatre

MUSIC DIRECTION

Ryan T. Nelson – “Man of La Mancha” – Marriott Theatre

SCENIC DESIGN – LARGE

Jeffrey D. Kmiec – “Deathtrap” – Drury Lane Productions

SCENIC DESIGN – MIDSIZE

Sarah E. Ross – “The Rainmaker” – American Blues Theater

LIGHTING DESIGN – LARGE

Thom Weaver – “The Tempest” – Chicago Shakespeare Theater

LIGHTING DESIGN – MIDSIZE

Mike Durst – “Adding Machine: A Musical” – The Hypocrites

COSTUME DESIGN – LARGE

Catherine Zuber – “War Paint” – Goodman Theatre

COSTUME DESIGN – MIDSIZE

Bill Morey – “Dreamgirls” – Porchlight Music Theatre

SOUND DESIGN – LARGE

André Pluess – “Treasure Island” – Lookingglass Theatre Company and

Berkeley Repertory Theatre

SOUND DESIGN – MIDSIZE

Brian Quijada – “Where Did We Sit on the Bus?” – Teatro Vista in association with the

Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events and Victory Gardens Theater

PROJECTIONS / VIDEO DESIGN

Shawn Sagady – “2666” – Goodman Theatre

ARTISTIC SPECIALIZATION

Johnny Thompson – Magic Design – “The Tempest” – Chicago Shakespeare Theater

2015-2016 EQUITY STATISTICS

In its 48^th Equity season, August 1, 2015 through July 31, 2016, the Jeff Awards Committee judged the opening nights of 158 productions from 58 producing organizations.  Of these, 112 productions were “Jeff Recommended”, which made them eligible for award nominations.

MULTIPLE RECIPIENTS

THEATRES

Chicago Shakespeare Theater

5

Porchlight Music Theatre

4

Goodman Theatre

3

Paramount Theatre

3

The House Theatre of Chicago

2

Marriott Theatre

2

Northlight Theatre

2

Teatro Vista in association with the

Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and

Special Events and Victory Gardens Theater

2

PRODUCTIONS

“Dreamgirls”

4

“The Tempest”

4

“West Side Story”

3

“2666”

2

“Charm”

2

“Man of La Mancha”

2

“United Flight 232”

2

“Where Did We Sit on the Bus?”

2

INDIVIDUALS

Brian Quijada

2

And with the 48th annual Jeff Awards now part of Chicago’s theatrical history, we’re off to another brand new, exciting season of artistry and entertainment in and around the Windy City. A big congratulations to all the nominees and recipients of last night’s awards, a special thanks to both the Jeff Committee and Drury Lane Oakbrook as well as to all the wonderful people involved.

Long Live Theatre!

Chicago Theatre and Concert Reviews would like to congratulate all the nominees and winners. Your tireless work and creativity make Chicago Theatre second to none.

The Saga Continues

Tug of War: Civil Strife – Chicago Shakespeare Theatre

Just four months ago, Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, as part of its yearlong Shakespeare 400 Celebration, produced