FWD event to feature Tony winner Mueller
Eight veteran actors, directors, writers, choreographers and producers have created FWD ( "Festival of Works in Development" ) Theatre Project, a grassroots initiative for the discovery, development and delivery of original musical theater to the Chicago community.
Artistic Director Amber Makalong, along with collective artistic associates Justin Brill, Wade Elkins, Michael Gillis, Karen Multer, Steve Multer, Missy Greenburg and Scott Sowinski, have announced "LaunchingFWD!," a one-night-only concert event at City Winery Chicago, 1200 W. Randolph St., on Monday, Sept. 22, at 8 p.m.
The LaunchingFWD! concert will introduce this new initiative and showcase selections from five new musicals in development. Chicago native Jessie Mueller ( 2014 Tony-winning best actress for Beautiful: The Carole King Musical ) will make her first hometown appearance since winning the Tony earlier this year.
She will be joined by her sister, Abby Mueller ( currently on Broadway with Kinky Boots ) and Karen Mason ( Broadway: Mama Mia, Sunset Boulevard, Outer Critics Circle Award-winner for And the World Goes Round ), among others.
Tickets are $20-$100; call 312-733-9463 or visit www.CityWinery.com .
Jeff Award nods announced
Veteran Chicago actress Jane Lynch announced the nominees for the 2013-2014 Equity Jeff Awards.
Four world premiere plays and two new adaptations seen first by Chicago audiences were among those receiving Jeff nominations by the Jeff Awards Committee. There are 179 nominations in 35 categories for Chicago Equity theatrical productions that opened between Aug. 1, 2013 and July 31, 2014.
Among the many productions receiving nominations are Hedda Gabler ( Writers Theatre ), Brigadoon ( Goodman Theatre ), Next to Normal ( Drury Lane Productions ) and How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying ( Porchlight Music Theatre ).
Actors, actresses and directors receiving nods include Larry Yando ( actor, The Dance of Death ), Mary Beth Fisher ( actress, Luna Gale ), Quentin Earl Darrington ( actor, Les Misérables ), Sharriese Hamilton ( actress, Ain't Misbehavin' ) and Gary Griffin ( director, Road Show ), among many others.
Goodman Theatre received the most nonimations, with 23. Drury Lane Productions received 21 and Chicago Shakespeare Theatre go 14.
The ceremony will take place Monday, Oct. 13, at Drury Lane Oakbrook, 100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace.
Raven gets $100K gift
Raven Theatre is the recipient of a $100,000 gift from a single donor, Executive Director Kelli Strickland announced.
It's the largest gift the company has received for general operations. The donor chooses to remain anonymous.
Raven Theatre has operated continuously since its founding in 1983 by Michael Menendian and JoAnn Montemurro. Raven launched its 32nd season with a production of Arthur Miller's All My Sons.
Matthew Shepard play running Oct. 9-12
Non-profit theatre company Trust Theatre Ensemble will premiere its stage adaptation of October Mourning: A Song for Matthew Shepard at Theatre Wit Oct. 9-12 at 7:30 p.m.
Written by Lesléa Newmanwho was the keynote speaker for Gay Awareness Week at the University of Wyoming in 1998, the year Matthew Shepard was killedOctober Mourning is an exploration of this hate crime told in the voices of the silent witnesses to the crime, including the fence Matt was tied to, the truck in which he was kidnapped and a deer that kept him company during the night.
Copies of October Mourning: A Song for Matthew Shepard will be available for purchase at all performances. Following the Oct. 10 performance, there will be a talkback and book-signing featuring Newman.
For more information, email lori@trustheatrensemble.org or visit www.trustheatrensemble.org/ .
Renée Fleming and Mark Strand in Chicago Oct. 7
On Tuesday, Oct. 7, at 7 p.m., soprano Renée Fleming and Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Mark Strand will be at the Poetry Foundation, 61 W. Superior St., regarding which is more expressive: music or poetry.
This special event is presented in collaboration with Lyric Unlimited, inspired by Lyric Opera of Chicago's upcoming production of Capriccio ( performances Oct. 6-28 ).
Seating is first-come, first-served. In addition, the foundation will be giving away a limited number of guaranteed seats for this event. Interested persons should find the foundation on Twitter @PoetryFound for a chance to win beginning Sept. 22. ( Look for #LyricPoetryTix. )
'Tales of a Stage 4 Cancer' Sept.-Oct.
Following her show Are You There, Judy? It's Me, Cancer, Judy Fabjance is putting on Tales of a Stage 4 Cancer Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. through Oct. 18 at Donny's Skybox Theater, 1608 N. Wells St.
Since "Are You There," Fabjance got married and wrote a new showand the cancer has returned. This new show, also staring Fabjance's new wife Kelly Beeman, explores Western medicine, marriage and acting, among other things.
Tickets are $8-$15; visit www.SecondCity.com, call 312-337-3992 or stop by the box office.