New Shakespeare venue announced
Chicago Shakespeare Artistic Director Barbara Gaines, Executive Director Criss Henderson and Board Chair Sheli Z. Rosenberg were joined by Navy Pier, Inc. CEO Marilynn Gardner, Board Chair William J. Brodsky and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel to announce the creation of a performance venue, The Yard at Chicago Shakespeare.
At a cost of $35 million, the project repurposes components of the venue formerly known as Skyline Stage, located adjacent to Chicago Shakespeare. The vision for the new theater focuses on resourceful, sustainable and adaptive design.
Construction on the theater begins this spring; Chicago Shakespeare plans to stage its first production in The Yard in the 2017-18 season.
'Hillary and Clinton' casting announced
Victory Gardens Theater has announced casting for the next show of its 41st season, the world premiere of Lucas Hnath's Hillary and Clinton, which Artistic Director Chay Yew will direct.
The cast of Hillary and Clinton includes John Apicella (Bill), Cheryl Lynn Bruce (Hillary), Keith Kupferer (Mark) and Juan Francisco Villa (Other Guy).
Hillary and Clinton will run April 1-May 1, at the theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Ave. There will also be special events, post-show discussions and presentations centered on performances of Hillary and Clinton.
Tickets are $15-$60; call 773-871-3000, email tickets@victorygardens.org or visit www.victorygardens.org .
Jeff Awards to combine categories
The Jeff Awards Committee has determined that categories for new work and new adaptation will be combined so that all world premieres will be judged as either new plays or new musicals, a press release stated.
These categories are non-competitive and multiple winners are permitted.
The New Play category will consist of world premieres of both new plays and adaptations. The New Musical category will consist of world premieres of both new musicals and adaptations.
The new categories will become effective for non-Equity productions premiering on or after April 1, and for Equity productions premiering on or after Aug. 1.