All stories by Johnny Oleksinski on BroadwayStars

Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Seanachai Theatre changes name, announces season by Johnny Oleksinski

Seanachai Theatre Company announced its 2014-15 season on Tuesday, while also saying that it will no longer be called Seanachai Theatre Company. The theater’s new monicker is Irish Theatre…

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 03:00PM
Monday, August 25, 2014

Theatre at the Center announces 2015 season by Johnny Oleksinski

Theatre at the Center in Munster, Indiana announced its 2015 season on Monday. The coming year marks the theater’s 25th anniversary.

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 10:52AM
Thursday, August 21, 2014

Video: Dee Snider talks to Chris Jones by Johnny Oleksinski

On Monday, Twisted Sister frontman and creator of the new musical “Dee Snider’s Rock and Roll Christmas Tale,” Dee Snider, stopped by Tribune Tower to talk to theater critic Chris Jone…

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 04:02PM

Griffin announces titanic cast for 'Titanic' by Johnny Oleksinski

Griffin Theatre Company announced the cast of its fall production of the musical "Titanic" on Thursday. It's a large crew for the modestly-sized Theater Wit, the venue where the show will pl…

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 03:49PM
Wednesday, August 20, 2014

About Face announces 2014-15 season by Johnny Oleksinski

About Face Theatre announced its full 2014-15 season on Wednesday.

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 06:29PM

Piven announces 2014-15 season by Johnny Oleksinski

The venerable Piven Theatre Workshop has announced its 2014-15 season. 

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 12:01PM
Tuesday, August 19, 2014

Puppet Festival announces lineup by Johnny Oleksinski

The full roster of artists performing as part of the first Chicago International Puppet Festival was announced on Tuesday. In January, the 10-day compilation will bring together many Chicago…

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 04:04PM

A song from 'Hank Williams: Lost Highway' by Johnny Oleksinski

This week’s Theater Loop Showcase video is “Hank Williams: Lost Highway” from American Blues Theater at the Greenhouse Theater Center. The show by Randal Myler and Mark Harelik is a mu…

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 11:17AM
Monday, August 18, 2014

Goodman announces 'Christmas Carol' casting by Johnny Oleksinski

The Goodman Theatre has announced the cast of its 37th annual production of “A Christmas Carol.”

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 12:37PM
Wednesday, August 6, 2014

'Hank Williams: Lost Highway' extends by Johnny Oleksinski

American Blues Theater's remounting of the musical play "Hank Williams: Lost Highway," currently running at the Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave., will extend one month, a repr…

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 10:00AM
Tuesday, August 5, 2014

Steep Theatre announces 2014-15 season by Johnny Oleksinski

The intimate, intense Steep Theatre Company in Edgewater announced its 2014-15 season on Tuesday morning. The roster includes four dramas, none of which have been seen previously on Chicago …

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 10:33AM
Monday, August 4, 2014

Craig Ferguson to come to Chicago Theatre by Johnny Oleksinski

Comedian and host of CBS’ “The Late Late Show,” Craig Ferguson, will bring his stand-up show “Hot and Grumpy” to the Chicago Theatre for one performance on Nov. 16 at 7:00 p.m., a …

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 12:32PM
Friday, August 1, 2014

A new Mahler musical and more at Marriott by Johnny Oleksinski

The Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire announced its 2015 subscription season on Friday. The season includes a world premiere new musical by Michael Mahler, whose “Hero” played the Marriot…

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 02:58PM
Thursday, July 31, 2014

Video: Aidy Bryant, Jack McBrayer and more at Second City by Johnny Oleksinski

On July 17, The Second City hosted two performances on its Mainstage featuring famous alumni such as Aidy Bryant ("Saturday Night Live"), Tim Meadows ("Saturday Night Live"), Jack McBrayer (…

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 09:00PM
Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Videos: Jessie Mueller on Chicago stages by Johnny Oleksinski

Before Evanston-born actress Jessie Mueller was a Best Actress in a Musical Tony Award nominee for playing the title role in “Beautiful — The Carole King Musical,” she was,…

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 04:05PM
Friday, May 23, 2014

Second City performer hired by 'Colbert Report' by Johnny Oleksinski

Ariel Dumas, a performer from The Second City’s touring company, has joined the writing staff of Comedy Central’s “The Colbert Report,” a representative for Second Ci…

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 03:23PM

Shubert Foundation 2014 grants announced by Johnny Oleksinski

The Shubert Foundation in New York announced the recipients of its 2014 grants on Friday. This year the foundation awarded $22.5 million to non-profit performing arts organizations. 22 Chica…

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 01:15PM
Thursday, May 22, 2014

'Principal Principle' to return by Johnny Oleksinski

"Principal Principle," a new play by Joe Zarrow that recently concluded its world-premiere run at Theater Wit, will return to the theater in July for an additional month of performances, The…

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 10:07AM
Wednesday, May 21, 2014

DCASE announces 2014-15 performance schedule by Johnny Oleksinski

The Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events announced its performance schedule through 2015 on Wednesday. The theaters and dance companies include Red Tape Theatre, TUTA Theatre, A…

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 05:36PM

Steppenwolf for Young Adults announces 2014-15 season by Johnny Oleksinski

Steppenwolf For Young Adults announced its 2014-15 season on Wednesday.

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 04:33PM

Paramount announces full 2014-15 season by Johnny Oleksinski

The Paramount Theatre in Aurora announced its full 2014-15 season on Wednesday.

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 12:58PM

Barford goes back to Broadway by Johnny Oleksinski

Steppenwolf Theatre Company ensemble member Ian Barford will return to Broadway in the new play "The Curious Incident of the Dog In The Night-Time" by Simon Stephens, a spokesperson for the …

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 10:57AM
Tuesday, May 20, 2014

There's a new Equity-affiliated theater in Chicago by Johnny Oleksinski

There’s a new Equity-affiliated theater in town. Called Cole Theatre, the nascent company was announced on Tuesday by Chicago actors Boyd Harris, nephew of Steppenwolf Theatre co-found…

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 03:04PM

'Beverly Hillbillies' casting announced by Johnny Oleksinski

Theatre at the Center in Munster, Indiana announced casting for the upcoming world premiere of “The Beverly Hillbillies, The Musical” on Tuesday. Gregg Opelka composed the score,…

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 02:36PM
Monday, May 19, 2014

Theo Ubique announces 2014-15 season by Johnny Oleksinski

Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre, which performs at the No Exit Cafe in Rogers Park, announced its 2014-15 season on Monday. 

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 10:22AM
Thursday, May 15, 2014

Black Ensemble announces 2014 season by Johnny Oleksinski

Black Ensemble Theater announced its 2014 season on Thursday. Beginning with the previously slated “One Hit Wonders,” the season is made up of three musical productions.

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 06:06PM
Wednesday, May 14, 2014

The Saints announce award grants by Johnny Oleksinski

The Saints, a volunteer group whose members usher local productions, announced $100,000 in grants to 22 performing arts groups on Wednesday. The grants range from $900 to $7500 and are meant…

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 11:44AM
Tuesday, May 13, 2014

Second City benefit will feature Aidy Bryant, Rachel Dratch by Johnny Oleksinski

Aidy Bryant, Rachel Dratch and Jack McBrayer will appear in a fundraising event hosted by The Second City benefiting Gilda’s Club Chicago and The Second City Alumni Fund, the theater s…

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 05:35PM
Monday, May 12, 2014

Marriott announces 'Godspell' cast by Johnny Oleksinski

On Monday the Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire announced the cast of its upcoming production of the musical “Godspell,” composer Stephen Schwartz’s hippie take on the New T…

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 03:45PM

Oak Park Festival Theatre announces 2014 season by Johnny Oleksinski

Oak Park Festival Theatre announced its 2014 summer season, the theater’s 40th, on Monday. 

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 10:56AM