Richard Jarvie News

Chicago Shakespeare Theater announces today the extension of A Midsummer Night's Dream, now playing in the Courtyard Theater through February 3, 2019. Staged by internationally acclaimed director Joe Dowling, Shakespeare's beloved comedy is infused with raucous humor, dazzling dance numbers, and eclectic musical score blending rock, jazz, blues, rock, and '50s doo-wop.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater announces that four-time Tony Award nominee and Law and Order: SVU alum Raul Esparza will lead William Shakespeare's Hamlet, staged by Artistic Director Barbara Gaines, in the Courtyard Theater, April 17-June 9, 2019.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater announces the cast for the North American premiere of Jessica Swale's exuberant new comedy Nell Gwynn, September 20-November 4, 2018. The music- and dance-filled play took London audiences by storm when it debuted at Shakespeare's Globe, followed by a celebrated run on the West End. Director of the original London production, Christopher Luscombe, helms the new Chicago Shakespeare production. Star of Broadway and the West End Scarlett Strallen appears as Nell; Chicago leading actor Timothy Edward Kane performs the role of King Charles II.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater announces today the cast and creative team for a vibrantly reimagined A Midsummer Night's Dream, directed by internationally acclaimed director Joe Dowling. Shakespeare's beloved comedy is infused with raucous humor, a striking visual landscape, and eclectic musical score blending rock, jazz, blues, rock, and '50s doo-wop.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater announces the cast for the North American premiere of Jessica Swale's exuberant new comedy Nell Gwynn, September 20-November 4, 2018. The music- and dance-filled play took London audiences by storm when it debuted at Shakespeare's Globe, followed by a celebrated run on the West End. Director of the original London production, Christopher Luscombe, helms the new Chicago Shakespeare production. Star of Broadway and the West End Scarlett Strallen appears as Nell; Chicago leading actor Timothy Edward Kane performs the role of King Charles II.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater presents the North American premiere of Jessica Swale's exuberant new comedy Nell Gwynn, September 20-November 4, 2018. The music- and dance-filled play took London audiences by storm when it debuted at Shakespeare's Globe, followed by a celebrated run on the West End. Director of the original London production, Christopher Luscombe, helms the new Chicago Shakespeare production. Star of Broadway and the West End Scarlett Strallen appears as Nell; Chicago leading actor Timothy Edward Kane performs the role of King Charles II.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater announces the cast for the North American premiere of Jessica Swale's exuberant new comedy Nell Gwynn, September 20-November 4, 2018. The music- and dance-filled play took London audiences by storm when it debuted at Shakespeare's Globe, followed by a celebrated run on the West End. Director of the original London production, Christopher Luscombe, helms the new Chicago Shakespeare production. Star of Broadway and the West End Scarlett Strallen appears as Nell; Chicago leading actor Timothy Edward Kane performs the role of King Charles II.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater announces the cast and creative team for the summer family musical production of Peter Pan - A Musical Adventure at the Theater's home on Navy Pier, June 27-August 19, 2018. Based on J.M. Barrie's beloved tale about the boy who wouldn't grow up, this heartwarming musical dazzles with a score written by George Stiles and lyrics by Anthony Drewe-the award-winning songwriting duo behind Disney and Cameron Mackintosh's smash hit Mary Poppins and the Olivier Award-winning Honk! Amber Mak takes the helm as the production's director and choreographer in this newly updated version by Elliot Davis based on the book by Willis Hall.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater announces the cast and creative team for the summer family musical production of Peter Pan - A Musical Adventure at the Theater's home on Navy Pier, June 27-August 19, 2018. Based on J.M. Barrie's beloved tale about the boy who wouldn't grow up, this heartwarming musical dazzles with a score written by George Stiles and lyrics by Anthony Drewe-the award-winning songwriting duo behind Disney and Cameron Mackintosh's smash hit Mary Poppins and the Olivier Award-winning Honk! Amber Mak takes the helm as the production's director and choreographer in this newly updated version by Elliot Davis based on the book by Willis Hall.

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 Bank, 25 performances of Shakespeare's timeless classic A Midsummer Night's Dream, adapted and directed by the Theater's founder and artistic director Barbara Gaines, will tour free for all to 18 neighborhood parks across the City, July 25-August 26, 2018.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater  (CST) announces the cast and creative team for the theatrical event of the season: Macbeth, adapted and directed by Teller (of Penn & Teller) and Aaron Posner-the celebrated creative duo behind CST's The Tempest, winner of the Jeff Award for Best Production in 2015. Starring Ian Merrill Peakesas Macbeth and Chaon Cross as Lady Macbeth, Shakespeare's psychological thriller immerses audiences in a world of dark magic and ambition, delving into the twisted psyches of the ultimate power-hungry couple.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) announces the cast and creative team for Mary Stuart, Peter Oswald's electrifying new take on the famously bitter rivalry between Mary, Queen of Scots, and her cousin Elizabeth I, Queen of England. The two fiercely independent women at the center of the showdown are portrayed by acclaimed actresses K.K. Moggie as Mary and Kellie Overbey as Elizabeth. Award-winning director Jenn Thompson, former artistic director of The Actors Company Theater (named Company of the Year by The Wall Street Journal), stages the production in CST's Courtyard Theater, February 21 April 15, 2018.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) begins rehearsals for Short Shakespeare! A Midsummer Night's Dream a 75-minute abridgment of William Shakespeare's riotous tale of mismatched love among mischievous fairies, young lovers and an amateur theatrical troupe of local workers. Directed and adapted by Jess McLeod and featuring a power-packed ensemble cast, this production will bring the magic to life for 1,000 students each day in the innovative, new venue The Yard at Chicago Shakespeare during its six-week run. Short Shakespeare! A Midsummer Night's Dream will be performed for the public on Saturdays February 3 March 10, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) Artistic Director Barbara Gaines stages Shakespeare's raucous comedy The Taming of the Shrew with a powerhouse, all-woman cast-setting up a witty and thought-provoking debate on politics, power, and love. Framed as a performance by a band of Suffragettes with additional dialogue by Second City's Ron West, The Taming of the Shrew launches Chicago Shakespeare's 2017/18 Season in the Courtyard Theater, September 16-November 12, 2017.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) Artistic Director Barbara Gaines stages Shakespeare's raucous comedy The Taming of the Shrew with a powerhouse, all-woman cast-setting up a witty and thought-provoking debate on politics, power, and love. Framed as a performance by a band of Suffragettes with additional dialogue by Second City's Ron West, The Taming of the Shrew launches Chicago Shakespeare's 2017/18 Season in the Courtyard Theater, September 16-November 12, 2017.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) announces the cast and creative team for the summer family musical production Madagascar - A Musical Adventure, at the Theater's home on Navy Pier, July 13-August 27, 2017. Newly announced, Rachel Rockwell will take the helm as the production's director and choreographer. Based on the DreamWorks Animation motion picture, this wild and wacky musical is written by Kevin Del Aguila-the Emmy Award-winning writer of the animated PBS hit Peg Cat-with original music and lyrics by creative duo George Noriega and Joel Someillan, who have developed music for popular children's series, including Dora the Explorer and Go Diego Go.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) announces today the extension of Shakespeare in Love staged by acclaimed director Rachel Rockwell-now playing through June 18, 2017.

We have a first look at the CST production of SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE! Check out the video below!

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) brings to the stage one of the most popular romantic films of all time, Shakespeare in Love-in an enchanting, music-filled theatrical event staged by acclaimed director Rachel Rockwell. Based on the Academy Award-winner for Best Picture with screenplay by Marc Norman and Tom Stoppard, Shakespeare in Love is adapted for the stage by Tony and Olivier Award-winner Lee Hall. Culminating the Theater's 30th Anniversary Season, this high-spirited romantic comedy is magnificently rendered onstage in the magical intimacy of Chicago Shakespeare's Courtyard Theater, April 15-June 11, 2017.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) announces the cast and creative team for Shakespeare's playful romantic comedy Love's Labor's Lost, staged by acclaimed director Marti Maraden as part of the Theater's 30th Anniversary Season.