Chicago Theatre News

Next Theatre in Evanston is touting its 2006-07 season as “Off-Broadway in Chicago”.  According to a press release, the company’s 26th season follows a tradition of “socially provocative theatre” with “major new plays by writers of distinction that traverse progressive territory, including the futility of war, the price of feminine beauty, individual agency in a complex society, and the possibility of forgiveness in a world of cruelty.”  The 26th season begins September 15-October 15, 2006 with Blackburn Prize winner Ellen McLaughlin’s philosophical comedy “Helen,” which reimagines the story of Helen of Troy.  Artistic Director Jason Loewith directs the Chicago premiere of Christopher Durang’s delightful satire about saving the world, “Miss Witherspoon” November 17-December 17, 2006.  From February 2-25, 2007, the curtain rises on the world premiere of “The Adding Machine: A Chamber Musical,” with music by Joshua Schmidt and a libretto by Schmidt and Loewith.  And the season concludes with the highly anticipated, Tony nominated drama, “Frozen” by Byrony Lavery, April 13-May 13, 2007.  In addition, subscribers will be invited to a workshop of a new play commissioned from Carson Kreitzer, the award-winning playwright of “The Love Song of J. Robert Oppenheimer.”

Artistic Director Jason Loewith celebrates his fifth anniversary at Next Theatre with the new season.  “It’s a tremendous thrill to finally produce a world premiere musical – a piece commissioned two years ago – framed by some of the most provocative and timely plays we’ve found in the past season.  With nearly 1100 subscribers, the company’s growth merited a celebration.”  “The Adding Machine” kicks off the company’s new four-year plan for commissioning and presenting world premieres in accordance with its mission.  Founded in 1981 by Harriet Spizziri and Brian Finn, the Next has won acclaim for its edgy productions of such plays as “The Normal Heart,” “In the Blood,” and “Omnium Gatherum.”  For season ticket information, call (847) 475-1875 or visit www.nexttheatre.org.

Want to see the best musical theatre in Chicago but can’t afford Broadway scale ticket prices?  Porchlight Music Theatre offers incredible, intimate productions that consistently leave critics and audiences cheering.  Porchlight’s 2006-2007 season has been christened “The American Experience – Set to Music!”  The season gets under way with Sheldon Harnick and Joe Raposo’s musicalization of the perennial favorite “A Wonderful Life,” followed by Stephen Sondheim and John Weidman’s provocative and controversial “Assassins,” a hilarious vaudeville loosely based on the scandalous administration of former president Warren Harding called “The Teapot Scandals of 1913,” with book, music and lyrics by Porchlight Artistic Associate Jon Steinhagen; and concludes with a jewel box version of the American epic “Ragtime.” 

Founded in 1994 as Porchlight Theatre Ensemble by former artistic director Jill Moore, the company refined its mission statement in 1996 to focus on music theatre. As its identity evolved, so did its name, and in 2000 Porchlight Theatre Ensemble became Porchlight Music Theatre Chicago.  Now Equity affiliated, Porchlight has gone from performing at a mix of venues to a three-year tenure at the Athenaeum to its present home at Theatre Building Chicago. These intimate spaces have allowed audiences to get an up-close experience with the grandeur, excitement and emotion of the musical genre. Audiences have come to expect sophisticated, well-sung musical fare, replete with inventive direction, design, and some of the most sparkling talent on any Chicago area stage. Season subscriptions are available at www.porchlighttheatre.com or by calling (773) 325-9884.

 
Joe Stead
Theatre In Chicago News Contributor Joe Stead has spent over 20 years as a critic, director, designer and performer. His reviews currently appear online at www.steadstylechicago.com.