Theatre News Wire

Writers' Theatre Artistic Director Michael Halberstam and Executive Director Kathryn M. Lipuma announce the 2012/13 Season, which includes Shakespeare's Hamlet directed by Michael Halberstam with Scott Parkinson in the title role; the Midwest premiere of John W. Lowell's play The Letters, directed by Kimberly Senior; Sweet Charity, directed by Michael Halberstam with Musical Direction by Doug Peck and choreography by Jessica Redish; the Midwest premiere of David Greig's Yellow Moon directed by Stuart Carden; and David Ives' modern adaptation of Corneille's The Liar, directed by William Brown.

"As we gear up for the transition into a new home, Writers' Theatre is launching its 21st season at an unprecedented level of sophistication and scale," says Artistic Director Michael Halberstam. "From Shakespeare to Coleman, Fields and Simon to Corneille and Ives at Tudor Court, we embrace the full spectrum of a classical repertory, then dive into two searing contemporary pieces from John W. Lowell and David Grieg at our intimate bookstore space.

Scott Parkinson, Shannon Cochran, Kareem Bandealy, Liesel Matthews, Stuart Carden, William Brown, Collette Pollard, Nick Heggestad, David Hyman, Doug Peck and Jessica Redish represent just a sampling of the fine artists who will be making their return to Glencoe to realize these works. In addition, we continue to develop projects from Josh Schmidt, Austin Pendleton, Stephen Fried, Keith Huff, Alan Schmuckler, Laura Eason and Randall Colburn, among others."

From its very first year, Writers' has brought quality and excellence to the stage while maintaining the company's hallmark intimacy. The last 20 years have been marked by unprecedented growth in both the artistic and business arenas and have garnered national recognition. With a reputation for consistent artistic excellence, and with strong ties to the community, Writers' Theatre has built an award-winning repertoire and serves as a vital and highly-regarded company in the Chicago theatre community.

Writers' premiere works have moved on to Playwrights Horizons, Lincoln Center Theatre, 59E59 Theatre in New York and across the nation at regional theatres in nearly every major city.

Writers' Theatre performs in two performance spaces in Glencoe - its 50-seat venue at Books on Vernon, 664 Vernon Ave, and its 108-seat theatre at 325 Tudor Court in the Woman's Library Club.

The 2012/13 Writers' Theatre Season is:

Hamlet
By William Shakespeare
Directed by Artistic Director Michael Halberstam
Featuring Scott Parkinson (Hamlet), Shannon Cochran (Gertrude), Michael Canavan (Claudius), Liesel Matthews (Ophelia), Kareem Bandealy (Horatio), Julian Parker (Rosencrantz) and Witold Huzior (Fortinbras), with additional casting to be announced.
September 4 - November 11, 2012
Performed at 325 Tudor Court, Glencoe

The king is dead-murdered by his own brother, who has claimed the throne and the widowed queen. And the world goes on...but the Prince cannot. Shakespeare's greatest tragedy is equal parts ghost story, political intrigue, doomed romance and murder mystery, driven by one of literature's most intriguing, enigmatic and controversial characters.

Artistic Director Michael Halberstam stages this masterwork of literature on the most intimate of stages, exploring the tortured genius of Prince Hamlet in a theatrical experience that is not to be missed.

The Letters
By John W. Lowell
Directed by Kimberly Senior
October 30, 2012 - February 17, 2013
Performed at Books on Vernon - 664 Vernon Ave, Glencoe

When Anna is called in for a meeting with her superior, everything seems to be going well. But nothing is quite as it seems in this thriller of politics and disinformation set in 1930s Russia. A casual conversation quickly turns into a game of cat and mouse in which being the last to flinch may mean the difference between life and death. Who will claim the upper hand: those who suppress the truth, or those who will risk everything to liberate it?

Kimberly Senior directs an intimate bookstore production of this riveting Midwest premiere.

Sweet Charity
Conceived by Bob Fosse, based on the screenplay Nights of Cabiria by Federico Fellini, Tulio Pinelli and Enio Flaiano
Book by Neil Simon, Music by Cy Coleman, Lyrics by Dorothy Fields
Produced for the Broadway stage by Fryer, Carr and Harris
Musical Direction by Doug Peck, Choreography by Jessica Redish
Directed by Artistic Director Michael Halberstam
January 22 - March 31, 2013
Performed at 325 Tudor Court, Glencoe

Charity Valentine's problems aren't unique-a dead end job, a string of dates with identically flawed men and a knack for making the wrong choices. Of course, in her case the job is as a dance hall "hostess" and her dates all seem to end with her being pushed into the lake-but that won't shake her belief that great things lie just ahead. And perhaps they do...

Artistic Director Michael Halberstam gives Charity reasons to sing and dance on the gritty streets of New York as Musical Director Doug Peck re-imagines the score for a live jazz combo.

Yellow Moon
By David Greig
Directed by Associate Artistic Director Stuart Carden
April 2 - July 21, 2013
Performed at Books on Vernon - 664 Vernon Ave, Glencoe

Boy meets girl...and now they're on the run. This is the ballad of Leila and Lee-a modern-day Bonnie and Clyde who learn that they aren't alone in the world the night that they discover each other. Their wild ramble across the Scottish highlands in search of an absent father is told in a series of lyrical narratives that will immerse audiences in the action, forging a breathless drama of beauty in the darkness.

The Writers' production-the first by an American company-will be led by Associate Artistic Director Stuart Carden.

Yellow Moon is presented by special arrangement with SAMUEL FRENCH, INC.

The Liar
By David Ives
Adapted from the comedy by Pierre Corneille
Directed by William Brown
May 21 - July 28, 2013
Performed at 325 Tudor Court, Glencoe

Hours after arriving in Paris, charismatic scoundrel Dorante is smitten by a pair of comely young ladies and confounded by a case of mistaken identity. Not to worry, Dorante is handsome, charming-and a pathological liar. He wins admirers wherever he goes...so long as he never has to tell the truth! Misunderstandings, secret agendas, and witty wordplay abound in this ingenious and irreverent update of a classic French romp.

William Brown directs this costume comedy in verse, newly adapted from the classic Corneille by modern wordsmith and celebrated Broadway playwright David Ives.

Writers' Theatre season ticket packages provide a convenient theatergoing experience and guarantee access to all of Writers' highly-anticipated productions throughout the season. Four and five play Subscription packages are available, ranging in price from $195 - $275. A five play membership provides ultimate flexibility for $250.