MacArthur: $1 million for international projects

Difficult children's theater is the best kind of children's theater

Memories of most shows fade over time. But a very select few seem to stay with you forever.

Next step for the Steppenwolf Films production 'The Last Rites of Joe May'

Tribeca Film announced Thursday that it has picked up the Steppenwolf Films production “The Last Rites of Joe May” and plans to distribute it in October. (POSTED BY MARK CARO)

'Krapp's Last Tape' unspools an intimate story; muddled 'Archivist'

KERRY REID reviews "Krapp's Last Tape" ★★★ and "The Archivist" ★½ for the Tribune.

Chicago cast in L.A. for 'Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity'

The Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles is not only planning to stage Kristoffer Diaz's "The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity," it says it will do so with two of the original Chicago leads: Usman Ally and Desmin Borges.

Suburban theater for the week of July 29 - Aug. 4

KERRY REID picks the new and noteworthy shows in the Chicago suburbs, including "The Importance of Being Earnest" in Elgin.

What sort of casino suits the city of Chicago?

When Caesars Palace in Las Vegas threw a $95 million party for Celine Dion, it was just to draw in gamers. New Orleans went the other way, allowing no live entertainment in its casinos. Place your bets for Chicago.

Steppenwolf announces 2012 Garage Rep series

Steppenwolf Theatre Company has announced the lineup for its next Garage Rep, running Feb. 3 to April 12, 2012.

At 16th Street Theater, is it 'childless' or 'child-free'?

THEATER REVIEW: 'The Crowd You're In With' ½ ... KERRY REID reviews Rebecca Gilman's play about procreation proclivities.

Northlight announces casts for 'Snapshots' and 'Season's Greetings'

Northlight Theatre has announced the casting its upcoming shows "Snapshots" and "Season's Greetings." (POSTED BY DOUG GEORGE)

Between a dead end and an oncoming train at Eclipse Theatre Company

THEATER REVIEW: "The Trestle at Pope Lick
Creek" ½ ... KERRY REID reviews the play about small-town Appalachian life from a season devoted to Naomi Wallace.

Infamous Commonwealth Theatre closes

After nine seasons and 27 productions, Infamous Commonwealth Theatre is calling it quits, the company said Monday.

Report from Stratford Shakespeare Fest: 'Jesus Christ Superstar,' 'Twelfth Night' and the rest

The Stratford Festival of Canada runs in repertory in Stratford, Ontario through Oct. 30. Here's my report, including reviews of "Jesus Christ Superstar" and "Twelfth Night." Plus a photo gallery.

Complicated and thoughtful, this 'Pinocchio' is no sing-along

THEATER REVIEW: "Pinocchio" ★★★ at Chicago Shakespeare Theater
Most people wandering down Navy Pier and seeing a little sign for "Pinocchio" would expect a troupe of chirpy, collegiate-level actors performing "Hi Diddle Dee Dee." In this case, that would be a lie.

The Hot New Faces of Chicago Theater

The temperature in these parts has been sizzling all week. An ideal time, then, for the Chicago Tribune's annual Hot New Faces of Chicago Theater. Class of 2011.

'En route' in Chicago: What if you did a show and one person came?

Early in 2009, a group of theater artists in Melbourne, Australia, reached a fork in their creative road. On the other side was an extraordinary outdoor theatrical event taking place right now in Chicago, titled "en route." But let me start back Down Under, where this all began.

Goodman Theatre launches New Stages Amplified series

The Goodman Theatre said Thursday that the final Owen Theatre subscription slot in its 2011-12 season will be not one but three different shows, all fully staged but on a modest scale. Subscribers will each get assigned to see one of the three staggered world premieres running between Oct. 13 and Nov. 20 in the New Stages Amplified series.

First-class tour of 'West Side Story' sounds an authentic note

THEATER REVIEW: "West Side Story" ★★★½ at Cadillac Palace
I think it's fair to say this is your last chance to take an impressionable young person to the theater and say, "Look, this is 'West Side Story' as I remember it."

'Jersey Shore' gets the musical treatment; Jane Austen remains elusive

NINA METZ reviews "Jersey Shore: The Musical" ★★½ and "Impovised Jane Austen" ★½ this week in On the Fringe.

Boundless talent in 'Sky's the Limit'

THEATER REVIEW: "Sky's the Limit (Weather Permitting)" at Second City e.t.c. ★★★½
The title is equally infused by an optimistic spirit and the sense that you really can't trust your power to stay on for long these days.

A new season at Theater Wit

Theater Wit, a small Equity company on Chicago's North Side, has announced its 2012 season.

Casting announced for 'My Fair Lady' at Paramount

The Paramount Theatre has announced the cast for its first self-produced musical: Jim Corti's fall production of "My Fair Lady."

Cast is announced for 'Follies' at Chicago Shakespeare

Chicago Shakespeare Theater has announced casting for its upcoming production of Stephen Sondheim and James Goldman's "Follies." Hollis Resnik will perform the role of Carlotta (and sing "I'm Still Here") in director Gary Griffin's production.

'A Beautiful Spell' and a ridiculous play

THEATER REVIEW: "A Beautiful Spell" at the Royal George ★
At the top of Greg Kalleres' new bedroom drama, a wife wakes up in the middle of the night and tells her husband that, all of a sudden, she has lost all the love she ever had for the poor sap.

'Pinkalicious' a musical for the young and the pink-loving

THEATER REVIEW: "Pinkalicious" ★★½ by Emerald City Theatre at the Broadway Playhouse
Pinkalicious Pinkerton, whom you'll detect is the heroine of this little musical fable for the preteen set, has a thing for pink cupcakes.

'Bug' can't help but get under your skin in Redtwist room

At one point in Kimberly Senior's juicy Redtwist Theatre production of Tracy Letts' "Bug," I completely forgot about the dead body lying on the floor for several minutes. Until I happened to shift in my seat, and found my foot touching soft flesh. And I didn't even think I'd picked a particularly prominent seat.

A bona fide breakout role for 'Chinglish' star

BY NINA METZ ... David Henry Hwang's witty "Chinglish" is one of the first major U.S. plays to address the rising economic power of China. Currently in a world premiere at the Goodman Theatre, it stars actress Jennifer Lim in her Chicago debut.

Walking this 'route' will change the way you see this city - and yourself

THEATER REVIEW: "en route," presented by Chicago Shakespeare Theater ★★★★
Good theater can make the strange familiar. Great theater usually makes the familiar strange.

Just another acrobatic summer for Cirque Shanghai

THEATER REVIEW: Cirque Shanghai Extreme ★★½
If you've never seen the show before, you'll find that Cirque Shanghai offers an enjoyable 90 minutes.

Nathan Lane, Brian Dennehy in 'Iceman Cometh' at Goodman Theatre

Nathan Lane, one of Broadway's most bankable names and star of "The Addams Family," will appear alongside Brian Dennehy next spring at the Goodman Theatre in a new production of Eugene O'Neill's epic drama "The Iceman Cometh," directed by Robert Falls.

Spoken Spanish puts the accent on 'West Side Story'

On the night in December when the first national tour of "West Side Story" opened in Los Angeles, the director David Saint had a drink thrown in his face.

'Love, Loss and What I Wore' to star Nora Dunn

Former "Saturday Night Live" star Nora Dunn will star in the Chicago production of "Love, Loss and What I Wore," producer Daryl Roth announced Thursday.

Theatre Y offers imaginative look into outcasts

Kerry Reid reviews "Exiles" and "Vincent River," the first two of a trilogy by Theatre Y.

First Folio's very fine 'Romeo and Juliet' hangs tragedy on the adults

THEATER REVIEW: "Romeo and Juliet" ½
Kerry Reid reviews First Folio Theatre's production for the Tribune.

Following every strange turn of the Yellow Brick Road in 'The Wiz'

THEATER REVIEW: "The Wiz" at Theatre at the Center ✭✭✭
"The Wiz," let us stipulate, was always a weird show. With the passage of 36 years, it only has become stranger.

Writers' hires architect Jeanne Gang to design new theater

Writers' Theatre in Glencoe said Monday that it has hired Studio Gang Architects, led by Jeanne Gang, to design its proposed new home in the northern suburb.

Looking at mother's little helpers, but missing the point

THEATER REVIEW: "That Face" at Redtwist Theatre ★½
Playwright Polly Stenham's family drama falls short.

With Tony Fitzpatrick, it's 'Stations Lost' and summer found

THEATER REVIEW: "Stations Lost" by Tony Fitzpatrick at the Steppenwolf Garage ★★★
With his gig at the Steppenwolf now seemingly an annual event, Tony Fitzpatrick is taking on the air of Garrison Keillor, as seen from the back of a Damon Avenue bus.

No 'Mommies' at the Royal George

The planned summer production of "Mommies - A Musical Blog" has been postponed, producer Jeanie Linders said Thursday afternoon. The show was to have opened July 29 at the Royal George Theatre.

Jake, Elwood and Huggy, all singing the Euro blues

THEATER REVIEW: "The All New Original Tribute to the Blues Brothers" at the Auditorium Theatre ½
So at the Auditorium Theatre, there's an Australian Elwood, a British Jake and a European cover band.

A new associate artistic director at Chicago Dramatists

Chicago Dramatists said Wednesday that Meghan Beals McCarthy has been hired as the theater's new associate artistic director.

Zesty acting but a problematic storyline in 'Girl With Sun in Her Eyes'

THEATER REVIEW: "A Girl With Sun in Her Eyes" by Pine Box Theater ½
Some formidable acting power is stuffed into this deceptively titled little drama by Joshua Rollins that's actually a gritty police procedural.

Cirque du Soleil: Bugging out extravagantly under the big top

THEATER REVIEW: "Ovo" ½
Insects are such a good match for the Cirque du Soleil, you have to wonder why those scurrying around that famous Montreal hive had not thought of them before.

Belle and Mr. Beast save an otherwise hairy production

THEATER REVIEW: "Beauty and the Beast" at the Oriental Theatre ½
Many Belles wander smiling through the proceedings. With Emily Behny, you feel something is at stake.

Laughs in translation in David Henry Hwang's shrewd new 'Chinglish'

THEATER REVIEW: "Chinglish" at the Goodman Theatre
Business relations develop to the point a Chinese buyer and U.S. seller find themselves in bed together.

Black Ensemble's sweet night of love, love songs

THEATER REVIEW: "All in Love Is Fair" by Black Ensemble Theater
There is a naughty nickname associated with the music of the late Luther Vandross, reflecting the accepted wisdom that his silky voice never fails to leave silky undergarments on the rug. So if you're going to create a show based on vignettes of couples falling in, falling out of and staying in love, you could do a lot worse than using Vandross and other R&B; masters as your soundtrack.

About Face charts a new century of gay life in Chicago

THEATER REVIEW: "The Homosexuals" by About Face at the Biograph
Evan tries to figure out what it means to be gay when, as his friend observes, "there are no dirty words."

'Lilka Kadison' is possessed by the supernatural

THEATER REVIEW: "The Last Act of Lilka Kadison" ★★½
About halfway through, I found myself reflecting on the deep perils of dramatizing the memories of older folk.

'Educating Rita' has working-class heart, world-weary distance

THEATER REVIEW: "Educating Rita"
Kerry Reid reviews Willy Russell's chamber comedy about a young working-class hairdresser in Liverpool bent on self-improvement and the embittered middle-aged English professor who becomes her tutor.