REVIEW: HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD at James M. Nederlander Theatre Through February 1, 2025

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HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD

NOW PLAYING AT BROADWAY IN CHICAGO’S JAMES M. NEDERLANDER THEATRE

THROUGH FEBRUARY 1, 2025

The show is suitable for ages 8 and up.

Runtime: 2 hours and 50 minutes with one intermission

REVIEW

By Bonnie Kenaz-Mara

Here at ChiIL Mama, we caught the opening night of the US touring production of HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD, kicking off right here in Chicago, and we loved it! Even Muggles will be enchanted with Harry Potter, the next generation. This play picks up nineteen years after the original series, when the children we know and love have become parents of Hogwarts teens. This production is a mind blowing spectacle of special effects, unexpected friendships, and time travel. Slither in for stunning stage magic, stellar acting, and an epic adventure that changes everything. Highly recommended. ★★★★ Four out of four stars.

(from left to right) Aidan Close and Emmet Smith in Harry Potter and

the Cursed Child North American Tour. Photo by Matthew Murphy.

I bought this script when it came out in 2016 and have been eagerly awaiting the chance to see it on stage in a full production. I devoured all 7 novel and all the movies as each came out, and own all of both. As soon as my kids were old enough, we read them aloud as a family and watched the movies many times. We especially loved Hermione, a smart, female lead, written in an era when the vast majority of main characters were boys. Not so long ago, gate keeper publishers regularly blocked heroines, saying that boys wouldn't read books with girls as main characters. 

(from left to right) Julia Nightingale, Aidan Close and Emmet Smith in

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child North American Tour. Photo by Matthew

Murphy.

Speaking of girls as main characters, no big spoilers, but HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD adds a doozy of a female lead with Delphi Diggory, delightfully played by Julia Nightingale. HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD also gets more diverse with Hermione (Ebony Blake) and her daughter, Rose (Naira Vanessa McCalla), both played by black actresses, and we're here for it! We also couldn't possibly love Moaning Myrtle any more than we do. Mackenzie Lesser-Roy killed it as the ghost girl who lurks in the loo! 

The North American Tour of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.

Photo by Matthew Murphy.

 

HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD GOLDEN SNITCH DIGITAL LOTTERY 

If money's an issue, there's a free to enter ticket lottery for all show dates. The Golden Snitch Digital Lottery will open at 9:00 a.m. CT and close at 5:00 p.m. CT the day prior to the desired performance. Winners can claim 2 tickets for $40 each + a $5 handling fee per ticket. Enter HERE.

If you have somehow managed to avoid the entire franchise and are clueless about the world of Harry Potter and the characters within, HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD does work as a stand alone piece. However, the more you know of the backstory, the less confusing and more fun this production will be. I spent the half hour before the show and intermission giving a few clueless fellow critics the Cliff Notes, and overheard others doing the same with their friends and families. The day after the show, a couple of critics I spoke with were inspired to start the movies, which will still make the play clearer after the fact. If you're completely uninitiated, though, I do recommend checking out at least a few of the movies first, if at all possible. 

HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD features a great bromance between best friends Albus Potter and Scorpius Malfoy. The plot line takes tantalizing, unexpected twists and turns. There's a strong anti-bullying bent. And the ultimate take away about the inadvisability/inability to change the past without dire consequences, and the sorrow that comes with that realization, is a message we can get behind, for magicians and muggles alike. 

The stage version is an excellent opportunity for multigenerational fun, with appeal for grandparents, parents and kids. HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD is even likely to win over those who don't naturally love theatre. In fact, this multi award winning play broke the Guinness record for the highest-grossing non-musical play in Broadway history! Worried about sitting still for the two hours and 50 minute run time? There's a 15- to 20-minute intermission, with fun photo ops in the basement level lobby outside of the bathrooms, merch to purchase, and several snack and drink laden bars on multiple floors. The original play was in 2 parts and required a 5 or 6 hour commitment! Now the fast paced show just flies by. This production was so mind bogglingly excellent I'm already planning to catch it again. Best fantasy production ever. Don’t miss this! 

Bonnie is a Chicago based writer, theatre critic, photographer, artist, and Mama to 2 amazing adults. She owns two websites where she publishes frequently: ChiILLiveShows.com (adult) & ChiILMama.com (family friendly).

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child North American Tour. Photo by

Matthew Murphy.

**HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED AUTHOR (AKA TERF Wars): This play is based on an original story by J.K. Rowling who has been called out from 2020 to the present, for her negative social media comments on trans people, and doubling down in the face of backlash. I can't in good conscience give this show a rave review without acknowledging the controversy. Rowling has a lot of followers and with a big megaphone comes great responsibility.

I've met many wonderful trans people, working for decades in Chicago's theatre industry, and quite a few of my friends consider themselves trans or have trans children. Some of them are boycotting this production because J.K. Rowling gets royalties, and I respect that, especially in today's political climate. At ChiIL Mama and ChiIL Live Shows we do not condone her comments. Nevertheless, I have chosen to review this play, as a collaborative piece of art, involving dozens of people, and can vouch that there is nothing inherently transphobic or negative in any way toward any marginalized group in this production. 

On opening night we met drag queens in full Slitherin regalia, gay couples and even trans humans who raved about the show, and other minorities and marginalized people who were all marveling at the stage magic and having a wonderful evening together. In an era of cancel culture, we believe it's still possible to enjoy creative works with imperfect creators. 

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child North American Tour. Photo by

Matthew Murphy.

HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD

Chicago Tie-ins on the North American Tour

My son went to school with Harry Potter's son! Not too many Chicago Theatre critics can make that unique claim. No, not Hogwarts, but before attending the infamous wizard boarding school, as Albus Potter, actor Emmet Smith studied theatre arts at Chicago's Northwestern University, in suburban Evanston, with my son, Dugan. Though New York is technically his home town, we're highlighting Albus/Emmet with the Chicago dynamic duo of Severus Snape and Ron Weasley. Emmet truly makes a phenomenal Albus Severus Potter. Aside from the ability to pass for an underager, he's a stellar performer and a joy to see in action. 

 

Emmet Smith (Harry's son, Albus Potter)

he/him. Wizzo! Off-Broadway: Philadelphia, Here I Come! (Irish Rep), Midsummer (TFANA), Soul Doctor (NYTW); Regional: A Distinct Society (Pioneer Theatre), The Sound of Music (Marriott Theatre); TV: New Amsterdam, Law & Order, Blue Bloods. Songwriter, climate activist, Northwestern grad, Ravenclaw. @emmetsmithnyc

(l-r): Emmet Smith and Aidan Close in the North American Tour of

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. Photo by Matthew Murphy.

We were also pretty jazzed to see Chicago's own Larry Yando playing Snape, Dumbledore, and Amos Diggory. Yando is most recognized for his beloved role as Scrooge at Goodman Theatre for the past 16 seasons! We've seen him in numerous productions over the years and in the past I've dubbed him "King of the pregnant pause" for his delivery style, and his ability to keep an audience rapt and spellbound, even between lines. He's an absolute pro and it's a master class to see him on stage. He's adept at finding the humanity in villains, and making them multidimensional, and dare I say lovable. We adore his take on Snape.

LARRY YANDO 

Notable roles: Scar/“The Lion King”, Roy Cohn”/Angels in America”, 15 seasons as Scrooge/”A Christmas Carol”, and King Lear. A five- time Jeff award- winner, Sarah Siddons recipient, Lunt-Fontanne Fellow, and the Wall Street Journal’s Performer of the Year.

Larry Yando in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child North American

Tour. Photo by Matthew Murphy.

Rounding out the trio is Matt Mueller, who lives in Chicago's near northern suburb of Evanston. He's also making sweet home Chicago proud, and reprising his Broadway role, where he played Ron Weasley for a year, before the pandemic shuttered theatres in 2020. He's not only a hometown actor, but also the son of two Chicago actors, Jill Shellabarger and Roger Mueller! His three siblings were also bitten by the theatre bug, and his twin sister Abby, sister Jessie, and brother Andrew are all professional actors. All of them work steadily in theater in Chicago, New York on and off-Broadway, or with touring companies. Matt has never been cast in a show with his sisters or parents yet, but he did work on a show with his brother, Andrew. His sister, Jessie Mueller won a Tony Award for Beautiful: The Carole King Musical. Nothing like a bit of Broadway sibling rivalry to keep things interesting!

Matt Mueller (Ron Weasley)

Broadway: HPCC. Tour: The Play That Goes Wrong - Chicago. Regional: Writers, Chicago Shakespeare, Marriott, Drury Lane, Northlight, Asolo Repertory, Indiana Repertory, Milwaukee Rep, Lyric Repertory, Utah Shakespeare Festival, Colorado Shakespeare Festival, BETC, and multiple productions of Woody Guthrie’s American Song.

(l-r): Matt Mueller, Ebony Blake and John Skelley in the North

American Tour of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. Photo by Matthew

Murphy.

Broadway In Chicago is delighted to announce the National Tour of HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD 

now playing at Broadway In Chicago’s James M. Nederlander Theatre

The final performance of the 21-week engagement of the six-time Tony® Award-winning production will be Saturday, February 1, 2025

“One of the most defining pop culture events of the decade” – Forbes

John Skelley is playing Harry Potter with Trish Lindstrom as Ginny Potter and Emmet Smith as their son Albus Potter. Matt Mueller is playing Ron Weasley with Ebony Blake as Hermione Granger and Naiya Vanessa McCalla as their daughter Rose Granger-Weasley. Playing Draco Malfoy is Ben Thys with Aidan Close as his son Scorpius Malfoy. Delphi Diggory is played by Julia Nightingale and Severus Snape is played by Larry Yando.

They are joined by Kaleb Alexander, Julianna Austin, Markcus Blair, Casey Butler, Erin Chupinsky, Reese Sebastian Diaz, David Fine, Simon Gagnon, Alexis Gordon, Caleb Hafen, Lauryn Hayes, Nathan Hosner, Torsten Johnson, Katherine Leask, Markelle Leigh, Mackenzie Lesser-Roy, Evan Maltby, Zach Norton, Travis Patton, Maren Searle, Ayla Stackhouse, Jennifer Thiessen, Timmy Thompson, René Thornton Jr., and Kristin Yancy playing a variety of characters.

The touring production is based on the acclaimed Broadway production, currently playing at the Lyric Theatre, New York. It picks up right where the last Harry Potter film left off: Nineteen years after Harry, Ron, and Hermione saved the wizarding world, they’re back on a most extraordinary new adventure – this time, joined by a brave new generation that has only just arrived at the legendary Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. When Harry Potter’s head-strong son Albus befriends the son of his fiercest rival, Draco Malfoy, it sparks an unbelievable new journey for them all—with the power to change the past and future forever.

John Skelley in the North American Tour of Harry Potter and the

Cursed Child. Photo by Matthew Murphy.

HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD, the first Harry Potter story to be presented on stage and the eighth story in the Harry Potter series, has sold over 10 million tickets worldwide since its world premiere in London in July 2016 and holds a record 60 major honors, with nine Laurence Olivier Awards including Best New Play and six Tony Awards including Best Play. The international phenomenon has cast its spell worldwide with productions currently running in London, New York, Hamburg, and Tokyo, and has completed runs in Melbourne, Toronto, and San Francisco. The original two-part production in London's West End recently celebrated its 7th anniversary, while the reimagined Broadway production celebrated its 6th anniversary. The most successful non-musical play in Broadway history, HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD has the unique distinction of being named by the Guinness World Records as the highest-grossing non-musical play in Broadway history with over $270 million total sales

and over 2.5 million tickets sold. To stay up to date with the latest information, go to tour.harrypottertheplay.com.

CHICAGO TICKET INFORMATION

Individual tickets for HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD are on sale now and range from $49.00 - $193.00 with a select number of premium tickets available. There are a limited number of $40 lottery seats available for each performance. Groups of 10 or more can book tickets by calling (312) 977-1710 or emailing GroupSales@BroadwayInChicago.com. For more information, visit www.BroadwayInChicago.com.

ABOUT HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD

Based on an original story by J.K. Rowling, Jack Thorne and John Tiffany, HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD is a play by Jack Thorne, directed by John Tiffany. HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD features movement by Steven Hoggett, set by Christine Jones, costumes by Katrina

Lindsay, music & arrangements by Imogen Heap, lighting by Neil Austin, sound by Gareth Fry, illusions & magic by Jamie Harrison, music supervision & arrangements by Martin Lowe. US Casting by Jim Carnahan, CSA. HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD is produced by Sonia Friedman Productions, Colin Callender and Harry Potter Theatrical Productions.

Instagram: @CursedChildUS ● Twitter: @CursedChildTour ● Facebook: @CursedChildUS ● TikTok: @CursedChildOfficial

ABOUT BROADWAY IN CHICAGO

Broadway In Chicago was created in July 2000 and over the past 25 years has grown to be one of the largest commercial touring homes in the country. A Nederlander Presentation, Broadway In Chicago lights up the Chicago Theater District entertaining up to 1.7 million people annually in five theatres. Broadway In Chicago presents a full range of entertainment, including musicals and plays, on

the stages of five of the finest theatres in Chicago’s Loop including the Cadillac Palace Theatre, CIBC Theatre, James M. Nederlander Theatre, Auditorium Theatre, and just off the Magnificent Mile, the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place.

For more information and tickets, visit www.BroadwayInChicago.com.

Facebook @BroadwayInChicago ● Instagram @broadwayinchicago ● TikTok @broadwayinchicago ● #broadwayinchicago

The 81st Annual Dolphin Show at Northwestern University is Kinky Boots the Musical January 19-27, 2024

 The Dolphin Show

AMERICA’S LARGEST STUDENT PRODUCED MUSICAL PRESENTS…

KINKY BOOTS THE MUSICAL

WINNER OF 6 TONY AWARDS INCLUDING BEST MUSICAL!

With Book by Harvey Fierstein and Music & Lyrics by Cyndi Lauper

Recommended for Ages 10+

We're thrilled to announce that The 81st Annual Dolphin Show is gearing up to bring you an electrifying performance of Kinky Boots the Musical! 

Get ready to be dazzled by this spectacular show filled with fabulous music, incredible designs, sensational choreography, and a heartwarming story that will leave you cheering for more. Our team of over 150 students cannot wait to bring this relevant and powerful narrative to Northwestern’s campus and continue our educational workshops, community outreach efforts, and more. Whether you're a fan of musical theater or just looking for a night of pure entertainment, this is an event you won't want to miss. Save the date and join us for a night of unforgettable entertainment that's sure to knock your boots off!

GET TICKETS NOW

Tickets can be purchased online from Northwestern Box Office or in person at the Norris University Center front desk at 1999 Campus Drive, Evanston, IL 60201.

How do I access my tickets?

Tickets will be emailed to you after you make a purchase. Please present this PDF either on your screen or printed out when entering the theatre. Make sure to pull up the QR code.

What age is the show recommended for?

Kinky Boots is officially recommended for children ages 10 and older, but children younger than 10 may be suited for the production based on maturity levels and parental involvement. For more information, please visit our parent guide here.

Are there special discounts available for tickets?

Northwestern Students can access $10 tickets to performances by logging in with their Northwestern email. Limit 2 tickets per performance.

Northwestern Faculty can access $20 tickets to performances by logging in with their Northwestern email. Limit 2 tickets per performance.

Children under age 18 can access $10 tickets by applying the code TDSstudent10 at checkout. Limit 2 tickets per order.

Seniors over age 65 can access $20 tickets by applying the code TDSsenior20 at checkout. Limit 2 tickets per order. 

How can I bring a group to see Kinky Boots?

Group tickets are available for purchase for all performances. Orders with 10 or more tickets will receive a 10% discount on the order. If you are interested in group booking, please reach out to sales@nudolphinshow.org for booking assistance. Group tickets can only be paid for via check (made out to “Northwestern University” with the memo line “Dolphin Show - Group Tix”) or in person with a credit card at the Norris Center front desk.

What if purchasing tickets is a financial burden for me, as a Northwestern student?

The 81st Annual Dolphin Show has partnered with The Student Activities Assistance Fund to offer “pay what you can tickets” to financially support students in attending our upcoming production of Kinky Boots The Musical.

Tickets for undergraduate and graduate Northwestern students are $10. If this is a financial burden, please email sales@nudolphinshow.org to access pay what you can tickets, where you will have the option to pay as little as $0.

What is the Dolphin Show?

The Dolphin Show at Northwestern University is a non-profit student theatre organization that annually produces the largest student-produced musical in the country. It celebrates the diverse talents of the Northwestern undergraduate community by providing opportunities to learn and excel in all artistic and administrative fields. Every year, The Dolphin Show presents a professional-caliber production led by over 150 undergraduate students. Learn more about Dolphin’s mission on our About page.

Where did the Dolphin Show get its name?

The Dolphin Show was named after the Dolphin Swim Club, the Northwestern swim team who presented the first annual Dolphin Show in the Northwestern swimming pool as a fundraiser for their team to travel to competitions. Visit our About page for Dolphin Show’s full history. 

Who can get involved with The Dolphin Show?

Northwestern University undergraduate students of all backgrounds, majors, and experience levels are welcome to work on the Dolphin Show. Students can work on the production in many capacities, including on the business team, the artistic team, the production team, in the cast, or in the orchestra. Dolphin Show’s annual productions are open to the public. 

Click here for information, show photos, tickets and more. 

MUSIC THEATER WORKS ANNOUNCES CAST AND CREATIVE TEAM FOR THE TONY AWARD-WINNING, AVENUE Q, MARCH 9 - APRIL 2 AT THE NORTH SHORE CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS

ChiIL Live Shows On Our Radar

Music Theater Works presents

Avenue Q

Hilarious, charming and a little profane, Avenue Q will turn your expectation of acceptable discourse on its head

Book by Jeff Whitty

Music and Lyrics by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx

Based on an original concept by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx

Directed and Choreogrpahed by Christopher Pazdernik

Assistant Directed by Ashley Keys

Music Directed by Eugene Dizon

Run time, including the intermission, is 2 hours and 30 minutes

Launch of Music Theater Works 43rd Season with the adult music comedy Avenue Q in the North Theatre at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts In Skokie, 9501 Skokie Blvd, Skokie. The Tony Award-winning musical comedy with book by Jeff Whitty, music and lyrics by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx, based on an original concept by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx and is directed and choreographed by Christopher Pazdernik, assistant directed by Ashley Keys and music directed by Eugene Dizon.

Music Theater Works’ 43rd Season Begins with the Musical Comedy That Won the Tony Award for Best Musical, Directed and Choreographed by Christopher Pazdernik, Assistant Directed by Ashley Keys and Music Directed by Eugene Dizon

Music Theater Works is proud to announce the cast and creative team for the first production in its 43rd season, Avenue Q in the North Theatre at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts In Skokie, 9501 Skokie Blvd, Skokie, March 9 - April 2. The Tony Award-winning musical comedy with book by Jeff Whitty, music and lyrics by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx, based on an original concept by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx and is directed and choreographed by Christopher Pazdernik, assistant directed by Ashley Keys and music directed by Eugene Dizon. 

The performance schedule includes a preview performance Thursday, March 9 at 1 p.m.

I'll be out for the press opening March 10th, so check back soon for my full review. The performance schedule is Wednesdays at 1 p.m., Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m. with a Saturday matinee, March 18 at 2 p.m. and two Thursday performances on March 23 and 30 at 7:30 p.m. 

Tickets are now on sale from $39 to $106 with tickets for guests 25 years old and younger available at half-price at MusicTheaterWorks.com or by calling the Music Theater Works box office at the North Shore Center, 847.673.6300. Group discounts are available for groups of 10 or more by contacting 847.920.5360.

Join the irreverent denizens of Avenue Q - part flesh, part plushy, people, puppets and all fun. Hilarious, charming and a little profane, Avenue Q will turn your expectation of acceptable discourse on its head. Follow our hero Princeton, fresh out of college, to his shabby New York apartment all the way out on Avenue Q which, it soon becomes clear, is not your ordinary neighborhood. Laugh out loud, funny, toe-tappingly singable and full of warmth and humor, Avenue Q won the Tony for Best Musical, Best Score and Best Book.

The cast of Avenue Q includes Jimmy Hogan (Princeton); Brandy Miller (Kate Monster); Adam Ross Brody (Rod); Andres J. DeLeon (Nicky/Trekkie Monster/Bad Idea Bear); Melissa Crabtree (Lucy/Mrs. Thistletwat/ Bad Idea Bear); Thomas E. Squires (Brian) and Mai Hartwich (Christmas Eve) and Whitney Dottery (Gary Coleman).

The Avenue Q understudies include Zoe Maroko (Kate Monster U/S); David Blakeman (Nicky/Trekkie/Bad Idea Bear U/S); Rachel Livingston (Lucy/Mrs. Thistletwat/Bad Idea Bear U/S); Mark Bartishell (Brian U/S) and Ashley Saul (Gary Coleman U/S).

The Avenue Q creative team currently includes Christopher Pazdernik  (director/choreographer); Ashley Keys (assistant director); Eugene Dizon (music director); Ben Lipinski (scenic designer); Justin LeBlanc (costume designer); Andrew Meyers (lighting designer); Rick Sims (sound designer); Bob Stilton (props designer); Nick Zabel (technical director); Kristi Martens (puppeteer); Peter Jacob Ruiz (dramaturg); Cameron Koniarski (master electrician); Will Hughes (scenic shop technical director); David Sajewich (media designer); Tony Churchill (associate media engineer); Alexis Lotspeich (assistant costume designer); Chelsea Lynn (lighting programmer); Elena Patterson (stage manager); MaK Cole (assistant stage manager); Jennifer King Russell (company manager); Chris Chase (production manager) and Kyle A. Dougan (producing artistic director). 

Health Safety Procedure:

All guests are recommended to wear face masks during the performance regardless of vaccination status.

ABOUT CHRISTOPHER PAZDERNIK, DIRECTOR/CHOREOGRAPHER

Christopher Pazdernik makes his Music Theater Works debut with Avenue Q. Pazdernik is best-known for his work as artistic director of Refuge Theatre Project (Jeff Awards, Best Director and Best Production of a Musical, High Fidelity); a long association with Porchlight Music Theatre, including directing eight Porchlight Revisits productions and his current role as producing director at Theo, where he directed Godspell earlier this year. Also an openly HIV+ artist, Pazdernik is the creator and producer of the annual benefit concert “Belting for Life” and co-captain of Team Option Up! for AIDS Run/Walk Chicago.

ABOUT EUGENE DIZON, MUSIC DIRECTOR

Eugene Dizon is currently the executive director at Mercury Theater Chicago with his husband L. Walter Stearns. He has been musical directing for over two decades garnering six Jeff Awards while at Porchlight Music Theatre (Ragtime, Sweeney Todd, Amadeus, Company, Into the Woods, Merrily We Roll Along), as well as Jeff nominations for A Grand Night for Singing (Mercury); Candide, Nine the Musical, Closer Than Ever, A Little Night Music, Passion, Colette Collage, and Falsettos; four After Dark Awards (Ragtime, Sweeney Todd, A New Brain, Merrily We Roll Along (Porchlight), a BroadwayWorld Award for Mercury’s Avenue Q and BroadwayWorld nominations for Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Little Shop of Horrors, Hair, Mary Poppins and The Color Purple, all at the Mercury. Additionally at the Mercury, he has musical directed Spamalot, Pippin, Company, The Producers and Barnum. He has been inducted into the Chicago Filipino Hall of Fame (class of 2004) and has co-produced six “Season of Carols” CDs for which Season of Concern awarded him the 2013 Larry Sloan Advocate Award and the Season of Concern 2018 Larry Sloan Legacy Award for “consistently and passionately being a trailblazer on behalf of Season of Concern.” Dizon most recent projects include TO BE (Chicago Shakespeare Theatre) and Mr. Burns – a post-electric play (Theater Wit). Upcoming projects include The Producers at Music Theater Works and Young Frankenstein at Mercury.

ABOUT MUSIC THEATER WORKS

Music Theater Works is a resident professional not-for-profit music theater founded in

1980. During its 42-year history it has presented more than 150 productions and intimate

presentations. Music Theater Works is a professional theater company whose mission is

to present works for the musical stage including historic repertoire, revitalizing the Golden Age of Broadway and earlier works, celebrating the Great American Songbook and introducing modern classics. 

JOYCE SAXON is the 2023 Music Theater Works Season Sponsor.

Preview: Thursday, March 9 at 1 p.m.

Press Performance: Friday, March 10 at 8 p.m.

Saturday, March 11 at 8 p.m.

Sunday, March 12 at 2 p.m.

Wednesday, March 15 at 1 p.m.

Friday, March 17 at 8 p.m.

Saturday, March 18 at 2 and 8 p.m.

Sunday, March 19 at 2 p.m.

Wednesday, March 22 at 1 p.m.

Thursday, March 23 at 7:30 p.m.

Friday, March 24 at 8 p.m.

Saturday, March 25 at 8 p.m.

Sunday, March 26 at 2 p.m.

Wednesday, March 29 at 1 p.m.

Thursday, March 30 at 7:30 p.m.

Friday, March 31 at 8 p.m.

Saturday, April 1 at 8 p.m.

Sunday, April 2 at 2 p.m.

Tickets: $39 to $106, tickets for guests 25 years old and younger are available for half-price.

Music Theater Works Box Office: (847) 673-6300

Website: MusicTheaterWorks.com

THE CHICAGO PREMIERE OF THE BROADWAY REVIVAL OF 1776 NOW PLAYING THROUGH MARCH 12, 2023

ChiIL Live Shows On Our Radar

Tony Award®-winning Best Musical

1776

Co-Directed by Tony Award® Winning Director Diane Paulus and 

MTV Music Video Award-winning choreographer Jeffrey L. Page

“Deeply meaningful. A remarkable revival.” 

– The Washington Post

“Thought-provoking and an absolute delight.”

 – The Wall Street Journal

“The great power of this 1776 will stay with you and 

will resonate on Broadway and across the country.”

– The Boston Globe

The Chicago Premiere of the Broadway Revival of 1776 is now playing a limited engagement at the CIBC Theatre (18 W. Monroe) through March 12, 2023. Tickets are on sale now at www.BroadwayInChicago.com. I'll be out for the press opening March 1st, so check back soon for my full review.

This production was developed and premiered by the American Repertory Theater at Harvard University before playing on Broadway with Roundabout Theatre Company at the American Airlines Theater. The national tour of 1776 makes its premiere engagement in Chicago at the CIBC Theatre as part of a major national tour across North America. 

The 1776 company includes Shelby Acosta (she/her) as ‘Sec. Charles Thomson,’ Gisela Adisa (she/her) as ‘John Adams,’ Nancy Anderson (she/her) as ‘Thomas Jefferson,’ Tiffani Barbour (she/her) as ‘Andrew McNair,’ Dawn Cantwell (she/her) as ‘Col. Thomas McKean,’ Julie Cardia (she/her) as ‘Stephen Hopkins,’ Sara Gallo (she/her) as a Standby, Joanna Glushak (she/her) as ‘John Dickinson,’ Anissa Marie Griego (she/her) as ‘Roger Sherman,’ Kassandra Haddock (she/her) as ‘Edward Rutledge,’ Shawna Hamic (she/her) as ‘Richard Henry Lee,’ Lisa Karlin (she/her) as a Standby, Connor Lyon (she/her) as ‘Martha Jefferson/Dr. Lyman Hall,’ Liz Mikel (she/her) as ‘Benjamin Franklin,’ Oneika Phillips (she/her) as ‘John Hancock,’ Lulu Picart (she/her) as ‘Samuel Chase,’ Ariella Serur (she/they) as ‘Judge James Wilson,’ Brooke Simpson (she/her) as ‘the Courier,’ Sav Souza (they/them) as ‘Dr. Josiah Bartlett,’ Tieisha Thomas (she/her) as ‘Abigail Adams/Rev. Jonathan Witherspoon,’ Jill Vallery (she/her) as ‘Caesar Rodney,’ Zuri Washington (she/her) as ‘Robert Livingston,’ Gwynne Wood (she/they) as ‘George Read,’ and Candice Marie Woods (they/them) as ‘Joseph Hewes.’

The Tony Award-winning Best Musical 1776 has catapulted to blazing new life in a thrillingly new production, and New York Magazine/Vulture says, “it’s an absolute blast!” Suddenly, the songs, humor, and passion of this musical masterpiece soar as never before. A glorious multiracial cast of female, transgender, and nonbinary actors portrays the fiery founders of this country, putting history in the hands of the humans who were left out the first time around—and the result is an epic show of passion, debate, and roof-raising musical fireworks. Experience “a 1776 worth celebrating!” (Variety) “It pulsates with energy and snaps with attitude.”

1776 features music and lyrics by Sherman Edwards and a book by Peter Stone. It is based on a concept by Sherman Edwards.  Tony Award-winning director Diane Paulus (Jagged Little Pill, Waitress, Pippin) and MTV Music Video Award-winning choreographer Jeffrey L. Page (Beyoncé’s “Run the World (Girls)” video, Memphis in Tokyo; Violet starring Sutton Foster at Roundabout Theatre Company) direct the production.

The 1776 design team includes Tony Award-winning Scenic Designer Scott Pask (Waitress, Finding Neverland, Pippin); Tony Award-nominated Costume Designer Emilio Sosa (The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess); Lighting Designer Jennifer Schriever (In the Body of the World at A.R.T./New York City Center; Fingersmith at A.R.T.); Tony Award-nominated Sound Designer Jonathan Deans (Jagged Little Pill, Waitress, Finding Neverland at A.R.T./Broadway; Pippin on Broadway) and Drama Desk Award-nominated Projection Designer David Bengali (We Live in Cairo at A.R.T., Associate Designer of Witness Uganda at A.R.T./Invisible Thread at Second Stage). 

The 1776 music team is comprised of Music Supervisor/Music Director Ryan Cantwell (Pippin); Original Music Supervisor David Chase (Finding Neverland); Tony Award nominated Orchestrator John Clancy (Fun Home; Mean Girls); Vocal Designer AnnMarie Milazzo (Finding Neverland). Casting is by Stewart/Whitley. The Associate Director is Brisa Arelis Muñoz and the Associate Choreographer is Courtney Ross.

NETworks Presentations tour stage management team of 1776 is led by Production Stage Manager Genevieve Kersh with Assistant Stage Managers Devin Day and Sage Lumsden. National Artists Management Company’s management team is led by Company Manager Katie Cortez with Safety Assistant Company Manager Ryan Buchholz. 

For more information worldwide, visit: www.1776musical.com Facebook, Instagram & TikTok: @1776Musical  • Twitter: @Musical1776  •  Hashtag: #1776Musical

TICKET INFORMATION

Individual tickets for the Chicago premiere of a limited Broadway revival tour of 1776 are on sale now. Ticket prices range from $30 - $98 with a select number of premium tickets available. Individual tickets are available at www.BroadwayInChicago.com. Tickets are available now for groups of 10 or more by calling Broadway In Chicago Group Sales at (312) 977-1710 or emailing GroupSales@BroadwayInChicago.com. 

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE

WEEK ONE

Tuesday, Feb. 28 at 7:30 pm

Wednesday, Mar. 1 at 7:30 pm 

Thursday, Mar. 2 at 7:30 pm 

Friday, Mar. 3 at 7:30 pm 

Saturday, Mar. 4 at 2 pm & 8 PM

Sunday, Mar. 5 at 2 pm & 7:30 pm

WEEK TWO

Tuesday, Mar. 7 at 7:30 pm

Wednesday, Mar. 8 at 2 pm & 7:30 pm

Thursday, Mar. 9 at 7:30 pm 

Friday, Mar. 10 at 7:30 pm 

Saturday, Mar. 11 at 2 pm & 8 PM

Sunday, Mar. 12 at 2 pm

ABOUT BROADWAY IN CHICAGO

Broadway In Chicago was created in July 2000 and over the past 22 years has grown to be one of the largest commercial touring homes in the country. A Nederlander Presentation, Broadway In Chicago lights up the Chicago Theater District entertaining up to 1.7 million people annually in five theatres. Broadway In Chicago presents a full range of entertainment, including musicals and plays, on the stages of five of the finest theatres in Chicago’s Loop including the Cadillac Palace Theatre, CIBC Theatre, James M. Nederlander Theatre, and just off the Magnificent Mile, the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place and presenting Broadway shows at the Auditorium Theatre.

AUDIENCE GUIDANCE

This production contains stylized representations of racialized violence, particularly related to enslavement. Additionally, this production contains haze, a brief strobe effect, a non-firing replica firearm, and a gunshot sound effect.

For more information, visit www.BroadwayInChicago.com

Follow Broadway In Chicago: ● Facebook ● Instagram ● TikTok @BroadwayInChicago

● Twitter @broadwaychicago #broadwayinchicago

THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG $25 TICKETS VIA FREE LOTTERY BEGIN MONDAY, DEC. 3

ChiIL Live Shows On Our Radar

BROADWAY IN CHICAGO ANNOUNCES DIGITAL LOTTERY

FOR 20 TICKETS FOR $25 EACH FOR EVERY SHOW

TO BEGIN MONDAY, DEC. 3

ORIENTAL THEATRE

DEC. 4-17, 2018

ChiIL Mama will be out for the press opening, so check back soon for our full review.

Broadway In Chicago is delighted to announce that a digital lottery will begin Monday, Dec. 3 at 9 a.m. for the National Tour of the Tony Award-winning THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG. The show will play at Broadway In Chicago’s Oriental Theatre (24 W. Randolph) for a limited two-week engagement December 4—16, 2018.

Twenty tickets will be sold for every performance at $25 each. The lottery will happen online only the day before each performance.  Seat locations vary per performance.

HOW TO ENTER
·Visit http://www.broadwayinchicago.com/show/the-play-that-goes-wrong/
·Follow the link “Click here for details and to enter the lottery”
·Click the “Enter Now” button for the performance you want to attend.
·Fill out the entry form including the number of tickets you would like (1 or 2). Patrons will receive a confirmation email once they have validated their email (one time only) and successfully entered the lottery.
·After the lottery closes, patrons will be notified via email within minutes as to whether they have won or not.
·Winners have 60 minutes from the time the lottery closes to pay online with a credit card.
·After payment has been received, patrons can pick up tickets at the Oriental Theatre (24 W. Randolph) no sooner than 30 minutes before show time with a valid photo ID.

ADDITIONAL RULES
Limit 1 entry per person, per performance. Multiple entries will not be accepted. Patrons must be 18 years old and have a valid, non-expired photo ID that matches the names used to enter. Tickets are non-transferable. All lottery prices include a $3.00 facility fee. Ticket limits and prices displayed are at the sole discretion of the show and are subject to change without notice. Lottery prices are not valid on prior purchases. Lottery ticket offer cannot be combined with any other offers or promotions. All sales final - no refunds or exchanges.  Lottery may be revoked or modified at any time without notice. No purchase necessary to enter or win.  A purchase will not improve your chances of winning.

ABOUT THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG
What would happen if Sherlock Holmes and Monty Python had an illegitimate Broadway baby?  You’d get THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG, Broadway & London’s award-winning smash comedy!  Called “A GUT-BUSTING HIT” (The New York Times) and “THE FUNNIEST PLAY BROADWAY HAS EVER SEEN” (HuffPost), this classic murder mystery is chock-full of mishaps and madcap mania delivering “A RIOTOUS EXPLOSION OF COMEDY” (Daily Beast).  Welcome to opening night of The Murder at Haversham Manor where things are quickly going from bad to utterly disastrous. With an unconscious leading lady, a corpse that can’t play dead, and actors who trip over everything (including their lines), it’s “TONS OF FUN FOR ALL AGES” (HuffPost) and “COMIC GOLD” (Variety) – sure to bring down the house!

Co-written by Mischief Theatre company members Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer and Henry Shields, THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG is a riotous comedy about the theatre. The play introduces The ‘Cornley University Drama Society’ who are attempting to put on a 1920s’ murder mystery, but as the title suggests, everything that can go wrong…does, as the accident-prone thespians battle on against all odds to get to their final curtain call.

The Broadway production of THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG opened at the Lyceum Theatre on April 2, 2017. The show, which was slated to close on Broadway in August of this year, will extend its run due to popular demand through January 6, 2019. By then, the Broadway production will have played 27 previews and 745 performances, making it the 2nd longest running show in the history of the Lyceum Theatre. THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG received a Tony Award for Best Set Design, Broadway.com’s Audience Choice Award for Best Play, and the Theater Fans Choice Award for Best Play.

Awarded the 2015 Olivier Award for Best New Comedy, 2014 WhatsOnStage Best New Comedy and 2015 UK BroadwayWorld Best New Play Awards, THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG is now in its fourth year in the West End, is currently on a 30 week UK tour and playing on six continents. The producers have avoided Antarctica for fear of a frosty reception. 

It is a remarkable rags-to-riches story for a play which started its life at a London fringe venue with only four paying members of the public at the first performance, and has gone on to play to an audience of over 2 million people around the world.

Mischief Theatre, the Olivier Award-winning theatre company led by Artistic Director Henry Lewis and Company Director Jonathan Sayer, was founded in 2008 by a group of graduates of The London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA) and began as an improvised comedy group. Mischief Theatre performs across the UK and internationally with improvised and original scripted work.

THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG tour is directed by Matt DiCarlo with original Broadway direction by Mark Bell, featuring set design by Nigel Hook, lighting design by Ric Mountjoy, sound design by Andy Johnson and costume design by Roberto Surace.

THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG is produced on Broadway by Kevin McCollum, J.J. Abrams, Kenny Wax, Stage Presence Ltd., Catherine Schreiber, Ken Davenport, Double Gemini Productions / deRoy-Brunish, Damian Arnold / TC Beech, Greenleaf Productions / Bard-Roth, Martian Entertainment / Jack Lane / John Yonover, and Lucas McMahon.

For more information, visit www.BroadwayGoesWrong.com or follow
THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram: @BwayGoesWrong

PERFORMANCE DATES 
Tuesdays at 7:30PM
Wednesdays at 2PM and 7:30PM (no matinee performance on Wednesday, December 5)
Thursdays at 7:30PM
Fridays at 7:30PM
Saturdays at 2:00PM and 8:00PM
Sundays at 2:00PM and 7:30PM (no evening performance on Sunday, December 16)

TICKET INFORMATION
Individual tickets are on sale now and range in price from $25-$98 with a select number of premium tickets available. Tickets are available now for groups of 10 or more by calling Broadway In Chicago Group Sales at (312) 977-1710 or emailing GroupSales@BroadwayInChicago.com.  For more information, visit www.BroadwayInChicago.com.

ABOUT BROADWAY IN CHICAGO
Broadway In Chicago was created in July 2000 and over the past 18 years has grown to be one of the largest commercial touring homes in the country.  A Nederlander Presentation, Broadway In Chicago lights up the Chicago Theater District entertaining more than 1.7 million people annually in five theatres. Broadway In Chicago presents a full range of entertainment, including musicals and plays, on the stages of five of the finest theatres in Chicago’s Loop including the Cadillac Palace Theatre, CIBC Theatre, Oriental Theatre, and just off the Magnificent Mile, the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place and presenting Broadway shows at The Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University.   For more information, visit www.BroadwayInChicago.com.

Facebook @BroadwayInChicago ● Twitter @broadwaychicago ● Instagram @broadwayinchicago ● #broadwayinchicago

ACT OUT: Metamorphoses at Lookingglass--Transformative Theatre

LOOKINGGLASS THEATRE OPENS

ITS 25th ANNIVERSARY SEASON WITH

METAMORPHOSES

WRITTEN AND DIRECTED BY ENSEMBLE MEMBER MARY ZIMMERMAN

on the ten year anniversary of its Tony Award-Winning Broadway Opening

September 19 – November 18, 2012

Written and Directed by Ensemble Member Mary Zimmerman Featuring Usman Ally, Anjali Bhimani, Anne Fogarty, Marilyn Dodds Frank, Chris Kipiniak, Lauren Orkus and Ensemble Members Larry DiStasi, Raymond Fox and Doug Hara with Artistic Associate Louise Lamson Original composition by Willy Schwarz and Design work by TJ Gerckens, Maria DeFabo and company members Daniel Ostling, Mara Blumenfeld and Andre Pluess Winner! Tony Award for Best Direction of a Play Winner! Drama Desk Awards for Outstanding Play, Director, Lighting Design & Music Winner! Drama League Awards for Outstanding New Broadway Play Winner! Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Director of a Play Winner! Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Play "Shows that theater can provide not just escape but sometimes a glimpse of the divine." - Time Magazine "Entrancing… an evening of almost magical changes, wrought through the unique imagery of theater" - Chicago Tribune “Zimmerman at her most cheerfully ingenious.” - New York Times

In celebration of its 25^th anniversary, Lookingglass Theatre Company presents Metamorphoses, based on the myths of Ovid from a translation by David Slavitt, written and directed by Ensemble Member Mary Zimmerman. The revival production, coinciding with the 10^th Anniversary of the Broadway production, runs September 19 – November 18, 2012 at Lookingglass Theatre Company, located inside Chicago's historic Water Tower Water Works, 821 N. Michigan Ave. at Pearson. 

In 1998, Lookingglass debuted Metamorphoses, a play of such grace and power that the memory of it still lingers in the minds of audiences today. The critically-acclaimed, record-breaking Chicago engagement led to a Broadway production that garnered Mary Zimmerman the 2002 Tony Award for Best Director and catapulted Lookingglass onto the national stage.

From a simple, rippling pool of water, Ensemble Member Mary Zimmerman conjured the force of Ovid’s ancient myths into gorgeous imagery and breathtaking storytelling.  Metamorphoses’ long-anticipated Chicago revival will feature a number of Lookingglass Ensemble Members and original cast members.

“Metamorphoses is one of those rare productions that truly has it all: beauty, mystery, humor, pathos.  The brilliance of Mary’s work is that these ancient myths feel at once very contemporary and totally timeless, simultaneously rooted in the very specific individuals onstage and completely universal,” says Artistic Director Andy White. “These are some of the reasons it was our longest-running hit in Chicago, then toured the country, and finally ran for a year on Broadway.  This show had a profound impact on all of us – Lookingglass, Chicago, and even the country – when we first produced it, and we’ve had an ache to revisit it for a long time. We are so proud to bring it back to Chicago now, and to have it kick off our 25th Anniversary Season.”

In February 2013, Lookingglass Theatre’s production of Metamorphoses, will transfer to The Arena Stage in Washington, D.C.  Last season, The Arena Stage brought Lookingglass’ hit production of The Arabian Nights to its stage.

Metamorphoses will feature members of the original Lookingglass Chicago cast, Anjali Bhimani (Myrrha and Others), Lawrence E. DiStasi (Hermes and Others), Marilyn Dodds Frank (Therapist and Others), Raymond Fox (Midas and Others), Douglas Hara (Phaeton and Others), Chris Kipiniak (Erysichthon and Others), Louise Lamson (Alcyone and Others). The cast also includes returning cast member Anne Fogarty (Aphrodite and Others) and new cast members Usman Ally (Orpheus and Others) and Lauren Orkus (Eurydice and Others).

About Metamorphoses artists

Mary Zimmerman has worked with Lookingglass Theatre Company for more than twenty years. She adapted and directed The Odyssey, The Secret in the Wings, Arabian Nights, S/M, Metamorphoses, the Lookingglass/About Face collaboration of Eleven Rooms of Proust and Argonautika. Zimmerman is also part of the Goodman Theatre artistic team where she adapted and directed The Notebooks of Leonardo Da Vinci (with several members of the Lookingglass ensemble), Silk, Journey to the West, Mirror of the Invisible World and a re-creation of The Odyssey. She has twice directed for the New York Shakespeare Festival in the Park. Her work has won awards in Chicago, Seattle, Los Angeles, Berkeley and New York including the 2002 Tony Award for her direction of Metamorphoses on Broadway. In the world of opera, she directed and wrote the libretto Galileo Galilei (Philip Glass, composer) which was produced at the Goodman Theatre and the Barbican Theatre in London. Additionally, she has directed three operas at The Metropolitan Opera in New York City: Lucia Di Lammermoor, La Sonnambula, and Rossini’s Armida.  In 1998, she was awarded a MacArthur Fellowship. She lives in Evanston and is a professor of Performance Studies at Northwestern University.

Usman Ally (Ceyx and Others) was last seen at Lookingglass Theater in The Last Act of Lilka Kadison and Mary Zimmerman’s The Arabian Nights. Recent credits include include the Jeff Award winning, Pulitzer and Lucille Lortel Nominated The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity (Victory Gardens World Premiere and Second Stage Off-Broadway), The Four of Us (Theater Wit), Celebrity Row and the world premiere of Ayad Akhtar’s Disgraced (ATC) and many more. Television credits: The Chicago Code and a recurring role on Season 4 of Damages with Glenn Close. 2010 Fox Foundation/TCG Grant Recipient. ATC Ensemble Member. Ally was born in Swaziland and spent the first 18 years of his life in Botswana, Kenya, Pakistan and Tanzania. He received his BA in Theatre and Cultural Anthropology from Lewis and Clark College, and an MFA Magna Cum Laude from the University of Florida. As a SLAM Poet, Usman has been a featured poet on several occasions at the historic Green Mill in Chicago. He has also written hip hop theatre productions American Ethnic and Public Enemy (Remy Bumppo) and founded the One Nation Hip Hop Theater Organization. In Chicago, Usman is best known for originating the role of VP in the World Premiere of The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity, which he reprised Off-Broadway at Second Stage, and then again in Los Angeles at the Geffen Playhouse. Usman can be seen as a recurring character on season 4 of Damages, and on The Chicago Code. Film Credits include “Just Like a Woman” and “Contagion”.

Anjali Bhimani (Myrrha and Others) was part of the Original Lookingglass Chicago cast of Metamorphoses, as well as the Broadway, Second Stage, Mark Taper Forum, Berkeley Rep, and Seattle Rep productions. Other credits include Bombay Dreams (Broadway), The American Pilot (MTC), A Widow of No Importance (East West Players), The Existents (Open Fist), As You Like It (Shakespeare Theatre D.C.), Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson (Kirk Douglas), Mirror of the Invisible World (Goodman), Comedy on the Bridge and Brundibar (Berkeley Rep, Yale Rep, New Victory), The Odyssey (McCarter, Seattle Rep, Goodman),  Arabian Nights (Lookingglass, BAM, Steppenwolf), and Pentecost (Berkeley Rep). Television credits include “Necessary Roughness,” “Modern Family,” “Common Law,” “Law and Order: SVU,” and “The Sopranos.”  

Lawrence E. DiStasi (Hermes and Others) was part of the Original Lookingglass Chicago cast of Metamorphoses and has also appeared at Lookingglass in over 30 Lookingglass productions, most recently Eastland: a New Musical and Icarus. DiStasi is a founding Ensemble Member of the Lookingglass Theatre Company, as well as The Actors Gymnasium Circus and Performing Arts School. He’s appeared in the Flying Griffin Circus, T.V.’s "Early Edition," a film called Since You’ve Been Gone, and the opera Galileo Galilei. He recently directed Lost and Found: A Recycled Circus at The Actors Gymnasium.

Marilyn Dodds Frank (Therapist and Others) appeared in the original Chicago cast of Metamorphoses at Lookingglass, as well as Hard Times, The Idiot, George, and The Last Act of Lilka Kadison. Broadway credits include Superior Donuts; Lincoln Center Theater: The Clean House. Other Chicago credits include productions with Steppenwolf, Goodman, Victory Gardens, Shaw Chicago, A Red Orchid, Court, Latino Chicago, Teatro Vista, Remains, Next, New Criminals, Piven. New York: En Garde Arts, La Mama. Los Angeles: Actor’s Gang, Padua Playwrights Ensemble. Premieres of four plays written and directed by Maria Irene Fornes. Movies with Judd Apatow, Robert Altman, Stephen Frears, Michael Apted, and Joel Schumacher, among others.

Anne Fogarty (Aphrodite and Others) returns for her sixth production of Metamorphoses. She previously appeared as Aphrodite in the original Lookingglass production and as Eurydice at Hartford Stage, Missouri Repertory Theatre, Cincinnati Playhouse, and The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis. Other appearances at Lookingglass include Tessa in Summertime and Alexandra in The Idiot. Her regional credits include Mary Zimmerman’s The Secret in the Wings at Berkeley Rep, McCarter Theatre, and Seattle Rep; Terry in Side Man, Honey in Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, and Anne Lindbergh in Hauptmann at Madison Repertory Theatre; and The Governess in Turn of the Screw at Illusion Theatre in Minneapolis. Some of her favorite Chicago roles include Charlotte in The Real Thing, Julia in Holiday, and Ann in Man and Superman (Remy Bumppo Theatre); Esther in The Glamour House (Victory Gardens Theatre); and Carol in Oleanna. She and her husband, actor Raymond Fox, live in Chicago with their daughter, Nora.

Raymond Fox (Midas and Others) was part of the Original Chicago, Off Broadway and Broadway casts (Lookingglass, Second Stage and Circle in the Square), as well as regional productions (Berkeley Rep., Seattle Rep., Mark Taper Forum, Kansas City Rep. and Hartford Stage). recently appeared in Trust at Lookingglass. Broadway/Off Broadway: Metamorphoses (Circle in the Square and Second Stage). Chicago credits include Lookingglass; Remy Bumppo; Goodman; Court; Next. Regional credits include Seattle Rep.; Berkeley Rep.; Kansas City Rep.; Indiana Rep.; Meadow Brook; Hartford Stage; McCarter; Mark Taper Forum; Arden; About Face/Tectonic; American Repertory Theatre and Canada’s Stratford Festival. He studied at Northwestern University and A.R.T. Institute at Harvard University.

Douglas Hara (Phaeton and Others) was part of the Original Chicago, Off Broadway and Broadway casts (Lookingglass, Second Stage and Circle in the Square) of Metamorphoses, as well as regional productions at Berkeley Rep., Seattle Rep. and Mark Taper Forum.

Hara is an Ensemble Member of Lookingglass Theatre Company where he has participated in 16 productions since 1991 including West, Arabian Nights, Up Against It, The Master and Margarita, Lookingglass Hamlet, Lookingglass Alice, and The Brothers Karamazov. Goodman Theatre Productions include Journey to the West and The Odyssey. Arden Theatre productions include A Prayer for Owen Meany, Something Intangible, Threepenny Opera, and Cyrano. Two River Theater productions include Our Town, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Charlotte’s Web, You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, and HONK! Broadway credits: The Boys of Winter and Metamorphoses. Off-Broadway: The Notebooks of Leonardo Da Vinci, and Lookingglass Alice. Doug has performed at many regional theatres including, About Face Theatre, Jellyeye Drum Opera, Huntington Theatre, Berkeley Repertory, Seattle Repertory, Mark Taper Forum, The Alliance Theatre, Syracuse Stage, Margaret Jenkins Dance Company, Brooklyn Academy of Music, and Joyce Theatre.

Chris Kipiniak (Erysichthon and Others) Broadway: Metamorphoses (Circle in the Square). Off-broadway: Kit Marlowe (Public Theater), Nora (Marvell Repertory), Charles Winn Speaks... (Living Image Arts). London: How To Act Around Cops (Soho Theatre, also New York and Edinburgh International Fringe Festivals). Chicago: The Odyssey and Wit (Goodman Theatre). Film/TV: "Delocated," "Law & Order," "The Good Wife," the feature “The Poker Club,” the short “Trying” (also writer, director). Playwriting: Stalled (Horse Trade Theater Group and Hangar Theatre Lab), Save the World (Roundtable Ensemble), Change the Be and IIIINSAAAAAAAANE!!!! (Horse Trade Theater Group). Other writing: Nightcrawler, Amazing Fantasy and Marvel Adventures: Spider-Man for Marvel Comics.

Louise Lamson (Alcyone and Others) appeared in an early version of Metamorphoses entitled Six Myths, while still a student at Northwestern in 1996, and was also part of the Original Chicago, Off Broadway and Broadway casts, as well as regional productions at the Berkeley Rep., Seattle Rep. and Mark Taper Forum. Lamson is an Artistic Associate at Lookingglass and her credits include The Idiot, Hard Times, The Secret in the Wings, Manuscript Found in Saragossa, The Wooden Breeks, Icarus (at the Getty Villa, L.A.), The Brothers Karamazov, Our Town, and The Arabian Nights. Some Chicago credits include About Face Theatre’s Bash (After Dark award and Jeff nomination), The Odyssey (Goodman), and The Adventures of Herculina (Next Theatre). New York credits include The Notebooks of Leonardo Da Vinci (Second Stage).

Lauren Orkus (Eurydice and Others) NY credits include: My Sweet Charlie (June Havoc Theatre), Hollow (Dixon Place), End’s Eve (NY Fringe Festival), Ivanov (Gene Frankel). Regional: The Snow Queen (Portland Stage Company), The Comedy of Errors, Two Noble Kinsmen (Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival), The Diary of Anne Frank (St. Louis Rep.), Doubt (Weston Playhouse), Night of the Iguana (Berkshire Theatre Festival), The House in Hydesville (Geva Theatre), Arms and the Man (Orlando Shakespeare Theater), A Christmas Carol (Am. Drama Group Europe- German Tour), The Crucible, The Diary of Anne Frank (Asolo Theatre Co.). Lauren is also a Teaching Artist with the New York non-profit Opening Act. MFA in Acting from the FSU/Asolo Theatre Conservatory.

Lookingglass Theatre is located in the heart of the Magnificent Mile shopping district inside Chicago's historic Water Tower Water Works, 821 N. Michigan Ave. at Pearson. Discounted parking is available for Lookingglass patrons at both the nearby John Hancock Center and Olympia Centre Self Park (161 E. Chicago Ave.).

Production Sponsors for Metamorphoses include United Airlines, the official and exclusive airline of Lookingglass Theatre Company, and The Pauls Foundation.

About Lookingglass Theatre Company

Inventive.  Collaborative.  Transformative.  Lookingglass Theatre Company, recipient of the 2011 Regional Theatre Tony Award, was founded in 1988 by eight Northwestern University students. 2012-2013 marks the company’s 25^th anniversary season. Lookingglass is home to a multi-disciplined ensemble of artists who create story-centered theatrical work that is physical, aurally rich and visually metaphoric. Lookingglass has staged 58 world premieres at 23 venues across Chicago, and garnered 52 Joseph Jefferson Awards and Citations.

Work premiered at Lookingglass has been produced in New York City, Los Angeles, Seattle, Berkeley, Philadelphia, Princeton, Hartford, Kansas City, Washington D.C., and St. Louis.  Lookingglass original scripts have been produced across the United States.

The Lookingglass Theatre in Chicago's landmark Water Tower Water Works opened in June 2003.  In addition to developing and presenting ensemble work, Lookingglass Education and Community programs encourage creativity, teamwork and confidence with thousands of community members each year.

Lookingglass Theatre Company continues to expand its artistic, financial and institutional boundaries under the guidance of Artistic Director Andrew White, Executive Director Rachel Kraft, Producing Artistic Director Philip R. Smith, Artistic Director of New Work Heidi Stillman, a 22-member artistic ensemble, 15 artistic associates, 11 production affiliates, an administrative staff and a dedicated board of directors led by Chairman Richard Ditton of Incredible Technologies and President Joe Brady of Jones Lang LaSalle. For more information, visit lookingglasstheatre.org.

Regular run: September 30, 2012

Times:              

Tuesdays: 7:30 p.m. (10/09, 10/23, 11/06 only)

Wednesdays:         7:30 p.m.

                        

Thursdays:    3:00 p.m. (10/18, 11/01, 11/15 only); 7:30 p.m.

                        

Fridays:   7:30 p.m.

                                    

Saturdays:   3:00 p.m.; 7:30 p.m.

      

Sundays:   3:00 p.m.; 7:30 p.m.

Location: Lookingglass Theatre Company, located inside Chicago's historic

Water Tower Water Works, 821 N. Michigan Ave. at Pearson.

Prices: Previews are $28 - $38

Regular Run is $36 - $70

Target Saturday Matinees offer a limited number of buy one, get one free tickets which are available to all 3:00 p.m. Saturday matinees. This program is made possible with the generous support of Target, working with Lookingglass to make the arts accessible to all.

A limited number of student tickets are available the day of the show for $20 with valid student ID.

Groups of 10 or more patrons save up to 20%. Call the box office for details.

Box Office: Buy online at www.lookingglasstheatre.org

or by phone at (312) 337-0665

The Lookingglass box office is located at Water Tower Water Works,

821 N. Michigan Ave.