Daily Rehearsal: ‘The Jungle Book’ set for world premiere at the Goodman

Daily Rehearsal: ‘The Jungle Book’ set for world premiere at the Goodman

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1. The Goodman has announced their 2012-13 season, which they claim consists of “four world and two Chicago premieres.” What does that mean? David Cromer will direct his first production for the Loop company, Sweet Bird of Youth by Tennessee Williams starting in September. It’ll be followed by Jon Robin Baitz’s Other Desert Cities directed by Henry Wishcamper and By the Way, Meet Vera Stark by Pulitzer Prize-winner Lynn Nottage, directed by Chuck Smith.

The one I’m most excited about: the world-premiere production of The Jungle Book, which will be directed by Mary Zimmerman (She’s having a busy year: remember that Lookingglass snatched her up first). We’ve got smaller plays too: Black n Blue Boys/Broken Men, written and performed by Dael Orlandersmith, directed by man-about-town Chay Yew; Christopher Shinn’s Teddy Ferrara; and The Happiest Song Plays Last by Quiara Alegría Hudes. Don’t forget about A Christmas Carol either! And “NOTE: One play in the Albert Theatre (in spring 2013) is to be announced.” (Emphasis definitely not mine).

(Flickr/quicheisinsane)

2. WHY THE LONG FACEBOOK? Yes, that is a production name and it’s at Stage 773 Fridays at 10 p.m. It’s producecd by Dark Humour Productions, who call themselves “a new company created by veteran Chicago writers, actors, producers, and some brand new, and incredibly talented, faces to the Chicago theatre scene…[who] hope to combine our experience with fresh ideas in order to create work that transcends age, class, and color.”

3. Have you seen Adam Burke perform? He doesn’t sound like he’s from Chicago, that’s for sure. The A.V. Club profiles him before his free show at Beat Kitchen tonight. 

4. Aziz Ansari will be at the Chicago Theatre on June 15th as part of the Just for Laughs festival and his Buried Alive Tour; he was here in 2010 for the same event.

5. Female voicesWhere are they? Almost not at the Forum Theatre in D.C., it appears.

Questions? Tips? Email kdries@wbez.org.