1. The Neo-Futurists have announced their 23rd season. They’ll be running Chalk and Saltwater: The Ladder Project by John Pierson, Burning Bluebeard by Jay Torrence, and The Strange and Terrible True Story of Pinocchio (the wooden boy) as Told by Frankenstein’s Monster (the wretched creature) by Greg Allen. The most promising looks to be Chalk and Saltwater, which “dissects the failure of Edgar Davis’ 1926 Broadway production of The Ladder, the longest running flop in American theatre history.”  It all starts in September, and of course, Too Much Light is still running, forever and a day.

2. Hamlet opened at the Oracle last night, and features a motley crew of actors, some of whom have performed at Shakespeare in the Park, and others of whom have just graduated college. Can YOU tell who’s who? (Well maybe, but only by age.)

3. Here’s the Story, The Moth-with-food show where people tell stories, was last night, and is every first Wednesday of the month at Theater Wit. This months performance included Susan Messing, who remarked on how rare it was for her to be telling a true story (Messing With a Friend is not so autobiographical), and she jokingly passed out non-disclosure agreements to those present.

4. Meghan Beals McCarthy was chosen out of a nationwide search as the Chicago Dramatists new Associate Artistic Director. Her position was originally created via a grant, and because that money is ending, McCarthy will also be part-time Director of Youth and Community Programming. 

5. The Trib has redesigned their Theater section, dubbed “The Theater Loop.” You’ll get: “News. Criticism. Commentary. The shows not to be missed — and the showso avoid at all costs.” It looks like its all part of the Trib’s new redesign that launched a few weeks ago.

Questions? Tips? Email kdries@wbez.org.