Spotlight: Chicago Shakespeare Theater debuts digital prologue to new show
Free virtual reading
Joseph Jefferson Award Winner Lili-Anne Brown directs Goodman Theatre's virtual reading of "Lot 110," a new play by Nora Carroll. Presented as part of Goodman's Future Labs series devoted to Chicago-area playwrights, "Lot 110" is about two sisters who journey to the gravesite of their sister to perform a ritual in memory of their late sibling.
7 p.m. Saturday, May 29. Free, but registration is required at goodmantheatre.org/lot110.
Up late at Zanies
This weekend Zanies Rosemont debuts a late-night showcase featuring Chicago-area comedians with occasional special guest performers. Vik Pandya and Tyler Fowler host.
11:15 p.m. Saturday, May 29, and through June 19 at 5437 Park Place, Rosemont. Tickets are $20. (837) 813-0484 or rosemont.zanies.com.
In other news
• Chicago Shakespeare Theater introduces its 2022 premiere of "It Came From Outer Space" with a digital prologue titled "We Are Out There." Written by Joe Kinosian and Kellen Blair, the musical is about a reporter investigating extraterrestrial activity in a small town. Next year's production will feature E. Faye Butler, Alex Goodrich and Cher Alvarez among others. The online promo runs about 45 minutes and is available free through May 31 with the promo code "alien." See chicagoshakes.com.
• First Folio Theatre associate artistic director Melanie Keller interviews artistic associate Lydia Berger Gray ("Women in Jeopardy," "The Amish Project," "Jeeves Takes a Bow" and "Jeeves Intervenes" among others) as part of the theater's online offerings. Also, costume designer and frequent First Folio designer Elsa Hiltner recently received the Michael Merritt Arts Advocate Award for excellence in design and collaboration.
• Congo Square Theatre Company and director Sydney Chatman received the Joyce Foundation's 2021 Joyce Award to support the creation of a new work. The $75,000 grant will support the development of a new work as part of Congo Square's August Wilson New Play Initiative, which has produced works such as Lydia Diamond's "Stick Fly" and ensemble member Kelvin Rolston's "Twisted Melodies."
• About Face Theatre announced the establishment of The Green Room Collective, a new program for early career LGBTQ+ theater arts leaders by paying newcomers a sustainable wage to collaborate on AFT artistic and administrative projects. Of participants Sharon Pasia and Kirsten Baity, artistic director Megan Carney said in a prepared statement they each "have truly inspiring ideas for leading the field. That combination is the perfect match for this moment at About Face."