Evanston’s Next Theatre Company is branching out into downtown Chicago. Just announced, Next will produce Heather Raffo’s one-woman New York hit “Nine Parts of Desire” at the Museum of Contemporary Art in May 2008. The piece is directed by Joanna Settle, who once lived and worked in Chicago. … Lou Diamond Phillips is replacing Michael York as King Arthur in the national tour of “Camelot,” once the show hits Los Angeles in September. … The Joseph Jefferson Committee has announced it will give special citations to Lifeline Theatre and Stage Left Theatre, recognizing both companies’ longtime contribution to the local non-Equity scene. Also, the Jeff Committee says its annual, Equity-theater ceremony will return to Skokie’s North Shore Center for the Arts. … Playwright Tracy Letts will speak June 9 at the Printers Row Book Fair. Letts’ latest play, “August: Osage County” features more Steppenwolf ensemble members than we’ve seen together in a while. Performances begin June 28.
