The new Obama Presidential Center will host a free sing-along screening of the filmed Broadway production of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s “Hamilton” (the official musical of the Obama administration in all but title) on July 21 as part of its “You Are America” celebratory summer series honoring America’s 250th birthday. “Hamilton” is the first outdoor Movies on the Plaza event (reservations at obama.org). The second movie, Disney’s “Encanto,” will be screened on August 11. That’s with music composed by Miranda, too.
Some layoffs took place at Chicago Shakespeare Theater in recent days, say sources familiar with the matter, impacting the casting office and elsewhere. A spokesman for the theater, which also has been in rent renegotiations with its Navy Pier landlord, said that the “tough” changes were “part of getting aligned for next season,” and that while a few positions were eliminated, new roles were added in other areas like development, resulting in only a small drop in the overall headcount of employees.
Construction continues on Black Ensemble Theater’s new studio space, located on the second floor of its theater at 4450 N. Clark St. A recent visit revealed an expansive black-box theater with an additional rehearsal room. Black Ensemble founder Jackie Taylor said she expects the studio, long in gestation, to open in October. The focus in the space, she said, will be on new plays and musicals.
Former Steppenwolf Theatre artistic director Anna. D. Shapiro will direct François Arnaud (“Heated Rivalry”), David Corenswet (Superman) and Yvonne Strahovski (“The Handmaid’s Tale”) in a new production of the late Richard Greenberg’s “Three Days of Rain” on Broadway in February. The Shubert-owned theater in New York is yet to be announced. Shapiro directed the play at Steppenwolf in 1999, with a cast including Tracy Letts, Amy Morton and Ian Barford.
Seeking a more affordable chance to see inside The Hand & The Eye, the gorgeous new magic club and theater in the former Lowry’s the Prime Rib building? There is now an off-peak option offering a show with three magicians and the chance to look around for some other “encounters.” The happy hour runs Friday afternoons through Labor Day and costs $65 (cocktails are extra). Doors open at 4 p.m. and the show concludes by 5:15 p.m.
“Paranormal Activity,” the upcoming Broadway show by Levi Holloway that premiered at Chicago Shakespeare Theater with several Chicago artists, has moved up its official Broadway opening to Aug. 25. Previews begin Aug. 14 at Broadway’s August Wilson Theatre.
Milwaukee Repertory Theater has announced eight new trustees, including former TCG president Ben Cameron. Tickets are on sale now for “Mexodus” at the Studebaker Theater. Lyric Opera of Chicago has announced the appointment of Kate Brueggemann as its new chief development officer. She arrives from the Brookfield Zoo Chicago.
“Mean Girls,” the September season opener at the Paramount Theatre in Aurora, will be staged by director Devon Hayakawa and feature Elizabeth Stenholt as Cady Heron with Dariana Mullen, Angel Alzeidan, Julia Hope Budd, Diego Vazquez Gomez, Lucy Godinez, Steven Klenk, Ben Mathew and Veronica Garza. Opening night is Sept. 4.
Finally, look for Chicago actors in Bears gear with snow on their shoulders. The Hallmark Channel is filming “Holiday Touchdown: A Bears Love Story” this summer. Where will the meet-cute take place? Soldier Field? Arlington Heights? Hammond, Indiana?
Chris Jones Recommends
“Theater of the Mind” in an open run by the Goodman at the Reid Murdoch Building; “Job” through July 3 at Writers Theatre; “Octet” from July 15 to Aug. 2 by Raven Theatre at the Goodman; “Pandemonium, Please Hold” in an open run on the Second City Mainstage; “Damn Yankees” through July 5 at Theo Ubique Theatre; “Leopoldstadt” through Aug. 16 at Writers Theatre; “Untitled Vampire Play” through July 12 by Lookingglass Theatre in Water Tower Water Works; “Champions of Magic” through Aug. 23 at the Studebaker Theater in the Fine Arts Building; “A Little Night Music” through Aug. 9 at the Marriott Theatre; “Iceboy!” through Aug. 9 at the Goodman Theatre.
Chris Jones is a Tribune critic
cjones5@chicagotribune.com
