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'''Writers Theatre''' is a [[non-profit]] [[theatre company]] founded in 1992 and located in [[Glencoe, Illinois]]. [[Michael W. Halberstam]], the founder of the company, was an artistic director from its inception in 2021. Kathryn M. Lipuma has been an executive director since 2007. |
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==History== |
==History== |
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⚫ | Writers Theatre opened its first venue in the anteroom of a newly opened bookstore in 1992 in [[Glencoe, Illinois|Glencoe]], IL. A second 108-seat performance space was opened in 2003 in The Women Library Club of Glencoe on Tudor Court. The company has produced more than 100 productions, including more than 20 world premieres. |
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⚫ | Writers Theatre opened its first venue in the |
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In 2007, Writers Theatre debuted nationally with a New York premiere of ''[[Crime and Punishment (play)|Crime and Punishment]]'' adapted by Marilyn Campbell and [[Curt Columbus]].<ref name="Simmons">{{cite web|last=Simmons|first=Paulanne|title=A CurtainUp Review: Crime and Punishment|url=http://www.curtainup.com/crimeandpunishment07.html|publisher=CurtainUp.com|accessdate=9 July 2010}}</ref><ref name="Genzlinger">{{cite news|last=Genzlinger|first=Neil|title=Dostoyevsky's Homicidal Student, the 90-Minute Version |url=http://theater.nytimes.com/2007/11/09/theater/reviews/09crim.html?scp=1&sq=crime%20and%20punishment%20Marilyn%20Campbell&st=cse|accessdate=11 July 2010|newspaper=The New York Times|date=9 November 2007}}</ref> |
In 2007, Writers Theatre debuted nationally with a New York premiere of ''[[Crime and Punishment (play)|Crime and Punishment]]'', adapted by Marilyn Campbell and [[Curt Columbus]].<ref name="Simmons">{{cite web|last=Simmons|first=Paulanne|title=A CurtainUp Review: Crime and Punishment|url=http://www.curtainup.com/crimeandpunishment07.html|publisher=CurtainUp.com|accessdate=9 July 2010}}</ref><ref name="Genzlinger">{{cite news|last=Genzlinger|first=Neil|title=Dostoyevsky's Homicidal Student, the 90-Minute Version |url=http://theater.nytimes.com/2007/11/09/theater/reviews/09crim.html?scp=1&sq=crime%20and%20punishment%20Marilyn%20Campbell&st=cse|accessdate=11 July 2010|newspaper=The New York Times|date=9 November 2007}}</ref> |
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In 2011, [[Lincoln Center Theater]] produced another work that began at Writers Theatre: ''A Minister's Wife'', a musical adaptation of [[George Bernard Shaw]]'s ''[[Candida (play)|Candida]]'', conceived and directed by Halberstam, with music by Joshua Schmidt, lyrics by Jan Trannen and book by Austin Pendleton.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Isherwood|first1=Charles|title='A Minister's Wife,' at Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater - Review|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/09/theater/reviews/a-ministers-wife-at-mitzi-e-newhouse-theater-review.html|website=The New York Times|accessdate=1 June 2017|date=8 May 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Jones|first1=Kenneth|title=Shaw's Candida Is Now Musical Minister's Wife by Pendleton, Schmidt and Tranen|url=http://www.playbill.com/article/shaws-candida-is-now-musical-ministers-wife-by-pendleton-schmidt-and-tranen-com-161012|website=Playbill|accessdate=1 June 2017|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Fragassi|first1=Selena|title=Review: 'A Minister's Wife' at the Glencoe Writers' Theatre|url=http://www.triblocal.com/glenview/community/stories/2009/06/review-a-ministers-wife-at-the-glencoe-writers-theatre/index.html|website=Chicago Tribune|accessdate=1 June 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Weekend: 'A Minister's Wife' comes to Findlay|url=http://thecourier.com/local-news/2016/10/02/weekend-a-ministers-wife-comes-to-findlay/|website=The Courier|accessdate=1 June 2017}}</ref> |
In 2011, [[Lincoln Center Theater]] produced another work that began at Writers Theatre: ''A Minister's Wife'', a musical adaptation of [[George Bernard Shaw]]'s ''[[Candida (play)|Candida]]'', conceived and directed by Halberstam, with music by Joshua Schmidt, lyrics by Jan Trannen and book by Austin Pendleton.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Isherwood|first1=Charles|title='A Minister's Wife,' at Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater - Review|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/09/theater/reviews/a-ministers-wife-at-mitzi-e-newhouse-theater-review.html|website=The New York Times|accessdate=1 June 2017|date=8 May 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Jones|first1=Kenneth|title=Shaw's Candida Is Now Musical Minister's Wife by Pendleton, Schmidt and Tranen|url=http://www.playbill.com/article/shaws-candida-is-now-musical-ministers-wife-by-pendleton-schmidt-and-tranen-com-161012|website=Playbill|accessdate=1 June 2017|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Fragassi|first1=Selena|title=Review: 'A Minister's Wife' at the Glencoe Writers' Theatre|url=http://www.triblocal.com/glenview/community/stories/2009/06/review-a-ministers-wife-at-the-glencoe-writers-theatre/index.html|website=Chicago Tribune|accessdate=1 June 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Weekend: 'A Minister's Wife' comes to Findlay|url=http://thecourier.com/local-news/2016/10/02/weekend-a-ministers-wife-comes-to-findlay/|website=The Courier|accessdate=1 June 2017}}</ref> |
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In November 2013, Writers Theatre announced the launch of the ''On To a New Stage Campaign'', a fundraising campaign with a $34 million capital project goal,<ref>{{cite web|last1=Cullotta|first1=Karen Ann|title=New, architecturally-significant Glencoe theater should fit in downtown|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/glencoe/news/ct-glencoe-writers-theatre-tl-20150128-story.html|website=Chicago Tribune|accessdate=1 June 2017}}</ref> which includes a cash reserve, to establish the company's first permanent home in a new theatre center in downtown Glencoe, designed by the award-winning [[Studio Gang Architects]] and [[Jeanne Gang]], [[Fellow of the American Institute of Architects|FAIA]], in collaboration with Theatre Consultant Auerbach Pollock Friedlander.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Kamin|first1=Blair|title=New Writers Theatre building in Glencoe has a flair for drama|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/ct-new-writers-theatre-building-glencoe-jeanne-gang-ae-0207-20160204-column.html|website=Chicago Tribune|accessdate=1 June 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Connors|first1=Thomas|title=Rooms of Their Own: A New Era for Writers Theatre|url=http://www.americantheatre.org/2016/07/19/rooms-of-their-own-a-new-era-for-writers-theatre/|website=American Theatre|accessdate=1 June 2017|date=19 July 2016}}</ref> The new building was completed and opened to the public in February 2016. The inaugural production in the new building was [[Tom Stoppard]]'s ''[[Arcadia (play)|Arcadia]]'', which opened in March 2016 to critical acclaim.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Jones|first1=Chris|title='Arcadia' brims with intelligence in Writers' bright new house|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/theater/reviews/ct-arcadia-writers-theatre-review-ent-0325-20160324-column.html|website=Chicago Tribune|accessdate=1 June 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Teachout|first1=Terry|title='Arcadia' Review: Highbrow Whodunit|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/arcadia-review-highbrow-whodunit-1460072279|website=Wall Street Journal|accessdate=1 June 2017|date=7 April 2016}}</ref> |
In November 2013, Writers Theatre announced the launch of the ''On To a New Stage Campaign'', a fundraising campaign with a $34 million capital project goal,<ref>{{cite web|last1=Cullotta|first1=Karen Ann|title=New, architecturally-significant Glencoe theater should fit in downtown|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/glencoe/news/ct-glencoe-writers-theatre-tl-20150128-story.html|website=Chicago Tribune|accessdate=1 June 2017}}</ref> which includes a cash reserve, to establish the company's first permanent home in a new theatre center in downtown Glencoe, designed by the award-winning [[Studio Gang Architects]] and [[Jeanne Gang]], [[Fellow of the American Institute of Architects|FAIA]], in collaboration with Theatre Consultant Auerbach Pollock Friedlander.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Kamin|first1=Blair|title=New Writers Theatre building in Glencoe has a flair for drama|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/ct-new-writers-theatre-building-glencoe-jeanne-gang-ae-0207-20160204-column.html|website=Chicago Tribune|accessdate=1 June 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Connors|first1=Thomas|title=Rooms of Their Own: A New Era for Writers Theatre|url=http://www.americantheatre.org/2016/07/19/rooms-of-their-own-a-new-era-for-writers-theatre/|website=American Theatre|accessdate=1 June 2017|date=19 July 2016}}</ref> The new building was completed and opened to the public in February 2016. The inaugural production in the new building was [[Tom Stoppard]]'s ''[[Arcadia (play)|Arcadia]]'', which opened in March 2016 to critical acclaim.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Jones|first1=Chris|title='Arcadia' brims with intelligence in Writers' bright new house|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/theater/reviews/ct-arcadia-writers-theatre-review-ent-0325-20160324-column.html|website=Chicago Tribune|accessdate=1 June 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Teachout|first1=Terry|title='Arcadia' Review: Highbrow Whodunit|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/arcadia-review-highbrow-whodunit-1460072279|website=Wall Street Journal|accessdate=1 June 2017|date=7 April 2016}}</ref> |
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In 2017, Writers Theatre artistic director Michael Halberstam was accused of sexual harassment |
In 2017, Writers Theatre artistic director Michael Halberstam was accused of sexual harassment on Twitter. After an investigation by the outside consultant hired by the Writers Theatre board of directors, the board reported that Halberstam “has made inappropriate and insensitive comments in the workplace but the investigation did not support a finding of other inappropriate sexual behavior.” The board recommended compliance training for Michael Halberstam.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Jones|first=Chris|title=Writers Theatre concludes Michael Halberstam investigation, recommends 'compliance training'|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/theater/ct-ent-halberstam-writers-theatre-1130-story.html|access-date=2021-10-26|website=chicagotribune.com}}</ref> Halberstam resigned from the theater in July 2021, after continued reports of harassment and abuse.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-07-30|title=A tsunami of news and a new path for Actors' Equity membership|url=http://chicagoreader.com/arts-culture/a-tsunami-of-news-and-a-new-path-for-actors-equity-membership/|access-date=2021-10-26|website=Chicago Reader|language=en-US}}</ref> |
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==Critical reception== |
==Critical reception== |
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Writers Theatre |
Writers Theatre was called "America's No. 1 theatre company" by ''The Wall Street Journal'''s drama critic, Terry Teachout, in 2008.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Teachout |first1=Terry |date=27 December 2008 |title=Peripatetic Critic's Picks |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB123005221542830311 |accessdate=1 June 2017 |website=Wall Street Journal}}</ref> |
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In 2016, Teachout named Writers Theatre "Company of the Year," adding "The best regional drama company in America now has a home worthy of its shows."<ref>{{cite web|last1=Teachout|first1=Terry|title=The Best Theater of 2016: Away From the Great White Way|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-best-theater-of-2016-away-from-the-great-white-way-1481727604|website=Wall Street Journal|accessdate=4 June 2017|date=14 December 2016}}</ref> |
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⚫ | Its 2010 production of ''[[A Streetcar Named Desire]]'' directed by [[David Cromer]] was reviewed as "The most uniformly well-acted production yet seen" by [[The New York Times]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Isherwood|first1=Charles|title=Small Space, Big Egos: Something Will Explode|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/19/theater/reviews/19streetcar.html?pagewanted=all&module=Search&mabReward=relbias%3Ar|website=The New York Times|accessdate=1 June 2017|date=18 June 2010}}</ref> |
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As of the 2019/20 season, the theater had garnered 154 [[Joseph Jefferson Award]] nominations and 31 awards. |
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Artistic Director, Michael Halberstam, was named the [[Chicago Tribune]]'s 2013 "Chicagoan of the Year" for Theater, received The 2010 Zelda Fichandler Award,<ref>{{cite web|title=Zelda Fichandler Award Past Recipients|url=http://sdcfoundation.org/recognition-advocacy/fichandler-award/|website=Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation|accessdate=1 June 2017}}</ref> and in 2016 was honored for outstanding theatrical accomplishments and contributions to Chicago theatre by the Joseph Jefferson Awards,<ref>{{cite web|title=Writers Theatre's Michael Halberstam to Receive Special Honor at 2016 Jeff Awards|url=http://www.broadwayworld.com/chicago/article/Writers-Theatres-Michael-Halberstam-to-Receive-Special-Honor-at-2016-Jeff-Awards-20161003|website=BroadwayWorld.com|accessdate=4 June 2017|language=en}}</ref> and received an Award of Honor from the Illinois Theatre Association.<ref>{{cite web|title=Awards of Excellence|url=http://www.illinoistheatre.org/AwardsofExcellence/tabid/805/Default.aspx|website=Illinois Theatre Association|accessdate=4 June 2017}}</ref> |
Artistic Director, Michael Halberstam, was named the [[Chicago Tribune]]'s 2013 "Chicagoan of the Year" for Theater, received The 2010 Zelda Fichandler Award,<ref>{{cite web|title=Zelda Fichandler Award Past Recipients|url=http://sdcfoundation.org/recognition-advocacy/fichandler-award/|website=Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation|accessdate=1 June 2017}}</ref> and in 2016 was honored for outstanding theatrical accomplishments and contributions to Chicago theatre by the Joseph Jefferson Awards,<ref>{{cite web|title=Writers Theatre's Michael Halberstam to Receive Special Honor at 2016 Jeff Awards|url=http://www.broadwayworld.com/chicago/article/Writers-Theatres-Michael-Halberstam-to-Receive-Special-Honor-at-2016-Jeff-Awards-20161003|website=BroadwayWorld.com|accessdate=4 June 2017|language=en}}</ref> and received an Award of Honor from the Illinois Theatre Association.<ref>{{cite web|title=Awards of Excellence|url=http://www.illinoistheatre.org/AwardsofExcellence/tabid/805/Default.aspx|website=Illinois Theatre Association|accessdate=4 June 2017}}</ref> |
Latest revision as of 21:38, 14 September 2024
Address | 325 Tudor Court Glencoe, Illinois United States |
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Owner | Michael W. Halberstam |
Type | Non-profit |
Construction | |
Opened | 1992 |
Rebuilt | 2016 |
Architect | Studio Gang Architects |
Website | |
writerstheatre |
Writers Theatre is a non-profit theatre company founded in 1992 and located in Glencoe, Illinois. Michael W. Halberstam, the founder of the company, was an artistic director from its inception in 2021. Kathryn M. Lipuma has been an executive director since 2007.
History
[edit]Writers Theatre opened its first venue in the anteroom of a newly opened bookstore in 1992 in Glencoe, IL. A second 108-seat performance space was opened in 2003 in The Women Library Club of Glencoe on Tudor Court. The company has produced more than 100 productions, including more than 20 world premieres.
In 2007, Writers Theatre debuted nationally with a New York premiere of Crime and Punishment, adapted by Marilyn Campbell and Curt Columbus.[1][2]
In 2011, Lincoln Center Theater produced another work that began at Writers Theatre: A Minister's Wife, a musical adaptation of George Bernard Shaw's Candida, conceived and directed by Halberstam, with music by Joshua Schmidt, lyrics by Jan Trannen and book by Austin Pendleton.[3][4][5][6]
In November 2013, Writers Theatre announced the launch of the On To a New Stage Campaign, a fundraising campaign with a $34 million capital project goal,[7] which includes a cash reserve, to establish the company's first permanent home in a new theatre center in downtown Glencoe, designed by the award-winning Studio Gang Architects and Jeanne Gang, FAIA, in collaboration with Theatre Consultant Auerbach Pollock Friedlander.[8][9] The new building was completed and opened to the public in February 2016. The inaugural production in the new building was Tom Stoppard's Arcadia, which opened in March 2016 to critical acclaim.[10][11]
In 2017, Writers Theatre artistic director Michael Halberstam was accused of sexual harassment on Twitter. After an investigation by the outside consultant hired by the Writers Theatre board of directors, the board reported that Halberstam “has made inappropriate and insensitive comments in the workplace but the investigation did not support a finding of other inappropriate sexual behavior.” The board recommended compliance training for Michael Halberstam.[12] Halberstam resigned from the theater in July 2021, after continued reports of harassment and abuse.[13]
Critical reception
[edit]Writers Theatre was called "America's No. 1 theatre company" by The Wall Street Journal's drama critic, Terry Teachout, in 2008.[14]
In 2016, Teachout named Writers Theatre "Company of the Year," adding "The best regional drama company in America now has a home worthy of its shows."[15]
Its 2010 production of A Streetcar Named Desire directed by David Cromer was reviewed as "The most uniformly well-acted production yet seen" by The New York Times.[16]
As of the 2019/20 season, the theater had garnered 154 Joseph Jefferson Award nominations and 31 awards.
Artistic Director, Michael Halberstam, was named the Chicago Tribune's 2013 "Chicagoan of the Year" for Theater, received The 2010 Zelda Fichandler Award,[17] and in 2016 was honored for outstanding theatrical accomplishments and contributions to Chicago theatre by the Joseph Jefferson Awards,[18] and received an Award of Honor from the Illinois Theatre Association.[19]
References
[edit]- ^ Simmons, Paulanne. "A CurtainUp Review: Crime and Punishment". CurtainUp.com. Retrieved 9 July 2010.
- ^ Genzlinger, Neil (9 November 2007). "Dostoyevsky's Homicidal Student, the 90-Minute Version". The New York Times. Retrieved 11 July 2010.
- ^ Isherwood, Charles (8 May 2011). "'A Minister's Wife,' at Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater - Review". The New York Times. Retrieved 1 June 2017.
- ^ Jones, Kenneth. "Shaw's Candida Is Now Musical Minister's Wife by Pendleton, Schmidt and Tranen". Playbill. Retrieved 1 June 2017.
- ^ Fragassi, Selena. "Review: 'A Minister's Wife' at the Glencoe Writers' Theatre". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 1 June 2017.
- ^ "Weekend: 'A Minister's Wife' comes to Findlay". The Courier. Retrieved 1 June 2017.
- ^ Cullotta, Karen Ann. "New, architecturally-significant Glencoe theater should fit in downtown". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 1 June 2017.
- ^ Kamin, Blair. "New Writers Theatre building in Glencoe has a flair for drama". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 1 June 2017.
- ^ Connors, Thomas (19 July 2016). "Rooms of Their Own: A New Era for Writers Theatre". American Theatre. Retrieved 1 June 2017.
- ^ Jones, Chris. "'Arcadia' brims with intelligence in Writers' bright new house". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 1 June 2017.
- ^ Teachout, Terry (7 April 2016). "'Arcadia' Review: Highbrow Whodunit". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 1 June 2017.
- ^ Jones, Chris. "Writers Theatre concludes Michael Halberstam investigation, recommends 'compliance training'". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved 2021-10-26.
- ^ "A tsunami of news and a new path for Actors' Equity membership". Chicago Reader. 2021-07-30. Retrieved 2021-10-26.
- ^ Teachout, Terry (27 December 2008). "Peripatetic Critic's Picks". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 1 June 2017.
- ^ Teachout, Terry (14 December 2016). "The Best Theater of 2016: Away From the Great White Way". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 4 June 2017.
- ^ Isherwood, Charles (18 June 2010). "Small Space, Big Egos: Something Will Explode". The New York Times. Retrieved 1 June 2017.
- ^ "Zelda Fichandler Award Past Recipients". Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation. Retrieved 1 June 2017.
- ^ "Writers Theatre's Michael Halberstam to Receive Special Honor at 2016 Jeff Awards". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 4 June 2017.
- ^ "Awards of Excellence". Illinois Theatre Association. Retrieved 4 June 2017.