Gary Griffin to Direct Follies for Chicago Shakespeare; Theater to Debut New Musicals by Joe Kinosian & Kellen Blair and Neil Bartram & Brian Hill

Gary Griffin will direct a revival of Stephen Sondheim’s Follies at Chicago Shakespeare Theater, October 4-November 6, according to The Chicago Tribune.

The musical features a book by James Goldman, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, and includes such signature songs as “I’m Still Here,” “Broadway Baby” and “Losing My Mind.”

In related news, Chicago Shakespeare Theater has also announced that it will premiere two new musicals at its home on Navy Pier this year, both of which have been developed in workshops at the Theater over the past season, under the guidance of Creative Producer Rick Boynton.

The musical murder mystery Murder for Two (May 12-June 19) is by Joe Kinosian (music/book) and Kellen Blair (lyrics/book), and is an Agatha Christie-like whodunit that tells the story of a heinous murder, with a twist: one actor investigates the crime, the other plays all 13 suspects, and they both play the piano. David H. Bell will direct.

The puppet-infused family musical The Adventures of Pinocchio (July 13-August 28) is by Neil Bartram (music/lyrics) and Brian Hill (book), and was commissioned by Chicago Shakespeare. The Courtyard Theater stage will be transformed into a larger-than-life, European-style marionette theater for the production’s world premiere. Based on Carlo Collodi’s classic tale of a wooden puppet yearning to be a real boy, the production is staged by Rachel Rockwell.

As previously reported, Chicago Shakespeare’s acclaimed “hip-hoptation” Funk It Up About Nothin’, which was developed by The Q Brothers in collaboration with Boynton, opens a six-week Australian tour tonight, February 23. It will then make its London debut at Theatre Royal Stratford East beginning April 8.

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