John N. Frank, co-founder of the 2nd Act Players, will be portraying an elderly Albert Einstein in a planned stage reading of a new play, Einstein’s Compass produced by Chicago’s Royal James Theater. The reading will take place Tuesday, Oct. 11, at 7 p.m. in The Merion, an Evanston senior-living residence. The part represents Frank’s […]
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While the 2nd Act Players stage remains dark because of Covid concerns, actors with whom we have been fortunate to work in the past are lighting up stages across the Chicago-land area and the country with powerful performances. Most recently, Violet Sky Productions announced Debra Rodkin will be in the cast for its production of […]
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Two plays written by 2nd Act Players’ founder John N. Frank will be performed by two other theater groups online this June and July. The plays were originally performed by the 2nd Act Players in 2017 and 2018. A theater group called Play Readings with Friends will read Frank’s New Year’s Eve at Grandma’s House […]
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The 2nd Act Players’ 2021 online production of Cathrine Goldstein’s What Good Did We See Today was named Best Streaming Play for the Chicago region by BroadwayWorld.com. Congratulations to Goldstein and to cast members Brandy Miller and Manny Schenk, both veterans of other 2nd Act Players productions. 2nd Act Players’ Cofounder John N. Frank directed the […]
Read MoreWinners of BroadwayWorld 2021 Chicago regional awards are being selected by popular vote on BroadwayWorld.com. So sadly, several 2nd Act Players’ nominees are competing with each other in various categories (and with themselves in the Best Streaming Direction and Best Streaming Play categories). To make your vote count the most here are some suggestions for […]
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The Evanston 2nd Act Players received an unprecedented 13 nominations for BroadwayWorld’s 2021 Chicago Regional Theater Awards. Winners are being selected by popular vote, so vote today for your 2nd Act Players’ favorites. To vote, simply click here. BroadwayWorld Regional Awards are the largest theatre audience awards, with over 100 cities worldwide participating. Nominations were […]
Read MoreMany years ago, my dad was touched by a song with the lyrics: Like an old dusty road I get weary from the load He told me someday I’d understand why that song spoke to him as he grew older. Today is one of those days. After eight and a half years of trying to […]
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The Evanston 2nd Act Players will be suspending operations for the remainder of 2021. This follows what for us was a devastating development last week – the church where we have performed since 2016 said we cannot do any in-person shows there this winter. Rather than have any activities in its theater area this year, […]
Read MoreAdmission to online showings of Idris Goodwin’s Black Flag are free but donations are strongly encouraged. Approximately 80% of all donations will go to the National Memorial for Peace and Justice, at the playwright’s request. All showings will begin at 7 p.m. central time and last approximately 20 minutes. To register for July 14, or July 15, click […]
Read MoreThe 2nd Act Players has commissioned award-winning playwright John Mabey to write a new two-act comedy about post-pandemic life. Tentatively titled The Roaring 2020s, the play will follow the lives of a family — a father, mother, grandmother, adult daughter, adult son and his boyfriend, trying to figure out what is “normal” in the days […]
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