The theatre, founded in 1988 by eight Northwestern University students, has not officially announced the project, and a spokesperson for Lookingglass told Playbill.com the future season is still in the planning stages.
Schwimmer, a Chicago native, starred in TV's popular sitcom, "Friends," and appeared in Broadway's recent The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial.
The Trib's Theater Loop columnist Chris Jones reported that Thornton Wilder's portrait of small-town America (a microcosm of the human experience) would be co-directed "in the early part of next year" by both Anna D. Shapiro (August: Osage County) and Jessica Thebus, who suggested their Our Town idea to Lookingglass. It's expected to play Lookingglass' home at Water Tower Water Works.
The speculation is that Schwimmer would play Our Town's God-like central figure, the Stage Manager, who narrates, seems to control the shape of the show and even assumes roles.
* Currently, Lookingglass — now in its 20th anniversary season — is presenting the extended-run production of Hephaestus: A Greek Mythology Circus Tale, created by artistic associate Tony Hernandez. Story and direction are by Tony Hernandez and ensemble member Heidi Stillman.
The production will run through March 9 at Lookingglass Theatre Company's venue inside Chicago's historic Water Tower Water Works, 821 N. Michigan Ave. at Pearson.
The show, featuring the world's elite circus performers, including veteran members of the Wallenda Family and the Ringling Bros., was a world premiere hit for Lookingglass in 2005.
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According to Lookingglass Theatre Company notes, "Now in their 20th anniversary season, Lookingglass is home to a multi-disciplined ensemble of artists who create story-centered theatrical work that is physical, aurally rich and visually metaphoric. Lookingglass has staged nearly 50 world premieres at 23 venues across Chicago, and garnered 39 Joseph Jefferson Awards and Citations. Work that has premiered at Lookingglass has toured nationally to many cities in over a dozen states. The Lookingglass Theatre in Chicago's landmark Water Tower Water Works opened in June 2003. In addition to developing and presenting ensemble work, Lookingglass Education and Community programs encourage creativity, teamwork and confidence with more than 15,000 students each year."
Lookingglass is under the guidance of artistic director David Catlin, executive director Rachel Kraft, producing artistic director Philip R. Smith, artistic director of new work Heidi Stillman, a 22-member artistic ensemble and administrative staff. Board chairman Lisa Green leads a board of directors. For more information, visit lookingglasstheatre.org.
