SEASON ANNOUNCED: Marriott Theatre Reveals a 2027 Season of Showstopping Musicals and Beloved Stories

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Marriott Theatre, Chicagoland’s longest-running musical theatre, presents its 2027 subscription season featuring five thrilling and memorable musicals: Pippin, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, Almost Heaven, Les Misérables and The Wiz. The season also includes three Theatre for Young Audiences productions and an engaging concert lineup. Beginning in 2027, Marriott Theatre will introduce new weekend performance times, with Saturday shows at 2pm and 7:30pm and Sunday performances at 1pm and 6pm.

The 2027 season kicks off with Stephen Schwartz's iconic musical masterpiece, Pippin, directed and choreographed by Jeff Award nominee Amber Mak (Marriott Theatre: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story, Disney’s Finding Nemo). With an infectiously unforgettable score from four-time Grammy winner, three-time Oscar winner, Tony winner and musical theatre giant, Stephen Schwartz (Wicked and Godspell), Pippin is the story of one young man's journey to be extraordinary. Packed with iconic songs like “Corner of the Sky,” “Magic to Do,” “No Time at All” and “Morning Glow.” Pippin starts performances January 27.

Next on stage is A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, the knock-'em-dead, uproarious hit filled with unforgettable music and unending hilarity, directed and choreographed by Katie Spelman (Marriott Theatre:Come From Away, The Music Man). When the charming and penniless Monty Navarro discovers he's ninth in line for an earldom, he figures his chances of outliving his predecessors are slight and sets off to speed up the line of succession by using a great deal of charm... and a dash of murder. Best Musical Winner: Tony Award, Drama Desk Award, Outer Critics Circle Award, and Drama League Award. A wickedly witty romp of disguises, dalliances, and delightfully untimely deaths, starring Marriott Theatre favorite Alex Goodrich as the ENTIRE D'Ysquith Family! A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder starts performances April 14.

For summer, celebrate the legendary life and legacy of John Denver with Almost Heaven: Songs of John Denver, directed by James Vásquez (Marriott Theatre: In the Heights, Always Something There…, Damn Yankees). American musical icon John Denver’s timeless melodies echo from Rocky Mountain highs to the Green Mountains of Vermont. Set against a backdrop of America in the late 1960s and early 1970s, Almost Heaven celebrates the life and times of this down-to-earth music man with dozens of chart-topping hits including: “Rocky Mountain High,” “Sunshine on My Shoulders,” “Annie’s Song,” “Take Me Home, Country Roads,” "Leaving on a Jet Plane," “Calypso” and many more. Almost Heaven is a theatrical salute to the music that inspires us to dream of new roads and new destinations. Almost Heaven: Songs of John Denver starts performances June 16.

The epic Les Misérables takes the stage in 2027, directed by Jessica Fisch (Marriott Theatre: Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, Come from Away, Catch Me If You Can) and choreographed by Marriott Theatre Associate Artistic Director Katie Johannigman (Marriott Theatre: A Little Night Music, The Magic School Bus). Set against the backdrop of 19th century France, Les Misérables tells an enthralling story of broken dreams and unrequited love, passion, sacrifice and redemption – a timeless testament to the survival of the human spirit. This epic and uplifting story has become one of the most celebrated musicals in theatrical history. The magnificent score of Les Misérables includes the songs “I Dreamed a Dream,” “On My Own,” “Bring Him Home,” “One Day More,” “Master of the House” and many more.  Packing an emotional wallop that has thrilled audiences all over the world, its powerful affirmation of the human spirit has made Les Misérables a cherished masterpiece. Les Misérables starts performances August 25.

When the holidays roll around, “ease on down the road” to the beloved Broadway gem, The Wiz, directed and choreographed by Deidre Goodwin (Marriott Theatre: director/choreographer of Heartbreak Hotel and Beehive, choreographer of Catch Me If You Can). Infusing L. Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz with a dazzling mix of rock, gospel and soul music, this timeless tale of Dorothy’s adventures through the land of Oz is an effervescent explosion of music, dance, magic, and delight. Winner of seven Tony Awards including Best Musical, The Wiz is a fun, fresh, family-friendly musical. The Wiz starts performances November 10.

Marriott Theatre’s commitment to family entertainment continues with a vibrant lineup of Theatre for Young Audiences productions throughout 2027. The season kicks off with the action-packed musical adventure The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical, directed by Derek VanBarham and choreographed by Tommy Rivera-Vega, running February 19 through March 27. Young theatergoers will then delight in the heartwarmingLyle, Lyle, Crocodile: The Musical (a pilot production of the Theatre For Young Audiences edition), directed by Christopher Llewyn Ramirez and choreographed by Nich O'Neil, from July 9 through August 8. The final TYA production brings a fresh take on a classic fairy tale with the world premiere of Hansel & Gretel: Off The Grid, written by Johanna McKenzie Miller, Michael Mahler and Steven Strafford, directed by Miller and choreographed by Mandy Modic, running November 27 through January 9.

The 2027 Artists Lounge Live Concert Series will bring to the stage Hello Again: Eric Gutman Sings Neil Diamond on March 15-17, Good Vibrations: Michael Mahler Band Salutes The Beach Boys on September 13-14, Dream Lover: The Music of Bobby Darin and Connie Francis, starring Devin DeSantis and Anastasia Arnold on December 6-7, and Rockin’ Down the Clock: 100 Years of Hits! on December 31.

Audiences can now purchase 2027 season subscriptions and single tickets to all upcoming shows and concerts. Current subscribers: your renewal packets will land in your mailbox shortly. Single ticket prices begin at $78 for mainstage productions, and $19.75 for Theatre for Young Audiences (plus tax and handling fees). 

For more information on Marriott Theatre or to purchase tickets to the current hit musical, Come From Away, please visit MarriottTheatre.com or follow the theatre on social media @marriotttheatre.

ABOUT MARRIOTT THEATRE
Founded in 1975, Marriott Theatre is known for presenting new and classic musicals, often direct from Broadway and has staged more than 260 productions before an estimated 12,000,000 people in its history.Marriott Theatre has received more than 600 Joseph Jefferson Award nominations and has employed more than 6,000 artists. In addition to the presentation of classic American musical theatre, Marriott Theatre has become a driving force in the development of original and re-imagined musicals.

Pippin and A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder are presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI).

Almost Heaven is present by arrangement with Aruba Productions.
Les Misérables is presented through special by arrangement with Music Theatre International and Cameron Mackintosh LTD.

The Wiz and The Lightning Thief are presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals.

OPENING: TONY AWARD-WINNING PIPPIN VIA MUSIC THEATER WORKS JUNE 1 - 25, 2023

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MUSIC THEATER WORKS ANNOUNCES CAST AND CREATIVE TEAM FOR THE TONY AWARD-WINNING 

PIPPIN

 JUNE 1 - 25 AT THE NORTH SHORE CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS IN SKOKIE

Music Theater Works’ 43rd Season Continues with the Musical That Won Four Tony Awards Including Best Musical Revival, Directed by Producing Artistic Director Kyle A. Dougan and Music Directed by Justin Akira Kono

Run time, including the intermission, is 2 hours and 50 minutes.

Tickets: $39 to $106, tickets for guests 25 years old and younger are available for half-price.

Music Theater Works, recently launched its 43rd season with the highly recommended Avenue Q, today announces the cast and creative team for its second production in the 2023 season, Pippin in the North Theatre at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts In Skokie, 9501 Skokie Blvd, Skokie, June 1 - 25. The Tony Award-winning musical comedy with book by Roger O. Hirson, music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, directed by Producing Artistic Director Kyle A. Dougan, assistant directed by Sasha Gerritson and Patrick Tierney, co-choreographed by Mollyanne Nunn and Kaitlyn Pasquinelli and music directed by Justin Akira Kono. 

Here at ChiIL Mama, we adored Music Theater Works' Avenue Q and can't wait to see their take on crowd pleaser, Pippin. I'll be out to review the first week of June so check back shortly after for our full coverage.  

The performance schedule includes a preview performance Thursday, June 1 at 1 p.m. with press opening Friday, June 2 at 8 p.m. The running time, including the intermission, is currently, including the intermission, 2 hours and 45 minutes. The performance schedule is Wednesdays at 1 p.m., Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m. with a Saturday matinee, June 10 at 2 p.m. Complete performance schedule is included at the end of this release. Tickets are now on sale from $39 to $106 with tickets for guests 25 years old and younger available at half-price at  MusicTheaterWorks.com or by calling the Music Theater Works box office at the North Shore Center, 847.673.6300. Group discounts are available for groups of 10 or more by contacting 847.920.5360.

The unforgettable score of Pippin has shown multiple generations how to forge their own path in the world. Imaginatively presented through multiple revivals of a young person’s journey to self, join Music Theater Works’ staging among the toys and games that defined childhood. Winner of four 2013 Tony Awards including Best Musical Revival with some of the most infectiously memorable music from Broadway by four-time Grammy winner, three-time Oscar winner and musical theater giant Stephen Schwartz.

“All of us at Music Theater Works are excited to share with audiences this Broadway classic where we pay homage to the games and memories of our youth,” said Director Kyle A. Dougan. “The North Theatre at the North Shore Center allows us an opportunity to present all the songs of this beloved show and put our own spin on it.”

The cast of Pippin includes Sonia Goldberg (Leading Player); Connor Ripperger (Pippin); Kathleen Puls Andrade (Berthe); Thomas M. Shea (Charlemagne); Savannah Sinclair (Fastrada, Leading Player U/S); Andrew Freeland (Lewis); Desiree Gonzalez (Catherine) and Di’Aire Wilson (Theo).

The Pippin ensemble includes, alphabetically, Jenny Couch (ensemble, Catherine U/S); Ciara Hickey (ensemble); Alex Iacobucci (ensemble); Lacey Jack (ensemble), Samira Jasmine (ensemble); Katie Kotila (ensemble, Fastrada U/S); Justin Payton Nelson (ensemble, Lewis U/S); Mollyanne Nunn (ensemble); Jordan “J.Ro” Ordonez (ensemble); Kaitlyn Pasquinelli (ensemble); Dane Strange (ensemble) and Eustace J. Williams (ensemble, Pippin U/S).

The Pippin understudies and swings are Jenny Rudnick (Berthe U/S); Bob Sanders (Charlemagne U/S) and John Locke (Theo U/S) with Adeera Harris (swing) and Wilson Paul Hicken (swing). 

The Pippin creative team currently includes Kyle A. Dougan (director); Patrick Tierney (assistant director); Sasha Gerritson (assistant director/chorus master); Justin Akira Kono (music director); Amber Wuttke (intimacy and fight choreographer); Nathan Lamp (dramaturg); Mollyanne Nunn (co-choreographer); Kaitlyn Pasquinelli (co-choreographer); Allison Gonzales (stage manager); Lily Landoch (assistant stage manager); Shane Cinal (scenic director); Ellen Markus (properties designer); Jazmin Aurora Medina (costume designer); Kristen Brinati (assistant costume designer); Alice Salazar (hair, wig, and makeup designer); Melanie Saso (assistant hair, wig, and makeup designer); Andrew Meyers (lighting designer); Chelsea Lynn (ME/lighting programmer); Matthew R. Chase (sound designer); Forrest Gregor (production sound engineer); David Sajewich (media designer); Anthony Churchill (projections designer); Will Hughes (scene shop technical director); Ben Lipinski (paint charge); Ethan McIntosh (lighting board), Chris Chase (production manager) and Jennifer King Russell (company manager). 

Health Safety Procedure:

All guests are recommended to wear face masks during the performance regardless of vaccination status.

ABOUT PRODUCING ARTISTIC DIRECTOR KYLE DOUGAN, DIRECTOR

Kyle Dougan worked as casting associate and events manager for Music Theater Works, and rejoined the company in 2018 as producing artistic director, following a two-year stint in academia. He relocated to Chicago in 1999, after completing his Masters in Musical Theatre at Goldsmiths, University of London, where he produced and directed a workshop of new musicals. He also stage managed a series of new musicals with Perfect Pitch: New Musicals at Trafalgar Studios. In the Chicago area Dougan has directed, associate-directed and assistant-directed shows for Chamber Opera Chicago, Theatre at the Center, Big Noise Theater and The Music Theatre Company. He has served as artistic producer of a series of new musicals with Midwest New Musicals, as executive director of FWD Theatre Project and as co-owner of Style Theatrical Casting, a professional casting company in Chicago.

ABOUT JUSTIN AKIRA KONO, MUSIC DIRECTOR

Justin Akira Kono is a percussionist, pianist, conductor and orchestrator of uncommon range. After studying at DePaul and Northwestern Universities, he started transitioning into leadership and music direction roles. Previously at Music Theater Works, he has music directed Zorro the Musical, Legends of the 50s and 60s and MAMMA MIA! He frequently worked with Porchlight Music Theater and has music directed Spring Awakening, their traveling show Broadway in your Backyard and has played drums for Duke Ellington’s Sophisticated Ladies, Chicago Sings Rock and Roll Broadway and Billy Elliot. Other regional credits include All Shook Up, Freaky Friday (Williams Street Rep) and Kiss Me Kate (The Marriott Theater). He has also music directed at The Chicago College of Performing Arts. He serves as a music director at First Congregational Church in Downers Grove. He is the piano player for the Midwest’s premiere ABBA tribute band, Dancing Queen: An ABBA Salute and plays drums in Piano Man: A Tribute to Elton John and Billy Joel. 

ABOUT MUSIC THEATER WORKS

Music Theater Works is a resident professional not-for-profit music theater founded in

1980. During its 42-year history it has presented more than 150 productions and intimate

presentations. Music Theater Works is a professional theater company whose mission is

to present works for the musical stage including historic repertoire, revitalizing the Golden Age of Broadway and earlier works, celebrating the Great American Songbook and introducing modern classics. 

JOYCE SAXON is the 2023 Music Theater Works Season Sponsor.

 ChiIL Live Shows On Our Radar:

Preview: Thursday, June 1 at 1 p.m.

Press Performance: Friday, June 2 at 8 p.m.

Saturday, June 3 at 8 p.m.

Sunday, June 4 at 2 p.m.

Wednesday, June 7 at 1 p.m.

Friday, June 9 at 8 p.m.

Saturday, June 10 at 2 and 8 p.m.

Sunday, June 11 at 2 p.m.

Wednesday, June 14 at 1 p.m.

Friday, June 16 at 8 p.m.

Saturday, June 17 at 8 p.m.

Sunday, June 18 at 2 p.m.

Wednesday, June 21 at 1 p.m.

Friday, June 23 at 8 p.m.

Saturday, June 24 at 8 p.m.

Sunday, June 25 at 2 p.m.

Music Theater Works Box Office: (847) 673-6300

Website: MusicTheaterWorks.com