Broadway’s Smash Hit Musical Comedy “The Producers” Coming to Mercury Theater Chicago

    Chi, IL Live Shows On Our Radar:

The Producers” 

Book by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan, Music and Lyrics by Mel Brooks Directed by L. Walter Stearns April 14 –- June 26  

Mercury Theater Chicago, 3745 N. Southport Avenue, presents the award winning musical comedy sensation The Producers, from April 14 to June 26, 2016.  It is truly a “boffo” hit, winning a record twelve Tony Awards and wowing capacity crowds night after night. The production will be led by Jeff-Award winners L. Walter Stearns (Director), Eugene Dizon (Musical Director), and Brigitte Ditmars (Choreography).   

Matt Crowle (Leo Bloom), Allison Sill (Ulla) and Bill Larkin (Max Bialystock) in The Producers at Mercury Theater Chicago.   The Producers opens April 14 and continues through June 26.  

© Mercury Theater Chicago, photo by Time Stops Photography

A down-on-his-luck Broadway producer and his mild-mannered accountant come up with a scheme to produce the most notorious flop in history thereby bilking their backers (all “little old ladies”) out of millions of dollars. Only one thing goes awry: the show is a smash hit!  At the core of the insanely funny adventure is the surprising journey of two very different men who become friends. The Producers skewer Broadway traditions and takes no prisoners as it proudly proclaims itself an “equal opportunity offender!”   

The Mel Brooks musical comedy The Producers was first staged in Chicago in 2000 and later opened on Broadway in 2001 to rave reviews.  It is the recipient of the most Tony Awards in Broadway history (12, including Best Musical).  Hailed as one of, if not the funniest Broadway musicals of all time, The Producers spoofs the big, old-fashioned Broadway musical while paying tribute to it at the same time.  The Producers features a riotous mix of eccentric characters and show-stopping songs including “I Wanna Be a Producer,” “When You Got It, Flaunt It,” “Prisoners of Love” and of course “Springtime for Hitler”. 

Written by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan, with music and lyrics by Mel Brooks, The Producers features Jeff-Award winning comedians Bill Larkin as Max Bialystock and Matt Crowle as Leo Bloom with Mel Brooks favorite Allison Sill as the leading lady Ulla.  Rounding out the cast for this hilarious romp will be Harter Clingman (Franz Liebkind), Jason Richards (Roger De Bris), Sawyer Smith (Carmen Ghia) with Joe Capstick, Brian Elliott, Dan Gold, Katie Hunter, Leah Morrow, Melissa Reinertson, Steven Spanopoulos, Ryan Stajmiger, Stephanie Wohar and Tyler Austin Wright. The scenic design is by Jeffrey D. Kimec with costume design by Frances Maggio, lighting design by Nick Belley and sound design by Mike Ross. The production stage manager is Kristi J. Martens with assistance by Daniel J. Hanson.  

The beautifully renovated Mercury Theater Chicago is an intimate jewel box of a theater in the heart of the Southport Corridor, a sophisticated neighborhood of restaurants and boutiques just steps from Wrigley Field. A delightful theater destination, Mercury Theater Chicago takes care of its guests from the moment they arrive with valet service and dining at its adjoining new restaurant Grassroots, neighborhood eatery featuring simple, yet delicious farm to table comfort food, in a warm, inviting atmosphere.   

The performance schedule for The Producers is Wednesdays at 8pm, Thursdays at 3pm and 8pm, Fridays at 8pm, Saturdays at 3pm and 8pm and Sundays at 3pm.  

Individual tickets range from $30-$65, and are available online at www.MercuryTheaterChicago.com, over the phone at 773.325.1700, or in person at 3745 N. Southport Avenue, Chicago.  

Great Things at Goodman: Thornton Wilder’s The Matchmaker Opening and Last Call For 2666

Chi, IL LIVE Shows On Our Radar

Spring is in the air and stellar shows are springing up all over town. The Goodman's got Thornton Wilder’s The Matchmaker opening this week, and the five and a half hour epic, 2666 is closing the 20th. Come ChiIL out at The Goodman Theatre, Chicago. 

*The Matchmaker is recommended for audiences age 12 and older.*

The Matchmaker returns to the city of its birth in a new production at Goodman Theatre directed by Artistic Associate Henry Wishcamper. Cunning, crafty and thoroughly modern, Dolly Gallagher Levi knows a good catch when she sees one. So when the wealthy Horace Vandergelder hires her to find him a wife, Dolly doesn’t need to look far to find his perfect mate. The Matchmaker is an uproarious romp that reminds us to embrace the unexpected in our lives. Before the world fell in love with Hello, Dolly!, there was The Matchmaker.

March 5 - April 10, 2016 In the Albert 
Approximate running time: 2 hours and 40 minutes with one intermission

Tony Award nominee Kristine Nielsen (Dolly Gallagher Levi) and Chicago favorite and 3Arts Award winner Allen Gilmore (Horace Vandergelder) lead a diverse company of acclaimed talents and rising stars: Theo Allyn, Behzad Dabu,  Lawrence E. DiStasi, Marilyn Dodds Frank, Sydney Germaine, Marc Grapey, Anita Hollander, Ronobir Lahiri, Elizabeth Ledo, Postell Pringle and Ron E. Rains. 

*This production contains adult language and descriptions of extreme sexual violence. Recommended for mature audiences only.*

Got your tickets to see 2666 yet?! Must close March 20!

Don’t miss Robert Falls’ and Seth Bockley’s critically acclaimed stage adaptation of Roberto Bolaño’s 2666, which the Chicago Sun-Times calls “one of those landmark moments in Chicago theater history.” 

“Proves... the Goodman is not only preeminent but a vital source of ideas on the evolution of theater as an art form”— NEWCITY

Extended by popular demand through March 20!

This epic adaptation of Roberto Bolaño’s internationally acclaimed novel, named the “Best Book of 2008” by Time Magazine and winner of the National Book Critics Circle Award, is a not-to-be-missed theatrical event.

A soaring adaptation of Chilean-born author Roberto Bolaño’s masterpiece, 2666 begins with a group of hapless European academics hot on the trail of an elusive author—a search that leads them into the dark heart of a Mexican border city where the murders of hundreds of women remain unsolved. This story gives way to a surprising, panoramic portrait of the 20th century that spans more than 100 years and jumps from Spain to Mexico to Germany and beyond, illuminating the power of literature to reflect and transform the world. An unflinching look at the nature of evil, 2666is an ambitious new work unlike any other theatrical experience.

Limited seats remain. Buy now to secure your seat for this epic theatrical adventure before tickets sell out. 

BEST REMAINING AVAILABILITY

Wednesday, March 16 | 6:30pm

Thursday, March 17 | 6:30pm

Friday, March 18 | 6:30pm

The running time of 2666 is five and a half hours total (four hours and 45 minutes, plus three intermissions).

NOW PLAYING: Zoyka's Apartment at Athenaeum Theatre

Chi, IL LIVE Shows On Our Radar

DUAL ENGLISH-RUSSIAN PRODUCTIONS OF ZOYKA'S APARTMENT TO CLOSE BLUEBIRD ARTS SECOND SEASON

Bluebird Arts – Chicago's only English-Russian Theatre Company – proudly announces dual productions of Zoyka's Apartment by Mikhail Bulgakov to close its 2015-16 Season. Artistic Director Luda Lopatina Solomon will direct both productions.

Zoyka's Apartment (English Production)

By Mikhail Bulgakov 

Directed by Artistic Director Luda Lopatina Solomon

Thursdays-Saturdays at 7:30pm, Sundays at 2pm at Athenaeum Theatre, Studio Three, 2936 N. Southport Ave.through April 2, 2016  

ChicagoZoyka’s Apartment is a tragic farce in two acts. The play revolves around Madame Zoyka – a smart, bold and pragmatic woman who turns her apartment into a dressmaker’s shop in order to survive Post-Revolution Soviet Union. At a time when the country is seething with economic discontent and everyone is scrambling to escape to Paris, Zoyka is frantic to save as much as she can before the opportunity disappears. 

Bluebird Arts’ production features Katherine Schwartz (Zoya Denisovna Peltz), Janice Kulka (Manyushka), Brian Hoolahan (Anisim Zotikovich Alliluya), David Edward Smith (Pavel Fyedorovich Abolyaninov), Harrison Schneider (Gandzalin), Mike Movido (Cherubim), Doogin Brown (Alexander Tarasovich Ametistov), Meghan Principe (Lizanka), Ioana Manuela Rentea (Varvara Nikanorovna), Millie Rose (Natalya Nikolaevna), Carly Carano (Alla Vadimovna), Rick Jensen (Goos), Sarah Franzel (Madame Ivanova), Joshua Butler (Mr. Robber), Sean Foer (Ivan Vasilyevich), Sean Murphy (Pestrukhin), and Andrew J. McClelland (Vanyechka). The Production Team includes Jaimelyn Gray (Assistant Director), Rick Frederick (Set and Costume Design), Carl Ulaszek (Lighting Design), Rick Sims (Sound Design), Kirk Anderson (Fight Choreography), Katerina Levental (Choreography) , Anna Lafontant (Props Design) and Ellen Johnson (Stage Management)

Zoyka's Apartment (Russian Production)

By Mikhail Bulgakov

Directed by Artistic Director Luda Lopatina Solomon

May 21-22, 2016 Northbrook Theatre, 3323 Walters Ave., Northbrook IL

The Russian production of Zoyka's Apartment will be identical to the English Version production, save an all Russian-speaking cast. More information regarding this production will be released as it becomes available.Founded in 2014, Bluebird Arts is a nonprofit organization whose purpose is to enrich, educate and entertain our community by sharing intimate stories of the human condition, focusing on the genuine problems of real people. Bluebird Arts showcases Chicago's talent by promoting cross cultural exchange, taking Chicago theatre and artists to Europe and bringing European theatre, to the Chicago community. They serve both the English and Russian speaking populations by producing plays in both English and Russian and translating English language plays into Russian and Russian language plays into English.

Bluebird Arts will continue to collaborate with Russian arts organizations such as Theatre Volhonka in Ekatirenburg, Russia. For more information about Bluebird Arts call 773.526.3628. Or visit their website at www.bluebirdarts.org.

SAVE THE DATES: Beautiful—The Carole King Musical Returns to Chicago December 5-31 2017

SOME KIND OF WONDERFUL!

TO RETURN TO CHICAGO

BY POPULAR DEMAND

DECEMBER 5 – 31, 2017

“As Beautiful As Anything Can Be.”

-Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune

Broadway In Chicago and producers Paul Blake and Sony/ATV Music Publishing are thrilled to announce the First National Tour of Beautiful—The Carole King Musical, the smash hit musical about the early life and career of the legendary and groundbreaking singer/songwriter, will return to Chicago by popular demand December 5 – 31, 2017. 

REVIEW: Here at ChiIL Live Shows we caught opening night of the first Chicago run and we were beyond impressed. We adored this musical. Carole King's story is poignant and powerful stuff, perfect for immortalization in the contemporary Broadway canon. Although we grew up with Carole King's inimitable vocals and song writing, and thought the subject was familiar, it was amazing how much of her life story we had never heard. Also, we had no idea how far her reach and influence truly extended. It was quite a surprise to hear just how many iconic songs she wrote for others! Beautiful—The Carole King Musical is highly recommended and a must see with multigenerational appeal. 

With a book by Tony® and Academy® Award-nominee Douglas McGrath, direction by Marc Bruni and choreography by Josh Prince, Beautiful features a stunning array of beloved songs written by Gerry Goffin/Carole King and Barry Mann/Cynthia Weil.

The creative team of Beautiful also includes Derek McLane (Set Design), Alejo Vietti (Costume Design), Peter Kaczorowski (Lighting Design), Brian Ronan (Sound Design), Charles G. LaPointe (Wig and Hair Design), Steve Sidwell (Orchestrations and Music Arrangements), Jason Howland (Music Supervision) and John Miller (Music Coordination).

 

Long before she was Carole King, chart-topping music legend, she was Carol Klein, Brooklyn girl with passion and chutzpah. She fought her way into the record business as a teenager and, by the time she reached her twenties, had the husband of her dreams and a flourishing career writing hits for the biggest acts in rock ‘n’ roll. But it wasn’t until her personal life began to crack that she finally managed to find her true voice. Beautiful tells the inspiring true story of King’s remarkable rise to stardom, from being part of a hit songwriting team with her husband Gerry Goffin, to her relationship with fellow writers and best friends Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann, to becoming one of the most successful solo acts in popular music history. Along the way, she made more than beautiful music, she wrote the soundtrack to a generation.

Beautiful—The Carole King Musical opened on Broadway at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre on January 12, 2014, where it continues its record-breaking run. The production won two 2014 Tony Awards® as well as the 2014 Grammy Award® for Best Musical Theater Album. A London production opened February 25, 2015 at London’s Aldwych Theater, where it continues its run, and has won two Olivier Awards. 

Beautiful - The Carole King Musical North American Tour will be produced by Paul Blake, Sony/ATV Music Publishing, Jeffrey A. Sine, Richard A. Smith, Mike Bosner, Harriet N. Leve/Elaine Krauss, Terry Schnuck, Orin Wolf, Patty Baker/Good Productions, Roger Faxon, Larry Magid, Kit Seidel, Lawrence S. Toppall, Fakston Productions/Mary Solomon, William Court Cohen, BarLor Productions, Matthew C. Blank, Tim Hogue, Joel Hyatt, Marianne Mills, Michael J. Moritz, Jr., StylesFour Productions, Brunish/Trinchero, and Jeremiah J. Harris.

Ticket Information

Group tickets for 10 or more for Beautiful—The Carole King Musical are available now by calling Broadway In Chicago Group Sales at (312) 977-1710. Individual tickets for Beautiful—The Carole King Musical will go on sale at a later date. For more information, visit www.BroadwayInChicago.com.

OPENING: World Premiere of Hazel A Musical Maid in America at Drury Lane Theatre

Drury Lane Theatre opens its 2016-2017 season with

the World Premiere of the 1960s musical comedy starring Klea Blackhurst

Hazel

A Musical Maid in America

Music by Ron Abel

Lyrics by Chuck Steffan

Book by Lissa Levin

Directed and Choreographed by Joshua Bergasse

 March 31 – May 20, 2016

Drury Lane Theatre opens its 2016-2017 season with the World Premiere musical comedy Hazel, A Musical Maid in America, based on the character from the Saturday Evening Post comic strip and the 1960s TV comedy series starring Shirley Booth. Hazel features a book by Lissa Levin, music by Ron Abel, and lyrics by Chuck Steffan. This new musical is directed and choreographed by Emmy and Tony Award-winner Joshua Bergasse with musical direction by Roberta Duchak. Hazel runs March 31 – May 29, 2016 at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace. 

It's the 1960s, a time of great change for America, but not all of the Baxter family is on board. What George Baxter finds not so funny about his wife joining the work force and his maid taking over his household and his life – is a laugh riot. Directed and choreographed by Emmy Award winner Joshua Bergasse, "Hazel" asks the question: can a simple maid debone a turkey, save a marriage, uncover a matter of national security and lead a conga line? She can if she's Hazel!

Tickets:  

Previews: $43 - $58

Single Tickets: $45 - $60

Wednesday and Thursday matinees are priced at $45, Thursday and Sunday evenings at $55, and Friday, Saturday and Sunday matinee performances at $60.

Student group tickets start at $30

Senior Citizens start at $40 for matinees.

Dinner and show packages available

Box Office: 100 Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace

630.530.0111, TicketMaster at 800.745.3000

or visit DruryLaneTheatre.com.

"From the moment we discovered Hazel, we fell in love with it,” said Kyle DeSantis, President of Drury Lane Productions. “The production solidifies our commitment to fostering new work we believe in. Under the incredible direction of Joshua Bergasse, Hazel promises to delight and surprise our audiences.”

Hazel is based on one of the most beloved and enduring characters in American popular culture. Hazel, a saucy maid with a wry sense of humor, timeless wisdom, and a heart of gold, was created by cartoonist Ted Key and has been adored for more than 60 years. She first appeared in the Saturday Evening Post in 1943 as a single-panel cartoon and continued to delight readers of all ages until the magazine went out of print in 1969. Hazel was brought to life by Academy Award winner Shirley Booth on a TV sitcom of the same name, and ran for five award-winning seasons.

The cast of Hazel includes Klea Blackhurst (Hazel), Ken Clark (George Baxter), Summer Naomi Smart (Dorothy Baxter), Casey Lyons (Harold Baxter), Tyler Martin (Scotty Ferber), Ava Morse (Benedetta Bomicino), Rowan Moxley (Reuben Steuben), and Ed Kross (Bonkers Johnson). The ensemble includes Bill Bannon, Johnson Brock, Courtney Cerny, Brian M. Duncan, Roy Gantz, Rhett Guter, Terrance Martin, Shari Mocheit, Meghan Murphy, Kristen Noonan, Gerard Salvador and Holly Stauder.

The creative team includes Kevin Depinet (Set Design), Sully Ratke (Costume Design), Lee Fiskness (Lighting Design), Christopher Ash (Projection Design), Ray Nardelli (Sound Design) and Lucia Lombardi (Production Stage Manager).

2016 – 2017 Season and Subscription Information

Following Hazel, Drury Lane's 2016 - 2017 season of will continue with Ira Levin's murder mystery Deathtrap, June 9 - August 14, 2016, followed by Smokey Joe's Café, featuring the iconic songwriting of Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, September 1 - October 23, 2016, and the feel-good Gershwin musical Crazy For You, November 3, 2016 - January 8, 2017.  The season will conclude with a revised version of Saturday Night Fever, based on the popular ‘70s film with music by The Bee Gees, January 19, 2017 - March 19, 2017.

Subscriptions for the 2016 - 2017 Season are priced from $144.60 to $175.80.  Subscribers receive special offers on dining, flexible ticket exchanges and early notification and priority seating for added events and concerts. For more information, visit DruryLaneTheatre.com.

About Drury Lane Theatre

Under the leadership of President Kyle DeSantis and Artistic Director William Osetek, Drury Lane Theatre is a major force in the Chicagoland theatre scene, presenting world-class productions in collaboration with some of the nation’s leading actors, artists, writers and directors. Over the past 30 years, Drury Lane has staged more than 2,000 productions and has been nominated for more than 350 Joseph Jefferson Awards. Drury Lane is committed to breathing new life into beloved classics and introducing audiences to exciting new works.

Throughout its 30-year history, Drury Lane has employed more than 7,500 actors and 10,000 musicians, designers and crewmembers to entertain upwards of nine million audience members. Originally founded by Anthony DeSantis, Drury Lane Theatre remains a family-run organization known for producing breathtaking Broadway classics, top-rated musicals, bold new works, hilarious comedies and unforgettable concert events.

INCOMING: Boolean Knife at Debonair Social Club 3/4

Veteran Chicago musician/producer William Steffey (Marathon Man, The Blue Meanies) has assembled a new band called Boolean Knife. The four-piece has dropped their debut EP, Astrid and the Killer Penguin, and will be playing at Debonair Social Club on Friday, March 4. Click HERE for full show details.

EP streams at https://booleanknife.bandcamp.com/album/astrid-and-the-killer-penguin and https://soundcloud.com/boolean-knife-1/sets/astrid-and-the-killer-penguin.

Check out the band's site HERE then get out and see them LIVE this Friday.

INCOMING: City Winery Hosts Chicago’s Las Guitarras de España and Musician/Composer Ronnie Malley

Chi, IL LIVE Shows On Our Radar:

Chicago’s Las Guitarras de España will be collaborating with musician/composer Ronnie Malley for a truly multicultural show at City Winery on Monday, March 7.

Ronnie Malley

The collaboration will explore music from the shared cultural history of the Middle East, North Africa, and Spain. The special program will also feature flamenco and Indian dance with music from the ensemble Surabhi featuring Sara Ranganathan (veena), Chihsuan Yang (violin, erhu) and Carlo Basile (guitar) just returning from Shanghai, Taiwan, and Hanoi to explore music from the Silk Road tradition. Click HERE for full show details, and to purchase tickets.