Tony Yazbeck Replaces Sean Palmer in Drury Lane Theatre's SINGIN' IN THE RAIN

Kyle DeSantis, Executive Producer of Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, announced today that Broadway actor Tony Yazbeck will take over the role of "Don Lockwood" in SINGIN' IN THE RAIN, replacing Sean Palmer who suffered an injury. The production, which is currently in previews, will now have its press opening on Friday, Nov. 30 at 8:30pm. Yazbeck will go into the production on Wednesday, November 21.

Yazbeck's Broadway credits include starring as "Billy Flynn" in the long running revival of CHICAGO, "Phil Davis" in Irving Berlin's White Christmas, "Tulsa" in the recent revival of Gypsy starring Patti LuPone (for which he earned an Outer Critics Circle Award nomination), "Al" in A Chorus Line, Never Gonna Dance, Oklahoma! and Gypsy with Tyne Daly. His Off-Broadway credits include the City Center Encores! productions of On The Town, Gypsy, The Apple Tree, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn and Pardon My English, as well as the York Theatre production of Fanny Hill.

Also starring in SINGIN' IN THE RAIN is Jenny Guse as "Kathy Selden" (Follies at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, 42nd Street at Marriott Theatre and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels at Theatre at the Center); Matthew Crowle as "Cosmo" (Spamalot on Broadway, the National Tour of Doctor Dolittle directed by Tommy Tune, and Gypsy at Drury Lane Theatre) and Drama Desk Award nominee Melissa van Der Schyff as "Lina Lamont" ("Blanche Barrow" in Bonnie and Clyde on Broadway and "Mary Jane" in Big River on Broadway). The production is directed by Bill Jenkins (Chair of Ball State University's Department of Theatre and Dance, winner of the MATC Fellowes Award for Outstanding Achievement and Director of Drury Lane Theatre's Seven Brides for Seven Brothers). Through his leadership, Jenkins has elevated Ball State's theatre and dance program through impressive professional affiliations. This includes the original Ball State musical The Circus in Winter being selected to participate in the 2012 NAMT (National Alliance of Musical Theatre) Conference in New York. He also co-directed the Department's recent production of The Drowsy Chaperone with multiple Tony Award winner Sutton Foster.

SINGIN' IN THE RAIN has been hailed as "Blissful!" by the New York Times and "Pure joy…hugely engaging!" by The Telegraph. The musical, based on the 1952 film starring Gene Kelly and Debbie Reynolds, is named the #1 Greatest Movie Musical of all time by the American Film Institute and called "The happiest movie musical ever made!" by The New York Times and "A transcendent experience!" by the Chicago Sun-Times. The original London production opened in 1983, followed by the Broadway premiere in 1985. SINGIN' IN THE RAIN has been nominated for two Tony Awards including Best Book of a Musical, and features music by Nacio Herb Brown, lyrics by Arthur Freed, with the book adapted by Betty Comden and Adolph Green.

Set in glitzy, glamorous Hollywood in the roaring '20s, this lighthearted and funny tale centers on Don Lockwood, a film star who finds love while navigating the ever-changing world of showbiz. Don and Lina Lamont are the toast of Tinseltown and the biggest silent stars at Monumental Pictures, but when their latest film is set to be a "talkie," the studio executives need to find a way to conceal Lina's terrible voice. Up-and-coming starlet Kathy Seldon, Don's new girlfriend, is hired to provide the on-screen voice for Lina but complications quickly arise. SINGIN' IN THE RAIN is a feel-good love story that features exhilarating choreography and a glorious score including "Good Morning," "Make "em Laugh," "Moses Supposes" and "Singin' in the Rain."

SINGIN' IN THE RAIN stars Don Forston as "R.F. Simpson" (My Fair Lady at Marriott Theatre), Scott Calcagno as "Roscoe Dexter" (first National Tour of Ragtime), Jeff Award winner John Reeger (The Sound of Music at Drury Lane Theatre, Amadeus at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, and Sunset Boulevard at Marriott Theatre) as "Diction Coach," Catherine Lord as "Miss Dinsmore," Jeff Award winner Renee Matthews as Dora Bailey (The Full Monty at Drury Lane Theatre Water Tower Place and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers at Drury Lane Theatre), and Cara Salerno (Seven Brides for Seven Brothers at Drury Lane Theatre and Crazy for You at Theatre at the Center) as "Lady in Green." Also featured are William Carlos Angulo, Karissa Barney, Johnson Brock, Gary Calson, Daniel Coonley, Megan Farley, Betsy Farrar, Allyson Graves, Kyle Halford, Katie Huff, Jonathon Kwock, Katie Mazzini, Willie Mellina, Alexandra Palkovic, Alexandra Van Paris, Laura Savage, Will Skrip, Brandon Springman, Amanda Tanguay, George Andrew Wolff and Zach Zube.

Jeff Award winner Roberta Duchak (Xanadu, The Sound of Music, Sweeney Todd, Ragtime, and Spamalot at Drury Lane Theatre) serves as Musical Director of SINGIN' IN THE RAIN, and the production is choreographed by Amber Mak (Xanadu, Ragtime and Sweeney Todd at Drury Lane Theatre). Choreography for "Fit as a Fiddle," "Make 'Em Laugh," "Moses Supposes," and "Good Morning" is by Matthew Crowle. The elaborate scenery is conceived by Jeff award winning designer Kevin Depinet (Xanadu, The Sound of Music, Sweeney Todd, and Ragtime at Drury Lane Theatre and Set Designer for the film Public Enemies). Through Depinet's unique vision, a sound stage of yester year dances with original film sequences and glistens with a torrential downpour. The glamorous set is further enhanced by vibrant lighting designed by Julie Mack (Festival Lighting Designer for the Illinois Shakespeare Festival). The production features a stunning array of costumes by Maggie Hoffman, including colorful raincoats, glitzy show girl costumes, Flapper-inspired gowns and ornate 18th Century French pieces. Sound Design is by Jeff Award winner Ray Nardelli (Miss Saigon at Drury Lane Theatre), and Wig Design is by Heather Flemming.
The performance schedule for SINGIN' IN THE RAIN is as follows: Wednesdays at 1:30 p.m. ($35), Thursdays at 1:30 p.m. ($35) and 8 p.m. ($40), Fridays at 8:30 p.m. ($45), Saturdays at 5 p.m. ($45) and 8:30 p.m. ($46) and Sundays at 2:00 p.m. ($45) and 6 p.m. ($40). Lunch and dinner theater packages range from $49.75 to $68 depending on the day of the week. Student tickets start as low as $20 and Senior Citizen tickets start as low as $29 for matinees and $43.75 for a matinee luncheon package. For reservations, call the Drury Lane Theatre box office at 630.530.0111, call TicketMaster at 800.745.3000, or visit www.drurylaneoakbrook.com.

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