Funny Girl, Pump Boys and Dinettes, Curtains, & Cabaret

DRURY LANE THEATRE OAKBROOK TERRACE

ANNOUNCES 2009 SEASON

FEATURING THE HIT MUSICALS

FUNNY GIRL, PUMP BOYS AND DINETTES,

CURTAINS and CABARET

 

Drury Lane Theatre Oakbrook Terrace, 100 Drury Lane, known for producing acclaimed, innovative and classic musicals, announces its exciting 2009 season, featuring five musicals that have never been seen on the Drury Lane stage. Hot off the Broadway stage, the musical comedy CURTAINS, directed by William Brown previews March 19, opens March 26 and runs through May 17; the feel-good musical review PUMP BOYS AND DINETTES, directed by Shawn Stengel previews May 28, opens June 4 and runs through August 2; the Tony Award-winning musical CABARET, directed by Jim Corti previews August 13, opens August 20 and runs through October 11; the delightful Jazz Age musical THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE, directed by Artistic Director William Osetek, previews October 22, opens October 29 and runs through December 20; and the beloved musical FUNNY GIRL, directed by Gary Griffin, previews December 31, opens January 7 and runs through March 7, 2010.

The hilarious new Broadway whodunit CURTAINS, directed by William Brown, previews March 19, opens March 26 and runs through May 17. Brown will make his Drury Lane directorial debut with CURTAINS. He is a multi Jeff Award-winning director, having directed at numerous Chicagoland venues including the Writers Theatre, TimeLine Theatre, Northlight Theatre and the Goodman Theatre’s annual production of A Christmas Carol. A “play within a play,” CURTAINS takes place at Boston’s Colonial Theatre in 1959. It’s the opening night of “Robbin’ Hood of the Old West” and new musical could be a smash hit, if it weren’t for the show’s incredibly untalented leading lady.  When she is murdered during the curtain call, Lieutenant Frank Cioffi is summoned to conduct an investigation. The lure of the theater soon becomes irresistible to the stage-struck detective and he finds himself just as dedicated to making the show a hit as he to solving the murder.  CURTAINS features a book by Rupert Holmes (Say Goodnight Gracie), lyrics by Fred Ebb (Cabaret and Chicago), music by John Kander (Cabaret and Chicago), an original book and concept by Peter Stone (Titanic, 1776 and The Will Rogers Follies), with additional lyrics by Kander and Holmes. The musical garnered eight 2007 Tony Award nominations, with star David Hyde Pierce winning the award for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical.
 
PUMP BOYS AND DINETTES, directed by Shawn Stengel, previewing May 28, opening June 4 and running through August 2 is a toe-tapping, charming musical tribute to life along the open road.  Stengel himself starred in the long running production of PUMP BOYS AND DINETTES at the Apollo Theater for all four years. He has directed at theaters across the country and has served as musical director for the national tours of CATS, CRAZY FOR YOU, …AND THE WORLD GOES ROUND as well as the Chicago production of WICKED. The pump boys sell high octane fuel on North Carolina’s Highway 57 and the sassy dinettes, Prudie and Rhetta Cupp, run the Double Cupp diner next door. Between changing tires and baking pies, the gang performs a rousing, down-home mix of country western, rock ‘n’ roll and blues in this charming tale of friendship, romance and life’s simple pleasures. The revue’s book, music and lyrics were written by a performance group composed of John Foley, Mark Hardwick, debra monk, Cass Morgan, John Schimmel and Jim Wann. They directed and starred in the original 1982 Broadway production, which received a Tony Award nomination for Best Musical the same year.
 
The international smash hit musical CABARET, directed by Jim Corti, previews August 13, opens August 20 and runs through October 11.  Corti directed last season’s smash hit productions of SWEET CHARITY as well as MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS. Both productions earned him a Jeff nomination for Outstanding Direction. Set in the sexy, sultry Kit Kat Klub in late 1920s Berlin before the Nazis rise to power, CABARET is a provocative tale of love and war. The mesmerizing show depicts the intertwined stories of an English cabaret singer, an American writer, a rich German politician, a Jewish fruit vendor and the denizens of Berlin who are caught in a tumultuous changing society.  Both a thrilling, decadent dramatic masterpiece and edgy political commentary, CABARET has long been considered one of the best musicals of all time. CABARET’S riveting score includes “Cabaret” and “Tomorrow Belongs to Me” and features a book by Joe Masteroff (She Loves Me), lyrics by Fred Ebb, and music by John Kander. The original 1966 production won eight Tony Awards and inspired an acclaimed 1972 film, earning star Liza Minnelli a Best Actress Academy Award in 1973.  A 1998 revival won four Tony Awards.

Winner of the 2002 “Best Musical” Tony Award, THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE, directed by Drury Lane Oakbrook’s Artistic director William Osetek previews October 22, opens October 29 and runs through December 20. Osetek has directed numerous productions at Drury Lane Oakbrook including the annual holiday favorite, A CHRISTMAS CAROL. THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE tells the humorous story of a young girl from Kansas who takes New York City by storm as she flaps, taps and Charlestons her way into the Roaring ‘20s. Millie experiences the hustle and bustle of Jazz Age Manhattan at a time when women were just entering the workforce and rewriting society’s rules.  A funny, romantic story about following dreams and falling in love, THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLE was hailed as "a thoroughly delightful experience" by USA Today.  The show features new hits including "I Turned the Corner,” "They Don't Know,” and "Long As I'm Here with You."

FUNNY GIRL, based on the life of Ziegfeld Follies comedienne Fanny Brice, will be directed by Gary Griffin. Griffin serves as the Associate Producer at Drury Lane Oakbrook. He has directed Broadway’s THE COLOR PURPLE as well as numerous other productions in London, New York and Chicago. Griffin is an eight time Jeff Award-winner. FUNNY GIRL will preview December 31, opens January 7 and runs through March 7, 2010. Set in New York City in the early 1920s, FUNNY GIRL is the semi-autobiographical tale of Brice’s meteoric rise to fame and her stormy relationship with Nick Arnstein, a wealthy and charming gambler.  From her start as a gawky Brooklyn teen fast-talking her way into show business to becoming the toast of New York to the unraveling of her personal life, FUNNY GIRL is a stunning, richly told tour de force about one of Broadway’s biggest stars. The endearing, poignant musical features a parade of great tunes including "People,” “My Man,” and "Don't Let It Rain on My Parade.” FUNNY GIRL features a book by Isobel Lennart, music by Jule Styne, and lyrics by Bob Merrill. The original 1964 Broadway production starred Barbra Streisand and earned eight Tony Award nominations. Streisand later won an Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in the 1968 film adaptation.

The performance schedule for all shows is as follows: Wednesdays at 1:30 p.m. ($28), Thursdays at 1:30 p.m. ($28) and 8 p.m. ($31), Fridays at 8:30 p.m. ($34), Saturdays at 5 p.m. ($34) and 8:30 p.m. ($34) and Sundays at 2:00 p.m. ($35) and 6 p.m. ($31).  Season subscriptions start as low as $95 for 5 shows. Dinner packages range from $42.75 to $54 (depending on the day of the week). A special family four pack offer is available for $95 to select performances. Inquire at box office or website for details and prices. For reservations, phone (630) 530-0111 or call TicketMaster at 312-559-1212. You may also visit www.ticketmaster.com or www.drurylaneoakbrook.com.