Broadway in Chicago Season to Include Pirate Queen, Doubt, Legends and More

Broadway In Chicago has announced its complete 2006-2007 Neumann Homes Broadway In Chicago Season Series.

Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schonberg's (Les Miserables, Miss Saigon) musical The Pirate Queen will play a pre-Broadway run at the Cadillac Palace Theatre (151 W. Randolph St.) beginning October 3rd. "With a cast of 40 directed by Tony Award-winner Frank Galati, this new musical is based on the real-life story of the legendary Irish clan leader, Grace O'Malley, who led an extraordinary life as a pirate chieftain, lover and mother in 16th Century Ireland. The show is produced by Moya Doherty and John McColgan, the producers responsible for Riverdance," state press notes.

John Patrick Shanley's Doubt will play the LaSalle Bank Theatre (18 W. Monroe St.) from January 9th through 28th. The winner of the 2005 Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize, the play will star Tony Award-winner Cherry Jones, who starred in the show on Broadway. "Set against the backdrop of a Catholic school in 1964, Doubt is the story of a strong-minded woman faced with a difficult decision. Should she voice concerns about one of her male colleagues...even if she's not entirely certain of the truth?" Doug Hughes directs.

The classic Reginald Rose courtroom drama Twelve Angry Men will play the LaSalle Bank Theatre from January 30th through February 11th, 2007. Richard Thomas and George Wendt will head the cast. "Twelve Jurors in a murder trial are corralled in a room for the duration of their deliberation. As prejudices are tested and evidence weighed, the entire jury is forced to look past the show of the courtroom to unearth the shocking truth. Faced with playing the hangmen, these dozen men must first face themselves." Directed by Scott Ellis, the national tour is produced by the Roundabout Theatre Company.

Legends will follow Twelve Angry Men at the LaSalle Bank from February 20th through March 4th. "This comedy by Tony Award-winning author, James Kirkwood (author of A Chorus Line), centers on two somewhat desperate and waning movie stars played by Joan Collins and Linda Evans (who both starred on 'Dynasty'). Both actresses are courted by an unscrupulous young producer to star together in a Broadway show, despite the fact that they have hated each other for decades. He convinces both ladies to go along by misleading them into believing that they will be starring in the show with Paul Newman. This hilarious set-up provides the background for the full-blown comic confrontation between these two divas and the surprising and hilarious resolution."

Oprah Winfrey is among the producers of The Color Purple, beginning its run at the Cadillac Palace Theatre in April of 2007. The show is based on the Pulitzer Price-winning novel by Alice Walker and Oscar-winning film by Steven Spielberg. The show "tells the unforgettable journey of a woman who - through love - finds the strength to triumph over adversity and discover her unique voice in the world." The Color Purple features a book by Marsha Norman, and a score by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray; Gary Griffin directs.

The line-up will also feature the following 2006-2007 off-season specials:

Twyla Tharp's dance musical Movin' Out, set to the songs of Billy Joel, will run from July 28th through July 9th at the Auditorium Theatre (50 East Congress Parkway). The show "is the story of lifelong friends through two turbulent decades that change them and the world around them forever."

Mamma Mia! will run at the Cadillac Palace Theatre from December 12th through 31st The show, which is set on a Greek island, features the songs of ABBA. "A mother. A daughter. 3 possible dads!"

The 2006-2007 Neumann Homes Broadway In Chicago Season Series ticket holders will receive a multitude of special benefits, including savings up to 25%, priority seating at each venue, ticket exchange privileges, pre-paid and discounted parking, access to gift cards to give tickets as gifts, free issues of Show People Magazine, as well as the first opportunity to purchase additional tickets to future Broadway In Chicago productions, including those not currently listed in the Season Series. Season ticket packages, which range in price from $87.50- $420.50, go on sale Sunday, April 23 at 10:00 a.m., and are available by calling Season Ticket Services toll free at (877) 890-0174 or by visiting www.BroadwayInChicago.com.

Group tickets are currently available for all of the season shows. Groups of 20 or more may receive a discount on most shows by calling (312) 977-1710. Single tickets to each individual production will go on sale at future dates to be announced. Broadway In Chicago gift certificates, which can be redeemed for any production or for season ticket packages, can be obtained at Broadway In Chicago box offices, www.BroadwayInChicago.com or by calling Ticketmaster at (312) 902-1400.