Bailiwick Chicago's DEPARTURE LOUNGE Hosts Talk-backs With Author And Producer

Bailiwick Chicago's new musical, Departure Lounge, which opens Friday November 5th after six previews, will offer talkbacks with the musical's composer-lyricist-bookwriter Dougal Irvine and its originating producer Andy Barnes after the 8 p.m. performance on Thursday, November 4 and after the 3 p.m. matinee on Saturday, November 6th. Departure Lounge opened in an off-West End production in London in late September and the Bailiwick Chicago mounting is the first fully staged production of the piece in the U.S.

Departure Lounge concerns four 18-year-old Brits returning from a wild vacation in Spain where they celebrated their graduation from secondary school right before settling down to begin their University studies. As they reminisce about their time together, it soon becomes clear that their individual memories of the holiday are at odds, particularly when it comes to romance and the girl on all their minds. Is she as innocent as we're led to think, and will the boys' friendships hold firm as they all face a coming of age?

Irvine provides some context for the Departure Lounge's premise. He explains that Brits must wait about six weeks after their secondary school graduation before receiving their "A-level" entrance exams scores - results which can change their University plans entirely. "Some people work during that time," Irvine says, "but most use it as a chance for a MASSIVE holiday. It's become seen as almost a rite of passage. There's a weird mentality amongst some types of people that you've missed out if you haven't been on a cheap, tacky, boozy holiday before you've grown up." Departure Lounge captures this specific transitional time of life with earthy humor, touching and funny songs and dances with music influenced by Brit-pop, hip hop and flamenco.

Andy Barnes is the originating producer of the piece and the creator of Perfect Pitch, the only full-time national development network in the UK for new British musical theater. Perfect Pitch has become the hub for some of the brightest emerging artists in the UK. For additional information, visit www.perfectpitchmusicals.com.