Black Button Eyes Productions to Stage Chicago Premiere of AMOUR This Fall

Black Button Eyes Productions presents the Chicago Premiere of the musical AMOUR, with music by Michel Legrand, at the Athenaeum Theatre in Chicago, at 2936 N. Southport Avenue, September 2 - October 8.

AMOUR, directed by Ed Rutherford with music direction from Nick Sula, begins previews September 2, with press opening on September 3; the show runs through October 8. For more information, visit AMOURChicago.com.

Adapted from the short story "Le Passe-Muraille" by beloved French author Marcel Aymé, AMOUR tells the story of Dusoleil, a shy clerk working in a dreary office in post-World War II Paris. One day he discovers he has the ability to walk through walls, and embraces a life of romance and adventure. With music by multiple Oscar and Grammy-winner Michel Legrand and adapted into English by Jeremy Sams from the French Libretto by Didier van Cauwelaert, AMOUR was nominated for multiple Tony awards when it played on Broadway in 2002.

"This musical is an extremely charming work of fantasy, loaded with moments of magic, romance and humor. I'm excited for the chance to bring this piece to the city of Chicago for the first time, and to develop effective ways to portray the fantastical events in the show using a story theater aesthetic," says director Ed Rutherford.

Under the Jeff-winning music direction of Nick Sula, AMOUR will include a full band bringing Legrand's delightful music to life with Sula at the keys along with clarinet, saxophone, flute and percussion.

The creative team for AMOUR includes Ed Rutherford (Director), Nick Sula (Music Director), Beth Laske-Miller (Costume Designer), Chazz Malott (Lighting Designer, winner of 2014 BroadwayWorld award for his lighting design for Black Button Eyes Productions' Coraline), Rachelle "Rocky" Kolecke (Props Designer) and Kate Merena (Marketing Director), with additional staff to be announced. Casting will be announced at a later date.

AMOUR continues Black Button Eyes Productions' mission to bring to Chicago premieres and seldom-seen works containing elements of fantasy, in which the magical and surreal invade reality. The company was founded in 2014 with the acclaimed Midwest Premiere of the musical Coraline, and continued in 2015 by producing the musical Goblin Market in its first Chicago production in over 15 years, attended by the author, Chicago native Polly Pen.

DETAILS:

AMOUR

Athenaeum Theatre, Studio 1, 2936 N. Southport Avenue, Chicago.

First Preview: Friday, September 2, 7:30PM

Opening / Press Night: Saturday, September 3, 7:30PM

Closing Night: Saturday, October 8

Performances: Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30PM, Sundays at 2PM

No performances Thursday-Sunday, September 22-25 (due to Oktoberfest event near venue)

One additional performance on Tuesday, September 20, 7:30PM

Tickets are $30 general admission and are available at web.ovationtix.com/trs/pr/954526.