Drury Lane Theatre Oakbrook Terrace Announces its 2011 Season

Drury Lane Theatre Oakbrook Terrace, 100 Drury Lane, known for producing acclaimed, innovative and classic musicals and comedies, announces its exciting 2011 season featuring five highly anticipated productions. AIDA, the Tony Award-winning Elton John and Tim Rice musical is directed by Jim Corti and previews March 17, opens March 23 and runs through May 29; Neil Simon's poignant comedy BROADWAY BOUND is directed by David New and previews June 9, opens June 15 and runs through July 31; SWEENEY TODD, the Sondheim musical thriller previews August 11, opens August 17 and runs through October 9; the international smash hit Rodgers and Hammerstein masterpiece THE SOUND OF MUSIC, directed by Rachel Rockwell, previews October 20, opens October 26 and runs through December 23; and William Osetek will direct the quintessential Broadway musical GYPSY, which previews January 19, opens January 25 and runs through March 25.

AIDA is a sweeping tale of conflicting loyalties and star-crossed lovers with an exhilarating pop-rock score by Elton John and Tim Rice (The Lion King.) Featuring stunning choreography and musical influences ranging from African to Middle Eastern to Indian, AIDA is the winner of four Tony Awards, including Best Original Score, as well as a Grammy Award for AIDA: Original Broadway Cast Recording. Egypt has enslaved Nubia and the great power's prince, Radames, is engaged to be married when Aida, the princess of Nubia, comes to the palace as a slave. Forbidden love blossoms between them and the young lovers are forced to face death or part forever. The couple's devotion ultimately transcends the vast cultural differences between their warring nations, heralding a time of peace and prosperity. AIDA is directed and choreographed by Jeff Award-winner Jim Corti, who received critical acclaim for Drury Lane Oakbrook's productions of Sweet Charity, Meet Me in St. Louis, Cabaret, and Sugar. The production previews March 17, opens March 23 and runs through May 29.

The New York Times called BROADWAY BOUND "a mesmerizing journey". BROADWAY BOUND received seven Tony Award nominations and was nominated for a 1987 Pulitzer Prize for drama. "If Broadway ever erects a monument to the patron saint of laughter, Neil Simon would have to be it," said Time magazine. Set in the late 1940s in Brighton Beach, New York, BROADWAY BOUND is the story of two brothers, Eugene and Stanley Jerome, who are determined to break into show business as professional comedy writers. When the brothers use the trials and tribulations of their dysfunctional family as inspiration for a radio comedy skit, the Jerome clan may never be the same. Hailed as "expectedly funny and unexpectedly moving" by the New York Daily News, BROADWAY BOUND is a hilarious, warm and poignant tribute to family and the ties that bind. The production will be directed by Sarah Siddons Award Winner David New, former Associate Artistic Director at Steppenwolf Theatre. BROADWAY BOUND will preview June 9, opens Junes 15 and run through July 31.

Stephen Sondheim's haunting musical thriller SWEENEY TODD was hailed as "the greatest musical of the past half-century" by the Wall Street Journal. A dark and mesmerizing journey through Victorian London, the play is the story of Benjamin Barker, a barber who escapes prison after 15 years to seek revenge on Judge Turpin, the man who unjustly imprisoned him and stole away his wife and child. When he returns to London, the deranged Barker changes his name to Sweeney Todd and joins forces with diabolical baker Mrs. Lovett. SWEENEY TODD is the winner of eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical. Rachel Rockwell (Ragtime, Miss Saigon) will direct and choreograph this suspenseful, razor-sharp tale of murder and corruption. The musical previews August 11, opens August 17 and runs through October 9.

THE SOUND OF MUSIC was the final collaboration between Rodgers and Hammerstein and is considered one of the world's most beloved musicals. The original 1959 Broadway production of THE SOUND OF MUSIC won six Tony Awards and ran for 1,443 performances. The acclaimed 1965 film version of the musical won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and remains the most popular movie musical of all time. Set in Austria on the brink of WWII, THE SOUND OF MUSIC is the enchanting story of Maria, a spirited young nun who leaves the convent to become a governess for the seven children of the widowed Captain von Trapp. Maria endears herself to the mischievous children by teaching them to sing and leading them on adventures through the Austrian countryside, eventually capturing the stern Captain's heart. Based on an inspiring true story, THE SOUND OF MUSIC features one of the most popular scores of all time. Rachel Rockwell (Ragtime, Miss Saigon), who was recently named Best Director in the August 2010 Fall Theater preview issue of Chicago Magazine, will direct and choreograph this timeless musical classic. The production previews October 20, opens October 26 and runs through December 23.

The legendary musical GYPSY is considered by many critics to be the greatest American musical ever written. GYPSY won three Tony Awards and features music by Jule Styne, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and a book by Arthur Laurents. The New York Daily News called GYPSY "the stuff Broadway dreams are made of," and Variety raved that GYPSY "has as much emotional resonance as showbiz pizzazz." A triumphant story of the complex bond between a mother and daughter, GYPSY is based on the memoirs of Gypsy Rose Lee and has a soaring score including Let Me Entertain You, Some People, and Everything's Coming Up Roses. The production will be directed by Drury Lane Theatre Artistic Director William Osetek, who has directed many acclaimed productions and also adapted the Charles Dickens' story for the stage in Drury Lane's annual production of A Christmas Carol. Tammy Mader will choreograph. GYPSY will preview January 19, opens January 25 and runs through March 25.

Become a Drury Lane Oakbrook subscriber for as low as $115 per person and guarantee seats for all five spectacular 2011 productions for the price of three. Subscribers receive discounts on dining, early notification and priority seating for added events and concerts, a flexible ticket exchange policy, discounts on banquet catering and discounts at The Hilton Suites and Hilton Garden Inn. For more information, call 630.530.0111.

The performance schedule is as follows: Wednesdays at 1:30 p.m. ($31), Thursdays at 1:30 p.m. ($31) and 8 p.m. ($38), Fridays at 8:30 p.m. ($45), Saturdays at 5 p.m. ($45) and 8:30 p.m. ($45) and Sundays at 2:00 p.m. ($45) and 6 p.m. ($40). Lunch and dinner theater packages range from $45.75 to $68 depending on the day of the week. Student tickets start as low as $19 and Senior Citizen tickets start as low as $27 for matinees and $41.75 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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