'Nine' – The Musical @ Porchlight

Porchlight Music Theatre, Chicago, presents its season finale, the sexy and sophisticated Broadway musical, Nine. This Tony-Award Winning Best Musical is now in development with Rob Marshall to become a major motion picture. Chicago audiences can catch the musical live at Theatre Building Chicago from April 4 to May 18, 2008. The Press Opening is Sunday, April 6 at 2:30pm.
 
Nine is an unconventional love story based on Italian film director Federico Fellini's comedic masterpiece, "8 1/2." The acclaimed production is the recipient of seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical in 1982 and Best Revival of a Musical in 2003. The show is also the winner of ten Drama Desk Awards, including Outstanding Musical in 1982 and Outstanding Revival of a Musical in 2003. Nine's music and lyrics are by Maury Yeston, and the show's book is by Arthur Kopit.
 
Nine examines the midlife crisis of film director Guido Contini (who is based on the real life Federico Fellini). Guido's fortieth birthday sends him into an emotional tailspin that threatens to destroy his marriage and career. Guido brings his wife to Venice to save his marriage and restore his artistic passion, but while there he falls back into a tangled web of romance and deception. He is forced to examine his flawed relationships with the many women he has loved. Eventually, Guido learns to act like an adult, instead of a self-indulgent nine year old child.
 
Rob Marshall, the director and choreographer of the movie musical Chicago, is in pre-production for a film based on Nine the Musical.  The film is set to star Javier Bardem, Sophia Loren and Penelope Cruz. It is slated to be released in 2009.
 
Porchlight's cast includes, Jeff Parker as Guido Contini. The women in his life include his wife Luisa (Heather Townsend), his mistress Carla (Maggie Portman) and his muse, Claudia (Marie Svejda-Groh). The ensemble includes: Christin P. Boulette, Danielle Brothers, Brigitte Ditmars, Kristen Freilich, Vanessa Greenway, Jennifer T. Grubb, Bethany Thomas, Abigail Trabue. Young Guido at nine years old will be played by Matthew Gold.
 
Nine reunites much of the original team from Porchlight's award-winning musical Ragtime. Nine is directed by artistic director, L. Walter Stearns, with music direction by Eugene Dizon and choreography by Brenda Didier. The sexy costumes are by Bill Morey and the scenic universe is designed by Kevin Depinet. Julian Pike is the lighting designer, Kevin Carney is the sound designer and Christopher Tisone is the stage manager.
 
Ticket Information
Porchlight Music Theatre will present Nine at Theatre Building Chicago, 1225 West Belmont (at Racine), from April 4 through May 18, 2008. The performance schedule is: Fridays at 8:00 p.m., Saturdays at 8:00 p.m., and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $34 and $35 with discounts available for seniors, students and groups.  For tickets call the box office at Theatre Building Chicago at 773.327.5252 or visit www.theatrebuildingchicago.org.  Tickets are also available through TicketMaster at 312.902.1500 or www.ticketmaster.com.  For group discounts, call 312.423.6612 or visit grouptheatertix.com.
 
About Porchlight Music Theatre
Porchlight Music Theatre is Chicago's music theatre leader; producing award-winning interpretations of classic musicals and cutting-edge new works on intimate stages. The company has staged 35 shows including four world premieres, among them, The Teapot Scandals, its first work developed through Off the Porch, Porchlight's new works program, as well as seven Chicago premieres. Porchlight earned the most Jeff awards of any Chicago music theater and the most After Dark Awards of any Chicago theater in 2007. An Equity theater since 2004, the company has already received a total of 24 Joseph Jefferson Award nominations resulting in 10 Jeff Awards. 

photo: (L-R) Choreographer Brenda Suzanne Didier, Heather Townsend ("Luisa") and ensemble member Christin Boulette

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