Tony Nominee Dan Knechtges to Helm Drury Lane's SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER

Drury Lane Theatre announces principal casting for disco musical Saturday Night Fever, revised and rewritten for the Drury Lane stage, featuring music and lyrics by The Bee Gees, based on the smash-hit Paramount/RSO Film and the story by Nik Cohn, and adapted for the stage by Robert Stigwood in collaboration with Bill Oaks. This North American version was written by Sean Cercone and David Abbinanti and is helmed by Tony-nominated director and choreographer Dan Knechtges. Saturday Night Fever runs January 19 - March 19, 2017 at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace. The Press Opening is Thursday, January 26, 2017 at 8:00 p.m.

Leading this brand new version is Jeff-nominated actor Adrian Aguilar as Brooklyn teen Tony Manero. Saturday Night Fever marks Aguilar's first starring role at a large regional theater. Dancing alongside Aguilar as Manero's love interest, Stephanie Mangano, is Erica Stephan. The principal cast also includes Landree Fleming (Annette), Nick Cosgrove (Bobby C.), Joe Capstick (Joey), Will Lidke (Gus) and Brandon Springman (Double J).

"We mounted an unprecedented search for the perfect actor to play Tony. In keeping with our commitment to put the nation's very best artists on our stage, we held auditions for this demanding role all across the country, including in Chicago, New York, and for the first time, in Los Angeles and Houston. Out of the many talented artists we saw, no one came close to Chicago's unparalleled Adrian Aguilar as Tony," says Kyle DeSantis, President of Drury Lane Productions.

Based on the 1977 hit film, Saturday Night Fever follows Tony Manero in his attempt to escape his troubles by spending weekends at the local disco. Watch Tony win the admiration of the crowd, as well as his heartthrob Stephanie Mangano, as he burns up the dance floor with his electric moves. This new production features favorite Bee Gees songs from the movie such as "Night Fever," "Stayin' Alive," and "Jive Talkin'."

Complete casting and the creative team will be announced at a later date.

IF YOU GO:

Saturday Night Fever

Featuring music by The Bee Gees
Based on the Paramount/RSO Film
and the story by Nik Cohn
Adapted for the stage by Robert Stigwood in collaboration with Bill Oaks
North American version written by Sean Cercone and David Abbinanti

Director/Choreographer: Tony-nominated Dan Knechtges

Featuring: Adrian Aguilar (Tony Manero), Erica Stephan (Stephanie Mangano), Landree Fleming (Annette), Nick Cosgrove (Bobby C.), Joe Capstick (Joey), Will Lidke (Gus) and Brandon Springman (Double J).

Previews: January 19 - 25, 2017
Press Opening: Thursday, January 26, at 8 p.m.
Regular run: January 27, 2017 - March 19, 2017

Schedule: Wednesdays: 1:30 p.m.; Thursdays: 1:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.; Fridays: 8:00 p.m.; Saturdays: 5:00 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.; and Sundays: 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.

Performances play Drury Lane Theatre at 100 Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace

Tickets: Previews - $43 - $58; Single Tickets - $45 - $60; Wednesday and Thursday matinees are priced at $45, Thursday and Sunday evenings at $55, and Friday, Saturday and Sunday matinee performances at $60; Student group tickets start at $30; Senior Citizens start at $40 for matinees. Dinner and show packages available.

Box Office: 100 Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace - 630.530.0111, TicketMaster at 800.745.3000; or visit DruryLaneTheatre.com.

Drury Lane Theatre's 2017-2018 season will open with Chicago - the first professional Chicagoland production of the hit musical in 30 years. The season continues with the Pulitzer-winning play The Gin Game featuring Chicago theatre legends John Reeger and Paula Scrofano-Reeger, followed by the powerhouse musical tribute to the 1980s Rock of Ages. For the holiday season Drury Lane will stage beloved tap classic 42nd Street and then close its 17-18 season with the iconic Tim Rice & Andrew Lloyd Webber musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. The 2017/2018 season runs March 30, 2017 through March 25, 2018 at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace.

Subscriptions for the 2017 - 2018 Season are priced from $144.60 to $175.80. Subscribers receive special offers on dining, flexible ticket exchanges and early notification and priority seating for added events and concerts. For more information, visit DruryLaneTheatre.com.

The performance schedule for all productions is as follows: Wednesdays at 1:30 p.m., Thursdays at 1:30 p.m. and 8 p.m., Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 5 p.m. and 8:30 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Student group tickets start as low as $30 and Senior Citizens start at $40 for matinees. Dinner and show packages are also available. For individual ticket on-sale dates and ticket reservations, call the Drury Lane Theatre box office at 630.530.0111, TicketMaster at 800.745.3000 or visit DruryLaneTheatre.com.

Under the leadership of President Kyle DeSantis and Artistic Director William Osetek, Drury Lane Theatre is a major force in the Chicagoland theatre scene, presenting world-class productions in collaboration with some of the nation's leading actors, artists, writers and directors. Over the past 30 years, Drury Lane has staged more than 2,000 productions and has been nominated for more than 350 Joseph Jefferson Awards. Drury Lane is committed to breathing new life into beloved classics and introducing audiences to exciting new works.

Throughout its 30-year history, Drury Lane has employed more than 7,500 actors and 10,000 musicians, designers and crewmembers to entertain upwards of nine million audience members. Originally founded by Anthony DeSantis, Drury Lane Theatre remains a family-run organization known for producing breathtaking Broadway classics, top-rated musicals, bold new works, hilarious comedies and unforgettable concert events.