What did our critic think of ELF THE MUSICAL at Drury Lane Theatre Oakbrook Terrace, IL? Drury Lane Theatre's holiday production is Elf. From the opening number until the final curtain, Elf will make you feel the joy of Christmas as a child again. That's the beauty of Buddy the Elf and in large part due to the talented Ben Dow, being moved from understudy to lead, in the title role. His wide eyed expressions and sheer joy of everything, especially maple syrup, is the heart of the story. Buddy wants everyone to be happy and feel joy. We are taken into the Buddy's story at the very beginning by Santa (expertly portrayed by the spellbinding A.D. Weaver). On Buddy's journey we meet all the characters from the movie.
Special Offer: Don’t be a cotton-headed-ninny-muggins! Drury Lane Theatre will continue its 2022/2023 season with Elf-the Musical, based upon the film. Book by Thomas Meehan and Bob Martin, music by Matthew Skylar, lyrics by Chad Beguelin. Directed by Lynne Kurdziel-Formato. Elf-the Musical runs November 9, 2022 - January 8, 2023.
Drury Lane Theatre will continue its 2022/2023 season with the holiday classic Elf-the Musical, based upon the film written by David Berenbaum. Book by Thomas Meehan and Bob Martin, music by Matthew Skylar, lyrics by Chad Beguelin. Directed by Lynne Kurdziel-Formato. Elf-the Musical runs November 9, 2022 – January 8, 2023, at Drury Lane Theatre.
L. Walter Stearns, Executive Director of Mercury Theater Chicago, announced today the cast and creative team of the upcoming SHEAR MADNESS, running on the main stage from February 7 through March 29. The press opening is Sunday, February 16 at 7pm. This hit comedic murder-mystery has slayed the hearts of audiences around the world for more than 40 years, following a mysterious murder above the Shear Madness Salon - leaving it to the audience to catch the killer among the actors. SHEAR MADNESS will be directed by the Jeff Award winning Warner Crocker.
Eleven world premiere plays and musicals seen first by Chicago audiences were among those receiving nominations by the Jeff Awards, announced today. A total of 192 nominations were made in 34 categories that honor Chicago Equity theatrical productions that opened between August 1, 2018 and July 31, 2019. During the 2018-19 season, Jeff Awards judges attended opening nights of 132 Equity productions offered by 43 producing organizations and from these openings, 112 productions were a?oeJeff Recommendeda?? and eligible for award nominations.
Cast and crew for Michael John LaChiusa's HELLO AGAIN, the first show of Theo Ubique's second season on Howard Street in Evanston, have been announced by the show's multi-Jeff award-winning director-choreographer Brenda Didier.
A mainstay of the Belmont Theater District, Mercury Theater Chicago's critically acclaimed production of AVENUE Q moves into its final weeks with a closing date of December 30. With incredible runs on the Mercury stage in 2014 and 2018, this lovingly revived Broadway musical comedy appealed to the heart and humor of more than 40,000 audience members, earning widespread critical acclaim with coverage from the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun Times, WTTW's "Chicago Tonight" and WGN Radio, and awards from Broadway World and the Joseph Jefferson awards, including 12 Broadway World Award nominations for the 2018 production. By its closing date, AVENUE Q will have played 355 performances over 12 months, placing it as one of the longest-running homegrown musicals in Chicago history.
By popular demand, Mercury Theater Chicago's critically acclaimed production of AVENUE Q has extended performances for the second time, now running through December 30. After an incredible run in 2004, this lovingly revived Broadway musical is wowing audiences yet again with its relatable humor and heartwarming message. Directed by L. Walter Stearns, AVENUE Q opened on June 21 to rave reviews, with Chris Jones of the Chicago Tribune noting "AVENUE Q is a long-running hit all over again in Chicago. 'Warning, puppet sex' once again appears on the Mercury's marquee," and WTTW's Chicago Tonight highly recommending the show, remarking "it's not only clever and refreshingly frank but wholly charming."
Cue the jazz hands--Stephen Schwartz and Roger O. Hirson's PIPPIN has arrived at Mercury Theater's Venus Cabaret in an intimate staging that brings the actors and the audience together. Mercury Artistic Director L. Walter Stearns's interprets this cabaret production of PIPPIN in a literal manner: the show's visual references and presentational style are highly influenced by the 1920s Weimar cabaret in Germany. Thus, the fictional story of Charlemagne's son Pippin does not at all take place in medieval times but rather seems to occupy a moment all its own. Given the eccentricities in the material for PIPPIN itself, this is a fitting choice.
By popular demand, Mercury Theater Chicago's critically acclaimed production of AVENUE Q has extended performances for the second time, now running through December 30. After an incredible run in 2004, this lovingly revived Broadway musical is wowing audiences yet again with its relatable humor and heartwarming message. Directed by L. Walter Stearns, AVENUE Q opened on June 21 to rave reviews, with Chris Jones of the Chicago Tribune noting "AVENUE Q is a long-running hit all over again in Chicago. 'Warning, puppet sex' once again appears on the Mercury's marquee," and WTTW's Chicago Tonight highly recommending the show, remarking "it's not only clever and refreshingly frank but wholly charming."
Mercury Theater Chicago, 3745 N. Southport Avenue, is pleased to announce that Stephen Schwartz's PIPPIN will run from October 11th through November 18th in Venus Cabaret Theater. Press opening is Sunday, October 14th at 7:30pm.
Mercury Theater Chicago, 3745 N. Southport Avenue, is pleased to announce the extension of AVENUE Q through November 4, 2018 due to popular demand. After an incredible run in 2004, this lovingly revived Broadway musical is wowing audiences yet again with its relatable humor and heartwarming message.
Mercury Theater Chicago, 3745 N. Southport Avenue, is thrilled to announce that our homegrown production of AVENUE Q will be lovingly revived on the Mercury stage, from June 21st through September 9th, 2018. Press opening is Friday, June 29th at 8:00pm. After entertaining nearly 30,000 people over 169 performances and breaking all box office records for Mercury Theater Chicago, these sassy and lovable puppets are back for more fun and mischief.
Mercury Theater Chicago, 3745 N. Southport Avenue - is delighted to announce the cast of the high-flying, family-musical MARY POPPINS. The magical nanny Mary Poppins will be played by newcomer Nicole Armold, and the loveable jack-of-all trades Bert will be played by Jeff Award winner Matthew Crowle. The production will be led by Jeff Award Winners L. Walter Stearns (Director), Eugene Dizon (Music Director) and Brenda Didier (Choreography). The show plays from March 29 through May 28, and the press opening is Friday, April 7th at 7:30pm
Mercury Theater Chicago, 3745 N. Southport Avenue - is thrilled to present the sexy new musical revue I LEFT MY HEART: A SALUTE TO THE MUSIC OF TONY BENNETT, from January 27 through March 5, 2017.
THE CHRISTMAS SCHOONER sails again at the Mercury! The whole family will enjoy this heart-warming story of the first Christmas tree ship and the family who risked their lives to fill Chicago with the Christmas spirit. The production features a powerful, moving story, an exquisite score of original music and traditional holiday favorites.
Mercury Theater Chicago's production THE MAN WHO MURDERED SHERLOCK HOLMES celebrated its opening night performance this week. The production is running from now through March 20th. Check out photos here!
AVENUE Q at Mercury Theater Chicago, 3745 N. Southport Avenue will celebrate its 100th performance of the hilarious musical comedy, now playing through October 26, 2014. AVENUE Q continues to sell out and break all box office records at Mercury Theater Chicago. Chris Jones of the Chicago Tribune described the show as 'delightfully sweet and vulnerable...could not be more fun or charming to watch!' and the Chicago SunTimes Highly Recommends the show saying it's 'better than the Broadway original!' Winner of the Tony 'Triple Crown' for Best Musical, Best Score and Best Book, AVENUE Q is part flesh, part felt, and packed with heart. AVENUE Q is led by Jeff Award winners L. Walter Stearns (Director), Eugene Dizon (Musical Direction), and Kevin Bellie (Choreography) and features custom made puppets by Russ Walko.
