REVIEW: HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD at James M. Nederlander Theatre Through February 1, 2025

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HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD

NOW PLAYING AT BROADWAY IN CHICAGO’S JAMES M. NEDERLANDER THEATRE

THROUGH FEBRUARY 1, 2025

The show is suitable for ages 8 and up.

Runtime: 2 hours and 50 minutes with one intermission

REVIEW

By Bonnie Kenaz-Mara

Here at ChiIL Mama, we caught the opening night of the US touring production of HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD, kicking off right here in Chicago, and we loved it! Even Muggles will be enchanted with Harry Potter, the next generation. This play picks up nineteen years after the original series, when the children we know and love have become parents of Hogwarts teens. This production is a mind blowing spectacle of special effects, unexpected friendships, and time travel. Slither in for stunning stage magic, stellar acting, and an epic adventure that changes everything. Highly recommended. ★★★★ Four out of four stars.

(from left to right) Aidan Close and Emmet Smith in Harry Potter and

the Cursed Child North American Tour. Photo by Matthew Murphy.

I bought this script when it came out in 2016 and have been eagerly awaiting the chance to see it on stage in a full production. I devoured all 7 novel and all the movies as each came out, and own all of both. As soon as my kids were old enough, we read them aloud as a family and watched the movies many times. We especially loved Hermione, a smart, female lead, written in an era when the vast majority of main characters were boys. Not so long ago, gate keeper publishers regularly blocked heroines, saying that boys wouldn't read books with girls as main characters. 

(from left to right) Julia Nightingale, Aidan Close and Emmet Smith in

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child North American Tour. Photo by Matthew

Murphy.

Speaking of girls as main characters, no big spoilers, but HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD adds a doozy of a female lead with Delphi Diggory, delightfully played by Julia Nightingale. HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD also gets more diverse with Hermione (Ebony Blake) and her daughter, Rose (Naira Vanessa McCalla), both played by black actresses, and we're here for it! We also couldn't possibly love Moaning Myrtle any more than we do. Mackenzie Lesser-Roy killed it as the ghost girl who lurks in the loo! 

The North American Tour of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.

Photo by Matthew Murphy.

 

HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD GOLDEN SNITCH DIGITAL LOTTERY 

If money's an issue, there's a free to enter ticket lottery for all show dates. The Golden Snitch Digital Lottery will open at 9:00 a.m. CT and close at 5:00 p.m. CT the day prior to the desired performance. Winners can claim 2 tickets for $40 each + a $5 handling fee per ticket. Enter HERE.

If you have somehow managed to avoid the entire franchise and are clueless about the world of Harry Potter and the characters within, HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD does work as a stand alone piece. However, the more you know of the backstory, the less confusing and more fun this production will be. I spent the half hour before the show and intermission giving a few clueless fellow critics the Cliff Notes, and overheard others doing the same with their friends and families. The day after the show, a couple of critics I spoke with were inspired to start the movies, which will still make the play clearer after the fact. If you're completely uninitiated, though, I do recommend checking out at least a few of the movies first, if at all possible. 

HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD features a great bromance between best friends Albus Potter and Scorpius Malfoy. The plot line takes tantalizing, unexpected twists and turns. There's a strong anti-bullying bent. And the ultimate take away about the inadvisability/inability to change the past without dire consequences, and the sorrow that comes with that realization, is a message we can get behind, for magicians and muggles alike. 

The stage version is an excellent opportunity for multigenerational fun, with appeal for grandparents, parents and kids. HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD is even likely to win over those who don't naturally love theatre. In fact, this multi award winning play broke the Guinness record for the highest-grossing non-musical play in Broadway history! Worried about sitting still for the two hours and 50 minute run time? There's a 15- to 20-minute intermission, with fun photo ops in the basement level lobby outside of the bathrooms, merch to purchase, and several snack and drink laden bars on multiple floors. The original play was in 2 parts and required a 5 or 6 hour commitment! Now the fast paced show just flies by. This production was so mind bogglingly excellent I'm already planning to catch it again. Best fantasy production ever. Don’t miss this! 

Bonnie is a Chicago based writer, theatre critic, photographer, artist, and Mama to 2 amazing adults. She owns two websites where she publishes frequently: ChiILLiveShows.com (adult) & ChiILMama.com (family friendly).

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child North American Tour. Photo by

Matthew Murphy.

**HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED AUTHOR (AKA TERF Wars): This play is based on an original story by J.K. Rowling who has been called out from 2020 to the present, for her negative social media comments on trans people, and doubling down in the face of backlash. I can't in good conscience give this show a rave review without acknowledging the controversy. Rowling has a lot of followers and with a big megaphone comes great responsibility.

I've met many wonderful trans people, working for decades in Chicago's theatre industry, and quite a few of my friends consider themselves trans or have trans children. Some of them are boycotting this production because J.K. Rowling gets royalties, and I respect that, especially in today's political climate. At ChiIL Mama and ChiIL Live Shows we do not condone her comments. Nevertheless, I have chosen to review this play, as a collaborative piece of art, involving dozens of people, and can vouch that there is nothing inherently transphobic or negative in any way toward any marginalized group in this production. 

On opening night we met drag queens in full Slitherin regalia, gay couples and even trans humans who raved about the show, and other minorities and marginalized people who were all marveling at the stage magic and having a wonderful evening together. In an era of cancel culture, we believe it's still possible to enjoy creative works with imperfect creators. 

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child North American Tour. Photo by

Matthew Murphy.

HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD

Chicago Tie-ins on the North American Tour

My son went to school with Harry Potter's son! Not too many Chicago Theatre critics can make that unique claim. No, not Hogwarts, but before attending the infamous wizard boarding school, as Albus Potter, actor Emmet Smith studied theatre arts at Chicago's Northwestern University, in suburban Evanston, with my son, Dugan. Though New York is technically his home town, we're highlighting Albus/Emmet with the Chicago dynamic duo of Severus Snape and Ron Weasley. Emmet truly makes a phenomenal Albus Severus Potter. Aside from the ability to pass for an underager, he's a stellar performer and a joy to see in action. 

 

Emmet Smith (Harry's son, Albus Potter)

he/him. Wizzo! Off-Broadway: Philadelphia, Here I Come! (Irish Rep), Midsummer (TFANA), Soul Doctor (NYTW); Regional: A Distinct Society (Pioneer Theatre), The Sound of Music (Marriott Theatre); TV: New Amsterdam, Law & Order, Blue Bloods. Songwriter, climate activist, Northwestern grad, Ravenclaw. @emmetsmithnyc

(l-r): Emmet Smith and Aidan Close in the North American Tour of

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. Photo by Matthew Murphy.

We were also pretty jazzed to see Chicago's own Larry Yando playing Snape, Dumbledore, and Amos Diggory. Yando is most recognized for his beloved role as Scrooge at Goodman Theatre for the past 16 seasons! We've seen him in numerous productions over the years and in the past I've dubbed him "King of the pregnant pause" for his delivery style, and his ability to keep an audience rapt and spellbound, even between lines. He's an absolute pro and it's a master class to see him on stage. He's adept at finding the humanity in villains, and making them multidimensional, and dare I say lovable. We adore his take on Snape.

LARRY YANDO 

Notable roles: Scar/“The Lion King”, Roy Cohn”/Angels in America”, 15 seasons as Scrooge/”A Christmas Carol”, and King Lear. A five- time Jeff award- winner, Sarah Siddons recipient, Lunt-Fontanne Fellow, and the Wall Street Journal’s Performer of the Year.

Larry Yando in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child North American

Tour. Photo by Matthew Murphy.

Rounding out the trio is Matt Mueller, who lives in Chicago's near northern suburb of Evanston. He's also making sweet home Chicago proud, and reprising his Broadway role, where he played Ron Weasley for a year, before the pandemic shuttered theatres in 2020. He's not only a hometown actor, but also the son of two Chicago actors, Jill Shellabarger and Roger Mueller! His three siblings were also bitten by the theatre bug, and his twin sister Abby, sister Jessie, and brother Andrew are all professional actors. All of them work steadily in theater in Chicago, New York on and off-Broadway, or with touring companies. Matt has never been cast in a show with his sisters or parents yet, but he did work on a show with his brother, Andrew. His sister, Jessie Mueller won a Tony Award for Beautiful: The Carole King Musical. Nothing like a bit of Broadway sibling rivalry to keep things interesting!

Matt Mueller (Ron Weasley)

Broadway: HPCC. Tour: The Play That Goes Wrong - Chicago. Regional: Writers, Chicago Shakespeare, Marriott, Drury Lane, Northlight, Asolo Repertory, Indiana Repertory, Milwaukee Rep, Lyric Repertory, Utah Shakespeare Festival, Colorado Shakespeare Festival, BETC, and multiple productions of Woody Guthrie’s American Song.

(l-r): Matt Mueller, Ebony Blake and John Skelley in the North

American Tour of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. Photo by Matthew

Murphy.

Broadway In Chicago is delighted to announce the National Tour of HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD 

now playing at Broadway In Chicago’s James M. Nederlander Theatre

The final performance of the 21-week engagement of the six-time Tony® Award-winning production will be Saturday, February 1, 2025

“One of the most defining pop culture events of the decade” – Forbes

John Skelley is playing Harry Potter with Trish Lindstrom as Ginny Potter and Emmet Smith as their son Albus Potter. Matt Mueller is playing Ron Weasley with Ebony Blake as Hermione Granger and Naiya Vanessa McCalla as their daughter Rose Granger-Weasley. Playing Draco Malfoy is Ben Thys with Aidan Close as his son Scorpius Malfoy. Delphi Diggory is played by Julia Nightingale and Severus Snape is played by Larry Yando.

They are joined by Kaleb Alexander, Julianna Austin, Markcus Blair, Casey Butler, Erin Chupinsky, Reese Sebastian Diaz, David Fine, Simon Gagnon, Alexis Gordon, Caleb Hafen, Lauryn Hayes, Nathan Hosner, Torsten Johnson, Katherine Leask, Markelle Leigh, Mackenzie Lesser-Roy, Evan Maltby, Zach Norton, Travis Patton, Maren Searle, Ayla Stackhouse, Jennifer Thiessen, Timmy Thompson, René Thornton Jr., and Kristin Yancy playing a variety of characters.

The touring production is based on the acclaimed Broadway production, currently playing at the Lyric Theatre, New York. It picks up right where the last Harry Potter film left off: Nineteen years after Harry, Ron, and Hermione saved the wizarding world, they’re back on a most extraordinary new adventure – this time, joined by a brave new generation that has only just arrived at the legendary Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. When Harry Potter’s head-strong son Albus befriends the son of his fiercest rival, Draco Malfoy, it sparks an unbelievable new journey for them all—with the power to change the past and future forever.

John Skelley in the North American Tour of Harry Potter and the

Cursed Child. Photo by Matthew Murphy.

HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD, the first Harry Potter story to be presented on stage and the eighth story in the Harry Potter series, has sold over 10 million tickets worldwide since its world premiere in London in July 2016 and holds a record 60 major honors, with nine Laurence Olivier Awards including Best New Play and six Tony Awards including Best Play. The international phenomenon has cast its spell worldwide with productions currently running in London, New York, Hamburg, and Tokyo, and has completed runs in Melbourne, Toronto, and San Francisco. The original two-part production in London's West End recently celebrated its 7th anniversary, while the reimagined Broadway production celebrated its 6th anniversary. The most successful non-musical play in Broadway history, HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD has the unique distinction of being named by the Guinness World Records as the highest-grossing non-musical play in Broadway history with over $270 million total sales

and over 2.5 million tickets sold. To stay up to date with the latest information, go to tour.harrypottertheplay.com.

CHICAGO TICKET INFORMATION

Individual tickets for HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD are on sale now and range from $49.00 - $193.00 with a select number of premium tickets available. There are a limited number of $40 lottery seats available for each performance. Groups of 10 or more can book tickets by calling (312) 977-1710 or emailing GroupSales@BroadwayInChicago.com. For more information, visit www.BroadwayInChicago.com.

ABOUT HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD

Based on an original story by J.K. Rowling, Jack Thorne and John Tiffany, HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD is a play by Jack Thorne, directed by John Tiffany. HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD features movement by Steven Hoggett, set by Christine Jones, costumes by Katrina

Lindsay, music & arrangements by Imogen Heap, lighting by Neil Austin, sound by Gareth Fry, illusions & magic by Jamie Harrison, music supervision & arrangements by Martin Lowe. US Casting by Jim Carnahan, CSA. HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD is produced by Sonia Friedman Productions, Colin Callender and Harry Potter Theatrical Productions.

Instagram: @CursedChildUS ● Twitter: @CursedChildTour ● Facebook: @CursedChildUS ● TikTok: @CursedChildOfficial

ABOUT BROADWAY IN CHICAGO

Broadway In Chicago was created in July 2000 and over the past 25 years has grown to be one of the largest commercial touring homes in the country. A Nederlander Presentation, Broadway In Chicago lights up the Chicago Theater District entertaining up to 1.7 million people annually in five theatres. Broadway In Chicago presents a full range of entertainment, including musicals and plays, on

the stages of five of the finest theatres in Chicago’s Loop including the Cadillac Palace Theatre, CIBC Theatre, James M. Nederlander Theatre, Auditorium Theatre, and just off the Magnificent Mile, the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place.

For more information and tickets, visit www.BroadwayInChicago.com.

Facebook @BroadwayInChicago ● Instagram @broadwayinchicago ● TikTok @broadwayinchicago ● #broadwayinchicago

HARPER LEE’S TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD AT BROADWAY IN CHICAGO'S JAMES M. NEDERLANDER THEATRE MAY 17-29, 2022

ChiIL Live Shows On Our Radar  

TICKETS GO ON SALE MARCH 8 FOR

HARPER LEE’S

TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD

A NEW PLAY BY AARON SORKIN

BASED ON HARPER LEE’S CLASSIC NOVEL

FIRST NATIONAL TOUR OF CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED, RECORD-BREAKING PRODUCTION

STARS EMMY AWARD® WINNER RICHARD THOMAS

PLAYING AT

BROADWAY IN CHICAGO'S

JAMES M. NEDERLANDER THEATRE

MAY 17-29, 2022

Here at ChiIL Mama, we love Harper Lee’s iconic novel, TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD, and we're jazzed to catch the first national tour of the history-making production. Got your tickets yet? 

Broadway In Chicago is delighted to announce tickets for the history-making production of TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD will go on sale Tuesday, March 8, 2022. TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD will play Broadway In Chicago’s James M. Nederlander Theatre for a limited engagement May 17-29, 2022. Academy Award® winner Aaron Sorkin’s new play, directed by Tony Award® winner Bartlett Sher and based on Harper Lee’s classic novel will come to Chicago as part of a multi-year national tour across North America.

The complete cast was announced today for the First National Tour of the history-making production. Starring in the critically acclaimed production are Emmy Award®-winning actor Richard Thomas as Atticus Finch, Melanie Moore as Scout Finch, Jacqueline Williams as Calpurnia, Justin Mark as Jem Finch, Yaegel T. Welch as Tom Robinson, Steven Lee Johnson as Dill Harris and Mary Badham (Oscar®-nominated for the role of “Scout” in the feature film) as Mrs. Dubose. They are joined by Joey Collins as Bob Ewell, Richard Poe as Judge Taylor, Luke Smith as Horace Gilmer, Arianna Gayle Stucki as Mayella Ewell, David Christopher Wells as Sheriff Heck Tate, Anthony Natale as Link Deas, Liv Rooth as Miss Stephanie, Travis Johns as Mr. Cunningham, and ensemble members: Morgan Bernhard, Denise Cormier, Christopher R. Ellis, Stephen Elrod, Glenn Fleary, Maeve Moynihan, Daniel Neale, Dorcas Sowunmi, and Greg Wood.

Yaegel T. Welch, Steven Lee Johnson, Luke Smith, Liv Rooth, and Glenn Fleary join the tour from the Broadway production.

TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD holds the record as the highest-grossing American play in Broadway history. It began performances on November 1, 2018, at the Shubert Theatre and played to sold-out houses until Broadway shutdown in March 2020. On February 26, 2020, TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD became the first-ever Broadway play to perform at New York’s Madison Square Garden, in front of approximately 18,000 New York City public school students, also marking the largest attendance at a single performance of a play ever in world theater. The production resumed performances on October 5, 2021 and concluded its run at the Shubert Theatre on January 16, 2022. TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD is set to resume performances at Broadway’s Belasco Theatre with Greg Kinnear as Atticus Finch on June 1, 2022. A production will debut in London’s West End at the Gielgud Theatre on March 10, 2022, starring Rafe Spall. 

Set in Alabama in 1934, Harper Lee’s enduring story of racial injustice and childhood innocence centers on one of the most venerated characters in American literature, small-town lawyer, Atticus Finch. The cast of characters includes Atticus’s daughter, Scout; her brother, Jem; their housekeeper and caretaker, Calpurnia; their visiting friend, Dill; and a mysterious neighbor, the reclusive Arthur “Boo” Radley. The other indelible residents of Maycomb, Alabama, are Bob Ewell, Tom Robinson, Prosecutor Horace Gilmer, Judge Taylor, and Mayella Ewell. 

TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD is designed by Miriam Buether, with costumes by Ann Roth, lighting by Jennifer Tipton, sound by Scott Lehrer, and an original score by Adam Guettel. Casting by Telsey and Co. The national tour is produced by Barry Diller.

For more information, please visit www.tokillamockingbirdbroadway.com

 

Follow TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD on:

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/tokillamockingbirdbway/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mockingbirdbway/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/mockingbirdbway

 

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE

Tuesday, May 17 at 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, May 18 at 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, May 19 at 7:30 p.m.

Friday, May 20 at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, May 21 at 2:00 p.m. & 8:00 p.m.

Sunday, May 22 at 2:00 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, May 24 at 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, May 25 at 2:00 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, May 26 at 7:30 p.m.

Friday, May 27 at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, May 28 at 2:00 p.m. & 8:00 p.m.

Sunday, May 29 at 2:00 p.m.

 

TICKET INFORMATION

Individual tickets for TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD will go on sale to the public on Tuesday, March 8, 2022 and range from $35.00 - $114.00 with a select number of premium tickets available. Tickets are available now for groups of 10 or more by calling Broadway In Chicago Group Sales at (312) 977-1710 or emailing GroupSales@BroadwayInChicago.com. For more  information, visit www.BroadwayInChicago.com.

ABOUT BROADWAY IN CHICAGO

Broadway In Chicago was created in July 2000 and over the past 21 years has grown to be one of the largest commercial touring homes in the country. A Nederlander Presentation, Broadway In Chicago lights up the Chicago Theater District entertaining more than 1.7 million people annually in five theatres. Broadway In Chicago presents a full range of entertainment, including musicals and plays, on the stages of five of the finest theatres in Chicago’s Loop including the Cadillac Palace Theatre, CIBC Theatre, James M. Nederlander Theatre, Auditorium Theatre, and just off the Magnificent Mile, the Broadway  Playhouse at Water Tower Place.

 

COVID-19  PROTOCOL

Our audiences are required to wear masks and show proof of vaccination. For details or further requirements visit broadwayinchicago.com/covid19.

 

For more information and tickets, visit www.BroadwayInChicago.com.

Facebook @BroadwayInChicago ● Twitter @broadwaychicago ● Instagram @broadwayinchicago ● #broadwayinchicago

 

$25 CATS MUSICAL TICKETS VIA DIGITAL LOTTERY THROUGH AUGUST 4, 2019

ChiIL Live Shows on our radar

BROADWAY IN CHICAGO 

ANNOUNCES DIGITAL LOTTERY FOR

CATS

THE TONY AWARD®-WINNING, RECORD-BREAKING SPECTACULAR

BROADWAY IN CHICAGO’S 

JAMES M. NEDERLANDER THEATRE

JULY 16 – AUGUST 4, 2019

I'll be ChiILin' in Chi, IL at the press opening for CATS on July 17th. I've caught this family friendly fav many times, and I'm eager to see this revival. The original Broadway production closed on September 10, 2000 and is currently the fourth longest-running show in Broadway history. This marks the first tour of the first-ever Broadway revival of the iconic musical. CATS is only in Chicago for a limited three-week engagement at Broadway In Chicago’s James M. Nederlander Theatre (24 W. Randolph) from July 16 through August 4, 2019, so don't miss this.

Broadway In Chicago is delighted to announce there will be a digital lottery for CATS!

The digital lottery will begin July 15 at 9AM, and 26 tickets will be sold for every performance at $25 each. The lottery will happen online only the day before each performance. Seat locations vary per performance.

HOW TO ENTER THE DIGITAL LOTTERY

·         Visit https://www.broadwayinchicago.com/show/cats-2019/

·         Follow the link “Click here for details and to enter the lottery”

·         Click the “Enter Now” button for the performance you want to attend.

·         Fill out the entry form including the number of tickets you would like (1 or 2). Patrons will receive a confirmation email once they have validated their email (one time only) and successfully entered the lottery.

·         After the lottery closes, patrons will be notified via email within minutes as to whether they have won or not.

·         Winners have 60 minutes from the time the lottery closes to pay online with a credit card.

·         After payment has been received, patrons can pick up tickets at the James M. Nederlander Theatre (24 W. Randolph) no sooner than 30 minutes before show time with a valid photo ID.



DIGITAL LOTTERY ADDITIONAL RULES

Limit 1 entry per person, per performance. Multiple entries will not be accepted. Patrons must be 18 years old and have a valid, non-expired photo ID that matches the names used to enter. Tickets are non-transferable. All lottery prices include a $3.50 facility fee. Ticket limits and prices displayed are at the sole discretion of the show and are subject to change without notice. Lottery prices are not valid on prior purchases. Lottery ticket offer cannot be combined with any other offers or promotions. All sales final - no refunds or exchanges.  Lottery may be revoked or modified at any time without notice. No purchase necessary to enter or win.  A purchase will not improve your chances of winning.

CATS, the record-breaking musical spectacular by Andrew Lloyd Webber that has captivated audiences in over 30 countries and 15 languages, is now on tour across North America! 

Audiences and critics alike are rediscovering this beloved musical with breathtaking music, including one of the most treasured songs in musical theater — "Memory.” Winner of 7 Tony Awards® including BEST MUSICAL, CATS tells the story of one magical night when an extraordinary tribe of cats gathers for its annual ball to rejoice and decide which cat will be reborn. The original score by Andrew Lloyd Webber (The Phantom of the Opera, School of Rock, Sunset Boulevard), original scenic and costume design by John Napier (Les Misérables), all-new lighting design by Natasha Katz (Aladdin), all-new sound design by Mick Potter, new choreography by Andy Blankenbuehler (Hamilton) based on the original choreography by Gillian Lynne (Phantom) and direction by Trevor Nunn (Les Misérables) make this production a new CATS for a new generation!

Composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber and based on T.S. Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats, the record-breaking musical spectacular has been seen by more than 73 million people worldwide. 

The original Broadway production opened in 1982 at Broadway’s Winter Garden Theatre, where it ran for 7,485 performances and 18 years. CATS was originally produced on Broadway by Cameron Mackintosh, The Really Useful Company Limited, David Geffen, and The Shubert Organization.

CATS returned to Broadway in 2016 in a stunning revival at the Neil Simon Theatre. Preview performances began Thursday, July 14, 2016, and officially opened on Sunday, July 31, 2016. CATS played its final performance on Saturday, December 30, 2017 after 16 previews and 593 regular performances.

Originally directed by Trevor Nunn with choreography and associate direction by Gillian Lynne, scenic and costume design by John Napier, lighting design by David Hersey, and sound design by Abe Jacob, CATS opened in the West End in 1981. The musical debuted on Broadway in 1982 where it won seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical. Both the original London and Broadway cast recordings won Grammy Awards for Best Cast Album. CATS hit song “Memory” has been recorded by over 150 artists from Barbra Streisand and Johnny Mathis to Liberace and Barry Manilow. The Tony Award-winning Best Musical held the title of longest-running musical in Broadway history until it was surpassed in 2006 by Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera. 

The first-ever, live-action film adaptation of CATS, produced by Universal Pictures and Working Title, will open on Dec. 20, 2019. 

The revival of CATS is produced by The Shubert Organization, James L. Nederlander, The Really Useful Group and Cameron Mackintosh.

For more information, please visit CatsTheMusical.com.
Follow @catsmusical on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.



PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE

Tuesdays at 7:30PM

Wednesdays at 2PM & 7:30PM (no matinee performance on Wednesday, July 17)

Thursdays at 7:30PM

Fridays at 7:30PM

Saturdays at 2PM & 8PM

Sundays at 2PM (an additional 7:30PM performance will be held on Sunday, July 21)


TICKET INFORMATION
Individual tickets for CATS are currently on-sale to the public and range in price from $30-$95 with a select number of premium seats available. Tickets are available now for groups of 10 or more by calling Broadway In Chicago Group Sales at (312) 977-1710 or emailing GroupSales@BroadwayInChicago.com. For more information, visit www.BroadwayInChicago.com. 


ABOUT BROADWAY IN CHICAGO
Broadway In Chicago was created in July 2000 and over the past 19 years has grown to be one of the largest commercial touring homes in the country.  A Nederlander Presentation, Broadway In Chicago lights up the Chicago Theater District entertaining more than 1.7 million people annually in five theatres. Broadway In Chicago presents a full range of entertainment, including musicals and plays, on the stages of five of the finest theatres in Chicago’s Loop including the Cadillac Palace Theatre, CIBC Theatre, James M. Nederlander Theatre, and just off the Magnificent Mile, the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place and presenting Broadway shows at the Auditorium Theatre.

Broadway In Chicago proudly celebrates 2019 as the Year of Chicago Theatre.

For more information, visit www.BroadwayInChicago.com.

Facebook @BroadwayInChicago ● Twitter @broadwaychicago ● Instagram @broadwayinchicago ● #broadwayinchicago

THE ORIENTAL THEATRE TO HONOR JAMES M. NEDERLANDER AND HIS BROADWAY LEGACY IN CHICAGO WITH FEBRUARY 2019 NAME CHANGE

BROADWAY IN CHICAGO

HONORS THE LATE 
JAMES M. NEDERLANDER 

BY RENAMING THE ORIENTAL THEATRE

Over the past decade that I've been reviewing theatre in Chicago, and for twenty years before that as a performer and theatre fan, I've enjoyed numerous productions at Chicago's iconic Oriental Theatre. It's my favorite for ornate decor and mythical creatures, not to mention some of Broadway in Chicago's finest pre-Broadway world premiers and touring shows. As of February 2019 it will be sporting a new name with a long legacy, the JAMES M. NEDERLANDER THEATRE. 

Broadway In Chicago proudly announced their plans to honor the late James M. Nederlander, the legendary Broadway theatre owner and producer, patriarch of Broadway and champion of Chicago’s Downtown Theatre District, by renaming the Oriental Theatre as the JAMES M. NEDERLANDER THEATRE. As founder of Broadway In Chicago, it is appropriate for the name James M. Nederlander to grace the marquee of Chicago’s iconic theatre at 24 W. Randolph. The new marquee and signage will be unveiled as the NEDERLANDER THEATRE, on Tuesday, February 12, 2019, with the opening of DEAR EVAN HANSEN.   

“In 1954, James M. Nederlander had faith in Chicago as a long-run theatre town and has supported Chicago getting the best of Broadway since then. He brought his shows to the finest theatres in Chicago including the Blackstone, the Studebaker, the Shubert and the Michael Todd, and in creating Broadway In Chicago, changed the landscape of Chicago theatre, making this great city one of the most successful commercial homes for Broadway outside of New York. Renaming the theatre gives us a way to say thank you and to acknowledge the extraordinary difference he made for Chicago in his lifetime,” Lou Raizin, President of Broadway In Chicago, said.

Upcoming productions for the new NEDERLANDER THEATRE include DEAR EVAN HANSEN (Feb. 12 – March 10, 2019), A BRONX TALE (March 12 - 24, 2019), ANASTASIA (March 26 - April 7, 2019), TAP DOGS (April 16 - April 21, 2019), RENT 20th Anniversary Tour (May 10 - 19, 2019), FALSETTOS (May 28 - June 9, 2019) and CATS (July 16 - August 4, 2019).

James L. Nederlander, now president of The Nederlander Organization, said, “The renaming of the theatre on Randolph, in honor of my father, is something he would have been so proud of, as he had a love for Chicago that manifested in his steadfast support of Chicago’s theatre community until the day he died. I am lucky to have inherited his love for Chicago and I am moved by this acknowledgement of his work on Broadway and his commitment to Chicago as a beacon for theatre across the country.”

ABOUT JAMES M. NEDERLANDER
1922-2016
The late James M. Nederlander was a visionary theatrical impresario who built his family business into one of the largest private live entertainment companies in the world that now encompasses venue ownership and management, theatrical producing and concert presentation, merchandising, concessions and patron services, including Broadway In Chicago.

Beloved by the industry, Jimmy produced over 100 of the most acclaimed Broadway musicals and plays. He was the recipient of many distinguished honors including the United Nations Foundation Champion Award (2012), The Broadway League's Schoenfeld Vision for Arts Education Award (2010), the New York Pop's Man of the Year (2008), the Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement (2004), The Actors' Fund Medal of Honor (2002), The Broadway League's Distinguished Lifetime Service Award (2002), United Jewish Appeal-New York Federations' Bernard B. Jacobs Excellence in the Theatre Award (1997) and the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, located outside the Pantages Theatre at 6233 Hollywood Blvd. In 2009, the National High School Musical Theatre Award was established and named the Jimmy to celebrate his career-long dedication to supporting young talent.

In Chicago, he is responsible for bringing hundreds of shows to Chicago since 1954.  After creating Broadway In Chicago in 2000, he was able to lure long-run shows to Chicago beginning with the success of WICKED and its three-and-a-half-year run, followed by two and a half years of JERSEY BOYS, a year of LION KING, and many more and including the current run of HAMILTON for over two years. As a legendary theatrical producer, he was able to establish Chicago as a breeding-ground for Pre-Broadway including the premieres of THE PRODUCERS, SPAMALOT, MOVIN OUT, KINKY BOOTS, to name only a few, and most recently PRETTY WOMAN THE MUSICAL and TOOTSIE.  For more information about the Nederlander Organization or James M. Nederlander, visit www.nederlander.com

ABOUT BROADWAY IN CHICAGO
Broadway In Chicago was created in July 2000 and over the past 18 years has grown to be one of the largest commercial touring homes in the country.  A Nederlander Presentation, Broadway In Chicago lights up the Chicago Theater District entertaining over 1.7 million people annually in five theatres. Broadway In Chicago presents a full range of entertainment, including musicals and plays, on the stages of five of the finest theatres in Chicago’s Loop including the Cadillac Palace Theatre, CIBC Theatre, Oriental Theatre, and just off the Magnificent Mile, the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place and presenting Broadway shows at The Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. For more information, visit www.BroadwayInChicago.com.

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