Titanic The Musical to Make Waves at Marriott Theatre April 9 Through June 1, 2025

ChiIL Live Shows On Our Radar

Marriott Theatre, continues its 50th Anniversary Season celebration with the epic production of 

Titanic The Musical

Marriott Theatre has long been a favorite of ours here at ChiIL Live Shows and ChiIL Mama. Now with Three Embers Restaurant hosting a pre show pop-up experience that will coincide with Titanic The Musical, shows are tastier than ever. Don't miss the boat on this one!

Chicagoland’s longest running musical theatre, Marriott Theatre, continues its 50th Anniversary Season celebration with the epic production of Titanic The Musical, directed and choreographed by Connor Gallagher (Marriott Theatre debut! Broadway: Beetlejuice; Off-Broadway: The Big Gay Jamboree, The Robber Bridegroom, Into the Woods; Beauty and The Beast, Disney’s Tale of Moana, Tangled) with Musical Direction by Jeff Award winner Ryan T. Nelson. Capturing the triumph and tragedy of the hopeful passengers on the ill-fated Ship of Dreams, Titanic The Musical previews on April 9, opens Wednesday, April 16 at 7pm, and runs through June 1, 2025. Based on the real people aboard the most legendary ship in the world, Titanic The Musical is a stirring portrait of the passengers on board the “unsinkable ship” and the tragedy that followed. With a soaring score by Maury Yeston and book by Peter Stone, the original Broadway production won five Tony Awards including Best Musical, Best Score, and Best Book.

“As a child who discovered musical theatre in the '90s, Titanic was a formative show for me,” said director Conor Gallagher. “The chance to bring it to life on the Marriott Theatre stage is a thrilling, daunting, and ultimately energizing task. Add to that the legendary actors of Chicago and one of the most haunting scores ever written, and I couldn’t be happier to be collaborating on this production. I promise it will be unlike any Titanic you’ve seen before.”

Titanic The Musical stars David Girolmo as “Captain E.J. Smith,” Adam Pelty as “J. Bruce Ismay,” Christopher Kale Jones as “Thomas Andrews,” Lillian Castillo as “Alice Beane,” James Earl Jones II as “Edgar Beane/Fourth Officer Boxhall,” Erica Stephan as “Kate McGowan,”  Garrett Lutz as “Jim Farrell,”  Eric Amundson as “Bellboy,” Joel Gelman as “Second Officer Charles Lightoller/John Jacob Astor,” Darian Goulding as “Frederick Barrett/Benjamin Guggenheim,” Laura Guley as “Kate Murphey/Eleanor Widener,” Kelli Harrington as “Charlotte Cardoza,” Matthew Hommel as “Harold Bride/Joseph Bell/Bandmaster Wallace Hartley,” Mark David Kaplan as “Isidor Straus/Quartermaster Robert Hitchens,” George Keating as “First Officer William Murdoch,” Heidi Kettenring as “Ida Straus,” Will Lidke as “Charles Clarke/George Widener,” Francesca Mehrotra as “Caroline Neville/Mme. Aubert,” Victoria Okafor as “Kate Mullins/Stewardess/Madeleine Astor,” Lucas Thompson as “Frederick Fleet,” Kevin Webb as “Henry Etches/Third Officer Herbert Pitman,” with Anna Louise Bramlett, Andrés Enriquez, David Gordon-Johnson, Michael Metcalf and Schyler Vargas.

The artistic team features Associate Director and Choreographer Katie Johannigman, Scenic Designer Collette Pollard, Costume Designer Sully Ratke, Wig, Hair & Makeup Designer Miguel Armstrong, Lighting Designer Jesse Klug, Sound Designer Michael Daly, Props Designer Sally Zack, Dialect Coach Adam Goldstein, Conductor Brad Haak and Stage Manager Colt Luedtke.

NEW FOR 2025 WEEKNIGHT PERFORMANCE TIMES, Titanic The Musical is scheduled to run Wednesdays at 1 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., Thursdays at 7:00 p.m., Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Sundays at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m., with select Thursday 1:00 p.m. shows. Call for group, dinner-theatre, student, senior, and military discounts. To make a restaurant reservation, please call 847.634.0100. Free parking is available at all performances. To reserve tickets or become a Marriott Theatre subscriber during the 50th Anniversary season, please call the Marriott Theatre Box Office at 847.634.0200 or go to www.tickets.marriotttheatre.com. Visit www.MarriottTheatre.com for more information. 

Attendees are also invited to visit Three Embers Restaurant before the show to experience a pop-up experience that will coincide with Titanic The Musical, transporting guests to another realm while enjoying a themed food and beverage menu led by the culinary team at Three Embers Restaurant.

Tony Award Winning 1776 On Stage at Marriott Theatre Through October 13, 2024

ChiIL Live Shows On Our Radar

Marriott Theatre Presents

  1776

Courage, Conviction, and the Birth of a Nation

With election season comes 1776, winner of multiple Tony Awards including Best Musical, previewing on Wednesday, August 21, opening on Wednesday, August 28 at 7:30pm and running through October 13, 2024 at Marriott Theatre. Directed by Nick Bowling, (Marriott Theatre: The Sound of Music, Ragtime, Man of La Mancha; TimeLine: The History Boys and The Normal Heart; Porchlight Music Theatre: Sondheim on Sondheim; recipient of eight Jeff Awards for outstanding direction) with choreography by Tanji Harper and Musical Direction by Jeff Award winner Ryan T. Nelson, this musical celebrates the inception of the nation through the trials and tribulations of our founding fathers as they craft the Declaration of Independence.

Summer, 1776 - The nation is ready to declare independence...if only our founding fathers can agree to do it! Witness the forging of America as the likes of John Adams, Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson struggle, through courage and conviction, to lead the young nation to independence. 1776 puts a human face on the pages of history as we see the people behind the national icons: proud, frightened, uncertain, charming, and often petty, determined to do the right thing for a fledgling nation. The seminal event in American history blazes to vivid life in this funny, insightful and compelling drama.

 “I’m not sure there’s a better show for this moment,” said director Nick Bowling. “Rather than rigidly replicating historical details of Independence Hall, we hope this production will capture the feeling in that room…the fragmented political landscape, the spiraling nature of debate, and the monumental task of upholding democracy - all the while, embracing the humor and wit which has made 1776 a favorite of so many people.”

1776 will star Tyrick Wiltez Jones as “John Adams” (Broadway/New York: Bat Out of Hell, Finian’s Rainbow, Hairspray; National: Miss Saigon, Seussical, Fosse, and Show Boat); Richard R. Henry as “Benjamin Franklin” (Marriott Theatre: Man of La Mancha; New York: Streets of New York, Drift, Two Gentlemen of Verona, and Fiorello); and Erik Hellman as “Thomas Jefferson” (Marriott Theatre: The Sound of Music; Court: Proof (Jeff Nom.) and The Mystery of Irma Vep (Jeff Nom.); TV: “Chicago Fire”, "Mrs. America”, “Fargo”) with Katherine Thomas (Marriott Theatre: Ragtime and Darling Grenafine) as “Abigail Adams,” Alicia Kaori (Broadway: Sweeney Todd and The King & I) as “Martha Jefferson and Joseph Hewes,” Heidi Kettenring as “John Dickinson,” Matthew Hommel as “Edward Rutledge,” and Lucy Godinez as “Richard Henry Lee,” alongside Neala Barron, Jesse Bhamrah, Patrick Byrnes, Lillian Castillo, Danielle Davis, Teddy Gales, Joel Gelman, Dan Gold, Karl Hamilton, Ed Kross, Gabrielle Lott-Rogers, Michael Earvin Martin, Austin Nelson Jr., Mary Robin Roth, Nancy Voigts, and Jay Westbrook with understudies Kelli Harrington, Kavin Moore, Nathe Rowbotham, and Savannah Sinclair. 

The artistic team features Associate Director DeRon Williams, Scenic Designer Regina García, Costume Designer Theresa Ham, Wig Designer Miguel Armstrong, Dramaturg Carol Ann Tan, Lighting Designer Jesse Klug, Sound Designer Michael Daly, Props Designer Sally Zack, Intimacy Director Katie Johannigman, and Dialect Coach Sammi Grant, with Stage Manager Jessica Banaszak, Assistant Stage Manager Richard Strimer and Conductor Brad Haak.

1776 is scheduled to run Wednesdays at 1 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Sundays at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m., with select Thursday 1:00 p.m. shows. 

Ticket prices start at $63 (excluding tax and fees). Call for dinner-theatre, student, senior, and military discounts. To make a restaurant reservation, please call 847.634.0100. Reservations are strongly recommended, please ask about the Theatre Prix Fixe menu. 

Free parking is available at all performances. To reserve tickets, please call the Marriott Theatre Box Office at 847.634.0200 or go to www.tickets.marriotttheatre.com. Visit www.MarriottTheatre.com for more information.

 

Marriott Theatre Presents MEREDITH WILLSON’S THE MUSIC MAN April 10 Through June 2, 2024

 ChiIL Mama's ChiIL Picks List:

MEREDITH WILLSON’S THE MUSIC MAN

Peter Blair, Executive Producer 

Peter Marston Sullivan, Artistic Director 

Presents

Broadway’s Beloved Classic

Marriott Theatre continues its thrilling 2024 season with MEREDITH WILLSON’S THE MUSIC MAN, the six-time Tony Award-winning musical comedy, directed and choreographed by Katie Spelman (Broadway: The Notebook, Moulin Rouge!, Amelie; Writers Theater: Once) with Music Direction by Jeff Award Winner Ryan T. Nelson. By turns wicked, funny, warm, romantic and touching, THE MUSIC MAN is family entertainment at its best. THE MUSIC MAN previews April 10, opens Wednesday, April 17 at 7:30 pm and runs through June 2, 2024. I'll be there for opening night, April 17th, so check back soon for my full review.

A cherished story to be shared with every generation, The Music Man follows fast-talking traveling salesman, Harold Hill, as he cons the people of River City, Iowa, into buying instruments and uniforms for a band that he vows to organize – despite the fact that he doesn’t know a trombone from a treble clef. His plans to skip town with the cash are foiled when he falls for Marian, the librarian. With the help of Marian and River City, Harold sees himself turned into an upstanding citizen by the curtain's fall.

“THE MUSIC MAN is a timeless story, and one that showcases the enduring charm of the Golden Age musical,” said director Katie Spelman. “The idea that love, community, and redemption are all inextricably intertwined with one another is a wonderful reminder in these turbulent times.”

THE MUSIC MAN will star KJ Hippensteel as “Harold Hill” (Broadway: The Book of Mormon, Some Like it Hot, Mrs. Doubtfire; Marriott Theatre: Something Rotten!) along with Alexandra Silber as “Marian Paroo” (Broadway: Fiddler on the Roof, Master Class; Chicago Shakespeare Theatre: Lend me a Soprano);  Emily Ann Brooks as “Zaneeta” (Marriott Theatre: Big Fish, Chicago Shakespeare Theater: Beauty and the Beast); Janet Ulrich Brooks as “Mrs. Paroo” (Marriott Theatre: Beautiful; Goodman Theatre: The Cherry Orchard); Kai Edgar as “Winthrop” (Marriott Theatre: Oliver!, Roald Dahl’s James and the Giant Peach; Music Theater Works: Billy Elliott); Alex Goodrich as “Mayor Shinn” (Marriott Theatre: Buddy - The Buddy Holly Story; Chicago Shakespeare Theater: Hamlet); Michael Earvin Martin as “Marcellus Washburn” (Marriott Theatre: Beautiful; Chicago Shakespeare Theatre: The Comedy of Errors);  Sam Linda as “Tommy Djilas” (Marriott Theatre: Damn Yankees; Writers Theater: The Band’s Visit); Melanie Loren as “Eulalie Shinn” (Drury Lane Theater: The Color Purple, Little Shop of Horrors; TV: “Chicago Med”, “The Chi”); Ron E. Rains as “Charlie Cowell” (Marriott Theatre: Damn Yankees; Paramount Theatre: Billy Elliot: The Musical); and Elin Joy Seiler as “Amaryllis” (Marriott Theatre: A Christmas Story, The Musical, Gypsy; Paramount Theater: Billy Elliot) with Bridget Adams-King, Elliot Angsurat, Emma Grace Bailey, Logan Becker, Caron Buinis, Lillian Castillo, Brandon Dahlquist, Morgan DiFonzo, Kalea Edgar, Matt Edmonds, Kelly Felthous, Max Antonio Gonzalez, Darian Goulding, Laura Guley, Naya Rosalie James, Maya Keane, Kevin Kulp, Irene Lo, Charlie Long, Michael Lunder, Michael Mahler, Christine Mayland Perkins, Michael Potsic, Quinn Rigg, Ayana Strutz, and Matthew Weidenbener.

The artistic team features Scenic Designer Collette Pollard, Costume Designer Raquel Adorno, Lighting Designer Jesse Klug, Sound Designer Michael Daly, Wig Designer Miguel A. Armstrong, Props Designer Sally Zack, Associate Choreographer Kim Hudman, Conductor Kevin Reeks, Production Manager Meg Love, Stage Manager Jessica Banaszak, Dialect Coach Sammi Grant, Assistant Director Laura Rook and Assistant Stage Manager Richard Strimer.

This production is dedicated to the Music Man in everyone’s hearts, the late Bernie Yvon (1964-2014). A veteran of countless theatres across the country, Bernie was especially beloved for his performances on the Marriott Theatre stage. Bernie considered Marriott Theatre home, and their patrons considered him family. A scholarship fund in Bernie’s name ensures that the next generation of theatre artists are given the same opportunity to learn and light up the stage as Bernie did. To play a part in honoring his legacy, please visit BernieYvon.com.

THE MUSIC MAN is scheduled to run Wednesdays at 1 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Sundays at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m., with select Thursday 1:00 p.m. shows. Ticket prices start at $60 (excluding tax and handling fees). Call for student, senior, and military discounts. To make a restaurant reservation, please call 847.634.0100. Reservations are strongly recommended. Free parking is available at all performances. To reserve tickets, please call the Marriott Theatre Box Office at 847.634.0200 or go to www.tickets.marriotttheatre.com. 

Visit www.MarriottTheatre.com for more information. This production of THE MUSIC MAN was licensed by Music Theatre International.

REVIEW & GIVEAWAY: Marriott Theatre's Highly Recommended JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH Through March 30, 2024

ChiIL Mama’s Chi, IL Picks List: 

Family Friendly Shows On Our Radar

Roald Dahl’s 

JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH

Peter Blair, Executive Producer 

Peter Marston Sullivan, Artistic Director 

Katie Johannigman, Associate Artistic Director 

Presents 

A delightfully offbeat adaptation of the classic Roald Dahl adventure 

Two of ChiIL Mama's lucky readers will win 4 tickets each!

ChiIL Mama and Marriot are partnering up on 2 giveaways, once again. Marriott's Theatre for Young Audiences James and the Giant Peach: 2 winner/4 tickets each ($60 value) And/Or Marriott Theatre's In The Heights: 2 winners/a pair of tickets each ($120 value). Winners' choice of any dates through March 17th pending availability. Enter at the end of this feature for your chance to win. 

REVIEW: 

By Bonnie Kenaz-Mara 

Highly Recommended. ★★★★ Four out of four stars. Bonnie Kenaz-Mara, ChiILMama.com

Roald Dahl’s JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH is imagination incarnate. The book, film, and stage adaptation have long been family favorites of ours. In the capable hands of director/choreographer, Tommy Rapley, this story comes alive on stage at Marriott in all it's glory. Adults will adore this colorful cast and stellar storytelling as much as the kids do. Kudos to all the humans and bugs on cast and crew for a truly delightful production. When we caught opening weekend, the young kids in the audience were laughing often and entirely engaged with the on stage magic and mayhem. 

I had the special delight of sharing the experience with 3 recent graduates of Northwestern University's theatre program, including my son, who had director/choreographer, Tommy Rapley, as their acting professor for 4 years. They were all enthusiastic fans of the production, and I can't tell you how jazzed I am to still be able to bring twenty somethings to a Marriott Theatre for Young Audiences show! My kids grew up on Chicago regional children's theatre and I'm so excited that my oldest is now working in the industry and getting the next generation of kids introduced to the wonder and joy of live theatre. Studies show exposing kids to theatre increases empathy and creativity. And you never know what a show might spark and what future plans may unfold. 

ChiIL Mama, Bonnie Kenaz-Mara (left) with 3 of director/choreographer, Tommy Rapley's students who recently graduated from Northwestern University, including my son, Dugan (right). 

Marriot's JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH is such a fun show. The costumes, puppets, props, music, and staging are playful and a joy to see. We particularly loved the unique choreography for Marriott's theatre in the round configuration which played out on multiple levels and directions so even the youngest audience members have great sight-lines. 

We also dug the steamer trunks lining the perimeter of the stage, providing a treasure trove of props and costume changes. 

The entire cast is hilarious and crazy talented. Special shout out to Kai Edgar as “James,” Andrés Enriquezas “Earthworm,” Lucy Godinez as “Aunt Sponge,” and Leah Morrow as “Aunt Spiker”.

The puppets are a must see. 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).

Marriott Theatre for Young Audiences invites theatergoers of all ages on a remarkable voyage with Roald Dahl’s JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH. Roald Dahl’s beloved story is brought to fantastical musical life, running through March 30, at 10 Marriott Drive. The one-hour musical journey is directed and choreographed by Tommy Rapley with music direction by Ryan T. Nelson. Each performance will be followed by a question-and-answer session with the cast.  

“I am thrilled to be bringing  James and the Giant Peach  to Marriott Lincolnshire families,” said director Tommy Rapley. “This whimsical musical adaptation of Roald Dahl’s classic contains the perfect blend of playful, spooky, heartwarming, mysterious, imaginative, and downright hilarious storytelling that I love as a director. The themes of forgiveness, the importance of family, and the boundless love between parent and child are particularly moving and vitally important to share with young audiences. At the heart of our story, James is the ideal character to welcome young people into adventure, as he leads young audiences on a journey that blends grief, hope, love, and joy." 

When James is sent by his aunts to chop down their old fruit tree, he discovers a magic potion that launches an expedition of enormous proportions. Suddenly, James finds himself in the center of a gigantic peach, among human-sized insects with equally oversized personalities. After the peach rolls into the ocean, the group faces hunger, sharks and plenty of disagreements. Thanks to James' quick wit and creative thinking, they learn to live and work together as a family. Featuring a wickedly tuneful score by the Tony Award-nominated team of Pasek and Paul (La La Land, Dear Evan Hansen, The Greatest Showman) and a curiously quirky book by Timothy Allen McDonald (Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka, Jim Henson’s Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas). JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH is the perfect voyage for young theatergoers.   

This production of JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH stars Kai Edgar as “James,” Andrés Enriquezas “Earthworm,” Lucy Godinez as “Aunt Sponge,” Alex Goodrich as “Ladahlord,” Christopher Kale Jones as “Green Grasshopper,” Garret Lutz as “Centipede,” Leah Morrow as “Aunt Spiker,” Juwon Tyrel Perry as “Spider”, and Elizabeth Telford as “Ladybug” with understudies Emily Ann Brooks, Crystal Claros, Milla Liss, Tommy Thurston and Annie Yokom.  

The Marriott Theatre for Young Audiences team is led by Associate Artistic Director Katie Johannigman and Interim Artistic Associate Annie Yokom, with Costume Design by Amanda Vander Byl, Lighting Design by Ben Carne, Scenic Design by Milo Bue, Wig Design by Ray Sanchez, Props Design by Leo Bassow, and Sound Design by Michael Daly. The creative team also includes Assistant Director & Choreographer Emily Ann Brooks, Dialect Coach Sammi Grant, and Stage Manager Marcus Carroll. 

 

JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH plays most Wednesdays through Sundays at 10 am with select 12:30 pm performances and plenty of Spring Break performances. An ASL interpreted performance will take place on March 16 at 10am. Visit MarriottTheatre.com or call 847.634.0200 for the exact schedule, as show times and dates vary. Tickets are $15.75 (plus tax and handling fees). Call for substantial group discounts on over 20 tickets. Free parking is available at all performances. To reserve tickets, please call  The Marriott Theatre Box Office at  847.634.0200  or visit  www.MarriottTheatre.com. 

Also Now Playing Through March 17th: 

Lin-Manuel Miranda's In The Heights 

Highly Recommended!

 ★★★★ Four out of four stars, Bonnie Kenaz-Mara, ChiILMama.com

FLASH GIVEAWAY: 

Marriott's Theatre for Young Audiences James and the Giant Peach: 2 winner/4 tickets each ($60 value). Winners' choice of any dates through March 30th (see below) pending availability. 

Enter for your chance to WIN James and the Giant Peach Tickets HERE

*Your information will never be shared or sold and will only be used in the fulfillment of this contest.

Marriott Theatre's In The Heights: 2 winners/a pair of tickets each ($120 value). Winners' choice of any dates through March 17th (see below) pending availability. 

Click HERE for Your Chance to WIN In The Heights Tickets

Spring forward and WIN big, Chicago! ChiIL Mama and ChiIL Live Shows are giving away tickets to some of the hottest shows in town! Enter through midnight Monday 3/12. Winners emailed and announced Tuesday morning on both sites and social media.

Enter like we vote in Chi, IL... early and often! Good luck, and thanks for reading ChiILMama.com & ChiILLiveShows.com, your guide to fun in Chi, IL and beyond.

Marriott Theatre Kicks Off 2024 Season With Lin-Manuel Miranda's IN THE HEIGHTS January 24 Through March 17, 2024

ChiIL Mama’s ChiIL Picks List: Family Friendly Shows On Our Radar 

IN THE HEIGHTS

From the creator of Hamilton!  

A story of home, family, and finding where you belong.  

 

Peter Blair, Executive Producer  

Peter Marston Sullivan, Artistic Director  

 Presents  

IN THE HEIGHTS

I've met Lin-Manuel Miranda in person twice, at press events about a year apart. He's a genuinely nice guy and one crazy gifted writer and performer. How amazing is it that we're on earth in the same lifetime as this genius?! I've seen Hamilton four times, and I've seen In The Heights twice and each has been a thrill. I'll be out for Marriott's opening night too, so check back soon for my full review. Here at ChiIL Mama and ChiIL Live Shows we're huge fans of Lin-Manuel Miranda's work and can't wait to see Marriott Theatre's take on IN THE HEIGHTS.

Marriott Theatre kicks off its electrifying 2024 season with IN THE HEIGHTS, the 2008 Tony Award-winning Best Musical from the creator of Hamilton, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Quiara Alegría Hudes, directed by James Vásquez (Marriott Theatre: Damn Yankees; Old Globe: HAIR, The Rocky Horror Show; Goodspeed: Cabaret), and choreographed by William Carlos Angulo (Marriott Theatre: The Sound of Music; The MUNY: Legally Blonde; National Tour: May We All) with Music Direction by Jeff Award Winner Ryan T. Nelson. IN THE HEIGHTS explores three days in New York’s Washington Heights, a neighborhood on the brink of change, full of hopes, dreams and pressures, where the biggest struggles can be deciding which traditions you take with you, and which you leave behind. IN THE HEIGHTS previews January 24, opens Wednesday, January 31 at 7:30pm and runs through March 17, 2024. 

Washington Heights - a place where the coffee from the corner bodega is light and sweet, the windows are always open and the breeze carries the rhythm of three generations of music. Through struggles and triumphs, it also shows us that despite the challenges we face, we must hold onto our dreams and traditions as we strive towards a better future. It’s a reminder that even amid change, the human spirit and resilience can shine through.  

“IN THE HEIGHTS is about family - both chosen and not,” said director James Vásquez. “It zooms in on a neighborhood, maybe totally unlike our own, and celebrates the lives of this little community.  But by the end, we've been welcomed into that neighborhood - that family - and as theater does so beautifully, it brings us all together and leaves us all feeling a part of something special.” 

IN THE HEIGHTS will star Joseph Morales, who played in the First Broadway National Tour of In the Heights as Usnavi. He also performed as Hamilton in Hamilton with the Original Chicago Company/Original Philip Company. Co-stars include Paola V. Hernández as “Vanessa” (Marriott Theatre debut; Broadway at Music Circus, 20th Anniversary Tour: Rent); Addie Morales as “Nina” (Marriott Theatre: The Sound of Music; Drury Lane Theatre: Evita); Yasir Muhammad as “Benny” (Marriott Theatre: Beautiful: The Carole King Musical; Chicago Shakespeare Theatre: A Midsummer Night’s Dream); Crissy Guerrero as “Abuela” (Marriott Theatre debut; La Mirada Theatre and Dallas Center: In the Heights); Cruz Gonzalez-Cadel as “Camilla” (Chicago Shakespeare Theater: Measure for Measure; Court Theatre: Fen, The Tragedy of Othello, The Moor of Venice and Electra; TV: “Fargo”, “Chicago Med”) and Rudy Martinez as “Kevin” (Oceanside Theatre: Man of La Mancha; The REV Theatre Co.: Anyone Can Whistle), with Jordan Arrendondo, Lillian Castillo, Andres J. DeLeon, Michelle Lauto, Wesley J. Barnes, Bryanna Ciera Colón, Carisa Gonzales, Natalia Nieves-Melchor, Justin Payton Nelson, Isa Ramirez, Alix Rhode, Tommy Rivera-Vega, Arik Vega and Phillip Wood. 

The artistic team features Scenic Designer Arnel Sancianco, Costume Designer Harri Horsley, Lighting Designer Jesse Klug, Sound Designer Michel Daly, Props Designer Sally Zack, Conductor Noah Landis, Associate Choreographer Shani Talmor, Assistant Director Lorenzo Rush, Jr., Stage Manager Richard Strimer, Intimacy Director Katie Johannigman, Fight Choreographer Adrian Aguilar and Dialect Coach Cynthia Santos DeCure.  

IN THE HEIGHTS is scheduled to run Wednesdays at 1 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Sundays at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m., with select Thursday 1:00 p.m. shows. Ticket prices start at $60 (excluding tax and handling fees). Call for student, senior, and military discounts. To make a restaurant reservation, please call 847.634.0100. Reservations are strongly recommended. Free parking is available at all performances. To reserve tickets, please call the Marriott Theatre Box Office at 847.634.0200 or visit www.MarriottTheatre.com for more information. 

REVIEW: Beautiful: The Carole King Musical at Marriott Theatre Through December 31, 2023

 ChiIL Live Shows On Our Radar 

Guest Review 

by D'Arcy Mies 

If you are already familiar with Carole King, then you already know this show is one not to miss.  And if, like me, you only thought you knew her music and life, then you are in for a real treat.  Either way, expect "Beautiful - The Carole King Musical" to be a joyful evening full-to-the-brim with comic and musical delight.

It is always fun to see how Marriot Theatre is going to dress their theatre in the round.  For this show, it's pretty simple, a piano takes center stage and the piano-key motif is repeated throughout, even as a backdrop to project images. The piano itself gets a clever bit of stage dressing, changing it's facade for different periods in King's life story. Charmingly, even the stage, a revolving rotunda, is painted to resemble a record album. 

The play opens with King's triumphant 1971 Carnegie Hall Concert, and flashes back to the beginning of her career, when a teenage Carole Klein begs her mother's permission to go down to Times Square and try to sell a song to producer Donnie Kirshner. Genie Klein is both a bitter divorcee and the queen of sarcastic humor and the scene is crackling with snappy one-liners. As the show goes on, we are regaled with some truly funny dialog and great comic timing from the cast. The audience is also treated to a whirlwind tour of some of the great pop hits of the 1960's, many produced by Kirshner, who, you guessed it, hires Carole on the spot. Carole becomes a songwriter and, with her writing partner/husband Gerry churns our many beloved tunes for hitmaker Kirshner over the years.  

As the play goes on, we are introduced to many of the characters in the spotlight and behind the scenes in this prolific time period. The songs are woven into the show in clever and fun ways, and the choregraphy and staging is great, too. 

I found myself bouncing in my seat, smiling with glee, and had to virtually restrain myself from singing along with hit single after hit single. Kaitlyn Davis sounds, to my ear, gratifyingly like Carole King, and the covers of these familiar songs are satisfying and spot on, they sound like the recordings we all know and love.

Of course, there are struggles in King's life, especially diificulties with her marriage, but this play doesn't wallow too long in sadness and instead brings us back to where the show began, with Carole King, a piano, and a "Beautiful" song. 

Highly Recommended 

★★★★ Four out of four stars -- D'Arcy Mies, ChiILMama.com

D'Arcy Mies is a Montessori teacher, mom, and long time theater lover who lives in Chicago burb, Franklin Park. She loves cosplay, book stores, and has a rescue dog once voted "Worst Dressed Sentient Being in the Known Universe".

Peter Blair, Executive Producer 

Peter Marston Sullivan, Artistic Director 

Presents

 

Celebrating the soundtrack of a generation!

The Tony and Grammy Award-winning Broadway mega-hit, which has thrilled audiences with the inspiring true story of one woman’s remarkable journey from teenage songwriter to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, closes out Marriott Theatre’s 2023 Season. 

Previewing Wednesday, November 1 at 7:30 pm, opening Wednesday, November 8 at 7:30 pm and closing December 31, 2023, this moving biographical musical will be directed by Jessica Fisch (Marriott Theatre debut! Drury Lane Theatre: Murder on the Orient Express; Writers Theatre: Athena; Northlight Theatre: Dear Jack Dear Louise), choreography by Christopher Windom (Marriott Theare debut! Film: RESPECT starring Jennifer Hudson as Aretha Franklin; The Vineyard Theatre: Kid Victory) and musical direction by Jeff Award Winner Ryan T. Nelson.

Featuring over two dozen pop classics, including “You’ve Got a Friend,” “One Fine Day,” “Up on the Roof,” “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling,” “Will You Love Me Tomorrow,” and “Natural Woman,” this crowd-pleasing international phenomenon is filled with the songs you remember, and a story you’ll never forget. The bio-musical follows King’s rise to stardom, from her time as part of a hit songwriting team with husband Gerry Goffin, to her relationship with fellow writers and best friends Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann, to becoming one of the most successful solo acts in popular music history with Tapestry. BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL takes you back to where it all began – and takes you on the ride of a lifetime.

“Growing up my parents only kept a handful of tapes in the car, one of which was Tapestry, the best-selling album of Carole King,” said director Jessica Fisch. “Simply put I can’t remember a time in my life when Carole King wasn’t singing to me. She is part of the soundtrack of my life and that is true for so many people. It is a dream come true to get to direct this first made-in-Chicago production.”

BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL will star Kaitlyn Davis, who played the role in the First National Tour in 2015. Other National Tour credits include The Phantom of the Opera. 

Co-stars include Andrew Mueller as “Gerry Goffin” (Marriott Theatre: Man of La Mancha, For The Boys; Paramount Theatre: Rent); Erica Stephan as “Cynthia Weil” (Marriott Theatre: Damn Yankees; Porchlight Theatre: Cabaret); Justin Albinder as “Barry” (National Tour & New World Stages: Jersey Boys); Janet Ulrich Brooks as “Genie Klein” (Goodman Theatre: The Cherry Orchard; Drury Lane Theatre: Steel Magnolias); and Lawrence Grimm as “Don Kirshner” (Goodman Theatre: 2666; Timeline Theatre: My Name is Asher Lev); with Melanie Brezill, Christian Denzel Bufford, Caron Buinis, Ariana Burks, Dan Gold, Daryn Whitney Harrell, Kayla Kennedy, Adam LaSalle, Naiqui Macabroad, Michael E. Martin, Spencer Davis Milford, Yasir Muhammad, Juwon Tyrel Perry, Alexis J Roston, Maya Rowe, Aisha Sougou, and Alina Taber.

The artistic team features Scenic Designer Andrew Boyce, Costume Designer Sully Ratke, Lighting Designer Jesse Klug, Sound Designer Michael Daly, Media Designer Anthony Churchill, Props Designer Sally Zack, Production Manager Meg Love, Assistant Director Nora Geffen, Stage Manager Jessica Banaszak, Assistant Stage Manager Richard Strimer, Intimacy Choreographer Katie Johannigman, Dialect Coach Adam Goldstein, and Conductor Christopher Sargent.

BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL is scheduled to run Wednesdays at 1 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Sundays at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m., with select Thursday 1:00 p.m. shows. Ticket prices start at $55 (excluding tax and handling fees). 

Call for student, senior, and military discounts. On Wednesday and Thursday evenings there are a limited number of dinner-theatre packages available for purchase through the Marriott Theatre Box Office. To make a restaurant reservation, please call 847.634.0100. Reservations strongly recommended. 

Free parking is available at all performances. To reserve tickets, please call The Marriott Theatre Box Office at 847.634.0200 or go to tickets.marriotttheatre.com. Visit www.MarriottTheatre.com for more information.