OPENING: Multi Award Winning 1950's Classic South Pacific Opens 2018/2019 Season at Drury Lane

Chi IL Live Shows On Our Radar:

Drury Lane Theatre opens 2018/2019 Season with 

South Pacific

Music by Richard Rodgers

Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II

Book by Oscar Hammerstein II and Joshua Logan

Adapted from Tales of the South Pacific by James Michener

Directed by Victor Malana Maog

Choreography by Otis Sallid

Musical Direction by Roberta Duchak

April 5 - June 17, 2018

**South Pacific is recommended for ages 13 and up. Please be advised that there is some sensitive subject matter.**

In a blast from the past, Drury Lane Theatre is kicking off their season with South Pacific, winner of the 1950 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and ten Tony Awards including Best Musical. As a child of the 70's this was an often produced high school musical and dinner theatre favorite, back in the day, and I saw more than a few versions over the years. I'll be ChiILin' at Drury Lane for the press opening on April 12th, so check back soon for my full review.

Drury Lane Theatre opens its 2018/2019 season with the Tony Award-winning musical South Pacific, with music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, book by Oscar Hammerstein II and Josh Logan, adapted from Tales of the South Pacific by James Michener. This production is directed by Victor Malana Maog with choreography by Otis Sallid and musical direction by Roberta Duchak. South Pacific runs April 5, 2018 – June 17, 2018 at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace. 

Timelier than ever, this Rodgers & Hammerstein landmark musical proves that even the backdrop of a tropical paradise cannot shelter its residents from the prejudices of World War II. South Pacific is the winner of the 1950 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and ten Tony Awards including Best Musical.


Dates:
Previews: April 5 – 12, 2018
Regular run: April 12, 2018 – June 17, 2018 
Press Opening: Thursday, April 12 at 8:00 p.m.

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. 
Sundays: 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.

Location: Drury Lane Theatre at 100 Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace

Tickets: Previews: $42 - $57
Single Tickets: $47 - $62
Wednesday and Thursday matinees: $47
Thursday and Sunday evenings: $57
Friday and Saturday evenings and Sunday matinees: $62
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

2018/2019 Season and Subscription Information
The 2018/2019 season will open with the Tony Award-winning Rodgers & Hammerstein landmark musical South Pacific (April 5 – June 17, 2018). The season continues with Tennessee Williams’ sultry family drama Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (July 5 – August 26, 2018) followed by the darkly comedic musical Little Shop of Horrors (September 6 – October 28, 2018). For the holiday season, Drury Lane brings to life the treasured story of Belle with Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (November 9, 2018 – January 27, 2019), and then closes its 18/19 season with the global smash-hit Mamma Mia! featuring the music of ABBA (February 7 – April 14, 2019). The 2018/2019 season runs April 5, 2018, through April 14, 2019, at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace.

Subscriptions for the 2018/2019 Season are priced from $157 to $187 and are currently on sale. 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 or TicketMaster at 800.745.3000 or visit DruryLaneTheatre.com.

About Drury Lane Theatre 
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 360 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 crew members 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.

WIN 2 Tickets To Lyric Opera's The King and I From ChiIL Mama

Chi, IL LIVE Shows On Our Radar:

Lyric Opera’s grand-scale production of

Rodgers and Hammerstein’s 

The King and I 

opens tonight, April 29

Performances through May 22

at the Civic Opera House, 20 N. Wacker Dr.

 All Production Photos by Todd Rosenberg

Here at ChiIL Mama and ChiIL Live Shows we're elated to offer our readers a fabulous Mothers' Day giveaway. We are partnering up with The Lyric Opera to offer a FREE pair of tickets to The King and I for one of our lucky readers. Our winner may select one of the following performances: May 7 at 1:30 p.m. or 7:30 p.m.; May 8 at 6:30 p.m.; or Tuesday, May 10 at 7 p.m. Enter early and often through midnight May 2nd. 

ENTER HERE

We'll be there for the press opening this Saturday, so check back soon for our full review. The Lyric Opera has long been a favorite of ours for world class productions and incomparable talent, costumes and sets. We can't wait to see the beloved classic, The King and I!

Lyric Opera of Chicago presents a stunning production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s The King and I, featuring Broadway stars Kate Baldwin and Paolo Montalban as Anna Leonowens and the King of Siam. Lyric Opera’s The King and I runs April 29 through May 22 (press opening April 30), with 25 performances at the Civic Opera House, 20 N. Wacker Drive, Chicago. Tickets start at $29 and are available at lyricopera.org/king or at 312-827-5600. 

The King and I is the fourth Rodgers and Hammerstein musical to be presented as part of Lyric’s American Musical Initiative. Lee Blakeley, who staged the production’s 2014 premiere at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, makes his Lyric directorial debut teaming up with distinguished Broadway conductor David Chase, who conducted Lyric’s acclaimed Carousel last season, and choreographer Peggy Hickey. The creative team also includes costume designer Sue Blane (debut), scenic designer Jean-Marc Puissant (debut), lighting designer Rick Fisher (debut), sound designer Mark Grey, and chorus master Michael Black.

The King and I  features Broadway artists Ali Ewoldt (Tuptim), Alan Ariano (The Kralahome), and Rona Figueroa (Lady Thiang), along with Sam Simahk (Lun Tha) and Chicagoland artists Charlie Babbo (Louis Leonowens), Jomar Ferreras (Interpreter), John Lister (Captain Orton), David Parkes (Sir Edward Ramsay), Peter Sipla (Phra Alack) and Matthew Uzarraga (Prince Chulalongkorn). All but Lister make their Lyric debuts with The King and I.

The all-Chicagoland children’s ensemble for the production includes Sophie Mieko Ackerman, Alexis Aponte, Lilly Fujioka, Avonlea Hong, Leila Koss, Evangelyn Lee, Liliana Martens, Lucy Martens, Rika Nishikawa, Ana Joy Rowley-Mathews, Benedict Santos Schwegel, A’naam Singh, Zachary Uzarraga and Sophia Woo. These young performers range in age from 5 through 14.

Click here to learn more about this production. Follow the conversation on Twitter and Instagram: #LyricKing.

The Lyric premiere of The King and I is generously made possible by The Negaunee Foundation, two Anonymous Donors, Robert S. and Susan E. Morrison, and Northern Trust.

The April 30 performance of The King and I will be broadcast on 98.7WFMT and streamed on wfmt.com on Sunday, May 1, at 7:00pm.

About Lyric

Lyric Opera of Chicago’s mission is to express and promote the life-changing, transformational, revelatory power of great opera. Lyric exists to provide a broad, deep, and relevant cultural service to Chicago and the nation, and to advance the development of the art form.

Founded in 1954, Lyric is dedicated to producing and performing consistently thrilling, entertaining, and thought-provoking opera with a balanced repertoire of core classics, lesser-known masterpieces, and new works; to creating an innovative and wide-ranging program of community engagement and educational activities; and to developing exceptional emerging operatic talent.

Under the leadership of general director Anthony Freud, music director Sir Andrew Davis, and creative consultant Renée Fleming, Lyric strives to become The Great North American Opera Company for the 21st century: a globally significant arts organization embodying the core values of excellence, relevance, and fiscal responsibility. Visit www.lyricopera.org for more information.

TONIGHT: Hotly Anticipated Carousel Opens at Lyric Opera #LyricCarousel

June is busting out all over – starting today!

Lyric Opera of Chicago’s all-new production

of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s classic Broadway musical

CAROUSEL

The company of Lyric Opera’s new production of Carousel. Image by Robert Kusel.

Here at ChiIL Mama we're absolutely elated to be catching opening night of Lyric Opera's Carousel! The kids (11 & 14) and I will be there to review tonight. Can't wait! This award winning classic is sure to delight with multigenerational appeal. 

Performances run April 10 through May 3

at the Civic Opera House, 20 N. Wacker Dr.

*The opening night performance of Carousel will be broadcast on 98.7WFMT and streamed on wfmt.com on Sunday, April 12 at 7:15pm.*

Starring

Steven Pasquale, Laura Osnes, Jenn Gambatese, Matthew Hydzik, Denyce Graves, Jarrod Emick, Charlotte d’Amboise, Tony Roberts

Rob Ashford, director/choreographer • David Chase, conductor

Lyric Opera of Chicago’s stunning new production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Carousel runs April 10 to May 3 at the Civic Opera House, 20 N. Wacker Dr., Chicago. Tickets start at $29, and are available at lyricopera.org/carousel or at 312-827-5600. 

*This month marks the 70th anniversary of the Broadway premiere of Carousel, which had its first performance April 19, 1945*.

The production is directed and choreographed by Tony, Emmy, and Olivier Award winner Rob Ashford. It stars Steven Pasquale (The Bridges of Madison County, The Good Wife) as carousel barker Billy Bigelow; Laura Osnes (Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella) as his true love, millworker Julie Jordan; Jenn Gambatese (Lyric’s The Sound of Music) as Carrie Pipperidge; Matthew Hydzik (Side Show, West Side Story) as Carrie’s beau Enoch Snow; Denyce Graves (Lyric’s Carmen) as Nettie Fowler; Jarrod Emick (Damn Yankees) as Jigger Craigin; Charlotte d’Amboise (Pippin) as Mrs. Mullin; and Tony Roberts (The Royal Family; Victor, Victoria; Cabaret) as the Starkeeper.

Conductor David Chase makes his Lyric debut with Carousel, leading members of the Lyric Opera Orchestra and Chorus. Chase is a regular collaborator with director/choreographer Rob Ashford (The Sound of Music Live! and Peter Pan Live!, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Lyric’s The Barber of Seville). Visual artist Paolo Ventura makes his theatrical debut as set designer. Tony Award-winning Catherine Zuber (Lyric’s The Barber of Seville) is costume designer. Neil Austin (Lyric’s Madama Butterfly) is lighting designer, Mark Grey (Lyric’s The Sound of Music, Oklahoma!, Show Boat) is sound designer, and Michael Black is chorus master. 

Carousel is the third Rodgers and Hammerstein musical to be presented as part of Lyric’s American Musical Theater Initiative. The King and I and South Pacific follow in the 2015-16 and 2016-17 seasons, respectively. Past productions were Oklahoma! in the 2012-13 season and The Sound of Music in the 2013-14 season.

The new Lyric Opera production of Carousel is generously made possible by The Negaunee Foundation, an Anonymous Donor, Robert S. and Susan E. Morrison, Mr. and Mrs. J. Christopher Reyes, Liz Stiffel, Mrs. Herbert A. Vance and Mr. and Mrs. William C. Vance, and Jim and Vicki Mills/Jon and Lois Mills.

Learn more about this production at lyricopera.org/InsideCarousel. Follow the conversation on Twitter: #LyricCarousel.

Carousel  ticketholders can visit the new gallery exhibit “Creating Carousel” before curtain and during intermission of all performances. Located in the Opera Club on the lower level of the Civic Opera House, the exhibit includes set design paintings, set model elements, and a video interview with artist Paolo Ventura, costume design drawings by Catherine Zuber, and some vintage carousel elements on loan from Architectural Artifacts. It is free to all ticket holders and will be on display through early May. The exhibit is co-curated by Michael Schoenig and Scott Marr.

About Lyric Opera of Chicago

Founded in 1954, Lyric Opera of Chicago’s mission is to express and promote the life-changing, transformational, revelatory power of great opera. Lyric exists to provide a broad, deep, and relevant cultural service to Chicago and the nation, and to advance the development of the art form.

Lyric is dedicated to producing and performing consistently thrilling, entertaining, and thought-provoking opera with a balanced repertoire of core classics, lesser-known masterpieces, and new works; to creating an innovative and wide-ranging program of community engagement and educational activities; and to developing exceptional emerging operatic talent.

Under the leadership of general director Anthony Freud, music director Sir Andrew Davis, and creative consultant Renée Fleming, Lyric strives to become The Great North American Opera Company for the 21st century: a globally significant arts organization embodying the core values of excellence, relevance, and fiscal responsibility.