SEASON 30
Seeing is Believing
Our 30th anniversary season includes the revival of The Rainmaker, the Chicago premiere of a behind-the-scenes look at the White House written by Emmy Award winner and Artistic Affiliate James Still, Chicago’s holiday classic It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago!, and the comedic rock musical Little Shop of Horrors. Plus we return with our standing-room-only hit Ripped: the Living Newspaper Festival and continue our free arts education program, The Lincoln Project for Chicago Public Schools. For more information, read our Season 30 “Seeing is Believing” press release. Learn about our Season 30 FlexPass >>.
APRIL 29, 2016 – JULY 31, 2016
LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS
COMEDIC ROCK MUSICAL WITH ALL-STAR CAST
Book and lyrics by: Howard Ashman
Music by: Alan Menken
Directed by: Jonathan Berry
Music direction by: Austin Cook*
For years, Little Shop of Horrors has made audiences scream with laughter. In the gleefully gruesome musical, Seymour, a poor florist’s assistant, allows his craving for fame and fortune to seduce him into playing nursemaid to a man-eating plant. The NY Times says this show “leaves the audience feeling like Audrey II…ravenous for more!” Featuring award-winning Blues’ artists Michael Mahler* (Seymour), Dara Cameron* (Audrey), and Ian Paul Custer* (Orin Scrivello).
FEBRUARY 5 – MARCH 6, 2016
LOOKING OVER THE PRESIDENT’S SHOULDER
CHICAGO PREMIERE
Written by: James Still*
Directed by: Timothy Douglas
Before Lee Daniels’ The Butler, Emmy-Award winning writer James Still wrote the real-life story of Alonzo Fields, the grandson of a freed slave, who was forced by the Depression to give up his dreams of becoming an opera singer. Fields accepted the job at the White House and served 21 years. The tour-de-force solo play tells the unique perspective of serving four U.S. presidents and their families: Herbert Hoover, Franklin Roosevelt, Harry Truman, and Dwight Eisenhower. The Washington Post wrote, “the appeal is its peeking through the keyhole quality.” Featuring Black Theater Alliance Award winner Manny Buckley*.
NOVEMBER 20 – DECEMBER 27, 2015
IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE: LIVE IN CHICAGO!
THE CHICAGO ORIGINAL
Based on the film by: Frank Capra
Original direction by: Marty Higginbotham*
Original score by: Austin Cook*
Directed by: Gwendolyn Whiteside*
Music direction by: Michael Mahler*
For 14 years, our Ensemble has treated Chicago audiences to a live 1940s radio broadcast. This incredible cast of eight recreates the entire town of Bedford Falls with Foley sound effects, an original score and holiday carols. Critics call this “perfect Christmas theater” and “first-class holiday fare”. After each performance, milk and cookies are served by the cast.
AUGUST 28 – SEPTEMBER 27, 2015
THE RAINMAKER
CO-FOUNDING ENSEMBLE MEMBER RETURNS
Written by: N. Richard Nash
Directed by: Edward Blatchford*
The L.A. Times wrote, “After nearly half a century, The Rainmaker still makes a handsome case for miracles.” Plain and hardworking Lizzie Curry finds herself falling, against her better judgement, for a traveler who promises to bring rain to her family’s dry Midwest town. The NY Mirror wrote that this play gives “insight into the human heart” and The NY Times calls it “captivating”. Featuring Joseph Jefferson Award winner Steve Key* (Starbuck) and Joseph Jefferson Award nominee Linsey Page Morton (Lizzie).