Jim Corti News

Two important post-Broadway mountings of 21st-century musicals opened in the Chicago area this week. One, 'Mary Poppins,' has had a great deal of attention. Now you can forget about it. This review concerns itself with the other one! 'Curtains,' the exemplary 2007 Kander and Ebb post-modern musical comedy, is now receiving its first post-Broadway mounting anywhere at our very own west suburban Drury Lane Theatre Oakbrook Terrace. That?s right! This major coup for Oakbrook continues the very high standards for musicals that the theatre set last year, with no end in sight.

CURTAINS, the hilarious new musical whodunit that was a 'must-see' hit of the 2007-2008 Broadway season, playing over 500 performances, kicks off Drury Lane Oakbrook's 25th anniversary season. The production previews March 19, opens Thursday, March 26 and runs through May 17 at Drury Lane Oakbrook, 100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace, IL. This is the first regional production of CURTAINS, preceding even the first National Tour. CURTAINS is the winner of nine Drama Desk Awards and eight 2007 Tony Award nominations including Best Musical, Best Book, Best Score, and Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical (David Hyde Pierce).

CURTAINS, the hilarious new musical whodunit that was a 'must-see' hit of the 2007-2008 Broadway season, playing over 500 performances, kicks off Drury Lane Oakbrook's 25th anniversary season. The production previews March 19, opens Thursday, March 26 and runs through May 17 at Drury Lane Oakbrook, 100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace, IL. This is the first regional production of CURTAINS, preceding even the first National Tour. CURTAINS is the winner of nine Drama Desk Awards and eight 2007 Tony Award nominations including Best Musical, Best Book, Best Score, and Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical (David Hyde Pierce).

CURTAINS, the hilarious new musical whodunit that was a 'must-see' hit of the 2007-2008 Broadway season, playing over 500 performances, previews March 19, opens Thursday, March 26 and runs through May 17 at Drury Lane Oakbrook, 100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace, IL. CURTAINS is the winner of nine Drama Desk Awards and eight 2007 Tony Award nominations including Best Musical, Best Book, Best Score, and Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical (David Hyde Pierce).

CURTAINS, the hilarious new musical whodunit that was a 'must-see' hit of the 2007-2008 Broadway season, playing over 500 performances, kicks off Drury Lane Oakbrook's 25th anniversary season. The production previews March 19, opens Thursday, March 26 and runs through May 17 at Drury Lane Oakbrook, 100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace, IL. This is the first regional production of CURTAINS, preceding even the first National Tour. CURTAINS is the winner of nine Drama Desk Awards and eight 2007 Tony Award nominations including Best Musical, Best Book, Best Score, and Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical (David Hyde Pierce).

Writers' Theatre Artistic Director Michael Halberstam and Executive Director Kathryn M. Lipuma announce the company's 18th season, which includes Tom Stoppard's comedic masterpiece Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead, directed by Michael Halberstam; Noel Coward's musical revue, Oh Coward! to be performed in Writers' most intimate venue; The Old Settler by John Henry Redwood, directed by Ron OJ Parson; and Tennessee Williams' A Streetcar Named Desire, directed by David Cromer.

CURTAINS, the hilarious new musical whodunit that was a 'must-see' hit of the 2007-2008 Broadway season, playing over 500 performances, previews March 19, opens Thursday, March 26 and runs through May 17 at Drury Lane Oakbrook, 100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace, IL. CURTAINS is the winner of nine Drama Desk Awards and eight 2007 Tony Award nominations including Best Musical, Best Book, Best Score, and Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical (David Hyde Pierce).

Younger audiences, Lincoln Park residents, families, and musical theater enthusiasts: get more out of your live theater experience - at the same price as a regular ticket - when you chose to attend any of these special events scheduled in association with the smash hit holiday musical The Snow Queen, playing November 28 through December 29 at the Victory Gardens' Biograph Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Avenue, Chicago:

The charming musical classic Meet Me in St. Louis has been brought back by popular demand to Drury Lane in perfect time for the holidays. It will preview November 12, open November 19, and run through December 21 at Drury Lane Theatre Water Tower Place, 175 E. Chestnut Street Chicago, IL 60611. Meet Me in St. Louis is an utterly entertaining experience that the whole family will enjoy. Jim Corti, who was a Jeff nominee for Best Direction for this production at Drury Lane Oakbrook Terrace, will direct again.

You couldn't throw at rock at the Wednesday night opening performance of 'Meet Me In St. Louis' at the Drury Lane Theatre Water Tower Place without striking the cream of Chicago's hometown musical theater talent. And THAT was if you threw a rock at the audience!

Hold on tight, because Victory Gardens Theater's smash hit winter musical The Snow Queen - conceived by Chicago folk music legend Michael Smith, Tony Award-winning director Frank Galati, and master puppeteer Blair Thomas & Co - is sledding back into town for her third season as Chicago's #1 alternative to traditional holiday fare.

The charming musical classic Meet Me in St. Louis has been brought back by popular demand to Drury Lane in perfect time for the holidays.

Today, the Jefferson Awards announced the winners among the 150 nominees in 35 categories for Chicago Equity theatrical productions which opened between August 1, 2007 and July 31, 2008. Beginning with this season, the Jeff Awards is acknowledging the work of Large and Midsize theatres in separate categories for productions and technical elements.

Drury Lane Theatre Oakbrook Terrace, 100 Drury Lane, known for producing acclaimed, innovative and classic musicals, announces its exciting 2009 season, featuring five musicals that have never been seen on the Drury Lane stage. Hot off the Broadway stage, the musical comedy 'CURTAINS', directed by William Brown previews March 19, opens March 26 and runs through May 17; the feel-good musical review 'PUMP BOYS AND DINETTES', directed by Shawn Stengel previews May 28, opens June 4 and runs through August 2; the Tony Award-winning musical 'CABARET', directed by Jim Corti previews August 13, opens August 20 and runs through October 11; the delightful Jazz Age musical 'THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE', directed by Artistic Director William Osetek, previews October 22, opens October 29 and runs through December 20; and the beloved musical 'FUNNY GIRL', directed by Gary Griffin, previews December 31, opens January 7 and runs through March 7, 2010.

Today, the Jefferson Awards announced the 150 nominations in 35 categories for Chicago Equity theatrical productions which opened between August 1, 2007 and July 31, 2008. Beginning with this season, the Jeff Awards is acknowledging the work of Large and Midsize theatres in separate categories for productions and technical elements.

Sweet Charity, the Tony Award winning musical packed with lively choreography previews March 13, opens March 20 and runs through May 18 at Drury Lane Theatre Oakbrook Terrace