William Osetek News

Oakbrook Terrace's Drury Lane Theatre takes a gamble that pays off with the poignant and moving 'next to normal'

Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, presents the regional premiere of the recent Broadway sensation NEXT TO NORMAL, which opened last night, August 22 and will continue through October 6, 2013. NEXT TO NORMAL stars Jeff Award nominee Susie McMonagle as "Diana" ("Fantine" in Les Miserables on Broadway and the first National Tours of Billy Elliot and Mamma Mia) and Jeff Award winner Rod Thomas as "Dan" (Big at Drury Lane Theatre and Little Shop of Horrors at Theatre at the Center).The production is directed by Drury Lane Theatre Artistic Director William Osetek (Drury Lane Theatre's smash hit production of Spamalot and Jeff Award nominee for Best Director and Best Production for Thoroughly Modern Millie.) Check out a look back at opening night below!

Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, presents the regional premiere of the recent Broadway sensation NEXT TO NORMAL, opening August 22 and running through October 6, 2013. NEXT TO NORMAL stars Jeff Award nominee Susie McMonagle as "Diana" ("Fantine" in Les Miserables on Broadway and the first National Tours of Billy Elliot and Mamma Mia) and Jeff Award winner Rod Thomas as "Dan" (Big at Drury Lane Theatre and Little Shop of Horrors at Theatre at the Center).The production is directed by Drury Lane Theatre Artistic Director William Osetek (Drury Lane Theatre's smash hit production of Spamalot and Jeff Award nominee for Best Director and Best Production for Thoroughly Modern Millie.) Check out a first look at the cast in action below!

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Three major local premieres begin this week ('Next To Normal,' '9 To 5' and 'The Color Purple'), plus coverage of LOW's 'Cabaret,' two Cole Porter revues, busy Circle Theatre, 'Persuasion' is back, and 'In The Heights' and 'Hello, Dolly!' get their casts. It's a big Mosh Pit!

Drury Lane Theatre will present the regional premiere of the recent Broadway sensation NEXT TO NORMAL, previewing August 15, opening August 22, and running through October 6, 2013. NEXT TO NORMAL stars Jeff Award nominee Susie McMonagle as 'Diana' ('Fantine' in Les Miserables on Broadway and the first National Tours of Billy Elliot and Mamma Mia) and Jeff Award winner Rod Thomas as 'Dan' (Big at Drury Lane Theatre and Little Shop of Horrors at Theatre at the Center).The production is directed by Drury Lane Theatre Artistic Director William Osetek (Drury Lane Theatre's smash hit production of Spamalot and Jeff Award nominee for Best Director and Best Production for Thoroughly Modern Millie.)

Here's a listing of the top ten places that are really burning it up in theater this summer, in Chicago and the region nearby. Seek them out, and enjoy!

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. It's our annual Summer Musical Theater Guide! This week, Part One: Chicagoland. Check out 'The Jungle Book,' 'Kiss Of The Spider Woman,' 'Next To Normal,' 'The Color Purple,' 'Spelling Bee,' 'Cabaret' and a whole lot more!

Kyle DeSantis, President of Drury Lane, 100 Drury Lane, announced today that the facility has completed Phase 1 of its extensive renovation. Phase 2 will be completed by mid-2014. Phase 1 included the renovation of the 27,000 square foot Grand Ballroom, the Main Lobby and Cocktail Lounge, and the French and English Rooms. The inviting new spaces feature a sophisticated European design aesthetic with top-of-the-line furnishings, original artwork and elegant decor. Phase 2 will include the renovation of the Courtyard Restaurant and the Theatre Bar. On April 30, Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace hosted a gala event to celebrate the unveiling of their extensive renovation. Scroll down for photos!

Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, presents Andrew Lloyd Webber's triumphant Broadway musical SUNSET BOULEVARD, which opened on February 1 and runs through March 24, 2013. The all-star cast is led by Christine Sherrill as 'Norma Desmond' (National Tour of Mamma Mia!, Legally Blonde at Marriott Theatre and Xanadu and Curtains at Drury Lane Theatre) and Will Ray as 'Joe Gillis' (National Tour of Little House on the Prairie, the new musical Allegiance at The Old Globe Theater, and Irish Repertory's Meet Me In St. Louis).

Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, presents Andrew Lloyd Webber's triumphant Broadway musical SUNSET BOULEVARD, running now through March 24.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. It's the Midwinter Round-Up! We've got 'Peter Pan,' the Marriott's Lloyd Webber revue, the Mercury's R&H revue, Porchlight's 'Lady Day,' the Writers' 'Sweet Charity,' Heidi Kettenring in concert, 'Sunset Boulevard' and more!

Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, presents Andrew Lloyd Webber's triumphant Broadway musical SUNSET BOULEVARD, which opened on February 1 and runs through March 24, 2013. The all-star cast is led by Christine Sherrill as 'Norma Desmond' (National Tour of Mamma Mia!, Legally Blonde at Marriott Theatre and Xanadu and Curtains at Drury Lane Theatre) and Will Ray as 'Joe Gillis' (National Tour of Little House on the Prairie, the new musical Allegiance at The Old Globe Theater, and Irish Repertory's Meet Me In St. Louis). BroadwayWorld has photos from the show's opening night celebrations below!

Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, presents Andrew Lloyd Webber's triumphant Broadway musical SUNSET BOULEVARD, opening Friday, February 1 at 8:30 p.m., and running through March 24. The all-star cast is led by Christine Sherrill as "Norma Desmond" (National Tour of Mamma Mia!, Legally Blonde at Marriott Theatre and Xanadu and Curtains at Drury Lane Theatre) and Will Ray as "Joe Gillis" (National Tour of Little House on the Prairie, the new musical Allegiance at the Old Globe Theater, and Irish Repertory's Meet Me In St. Louis). SUNSET BOULEVARD is directed by William Osetek (Drury Lane Theatre's smash hit production of Spamalot and Jeff Award nominee for Best Director and Best Production for Thoroughly Modern Millie.)

Drury Lane Theatre, presents Andrew Lloyd Webber's triumphant Broadway musical SUNSET BOULEVARD, opening tonight, February 1 at 8:30 p.m., and running through March 24. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the show below.

Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, presents Andrew Lloyd Webber's triumphant Broadway musical SUNSET BOULEVARD, opening Friday, February 1 at 8:30 p.m., and running through March 24.

Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, presents Andrew Lloyd Webber's triumphant Broadway musical SUNSET BOULEVARD, previewing tonight, January 24, opening Friday, February 1 at 8:30 p.m., and running through March 24.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Two Lloyd Webber shows from our most important resident musical theater houses, two big shows from the 1950s in brief appearances, three special shows for Valentine's Day (from Cory Goodrich, Felicia Fields and CPaz), our two favorite showtune TV shows and more!

Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, presents Andrew Lloyd Webber's triumphant Broadway musical SUNSET BOULEVARD, previewing January 24, opening Friday, February 1 at 8:30 p.m., and running through March 24. The all-star cast is led by Christine Sherrill as "Norma Desmond" (National Tour of Mamma Mia!, Legally Blonde at Marriott Theatre and Xanadu and Curtains at Drury Lane Theatre) and Will Ray as "Joe Gillis" (National Tour of Little House on the Prairie, the new musical Allegiance at the Old Globe Theater, and Irish Repertory's Meet Me In St. Louis). SUNSET BOULEVARD is directed by William Osetek (Drury Lane Theatre's smash hit production of Spamalot and Jeff Award nominee for Best Director and Best Production for Thoroughly Modern Millie.)

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. The BroadwayWorld Chicago Awards winners and 1/9/13 Celebration, 'Mormon' and 'Les Miz' reaction, 'Oliver!' opens, 'Lucy' extends, StarKid goes sketch, our unofficial Lloyd Webber festival and more!