Big Noise Theatre Presents LEADER OF THE PACK, 4/27-5/13

Big Noise Theatre Company closes its 2011-12 season with the musical biography, LEADER OF THE PACK: THE Ellie Greenwich MUSICAL, opening April 27 and playing weekends through May 13, 2012. Performances will be held at the Prairie Lake Theatre in Des Plaines, IL. The company is celebrating its 10th year. LEADER OF THE PACK is directed by Nancy Flaster, with choreography by Flaster and Ann Fink, the team who brought the smash hit BEEHIVE to Prairie Lakes audiences in 2009. Robert Deason, music director of Big Noise's fall production of HOW TO SUCCEED… returns as music director.

Originally presented on Broadway in 1985, LEADER OF THE PACK was ahead of its time as one of the first "jukebox musicals" ever created. The story follows Greenwich's rise to fame and fortune, from her humble beginnings to her collaboration with her writing partner and short-term husband, Jeff Barry. Best known for writing some of the most skyrocketing doo-wop songs of the sixties pop charts, the musical's score is punctuated with a virtual hit parade of Greenwich's music: "Chapel of Love," "Da Do Ron Ron," "Be My Baby," "Hanky Panky," "Do Wah Diddy," "And Then He Kissed Me" and, of course, the title song.

The company first presented the musical back in 1995, also with Flaster at the helm. "The music is timeless, and the story of this extraordinary woman is fascinating," says Flaster. "The casting requires such a strong ensemble of young singers and dancers that it wasn't until now that I could imagine remounting it. We have an extremely talented crop of people for this revival." The cast is headed by

Christie Burgess (Kenosha, WI) in the title role of Ellie Greenwich and Tommy Thurston (Chicago) as Jeff Barry.

Audiences of Big Noise's work may recognize a familiar face on the stage, especially if they saw the 1995 production: Chicago's Pascale Trouillot returns in the role of powerhouse vocalist, Darlene Love. "To say that we are thrilled to have Pascale back in that role is an understatement," states Flaster. Trouillot also appeared in Big Noise's productions of ALL SHOOK UP and BEEHIVE.

In addition to Trouillot, rounding out the cast is Linda Andrews (Palatine), Danielle Davis (Chicago), Danae Ervin (Chicago), Mark Komiskey (Vernon Hills), Kyle Kuhlman (Chicago), Kelly Maryanski (Mt. Prospect), Peter Rasey (Chicago), Penny Shack (Bannockburn), Brent Walker (Chicago), Krysten Williams (Chicago) and featuring David Whitlock (Northbrook) as Gus Sharkey.

Tickets are $24 for adults, $22 for seniors and $16 for kids 12 and under, and can be ordered by calling 847-604-0275 or online at www.bignoise.org.

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