Drury Lane Theatre Water Tower Place Opens in Chicago May 2005, Season Announced

Drury Lane Productions and veteran theatre owner Anthony DeSantis will introduce their new state-of-the-art theatre, Drury Lane Theatre Water Tower Place in May, 2005. Located on Chicago's Magnificent Mile, the luxurious new venue will feature an intimate 549-seat performance space and spacious lobby. Presenting contemporary plays and musicals as well as classics from Broadway and beyond, Drury Lane Theatre Water Tower Place will be under the leadership of Producers James Jensen and Diane Van Lente, Artistic Director Michael Weber and Artistic Advisor Gary Griffin.

The Gala Opening of the new theatre will be Wednesday, May 18, 2005 at 7:30pm featuring the inaugural production, The Full Monty. The Chicago regional theatre premiere of the smash Broadway musical based on the hilarious film comedy begins previews Wednesday, May 11, 2005 and will run through Sunday, July 10, 2005. Directed and choreographed by Broadway veteran and four time Jeff Award-winner Jim Corti, with Music Direction by Tom Sivak, The Full Monty is the hilarious and heartfelt story of a father who needs to raise some quick cash to maintain custody of his son. Together with five unemployed, out-of-shape steel-mill workers from Buffalo, this unlikely group of lovable misfits hatch a desperate plan to get their lives back together requiring them to triumph over their fears, their nerves and their clothes. With a touching and funny book by Tony Award-winner Terrence McNally (Ragtime, The Rink, Kiss of the Spider Woman) and a catchy pop score by David Yazbek (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels), The Full Monty will have audiences wondering if they can really pull it off. Nominated for 10 Tony Awards including Best Musical and featuring an incredible contemporary songbook, this sweet and romantic story of the resilience of the human spirit is a modern musical tale of true friendship.

The comedy classic Morning's at Seven will begin previews Wednesday, July 20, 2005 with Opening Night Wednesday, July 27, 2005 at 7:30pm and closes August 28, 2005. Directed by Steppenwolf Associate Artist Jessica Thebus, Paul Osborn's heart-warming, humorous, and emotionally enchanting love letter to just plain folks is the story of an extended Midwestern family in 1939—four sisters, their husbands and childrens' dreams, hopes, foibles, and ultimate passion for each other. The loving story deals with ramifications that arise when one of the four sisters begins to question her life and decides to change a few things before it's too late. Charming, merry, and just a bit mad, Morning's at Seven celebrates the close-knit family and its unbreakable ties forged only by siblings.

The Tony Award-winning Grand Hotel - The Musical will begin previews Wednesday, September 7, 2005, Open to the Press Wednesday, September 14, 2005 at 7:30pm, and close Sunday, November 6, 2005. Drury Lane Theatre Artistic Director Michael Weber directs with choreography by Tammy Mader and Musical Direction by Linda Slein.

Set in 1928 at Berlin's fading and fabulous Grand Hotel, this stylish musical intertwines a cast of fascinating characters through a series of fateful encounters: the aging Prima Ballerina struggling to maintain a career; the charming Baron, out of money, riding on his looks; the ambitious Hollywood hopeful who'll risk her virtue to rise to the top; the mortally ill bookkeeper meeting society for the first time; the ruthless business tycoon facing bankruptcy and ruin; and the war ravaged doctor whose cynical tone conceals his fading hopes. Grand Hotel - The Musical, is inspired by Vicki Baum's best selling novel, the basis of the hit Broadway play and classic MGM film. Book writer Luther Davis (Kismet, Timbuktu!), distinguished composer/lyricist team Robert Wright and George Forrest (Song of Norway, Kismet, Anya) and Tony Award-winning composer/lyricist Maury Yeston (Titanic, Nine, Phantom) created a seamless musical cavalcade contrasting comedy, tragedy, glitz, glamour and realism boasting a riveting story and powerful score sure to sweep audiences away with all of the lavishness of the 1920s.

Plaid Tidings, the new holiday musical starring everyone's favorite singing quartet in plaid will make its Chicago premiere on Wednesday, November 16, 2005, with Press Opening Wednesday, November 23, 2005 at 7:30pm and run through Saturday, December 31, 2005. Written and Directed by Stuart Ross, Plaid Tidings is the holiday sequel to the record breaking Forever Plaid, the hugely popular musical about a 1950s four-part harmony group who, after an untimely demise, return from the beyond to stage their show that might have been. In Plaid Tidings, Jinx, Frankie, Smudge and Sparky are again sent back to Earth – as ordered by a heavenly phone call from Rosemary Clooney – this time to stage a nostalgic holiday extravaganza. Why, how and where eludes them until it all miraculously clicks together. Plaid Tidings, a show for the whole family, combines favorite tunes from the '50s and '60s with traditional holiday songs and carols, a hilarious tribute to The Ed Sullivan Christmas Spectaculars, and plenty of classic and kitschy references to the era and its sounds – including some singing by Perry Como himself!

Additionally, Drury Lane Theatre Water Tower Place will present Theatre for Young Audiences mornings and afternoons. Shows, ticket prices and times will be announced soon.

Previews are Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays at 8:00 p.m., Saturdays at 2:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. The regular schedule for all shows is Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m., select Wednesday matinees at 1:30 p.m., Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m., Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays at 8:00 p.m., Saturdays at 2:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Season subscriptions start as low as $112 for four shows—that's only $28 per show. Dinner Packages are available at Mity Nice Grill in Water Tower Place. Various popular Chicago restaurants in close proximity to the theater are also featuring special dinner offers including: Saloon Steakhouse, Mrs. Park's Tavern in the DoubleTree Guest Suites, The Grill on the Alley in the Westin Hotel, Le Petit Paris, and The Signature Room atop The John Hancock Center. The Signature Room is also offering a post-show gourmet Dessert and Drink Package. Discount parking rates are available at nearby garages for $7-$10 on evenings and weekends; for details visit www.drurylanewatertower.com.

Drury Lane Theatre Water Tower Place is located at 175 E. Chestnut Street Chicago, IL 60611. Subscription Series tickets for the 2005 season are on sale now. For subscription information call 312.642.2000 or 630.530.0111. Tickets for all shows for groups of 20 or more may be purchased by calling 630.570.7272. Individual tickets for The Full Monty will go on sale beginning April 12. At that time, tickets may be purchased at the Box Office (175 E. Chestnut Street), by calling 312.642.2000 or at www.ticketmaster.com.

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