INTO THE WOODS, AVENUE Q and More Set for Mercury Theater Chicago's 2014 Season

Executive Director Walter Stearns announces a new season at Mercury Theater Chicago, 3745 N. Southport Avenue, including Into the Woods, Avenue Q, The Addams Family - The Musical and The Christmas Schooner. As the season opener, Mercury Theater Chicago presents The Hypocrites Theater Company in a revolutionary staging of the Sondheim storybook musical Into the Woods. This is followed by the professional Chicago premiere of Avenue Q - a coming of age musical in the style of an adult "Sesame Street." Just in time for Halloween, The Addams Family - the Musical will haunt the Mercury Theater stage. The season finale is the return voyage of the Chicago holiday tradition, The Christmas Schooner. Single tickets are available starting at $29, and 4 show subscription packages start as low as $100. Season packages and Into the Woods tickets go on sale December 8th.

This exciting season follows Mercury Theater Chicago's acclaimed first year as producer. Last year Mercury Theater Chicago presented Rodgers and Hammerstein's A Grand Night for Singing ("Stunningly sung, ingeniously staged!" Chicago Sun-Times), the circus musical Barnum ("Eye-popping!" Chicago Tribune), the Chicago premiere of The Color Purple - The Musical ("Exceeded all expectations!" Chicago Sun-Times) and the holiday favorite The Christmas Schooner. For its first season, Mercury Theater Chicago was honored with five Jeff Award Nominations.

Mercury Theater Chicago, which has been a well-respected venue for long-running commercial theater, is an intimate playhouse in the heart of a sophisticated neighborhood of restaurants and shopping steps from Wrigley Field. Notable past productions include A Twist of Water, The Screwtape Letters, The Irish and How They Got That Way and Over the Tavern. The smash hit original production of Freud's Last Session played for over nine months, and the third 'season on the water' for The Christmas Schooner began November 27th. The Mercury adjoins two restaurants; Cullen's Bar and Grill and Deleece, who offer dining and libations before and after the show.

Tickets are available online at MercuryTheaterChicago.com, over the phone at 773-325-1700, or in person at 3745 N. Southport Avenue, Chicago 60613. Discounts of up to 50% are available for groups of 10 or more.

INTO THE WOODS
Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, Book by James Lapine
February 6 to March 30

The Hypocrites present an unexpected, epic fairytale; Into the Woods. James Lapine and Stephen Sondheim take everyone's favorite storybook characters and brings them together for a timeless yet relevant piece that is a rare modern classic. When the Baker and his wife learn that they cannot have a child because of a Witch's curse, the two set off on a journey to break the curse. Everyone's wish is granted, but the consequences of their actions return to haunt them with disastrous results.

AVENUE Q
Music and Lyrics by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx
Book by Jeff Whitty
April to June 2014

This hilarious modern musical focuses on a group of unique 20-somethings making their way in the big city, seeking their purpose in life. Although Avenue Q addresses humorous adult issues, it is similar to a beloved children's show: a place where puppets are friends, monsters are good and life lessons are learned. Winner of the Tony "Triple Crown" for Best Musical, Best Score and Best Book, AVENUE Q is part flesh, part felt, and packed with heart.

THE ADDAMS FAMILY - THE MUSICAL
Music and Lyrics by Andrew Lippa, Book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice
September to November 16, 2014

A weird and wonderful family comes to devilishly delightful life in The Addams Family. Everything will change on the fateful night they host a dinner for Wednesday's "normal" boyfriend and his parents. Get ready to spend the night with a family who will raise your spirits, steal your heart and leave you in stiches. "It will entertain you to death!" (The Toronto Post).

THE CHRISTMAS SCHOONER
Book by John Reeger, music and lyrics by Julie Shannon
November 26 to December 28 2014

Returning for its annual voyage, The Christmas Schooner has become Chicago's holiday tradition. The whole family will enjoy this heart-warming story of the first Christmas tree ship and the family who risked their lives to fill Chicago with the Christmas spirit. Chicago Tribune calls this show "A sacred part of a Chicago Christmas." Chicago Sun-Times raved that it is "An inheritance to be treasured." A timely and uplifting tale of love and loss, The Christmas Schooner reminds us of tradition, and our responsibility to celebrate the living while honoring our heritage.

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