Marriott Theatre Presents FOR THE BOYS, Previews 8/17

The Marriott Theatre has long been known for fostering new works and bringing thrilling world premiere musicals to its stage. This August, The Marriott Theatre (10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire) will present the world premiere of FOR THE BOYS; based on the 1991 Twentieth Century Fox film which starred Bette Midler (Academy Award nomination) and James Caan. FOR THE BOYS will preview August 17th, open Friday, August 26th at 8 p.m. and run through October 16th. Aaron Thielen, Marriott Theatre's Co-Artistic Director, has adapted the film for the stage. He will once again team up with multi-Jeff award winning Director and Choreographer Marc Robin, with whom he co-authored Marriott's 2006 smash hit world premiere of ALL NIGHT STRUT. Musical direction is by Dr. Ryan Nelson, who will oversee a score of hit parade treasures from three decades of popular music, with original orchestrations by David Siegel, including "PS I Love You," "GI Jive," "Stuff Like That There," "Come Rain or Come Shine" and "What a Wonderful World".

FOR THE BOYS follows the story of 1940s big-band singer Dixie Leonard and America's favorite song and dance man, Eddie Sparks. The world was at war and Eddie Sparks was on top. Nobody could out-sing, out-step, or out-charm Eddie, America's premier entertainer, until Dixie Leonard came along. Together they entertained American troops, in times of war and peace, and the world was their stage. Their act was sensational and their relationship extraordinary. Offstage, they fought their own personal war, but when the nation needed them they were there. For over 30 years, three wars, and hundreds of shows, they did it all "For the Boys."

FOR THE BOYS stars Broadway veterans Michele Ragusa as Dixie Leonard and Timothy Gulan as Eddie Sparks. Michele Ragusa has starred on Broadway in YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN (Elizabeth), URINETOWN (Penny), A CLASS ACT (Mona), RAGTIME (Evelyn Nesbit), TITANIC (Caroline) and CYRANO (The Novice). She also starred in the National Tours of FIDDLER ON THE ROOF (Hodel), NUNSENSE II (Sister Leo) and WEST SIDE STORY (Maria). She has also starred on Law and Order SVU, One Life to Live, Guiding Light and All My Children. Timothy Gulan's credits include THE FROGS at Lincoln Center, BLOOD BROTHERS (Mickey) at the Music Box Theatre, the National Tour of the Lincoln Center Theatre revival of SOUTH PACIFIC (Luther Billis), the National Tour of SOME LIKE IT HOT (Jerry/Daphne), First National Tour of DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS (Freddy), the National Tour of LES MISERABLES (Joly) and I LOVE YOU, YOU'RE PERFECT, NOW CHANGE at The Westside Theatre. He has starred in the film The Producers, opposite Will Ferrell, and in the HBO movie Solidarity. He has also starred in the movies Ice Age, Robots, Salt, McGruber and in the upcoming film The Cost, as well as on PBS' Passion - Live from Lincoln Center and South Pacific at Carnegie Hall as well as Boardwalk Empire, Sex and the City and Central Park West.

FOR THE BOYS features an all-star Chicagoland cast including Anne Gunn as Loretta Brooks, Summer Smart as Margaret, Michael Lindner as Sam Schiff, Bernie Yvon as Wally Fields, Johanna Mckenzie Miller as Luanna Trott, Holly Stauder as Gloria, Michael Weber as Art Silver, Melissa Zaremba as Victoria Lee, Katheryn Patton as Evelyn, Rod Thomas as the Band Singer, and Jameson Cooper as Michael. Also featured are John Michael Coppola, Alex Goodrich, Karl Hamilton, Andrew Mueller, Brandon Springman, Zachary Keller, Johnny Rabe, Daniel Coonley and Conlan Ledwith.

Lead Artistic Director and author Aaron Thielen heads the Artistic Team of FOR THE BOYS, with Direction and Choreography by Marc Robin, Music Direction by Dr. Ryan Nelson, Orchestrations by David Siegel, Set Design by Thomas M. Ryan, Costume Design by Nancy Missimi, Lighting Design by Diane Ferry Williams, Sound Design by Robert E. Gilmartin, Projection Design by Sage Carter, and Properties Design by Sally Weiss. Patti Garwood conducts the Marriott Theatre Orchestra.

The performance schedule is Wednesdays at 1:00 p.m. and 8:00pm, Thursdays and Fridays at 8:00 p.m., Saturdays at 4:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., and Sundays at 1:00pm and 5:00 p.m. Ticket prices range from $41 to $49, plus tax and handling fees. Seniors and Students receive $5.00 off a full prIce Theatre ticket on Wednesday 1:00pm, Saturday at 4:30 p.m. and Sundays at 1:00pm and 5:00pm. On Wednesday and Thursday evenings a limited number of Dinner and Theatre tickets are available for only $55.00 per person plus handling fees. Dinner is at King's Wharf Restaurant or the Fairfield Inn (based on dining availability). Free parking is available at all performances. To purchase tickets with a major credit card, call the Marriott Theatre Box Office at 847.634.0200 or www.Ticketmaster.com. Visit www.MarriottTheatre.com for more information.

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