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.
Photo credit: Peter Coombs and the Marriott Theatre
Zachary Keller and Timothy Gulan
Michele Ragusa and Johnny Rabe
Johnny Rabe, Michele Ragusa and cast
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