ROD BLAGOJEVICH SUPERSTAR Gets Extended At Navy Pier Through 6/14

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) and Second City announced today that the hit musical Rod Blagojevich Superstar will be extending its run on Navy Pier through June 14th, due to tremendous demand and irresistible new source material provided daily by the former governor.

The extension begins May 7 and will kick off with a book signing of Pay to Play: How Rod Blagojevich Turned Political Corruption into a National Slideshow by author Elizabeth Brackett, who will join the cast for a 20-minute political improv set following the show. Rod Blagojevich Superstar is currently running through June 14, 2009, Upstairs at Chicago Shakespeare. Performance dates are Thursdays and Fridays at 7:30pm, Saturdays at 3:00pm, 7:00pm and 9:30pm and Sundays at 3:00pm. Tickets are $25 ($20 for groups of 10 or more) and may be purchased by visiting Chicago Shakespeare Theater's website at www.chicagoshakes.com or calling the CST Box Office at 312.595.5600.

Although the judge denied him the ability to leave the country, beginning May 7, the show will feature a brand-new improv game entitled Rod Island, portraying a never-before-seen bootleg copy of the pilot for Rod Blagojevich's new reality television show. Audiences can have confidence that, as the governor's saga continues to unfold, the hit musical will continue to evolve. The production follows the rise and fall of Rod Blagojevich with a 70s rock opera-like soundtrack and a story ripped straight from the headlines, and also stars all the key supporting players in the scandal including Roland Burris, Lisa Madigan, Patrick Fitzgerald, Patti Blagojevich and Richard Mell.

Kicking off the show's extension with a book signing and improvisational performance with the cast is Emmy Award and Peabody Award-winning author and host of Chicago Tonight, Elizabeth Brackett. In her new book, Pay to Play: How Rod Blagojevich Turned Political Corruption into a National Slideshow, Ms. Brackett goes behind the scenes and uncovers the details of the Blagojevich scandal. The book is an in-depth look at Blagojevich's background and political upbringing that led him to be the first governor to be impeached by the Illinois legislature.

Rod Blagojevich Superstar marks Second City's third production with Chicago Shakespeare Theater. The two companies first worked together in 2001 to create the critically acclaimed production of Hamlet! the Musical, followed by Romeo and Juliet the Musical in 2004. With Rod Blagojevich Superstar, Chicago Shakespeare and Second City continue their long tradition of bringing classic theater together with contemporary satire.

The acclaimed original cast of Rod Blagojevich Superstar will remain for the extension and includes Joey Bland (Rod Blagojevich), Mike Bradecich (Richard Mell/Pat Fitzgerald), Lauren Dowden (Lisa Madigan), Lori McClain (Patti Blagojevich) and Sam Richardson (Roland Burris).

Written by Ed Furman with Music & Lyrics by T.J. Shanoff, the production team includes Matt Hovde (Director), Boaz Reisman (Musical Director), Jeremy Smith (Stage Manager) and Lisa McQueen (Chorographer).

Rod Blagojevich Superstar contains adult humor and language and is recommended for mature audiences.

Rod Blagojevich Superstar is extended through June 14, 2009 Upstairs at Chicago Shakespeare. Performance dates are Thursdays and Fridays at 7:30pm, Saturdays at 3:00pm, 7:00pm and 9:30pm and Sundays at 3:00pm. Each performance will be followed by a 20-minute improv set based on audience suggestions. Tickets are $25 ($20 for groups of 10 or more) and may be purchased by calling Chicago Shakespeare Theater's Box Office at 312.595.5600 or by visiting the Theater's website at www.chicagoshakes.com.

 

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