Rod Blagojevich Superstar Comes to Chicago Shakespeare March 26-May 3

—Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) welcomes Second City back to Navy Pier with a limited six-week engagement of their smash hit, Rod Blagojevich Superstar. The show will play in a cabaret-style setting in which audience members can enjoy drinks Upstairs at Chicago Shakespeare. At CST, the production will feature new music and frequent updates—incorporating Blagojevich's brother, his $100,000 book deal and Roland Burris's son as the Illinois political saga continues to unfold. Following each performance, the cast will improvise a 20-minute political comedy set based on audience suggestions. Rod Blagojevich Superstar runs March 26 through May 3, 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.

Originating as a joke at a holiday party, writers Ed Furman (book) and T.J. Shanoff (music and lyrics) quickly turned Rod Blagojevich Superstar into a critically acclaimed musical account of the rise and fall of ex-Governor Rod Blagojevich. Never afraid to push the boundaries with their long tradition of satirizing political headlines, the Second City writers and cast have turned the Blagojevich scandal into a rollicking musical that quickly sold out its run at the Second City e.t.c. In response to continued, overwhelming demand, the company will give a special command performance in Springfield to delight elected officials and citizens of the capital city before returning to Chicago for a limited engagement on Navy Pier.

"We are hoping to have the Rod wig blessed or anointed while we're in Springfield," reports Second City Vice President Kelly Leonard. "Then, we'll have an armored car service deliver the wig directly to Navy Pier."

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 cast of Rod Blagojevich Superstar includes Joey Bland (Rod Blagojevich), Mike Bradecich (Richard Mell/Pat Fitzgerald), Lauren Dowden (Lisa Madigan), Lori McClain (Patti Blagojevich) and Sam Richardson (Roland Burris).

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 runs for a limited engagement March 26 through May 3, 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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