THE DOYLE & DEBBIE SHOW to Close This Weekend Chicago

lonesome road productions, in association with Jim Jensen and Lisselan Productions, announce the final week of Chicago performances for the critically-acclaimed hit, the Doyle & Debbie show, created by Bruce Arntson, and starring Bruce Arntson, Jenny Littleton and Matt Carlton.  The show, playing at The Royal George Cabaret, will close May 27, 2012. 

Tickets for the final extension are currently on sale at the Royal George box office, 1641 N. Halsted Street, by phone (312) 988-9000; through TicketMaster at TicketMaster.com or (800) 745-3000; and online at www.doyleanddebbie.com.  

Tickets sales in Chicago have exceeded expectation, which has warranted several extensions of the production. The cast has been playing to packed houses since opening at The Royal George Cabaret on October 11, 2011.  At Conan O’Brien’s invitation,the Doyle and Debbie show performed on Conan on January 10, 2012, marking the Doyle and Debbie show’s second appearance on his national talk show.

Over the past five years, the Doyle & Debbie show has developed a rabid cult following in Nashville, with many fans who have seen the show over a dozen times – everyone from theatre-going professional to college students who wouldn’t be caught dead in a theater or a country bar.   The show was first performed in June 2006 in Nashville, TN.   the Doyle & Debbie Show opened in the legendary Bluegrass venue,The Station Inn, in October 2007, where it has been playing Tuesday nights ever since.  Doyle and Debbie have performed in a variety of venues around the country and opened for an extended run in Chicago at The Royal George Cabaret on October 11, 2011.

Producer Karen Berry says, “Chicago audiences have embraced the Doyle and Debbie show.  Night after night as audiences leave, we hear comments about the intelligent and funny script and the remarkably talented cast.  We are thrilled to have another seven weeks in Chicago for a final opportunity for people to catch the show.”

Producer Jeff Lee comments, “Chicago is a great theater town and the show has been so well-received here.  Chicago has certainly shown us that the show has widespread appeal.  We look forward to the next adventure with the Doyle and Debbie showas we continue planning to bring the show to other cities." 

Producer Todd Lacy adds, “From the very first performances here in Chicago—and especially after the rave reviews—we knew we had a hit on our hands.  Adults of all ages, backgrounds and races with various musical preferences have loved this show. The word of mouth has been outstanding, which largely contributed to high ticket demand, allowing us to extend the show several times.”  

Doyle Mayfield, an old-guard country star with a handful of hits back in the 70s and 80s, is reviving his career thirty years, four wives, and three Debbies later. The new Debbie, a single mother with three children, sees this lovable lothario as her last chance to make it big in Nashville – but she also questions hitching her star to this loose cannon.

the Doyle & Debbie show – featuring all-original songs – is sublime homage and parody, simultaneously idolizing and lampooning country music's tradition of iconic duos and the battle of the sexes that accompany them.  Bruce Arntson and Jenny Littleton take audiences on a freewheeling joyride through a wickedly funny script and score – all delivered with utmost sincerity. 

Creator and star Bruce Arntson led his first rock band at the age of 13 and spent years as a bandleader or sideman (keyboards and sax) before writing thematic songs for the Emmy Award-winning kids’ show, Hey Vern, It’s Ernest, which became his training ground for film scoring (Touchstone/Disney), television writing (Saturday morning CBS show) and screenwriting. 

He has composed and performed with Tennessee Repertory Theatre, Tennessee Dance Theatre, Dark Horse Theatre, and others. He co-wrote, composed songs and score, and starred in the cult musical feature Existo, based on his stage act, which won numerous “Best Feature” and “Audience Choice” awards on the festival circuit.  It was during his time working for the CMT show Inside Fame that he conceived the Doyle & Debbie show.

The designers are Kevin Depinet (set), Keith Parham (lights), Annie Freeman (costumes) and Michael Bodeen (sound).

Tickets for the limited engagement are on sale at the Royal George box office, 1641 N. Halsted Street, by phone (312) 988-9000, through TicketMaster.com or www.doyleanddebbie.com.

Tickets are $28.50-$54.50.  Student tickets are available at the Royal George box office for $20.  Student tickets must be purchased in-person with a student I.D.   Discounted group tickets are available through Group Theater Tix,www.grouptheatretix.com, 312-423-6612.

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