broadway in chicago 2011 lineup

We've got lots of exciting things in store!

Here’s the full lineup (from today's Chicago Sun Times)

—“Les Miserables” (Feb. 2-27, 2011 at the Cadillac Palace Theatre): The “new” 25th anniversary production of this Boubil and Schonberg classic. (Classic it may be, but I will forever hear Patti's voice in my head exclaiming, "SHUT UPPPPP!! Work it OUT!!! Quit your WHINING!" I've seen it twice, and have no real desire to see it again, so "pull me a pint, mate, I've got a revolution to sit out!")

—“Working” (Feb. 15-May 8, 2011 at the Broadway Playhouse, Water Tower Place): A reworked version of the Stephen Schwartz musical inspired by Studs Terkel’s oral history, with new songs, including one by Tony Award-winner Lin-Manuel Miranda of “In the Heights” fame. (How funny is this, by the way, a friend of mine LOVES this show and was recently wondering if it would come back around.)

—“Hair” (March 8-20, 2011 at the Ford Center for the Performing Arts/Oriental Theatre): The landmark peace-and-love rock musical of the 1960s is back. (YAY!!! Hippies at the Ford Center - peace and love, man! Can't wait for this one!)

—“Merchant of Venice” (March 15-27, 2011 at the Bank of America Theatre): Shakespeare at his most daring, with F. Murray Abraham taking on the role of Shylock (now being played on Broadway by Al Pacino).

—“Wishful Thinking” (April 5-17, 2011 at the Bank of America Theatre): Carrie Fisher performs her autobiographical solo show that deals with her famous parents, her role in “Star Wars” and her battles with the bottle and depression. (I thought this was called "Wishful Drinking"??)

—“Next to Normal” (April 26-May 8, 2011 at the Bank of America Theatre): More mental illness in this 2010 Pulitzer Prize-winning musical, with Broadway’s Alice Ripley reprising her starring role. (SO excited to see this!!!)

Off-Season Specials:

—“Rain: A Tribute to the Beatles” ((Feb. 8-13, 2011): The “clones” of the Fab Four will return to sing all the greatest hits.

—“Spring Awakening” (May 3-8, 2011): The Tony Award-winning Duncan Sheik-Steven Sater musical about 19th century teens on the brink of calamity makes a return visit. (Am SO going to see this again - for the song "Totally Fucked" - maybe seats on the stage this time??)

—Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” (June 28-July 10, 2011): Love the beast you’re near and he might just turn into a prince.