Chat About Drury Lane Theatre April 9-June 7, 2015

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ERinVA
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Re: Drury Lane Theatre, Oakbrook, Illinois

Post by ERinVA »

Looks like the dates for BETM at the Drury Lane Theatre are now confirmed to be April 9 - June 7, 2015.

http://www.broadwayworld.com/chicago/ar ... 9-20140827
Drury Lane Theatre will present the legendary Broadway musical CAMELOT from October 30 through January 4, 2015; the musical phenomenon WEST SIDE STORY from January 15 through March 15, 2015; and the venue will kick off its 2015-2016 season with the international smash hit musical BILLY ELLIOT from April 9 through June 7, 2015. For 30 years, Drury Lane Theatre has been a major force on the Chicagoland theater scene. Over that time, 10,208 performances have been staged, 7,683 actors have been employed, and over 9,000,000 people have enjoyed the venue's 308 productions and concerts. Additionally, the theater has hired more than 10,000 musicians, designers, and crew members.
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Re: Drury Lane Theatre, Oakbrook, IL, April 9-June 7, 2015

Post by kport »

Playbill has posted Children's Roles auditions:

http://m.playbill.com/jobs/job_detail/330511

Interesting to note the absence of any mention of Actors Equity or AE pay. Perhaps an oversight; but if it is true, it could effectively rule out any recent North American Billys, all of whom are (I believe) members of AE.

It looks as though there will be flying in Dream Ballet.
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Re: Drury Lane Theatre, Oakbrook, IL, April 9-June 7, 2015

Post by CJ-Rochester »

I see this time the role of Billy is included in the auditions, whereas it was not in some of the other regional shows. Some of the adult cast in the Ogunquit show had credits listing Drury Lane, so it must be at least partial Equity.
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Re: Drury Lane Theatre, Oakbrook, IL, April 9-June 7, 2015

Post by kport »

Another announcement about children's auditions - this one has more detail:

https://www.exploretalent.com/auditions ... BgkI2BX-uY

It states that the children's roles are listed as non-union, as is the theater.

It states that each Billy and each Michael will perform four shows a week, and that there will be only five ballet girls (plus Debbie?). No mention of Small Boy or Posh/Tall Boy - perhaps they will find these from the Billy/Michael audtionees.
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Re: Drury Lane Theatre, Oakbrook, IL, April 9-June 7, 2015

Post by ERinVA »

Looks like the Senior Citizens will be supporting the show in April:


April 22 — "Billy Elliott" musical at Drury Lane Theatre and lunch and tour at Jelly Belly. $109.


http://journaltimes.com/print_specific/ ... 4bfd5.html
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Re: Drury Lane Theatre, Oakbrook, IL, April 9-June 7, 2015

Post by kport »

Here is a recent announcement, from the Chicago Sun Times:

http://entertainment.suntimes.com/music ... on-lineup/
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Re: Chat About Drury Lane Theatre April 9-June 7, 2015

Post by kport »

This is the most comprehensive announcement so far, and includes the cast's names.

http://www.broadwayworld.com/chicago/ar ... 0-20150324

Previews begin April 10; the show opens on the 16th.
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Re: Chat About Drury Lane Theatre April 9-June 7, 2015

Post by kport »

It looks as though there will be the use of Geordie(?) dialect and Flying:

Additionally, Christine Adair is the Dialect Coach (Broadway and First North American Tour productions of Mary Poppins) and Matt Hawkins is the Fight Choreographer (Les Miserables at Drury Lane Theatre and The Wheel and Belleville at Steppenwolf Theatre Company).

http://www.broadwayworld.com/chicago/ar ... 0-20150324#
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Re: Chat About Drury Lane Theatre April 9-June 7, 2015

Post by cws8998 »

From the out-set, I confess a personal weakness by the admission of my own skepticism as to whether or not I could enjoy a "regionally produced production" of BETM to the depth or degree I was able to experience from the "umpteen" performances of the musical from Chicago thru NYC, numerous tour venues and the UK. Perhaps I stand guilty of being biased by my utter familiarity and love affair with the original production, I'm not sure.

Suffice it to say, however, I'm prepared to have those doubts seriously challenged in a big way, as I am booked into numerous performances at the Drury Lane Theater (and Confrence Center) just west of downtown Chicago. Drury Lane is a very handsome performance venue with its own production company, and which historically has possessed the highest reputation in the Chicago area for their quality reproduction of Broadway classics.

The theater seats 970 folks in an elegant setting. It has but a main floor in a dynamic pie-shaped configuration, 2 main aisles, orchestra pit below the stage, the Front of which "bows" out considerably more than those to which we may be accustomed. It provides for excellent sight lines for the two side sections of the theater. Three restaurants and a "critics corner bar" and generously sized lounge all share a common lobby and provide you immediate entrance to the theater whenever you're prepared to take your seat.

As you may know, Drury Lane Production Company is training two Billys; obviously a necessity given the musical is booked for 69 performances, over two months, 8-per week (three double headers) with no shows on Mon-Tues (days reserved for children's theater). It will be fascinating to watch Kyle Halford and Nick Dantes in their interpretations of the role of Billy. I expect them to be superbly talented, conditioned, and trained for the role's demands, as well as I'm hopeful the entire cast will deliever with distinction the powerful messages this musical is capable of providing its audience.

Most of you may not be interested in this information. Nevertheless, as I am prepared to have my own "doubts" seriously challenged, perhaps some of you will, and have experienced the same pre-trepidation when viewing your own regional productions. It appears the Drury Lane's production will be the next "extended " run of the musical in the US, and I am doing my best to prepare myself to be empowered all over again. We shall see!

By the way, "Libera" is appearing in the Chicago area (St. Charles), a few days prior to Billy's opening. How lucky do I feel being able to see both so close together and so close to home. The opportunity has to be a once in a lifetime experience.

Colin
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Re: Chat About Drury Lane Theatre April 9-June 7, 2015

Post by CJ-Rochester »

kport wrote:This is the most comprehensive announcement so far, and includes the cast's names.
http://www.broadwayworld.com/chicago/ar ... 0-20150324
Did anyone else notice the performance schedule. Saturdays will be quite a killer with only 1/2 hour break between the two shows!
The performance schedule is as follows: Wednesdays at 1:30 p.m. ($45), Thursdays at 1:30 p.m. ($45) and 8 p.m. ($55), Fridays at 8 p.m. ($60), Saturdays at 5 p.m. ($60), and 8:30 p.m. ($60), and Sundays at 2 p.m. ($60), and 6 p.m. ($55).
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