
|
Broadway In Chicago and Metra are pleased to announce a new promotion featuring nine shows coming to Chicago this summer: CHICAGO THE MUSICAL, LES MISÉRABLES, SPAMALOT, KINKY BOOTS, WATER FOR ELEPHANTS, SUFFS, & JULIET, THE NOTEBOOK, and THE OUTSIDERS. |
|
|
|
|
|
Telegraph). Set against the backdrop of 19th century France, LES MISÉRABLES tells an enthralling story of broken dreams and unrequited love, passion, sacrifice and redemption – a timeless testament to the survival of the human spirit. The magnificent score of LES MISÉRABLES includes the songs “I Dreamed a Dream,” “On My Own,” “Bring Him Home,” “One Day More” and many more. |
|
|
The original Broadway production was nominated for fourteen Tony Awards and won three, including best musical. The musical comedy lovingly ripped off from the film classic, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, SPAMALOT features well-known song titles such as “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life,” “The Song That Goes Like This,” “Find Your Grail” and more that have become beloved classics in the musical theatre canon. |
|
|
by Cyndi Lauper, book by four-time Tony Award-winner Harvey Fierstein , and original direction and Tony-winning choreography by Jerry Mitchell. |
|
|
dazzling” life (Time Out New York) in a unique, spectacle-filled new musical! Hailed as a Critic’s Pick, The New York Times calls it “stunning, emotional, heart-filled and gorgeously imaginative.” |
|
|
musical SUFFS about the brilliant, passionate, and funny American women who fought tirelessly for the right to vote. Created by Shaina Taub, the first woman to ever independently win Tony Awards for Best Book and Best Score in the same season, this “thrilling, inspiring and dazzlingly entertaining” (Variety ) new musical boldly explores the triumphs and failures of a struggle for equality that’s far from over. Winner of the Outer Critics’ Circle Award for Best New Musical. |
|
|
ditches her famous ending for a fresh beginning and a second chance at life and love — her way. |
|
|
songs” (Entertainment Weekly), THE NOTEBOOK is a deeply moving portrait of the enduring power of love, and features music by singer-songwriter Ingrid Michaelson and a book by TV’s Bekah Brunstetter (“This Is Us”). |
|
|
who they want to become in a world that will never accept them. THE OUTSIDERS features Danya Taymor’s Tony Award winning direction that’s “refreshing, gritty, and endlessly effective.” (The New York Times). With “high-octane choreography” (New York Magazine), THE OUTSIDERS has been described as “more pulse-pounding than anything else on Broadway!” (Time Out New York). |
It is with high recommendation that I urge theatre goers and entertainment seekers alike to take in Drury Lanes’ production of the beloved classic, Les Miserables, in celebration of their 30th Anniversary. Multi-Jeff Award winning director of the production, Rachel Rockwell, stuck adamantly to the original storyline and stayed true to the musical score in its’ entirety. This production lacked nothing as far as preserving the integrity of Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schonberg’s classic musical depiction. The incredibly moving score originally orchestrated by Boublil, Schonberg, Herbert Kretzmer and Jean-Marc Nate remained unaltered and was exceptionally directed by Roberta Duchak. This is very good news for anyone who hasn’t yet had the privilege to witness this definitive story performed live on stage and those who have alike.
Drury Lane Theatre is an impressively extravagant venue and very comfortable. As far as the stage and presentation, the setting seemed minimal, which I liked. Incorporating a minimalist display allowed for near seamless transitions in between scenes. Each prop, carefully placed, certainly carried a quality touchstone appearance (thank you Scott Davis), only adding to the authenticity presented in each scene. At times, I felt the projection on the backdrop was lacking in detail, though it did not take away from the immersive special effects used throughout the performance, including lighting design that offered remarkable focus and some very impressively choreographed slow motion dramatizations. Overall, the production value was sufficient, though not mind-blowing.
The performance was nothing less than should be expected for such a prestigious act and in such an esteemed venue, often exceeded expectations. Lead role and casting director Ivan Rutherford who has performed the role of Jean Valjean more than 2,000 times on Broadway performed flawlessly. The range of highs to lows that complemented each musical number in his every appearance was only matched by the array of emotion displayed in his moving performance. Quentin Earl Darrington portraying lawman Inspector Jabert, blew the audience’ mind with his powerful vocals and dedicated performance. One fan admitting after the show “He sent chills through my body”.
The audience was moved (some justifiably to tears) by the role of Fantine compellingly performed by Jennie Sophia. I would have liked to of seen more of the beautiful Emily Rohm (playing Cosette). Her fragile character will always personify the only true purity within this tragic tale.
Of course some performers did a great job adding humor to balance the tragic nature of this story. Performers Mark David Kaplan and Sharon Sachs playing Thenardier and Madame Thenardier (Cosette’s underhanded guardians) continuously left the audience in an uproar of laughter. Their performances added great comic relief and expressively portrayed characters that I truly loved to hate. But the truest and most delightful experience for me and many others was the perfectly cast Matthew Uzarraga. While performing the role of the young and fearless revolutionary Gavroche, Uzarraga lifted each and every spectator’s spirit. I even caught some of the other stage performers falling out of character and lighting up in his presence. To a truly fearless performance, hats off to you sir, you’re gonna go far.
This is definitely a show worth seeing for fans of Les Mis and for those unfamiliar alike. If you’re a fan of theatre, you will absolutely enjoy this production. Very well done.
Les Miserables is playing at Drury Lane Theater in Oakbrook through June 8th. To find out more information on this show, visit www.drurylaneoakbrook.com or call 630-530-0111.
American Blues Theater, under the continued leadership of Executive Artistic Director Gwendolyn Whiteside, announces the recipient of the 2026 Blue Ink Award is Nia Akilah…
In times of stress, we often turn to familiar and comforting things: a favorite song, a dog-eared book, a movie…
Chamber music may be one of music’s most misunderstood children. An early form of classical music, it has always been…
Remy Bumppo Theatre Company is pleased to announce the cast, creative and production teams for the first production in its 2026…
Victory Gardens Theater (2433 N. Lincoln Avenue), an historic incubator for new play development, proudly announces the World Premiere staging of The…
Secrets, sisterhood and solving crime take center stage this fall in the world premiere co-production of Dead Girl's Quinceañera by Miami native…
Steppenwolf Theatre Company, the nation's premier ensemble theater company, is pleased to continue its 51st Season with the world premiere of Chicago playwright Stephanie…
Writers Theatre, under the leadership of Executive Director Kathryn M. Lipuma and Alexandra C. and John D. Nichols Artistic Director Braden Abraham, concluded its 2025/26…
Chicago City Opera (CCO) presents an evening of two one act Mozart operas The Impresario and Bastien and Bastienne combined…
Producers Kevin McCollum and Kurt Deutsch, along with Broadway In Chicago are thrilled to announce THE NOTEBOOK, a new musical based…
Following last year’s smashing sold-out engagement, the Joan W. and Irving B. Harris Theater for Music and Dance proudly presents the return…
Guarneri Hall, an intimate state-of-the-art, custom-built classical music venue in the heart of downtown Chicago, proudly opens its 2026/27 season…
Chicago Magic Lounge welcomes back acclaimed magician David Parr as its Fall Artist in Residence with David Parr: Time Traveler, a new theatrical experience…
Nearly fifty years after its groundbreaking premiere, Ntozake Shange's for colored girls who have considered suicide / when the rainbow…
A quick history lesson: Anne Bonny and Mary Read are two of history’s most famous female pirates. Both women disguised…
The Tony Award® winning Best Musical, THE OUTSIDERS, based on the seminal novel by S.E. Hinton and Francis Ford Coppola’s landmark motion picture, returns to Chicago…
Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) announces the cast and creative team for Play On!, which opens the Theater's 40th Anniversary Season. This jazz musical tells…
Today, Goodman Theatre achieves a new milestone in its 100th anniversary season: Walter Artistic Director Susan V. Booth and Executive…
Kevin McCollum & Lucas McMahon and Mike Lavoie & Carlee Briglia, along with Broadway In Chicago announced today that Tony…
Lake Forest’s Citadel Theatre has announced the full cast and crew for its season opener - the satirical comedy EUREKA…
Rivendell Theatre Ensemble, Chicago's only professional theater that seeks to advance women through the power of storytelling, announces the cast for…
Definition Theatre is proud to present How We Got On, a mix-tape for the stage by playwright Idris Goodwin and directed by Tyrone Phillips. How We…
The nonprofit service organization 3Arts announces the date for its annual 3Arts Awards Celebration, a festive evening of dynamic performances by Chicago artists and the…
A new company, Heart of Gold Theatre, is presenting the Chicago premiere of Mike Barlett’s An Intervention. Bartlett is a…
Carmela misses her papi, because papi is missing some of his papers.Chicago Children’s Theatre presents Carmela Full of Wishes, a…
Promethean Theatre Ensemble announced today it will stage the Chicago premiere of BLOOD OF THE LAMB, by Arlene Hutton, a gripping two-woman,…
Metropolis Performing Arts Centre’s new staging of The Wizard of Oz sends audiences down the yellow brick road with a…
Jackalope Theatre Company is proud to announce the schedule for the 17th Annual Living Newspaper Festival, August 20 - 24, at the Jackalope Theatre…
Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre (CRDT), the Chicago-based dance company, is proud to announce its 2026 - 2027 season. In the coming year,…
It may be the middle of summer, but for fans of Universal’s “Love Actually,” Christmas comes early this year. GEA…
Steppenwolf Theatre Presents ADIRONDACK CHAIR CIRCLE – October 22 – December 6, 2026 – World Premiere!
Writers Theatre celebrates record-breaking 2025/26 Season with artistic growth and unprecedented ticket sales
American Blues Theater names Nia Akilah Robinson the recipient of the 2026 Blue Ink Award for her play Overnight at the Museum and announces featured finalists Benjamin Benne and Claire Crowley
Does your theatre company want to connect with Buzz Center Stage or would you like to reach out and say "hello"? Message us through facebook or shoot us an email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
*This disclaimer informs readers that the views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in the text belong solely to the author, and not necessarily to Buzz Center Stage. Buzz Center Stage is a non-profit, volunteer-based platform that enables, and encourages, staff members to post their own honest thoughts on a particular production.