Drury Lane Theatre opens its 2025/26 with the thrilling Chicago Regional Premiere of The Da Vinci Code, based on the novel by Dan Brown, adapted by Rachel Wagstaff and Duncan Abel, and directed by Elizabeth Margolius. Witness the action-packed novel live on stage as Professor Robert Langdon and cryptologist Sophie Neveu race against the clock to unlock the secrets of Da Vinci, April 9 – June 1, 2025 at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace.  

Based on the best-selling novel of the century, Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code transforms into a thrilling new immersive experience in this Chicago Regional Premiere. Innovative staging and dynamic effects plunge you into a world where renowned professor Robert Langdon and cryptologist Sophie Neveu race through a labyrinth of ancient clues and modern dangers. As shadows hold secrets, surveillance lurks at every turn, and centuries-old conspiracies emerge in real time, you'll discover The Da Vinci Code as you've never encountered it before. What truths hide behind sacred walls? What deadly traps await those who dare to seek answers? Experience the theatrical event of the year that transforms one of the most provocative thrillers ever told into a pulse-pounding journey of revelation.

The creative team includes Elizabeth Margolius (director-last directed Drury Lane's groundbreaking production of The Fiddler on The Roof), Scott Penner (scenic designer), Nicole Boylan (costume designer), Lee Fiskness (lighting designer), Joshua Schmidt (sound designer and composer), Anthony Churchill (co-projection designer), Mike Tutaj (co-projection designer), Bridget Rzymski (wig and hair designer), Eva Breneman (dialect coach), Darren Leonard (associate director), and Larry Baker (production stage manager). 

The Da Vinci Code will be presented at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace, April 9 – June 1, 2025. Single tickets go on January 17, 2025 at 10 a.m. and will be available by phone at (630) 530-0111 or online at www.drurylanetheatre.com. Groups of 10 or more can receive special group pricing. 

Fact Sheet / The Da Vinci Code

Title:                                              The Da Vinci Code

Adapted by:                                 Rachel Wagstaff and Duncan Abel

Based on the novel by:             Dan Brown

Content Advisory:                      The Da Vinci Code contains simulated gunshots and violence.

Directed by:                                    Elizabeth Margolius

Creatives:                                           

Elizabeth Margolius (director), Scott Penner (scenic designer), Nicole Boylan (costume designer), Lee Fiskness (lighting designer), Joshua Schmidt (sound designer and composer), Anthony Churchill (co-projection designer), and Mike Tutaj (co-projection designer). Bridget Rzymski (wig and hair designer), Eva Breneman (dialect designer), Darren Leonard (associate director), and Larry Baker (production stage manager).

Dates:                                              April 9 – June 1, 2025

Press Opening:                          Thursday, April 17, 2025 at 7pm

Schedule:                                      Wednesdays: 1:30 p.m.

                                                           Thursdays: 1:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.

                                                           Fridays: 7:00 p.m.

                                                           Saturdays: 3:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.

                                                           Sundays: 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.                               

Location:                                       Drury Lane Theatre at 100 Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace

Tickets:                                              

Tickets range from $75 - $150

Group discounts available to groups of 10 or more

Dining and show packages available

Senior discounts available

Box Office:                                         

100 Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace

(630) 530-0111

Monday through Sunday from 10am to 5pm

or visit DruryLaneTheatre.com

Season and Membership Information

Concluding the 2024/25 season is the inspiring true story Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (January 29, 2025 – March 23, 2025). The 2025/2026 season opens with the Chicago premiere of The Da Vinci Code (April 9 – June 1, 2025), followed by a love letter to a country music icon in Always...Patsy Cline (June 11 - August 3, 2025); the riveting thriller Dial M for Murder (September 3 - October 26, 2025); the divine feel-good musical comedy Sister Act (November 12, 2025 - January 11, 2026) and the exhilarating music of the Miami Sound Machine in On Your Feet! The Story of Emilio & Gloria Estefan (January 28 - March 22, 2026).

Drury Lane Theatre's performance schedule for the 2025/2026 season is as follows: Wednesdays at 1:30 p.m., Thursdays at 1:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., Fridays at 7:00 p.m., Saturdays at 3:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., and Sundays at 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.

Lock in your seats for a season of spectacular theatre with Drury Lane's new Membership Program! Members have exclusive access to uniquely tailored benefits designed to enrich their Drury Lane experience, all at a cost savings of more than 50% off single ticket prices. Membership includes Tier One seating for all five Drury Lane Theatre productions, free ticket exchanges, dedicated dining credits at Lucille Restaurant, exclusive event invitations, Member pre-sales and unlimited single ticket discounts. Membership prices range from $229.25 - $260.75. For more information, visit DruryLaneTheatre.com.

Group tickets start at $45 and Student group tickets start at just $35. On-site dining is available at Lucille Restaurant with convenient pre-show or post-show prix fixe menus. To book a group of 10 people or more, call Group Services at 630-570-7272 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Gift certificates to Drury Lane can be purchased in any denomination, never expire, and can be used for performances, at Lucille Restaurant or for Drury Lane Events. Gift certificates can be purchased online at drurylanetheatre.com/gift-certificates or by calling the box office.

Dining and Special Events

Excellence isn't limited to the stage at Drury Lane! Before or after the show, theatergoers can indulge in delicious onsite dining at Lucille Restaurant featuring seasonal pre-fixe menus and an elevated atmosphere to complete their experience. Boasting over a century of collective expertise in hospitality, the dedicated team ensures that you will be cared for with freshly prepared meals, handcrafted cocktails, and exceptional service. At Drury Lane, everything is in one place, so you will never be late for your performance.

About Drury Lane Theatre  

Built from scratch. Built in Oakbrook. Built for you. 

Founded by Anthony DeSantis over 70 years ago, Drury Lane remains a family-run organization under the leadership of President Kyle DeSantis. Drury Lane Theatre continues as a major force in the Chicagoland theatre scene, producing world-class theatre in collaboration with some of the nation's leading actors, directors, and creative minds. Drury Lane Theatre produces the highest quality theatrical experience that immerses and supports our artists and audiences in the exploration of what it means to be human and to experience the transcending power of the performing and visual arts. Drury Lane strives to create an environment in which every individual or group is welcomed, respected, supported, valued and able to fully experience and participate in this transformative art form. 

The theatre has staged more than 2,000 productions and has been nominated for over 360 Joseph Jefferson Awards. Drury Lane proudly employs thousands of professional actors, musicians, designers, and crew members to entertain upwards of nine million audience members and counting.

This winter, The Joffrey Ballet presents Golden Hour, a radiant mixed repertoire program of warmth and splendor. Featuring world premieres by Yuri Possokhov and Dani Rowe, the return of Cathy Marston, and an audience favorite by Nicolas Blanc, the curated program welcomes audiences in from the cold to experience the light of these four immersive works. Golden Hour will be presented at the historic Lyric Opera House, 20 North Upper Wacker Drive in downtown Chicago, in ten performances only, from February 20 to March 2, 2025. 

Yuri Possokhov, frequent choreographer at the Joffrey whose most recent productions include the highly praised adaptation of Anna Karenina, in addition to The Miraculous Mandarin and Don Quixote, returns with Andante, an intimate world premiere created for three dancers, set to a score by Dmitri Shostakovich. Inspired by the word “andante,” which describes slow, evenly paced music, Possokhov creates a moving meditation on the intricacies of human relationships, from tension to elation.

In her first-ever collaboration with The Joffrey Ballet, Australian choreographer Dani Rowe will present an adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s timeless fairy tale, Princess and the Pea, in a dynamic and modern re-envisioning. Set to a new score by Jim Stephenson, the work follows the young Penelopea as she embarks on a daring quest for justice in the authoritarian world of Pea Town. As she battles the oppressive Master Pea to regain her fathers’ freedom, Penelopea discovers the power of individuality and growth, leading to a revolution that transforms Pea Town into something no one could have ever expected.

The Mary B. Galvin Artistic Director Ashley Wheater MBE said, "Dani's reimagining of the Princess and the Pea carries wisdom from one generation to the next, broadening our perspectives of the human experience. Providing a platform for new works and retelling classic tales to resonate with contemporary themes is what the Joffrey does best." He added, "We are thrilled to welcome back frequent Joffrey collaborator Yuri Possokhov for the world premiere of Andante, a moving new work reflecting on the complexity of relationships and our yearning for connection."  

"On the heels of the most-attended season of The Nutcracker in Joffrey history, Golden Hour will meet our audiences' growing demand while remaining authentic to Robert Joffrey's founding mission to communicate life through dance," said President and CEO Greg Cameron. "Dani Rowe's world premiere of Princess and the Pea reminds us to stand up for our beliefs in the face of adversity. Meanwhile, works by Yuri Possokhov, Cathy Marston, and Nicolas Blanc invite us to consider the power of the arts to bring us together. There is a story for everyone."

Golden Hour continues with Cathy Marston’s Heimat, a dance interpretation of the glorious symphonic poem Seigfried Idyll. Composed by Richard Wagner in Switzerland after the birth of his son, Heimat paints a halcyon picture of a family in the Swiss countryside. Marston defines the German word “heimat” as the feeling of home, which is not necessarily where one lives or was born, but rather a place of spiritual and creative familiarity. Following the critically acclaimed US premiere of her feature-length ballet Atonement in October, Marston said that “heimat” is a tender description of her personal feelings about Chicago and The Joffrey Ballet.

Lastly, Nicolas Blanc’s Under the Trees’ Voices examines the persistence of community and connection in the age of distance and isolation. Set to Bosso’s Symphony No. 2, Blanc’s choreography arose from his observations of the nuances of people’s temperaments during the spring of 2020 as the weather became warmer and the chill of pandemic restrictions thawed. In four distinct sections, Under the Trees’ Voices imagines a future of hope and unity, reminding us that we are better together than alone.

Golden Hour features live music performed by the Lyric Opera Orchestra, conducted by Scott Speck, Music Director of The Joffrey Ballet.

Tickets and Schedule
The Joffrey Ballet presents Golden Hour from Thursday, February 20 to Sunday, March 2, 2025; the full performance schedule is as follows: Thursday, February 20 at 7:30PM; Friday, February 21 at 7:30PM; Saturday, February 22 at 2:00PM and 7:30PM; Sunday, February 23 at 2:00PM; Thursday, February 27 at 7:30PM; Friday, February 28 at 7:30PM; Saturday, March 1 at 2:00PM and 7:30PM; and Sunday, March 2 at 2:00PM.

Single tickets start at $36 and are available for purchase at Lyric Opera Box Office located at 20 N. Upper Wacker Dr. and by telephone at 312.386.8905, or online at joffrey.org.

About The Joffrey Ballet 
The Joffrey Ballet is one of the premier dance companies in the world today, with a reputation for boundary-breaking performances for 69 years. The Joffrey repertoire is an extensive collection of all-time classics, modern masterpieces, and original works.  

Founded in 1956 by pioneers Robert Joffrey and Gerald Arpino, the Joffrey remains dedicated to artistic expression, innovation, and first-rate education and engagement programming. The Joffrey Ballet continues to thrive under The Mary B. Galvin Artistic Director Ashley Wheater MBE and President and CEO Greg Cameron. 

The Joffrey Ballet is grateful for the support of its 2024-2025 Season Sponsors: Abbott Fund, Alphawood Foundation Chicago, Daniel and Pamella DeVos Foundation, The Florian Fund, Gallagher, Anne L. Kaplan, and Live Music Sponsors: Sandy and Roger Deromedi, Sage Foundation, Robert and Penelope Steiner Family Foundation, and The Marina and Arnold Tatar Fund for Live Music. The Joffrey also acknowledges Season Partners: Chicago Athletic Clubs, and Athletico Physical Therapy, official provider of physical therapy for The Joffrey Ballet. 

Special thanks to Princess and the Pea Commissioning Sponsors Courtney C. Shea and Mary Jo and Doug Basler, an Anonymous Princess and the Pea Commissioned Score Sponsor, and Under the Trees’ Voices Sponsor Mary Jo and Doug Basler.

For more information on The Joffrey Ballet and its programs, visit joffrey.org. Connect with the Joffrey on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. 

Chicagoland's longest running musical theatre, Marriott Theatre, officially kicks off its spectacular 50th Anniversary Season with one of the most enduring and beloved musicals of all time, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, previewing on Wednesday, February 5, opening on Wednesday, February 12 at 7pm and running through March 30. Directed and choreographed by Jeff Award nominee Amber Mak (Marriott Theatre: Buddy - The Buddy Holly Story; Paramount: The Sound of Music, Beauty and the Beast), this vibrant reimagining of the biblical story of Joseph, his father Jacob, eleven brothers, and the iconic coat of many colors is set to captivate audiences of all ages. Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's beloved score is packed with pop and musical theatre classics, including "Any Dream Will Do," "Close Every Door," "There's One More Angel in Heaven" and "Go, Go, Go Joseph."

"I am absolutely thrilled to be helming and collaborating with the Marriott team on this fresh interpretation of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat for their 50th Anniversary Season," said director Amber Mak. "This production aims to be a joyous celebration of the power of storytelling as we explore this infectious score and story through the boundless imagination of a child's perspective. Joseph is a musical that has captivated audiences worldwide and I can't wait to share this vibrant new production and all-star cast of talent with the Marriott audience."

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat stars Devin DeSantis as "Joseph" (Marriott Theatre: Honeymoon in Vegas, Godspell; MUNY: Waitress; Goodman Theatre: Matchbox Magic Flute); Kaitlyn Davis as "Narrator" (Marriott/National: Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (Jeff Award); National: The Phantom of the Opera);  Lorenzo Rush Jr. as "Pharaoh" (Marriott Theatre: A Christmas Story, The Wizard of Oz, Holiday Inn; 3 Time Jeff Award Winner); and George Keating (Marriott Theatre: Hello, Dolly!, The Producers, Guys & Dolls) with Lillian Castillo, Avelyn Lena Choi, Sophie Liu David, Christopher Kale Jones, Kayla Kennedy, Ron King, Michael Earvin Martin, Teah Kiang Mirabelli, Leah Morrow, Justin Payton Nelson, Juwon Tyrel Perry, Tommy Rivera-Vega, Maxel Schingen, Lena Soszynski,  Elizabeth Telford, Amanda Walker, J Tyler Whitmer,  Margot Frank, Kevin Kuska, Jordan Radis, and Savannah Sinclair.

The artistic team features Associate Director Elizabeth Romero, Associate Choreographer Nich O'Neil, Scenic Designer Jeff Kmiec, Costume Designer Theresa Ham, Wig Designer Miguel Armstrong, Lighting Designer Jesse Klug, Sound Designer Michael Daly, Props Designer Sally Zack, Stage Manager Colt Luedtke and Conductor Rick Bertone.

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat – featuring NEW WEEKNIGHT PERFORMANCE TIMES is scheduled to run Wednesdays at 1 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., Thursdays at 7:00 p.m., Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Sundays at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m., with select Thursday 1:00 p.m. shows. Call for group, dinner-theatre, student, senior, and military discounts. To make a restaurant reservation, please call 847.634.0100. Free parking is available at all performances. To reserve tickets or become a Marriott Theatre subscriber during the 50th Anniversary season, please call the Marriott Theatre Box Office at 847.634.0200 or go to www.tickets.marriotttheatre.com. Visit www.MarriottTheatre.com for more information.

Broadway In Chicago and Starvox Touring are excited to announce individual tickets for XAVIER MORTIMER: MASTER OF MAGIC are now on sale. XAVIER MORTIMER: MASTER OF MAGIC will play the CIBC Theatre (18 W. Monroe St.) for a limited engagement, March 21-23.

Xavier Mortimer, the illusionist who starred in Cirque du Soleil’s production – MICHAEL JACKSON ONE, has enchanted Las Vegas with his solo shows and captivated millions of fans on social media, will be coming to Chicago for the very first time! He will perform at the CIBC Theatre Chicago starting on March 21, 2025, for a breathtaking series of shows. After dazzling thousands of spectators around the world, Xavier Mortimer will present MASTER OF MAGIC, a unique and grandiose show that promises to amaze audiences of all ages.

A true social media phenomenon with over 30 million followers and videos amassing over 15 billion views on YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram, Xavier Mortimer is one of the most groundbreaking magicians of his generation. He is the most followed magician in the world, and his popularity continues to soar. A 5-time winner of Best Magic Show in Las Vegas, Xavier Mortimer also gained fame through his appearances on America’s Got Talent (Seasons 10 & 12) and Penn & Teller: Fool Us (Seasons 5, 7 & 9). His innovative approach to magic has captivated audiences worldwide.

“We are absolutely thrilled to bring Xavier Mortimer's extraordinary show to Chicago. His unique blend of magic, humor, and creativity has captivated audiences around the world, and we’re excited for Chicagoans to experience this incredible journey. This city is the perfect setting for Xavier’s magical artistry, and we can’t wait to see the audience’s reaction!”
– Corey Ross, Starvox Touring

A Phenomenal Success in Las Vegas
Famous for his poetic illusion, Xavier Mortimer quickly became a Las Vegas sensation, with over 1,500 performances to his credit. Known for his innovative approach, he blends music, mime, and illusion to create an immersive and visually stunning experience like no other. His award-winning show, The Dream Maker, has captivated audiences and critics alike, solidifying Mortimer's place among the most innovative magicians of his generation.

Xavier Mortimer has been described as “a show with winning doses of pantomime and personality” by Splash Magazines. His act has received rave reviews, with the Las Vegas Review-Journal calling it “Genius Magic!” and Howie Mandel, from America’s Got Talent, hailed it as “Phenomenal!”

A Unique Opportunity to See Xavier Mortimer Live
For the first time, Chicago audiences will have the chance to experience this internationally acclaimed artist live on stage. This appearance promises to be an unforgettable event. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to dive into Xavier Mortimer’s magical and enchanting world, a one-of-a-kind entertainment experience.

For more information, visitxaviermagic.com.

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE
Friday, March 21 at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 22 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 23 at 1:00 p.m.

TICKET INFORMATION
Individual tickets for XAVIER MORTIMER: MASTER OF MAGIC are on sale now to the public and range from $40.00 - $115.00 with a select number of premium tickets available. Tickets are available now for groups of 10 or more by calling Broadway In Chicago Group Sales at (312) 977-1710 or emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. For more information, visit www.BroadwayInChicago.com.

ABOUT XAVIER MORTIMER
Born in the South of France, Xavier Mortimer started performing at a young age as a street performer. He studied Music and Dance in La Rochelle and Acting and Mime at the Jacques Lecoq School in Paris and London. Over the years, Mortimer has collected numerous awards for his work, including 1st place in Italy in 2001 and 3rd place in France in 2002. In 2006, he gained recognition in France with his show L’Ombre Orchestre (The Shadow Orchestra), which he performed more than 1,000 times worldwide. Xavier Mortimer is also the creator and performer of various visual shows, composing music for his productions as well as for other shows alongside his friend Maxime Rodriguez. In 2012, he created the character Sneaky for Cirque du Soleil’s MICHAEL JACKSON ONE, performing in Las Vegas. Between 2013 and 2018, Mortimer appeared on numerous international television shows. He debuted his new show, Magical Dream, at Planet Hollywood in 2016, which later moved to Bally’s due to its overwhelming success. Between 2018 and 2022, Xavier was voted Best Magic Show in Las Vegas four years in a row by the Las Vegas Review-Journal, and Best Family-Friendly Show for three consecutive years. His social media success skyrocketed in 2020, amassing billions of views and millions of followers. Today, Mortimer holds the record for the most viewed magic video on YouTube with over 576 million views.

ABOUT STARVOX TOURING
Starvox Touring has been producing and delivering exciting and ground-breaking shows and live entertainment experiences throughout North America and globally since 2003. Founded in Toronto by Corey Ross, Starvox Touring has ranked in Profit Magazine’s Fastest growing Canadian companies for five years in a row. Starvox produces, manes, represents, and promotes crossover performing arts shows and exhibitions that tour Canada, the United States, and internationally. Mr. Ross has produced multiple theatrical shows and exhibits in the US, including the Harry Potter parody Potted Potter and Champions of Magic, and is a producer of the world-renowned blockbuster Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit. In Las Vegas, Mr. Ross produces three shows for Caesars Entertainment – Wow, Rouge, and Potted Potter. In the world of art exhibitions, Mr. Ross produces Immersive Van Gogh, Immersive Disney Animation, and more.  For more information, please visit www.starvoxent.com.

ABOUT BROADWAY IN CHICAGO
Broadway In Chicago was created in July 2000 and over the past 25 years has grown to be one of the largest commercial touring homes in the country. A Nederlander Presentation, Broadway In Chicago lights up the Chicago Theater District entertaining up to 1.7 million people annually in five theatres. Broadway In Chicago presents a full range of entertainment, including musicals and plays, on the stages of five of the finest theatres in Chicago’s Loop including the  Cadillac Palace Theatre, CIBC Theatre, James M. Nederlander Theatre, The Auditorium, and just off the Magnificent Mile, the Broadway  Playhouse at Water Tower Place.

For more information and tickets, visit www.BroadwayInChicago.com.
Facebook @BroadwayInChicago ● Instagram @broadwayinchicago ● TikTok @broadwayinchicago ● #broadwayinchicago

Drury Lane Theatre is thrilled to announce casting for Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, a heartwarming journey through Carole King's inspirational life story, where her music shines as a beacon of hope and personal growth, playing January 29 – March 23, 2025. Beautiful: The Carole King Musical features a book by Douglas McGrath, words and music by Gerry Goffin, Carole King, Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil, with music by arrangement with Sony/ATV Music Publishing. At the helm of Drury Lane Theatre's production is director Jane Lanier, who most recently directed and choreographed Drury Lane's hit production A Chorus Line. The press opening is scheduled for Thursday, February 6, 2025 at 7pm.

Witness the captivating story of Carole King's meteoric rise to stardom, from humble beginnings to her undeniable status as one of the most celebrated voices in popular music. With melodies such as "I Feel the Earth Move" and "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman," this production weaves an emotional tapestry rich with nostalgia. Beautiful isn't just a musical, it's an immersive celebration of resilience, creativity, and the authentic spirit of a music legend.

The cast of Beautiful: The Carole King Musical is led by Samantha Gershman (Broadway's Water for Elephants and A Beautiful Noise) in the role of Carole King and features Alex Benoit (Gerry Goffin), Andrew MacNaughton (Barry Mann), Alexandra Palkovic (Cynthia Weil), Michael Lawrence Brown (Donny Kirshner), and Rebekah Ward (Genie Klein), along with Averis Anderson, Ryan Michael Armstrong, Anna Louise Bramlett, Lydia Burke, Raeven Carrol, Maxwell J. DeTonge, Alley Ellis, Ian Geers, Emily Goldberg, Mackenzy Jenkins, Alanna Lovely, Chamaya Moody, Austin Nelson Jr., Nataki Rennie, Mitzi Smith, Michael Turrentine, and Rico Velazquez. 

The creative team includes Jane Lanier (director), Gerry McIntyre (choreographer), Carolyn Brady (musical director), Misha Kachman (scenic designer), Nicole Boylan (costume designer), Julie Mack (lighting designer), Stephanie Farina (co-sound designer), Sarah Ramos (co-sound designer), Anthony Churchill (projection designer), Kevin Foster (wig designer), Cassy Schillo (properties designer), Larry Baker (production stage manager).

All events take place at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace. Single tickets for Beautiful: The Carole King Musical are on sale now and available by phone at (630) 530-0111 or online at www.drurylanetheatre.com. Groups of 10 or more can receive special group pricing.

Beautiful: The Carole King Musical is rated PG-13.

Fact Sheet / Beautiful: The Carole King Musical

Title:                                                    Beautiful: The Carole King Musical

Book by:                                              Douglas McGrath

Words and Music by:                      Gerry Goffin & Carole King and Barry Mann & Cynthia Weil

Music by Arrangement with:      Sony/ATV Music Publishing

Orchestrations, Vocal and

Incidental Music

Arrangements by:     Steve Sidwell

Originally Produced on

Broadway by: Paul Blake and Sony/ATV Music Publishing

Directed by:                                     Jane Lanier

Cast:                                                   

Samantha Gershman (Carole), Alex Benoit (Gerry Goffin), Andrew MacNaughton (Barry Mann), Alexandra Palkovic (Cynthia Weil), Michael Lawrence Brown (Donny Kirshner), and Rebekah Ward (Genie Klein) with Averis Anderson, Ryan Michael Armstrong, Anna Louise Bramlett, Lydia Burke, Raeven Carrol, Maxwell J. DeTonge, Alley Ellis, Ian Geers, Emily Goldberg, Mackenzy Jenkins, Alanna Lovely, Chamaya Moody, Austin Nelson Jr., Nataki Rennie, Mitzi Smith, Michael Turrentine, and Rico Velazquez. 

Creatives:                                          

Jane Lanier (director), Gerry McIntyre (choreographer), Carolyn Brady (musical director), Misha Kachman (scenic designer), Nicole Boylan (costume designer), Julie Mack (lighting designer), Stephanie Farina (co-sound designer), Sarah Ramos (co-sound designer), Anthony Churchill (projection designer), Kevin Foster (wig designer), Cassy Schillo (properties designer), Larry Baker (production stage manager).

Dates:                                                 January 29 – March 23, 2025

Press Opening:                              Thursday, February 6, 2025 at 7pm

Schedule:                                         Wednesdays and Thursdays: 1:30 p.m.

                                                            Thursdays: 7:00 p.m.

                                                            Fridays: 7:00 p.m.

                                                            Saturdays: 3:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.

                                                            Sundays: 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.                               

Location:                                            Drury Lane Theatre at 100 Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace

Tickets:                                              Tickets range from $53.00 - $125

Group discounts available to groups of 10 or more

Dining and show packages available

Senior discounts available

Box Office:       100 Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace; (630) 530-0111; Monday through Sunday from 10am to 5pm

or visit DruryLaneTheatre.com

Season and Membership Information

Currently on stage is the spellbinding Disney's The Little Mermaid (November 6, 2024 – January 12, 2025); and the inspiring true story Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (January 29, 2025 – March 23, 2025) will close out the 2024/25 season.

The 2025/2026 season includes the Chicago premiere of The Da Vinci Code (April 9 – June 1, 2025), a love letter to a country music icon in Always...Patsy Cline (June 11 - August 3, 2025); the riveting thriller Dial M for Murder (September 3 - October 26, 2025); the divine feel-good musical comedy Sister Act (November 12, 2025 - January 11, 2026) and the exhilarating music of the Miami Sound Machine in On Your Feet! The Story of Emilio & Gloria Estefan (January 28 - March 22, 2026).

Drury Lane Theatre's performance schedule for the 2025/2026 season is as follows: Wednesdays at 1:30 p.m., Thursdays at 1:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., Fridays at 7:00 p.m., Saturdays at 3:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., and Sundays at 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.

Five-show Memberships for the 2025/2026 season are now on sale with packages starting at $229.25 - over 50% savings compared to single ticket prices. This includes priority theatre seating, dining credits at Lucille Restaurant, exclusive presale opportunities, and much more. For more information, visit DruryLaneTheatre.com/Subscribe.

Group tickets start at $45 and Student group tickets start at just $35.35. On-site dining is available at Lucille Restaurant with convenient pre-show or post-show prix fixe menus. To book a group of 10 people or more, call Group Services at 630-570-7272 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Give the gift of Drury Lane! Gift certificates to Drury Lane can be purchased in any denomination, never expire, and can be used for performances, at Lucille Restaurant or for Drury Lane Events. Gift certificates can be purchased online at drurylanetheatre.com/gift-certificates or by calling the box office.

Dining and Special Events

Excellence isn't limited to the stage at Drury Lane! Before or after the show, theatergoers can indulge in delicious onsite dining at Lucille Restaurant featuring seasonal pre-fixe menus and an elevated atmosphere to complete their experience. Boasting over a century of collective expertise in hospitality, the dedicated team ensures that you will be cared for with freshly prepared meals, handcrafted cocktails, and exceptional service. At Drury Lane, everything is in one place, so you will never be late for your performance.

Special Drury Lane holiday offerings include Holiday Afternoon Tea, Breakfast, Brunch and Dinner with Santa, and special New Year's Eve packages to ring in 2025 in style. Special event packages in conjunction with Disney's The Little Mermaid will also be available. All dining events are on sale at lucillerestaurant.com.

About Drury Lane Theatre  

Built from scratch. Built in Oakbrook. Built for you. 

Founded by Anthony DeSantis over 70 years ago, Drury Lane remains a family-run organization under the leadership of President Kyle DeSantis. Drury Lane Theatre continues as a major force in the Chicagoland theatre scene, producing world-class theatre in collaboration with some of the nation's leading actors, directors, and creative minds. Drury Lane Theatre produces the highest quality theatrical experience that immerses and supports our artists and audiences in the exploration of what it means to be human and to experience the transcending power of the performing and visual arts. Drury Lane strives to create an environment in which every individual or group is welcomed, respected, supported, valued and able to fully experience and participate in this transformative art form. 

The theatre has staged more than 2,000 productions and has been nominated for over 360 Joseph Jefferson Awards. Drury Lane proudly employs thousands of professional actors, musicians, designers, and crew members to entertain upwards of nine million audience members and counting.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, one of the world's most popular dance companies, returns to The Auditorium, Chicago's landmark stage at 50 E Ida B. Wells Drive, in four performances only, Friday-Sunday, March 7-9, 2025 as part of a coast-to-coast 2025 United States tour in a season celebrating the life and legacy of Artistic Director Emerita Judith Jamison (1943-2024). Led by Interim Artistic Director Matthew Rushing, the passionate spirit and extraordinary technique of Ailey's dancers will be showcased in two exciting programs featuring a trio of Chicago premieres alongside compelling new productions and beloved Ailey Classics including Alvin Ailey's must-see signature masterpiece Revelations. Tickets start at $39.00 and are now available at auditoriumtheatre.org or by calling The Auditorium's Ticket Service Center at 312.341.2300.

"Auditorium audiences welcome Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater with great enthusiasm each Spring, knowing a joyful experience awaits, and this year's programming will be no exception. In this, the Company's 56^th visit to The Auditorium, we are saddened by the recent passing of the legendary Ailey dancer and Artistic Director, Judith Jamison, with whom we collaborated many times, but are pleased to pay tribute with a special opening night performance featuring an excerpt of Cry, the exuberant Ailey work that became her signature," said The Auditorium CEO Rich Regan. "And in addition to our public programming, we are proud to be offering two student performances by the Company this year, enabling The Auditorium to introduce thousands of students to this inspiring, dynamic company."

Chicago's own Vernard J. Gilmore will celebrate his farewell hometown engagement with Ailey, taking his final bow after 28 seasons with the Company. Currently the longest tenured Company member, the Englewood native began his professional dance training at Curie Performing and Creative Arts High School before receiving a scholarship to The Ailey School, performing with Ailey II, and joining Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in 1997.

In addition to the inspiring finale of Revelations for all performances, the programs for the 2025 Chicago engagement of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater are as follows:   

Friday, March 7 at 7:30pm & Sunday, March 9, at 3pm

• Grace(1999, Chicago Premiere of 25th anniversary production) Set to Duke Ellington's classic "Come Sunday," Peven Everett's hit "Gabriel," and the irresistible pulse of Fela Kuti's Afro-Pop, Ronald K. Brown's spellbinding work depicts individuals on a journey to the promised land, expanding from a single angel-like figure in white to the fireball intensity of 12 powerful dancers. Here, the secular and sacred meet in a tour-de-force connecting African and American dance.
• Finding Free(2024, Chicago Premiere) by former Company member Hope Boykin who returns to explore personal freedoms in this collaboration with pianist Matthew Whitaker who is composing an original score. This insightful work uses Boykin's movement-language and Whitaker's jazz- and gospel-influenced music to examine the challenges and restrictions throughout life's peaks and valleys that propel the journey forward.

*Friday only: Special Opening Night excerpt of Cry as a tribute to Ms. Jamison.  

• Cryexcerpt (1971) Alvin Ailey choreographed the solo ballet, Cry, as a birthday present for his mother; it went on to become an enduring work of American art. First danced by the legendary Judith Jamison, an excerpt of this powerful work dedicated to "all black women everywhere - especially our mothers" will be performed on the opening night program (Friday, March 7) as a tribute to Ms. Judith Jamison, the beloved Company dancer and Artistic Director Emerita who passed away in late 2024.

Saturday, March 8 at 1pm & 7:30pm

• Sacred Songs(2024, Chicago Premiere) by Matthew Rushing features music used in the original 1960 premiere of Alvin Ailey's seminal Revelations but later omitted when the piece was edited into the current version that has captivated audiences for decades. Drawing inspiration from the roots of Mr. Ailey's most venerated and consummate creation, this stirring new work will resurrect and reimagine those spirituals—with the collaboration of musical director Du'Bois A'Keen—as an offering to our present need for lamentation, faith, and joy.
• Treading(1979, Chicago Premiere of new production) by Elisa Monte is a sculptural, mesmerizing duet featuring fluid, intricate movements that combine with Steve Reich's evocative music to create an aura of mystery and sensuality.
• Many Angels(2024, Chicago Premiere) by Lar Lubovitch in his first premiere for the Company, features the native Chicago choreographer's renowned lush choreography and musicality set to Gustav Mahler's Symphony No. 5.  Many Angels is inspired by a question posed by 13th century theologian St. Thomas Aquinas, "How many angels can dance on the head of a pin?," illustrating that some questions have no logical response but are understood as a question of faith.

Culminating each program will be Alvin Ailey's must-see American masterpiece Revelations, acclaimed around the world for sending hearts soaring and lifting audiences to their feet with its perfect blend of reverent grace and spiritual elation. Since its debut in 1960, Revelations has been moving audiences with its powerful storytelling and soul-stirring music, evoking timeless themes of determination, hope, and transcendence. An intimate reflection of Mr. Ailey's childhood memories of growing up in the South and attending services at Mount Olive Baptist Church in Texas, Revelations pays homage to the rich cultural heritage of the African American community and explores the emotional spectrum of the human condition. 

2025 Chicago program & performance schedule

Friday, March 7 at 7:30pm & Sunday, March 9, at 3pm

Grace, Finding Free, Cry* (excerpt), Revelations 

*Friday only: Special Opening Night excerpt of Cry as a tribute to Ms. Jamison.  

Saturday, March 8 at 1pm & 7:30pm

Sacred Songs, Treading, Many Angels, Revelations

In addition to these four public performances, the Company will present two student matinees at The Auditorium, reaching thousands of youths with an inspiring program of Ailey Classics on Thursday, March 6 and Friday, March 7 at 11am. 

About Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, recognized by U.S. Congressional resolution as a vital American "Cultural Ambassador to the World," grew from a now-fabled March 1958 performance in New York that changed forever the perception of American dance. Forged during a pivotal moment in the civil rights movement, the Company was established to uplift the African American experience while transcending boundaries of race, faith, and nationality with its universal humanity. Founded by Alvin Ailey, the posthumous recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom—the nation's highest civilian honor. Before his untimely death in 1989, Mr. Ailey named Judith Jamison as his successor, and for 21 years she led the Company to unprecedented success. Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater has performed for an estimated 25 million people in 71 countries on 6 continents—as well as millions more through television broadcasts, film screenings, and online platforms—promoting the uniqueness of the African American cultural experience and the preservation and enrichment of the American modern dance tradition. In addition to being the Principal Dance Company of New York City Center, where its performances have become a year‐end tradition, the Ailey company performs annually at The Auditorium; Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts; the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC; The Fox Theatre in Atlanta; Zellerbach Hall in Berkeley, CA, and at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark where it is the Principal Resident Affiliate, and appears frequently in other major theaters throughout the United States and the world during extensive yearly tours. The Ailey organization also includes Ailey II (1974), a second performing company of emerging young dancers and innovative choreographers; The Ailey School (1969), one of the most extensive dance training programs in the world; Ailey Arts in Education & Community Programs, which brings dance into the classrooms, communities, and lives of people of all ages; and Ailey Extension (2005), a program offering dance and fitness classes to the general public, which began with the opening of Ailey's permanent home—the largest building dedicated to dance in New York City, the dance capital of the world—named The Joan Weill Center for Dance, at 55th Street at 9th Avenue in New York City. For more information, visit ailey.org.

The compelling story of the life, work, and legacy of Alvin Ailey is the subject of Portrait of Ailey, a new eight-part documentary series available for free on PBS LearningMedia. Created by Ailey II Artistic Director Emerita Sylvia Waters, Portrait of Ailey uses rare historical film and still images as well as contemporary footage to create a sweeping narrative of Mr. Ailey as a performer, choreographer, celebrity, teacher, social activist, arts advocate, and the creator of an enduring institution. All eight chapters are currently available online.

About The Auditorium

The Auditorium, located at 50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive in Chicago, is an Illinois not-for-profit organization committed to presenting the finest in international, cultural, community, and educational programming to all of Chicago and beyond as The Theatre for the People. The organization also is committed to the continued restoration and preservation of this National Historic Landmark that originally opened in 1889. The Auditorium's 2024-25 performance season features a dynamic mix of cultural events from ballet to rock and roll and everything in between. For more information on The Auditorium and a complete listing of events at The Auditorium, please visit AuditoriumTheatre.org.

Court Theatre – under the continuing leadership of Executive Director Angel Ysaguirre, with interim artistic leadership from Senior Artistic Producer Gabrielle Randle-Bent and Senior Managing Producer Heidi Thompson Saunders – is thrilled to present Lorraine Hansberry's masterpiece A Raisin in the Sun, New York Drama Critics Award winner, Tony Award nominee for Best Play, and the first play written by a Black woman to be produced on Broadway. This production will run January 31 – March 2, 2025 at Court Theatre, 5535 S. Ellis Ave. The press opening is Saturday, February 8, 2025 at 7:30pm. 

Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun is a stunning portrayal of a family's fight for dignity and the right to dream. As the Youngers await their recently deceased patriarch's life insurance check, they allow themselves to imagine a bigger life – a life with room to breathe – until those plans are thrown into jeopardy. Hansberry's language rings as wise and prescient as ever in her moving answer to Langston Hughes's question, What happens to a dream deferred?

Staged sixty years after Lorraine Hansberry's passing, Senior Artistic Producer Gabrielle Randle-Bent (Antigone) brings Hansberry's masterpiece home to Chicago's vibrant South Side and Court's stage for the very first time.

The cast of A Raisin in the Sun includes Shanésia Davis (Lena Younger/Mama); Brian Keys (Walter Lee Younger); Kierra Bunch (Ruth Younger); Martasia Jones (Beneatha Younger); Jeremias Darville (Travis Younger); Di'Aire Wilson (Travis Younger, alternating); Eliott Johnson (Joseph Asagai); Charles Andrew Gardner (George Murchison); Julian Parker (Bobo); Vincent Teninty (Karl Lindner); and J. Nicole Brooks (Mrs. Johnson).

The creative team includes Andrew Boyce (scenic design); Raquel Adorno, with Associate Jeanette Rodriguez (costume design); Maximo Grano De Oro (lighting design); Willow James (sound design); Khalid Long, PhD (production dramaturg); Becca McCracken, CSA, with Associate Celeste M. Cooper (casting); Kate Ocker (production stage manager); and Jaclynn Joslin (assistant stage manager).

"Court Theatre's A Raisin in the Sun really is a homecoming," shares Senior Artistic Producer Gabrielle Randle-Bent. "This is a play about the South Side of Chicago – not just in the 1950s, but the South Side of Chicago that began at the dawn of the Great Migration and continues to live with us today. It's about people who came from far away and arrived in Chicago with hope for a better life – a life of their own choosing. A personal touchstone for many, we want to create numerous points of connection to this staging of Raisin, so we are also featuring a collection of public programs to foster even deeper engagement. We cannot wait to share this production and programming with you."

Accompanying this production of A Raisin in the Sun is a suite of public programs, including:

• Community Reads Series:Comprised of a social gathering, a book club, and a post-show discussion, the Community Reads Series offers opportunities to come together to discuss themes within A Raisin in the Sun, its inspiration, and its importance to the South Side. The Community Reads Social will be held on January 27, 2025 at the Blackstone Branch of the Chicago Public Library; the Community Reads Book Club will be held on February 26, 2025 at the Blackstone Branch of the Chicago Public Library; and the Community Reads Conversation will be held on March 1, 2025 at Court Theatre. Presented in partnership with Chicago Public Library at the Blackstone Branch.
• Agora: A Dream Deferred – Black Mobility and Housing:Join Court Theatre and the National Public Housing Museum for an evening of art, exploration, and conversation about the history of housing injustice. This event will be held on February 13, 2025 at the National Public Housing Museum, featuring Dr. Lisa Yun Lee; Robin Bartram, PhD; Adrienne Brown; Philip Garboden, PhD; and Sandra Jackson-Opoku. Presented in partnership with the National Public Housing Museum.
• Let's Talk About Art:Court Theatre joins the Let's Talk About Art series, Hyde Park Art Center's innovative hybrid learning program for older adults (65+), where participants explore visual and performing arts and create their own art inspired by performances they attend. This installation of the Let's Talk About Art series will be in response to A Raisin in the Sun. This series will take place from February 17, 2025 through February 20, 2025. Sessions will be conducted virtually, at Hyde Park Art Center, and at Court Theatre. Presented in partnership with the Hyde Park Art Center.
• BushmanScreening and Lecture: Join Court Theatre for a film screening of Bushman (1971), in partnership with the University of Chicago Film Studies Center to investigate the role of Pan-Africanism in A Raisin in the Sun, and how it informs Lorraine Hansberry's work, more broadly. This screening and lecture will be held at the Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts on February 21, 2025, featuring remarks from Antawan I. Byrd, PhD. Presented in partnership with the University of Chicago's Film Studies Center.

Tickets to A Raisin in the Sun and related events are available now by calling the Box Office at (773) 753-4472 or online at CourtTheatre.org.

About the Artists

LORRAINE HANSBERRY (Playwright, 1930-1965) is an American playwright, poet, activist, and writer from the South Side of Chicago. She was the daughter of a real estate entrepreneur, Carl Hansberry, and schoolteacher, Nannie Hansberry, as well as the niece of Pan-Africanist scholar and college professor Leo Hansberry. Her own family's landmark court case against discriminatory real estate covenants in Chicago would serve as inspiration for her foundational Broadway play, A Raisin in the Sun. Raisin, her best-known work, would eventually become a highly lauded film starring Sidney Poitier, Ruby Dee, Claudia McNeil, and Diana Sands. Other works include (but are not limited to) To Be Young, Gifted and Black; Les Blancs; and The Sign in Sidney Brustein's Window. During her career as a playwright, Hansberry wrote many articles and essays on literary criticism, racism, sexism, homophobia, world peace, and other social and political issues.

GABRIELLE RANDLE-BENT (Director, Senior Artistic Producer) has directed Antigone; The Tragedy of Othello, the Moor of Venice (co-directed with Charles Newell); and The Island at Court Theatre; 1919 (Steppenwolf Theatre); and The Year of Magical Thinking (Remy Bumppo Theatre). She is a co-founder of the Civic Actor Studio, a leadership program of the University of Chicago's Office of Civic Engagement.

J. NICOLE BROOKS (Mrs. Johnson) is an award-winning interdisciplinary artist whose practice includes acting, writing, directing, and movement direction. Brooks is an ensemble member and Mellon Playwright in Residence at Lookingglass Theatre Company. Selected stage credits include Lottery Day (Goodman), Beyond Caring (Lookingglass), Immediate Family (Mark Taper Forum), Phèdre and La Bête (Court). Stage writing credits include Her Honor Jane Byrne (Lookingglass), 1919 (Steppenwolf), and HeLa (Sideshow Theatre Company). Television and film credits include guest and recurring roles on Chicago Fire, Emperor of Ocean Park, South Side, Fargo, and Candyman (Say My Name).

KIERRA BUNCH (Ruth Younger) is excited to join the cast of A Raisin in the Sun at Court. She was recently seen in August Wilson's Seven Guitars at Cincinnati Playhouse/Milwaukee Rep Tour, Chicago Shakespeare's Measure for Measure, Court's Two Trains Running, Definition Theatre's White, and Windy City Playhouse's production of Recipe For Disaster. Film/TV credits include The Chi, South Side, Shameless, Chicago Med, and Empire, as well as a series regular role on the Emmy Award-winning children's television show Green Screen Adventures. Kierra is proudly represented by Paonessa Talent Agency.

JEREMIAS DARVILLE (Travis Younger) is excited to be making his Court Theatre debut! He began his professional journey at a young age, having most recently co-starred in Chicago Fire. Additionally, Jeremias has been featured in numerous commercials and print campaigns. Outside of his busy career, he has a second-degree black belt in MMA, loves playing travel baseball, and plays the piano.

SHANÉSIA DAVIS (Lena Younger/Mama) is excited to return to Court Theatre. Her last appearance was in Native Son. Additional credits include works at Steppenwolf, Northlight, Porchlight, Goodman, and Congo Square, among others. She is a recipient of a Black Theatre Alliance Award, several Jeff nominations (most recently for Fences), and is an NAACP Image Award nominee. Select television credits include Chicago Stories: Ida B. Wells, Lovecraft Country, The Chi, Proven Innocent, Empire, Chicago Fire, and a series regular role on Early Edition. Shanésia is a published author/editor of Nine Questions Every Actor of Color..., and is a proud member of Equity and SAG/AFTRA unions.

CHARLES ANDREW GARDNER (George Murchison) is ecstatic to be making his Court Theatre debut! Recent Chicago theatre credits include Primary Trust, Objects in the Mirror, Stop.Reset. and Buzzer (Goodman); Boulevard of Bold Dreams, Kill Move Paradise, Paradise Blue, and My Kind of Town (TimeLine). Other Chicago credits: Steppenwolf, Lookingglass, and 16th Street. TV credits: Mayor of Kingstown; Somebody Somewhere; The Chi; Chicago Med; and Chicago P.D. Film credits: Heist 88, Olympia, and Long Ride Home. Charles is the SAG-AFTRA Chicago Local President, a Company Member with TimeLine Theatre Company, a DePaul University professor, and owner/CEO of The Actor's Cup LLC and Stay Creative Clothing. @CharlesAndrewGardner.

ELIOTT JOHNSON (Joseph Asagai) is excited to make his Court Theatre debut in Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun. Chicago area credits include The Little Foxes (Citadel Theatre) and A Solider's Heart (ClockWise Theatre). Off-Broadway: Othello (New Place Players). Regional: the Midwest premiere of Lombardi. Television credits include Chicago Fire, Empire, The Chi, and Swipe. Eliott holds his MFA From Pace University and is a lifetime member of the Actors Studio. Eliott is represented by Stewart Talent and Stein Entertainment.

MARTASIA JONES (Beneatha Younger) was born and raised in Chicago, and is an alumna of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Select regional theatre credits include Winter (Rivendell), Megastasis (Eclipse), Hoodoo Love (Raven), America V. 2.1: The Demise and Eventual Distinction of the American Negro and Fairview (Definition). Martasia has done print/commercial work for Walgreens Health & Wellness and Glidden Paint, and voiceovers for Lunchables and McDonald's. She worked on the Spike Lee joint Chi-Raq and has guest-starred on Chicago Med and The CW's 4400.

BRIAN KEYS (Walter Lee Younger) is an actor who hails from Chicago's South Side Englewood neighborhood. Court: Seven Guitars. Awards: Jeff Award, two BTAA Awards. Brian dedicates each and every performance to the memory of his mother, Beatrice Keys, and grandmother, Corine Keys. For a complete listing of theatre, television, and film credits, please visit www.iambriankeys.com.

JULIAN PARKER (Bobo) was most recently seen at Court Theatre in Antigone, directed by Gabrielle Randle-Bent. Select Chicago credits: Pass Over, The Gospel of Franklin (Steppenwolf); An Octoroon, Genesis (Definition); Romeo and Juliet (Chicago Shakespeare); Hamlet, Julius Caesar (Writers); Prowess (Jackalope); The Hairy Ape (Jeff Award–Performer in a Principal Role, Oracle Productions); and others. Film: Pass Over (directed by Spike Lee), Devonte, Swing Shift. Television: 61st Street, The Chi, Chicago P.D., and others. Education: BFA, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Mr. Parker is a co-founding member of Definition Theatre Company. Represented by Stewart Talent Agency and Authentic Talent Management.

VINCENT TENINTY (Karl Lindner) is honored to be making his Court Theatre debut! He has been acting in the Chicago area since 1999 and some of his credits include Mother Courage and Her Children and A Lesson Before Dying (Steppenwolf); Sweet Bird of Youth and Talking Pictures (Goodman); The Rainmaker (American Blues). Regional theatre credits include Soup, Stews, and Casseroles: 1976 (Repertory Theatre of St. Louis); A Streetcar Named Desire and Hairspray (Cardinal Stage); The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity, The Royale, Detroit, and Violet (TheatreSquared). His television credits include Chicago Fire, Chicago P.D., Chicago Justice, Lovecraft Country, Shameless, The Beast, and BOSS.

DI'AIRE WILSON (Travis Younger, alternating) discovered his passion for acting at a young age and has since performed in productions like The Factotum (Lyric Opera) and Pippin (Music Theater Works). His growing career includes appearances in commercials, short films, and web series. Outside of acting, Di'Aire participates in football, basketball, and bowling.

Fact Sheet / A Raisin in the Sun

Title:                 A Raisin in the Sun

By:                   Lorraine Hansberry

Directed by:     Gabrielle Randle-Bent, Senior Artistic Producer

Featuring: Shanésia Davis (Lena Younger/Mama); Brian Keys (Walter Lee Younger); Kierra Bunch (Ruth Younger); Martasia Jones (Beneatha Younger); Jeremias Darville (Travis Younger); Di'Aire Wilson (Travis Younger, alternating); Eliott Johnson (Joseph Asagai); Charles Andrew Gardner (George Murchison); Julian Parker (Bobo); Vincent Teninty (Karl Lindner); and J. Nicole Brooks (Mrs. Johnson).

Creatives: Andrew Boyce (scenic design); Raquel Adorno, with Associate Jeanette Rodriguez (costume design); Maximo Grano De Oro (lighting design); Willow James (sound design); Khalid Long, PhD (production dramaturg); Becca McCracken, CSA, with Associate Celeste M. Cooper (casting); Kate Ocker (production stage manager); and Jaclynn Joslin (assistant stage manager).

Dates:             

Previews:                    January 31 – February 7, 2025

Press Opening:          February 8, 2025 at 7:30pm

Regular Run:               February 9 – March 2, 2025

Schedule:        

Wed/Thurs/Fri:           7:30 p.m.

Sat/Sun:                     2:00 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.

Accessible Performances:        

ASL Interpretation on March 1, 2025 at 12:30pm

Touch Tour on March 2, 2025 at 12:30pm

Audio Description and Open Captioning on March 2, 2025 at 2:00pm

Location:         Court Theatre, 5535 S. Ellis Ave.

Tickets:          

$42.00 – $82.00 Previews

$58.00 – $90.00 Regular Run

Student, group, and military discounts available

Box Office:      Located at 5535 S. Ellis Avenue, Chicago; (773) 753-4472 or www.CourtTheatre.org.

A Raisin in the Sun is sponsored by Gustavo Bamberger and Martha Van Haitsma, Bel Brands USA, Mesirow, and the Marion M. Lloyd Court Theatre Fund. A Raisin in the Sun is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com.

Court Theatre will be participating in the 2025 Chicago Theatre Week by offering discounted tickets to A Raisin in the Sun. Chicago Theatre Week is an annual celebration of the rich tradition of theatre-going in Chicago. As a program of the League of Chicago Theatres, in partnership with Choose Chicago, CTW is in its 13th year and will take place February 6 – 16. Learn more at CourtTheatre.org.

Court Theatre reimagines classic theatre to illuminate our current times. In residence at the University of Chicago and on Chicago's historic South Side, we engage our audiences with intimate and provocative experiences that inspire deeper exploration of the enduring questions that confront humanity and connect us as people.

 Steppenwolf Theatre Company, the nation's premier ensemble theater company, is pleased to present a searing revival of Sam Shepard's dark and beautiful masterpiece Fool for Love, directed by Jeremy Herrin, playing January 30 – March 16, 2025 in Steppenwolf's Downstairs Theater, 1650 N. Halsted St. in Chicago. Single tickets are now on sale at steppenwolf.org or the Box Office at (312) 335-1650. 

Fool for Love features ensemble members Cliff Chamberlain as Martin (The Minutes, Superior Donuts), Tim Hopper as The Old Man (The Thanksgiving Play, Downstate) and Caroline Neff as May (POTUS, Another Marriage) with Nick Gehlfuss as Eddie (Chicago Med, Chicago PD, Chicago Fire) in his Steppenwolf debut.

About the Production:

In a sweltering motel room in the Mojave Desert, May and Eddie lick their wounds and get ready for another relentless round. This brawl is eternal and infernal. And the Old Man is always watching.

Perhaps the sexiest, most haunting play of the 20th century, Fool for Love is a twisted and tequila-soaked love letter from Sam Shepard, one of the greatest American playwrights, indulging the need to get inside someone just to tear them apart.

Steppenwolf Artistic Directors Glenn Davis and Audrey Francis comment, "Through the decades, Steppenwolf has returned again and again to Sam Shepard's searing body of work. His plays, filled with tension, symbol and muscle, pose delights and demands for actors and audiences alike. Fool for Love is no exception, with Eddie and May's iconic power struggle at the heart of this prize-winning masterpiece."

Davis and Francis add, "And–we can't stress enough–there's nothing quite like Shepard's work when we do it here. It's lightning in a bottle; it's visceral, timeless, contemporary and mythic all in one. For seven short weeks this winter, our Downstairs Theater will once again be transformed to a house of worship dedicated to Shepard, Steppenwolf's patron saint of irreverent, enigmatic and downright explosive American Drama."

The creative team includes Todd Rosenthal (Scenic Design), Raquel Adorno (Costume Design), Heather Gilbert (Lighting Design), Mikhail Fiksel (Sound Design), Samantha Kaufman (Fight and Intimacy Choreography), Kate DeVore (Vocal Coach), Jonathan L. Green (Dramaturg), Patrick Zakem (Creative Producer), Tom Pearl (Producing Director), JC Clementz, CSA (Casting), Laura D. Glenn (Production Stage Manager) and Kathleen Barrett (Assistant Stage Manager). For full cast and creative team bios, click here.

Production Details:

Title: Fool for Love
Playwright: Sam Shepard
Director: Jeremy Herrin
Cast: Ensemble members Cliff Chamberlain (Martin), Tim Hopper (The Old Man) and Caroline Neff (May) with Nick Gehlfuss (Eddie).

Location: Steppenwolf's Downstairs Theater, 1650 N. Halsted St., Chicago

Dates: Previews: Thursday, January 30 – Friday, February 7, 2025
Press performance/Opening: Saturday, February 8, 2025 at 7:30 pm
Regular run: Tuesday, February 11 – Sunday, March 16, 2025
Curtain Times: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at 7:30 pm; Saturdays at 3 pm & 7:30 pm; and Sundays at 3 pm. Please note: there will not be 7:30 pm performances on Tuesday, February 4, Wednesday, March 5 or Tuesday, March 11; there will not be 3 pm performances on Saturday, February 8 or Sunday, February 9; there will be an added 2 pm matinee on Wednesday, March 5.

Tickets: Single tickets for Fool for Love ($20 - $128) are now on sale at steppenwolf.org and the Box Office at (312) 335-1650. Steppenwolf Flex Memberships are also currently on sale: Black Card Memberships with six tickets for use any time for any production and RED Card Memberships for theatergoers under 30.

Education and Engagement:

Throughout the 2024/25 season, Steppenwolf continues its commitment to the next generation of theatre learners, makers and appreciators with robust education and engagement programming. Programming includes dedicated student matinee performances during four of the five Membership Series productions including Noises Off, Leroy and Lucy, Fool for Love and The Book of Grace, in-school residencies in partnership with Chicago Public schools, workshops, panels and events specifically geared towards teens, as well as professional development trainings and resources for educators. Additionally, Steppenwolf is reimagining their community engagement and will pilot new public programming, continue accessibility programming and offer opportunities for deeper explorations for audiences throughout the season. For additional information about Steppenwolf's Education and Engagement programming and to register your school for a field trip visit steppenwolf.org/education-and-engagement/steppenwolf-field-trip-series.

Accessible Performance Dates:

Audio-Described and Touch Tour: Sunday, March 2, 2025 at 3 pm (1:30 pm touch tour)
Open-Captioned: Saturday, March 1, 2025 at 3 pm & Thursday, March 6, 2025 at 7:30 pm
ASL-Interpreted: Friday, March 7, 2025 at 7:30 pm

Artist Biographies:

Sam Shepard's (Playwright) first New York plays, Cowboys and The Rock Garden, were produced by Theatre Genesis in 1964. For several seasons, he worked with Off-Off-Broadway theatre groups including La MaMa and Caffe Cino. Eleven of his plays won Obie Awards, including Chicago, The Tooth of a Crime and Curse of the Starving Class. Other award-winning plays include Fool for Love, True West, A Lie of the Mind and Buried Child, for which he won a Pulitzer Prize in 1979. In 1986, Shepard was inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Letters and received the Gold Medal for Drama from the Academy in 1992. He was inducted into the Theater Hall of Fame two years later. As a writer and director, he filmed Far North and Silent Tongue. As an actor, he appeared in numerous films, including The Right Stuff, Days of Heaven and Resurrection. His final works of prose, The One Inside and Spy of the First Person, were published in 2017, the year of his death.

Jeremy Herrin (Director) was previously Artistic Director of Headlong and is a Founding Director of Second Half Productions. Theatre includes: Children's Children (Almeida Theatre); Best of Enemies (Young Vic/ West End, South Bank Show Award for Best Theatre Production); All My Sons (The Old Vic); The Visit, or the Old Lady Comes to Call, The Plough and the Stars, Statement of Regret (National Theatre); People, Places and Things (National Theatre/ Headlong/ West End/ UK tour/ St. Ann's Warehouse, New York); This House (National Theatre/ Chichester Festival Theatres/ West End); Labour of Love (Olivier Award for Best Comedy); The Nether, That Face, South Downs, Absent Friends, Death and the Maiden, The Glass Menagerie (West End); Wolf Hall, Bring Up the Bodies (RSC/ West End/ Broadway, Evening Standard Award for Best Director); Junkyard, The Absence of War, The Nether (Headlong); Observe the Sons of Ulster Marching Towards the Somme (International tour); The Tempest, Much Ado About Nothing (Shakespeare's Globe); Almost Famous (Old Globe, San Diego); Noises Off (Lyric Hammersmith/ West End); Haunted Child, The Heretic, Kin, Spur of the Moment, Off the Endz; The Priory (Olivier Award for Best Comedy), Tusk Tusk, The Vertical Hour, That Face (Royal Court); South Downs, Uncle Vanya (Chichester Festival Theatre); The Moderate Soprano (Hampstead Theatre); Marble (The Abbey, Dublin); The Family Reunion (Donmar Warehouse); Blackbird (Market Theatre, Johannesburg).

Cliff Chamberlain (Martin) joined the Steppenwolf Theatre Company ensemble in 2018. Steppenwolf Theatre Company: The Minutes, Belleville, Clybourne Park, Theatrical Essays, Superior Donuts. Chicago: The Seagull (Goodman Theatre); The Sparrow (The House Theatre of Chicago). Broadway: The Minutes, Superior Donuts. Television: Homeland, Altered Carbon, The Act, Dirty John: Betty, Easy, State of Affairs, Chicago PD, Paper Girls, The Chair. Film: The Wise Kids, Win it All and Netflix's upcoming RIP. Cliff trained at UCSB and The School at Steppenwolf. "Love to R + E + E + C."

Nick Gehlfuss (Eddie) For its entire successful nearly decade-long run, Nick Gehlfuss was one of the leads (and fan-favorite) of Dick Wolf's hit series Chicago Med on NBC. Gehlfuss has portrayed Dr. Will Halstead since the first spinoff episode that launched the series and can often be seen on crossover episodes of Chicago PD and Chicago Fire. Prior to his television work, Gehlfuss made his stage debut in New York in Classic Stage Company's production of Midsummer Night's Dream (Lysander) starring opposite Bebe Neuwirth and Christina Ricci for which he received the prestigious Rosemarie Tichler Award for outstanding performance in a play. In Los Angeles, he starred in Neil Labute's Reasons to Be Pretty at the Geffen Playhouse. Nick has also been seen in recurring roles in Showtime's Shameless, HBO's Newsroom, Starz Power, as well as guest spots in It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, The Good Wife, Person of Interest and Royal Pains. He holds a B.F.A. in Theater and an M.F.A. in Acting.

Tim Hopper (The Old Man) is a member of the Steppenwolf Theatre Company ensemble. Recent roles at Steppenwolf include Caden in The Thanksgiving Play and Andy in Downstate, which traveled to the National Theatre in London, and to Playwrights Horizons in New York. He also appeared at the Goodman Theatre in the title role of Uncle Vanya. Television appearances include Chicago Fire, Emperor of Ocean Park, the Amazon series Utopia, Fargo, The Americans and Empire. Film appearances include Perpetrator; Knives and Skin, School of Rock and To Die For, among others. Off-Broadway: New York Theatre Workshop, Theatre for a New Audience, Vineyard Theatre and the Atlantic Theater. Internationally, the Edinburgh Festival and Antwerp's De Singel Theatre.

Caroline Neff (May) is a Steppenwolf ensemble member. At Steppenwolf, she was last seen in POTUS, Another Marriage, Describe the Night, Seagull, Dance Nation, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, You Got Older, Linda Vista (also Taper Forum and Broadway), The Fundamentals, The Flick, Airline Highway (also Broadway), The Way West, Three Sisters, Annie Bosh is Missing and Where We're Born. Select theatre credits include: Lettie (Jeff Award Best Actor; Victory Gardens Theater); Uncle Vanya (Goodman Theatre); A Brief History of Helen of Troy (Jeff Award for Best Actress), The Knowledge, Harper Regan, In Arabia We'd All Be Kings (Steep Theatre); The Downpour (Route 66 Theatre); Port (Griffin Theatre); 4000 Miles (Northlight Theatre); Moonshiner (Jackalope Theatre). Regional credits include: Peerless (Yale Repertory Theatre). Film and television credits include: FBI, Three Women, Let the Right One In, The Red Line, Chicago PD, Chicago Fire, Open Tables and Older Children, and heard in multiple Audible Projects such as: Song of the Northwoods, Crowded Hours, Denali and Boar's Nest. She is a proud company member of Steep Theatre and holds her BA from Columbia College.

Accessibility:

As a commitment to make the Steppenwolf experience accessible to everyone, performances featuring American Sign Language Interpretation, Open Captioning and Audio Description are offered during the run of each STC production (see dates above). Assistive listening devices and large-print programs are available for every performance and all our spaces are equipped with an induction hearing loop. Our building features wheelchair accessible seating and restrooms, push-button entrances, a courtesy wheelchair and all-gender restrooms, with accessible counter and table spaces at our bars. For additional information regarding accessibility, visit steppenwolf.org/access or e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Sponsor Information:

United Airlines is the Official and Exclusive Airline of Steppenwolf. Steppenwolf is also grateful for the significant season support from lead sponsors Allstate Insurance Company, Paul M. Angell Family Foundation, Crown Family Philanthropies, Caroline and Keating Crown, Good Chaos, Joyce Foundation, Lefkofsky Family Foundation, Ron and Paula Mallicoat, Northern Trust, Anne and Don Phillips, John Hart and Carol Prins, Robert Rivkin and Cindy Moelis, Shubert Foundation, Inc, Walder Foundation, and Zell Family Foundation. Steppenwolf also acknowledges generous support from premier sponsors Anonymous, ArentFox Schiff, Andrew and Amy Bluhm, Michael and Cathy Brennan, Ann and Richard Carr, Chicago Community Trust, Conagra Brands Foundation, Steven and Nancy Crown, CRC Group, Rich and Margery Feitler, Julius Frankel Foundation, FROST CHICAGO, Goldman Sachs, Shmaila Tahir and Asheesh Goel, Bob and Amy Greenebaum, Kirkland & Ellis, Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust, Christopher and Eileen Murphy, The Orlebeke Foundation, Polk Bros. Foundation, Bryan Traubert and Penny Pritzker, Sacks Family Foundation, Smart Family Foundation of Illinois, Gary Sinise Foundation, Elliot A. Stultz, and Vinci Restaurant. Steppenwolf also acknowledges support from the Illinois Arts Council Agency. This project is partially supported by a CityArts Grant from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs & Special Events. 

About Steppenwolf Theatre Company:

Steppenwolf Theatre Company is the nation's premier Ensemble Theater with 49 members who are among the top actors, playwrights and directors in the field. Thrilling, powerful, groundbreaking productions — from Balm in Gilead and Grapes of Wrath to August: Osage County, Downstate and The Brother/Sister Plays — have made this theatre legendary. Founded in 1976, Steppenwolf started as a group of teens performing in the basement of a church. Today, the company's artistic force remains rooted in the original vision of its founders: an artist-driven theatre, whose vitality is defined by its appetite for bold and innovative work. Every aspect of Steppenwolf is rooted in its Ensemble ethos, from the intergenerational artistic programming to the multi-genre performance series LookOut, to the nationally recognized work of Steppenwolf Education and Engagement which serves nearly 15,000 teens annually. While grounded in the Chicago community, more than 40 original Steppenwolf productions have enjoyed success nationally and internationally, including Broadway, Off-Broadway, London, Sydney, Galway and Dublin. Steppenwolf also holds accolades that include the National Medal of Arts, 12 Tony Awards, and more. Led by Artistic Directors Glenn Davis and Audrey Francis, Executive Director Brooke Flanagan and Board of Trustees Chair, Keating Crown — Steppenwolf continually redefines the landscape of acting and performance.

Steppenwolf's Mission: Steppenwolf strives to create thrilling, courageous and provocative art in a thoughtful and inclusive environment. We succeed when we disrupt your routine with experiences that spark curiosity, empathy and joy. We invite you to join our ensemble as we navigate, together, our complex world. steppenwolf.org, facebook.com/steppenwolftheatre, twitter.com/steppenwolfthtr and instagram.com/steppenwolfthtr.