Broadway Playhouse unviels new look and two shows

The old Drury Lane Water Tower Place has been refurbished by Broadway n Chicago and is now a modern  venue for smaller productions, something they have needed for sometime. Gone are the brassy chandeliers and sconces, replaced by smaller more modern lighting. The box office still remains on Chestnut, but the entrance to the refurbished lobby is at the driveway island that faces the entrance to Water Tower Mall itself. The actual theater space where the audience views the stage is unchanged as this is a design that was done for good viewing and comfort in sitting.

The type of productions that we will see in this venue are designed to be intimate theater experiences and what better than to start them off but “Traces” the high energy, urban acrobatic presented by 7 Fingers. This is a sort of Cirque type show featuring Chinese acrobatics, balancing acts,  hoop tumbling and pole climbing ( without the use of hands). One might call this a mix of Cirque, Music and maybe a little bit of  “Fuerta Bruta”, without audience involvement or having to stand for the entire show. I for one , am looking forward to viewing this special entertainment and will of course report back to you

“Traces” will open on October 26th and tickets can be purchased at any of the Broadway in Chicago box offices, by phone at 800-775-2000, at all Ticketmaster outlets or online at www.BroadwayInChicago.com

Tickets range from $50 to $71.50 and there is not a bad view seat in this house.

Coming in February- “Working”, a musical play that has not been around for sometime. Based on the book by Chicago legend Studs Terkel, where he interviewed all types of people from all types of work experience, it was made into a musical by Stephen Schwartz ( “Godspell”, “Wicked” and “Pippin”) and is vied by many as a working man’s Chorus Line as each person talks to us, the audience about their life and work experience- all real people. The waitress, the fireman, the car valet, the construction worker, the trucker and man more. This is a show I love and I am anxious to get to see the entire new version as it has been updated to be re-introduced to the next generation of  audeinces. To make it even more special, three Chicago favorites have been announced in the cast:  E. Faye Butler, Gene Weygandt and Barbara Robertson ( who did a marvelous preview of “Its and Art”) .

Tickets are not available on an individual basis yet, only groups and season subscriptions, but I am sure it will be announced very shortly. You can always find out what is happening inChicago by visiting www.BroadwayInChicago.com ( for their shows) and for the entire scene, visit www.theatreinchicago.com