Theatre Building Chicago, 1225 W. Belmont Ave., presents "Saint Peter's Umbrella," described as "a romantic new musical with a storybook Spanish flair, a sparkling contemporary score filled with ear-catching and toe-tapping melodies." One umbrella holds the key to happiness — is it a gift of heaven, or the key to worldly riches? The magic of a special umbrella brings together father and son, a pair of young lovers and a pair of old lovers too. The musical is set in Saldana, Spain, and based on the novel by Kalman Mikszath.
"Saint Peter's Umbrella" features music and lyrics by Denise Wright and book and lyrics by Dave Hudson. The authors met and forged a working partnership at Stages 2001, when Ms. Wright's musical "Jason and the Golden Fleece" premiered. Her works have been featured at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music & Drama and the Cardiff International Festival of Musical Theatre, along with multiple broadcasts throughout the U. K.
Dave Hudson is an award-winning writer, who wrote the book & lyrics (with Paul Libman, music) to the musical comedy "Muskie Love," featured at Stages 2003 and most recently at American Folklore Theatre. Hudson recently won the 2005 Richard Rodgers Development Award for a staged reading in New York City for his newest work, "Bringers," and he is a member of Theatre Building Chicago's Musical Theatre Writers' Workshop.
Joining Diana Basmajian (director) and Peter Storms (music director), the artistic team includes Brenda Didier (choreographer) with Jacqueline Reid (lighting & set designer), as well as Bek Steiling (costume designer) and Candice Song Tatum (stage manager). The cast includes: Sarah Charmoli, Jennifer T. Grubb, Kevin Grubb, Elizabeth Haley, Karl Sean Hamilton, Eric Lindahl, Amanda Wolff Pokorny, Mike Pokorny, Andrea Prestinario, Jonathan Raviv, Jim Sherman, Brian Simmons, Trista Smith, Carrie Wickert and Matthew E. Wilson.
Theatre Building Chicago has devoted more than 28 years to cultivating new American musical theatre by supporting writers, lyricists and composers, while staging over 100 new musicals in Chicago. Members of the Musical Theatre Writers' Workshop meet regularly to collaborate under the guidance of Artistic Director John Sparks. Members develop individual projects with select new works presented in the Monday Night Musicals series, as well as Studio Presentations, One Acts and Mini Musicals— all performed at Theatre Building Chicago.
"Saint Peter's Umbrella" opened March 10 and closes April 3. Shows are at 8:15 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday; there is a 3 p.m. matinee Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are $25, with discounts available for groups of 10 or more. Call (773) 327-5252 or visit theatrebuildingchicago.org. |
