S TA G E
Warm temps, hotter musical theater
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BY KEELY FLYNN
s soon as the temps start rising in Chicago, it’s all we can do to keep from singing in the streets—or dancing in the aisles. If the upcoming lineup of musical theater greatness has anything to say about it, this is definitely the summer to do it.
Memphis Inspired by true events, ‘Memphis’ tells the tale of a white radio DJ, a black club singer and the kind of dreams that 1950s Tennessee doesn’t know how to handle. Porchlight brings its signature musical prowess to the historic Ruth Page Center for the Arts and, with book and lyrics by Joe DiPietro (‘Nice Work If You Can Get It’, ‘All Shook Up’, ‘I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change’) and music and lyrics by David Bryan (of the band Bon Jovi), a rollicking time is guaranteed. (Would you expect anything less from the birthplace of rock n’ roll?) Through June 3 The Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn St., Chicago porchlightmusictheatre.org 52 Summer 2018 • goingplaces
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Photo by Michael Courier
South Pacific If we’re handing out awards for the most timely staging of 2018, Rodgers & Hammerstein’s ‘South Pacific’ is an extremely strong contender. Darkness and prejudice live quite well amidst beauty and love in this Pulitzer Prize- and Tony Award-winning musical. Under the direction of Victor Malana Maog, this production explores race, patriotism and the suggestion that maybe those concepts weren’t limited to the era of World War II. Through June 17 Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace drurylanetheatre.com ChicagoParent.com
5/3/18 11:45 AM