Theatre News Wire

Mercury Theater Artistic Director Christopher Chase Carter, Managing Director Kristi J. Martens and Executive Producers L. Walter Stearns and Eugene Dizon announced the 2023 Mercury Theater Chicago season, opening with Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill, written by Lanie Robertson and starring Alexis J. Roston as Billie Holiday, to be performed in the Venus Cabaret Theater. The season continues with the musical adaptation of Mark Twain's timeless classic Big River: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, with music and lyrics by Roger Miller and book by William Hauptman, followed by the hilarious, hard-rockin' tribute to the 1980s, Rock of Ages. The season concludes with Chicago Premiere of the new UK version of Young Frankenstein, the electrifying adaptation of Mel Brooks' monstrously funny film.

Artistic Director Christopher Chase Carter comments, "The 2023 Mercury Theater Chicago season is not-to-be-missed! I can't imagine a better way to start the season than up-close with the incomparable Alexis J. Roston as Billie Holiday in the Venus Cabaret Theater. The epic musical Big River: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn will bring us into spring, followed by the pure joy of Rock of Ages. We'll top it off the season with Mel Brooks' Young Frankenstein."

Mercury Theater Chicago offers Membership Packages which include tickets to four shows plus two special events and discounts for additional tickets and concessions. Memberships include "Return Privileges" to see the show repeatedly for productions on the Mercury Mainstage. Memberships are on sale now for $300/year at www.mercurytheaterchicago.com.

The beautifully renovated Mercury Theater Chicago is in the heart of the Southport Corridor at 3745 North Southport Avenue, within a sophisticated neighborhood of restaurants and boutiques just steps from Wrigley Field. A delightful destination, Mercury Theater Chicago is a live-theater seating 280 people, adjoining Venus Cabaret Theater (seating 80).

The building that houses the Mercury opened in 1912 as a silent film nickelodeon, named The Blaine Theatre after actor and former Senator and Secretary of State James G. Blaine. The Blaine became obsolete when talking pictures became popular nationwide in 1928. The building served a variety of uses until 1994, when it was purchased by theater producer Michael Cullen and transformed into a live theatre, named the Mercury Theatre.

In 2010 the building was sold again and reopened as Mercury Theater Chicago under the direction of Walter Stearns, a veteran theater director and producer. Mercury Theater Chicago's second performance space, Venus Cabaret Theater, offers a unique intimate theatrical experience complemented by specialty cocktails. Mercury Theater Chicago is thrilled to be part of the city's vibrant theatre community, boasting record-setting long runs, employing hundreds of artists and recognized with dozens of award nominations.