DO NOT MISS Ragtime at Drury Lane, OakBrook IL

Posted: 2/26/10 at 1:42pm

I just ordered my tickets for Ragtime and the box office person told me that Quentin Earl Darrington, fresh off the recent Broadway revival, would be playing Coalhouse!

This suburban theater does good work- their recent production of Cabaret won rave reviews- and I'm even more excited than ever to see what they do with Ragtime!

Drury Lane Theater Updated On: 3/28/10 at 01:42 PM

[heo1128]

Posted: 2/26/10 at 1:55pm

Thanks for the heads up!! I'm definitely going to try to catch this.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 2/26/10 at 2:14pm

You're definitely in for a treat!!

Is this the same theatre that just did Hairspray?

[byebyebaby12]

Posted: 2/26/10 at 2:43pm

No Marriot Lincolnshire did Hairspray,

[Jon]

Posted: 2/26/10 at 2:44pm

No, Hairspray was at Marriott Lincolnshire, which is an in-the-round theatre.

Drury Lane Oakbrook is a regular proscenium stage, but there is no flyspace. Any drops, curtains, etc. track in from the sides.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 2/26/10 at 2:49pm

Thanks. How far is Oakbrook from Chicago?

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 2/26/10 at 2:51pm

I'm sort of reluctant to go back out there. I really enjoyed the production of Ragtimethat ran at the Apollo, moreso than the Broadway production. I went to one show at Drury Lane Oakbrook and left at intermission. It was a very sloppy production and that place gives me the willies for some reason. Was it a casino at one time? I did enjoy Grand Hotel and Full Monty at the Water Tower location, though.

[JeaniusIsMe]

Posted: 2/26/10 at 2:53pm

Thanks for the heads up! My sister was really disappointed that she missed out on seeing the Broadway production, so we'll definitely have to take in this one. Drury Lane usually puts on a great show.

[SoMuchBetter44]

Posted: 2/26/10 at 3:19pm

Oakbrook is about twenty minutes from me and I live 30 minutes from downtown, so I'd allow about an hour to get there, just in case.

I'd LOVE to see this, I wonder if I can come home for a weekend for it...

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 2/26/10 at 3:21pm

Thanks. The more I think about it, I might be better off letting the memories I have of the recent production remain intact as opposed to having something to compare it to.

[greensgreens]

Posted: 2/26/10 at 3:53pm

Oooh... Ragtime is good, but Sugar is better!!! I absolutely adore that score and am seriously considering a trip out there to witness it first-hand!

[ggersten]

Posted: 2/26/10 at 4:02pm

The Oakbrook has really stepped up the production values and casting. It's not a "local" theatre anymore, but seems to be regularly importing directors and performers from outside Chicago area. The productions have been getting pretty good notices as a result. It's an awkward theatre space, I admit, as if it was really a Vegas Cabaret space and the Saturday afternoon dinner geriatric show is "different" from a crowd perspective They are doing some pretty cool things with their limited space, though. I'd go to Drury Lane to see a show you've wanted to see but never did or haven't seen in quite a while. That's why we went to Sweet Charity and are going to Funny Girl.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 2/26/10 at 4:07pm

I checked out their performance schedule and I find it kind of odd that some days includes performances at 2pm and 6pm.

Posted: 2/26/10 at 8:21pm

It's a dinner theater. You go to Brunch before the 2 PM show.

And on weekdays they have huge busloads of seniors in for lunch and a show. But it's good- I've seen three shows there recently and all were at least very good. There is a whole new generation that has taken over.

[AwesomeDanny]

Posted: 2/26/10 at 8:37pm

Thank you for posting this, I just got really excited. I'll hopefully be able to see it.

[Jon]

Posted: 2/27/10 at 11:41am

To clarify - it's a "dinner theatre" in the sense that there is a restaurant attached to it, and you can purchase a dinner/theatre package. It is NOT a dinner theatre in the sense that you watch the show from a dinner table. It is a regualar theatre space with rows of seats.

[aasjb4ever]

Posted: 2/27/10 at 12:21pm

Oh my god please somebody get video of this

[vlegra]

Posted: 2/27/10 at 3:38pm

Vote For Me:
http://www.beintheheights.com/vlegra

Posted: 2/28/10 at 8:43pm

Some cast members have been posted.


"including Quentin Earl Darrington as “Coalhouse Walker, Jr.” and Valisia Lakae as “Sarah.”

Both Darrington and Lakae recently played those roles in last fall's Broadway revival (Darrington originated his role; Lakae was the understudy)".
Chicago Theatre Blog

Posted: 2/28/10 at 8:52pm

Wow- better and better! James Earl Jones II?

[StephanietheStar]

Posted: 2/28/10 at 9:47pm

Max Quinlan is awesome, great choice for Younger Brother! I can't wait to see this now!

[ACL2006]

Posted: 2/28/10 at 10:18pm

WOW!!!

[Fosse76]

Posted: 3/1/10 at 11:01am

Max Quinlan was the original alternate for The Little Boy in the original Chicago production at the Oriental Theatre (Andrew Keenan-Bolger was the principal).

[taylorPHENOMENON2]

Posted: 3/1/10 at 12:11pm

Wish I could see this! But glad everyone who may not have had the shot is getting the chance to see Quentin.

[StephanietheStar]

Posted: 3/1/10 at 7:02pm

oooh, thank you for that trivia Fossee...:)