Second City Theatricals presents the world premiere of Rush Limbaugh! The Musical through March 24 at The Second City e.t.c.
The score by composer-lyricist T.J. Shanoff features songs in the style of Spring Awakening, Wicked, Rent and more. Playbill.com has learned that the original songs include "Holding Onto the '50s" (in the style of "Greased Lightning" from Grease), "They Can't Argue With Jesus" (in the style of "Razzle Dazzle" from Chicago), "Do You Hear Conservatives" (in the style of "Do You Hear the People Sing?" from Les Miz), "Our Man Rush" (in the style of "Rent" from Rent), "Democrats Are Fucked" (in the style of "Totally Fucked" from Spring Awakening), "Oxycontin" (in the style of "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" from Dreamgirls), "Take Me Seriously" (in the style of "Popular" from Wicked), "Rule the Land" (in the style of "I Am What I Am" from La Cage aux Folles), Bows – "La Vie Conservative" (after "La Vie Boheme" from Rent).
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Rush Limbaugh! The Musical reunites the creative team of songwriter Shanoff, Ed Furman (book) and director Matt Hovde (Jeff Award winner Best Director for Studs Terkel's Not Working).
According to production notes, "Brought to you by the same team that made Rod Blagojevich Superstar! an instant hit, Rush Limbaugh! The Musical takes us back to Rush's humble beginnings and follows his ascent to conservative dominance buoyed by characters like Ann Coulter, Karl Rove and Donald Rumsfeld despite confrontations with Hillary Clinton and Barney Frank." Mark Sutton plays the title role. The cast includes Karla Beard, Bumper Carroll, Cayne Collier, Colleen Murray, and Kevin Sciretta.
The band includes musical director T.J. Shanoff (piano), Trey Stone (bass/keyboard) and Tony Mendoza (percussion). The stage manager is Joe Ruffner, and the choreographer is Lisa McQueen.
Performances will play Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 8:30 PM and Sundays at 2 PM at The Second City e.t.c. at 1608 N. Wells in Piper's Alley, Chicago, IL.
Tickets are $25 and can be reserved by phone at (312) 337-3992 or at www.secondcity.com.
