Presented by the John Belushi estate, Judy Belushi Pisano and Dan Aykroyd, The Blues Brothers Revival will be directed by Victor Pisano — who also wrote the musical stagework which opens April 20. Tony Tomaska serves as co-producer.
Created from a "Saturday Night Live" sketch which saw Aykroyd and Belushi as soul singers dressed in black suits and thin ties against a white shirt topped off with fedoras and shades. The characters, seen in frequent appearances on the show, made the leap to the big screen in the 1980 film "The Blues Brothers" directed (and co-written with Aykroyd) by John Landis.
The stage show will interpolate songs from the movie with material released on subsequent albums by Aykroyd and Belushi. The story finds Jake (Belushi's character) stuck in purgatory while Elwood and others try to get him into heaven.
Among the songs featured will be "Soul Man," "She Caught The Katy," "Sweet Home Chicago," "Shotgun Blues," "Rubber Biscuit," "Jailhouse Rock," "R-E-S-P-E-C-T," "Son of a Preacher," "Rawhide," "Minnie the Moocher" and more.
Casting is expected to incorporate local talents including blues artists, gospel singers and musicians. Tickets go on sale February 12 for The Blues Brothers Revival at the Chicago Center for the Performing Arts, 777 N. Green Street in Chicago, IL through (312) 327-2000 or online at www.theaterland.com.