We Will Rock You will get its Midwest premiere at the Jedlicka Performing Arts Center in suburban Chicago, in Cicero, IL, beginning in April.
Through a special arrangement with Queen Theatricals, the JPAC will become one of the few regional theatres in the world granted the rights to the hit musical. This marks the first production of the show in the United States since the successful Las Vegas production closed in 2006. Based on the songs of Queen and named after their hit single of the same name, the musical was written by English comedian and author Ben Elton in collaboration with Queen members Brian May and Roger Taylor.
We Will Rock You features 32 of Queen's greatest hits. Performances will begin April 20, and run through May 5.
"We Will Rock You tells the story of a future Earth where globalization has eliminated all creativity and idiosyncrasy," according to production notes. "Set in the future, everyone watches the same movies, wears the same clothes and thinks the same thoughts. It's a safe and happy 'Ga Ga' world where music is computer-generated by the evil corporation controlled by the Killer Queen. All musical instruments are banned. But resistance is growing. A hero is needed. Is the one who calls himself Galileo that man and can he help them break free?"
Making his JPAC debut, Chicago actor/musician Matthew Marcum will play Galileo. Amanda Horvath plays the love of his life and companion in the rebellion, the feisty Scaramouche. A. Nikki Greenlee will play the soulful, but evil, Killer Queen. Also featured in the cast are Paul Jackson, Laura Kirin, Micheal Kott and Wayde Mathews, with Charese Brooker, Kristen Calvert, Tim Cottingim, Josephine de Jesus, Shannon Egan, Lane Halverson, Frank Horvath, Jim Horvath, Alfonsita Jimenez, Bobby Johnson, David Kav, Amber Linde, Harrison Lubel, Caitlin Lyons, Lou Maningas, Katie McDonald, MacKenzie Meeks, Faith Murphy, Anthony Patryn, Lainie Pahos, Arlette Resendiz, Dominique Roberts and Afra Williams.
Dante J. Orfei, JPAC's artistic director, will stage the production.
Producer Joseph Messina is JPAC's new managing director.
The production team includes scenic designer Michael Nedza, musical director Mark Breta, choreographer Jennifer Weidman, costume director Aliceson Hackett-Rubel and assistant director Janice Bantog.
This kind of title acquisition has become commonplace at the intimate JPAC. Over the last decade the non-Equity company has staged Chicago premieres, regional premieres and world premieres.
The JPAC is located ten minutes from downtown Chicago, one block north of the I-55 Stevenson Expressway.
Tickets and information are available by calling (708) 656-3948 or visiting www.jpactheatre.com.
*
We Will Rock You opened in London's West End in May 2002. The work has also played Australia, Germany, Spain, Russia, Japan, South Africa and Canada. Its only U.S. appearance was in Las Vegas.
