Artistic director David Zak announced Off-Broadway's youthful Zanna, Don't! (by Tim Acito) and Bare (by John Hartmere and Damon Intrabartolo) will be seen in 2007, followed in the spring by A Man of No Importance, based on the film of the same name, penned by Terrence McNally, Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty. Bare and Zanna, Don't are Windy City premieres; Apple Tree Theatre in Highland Park, IL, has produced Man of No Importance.
Chicago rock legend Dennis DeYoung's musical adaptation The Hunchback of Notre Dame, based on the novel by Victor Hugo, will play May 8-July 6, 2008.
It's billed as the classic tale "as never seen before." The love triangle between the gypsy Esmeralda, the priest Frollo, and the deformed bell-ringer Quasimodo "is a perfect match for the theatrical sensibility of rock legend Dennis DeYoung, whose songs like 'Lady,' 'Come Sail Away,' and 'Mr. Roboto' are treasured," according to Bailiwick. "The soaring ballads and driving musicality of DeYoung's score are a perfect match for this story set against the spires of the world's most beloved cathedral."
Zak stated, "Bailiwick has been on the leading edge of new musicals through the Chicago premieres of works like Parade, world premieres like Dr. Sex, and the American premiere of Jerry Springer. The selection today of these works continues that tradition of introducing Chicago audiences to what's new and what's next."
Zanna, Don't!, set in a high-school world where everyone is gay, had a cult Off-Broadway run, a cast album from PS Classics, and has recently been published. Book, music and lyrics are by Tim Acito. Bailiwick artistic associate Elisa Woodruff directs. Performances will play Sept. 26-Nov. 4. Bare, a rock musical set in a Catholic boarding school, "explores the impact of family and church on American youth." A gay relationship becomes public and "a complex series of events spins their lives out of control." The show (very much in the tradition of Rent and Spring Awakening) has a book by John Hartmere and Damon Intrabartolo, with music by Intrabartolo and lyrics by Hartmere. David Zak will direct. It begins Dec. 7.
The 1960s Dublin-set A Man of No Importance, about a middle-aged man coming out of the closet, has libretto by McNally, music by Flaherty and lyrics by Ahrens. Cecilie D. Keenan will direct. Performances will play March 13-April 20, 2008.
For more information call (773) 883-1090 or visit www.bailiwick.org.
