For the Boys stage production premieres at Marriott Theatre
By Jodie Jacobs, Chicago Theater Examiner
Marriott Theatre will bring the once popular For the Boys movie to the legitimate stage in August.
A 1991 20th Century Fox release, the film starred Bette Midler and James Caan as two USO entertainers. Its soundtrack included such classics as “What a Wonderful World” and “Come Rain or Come Shine.”
Its world stage premiere, adapted from the movie by Marriott Co-Artistic Director Aaron Thielen, begins previews Aug. 17, opens Aug. 26 and continues through Oct. 16, 2011.
The film based on a novel by Neal Jimenez and Lindy Laub is about the sparring partnership between singer Dixie Leonard and entertainer Eddie Sparks through World War II and later during the Korean and Vietnam Wars who put aside their dislike of each other to perform “for the boys.”
The Marriott production stars Michele Ragusa as Dixie and Timothy Gulan as Eddie. Both performers have a long list of Broadway and National Tour credits. Among their many roles, Ragusa has appeared as Elizabeth in “Young Frankenstein” and as Evelyn Nesbit in “Ragtime” and Gulan was Mickey in “Blood Brothers” and Jerry/Daphne in “Some Like it Hot.”
Tickets $40-$48 Marriott Theatre and 847-634-0200
Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire, IL 60069
