'Jerry Springer - The Opera' Will Make U.S. Debut in Chicago in Spring 2007; Cast Sought Jerry Springer - The Opera, the profane, audacious music theatre work that was a sensation in England, will get its American premiere in a non-Equity production by the professional Bailiwick Repertory in Chicago in spring 2007.
A critics' darling and a Best Musical winner, as named by the Olivier Awards, the Critic's Choice Awards, the Evening Standard Awards and What's On Stage Awards, the work is billed as "a fascinating mix of the highest form of art and the lowest form of culture - opera and daytime television." Chicago is the hometown of the talk show host who made a name for himself by welcoming a parade of outsiders onto his syndicated TV show, which is taped there. Performances will begin May 3, 2007, toward a May 14 opening.
According the 25-year-old Bailiwick, "At turns hilarious and heartbreaking, Jerry Springer - The Opera presents a series of unusual characters who each are desperate for 'their Jerry Springer moment.'" With music by Richard Thomas, and book and lyrics by Stewart Lee and Richard Thomas, the show "begins in very familiar territory for those of us very aware of Jerry's presence in the NBC Tower downtown," according to Bailiwick. "In Act One, Jerry's guests include a man with a fianc , a lover, and another lover with a secret.
In Act Two we find Jerry hosting in a very different place as he is forced to experience the worst day of his life, and his guests take the level of debate to operatic heights." Performances will continue to July 8. Bailiwick founder and artistic director David Zak (a seven-time Jeff Citations winner) will direct.
Musical director is Gary Edward, with costumes by Jeff Jones, lighting by Jared B. Moore, and choreography by Brenda Didier. Deanna Cox and Scott Deter are the production stage managers.
It will feature a cast of 25. Auditions are imminent. There was much talk and speculation about a Broadway life for the show, but nothing materialized, despite solid reviews.
"Bailiwick is a perfect spot for this American premiere," stated Bailiwick artistic director Zak. "We have had great success with daring large-scale musical projects, from Dorian to Parade. And we have an audience base that embraces the passionate and provocative choices that have been the Bailiwick trademark for the last 25 years.
And, frankly, what other theatre in town could be the happy home for a work with a delightful aria about a 'chick-with-a-dick!'" Richard Thomas (music/co-author of book and lyrics) made his West End debut with Jerry Springer. Stewart Lee (co-author of book and lyrics) won a Writers Guild Award and a Sony Gold award for "On The Hour" on BBC Radio 4 and worked on the award-winning Channel 4 show "Harry Hill" and "This Morning With Richard Not Judy.
" His first novel, "The Perfect Fool," was published in 2001 by Fourth Estate. He performed as a stand-up comedian at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival for 14 consecutive years, and the concert version of Jerry Springer - The Opera was his 15th visit. Founded in 1982, Bailiwick Repertory "is dedicated to reflecting on our stages the diversity of our world in works ranging from classics to world premieres.
" Its Primary Series features plays and musicals - many by Chicago authors - appealing to the traditional theatregoer, while the Community Based Initiatives - Pride Series, Directors Fest, Kids of All Kinds, and Second Sex Series - develop new artists and audiences. Bailiwick has earned over 150 Jeff Recommendations and Citations, including Best Musical Awards for the last three seasons for the world premiere of Dr. Sex, the Chicago premiere of Parade, and a revival of Kiss of the Spider Woman.
Anyone interested in auditioning for Jerry Springer should send resumes and headshots by Nov. 19 to BRCasting@aol.com.
The show features 11 soloists, a chorus of 12, and two non-singing roles - Jerry Springer and his bouncer Steve.

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enough anna nicolle. This is sickening. Get something of interest on your show.

Posted by a.c. ellis on Nov 6 at 7:55 pm MST

I am glad to have this opportunity to say that our station CHLY Radio Malaspina in Nanaimo B.

C. has a strong listenership on the internet. Even today I have an inquiry from an upcoming phone guest at a distance wondering if our conversation can be heard on line, so it can be promoted on his website, and he is well-known worldwide.

I have many listeners who can only listen on line because they live beyond our broadcast range, which is strong, but only goes so far, and I know this is the case for many of our other programs. We have modest fundraising twice a year, and one of the lowest contributions in the country from our student base, so we would be challenged to afford this proposed tariff. Please consider the bigger picture in this proposal, and allow these significant volunteer broadcasters to continue to speak, AND assist in the promotion of many voices.

Thank you. *Lynn Thompson

I think Katie Tom were right in not exposing their baby Suri. They have to protect her from the press and so far they are doing a good job.

im a die-hard MCR fan and reading this truley makes me want to cry! not because of MCR but out of sheer envy for all the fans that got to see what sounds like another amazing MCR extravaganza!!

! My Chemical Romance are truley magical live, and all 3 of their albums are incredible.

Some time this year there was a "get together" at one of the homes of the members of "Take That" the one exception was Robbie Williams.

Can you help to solve a discussion when it was, and if possible the name of one of the band members who has been on TV morning programme who had been writing music by himself? Any help oul be appreciated. Roy Lewis

sean paul its me agen.

i brought ur album the trinity and i came across "as time goes" i was wondering if u could write back the lyrics please i cant find dem anywhere thanx hold it thx bye bye chat 2 ya soon ya !!!

xxxxxx england

I feel bad for Nicole, bringing a new child into the world, and having the death of her son on the same day. How sad! I am praying for Nicole, her son, and her newborn baby.

Nicole is a strong lady. Time does heal pain, I will be praying! Dawn Murphy in Mountain View, California

Very many thanks for a good work.

Nice and useful. Like it!

Sean Paul.

you are the only singer in the reggea-dancehall world...

I have loved you since 2002.so I want you to e-mail to my adress.duttypaul@hotmail.

com.Sean Paul take care.You are needed for reggea-dancehall world.

Dutty yeah.

Wow. Just saw it.

People were cheering at the end of the movie!!!

!! One of the GREATS.

I really wish the show would come back I loved it now that show really made me laugh.

First of all is is not fair to call Al Sharpton stupid. He merly voiced his own opinion, and did not change it based on what other people said, freedom of speech and voiceing ones own opinion is one of the things Dr.

Martin Luther King Jr. fought for. That being said, i find this in no way offesnsive.

The lessons and meanings behind the episodes of Boondocks are often misconstrued. Instead of focusing ones whole attention on a word about someones ethnicity, those who watch the show, should focus thier the attention on the true lessons that can be gained from the show. This episode should not be all about the use of the n-word.

Whos to say that if He was alive today, he would have used the n-word, he may have, and he may not have. Rather then concerning oneself with the use of a racial slur, focus on what Dr.Martin Luther King Jr.

was all about, and not a word, that he did not even say himself. Dr.Marthin Luther King Jr.

was about unity and equality, and to ingore that message, because of one word, completly underminds what He fought for. So instead of seeing this as a mockery of a great man,see it as a tribute to a great man, and the things that He tried is hardest to uphold.

sean paul ur music is so awesome i love it so much and i hope one day i wil see u !

!!i love watchign ur videos and listening to ur music.

ur voice is lovely.the words u sing gets the message across i think.if u get wat i mean ?

I wil always buy ur music and i am behind u all the way i hope u get this and thankyou.

Keywords: Jerry Springer, King Jr, Luther King Jr, Luther King, Richard Thomas, Opera Will Make, Will Make u, That He, Opera Will, Will Make

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Entertainment News | 'Jerry Springer - The Opera' Will Make U.S. Debut in Chicago in Spring 2007; Cast Sought