Ashton Byrum

Columbia College Chicago Theatre Department alumni and faculty members are bringing the rock musical [title of show] to the Open Door Theatre in the Chicago suburb of Oak Park starting January 15. Directed for the Open Door Repertory Company by Theatre Department Musical Theatre Program teacher Ashton Byrum, the show features Dakota Hughes (BFA ’15), a graduate of the Theatre Department’s BFA Program in Musical Theatre Performance.

Jacqueline Penrod

The scenic design is by Theatre Department Theatre Design Program teacher Jacqueline Penrod, and Alison Ennis (BA ’13), a graduate of the Theatre Department’s technical theatre and stage management program, is the production’s stage manager.

With music and lyrics by Jeff Bowen and a book by Hunter Bell, [title of show] concerns two struggling writers working against a pressing deadline to write a show for a new musical theatre festival with the help of their friends. It’s a love letter to musical theatre–a uniquely American art form–and to the joy of collaboration. The show ran on Broadway in 2008, winning a Tony Award nomination for best book of a musical.

The musical [title of show] runs January 15-February 21 at Open Door Theatre, 902 Ridgeland, Oak Park. For tickets, call 708-386-5510 or click here.