Mercury Theater Artistic Director Christopher Chase Carter, Managing Director Kristi J. Martens and Executive Producers L. Walter Stearns and Eugene Dizon announce the 2023 Mercury Theater Chicago season, opening with Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill, written by Lanie Robertson and starring Alexis J. Roston as Billie Holiday, to be performed in the Venus Cabaret Theater. The season continues with the musical adaptation of Mark Twain’s timeless classic Big River: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, with music and lyrics by Roger Miller and book by William Hauptman, followed by the hilarious, hard-rockin’ tribute to the 1980s, Rock of Ages. The season concludes with Chicago Premiere of the new UK version of Young Frankenstein, the electrifying adaptation of Mel Brooks' monstrously funny film.
Season memberships and single tickets for Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill are on sale now at the box office, 3745 N. Southport Avenue in Chicago, www.mercurytheaterchicago.com.
Artistic Director Christopher Chase Carter comments, “The 2023 Mercury Theater Chicago season is not-to-be-missed! I can’t imagine a better way to start the season than up-close with the incomparable Alexis J. Roston as Billie Holiday in the Venus Cabaret Theater. The epic musical Big River: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn will bring us into spring, followed by the pure joy of Rock of Ages. We’ll top it off the season with Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein.”
The Mercury Theater Chicago 2023 Season is as follows:
Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill
Written by Lanie Robertson
Starring Alexis J. Roston
January 27 – March 26, 2023
Press Opening: February 2, 2023
The time is 1959. The place is a seedy bar in Philadelphia. The audience is about to witness one of Billie Holiday’s last performances, given four months before her death. More than a dozen musical numbers are interlaced with salty, often humorous reminiscences to project a riveting portrait of the lady and her music.
Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill stars Alexis J. Roston as Billie Holiday and will be performed in the intimate Venus Cabaret Theater. Tickets are on sale now.
BIG RIVER
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
Music and Lyrics by Roger Miller
Book by William Hauptman
Adapted from the novel by Mark Twain
April 21 – June 11, 2023
Press Opening: April 27, 2023
Twain's timeless classic sweeps audiences down the mighty Mississippi as the irrepressible Huck Finn helps his friend Jim escape from slavery to freedom at the mouth of the Ohio River. Their adventures along the way are hilarious, suspenseful, and heartwarming, bringing to life everyone's favorite characters from the novel: the Widow Douglas and her stern sister, Miss Watson; the uproarious King and Duke, who may or may not be as harmless as they seem; Huck's partner in crime, Tom Sawyer, and their rowdy gang of pals; Huck's drunken father, the sinister Pap Finn; the lovely Mary Jane Wilkes, and Mary Jane's trusting family. Propelled by an award-winning score from Roger Miller, the king of country music, this jaunty journey provides a brilliantly theatrical celebration of pure Americana.
ROCK OF AGES
Book by Chris D’Arienzo
Arrangements and Orchestrations by Ethan Popp
July 14 – September 17, 2023
Press Opening: July 20, 2023
It’s the tail end of the big, bad 1980s in Hollywood, and the party has been raging hard. Aqua Net, Lycra, lace, and liquor flow freely at one of the Sunset Strips last legendary venues, a place where sex machine Stacee Jaxx takes the stage and scantily clad groupies line up to turn their fantasies into reality. Amidst the madness, aspiring rock star (and resident toilet cleaner) Drew longs to take the stage as the next big thing (and longs for small-town girl Sherri, fresh off the bus from Kansas with stars in her eyes). But the rock 'n' roll fairy tale is about to end when German developers sweep into town with plans to turn the fabled Strip into just another capitalist strip mall. Can Drew, Sherri and the gang save the strip – and themselves – before it's too late? Only the music of hit bands Styx, Journey, Bon Jovi, Whitesnake and more hold the answer.
YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN
Book by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan
Music and Lyrics by Mel Brooks
October 13 – December 31, 2023
Press Opening: October 19, 2023
From the creators of the record-breaking Broadway sensation, The Producers, comes this monster new musical comedy. The comedy genius, Mel Brooks, adapts his legendarily funny film into a brilliant stage creation – Young Frankenstein! This will be the Chicago Premiere of a new version of the show which was a smash hit in the U.K..
Grandson of the infamous Victor Frankenstein, Frederick Frankenstein (pronounced "Fronk-en-steen") inherits his family's estate in Transylvania. With the help of a hunchbacked sidekick, Igor (pronounced "Eye-gore"), and a leggy lab assistant, Inga (pronounced normally), Frederick finds himself in the mad scientist shoes of his ancestors. "It's alive!" he exclaims as he brings to life a creature to rival his grandfather's. Eventually, of course, the monster escapes and hilarity continuously abound.With such memorable tunes as "The Transylvania Mania," "He Vas My Boyfriend" and "Puttin' on the Ritz," Young Frankenstein is scientifically proven, monstrously good entertainment.
2023 Membership and Ticket Information
Mercury Theater Chicago offers Membership Packages which include tickets to four shows plus two special events and discounts for additional tickets and concessions. Memberships include “Return Privileges” to see the show repeatedly for productions on the Mercury Mainstage. Memberships are on sale now for $300/year at www.mercurytheaterchicago.com.
COVID PROTOCOL: Mercury Theater Chicago follows the CDC and State of Illinois recommendations about maintaining a COVID safe environment. Any interaction with the public poses an inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19. By visiting Mercury Theater Chicago, it is understood that everyone voluntarily assumes all risks related to exposure.
About Mercury Theater Chicago
The beautifully renovated Mercury Theater Chicago is in the heart of the Southport Corridor at 3745 North Southport Avenue, within a sophisticated neighborhood of restaurants and boutiques just steps from Wrigley Field. A delightful destination, Mercury Theater Chicago is a live-theater seating 280 people, adjoining Venus Cabaret Theater (seating 80).
The building that houses the Mercury opened in 1912 as a silent film nickelodeon, named The Blaine Theatre after actor and former Senator and Secretary of State James G. Blaine. The Blaine became obsolete when talking pictures became popular nationwide in 1928. The building served a variety of uses until 1994, when it was purchased by theater producer Michael Cullen and transformed into a live theatre, named the Mercury Theatre.
In 2010 the building was sold again and reopened as Mercury Theater Chicago under the direction of Walter Stearns, a veteran theater director and producer. Mercury Theater Chicago's second performance space, Venus Cabaret Theater, offers a unique intimate theatrical experience complemented by specialty cocktails. Mercury Theater Chicago is thrilled to be part of the city's vibrant theatre community, boasting record-setting long runs, employing hundreds of artists and recognized with dozens of award nominations. Mercury Theater Chicago's team includes L. Walter Stearns and Eugene Dizon (Executive Producers), Christopher Chase Carter (Artistic Director), Kristi J. Martens (Managing Director) and Honey West (Cabaret Director). Visit www.MercuryTheaterChicago.com.