From Hilary A. Williams, London producer of Who's Afraid of Virgina Woolf with Kathleen Turner and The Postman Always Rings Twice with Val Kilmer and the Chicago Director Tom Mullen (Urinetown, I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change) comes the exciting Chicago premiere of Tomorrow Morning, an acclaimed new musical by accomplished U.K. playwright, composer and lyricist Laurence Mark Wythe. Tomorrow Morning runs Friday, Oct. 31 through Sunday, Dec. 7 at the Greenhouse Theater, 2257 N. Lincoln Avenue, Chicago.
"Tomorrow Morning is near and dear to my heart," says Williams. "Recently, musical stages in the U.K. and the U.S have been dominated by restagings of established works or jukebox musicals. I firmly believe that in order to keep musical theater vibrant, new talent needs the opportunity to be seen and heard, so I am honored to lend my support to this new musical penned by such a brilliant new voice."
Tomorrow Morning is about two couples—one is contemplating the end of their relationship, the other is on the brink of a deeper commitment. The couples, though separated by time, are bound together by the uncertainty of impending change and the ultimately redeeming power of love. Tomorrow Morning is filled with humor and sensitivity. British critics have called the score "witty and poignant" (What's on Stage.com) with "searing ballads and snappy, insightful comedy numbers" (Stage).
"This musical comes from a very personal place for me," says Wythe. "As a child I was touched by the divorce of my parents. Even now, as a married man with children of my own the memories are still strong. But time has given me an incredible gift of seeing how one survives intimidating times of change and can even thrive with the strength that comes from love and family."
An early version of Tomorrow Morning had its world premiere in London's New End Theatre on July 10, 2006. That same year it was honored in Theatre Radio's Best Musical of 2006 competition and this past October was a finalist for the National Alliance for Musical Theatre's annual festival of new works in New York.
In August 2007 a first draft of an Americanized script previewed in a reading at Theatre Building Chicago's Stages Festival of New Musicals. Now, for the 2008 full production staging, additional significant adjustments have been made to the script, and songs have been deleted and added to raise the dramatic stakes.
"I'm excited to direct this exciting Chicago premiere," adds director Mullen. "Wythe has provided a virtual treasure trove of incredible material which any director would be thrilled to work with. Couple that with a top notch cast, a talented design team and the incredible support of executive producer Hilary Williams and the end result promises to be nothing but spectacular."
The four-star Equity cast of Tomorrow Morning includes: Charissa Armon (Katherine) was most recently seen as Avia in Unlock'd at Ravinia. Other Chicago credits include Woman 1 in I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change at Noble Fool Theatricals, and Mother in Ragtime (After Dark Award recipient /Jeff Nomination) at Porchlight Music Theatre, Michael Mahler (John). Mahler's Chicago credits include The Producers (Theater at the Center) The Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story (Drury Lane Oakbrook); Forbidden Broadway SVU! (Royal George) and My Favorite Year (Bailiwick – Jeff Citation, After Dark Award), Jonathan Rayson (Jack). Ravson's Broadway credits include Little Shop of Horrors (Seymour), A Year With Frog and Toad; Off-Broadway: Final cast of I Love You, You're Perfect Now Change and Emily Thompson (Kat) is a 2007 graduate of Northwestern University. Chicago credits include Little Women and Les Miserables (Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire), Dennis Deyoung's The Hunchback of Notre Dame (Bailiwick Repertory) and The Boys from Syracuse (Drury Lane Oakbrook).
The design team for Tomorrow Morning includes Dan R. Conley (scenic design), Bill Morey (costume design), Jennifer Kules (lighting design), Timothy K. Schmidt (sound design), Mike Tutaj (film design) and Brett Rowe (musical direction). Ellyn Costello is the production stage manger.
Tomorrow Morning receives its Chicago premiere Friday, Oct. 31 through Sunday, Dec. 7 at the Greenhouse Theater, 2257 N. Lincoln Avenue, Chicago. Performances for Tomorrow Morning are Wednesdays at 2 p.m. (Nov. 12 and 19 only), Thursdays and Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 5 and 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. (5 p.m. for press opening Nov. 9 only).
Tickets prices are $25 for previews (through Nov. 8); $32.50 for Wednesday matinees, Thursdays and Fridays at 8 p.m. and Saturdays at 5 p.m., $34.50 for Saturdays at 8p.m., and $28.50 for Sundays at 3 p.m. For tickets or more information call the box office at 773.404.7336 or visit www.tomorrowmorningthemusical.com. Group discounts are available for groups of 10 or more. Call GroupTix: 877-4-GRP-TIX (877-447-7849).
