March 02--One of the most successful sitcoms of the 1980s is to be reborn: "Cheers Live on Stage" is headed to Chicago this fall.
The touring show, licensed by CBS and produced by Stageworks Media and Troika Entertainment, will showcase what its producers call "classic moments" from the series, which starred Ted Danson, Woody Harrelson, Shelley Long, Rhea Perlman, Kelsey Grammer and George Wendt, ran for 11 seasons, and was set in the kind of bar where everybody knows your name.
Or so it seemed, after a few beers.
Casting has yet to be announced, although it is unlikely any of the original stars will be involved, given the 25-year lag. CBS reportedly is developing several other retro sitcoms as live shows, based on the original scripts. There is a long history of mining teleplays for theatrical laughs -- arguably beginning with "The Real Live Brady Bunch" at the Annoyance Theatre in Chicago.
"Cheers Live on Stage" will play in Chicago's Broadway Playhouse, 175 E. Chestnut St., from Sept. 20 to Oct. 23. Single tickets are not yet on sale; broadwayinchicago.com.
