Nov. 03--The previously announced Chicago-area premiere of "Billy Elliot" will be joined by two plays and two musicals at Drury Lane Theatre during the 2015-16 season, the theater said Monday.
The lineup begins in April with "Billy Elliot" (April 10-June 7), Elton John and Lee Hall's musical based on the film about a boy from northern England who develops a love for ballet. Rachel Rockwell will direct.
Then, possibly, comes Ira Levin's behind-the-curtain suspense drama, "Deathtrap" (June 24 -- Aug. 16), in which an unsuccessful playwright plots to murder his student and steal his play. However, a spokeswoman for Drury Lane told the Tribune that the theater is currently working on a new musical that could -- should the musical be in produceable shape by summer -- take the place of "Deathtrap."
The Chicago-area premiere of Rick Elice's "Peter and the Starcatcher" begins performances in August (27 -- Sept. 3). Elice's playful pantomime is a prequel to "Peter Pan." William Osetek will direct the production.
Osetek then jumps right into staging Irving Berlin's "White Christmas" (Oct. 30 -- Jan. 6, 2016). Matthew Crowle will choreograph.
The season ends with "Bye Bye Birdie" (Jan. 14-March 20, 2016) by Lee Adams and Michael Stewart. In the 50s-set musical, an irresistible rock star, Conrad Birdie, is drafted into the military.
All performances take place at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace.
joleksinski@chicagotribune.com -- @JohnnyOTrib
