Fremont Street Theater to stage '42nd Street' in Palatine

The Fremont Street Theater Company returns with its annual production, this year presenting the Tony-Award winning "42nd Street."

"If you've ever dreamed of being on the Broadway stage, well, this show is for you," says Madeline Franklin, producer and artistic director of Fremont Street Theater Company, with her husband, Rusty, who serves as managing director.

"Our fifth anniversary show is being directed and choreographed by Fremont veteran Dina DiCostanzo, who has been our choreographer since 2012," said Franklin, who has directed FSTC's productions for the past four summers.

DiCostanzo was nominated by BroadwayWorld Chicago for Best Choreography in a Musical (resident non-equity) for the company's productions of "Crazy for You" and "The Drowsy Chaperone." FSTC veteran Kenneth James McMullen returns this summer as the show's musical director.

"42nd Street" is an American musical with a book by Michael Stewart and Mark Bramble, lyrics by Al Dubin, and music by Harry Warren. The 1980 Broadway production won the Tony Award for Best Musical and became a long-running hit.

The show was produced in London in 1984, (winning the Olivier Award for Best Musical) and its 2001 Broadway revival won the Tony for Best Revival.

Based on the novel by Bradford Ropes, and the subsequent 1933 Hollywood film adaptation, the show focuses on the efforts of famed dictatorial Great White Way director Julian Marsh to mount a successful stage production of a musical extravaganza at the height of the Great Depression.

"42nd Street" is a celebration of Broadway and the people involved in shows. It focuses on aspiring chorus girl Peggy Sawyer, and takes us along her journey. Musical hits include "You're Getting to Be a Habit with Me," "Dames," "I Know Now," "We're In the Money," "Lullaby of Broadway," "Shuffle Off to Buffalo" and "Forty-Second Street."

The show runs Friday, Sept. 9, through Sunday, Sept. 18, at Cutting Hall Performing Arts Center at the corner of Fremont and Wood streets in Palatine. Friday and Saturday performances will start at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday performances will start at 3 p.m.

Tickets are now on sale and can be purchased at the Cutting Hall Box Office by calling (847) 202-5222 or by visiting the box office at 150 E. Wood St. in Palatine between 2 and 6 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays, or online through Fremont Street Theater Company's website, www.fremontstreettheater.com.

Fremont Street Theater Company is an Illinois nonprofit organization whose mission is to enrich, educate, and entertain our community through the experience of exceptional live theater. Founded in 2012 by Sandy Sandquist, new owners Madeline and Rusty Franklin continue to carry the torch in bringing excellence in musical theater to the community.

Fremont Street Theater Company strives to tap into the Chicago area's exceptional talent pool of actors, dancers, singers, musicians, choreographers, directors and technical designers to satisfy the quintessential need for a superior theater company in the Northwest Suburbs.

For more information, visit www.fremontstreettheater.com.

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