Broadway star in concert: Evanston’s Jessie Mueller shares songs, stories at Schaumburg’s Prairie Center
Jessie Mueller’s coming home, but not to her native Evanston. The veteran Broadway actress and one-time fixture on Chicago-area stages returns to the Northwest suburbs next month to headline “An Evening With Broadway Star Jessie Mueller” at Schaumburg’s Al Larson Prairie Center for the Arts.
Mueller, who earned a 2014 Tony Award for originating the title role in “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical,” describes the concert as a “combo platter” consisting of Broadway classics, selections from her roles and stories about her life and career.
“I will probably do deep cuts from my Chicago days,” said Mueller, who performed locally at Marriott, Drury Lane, Chicago Shakespeare and other theaters.
A Joseph Jefferson Award recipient for her performances in Court’s “Carousel” and Writers’ “She Loves Me,” Mueller will be accompanied by Jeff Award-winner and fellow Evanston Township High School graduate Doug Peck.
“I trust his taste impeccably,” she says of Peck, a celebrated pianist, music director and vocal coach.
At the time of this interview, Mueller and Peck hadn’t yet decided on the program, but it will likely include songs from “Beautiful” and from composer/lyricist Sara Bareilles’ musical “Waitress,” in which Mueller originated the lead role, earning her third Tony nomination.
For Mueller, performing such exceptional material is a gift.
“I never get sick of Carole King, Sara Bareilles, Oscar and Hammerstein,” she said comparing revisiting those songs to reuniting with old friends.
When she’s home, Mueller hopes to catch up with some old Chicago theater pals and family members, including siblings and fellow actors: Andrew, Abby and Matthew Mueller.
“If I don’t make my mom babysit, my parents will be there,” joked Mueller, referring to her parents, actors Roger Mueller and Jill Shellabarger.
“We talked about getting them on stage,” she said, adding “I have to start getting my bribes ready if I’m going to call people up from the audience.”
As for the future, Mueller mentions “Gypsy’s” Mama Rose, “Sweeney Todd’s” Mrs. Lovett and the titular character in “Mame” as roles she’d like to play.
She also expresses a fondness for character parts, like “My Fair Lady” dustman Alfred P. Doolittle, who sings the comic tune “I’m Getting Married in the Morning.”
The idea gets her thinking about the upcoming concert.
“Maybe it’ll just be an evening of old character songs,” she said, laughing.
Mueller last appeared on Broadway in 2022, making her straight-play debut in Steppenwolf Theatre’s Broadway transfer of Tracy Letts’ “The Minutes.”
“I’m so grateful for the opportunities I’ve had in recent years in New York City,” she said.
“I adored doing ‘The Minutes,’” she said. “I adored the cast, the script, the process. I loved doing it and would love to explore something like that again.”
But, “my life has changed dramatically now that I have a family,” said the married mom of a toddler.
“I want to be with my family. That’s my priority right now.”
But while she has pivoted recently to television, voice-over work and concerts to accommodate her young family, she will no doubt return to the stage eventually.
“I like to think there’s something wonderful out there that I don’t know about yet,” she said. “I’ll find the right project and the right project will find me.”
• • •
“An Evening With Broadway Star Jessie Mueller”
Showtime: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 18
Where: Al Larson Prairie Center for the Arts, 201 Schaumburg Court, Schaumburg, (847) 895-3600, prairiecenter.org
Tickets: $50-$155