With Tony Award-winning musicals A Chorus Line and Rogers and Hammerstein’s The King and I, plus the empowering story of Steel Magnolias, Agatha Christie’s classic whodunnit Murder on the Orient Express, and the family-friendly holiday spectacular Elf the Musical, Drury Lane introduces what’s sure to be a thrilling 2022/23 theatre season. Drury Lane’s new season runs April 2022 – March 2023 at 100 Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace.
“We really wanted to celebrate human connections this season,” said Associate Artistic Director Matthew Carney. “Whether it’s friends, newfound family or even foes, these stories teach us that we’re always stronger together.”
For the 68th season, the Drury Lane Theatre performance schedule is 1:30pm on Wednesdays, 1:30 and 8pm on Thursdays, 8pm on Fridays, 3 and 8pm on Saturdays and 2 and 6pm on Sundays.
Subscriptions are on sale now starting at $170. This includes priority seating and great dining discounts at Lucille Restaurant and The Lounge, dedicated theatre entrances, discounts at partner hotels, exclusive presale opportunities and much more. For more information, visit www.DruryLane.com/Subscribe. Student group tickets start at just $40 and Senior tickets start at just $42 for matinee performances. To book a group of 15 people or more, call Group Services at 630-530-7272 or email Groups@DruryLane.com.
Before or after the show, theatre-goers can enjoy delicious onsite dining at Lucille Restaurant featuring seasonal pre-fixe menus and an elegant atmosphere.
The Drury Lane Theatre Mainstage 2022/23 Season
Rodgers and Hammerstein’s The King and I
- Music by Richard Rodgers
- Book and Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II
- Based on “Anna and the King of Siam” by Margaret Landon
- Originally Choreographed by Jerome Robbins
- April 1 – May 22, 2022
- Press Opening: April 7, 2022
- Rated G
British tutor Anna Leonowens and the King of Siam struggle with cultural differences after Anna arrives at the royal palace in Bangkok. Inspired by true events, Rodgers and Hammerstein’s The King and I is a tale of the human experience, exploring the historical intricacies of class, race, and politics in 1862. Featuring beloved songs like “Shall We Dance?” and “Getting to Know You,” this Rodgers and Hammerstein classic won 13 Tony Awards, including Best Musical and Best Revival of a Musical.
Steel Magnolias
- By Robert Harling
- June 10 – July 21, 2022
- Press Opening: June 16, 2022
- Rated PG
In a beauty parlor in northwestern Louisiana, life is anything but boring. Steel Magnolias follows six women over the course of three years as they face life’s challenges together and find comfort in one another. Embracing both laughter and tears, this story celebrates the power of female friendship.
Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express
- Adapted for the Stage by Ken Ludwig
- August 31 – October 23, 2022
- Press Opening: September 8, 2022
- Rated PG
Just after midnight, a snowdrift stops the Orient Express in its tracks. The next morning, an American tycoon lies dead in his compartment, stabbed a dozen times, his door locked from the inside. Isolated and with a killer in their midst, the passengers rely on famed detective Hercule Poirot to identify the murderer before they strike again. Ken Ludwig’s witty and gripping adaptation of Agatha Christie’s timeless murder mystery will keep audiences on the edge of their seats.
Elf the Musical
- Book by Thomas Meehan and Bob Martin
- Music by Matthew Sklar
- Lyrics by Chad Beguelin
- Based upon the New Line Cinema film written by David Berenbaum
- November 9, 2022 – January 8, 2023
- Press Opening: November 17, 2022
- Rated PG
After discovering he is really a human raised as an elf, Buddy makes the journey from the North Pole to New York City to find his birth father, sharing the true meaning of Christmas along the way. Based on the hit film, Elf the Musical brings heart, hilarity, and joy to you and your family this holiday season. After all, the best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear!
A Chorus Line
- Conceived and originally directed and choreographed by Michael Bennett
- Book by James Kirkwood and Nicholas Dante
- Music by Marvin Hamlisch
- Lyrics by Edward Kleban
- January 25 – March 26, 2023
- Press Opening: February 2, 2023
- Rated PG-13
This impassioned backstage look at the intimate lives of dancers auditioning for a Broadway chorus brilliantly combines stunning song and dance with a compelling, moving story. Beloved around the world, A Chorus Line is the ultimate love letter to Broadway and features memorable numbers including “What I Did for Love,” “One,” and “I Hope I Get It.” The iconic musical won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in addition to nine Tony Awards, including Best Musical.
The Theatre for Young Audiences 2022/23 Season
Shrek the Musical
- Book and Lyrics by David Linday-Abaire
- Music by Jeanine Tesori
- April 21 – May 21, 2022
“Once upon a time, there was a little ogre named Shrek….” And thus begins the tale of an unlikely hero who finds himself on a life-changing journey alongside a wisecracking Donkey and a feisty princess who resists her rescue. Throw in a short-tempered bad guy, a cookie with an attitude, and over a dozen other fairy tale misfits, and you’ve got the kind of mess that calls for a real hero. Luckily, there’s one on hand… and his name is Shrek.
A Christmas Carol
- By Charles Dickens
- November 25 – December 30, 2022
Resume your tradition or start a new one by gathering the whole family for the exciting return of Drury Lane Theatre's heartwarming production of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. Set in Victorian-era London, A Christmas Carol tells the classic tale of Ebenezer Scrooge and the ghosts that visit him one fateful Christmas Eve hoping to change his miserly ways. Complete with falling snow and magical illusions, the play is a visually stunning experience and, at one hour long, perfect for children of all ages.
About Drury Lane Theater
Founded by Anthony DeSantis more than 60 years ago, Drury Lane remains a family-run company under the leadership of President Kyle DeSantis. A major force in the Chicagoland theatre scene, the theatre produces world-class shows in collaboration with some of the country’s greatest actors, directors, and creative people. Exploring the human experience through the transcendent power of live theatre, Drury Lane continues to support artists and audiences everywhere. More than ever, everyone at Drury Lane fosters an environment where all of us are welcomed, respected and able to fully experience and participate in this truly transformative artform.
Over the years, the theatre has staged more than 2,000 productions and been nominated for over 360 Joseph Jefferson Awards for Excellence in Chicago Theatre. Drury Lane proudly employs thousands of professional actors, musicians, designers, and crew members who work hard to entertain over nine million audience members and counting.