Home

Displaying items by tag: Jimmy Buffett’s Escape To Margaritaville

Producing Artistic Director Kyle A. Dougan and Music Theater Works are proud to announce its 46th season. The 2026 season at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie, 9501 Skokie Blvd. includes Cats, March 5 - 29, 2026West Side Story, August 13 - 30, 2026Jimmy Buffett’s Escape To Margaritaville, October 8 - November 1, 2026, and Hairspray, December 17, 2026 - January 3, 2027West Side Story and Hairspray are performed at the George Van Dusen Theatre to showcase these legendary scores with a larger orchestra while CATS and Jimmy Buffett’s Escape to Margaritaville will be in the North Theatre where Music Theater Works reimagines shows to fit that more intimate space. Current members may renew for the 2026 season now with new memberships available beginning Wednesday, Oct. 1 at 12 p.m. and single tickets for all the 2026 productions will go on sale Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026 at 12 p.m. For more information on the 46th season go to MusicTheaterWorks.com

“This year’s season we look forward to taking audiences to new heights and worldwide locations with classics and contemporary works,” said Producing Artistic Director Kyle A. Dougan. “From the memorable CATS brought to life in all its glory in an British flat to New York City with the beloved West Side Story, to a sun lit paradise found in Jimmy Buffet’s Escape to Margaritaville and then to Baltimore to meet a young woman on a mission in Hairspray, this 46th season will have audiences celebrating the majesty and marvel that is found in music theatre and dancing in the aisles.”

The Music Theater Works 2026 season includes:

CATS

North Theatre

March 5 - 29, 2026

Press Opening: Friday, March 6 at 7 p.m.

Music and Lyrics by Andrew Lloyd Webber

Directed and Choreographed by Mandy Modic

Music Directed by Linda Madonia

Music Theater Works kicks off its 46th season with CATS, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s electrifying, Tony Award-winning musical. In this immersive production set in a larger-than-life British flat, audiences may join the magical and all encompassing world of the Jellicle Cats as they gather for the annual Jellicle Ball, where one will be chosen for a new life. Through a series of dazzling musical numbers, each cat shares their story— from the mischievous Rum Tum Tugger, to the mysterious Macavity and the once-glamorous Grizabella. Featuring unforgettable songs, breathtaking choreography and a whimsical atmosphere, CATS is a celebration of life, community and the power of memory.

 
 

WEST SIDE STORY

George Van Dusen Theatre

August 13 - 30, 2026 

All performances include Spanish supertitles

Press Opening: Friday, Aug. 14 at 7 p.m.

Book by Arthur Laurents

Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim

Music by Leonard Bernstein

Directed by Sasha Gerritson

Assistant Directed by Gisella Milla

Choreographed by Clayton Cross and Isa Ramirez

Assistant Choreographed by Alex Villasenor

Music Directed by Linda Madonia

Spanish Translation by David Serrano

A timeless tale of love and rivalry, West Side Story brings Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet to the streets of 1950s New York. Caught between the tensions of two warring gangs—the Jets and the Sharks—Tony and Maria find themselves drawn to each other despite the violence that surrounds them. Featuring iconic songs like “Tonight,” “America” and "Somewhere,” West Side Story remains one of the most powerful and enduring musicals of all time.

JIMMY BUFFETT’S ESCAPE TO MARGARITAVILLE 

North Theatre

October 8 - November 1, 2026

Press Opening: Friday, Oct. 9 at 7 p.m.

Book by Greg Garcia and Mike O'Malley

Music and Lyrics by Jimmy Buffett

Directed and Choreographed by Brenda Didier 

Music Directed by Linda Madonia

Music Theater Works presents the first professional production of Jimmy Buffet’s Escape to Margaritaville in Chicago since its pre-Broadway run. Set sail for a tropical getaway with this feel-good musical packed with island vibes and beloved Buffett classics. This lighthearted romantic comedy follows Tully, a laid-back island singer, and Rachel, a career-focused tourist, as their worlds collide at a beachfront resort. With a story about adventure, self-discovery and living life to the fullest, Escape to Margaritaville is the ultimate musical vacation for Parrot Heads and newcomers alike.

 
 

HAIRSPRAY

George Van Dusen Theatre

December 17, 2026 - January 3, 2027

Press Opening: Friday, Dec. 18 at 7 p.m.

Directed by Keely Vasquez

Choreographed by Reneisha Jenkins

Music Directed by Linda Madonia

Full of heart and 1960s flair, Hairspray follows Tracy Turnblad, a big-dreaming teen who lands a spot on “The Corny Collins Show.” But when she sees injustice in Baltimore, she sets out to integrate the dance floor, proving one girl can make a difference. With infectious songs like “Good Morning Baltimore” and “You Can’t Stop the Beat,” this musical makes the perfect closer to Music Theater Work’s 46th season: it is a joyful celebration of acceptance, self-love and standing up for what’s right.

*Performances and creative teams subject to change. 

ABOUT MUSIC THEATER WORKS

Music Theater Works is a resident professional not-for-profit music theater founded in

1980. During its 46-year history it has presented more than 150 productions and intimate presentations. Music Theater Works is a professional theater company whose mission is to present works for the musical stage including historic repertoire, revitalizing the Golden Age of Broadway and earlier works, celebrating the Great American Songbook and introducing modern classics. The company uses collaborations among theaters, other artistic disciplines, social service agencies, local business, educational institutions and others to create music theater for the 21st century.

Published in Upcoming Theatre

Announcing the 2026 Broadway In Chicago Summer Concert

27 May 2026 in Upcoming Theatre

Broadway In Chicago will bring its free annual SUMMER CONCERT to Millennium Park on Monday, August 10, 2026. Sponsored by…

Lookingglass presents Ice Cream Circus, June 2-7, as part of Night Out in the Parks

27 May 2026 in Upcoming Theatre

Lookingglass Theatre Company presents Ice Cream Circus! 2026, a free, family-friendly theatrical event presented as part of the Chicago Park District's Night Out…

YI Love Jewish and Arts Judaica Chicago Premiere of A PEOPLE at Theater Wit June 18 – July 5

27 May 2026 in Upcoming Theatre

The South Florida based YI Love Jewish and Chicago-based Arts Judaica proudly join forces to present a limited engagement of the Chicago…

HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH Coming to Chicago July 9th

27 May 2026 in Upcoming Theatre

JK Entertainment is proud to announce the final production of their inaugural season: HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH, the cult-classic created…

Chicago City Opera presents 'Der Rosenkavalier' June 5

27 May 2026 in Upcoming Theatre

Chicago City Opera (CCO) presents one of late-Romantic composer Richard Strauss' most beloved works, Der Rosenkavalier. In CCO's signature pared…

Porchlight Announces Felicia P. Fields and Anthony Rapp join its Artistic Advisory Board

27 May 2026 in Theatre Buzz

Award-winning Porchlight Music Theatre announces today that the recent stars of Porchlight in Concert’s production of Follies, Tony Award-nominee Felicia P. Fields and Broadway’s…

Kokandy Productions Presents HAIR - July 2 – September 13, 2026 at The Chopin Theatre

27 May 2026 in Upcoming Theatre

Hot off their record-breaking, award-winning runs of Jekyll & Hyde and Amélie, Kokandy Productions is pleased to launch its 2026 Season with the revolutionary "love-rock"…

Babes With Blades presents the world premiere premiere of yo ho., July 19 - August 29

27 May 2026 in Upcoming Theatre

Babes With Blades Theatre Company’s (BWBTC) 2026 season opens with a world premiere, yo ho., by playwright SMJ, directed by JD Caudill and fight choreography by Carly…

PrideArts to present BEHIND THE CURTAIN: UNTOLD STORIES FROM CANADA’S TEAM BROADWAY on Monday, July 6th

27 May 2026 in Upcoming Theatre

PrideArts announced today that Craig Ramsay and Catherine Wreford will bring the magic of Broadway to the Hoover-Leppen Theatre at…

Music Theater Works presents WEST SIDE STORY, August 13 - 30

24 May 2026 in Upcoming Theatre

Music Theater Works is proud to announce the cast and creative team for the second production of its 2026 season, West Side…

Whammy, Indeed: Koechner’s Stand‑Up Evolves at The Den

24 May 2026 in Theatre in Review

David Koechner stormed into The Den Theatre’s Mainstage this weekend with the kind of unruly, big‑hearted presence that instantly reminded…

League of Chicago Theatres welcomes the summer theatre season

22 May 2026 in Upcoming Theatre

Chicago continues to produce some of the most exciting work in the country this Summer, offering a wide variety of plays…

Spaceman: Into the Quiet Terror of the Void

22 May 2026 in Theatre in Review

Spaceman, presented by [producingbody], touches down at The Edge Off-Broadway with a quiet, unnerving force, pulling audiences into the fragile…

Inside a Real ‘Fire House’ You Are Immersed in Phantasmic Lives of Firefighters

22 May 2026 in Theatre in Review

Set in Chicago’s oldest fire station (now Firehouse Art Studio) the immersive play "Fire House” is only loosely tethered to…

Spamalot Is Every Monty Python Fan’s Dream Come to Life

21 May 2026 in Theatre in Review

Spamalot rides into the Windy City courtesy of Broadway In Chicago, inviting theatergoers to join King Arthur’s quest now through…

Raven Theatre announces the 2026-27 season

20 May 2026 in Upcoming Theatre

Raven Theatre, under the director of Executive Artistic Director Jonathan Berry, announces its 44th season, to include Michael R. Jackson's Pulitzer Prize-winning musical A Strange…

Steppenwolf Theatre Presents ALEX EDELMAN: WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO

20 May 2026 in Upcoming Theatre

Following a critically-acclaimed, sell-out run of Just For Us at Steppenwolf Theatre and around the globe, Tony and Emmy Award-winning comedian Alex Edelman returns…

Announcing the 26/27 Season at Goodman Theatre

20 May 2026 in Upcoming Theatre

On the heels of an unprecedented Centennial Season, Goodman Theatre sets a bold stage for its second century. Walter Artistic…

Black Button Eyes Productions to stage Conor McPherson's one-actor play ST NICHOLAS, June 26 - July 26

20 May 2026 in Upcoming Theatre

Black Button Eyes Productions has announced it will follow up its hit co-production (with City Lit Theater) of STRANGE CARGO:…

Chicago Shakespeare Theater announces As Long As You're Asking: A Conversation with Jason Alexander

20 May 2026 in Upcoming Theatre

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) announces the return of Jason Alexander for a special event, As Long As You're Asking: A Conversation with Jason Alexander.…

Midsommer Flight to stage Shakespeare's comedy AS YOU LIKE IT free in six Chicago parks June 26 – August 2

20 May 2026 in Upcoming Theatre

For its 13th free summer production, Midsommer Flight will present one of Shakespeare's most highly regarded and popular comedies. AS YOU…

Chicago Magic Lounge welcomes back fan favorite Ondřej Pšenička for a limited run this summer

19 May 2026 in Upcoming Theatre

Chicago Magic Lounge, Chicago's home for close-up magic, announces the return of world-renowned magician Ondřej Pšenička in a limited run of his hit…

Porchlight's FREE Summer Concert Series Returns - BROADWAY IN YOUR BACKYARD

19 May 2026 in Upcoming Theatre

Porchlight Music Theatre is proud to announce the return of its free summer concert series Broadway in your Backyard, July 6 - September…

Ian Frank named Shattered Globe Theatre’s new Producing Artistic Director

19 May 2026 in Theatre Buzz

Chicago’s Shattered Globe Theatre announced today that Ian Frank has been selected, following a national search, to be the company’s…

OPERA FESTIVAL OF CHICAGO PRESENTS VERY VERISMO! JUNE 13 AT THE JARVIS OPERA HALL

19 May 2026 in Upcoming Theatre

Opera Festival of Chicago opens its 2026 festival season with Very Verismo!, that includes a VIP reception and a captivating concert celebrating…

Couch Penny Ensemble presents An Oak Tree by Tim Crouch, running June 19-July 5 at the Greenhouse Theater Center

18 May 2026 in Upcoming Theatre

Two actors. One has rehearsed the play. The other has neither seen nor read it. A different performer joins the…

AstonRep Productions to stage US Premiere of Liisa Repo-Martell's new adaptation of Chekhov's UNCLE VANYA, June 18 – July 5 at the Edge Off-Broadway Theatre

18 May 2026 in Upcoming Dance

AstonRep Productions, the theatre and film production company that has produced over 30 stage productions in Chicago, has announced it…

A Red Orchid’s The Targeted Builds a Case for Compassion

18 May 2026 in Theatre in Review

If you’ve ever worked in an urban coffee shop, chances are you’ve encountered at least one ultra-paranoid kook who believes…

Rocky in Concert Delivers a Knockout Night Despite Technical Stumbles

17 May 2026 in Theatre in Review

Marking Rocky’s 50th anniversary, Rocky in Concert arrived at the Auditorium Theatre in a highly anticipated Auditorium Philms presentation featuring…

No Dialog, Yet Strongly Affecting, Trap Door's 'Le Bal' Is Like Nothing You've Seen

16 May 2026 in Theatre in Review

Can you have a play run 90 minutes with no dialog? Indubitably, as Trap Door Theatre demonstrates with its new…

 

         20 Years and counting!

Register

     

Latest Articles

Guests Online

We have 1044 guests and no members online

Buzz Chicago on Facebook Buzz Chicago on Twitter 

Does your theatre company want to connect with Buzz Center Stage or would you like to reach out and say "hello"? Message us through facebook or shoot us an email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

*This disclaimer informs readers that the views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in the text belong solely to the author, and not necessarily to Buzz Center Stage. Buzz Center Stage is a non-profit, volunteer-based platform that enables, and encourages, staff members to post their own honest thoughts on a particular production.