It's A Bird, It's A Plane, It's Superman June 7, 2007

Drury Lane Oakbrook Terrace, Chicagolands Award-winning theater, presents ITS A BIRD, ITS A PLANE, ITS SUPERMAN, a sly and sassy send-up of the Man of Steel. With a tongue-in-cheek script by Robert Benton and David Newman (who went on to write "Bonnie and Clyde" and the blockbuster "Superman" film) and a fabulous, much-lauded score by BYE BYE BIRDIEs Charles Strouse and Lee Adams, the musical pokes fun at the American superhero whose unwavering morality, fidelity, and loyalty have made him a celebrated hero and favorite through the decades. ITS A BIRD, ITS A PLANE, ITS SUPERMAN will be directed by William Osetek, with musical direction by Margaret James and choreography by Tammy Mader, and will preview May 31, open June 7, and close July 29 at at Drury Lane Oakbrook, 100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181

Although it has now slipped into obscurity, critics raved at the opening for ITS A BIRD, ITS A PLANE, ITS SUPERMAN in 1966, including The New York Times which called it "fun, easily the best musical so far this season it would be enjoyable in any season." Strouse and Adams provide a superb score, including "Its Superman," "The Woman for the Man," "Its Super Nice," "So Long, Big Guy," "The Strongest Man in the World," and "Pow! Bam! Zonk!"

ITS A BIRD, ITS A PLANE, ITS SUPERMAN is an action-packed glimpse into the life of DC Comics most forthright, eager and famous hero. As the show opens, Superman in his guise as Clark Kent is working for the Daily Planet and in love with Lois Lane, although she is beginning to chafe at the problems inherent in dating a superhero. An arch-villain is soon plotting Supermans downfall, in a convoluted plot which involves a troupe of acrobats (who can no longer get paid to perform since everyone started watching Superman fly for free), a supercomputer called the Brainiac 7, and a theatrical columnist who also hates the hero (both for dating Lois Lane and for constantly stealing his headlines). Will Superman fall prey to Professor Sedgewicks psychobabble and lose his confidence in his own super abilities? Will he lose Lois to a less-than-charming rival who at least never cuts dates short to go rescue someone?

Robert Benton and David Newman were editors together at Esquire Magazine when they created the script for ITS A BIRD, ITS A PLANE, ITS SUPERMAN. They went on to write the screenplays for 1967s "Bonnie and Clyde," for which they both received Oscar nominations, and the first "Superman" movie, a 1978 blockbuster. Benton also wrote and directed "Kramer vs. Kramer," which won him two Oscars, as well as "Places in the Heart," which garnered an Oscar and an Oscar nomination. Recent works from Newman include the book for the stage show THE LIFE, as well as composing for "Anastasia," which earned him an Oscar nomination; "Bowfinger"; the recent remake of "Bedazzled"; "102 Dalmations"; and "The Nutty Professor II: The Klumps."

Composer Charles Strouse and lyricist Lee Adams had previously collaborated on GOLDEN BOY as well as their recent hit show, BYE BYE BIRDIE, when they created the score for ITS A BIRD, ITS A PLANE, ITS SUPERMAN. The pair went on to create music for ALL AMERICAN, APPLAUSE (the stage musical based on the film, "All About Eve") and reunited with Benton and Newman for the Oscar-nominated film, "Bonnie and Clyde."

Starring as the Man of Steel will be Jim Rank, seen at Drury Lane Theatre Water Tower Place as The Baron in Grand Hotel and most recently as Nigel Rancour in Somethings Afoot at Drury Lane Oakbrook Terrace. McKinley Carter appears as Lois Lane; audiences will also remember her from Somethings Afoot at Drury Lane Oakbrook Terrace as Hope Langdon and as Lucinda in Into The Woods at Marriott Theatre. Joining them will be David Perkovich as Dr. Sedgewick and Bernie Yvon as theatre writer Max Mencken. Holly Stauder plays Sydney, Maxs frustrated assistant who makes a play for Clark Kent. Jason Bayle appears as Jim Morgan, Supermans romantic rival for Lois. John Reeger plays Father Rascalnikov. Other cast members include Jeff Max, Leah Morrow, Michael Gutrich, David Kortemeier, Nicole Hren, Tim Howard, Dustin Hamilton, Carol Feiger, Ariane Dolan, Amanda Tanguay, Sharon Sachs, Sean Hunt, and Matthew Gold.

The performance schedule is as follows: Wednesdays at 1:30 p.m., Thursdays at 1:30 p.m. and 8 p.m., Fridays at 8:30 p.m., Saturdays at 5 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2:00 p.m. and 6 p.m. Show prices range from $25 to $50 (depending on the day of the week); Lunch or Dinner and Theatre Packages are available. Inquire at box office or website for details and prices. For reservations, phone (630) 530-0111 or call TicketMaster at 312-599-1212. You may also visit www.ticketmaster.com or www.drurylaneoakbrook.com.


Event submitted by Eventful.com on behalf of ajaniszewski.