Ready for Her 'Close-up': Actress ready for role of a lifetime starring as lead in 'Sunset Boulevard'

When Chicago actress favorite Christine Sherrill was cast as the lead role of faded silent film star Norma Desmond in Drury Lane Theatre Oakbrook's new production of "Sunset Boulevard," like her stage alter ego, she faced a mixture of fear and excitement.

Dara Cameron as Cinderella at Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire, Ill.

Dara Cameron stars as the title character in the classic Rodgers & Hammerstein telling of "Cinderella," for Marriott Theatre for Young Audiences' run of the production Nov. 17 through Dec. 31.

"Mary Poppins" Stage Musical

A first regional Chicagoland staging of Walt Disney's "Mary Poppins," is part of the 2013 season at Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire Oct. 23 to Jan. 1, 2014.

OFFBEAT: Marriott Theatre's 'Dreamgirls' dazzles with talent and design

Phil Potempa's daily entertainment news column.

"Dreamgirls" at Marriott Theatre directed and choreographed by Marc Robin

Britney Coleman (right) is Deena Jones and Rashidra Scott is Lorrell Robinson (center) with Raena White as Effie White (right) in "Dreamgirls" at Marriott Theatre. Eric LaJuan Summers plays James "Thunder" Early.

Director and Choreographer Marc Robin

Director and choreographer Marc Robin says his new production of "Dreamgirls," now at Marriott Theatre Lincolnshire until Nov. 4, is a long-overdue stage treatment of the musical show biz journey.

Marc Robin eager about the opportunity to bring 'Dreamgirls" to new stage audiences

When Chicago director and choreographer Marc Robin was asked eight months ago to head a new production of the stage musical "Dreamgirls," he describes his answer as "one of the quickest 'yeses' in recent memory."

"Dreamgirls" at Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire, Ill.

'Dreamgirls,' which began as the smash Broadway musical of the 1970s later, transformed into the hit 2007 movie, has returned as a new production now at Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire playing through Nov. 4.

A stage 'Hero': World premiere stage musical at Marriott explores life's 'super' moments

When Aaron Thielen and Munster's Theatre at the Center acting favorite Michael Mahler decided to team up to create a new stage musical dedicated to the panel by panel artistic and creative world of comic books, they both agreed the production should "feel and look" like stepping inside an ac…

Erich Bergen Stars as lead character Hero Batowski in the new Musical "Hero"

Erich Bergen stars as the lead character Hero Batowski in the world premiere new stage musical "Hero" opening Wednesday and running through Aug. 19 at Marriott Theatre Lincolnshire.

Tammy Mader and Giovanni Bonaventura in "Shout!" at Marriott Theatre Lincolnshire in 2011

Tammy Mader, sporting 1960s garb, gets a lift from Giovanni Bonaventura in a scene from the musical revue "Shout!" during the Summer 2011 run at Marriott Theatre Lincolnshire.

OFFBEAT: Dogs get star billing in Marriott's 'Legally Blonde'

Phil Potempa's daily entertainment news column.

Christine Sherrill as "Paulette" in "Legally Blonde" at Marriott Theatre

Christine Sherrill stars as beauty shop owner Paulette in 'Legally Blonde' playing now through April 1 at Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire, Ill.

OFFBEAT: Marriott's 'Legally Blonde' a perfectly pink production

Phil Potempa's daily entertainment news column.

Tammy Mader, Andy Lupp, Rod Thomas and Stephanie Binetti in 'White Christmas'

Left to right, Tammy Mader, Andy Lupp, Rod Thomas and Stephanie Binetti star as the love-crossed leads in the Marriott Theater Lincolnshire's new production of 'White Christmas' playing through Jan. 1.

Magical 'Seussical' at Marriott Theatre from Nov. 11 to Dec. 31

Melody Hollis, bottom, of Lake in the Hills, stars as JoJo and George Keating, top, of Berwyn, stars as the Cat in the Hat in "Seussical" in an earlier production at The Marriott Theatre for Young Audiences, 10 Marriott Drive in Lincolnshire. Tickets for all shows are $15, excluding tax and …

Magical 'Seussical' at Marriott Theatre from Nov. 11 to Dec. 31

LINCOLNSHIRE, Ill. | The fantastical, magical musical "Seussical" will open Nov. 11 and run through Dec. 31 at The Marriott Theatre for Young Audiences, 10 Marriott Drive.

"For the Boys" starring Michele Ragusa at Marriott Theatre Lincolnshire

Broadway star Michele Ragusa stars in the role made famous by Bette Midler in the 1991 film "For the Boys" for the world premiere stage adaption of the same name playing until Oct. 16 at Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire.