Drury Lane Theatre continues its 2024/25 Season with The Audience. Masterfully blending the personal and the political, The Audience gives an extraordinary glimpse into the woman behind the crown and the leaders she outlasted. Written by Peter Morgan, writer of the Emmy Award-winning "The Crown," Drury Lane's production features the incomparable Janet Ulrich Brooks in the role of Queen Elizabeth II and is directed by Jessica Fisch. The Audience runs August 28 – October 20, 2024, at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace. Single tickets are available by phone at (630) 530-0111 or online at www.drurylanetheatre.com. The press opening is scheduled for Thursday, September 5, at 7:00 p.m.
Peek behind closed doors of Buckingham Palace with The Audience, an intimate portrait of Queen Elizabeth II and the pivotal private audiences she held with her prime ministers. The Audience is an enthralling exploration of the delicate balance of power and unspoken rules of engagement that underscore these confidential meetings. Janet Ulrich Brooks takes on a lifetime of Queen Elizabeth II playing her from ages 25 to 86, accompanied by a talented cast of 12.
Additional cast and complete creative team to be announced.
The Audience is rated PG.
Jessica Fisch (Director) is a freelance director, educator, and creator based in Chicago. She is dedicated to the creation of new plays, original content, and bold reinterpretations of classic texts. She has had the privilege of working on and developing work across the country with companies such as Actors Theatre of Louisville, Goodman Theatre, Steppenwolf Theatre, Victory Gardens, Writers Theatre, Northlight Theatre, Rivendell Theatre Ensemble, Williamstown Theatre Festival, Drury Lane Theatre, Marriott Theatre, Windy City Playhouse, Playwrights' Center Minneapolis, Playwrights Realm NYC, Public Theater's Emerging Writers' Group, and Ensemble Studio Theatre's Youngbloods, among many more. Three Productions she has directed have been named to the Chicago Tribune's "10 Best Shows in Chicago" list (Beautiful, Cry it Out, and Every Brilliant Thing), and one of her productions was named to the Chicago Sun-Times "Decade's Best" list for the 2010s (Every Brilliant Thing). In 2023, she received a Joseph Jefferson Award nomination for Best Director (Dear Jack, Dear Louise), as well as two Best Production nominations (Dear Jack, Dear Louise, and Murder on the Orient Express).
Janet Ulrich Brooks (Queen Elizabeth II) Previous Drury Lane credits: Fiddler On The Roof, Murder On The Orient Express, Steel Magnolias, Crazy For You and Cat On A Hot Tin Roof. Chicago & Regional: Maria Callas in Master Class (Jeff Award Principal Actor - TimeLine Theatre Company - Company Member since 2007). The Cherry Orchard, 2666, Vanya Sonya Masha & Spike, Seagull (Goodman Theatre). Music Man, Beautiful (Marriott Lincolnshire Theatre) The Children (Steppenwolf). Plantation (Lookingglass) A Rock Sails By and Blithe Spirit (Peninsula Players, Door County). At The Wedding (Theatre Squared, AR). Steel Magnolias (Milwaukee Rep) Tiny Beautiful Things, Pipeline, Native Gardens (Victory Gardens). Women Laughing Alone With Salad (Helen Hayes Nomination - Woolly Mammoth DC) Films include: Divergent, Conviction, One Small Hitch, M.O.M. T.V. credits: Work In Progress (Showtime), Fargo S4 (FX), Sense8 (Netflix), Proven Innocent (Fox TV), Boss (STARZ), Chicago Med, Fire & Justice (NBC). Janet was the first recipient of the Ed See Outstanding Theatre Alumnus Award from the University of Central Missouri. A proud union member of AEA and SAG/AFTRA, Janet is represented by Gray Talent Group.
Fact Sheet / The Audience
Title: The Audience
Written by: Peter Morgan
Directed by: Jessica Fisch
Featuring: Janet Ulrich Brooks as Queen Elizabeth II
(Additional casting to be announced.)
Dates:
August 28 – October 20, 2024
Press Opening:
Thursday, September 5, 2024 at 7:00 p.m.
Schedule:
Wednesdays: 1:30 p.m.
Thursdays: 1:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
Fridays: 7:00 p.m.
Saturdays: 3:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
Sundays: 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.
Location:
Drury Lane Theatre at 100 Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace
Tickets:
Tickets start at $52.95*
*Including taxes and fees
Group discounts available to groups of 10 or more
Dining and show packages are available
Box Office:
100 Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace
(630) 530-0111
Monday through Sunday from 10am to 5pm or visit DruryLaneTheatre.com
2024/2025 Season and Subscription Information
The 2024/2025 season includes the professional return of the musical comedy Guys and Dolls (April 10 – June 2, 2024); Ain't Misbehavin' (June 26 – August 18, 2024), celebrating the music of Fats Waller; the masterful intimate portrait of Queen Elizabeth II The Audience (August 28 – October 20, 2024); the spellbinding Disney's The Little Mermaid (November 6, 2024 – January 12, 2025); and the inspiring true story Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (January 29, 2025 – March 23, 2025).
Drury Lane Theatre's performance schedule for the 2024/2025 season is as follows: Wednesdays at 1:30 p.m., Thursdays at 1:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., Fridays at 7:00 p.m., Saturdays at 3:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., and Sundays at 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.
Subscriptions are now on sale with packages starting at $224 - over 50% savings compared to single ticket prices. This includes priority theatre seating, great dining discounts at Lucille Restaurant and The Lounge, exclusive presale opportunities, and much more. For more information, visit DruryLaneTheatre.com/Subscribe.
Group tickets start at $50.05 and Student group tickets start at just $35.35. On-site dining is available at Lucille Restaurant with convenient pre-show or post-show prix fixe menus. To book a group of 10 people or more, call Group Services at 630-570-7272 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Excellence isn't limited to the stage at Drury Lane! Before or after the show, theatergoers can indulge in delicious onsite dining at Lucille Restaurant featuring seasonal pre-fixe menus and an elevated atmosphere to complete their experience. Exclusive to subscribers is a pre-paid dining subscription at Lucille. Boasting over a century of collective expertise in hospitality, the dedicated team ensures that you will be cared for with freshly prepared meals, handcrafted cocktails, and exceptional service. At Drury Lane, everything is in one place, so you will never be late for your performance.
About Drury Lane Theatre
Built from scratch. Built in Oakbrook. Built for you.
Founded by Anthony DeSantis over 70 years ago, Drury Lane remains a family-run organization under the leadership of President Kyle DeSantis. Drury Lane Theatre continues as a major force in the Chicagoland theatre scene, producing world-class theatre in collaboration with some of the nation's leading actors, directors, and creative minds. Drury Lane Theatre produces the highest quality theatrical experience that immerses and supports our artists and audiences in the exploration of what it means to be human and to experience the transcending power of the performing and visual arts. Drury Lane strives to create an environment in which every individual or group is welcomed, respected, supported, valued and able to fully experience and participate in this transformative art form.
The theatre has staged more than 2,000 productions and has been nominated for over 360 Joseph Jefferson Awards. Drury Lane proudly employs thousands of professional actors, musicians, designers, and crew members to entertain upwards of nine million audience members and counting.
