History of Marriott Theatre

Terry James, Executive Producer
Andy Hite, Artistic Director
Aaron Thielen, Artistic Director

The Marriott Theatre was founded 1975. Today the acclaimed theatre sells more than 400,000 tickets a year, and boasts the largest subscription base of any musical theatre! In all, The Marriott Theatre has presented more than 135 productions to an estimated 7,000,000 people! The Marriott Theatre earns lavish praise from critics, receiving a record 370 Joseph Jefferson Award nominations - Chicago's highest theatrical honor for artistic achievement.

In addition to the presentation of classic American musical theatre, The Marriott Theatre has become a driving force in the development of original and re-thought musicals.

Broadway has long considered The Marriott Theatre a prime venue for "launching" Broadway shows into the regional market with premiere productions of; A CHORUS LINE, CHESS, BABY, GRAND HOTEL, THEY’RE PLAYING OUR SONG, THE GOODBYE GIRL, THE FIRST, MISS SAIGON, CATS, SUNSET BOULEVARD, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, and THOURGHLY MODERN MILLIE.

The Marriott Theatre, a founding member of the National Alliance for Musical Theatre, assists and fosters artists in creating new works for the Marriott stage. The result has been a string of American and World Premieres that have brought the national press and the country's attention to Lincolnshire. The 1989 production of MATADOR which subsequently played London's West End; the World Premiere of ANNIE WARBUCKS following a national tour opened off-Broadway in New York to rave reviews; World Premiere productions of PHANTOM OF THE COUNTRY PALACE, GROVERS CORNERS, HISTORY LOVES COMPANY, QUEEN OF THE STARDUST BALLROOM, PEGGY SUE GOT MARRIED, and the 2006 season premiere of ONCE UPON A TIME IN NEW JERSEY.

Highlights of past seasons also include premiere productions of LITTLE ME, SHENANDOAH, CHICAGO, A DAY IN HOLLYWOOD/A NIGHT IN THE UKRAINE, HOT MIKADO, HEARTBEATS, ELEANOR, ELMER GANTRY, WINDY CITY, HOUDINI, HONK, and I LOVE YOU, YOU'RE PERFECT, NOW CHANGE.

Marriott's Theatre for Young Audiences has presented numerous original works as well as classic fairy tales. Through these works children experience the joy and magic that is "live" theatre, thereby developing yet another broad spectrum of audience member. To date, Marriott's Theatre for Young Audiences has presented more than 45 productions to critical acclaim.

The achievements made by the renowned theatre over the past 30 years are staggering. Combining "corporate savvy" with show business "razzle dazzle" the Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire has achieved both national and international acclaim.