The world premiere of a new musical about the Director of Works for the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition opens on June 1 for a one-month run in Chicago. “Burnham’s Dream: The White City,” written by June Finfer with music by Elizabeth Doyle, tells “the tale of ambition of a city and of an architect … Chicago’s Dream City that lived for only a few months, then vanished.”
In her 2010 play, “The Glass House,” Finfer explored the life and great work of another famous Chicago architect, Mies van der Rohe and his Farnsworth House. This new show, directed by Erik Wagner, with music direction by Linda Madonia and choreography by Jessica Texidor, is described as:
The true story of the people who built the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair, especially architect Daniel Burnham, who struggles with rivals, a looming deadline and cruel fate to construct a fairground for millions of visitors. He’s confronted by African-Americans, immigrants, and women who fight to be part of the Fair.
“Burnham’s Dream” runs from June 1 to July 1, 2018 at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago. Tickets are available at www.theaterwit.org or by calling (773) 975-8150, or in person at the Theater Wit Box Office. The press opening is Monday, June 4 at 7 pm.
