“Miss Saigon” is the flagship production of the 2008-09 season at the Drury Lane Theatre in Oakbrook Terrace. The season — produced by Kyle DeSantis — follows an unusual calendar. The new slate opens March 16 with a revival of “Sweet Charity,” followed by a production of “Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story” in May. David Bell’s take on “The Boys from Syracuse” will open in August, with the classic “Mame” playing next fall. The “Miss Saigon” helicopter — or a theatrical facsimile thereof — lands on Jan. 8, 2009. De Santis has said he plans to boost production budgets and marketing efforts. … On Oct. 5, Chicago’s La Costa Theatre Company opens its new theater at 3931 N. Elston Ave. The debut production is a new Chicago musical by Scott Shallenbarger called “On Stars Not Falling.” … Following its summer tour across the Chicago area, the hit show “Hizzoner” reopens at the Prop Thtr on Oct. 5, where it’s currently slated to run through December 16. … The New York actor Brian Kerwin will appear on Broadway in Tracy Letts’ “August: Osage County.” He’ll replace Rick Snyder, who is not going to Broadway with the hit Steppenwolf Theatre production.
