Dead Outlaw
Chicago Premiere
Dead Outlaw
February 10 – March 21, 2027
Co-Production with Theater Wit
Začek McVay Mainstage at Biograph Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Ave.
Music and Lyrics by David Yazbek & Erik Della Penna
Book by Itamar Moses
Conceived by David Yazbek
Directed by Jeremy Wechsler
Music Directed by Kara Kesselring
Associate Directed / Choreographed by Brenda Didier
The 2025 Tony Award-nominated for Best Musical and winner of three Best Musical awards (Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle and New York Drama Critics’ Circle), Dead Outlaw is a wickedly irreverent tale based on the true story of bumbling bandit Elmer McCurdy. This musical comedy spanning more than a century delves into themes of fame and its repercussions as McCurdy’s mummified body becomes a traveling curiosity across America and beyond. Entertainment Weekly calls the Tony Award-nominated new musical,“a truly one-of-a-kind production, complete with a whole lot of laughs and a surprising amount of heart. It needs to be seen to be believed!”
Included in our 2026/27 Subscription Series. Tickets on-sale December 1, 2026.
JEREMY WECHSLER (Director)
Porchlight Debut
KARA KESSELRING (Music Director)
Porchlight Debut
Pianist, vocalist, and arranger Kara Kesselring is a bustling freelance musician and dedicated educator based in Chicago. For over a decade she’s mined the Windy City’s vibrant music scene, establishing an eclectic career. Highlights include playing keys and singing in the Tony award-winning smash hit Jersey Boys (National Tour, Broadway in Chicago); touring with the doo-wop group Under the Streetlamp, The Beat Goes On – CHER Experience, as well as composing, arranging, and global performances of educational sketch comedy with the troupe Wavelength. She has been a Broadway pit musician on touring shows Waitress, A Bronx Tale and The Grinch, and has worked at many Chicago theaters such as Chicago Shakespeare Theater and Marriott Lincolnshire Theater.
Kara made her music directing debut on the show A Taste of Things to Come at the Chicago Broadway Playhouse and conducted Rock of Ages at Paramount Theater in Aurora, IL. Kara is the owner and bandleader of the celebrated and award winning society band & entertainment company Standing Room Only Orchestra www.onthedancefloor.com.
Kara is thrilled to work with the talented Porchlight Music Theatre team on the show Dead Outlaw.
BRENDA DIDIER (Associate Director / Choreographer)
Previously at Porchlight: Cabaret, A Chorus Line, Putting it Together, Sophisticated Ladies and more
Brenda is thrilled to collaborate with Porchlight and Theatre Wit! Ms. Didier is a freelance director and choreographer based in Chicago. Credits: Broadway in Chicago, Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, The Goodman, Marriott, Paramount, Royal George Theatre, Theatre at the Center, Chicago Theatre, Theatre Wit, Porchlight Music Theatre, Mercury Theater, Second City, Theo Ubique, City Lit, Six Flags & Busch Gardens theme parks and many others. Tour: The Kenny Rogers Christmas Tour and Cirque Shanghai-Navy Pier’s Skyline Stage, with engagements at the Tropicana Resort in Atlantic City, Harrah’s in Las Vegas and The New Victory Theatre in New York’s Broadway District. Ms. Didier made her TV choreography debut with T-Mobile’s national commercial “Home for the Holidays”. She is a multiple Jeff Award recipient in both Direction and Choreography (Equity and Non-Equity wing), Guy Adkins Award recipient and Artistic Director/Founder of the Lincolnshire Academy of Dance, now in its 29th Season. Recent credits: Jekyll and Hyde (Kokandy Productions/Broadway Playhouse), A Christmas Carol at Paramount Theatre and Jimmy Buffet’s Escape to Margaritaville at Music Theatre Works.
To be announced soon.