Long a commercial rental theater near Wrigley Field in Chicago's posh 'Southport Corridor' neighborhood, the Mercury re-launched in January 2013 as a seasonal musical theater producing company, making it the largest producer of musicals in the city. Past hit productions include the regional premiers of THE SCREWTAPE LETTERS, THE IRISH AND HOW THEY GOT THAT WAY, and OVER THE TAVERN. In 2010 the Mercury changed ownership and has flourished with Route 66 Theatre Company's A TWIST OF WATER, the world premiere of "Hugo" author Brian Selznik's THE HOUDINI BOX, and the transfer of the long running Off-Broadway production of FREUD'S LAST SESSION. In 2013, the Mercury produces it's first full season, including the Rodger's & Hammerstein revue A GRAND NIGHT FOR SINGING, the Cy Coleman circus musical BARNUM, the regional premiere of THE COLOR PURPLE, and the third annual production of Chicago's own holiday musical, THE CHRISTMAS SCHOONER.