'90s boy band vocalist, 'Dancing with the Stars' champion showcases musical in Springfield

Nineties boy band member and "Dancing with the Stars" winner Drew Lachey will soon be in Springfield, showcasing his new musical at The Landers Theatre.

Lachey's musical "label•less" will premiere at The Landers Theatre on Tuesday, Oct. 24 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available for $38 on The Landers Theatre website.

"label•less" is a 90-minute production starring a diverse cast of 17- to 27-year-olds sharing true stories of discrimination. The musical is a collaboration between Lachey and his wife Lea Lachey.

The concept of "label•less" began in 2018 during an empathy theater class the Lacheys hosted together. According to a news release, the couple asked their students to anonymously write down how they had been discriminated against in their lives. Later that night, the Lacheys created a spreadsheet with the responses and "were quickly brought to tears." The responses shed light on racism, sexism, mental health and homophobia.

"Right then and there they decided to create a show that would give a voice to the youth of America," a news release for "label•less" states. "People who are struggling to make sense of the world and how they fit into it."

Lachey, in the news release, described the musical as life changing.

"Of all the things that have happened in my career, none have been as impactful on my life as being a part of label•less," Lachey said.

The "label•less" tour kicks off in Wichita, Kansas on Oct. 21 and concludes in New York on Nov. 20.

In the late 1990s, Lachey was a member of pop band 98 Degrees, alongside his brother Nick Lachey and fellow members Jeff Timmons and Justin Jeffre. Hit songs by the boy band include "My Everything," "I Do" and "True To Your Heart," featured in the "Mulan" soundtrack. Lachey also won season two of "Dancing with the Stars" in 2005.

Greta Cross is the trending topics reporter for the Springfield News-Leader. Follow her on X and Instagram @gretacrossphoto. Story idea? Email her at gcross@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: '90s boy band vocalist Drew Lachey brings musical to Landers Theatre