It wouldn’t be “The Bachelor” without some 11th-hour drama. Chicago real estate broker Dustin Kendrick has replaced entrepreneur Chris Bukowski as the star of one of “The Bachelor Live on Stage” shows Saturday at the Cadillac Palace Theatre.
Kendrick, who works as a broker for @properties and as a server at Soho House Chicago, said he was informed about the opportunity last week. A reason for the substitution wasn’t given, and Bukowski didn’t return Tribune requests for comment. The team behind the traveling stage show tweeted Wednesday: “Chris knows that Dustin will be an amazing Bachelor on Saturday and is excited to participate as a guest star in both the 3pm and 8pm shows in Chicago at @broadwaychicago!”
Kendrick, 31, was a contestant on Hannah Brown’s season of “The Bachelorette,” which aired last year. He lasted longer than the other Chicago-area suitors, but didn’t get much screen time. He said life hasn’t changed much since he competed on the ABC network show, though dating has been tricky.
“It’s kind of tough because you have a lot of girls that are interested in you, but you don’t know if they’re really interested in you for you,” said Kendrick, who lives in the West Town area. “I’m looking for a woman that is confident, that is funny, caring. Someone that’s adventurous, someone that’s spontaneous, someone that’s a mix between an introvert and extrovert.”
Kendrick is slated for the 3 p.m. Saturday show, while “The Bachelorette” and “Bachelor in Paradise” alumnus Kenneth “Diggy” Moreland is set for the 8 p.m. performance. Former NFL journeyman Clay Harbor, who lives in the Chicago area, is the star of Sunday’s show in Milwaukee. The stage shows try to mimic the TV competition with dates, rose ceremonies and a PG-version of the fantasy suite. Tickets are available at broadwayinchicago.com.