Houdini Box-ChiIL Mama's Video Interview With Blair Thomas and Hannah Kohl

Houdini Box at Chicago Children's Theatre opened to rave reviews and critical acclaim.  ChiIL Mama had the great opportunity to interview director, Blair Thomas and book/lyrics writer, Hannah Kohl.  Catch this show while you can, before it performs a disappearing act worthy of the great magician himself.
   
Houdini Box is suitable for kids 5 and up, but all ages through adults will enjoy this magical production full of puppetry, excellent music, and a mysterious, creative storyline.    Houdini Box is playing in Chicago at The Mercury Theatre through March 4th, then rematerializing in Skokie from March 14th-25th.

*Check out ChiIL Mama's Houdini Box review and photo filled feature here.   

*Check out our interview with Oscar nominee, Brian Selznick, author of the original children's stories Houdini Box, the play, and Hugo, the movie, were based on!   He's joined by Mark "Mucca Pazza" Messing, one of our favorite musical masterminds who wrote the score to Houdini Box and the recently extended Hunchback Variations, also now playing!

Click here for tickets and further information.

Brian Selznick Video Interview-Author of Hugo Cabret & Houdini Box

Article first published as Interview With Brian Selznick, author of Hugo Cabret & Houdini Box on Technorati.

Check out ChiIL Mama's original interview with Brian Selznick & Mark Messing on opening day of The Houdini Box, theatrical adaptation, at Chicago Children's Theatre. I caught up with Brian and Mark hours before the first performance of this world premier. Hugo, the movie, adapted from Selznick's book and illustrations, was a huge hit in 2011 and has been nominated for 11 Oscars-the most of any film this year!

Hear how Brian first found out about the nominations, see him dabble in set painting, hear about his stage adaptation of Houdini Box, and get to know the man behind Scorsese's latest masterpiece. Hugo is one of our family's favorite films of all times. The Houdini Box play was also adapted from one of Selznick's original children's book. Mark Messing wrote the score.

Check out ChiIL Mama's prior photo filled Houdini Box coverage for show details.

If you haven't caught this one yet, we highly recommend it!   The Mercury Theater run ends March 4th.   Then the show moves to Skokie.   Catch Houdini Box before it magically disappears!

More Winners Updates: Mindy Hester & Joanie Leeds TODAY!

Chicagoland IS Kindie Land this weekend!!   We've given away all our 4 packs and pairs of tickets, but you can still get out and see a bunch of great family friendly live music and theatre.    Here's the short list of ChiIL Mama's favs, with links to more info.

Saturday:

Kindi Concerts/Live Music: Mindy Hester-Wilmette Theatre 10am-(birth-10 with parents) Jackie B. is our 4 ticket winner.   Click the link for all the details.    

 

Kindi Concerts/Live Music: Joanie Leeds-Beat Kitchen Concerts for Kids-noon-(birth-10 with parents)  *We have a winner unable to go, so a new winner was picked-Erika S.

Check out Joanie Leeds while she's in Chi-Town from NYC.   Let's give her a big Windy Kindie welcome!!   Here at ChiIL Mama, we've reviewed and given away multiple copies of both of her CDs before.   Now we're super stoked to see her live.   Come on out to Beat Kitchen and hear her, meet us, and grab a shiny, new, holographic ChiIL Mama button-FREE.

Here's the latest update from Joanie herself:


Febu-what?
It was 60 degrees in NYC yesterday. What? Isn't it supposed to be snowing right about now? I just heard our very own Groundhog, Staten Island Chuck didn't see it's shadow today which means we are in for a short winter. But if I've learned one thing in life, it's to be wary in trusting a hog from Staten Island. OK, I know there's a song in there somewhere.

To all my new little Nightlights joining us from LA, Boston and Westchester, welcome and thanks so much for coming out to see our January concerts. We had a blast playing for you.


Concerts

Beat Kitchen
Sat. Feb 18th, 2012 
2100 W. Belmont. Chicago, IL
Doors at 11:00 am, Show at 12:00 PM, $6
With Chi-town Nightlights: The amazing kindie-artist Laura Doherty along with Andy Wilkins & Michael Riendeau

Boppin' and Burgers Family Music Series- Blues Bar
 Sun. Feb 19th, 2012
2 West Busse Ave., Mt. Prospect, IL 60056
847-788-9977
12:00 pm, $5 donation suggested
Solo concert

Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose
Tue. Feb 21st, 2012
180 Woz Way San Jose, CA 95110
408-298-5437
Two 45 minutes shows starting at 1:00 PM and 2:30 PM
With Drummer Dan
Come out for my first show in the Bay Area in honor of Bicycle Safety week!

Recess Urban Recreation
Fri. Feb 24th, 2012
470 Carolina St. San Francisco, CA
(415) 701-7529
4:30 PM
With Drummer Dan!

JCC Manhattan
Sun. Mar 25th, 2012
334 Amsterdam Avenue
10:00 AM- 11:00 AM
Full band, Joanie Leeds & The Nightlights
  *Tix available online now!

To find out about upcoming concerts, make sure to check my website or become a Facebook Fan to get all the news & invitations.
 Radio Airplay
Many of my tunes from 'What A Zoo' and 'I'm A Rock Star' have been playing on various radio stations across the country. Some of em' have even made their way to becoming #1. To keep them playing, make sure to make your requests known. XM Sirius Sattelite Radio takes requests right on their Kids Place Live Facebook wall and many others you can call in and request a song. With Valentine's Day approaching, feel free to suggest one of my lovey dovey tunes like, 'Give Me A Hug. Thanks everyone!

Best,
Joanie Leeds & The Nightlights

Sunday:

 Laura Veirs   photo credit:   David Belisle

Kindi Concerts/Live Music: Mr. Dave-Beat Kitchen Concerts for Kids-noon (birth-10 with parents)

Bluegrass in Berwyn at FitzGerald's- 1pm (adults $12/kids just $2-all ages)  5th Annual After Brunch Bash at FitzGeralds with Sunnyside Up and The Teflons!   Click the link for our prior write up with all the details.

 

Kindi Concerts/Live Music:  Laura Veirs Old Town-(3pm all ages with parents/evening adult show)

 

About Tumble Bee

(*ChiILMama will be reviewing Tumble Bee and we'll have a video interview with Laura Veirs, coming soon, too!  So check back with ChiIL Mama like we vote in Chi, IL...early and often.   We have some amazing things coming.)

Tumble Bee, the first children’s record from the prolific Laura Veirs (whose last release, July Flame, was dubbed “a perfect Sunday afternoon record” by The Oxford American and “sweet and irresistible” by Rolling Stone) inspires listeners to lean in close and hit replay.  The youthful innocence in Veirs’ voice lends itself well to the jaunty spirit of the album. The recording covers a wide range of folk songs, from early 20^th century work songs to the ballads of Jimmie Rodgers, Woody Guthrie, Peggy Seeger and Harry Belafonte.

Veirs and renowned record producer Tucker Martine, her long-time collaborator on seven of her eight records, have created a piece of art that is sure to appeal to children as well as adult fans of Veirs’ previous work.  The album features guest appearances by Colin Meloy (Decemberists), Jim James (My Morning Jacket), Bela Fleck and Brian Blade (drummer for Bob Dylan) among many others. As Smithsonian Folkways recording artist Elizabeth Mitchell says, “This is a luminous, smart, essential and truly extraordinary album.”

Inspired by the birth of her son and by countless fans who’ve told her over the years how much their kids love her records, Veirs became curious about the history of American children’s music.  She and Martine listened to hundreds of songs from the past several centuries, including Harry Smith’s famous Anthology of American Folk Music. They selected what Veirs calls, “a sampling that reflects our richness as a people.” Tumble Bee was recorded at home in the spring of 2011.

“Many of these songs have been forgotten throughout the years,” says Martine.  “We wanted to bring these beloved songs to a new generation with an instrumentation that both honors their traditions and creates something unique.”

A joyous testament to this collective history, Tumble Bee embodies both the uplifting and fearful moments of childhood.  Much more than simply a record for children, Tumble Bee defies category to stand on its own as a vibrant, sonically beautiful recording; listeners of all ages will revel in Veirs at her prime.  “I love this record,” says acclaimed songwriter Sufjan Stevens. “Laura’s folk songs for children prove that the best children’s music never gets old.”

---

Biography

Laura Veirs grew up in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where she often spent summers camping with her family, which gave her much of her songwriting inspiration. Veirs has said that she didn’t seriously listen to music until she was in her 20s; instead, she just heard what was in her environment. She listened to folk, country, classical and pop music around the house and on the radio during her youth.

Attending Carleton College in rural Minnesota, Veirs latched onto feminist punk rock from the Pacific Northwest, eventually starting an all-female punk band called “Rair Kx!”. Laura studied geology and Mandarin Chinese. After college, she embraced older country and folk music. Her first foray into songwriting started with a geological expedition in China, where she served as translator. She was miserable and immersed herself into writing lyrics as a way of coping.

She put out her own self-titled album Laura Veirs, recorded live and featuring just her and guitar, in 1999. She has since made seven highly acclaimed records with producer/husband Tucker Martine. Veirs’ seventh album, July Flame, was released in January 2010 on her own record label, Raven Marching Band Records. Her most recent album, “Tumble Bee: Laura Veirs Sings Folk Songs for Children,” was released in November, 2011 to rave reviews both in the mainstream and parenting press.

Veirs tours frequently in Europe and North America and is currently writing songs for a new album. She lives in Portland, Oregon with Martine and their young son Tennessee.

 

Highly recommended and going on all weekend:

THEATRE:  Houdini Box at The Mercury Theatre-(age 5+)

Click the link above for ChiIL Mama's show photos and review.

Magic, music, puppets, and performance unite in this awesome conglomeration, worthy of the escape artist/magic master himself.   The Houdini Box is based on a book by Brian Selznick.   Did you know, he's also the author of Hugo Cabret-the now famous book that inspired the movie Hugo, nominated for 11 Oscars?   This show is a delight for all ages.  

The Houdini Box: Chicago

January 24-March 4, 2012
Recommended for ages 5 and up

The Mercury Theatre
773.325.1700  

3745 N. Southport Avenue, Chicago

Show times are 11am and 2pm every Saturday and Sunday.   Check the main site for additional weekday shows and more.

Full show details, tickets, interviews, are at Chicago Children's Theatre's main site right here. 

4 Free Tickets & Discount Codes For Houdini Box at Chicago Children's Theatre

Our Valentine's Day gift for you:

Click and enter here to win 4 free tickets to Houdini Box from ChiIL Mama!   Enter through midnight 2/15.

Based on the book by Brian Selznick, Directed by Blair Thomas, book and lyrics by Hannah Kohl, music by Mark Messing.

Now through March 4: ONLY 3 WEEKS LEFT!
Mercury Theater Chicago
3745 N. Southport Avenue

Check back with ChiIL Mama early and often.   We're putting the finishing touches on our original video interviews with Brian Selznick, Blair Thomas, Hannah Kohl, and Mark Messing!

 
Save $10 on tickets today only with code LOVE.
If you miss it, don't fret, code HUGS will get you $5 off tomorrow.




Valid for shows at The Mercury Theater only

The Houdini Box "merits a trip to The Mercury Theater with someone one loves" -Chicago Tribune

Ideal for ages 5 and up

Brought to life right before your eyes by actors, musicians, and puppets, sure to thrill and surprise. As famed escape artist Harry Houdini circles the globe performing one incredible stunt after another, Victor, a young devotee goes through his own rigorous magician’s training – locking himself in closets, holding his breath under water and walking into walls. After a chance encounter with his hero, Victor receives a special box that just might contain the secrets of Houdini’s great success.

 Save now on
early-bird Tickets!

"A Brown Bear, A Moon, and A Caterpillar: Treasured Stories by Eric Carle"

LIMITED ENGAGEMENT!
ONLY HERE FOR ONE MONTH

By the company the brought you the sold out run of “The Very Hungry Caterpillar,“ "A Brown Bear, A Caterpillar And A Moon: Treasured Stories By Eric Carle" will bring together old favorites and new friends.

Featuring evocative music, stunning visual effects and innovative puppetry, the triple-bill highlights three of Eric Carle’s most beloved tales. "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" is joined by a whimsical cast of adventurous animals drawn from the pages of "Brown Bear, Brown Bear What Do You See?", and the poignant story of a young girl’s unusual quest, "Papa Please Get The Moon For Me", for an hour-long performance, which both entertains and educates.

May 2 - 27
Victory Gardens Biograph Theatre
2433 N. Lincoln Avenue

Save 20% until March 1st, 15% until April 1st