OPENING: A Q BROTHERS' CHRISTMAS CAROL AT CHICAGO SHAKESPEARE

A Q Brothers' Christmas Carol

a hip-hop adaptation of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol 

written by GQ, JQ, Jackson Doran and Postell Pringle 

developed with Rick Boynton 

Upstairs at Chicago Shakespeare 

November 19 – December 28, 2014 

My son, Dugan, and I had the great pleasure of catching this production last year, when they were still workshopping it and we LOVED it! If you like your holiday musicals filled with scorpions and worms, multiple mysterious diseases, Jamaican Rasta Marley, kickin' tunes, and laugh out loud hilarity... this is SO the show for you!

I know Autumn Equinox has barely happened and Halloween is still a ghost of future coming. It's too early to think about holiday theatre, right? Wrong. This is one of our ultra favorite, top picks here at ChiIL Live Shows and ChiIL Mama. Get your tickets now before the word spreads. It's in the small theatre at Chicago Shakespeare after all. The Q Brothers are geniuses of the rhyming word who will entrance and amuse all ages.

Even if you don't consider yourself a fan of the Hip-Hop genre or if you love Hip-Hop and aren't so crazy about theatre... or holiday classics, or whatever, GO already! Before fall even hit, my 13 year old was eagerly asking if this show was returning and practically begging to go.

Do note, there is some language i.e.: "Merry Chris My Ass Mas" instead of Bah Humbug, so it may be inappropriate for young parrots, that might mortify you with quips like that at the family holiday dinner table. And like the more traditional versions of A Christmas Carol, some of it is a bit grim reaper scary. But we loved it and plan to take both our tween & teen this year.

A hip-hop holiday treat set to a bangin’ beat! CST and Chicago hip-hop sensation the Q Brothers—creators of Othello: The Remix and Funk It Up About Nothin’—have toured around the world, playing to sold-out houses in Edinburgh, Germany, South Korea, Australia and London. Now the team turns up the volume on Charles Dickens’ classic tale, mixing everything from reggae, dancehall and dubstep to epic rock ballads. The Ghosts of Hip-hop Past, Present and Future lead Scrooge on a journey filled with rhythm, rhyme and redemption. 

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE  

Weekday Performances
Tuesdays
November 25; December 2, 9, 16, 23 at 7:30 p.m.
Wednesdays
November 19, 26; December 3, 10, 17 at 7:30 p.m.
Thursdays
November 20; December 4, 11, 18 at 7:30 p.m.

Weekend Performances
Fridays
November 21, 28; December 5, 12, 19, 26 at 7:30 p.m.
Saturdays
November 22, 29; December 13, 20, 27 at 6:00 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.
Sundays
November 30; December 14, 21, 28 at  3:00 p.m.
December 7 at 4:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

Tickets $30–$48
www.chicagoshakes.com

SAVE THE DATE: Pericles at Chicago Shakespeare Theater Nov 30th

Act Out:  Chicago Theatre openings, closings, reviews, giveaways, ticket sale dates and more. Chi, IL Live Shows on stage and on our radar.

Pericles

by William Shakespeare

directed by David H. Bell

November 30, 2014 – January 18, 2015

in Chicago Shakespeare's Courtyard Theater

Here at ChiIL Live Shows we make it a point to catch everything we can at Chicago Shakespeare Theater. They do a phenomenal job with Shakespeare and with other playwrights new and old. Highly recommended. 

Ben Carlson again treads the boards of Chicago Shakespeare's stage following turns as Macbeth, Hamlet (Jeff Award, Best Actor) and the outrageously funny Frank in The School for Lies. Chicago Tribune hails "few can match him…one of North America’s best classical performers." In Shakespeare's most fantastical tale, Pericles embarks on a tempest-tossed quest in search of adventure, wealth and family. As he travels to parts unknown, our hero is confronted by villains, pirates, goddesses and kings. In the end, he discovers an essential truth—the renewal of love and life itself.

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE

Previews
Sunday, November 30 at 2:00 p.m.
Tuesday, December 2 at 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, December 3 at 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, December 4 at 7:30 p.m.
Friday, December 5 at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, December 6 at 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, December 7 at 2:00 p.m.

Weekday Performances

Tuesdays
December 16, 23 at 1:00 p.m.
December 2, 23, 30; January 6, 13 at 7:30 p.m.

Wednesdays
December 10, 17; January 7 at 1:00 p.m.
December 3, 10, 17, 31; January 7,14 at 7:30 p.m.

Thursdays
January 8 at 1:00 p.m.
December 4, 11, 18; January 8, 15 at 7:30 p.m.

Weekend Performances

Fridays
December 5, 12, 19, 26; January 2, 9, 16 at 7:30 p.m.

Saturdays
December 13, 20, 27; January 3, 10, 17 at 3:00 p.m.
December 6 at 7:30 p.m.
December 13, 20, 27; January 3, 10, 17 at 8:00 p.m.

Sundays
November 30; December 7, 14, 21, 28; January 4, 11, 18 at  2:00 p.m.
December 28; January 4, 18 at 6:30 p.m.

Tickets: $48–$78

www.chicagoshakes.com

Box Office: 312.595.5600
Group Sales: 312.595.5678 (groups of 10 or more) 

ACT OUT OPENING: Acclaimed Production of The Magic Flute African Style at Chicago Shakespeare

ChiIL Mama's ChiIL Picks List
Multicultural, family friendly fun. Do NOT miss this limited engagement. Get your tickets now before this 4 day Chicago run sells out!

Isango Ensemble's

The Magic Flute

(Impempe Yomlingo)

adapted and directed by Mark Dornford-May

words and music by Mandisi Dyantyis,

Mbali Kgosidintsi, Pauline Malefane,

Nolufefe Mtshabe 

London’s Telegraph calls South Africa's Isango Ensemble artistry “an explosion of joy from the townships of South Africa… noble and beautiful and tender and funny and touching and true… a sense of celebration and resilience, that seems to encapsulate the human spirit at its best.” This Olivier Award-winning production effortlessly relocates Mozart's magical, mysterious kingdom to a contemporary township, encompassing various African languages. A Chicago Shakespeare Theater World’s Stage presentation at Skyline Stage on Navy Pier, September 25–28, 2014. 

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) presents Isango Ensemble’s The Magic Flute (Impempe Yomlingo), bringing thirty actors and musicians from South Africa to Chicago as part of CST’s celebrated World’s Stage Series. The Magic Flute reimagines Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s most beloved operatic work, incorporating African singing, pulsating beats and spirited storytelling into this 223-year-old classic. The production will be performed at Skyline Stage on Navy Pier (next door to CST) for a limited engagement, September 25–28, 2014.  

Click here to book your tickets and learn more about this fabulous collaboration.  ChiIL Mama will be there... will YOU?!

Isango Ensemble performs THE MAGIC FLUTE, a Chicago Shakespeare Theater World’s Stage presentation from South Africa, presented in the Skyline Stage September 25–28, 2014. Photo courtesy of Isango Ensemble.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater Presents a World's Stage production from South Africa Isango Ensemble's The Magic Flute Thirty Actors and Musicians transform Skyline Stage Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) presents Isango Ensemble’s The Magic Flute (Impempe Yomlingo), bringing thirty actors and musicians from South Africa to Chicago as part of CST’s celebrated World’s Stage Series. The Magic Flute reimagines Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s most beloved operatic work, incorporating African singing, pulsating beats and spirited storytelling into this 223-year-old classic. Based in Cape Town, the vibrant company of the Isango Ensemble unites the diverse nation of Africa by reinventing classics from the Western theater canon within a South African setting. Adapted and directed by Isango co-founder Mark Dornford-May, The Magic Flute took London by storm, garnering London's prestigious Laurence Olivier Award. The production will be performed at Skyline Stage on Navy Pier (next door to CST) for a limited engagement, September 25–28, 2014. With a score faithfully transposed for an orchestra of marimbas, drums and percussion, thirty actors and musicians fill the stage of The Magic Flute (Impempe Yomlingo) with sheer exuberance, celebrating the spirit of contemporary Africa. This unique interpretation resets the Western operatic classic within a South African township, utilizing traditional elements of South African heritage and various African languages. Breaking box office records at London’s Young Vic theater, the production was awarded London’s Olivier Award for Best Musical Revival and France’s Globes de Cristal for Best Opera Production following a sold-out run at Paris’ Théâtre du Châtelet. The Sunday Times gives the show five stars, applauding its “soaring lyricism, a sense of celebration, generous moral urgency, playful joviality—it is touching, sexy and cheeky.” The Independent hailed it as “enchantingly fresh, performed with infectious wit and visible joy.” The Magic Flute tours to Chicago Shakespeare and the United States after having thrilled over 3 million audience members worldwide in London, Dublin, Tokyo and Singapore. This production marks the Chicago debut of South Africa’s Isango Ensemble, founded by Director Mark Dornford-May and Music Director Pauliene Malefane. The company draws its performers from the townships surrounding Cape Town and speaks to a broad multicultural audience. Since its founding in 2000, the company has played to sold-out audiences around the world with numerous productions including A Christmas Carol (Ikrismaskherol), The Mysteries and Aesop’s Fables. Through its celebrated World’s Stage programming, Chicago Shakespeare has collaborated with more than 700 international artists representing 19 countries on five continents, engaging audiences in a dialogue with the world’s established and emerging theater artists. The Magic Flute (Impempe Yomlingo) is an Isango Ensemble/Eric Abraham—Young Vic production, adapted and directed by co-founder Mark Dornford-May with words and music by Mandisi Dyantyis, Mbali Kgosidintsi, Pauline Malefane and Nolufefe Mtshabe. For a video preview, visit www.chicagoshakes.com/magicflute. The Magic Flute is performed September 25–28, 2014 at Skyline Stage on Navy Pier (next door to Chicago Shakespeare). Tickets are on sale now for $20–$55. Special discounts are available for groups of 10 or more, as well as CST for $20 tickets for patrons under 35. All patrons receive a 40% discount on guaranteed parking in Navy Pier garages. For more information or to purchase tickets or a season subscription, contact Chicago Shakespeare Theater’s Box Office at 312.595.5600 or visit www.chicagoshakes.com.  Isango Ensemble performs THE MAGIC FLUTE, a Chicago Shakespeare Theater World’s Stage presentation from South Africa, presented in the Skyline Stage September 25–28, 2014. Photo by Keith Pattison.  ABOUT CHICAGO SHAKESPEARE THEATER Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) is a leading international theater company and the recipient of the Regional Theatre Tony Award®. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Barbara Gaines and Executive Director Criss Henderson, CST is dedicated to producing extraordinary production of classics, new works and family fare; to unlocking Shakespeare’s work for educators and students; and to serving as Chicago’s cultural ambassador through its World’s Stage Series. Through a year-round season encompassing more than 600 performances, CST attracts 200,000 audience members annually. One in four of its audience members is under eighteen years old, and today its education programs have impacted the learning of over one million students. CST is proud to take an active role in empowering the next generation of literate, engaged cultural champions and creative minds. Visit www.chicagoshakes.com.

WIN 4 Tickets to Shrek the Musical at Chicago Shakespeare Any Date Opening 7/13 (ages 5+) #giveaway

ChiIL out with ChiIL Mama and everybody's favorite ogre, this summer at Navy Pier.   Chicago Shakespeare Theatre presents Shrek the Musical and we have 4 FREE tickets for one of our lucky readers!   The great green ogre and his wife are the stars of a series of fairy tales that finally don't feature a skinny, blonde, narcoleptic princess awaiting rescue.   Princess Fiona kicks booty, and is a fabulous role model.    

Click the Rafflecopter link below for your chance to WIN.
Entries open through midnight July 9th.   We'll announce our winners on Winning Wednesday, July 10th.   Tickets are for your choice of any date throughout the run, pending availability.

a Rafflecopter giveaway 

We had the awesome opportunity to see Shrek the Musical on stage in Rosemont, back in November of 2011, when the national touring production came through town and we can NOT wait to see it again.

Here at ChiIL Mama, we adore Shrek.   We've seen every Dreamworks Shrek movie and we're particular fans of the original children's book the story was based on.  If you've never checked out the 1990 Shrek book by William Steig, we highly recommend it.    It's snarky, irreverent, raw and hilarious.   

The book is even quirkier and cooler than the movies, and we can't wait to see the musical adaptation once more!   Steig is an excellent children's author and illustrator and this is the perfect candidate for playing the "same/different game".    As a family we love to check out the original books when we go see book based movies and theatre and then compare and contrast the different versions of the tale with the "same/different game".   The kids love it.

**MULTICULTURAL FUN FACT:   Know how Shrek got his name?   It's based on the German word Schreck which means "fear" or "fright."**

This is one of summer's must see family musicals for all ages 5 and up.   Even my tweens are stoked.  Chicago Shakespeare Theatre always does an impressive job with top notch actors, and thoroughly impressive costumes and set design, that rival Broadway productions.   Book your tickets early before they sell out!

Shrek The Musical A 75-minute CST Family Production In CST’s Courtyard Theater July 13–September 1, 2013 Educational Activities Offered in Conjunction with the Production BARD BADGE: **In support of Mayor Emanuel’s Summer of Learning Program, special activities will be offered in conjunction with Shrek The Musical for students to earn a “Bard Badge;” and CST continues its collaboration with the Chicago Children's Museum with a series of programs. Shrek The Musical is a CST Family production best enjoyed by children ages 5 and up. Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) continues the Theater’s annual summer family musical tradition with Shrek The Musical, directed and choreographed by Rachel Rockwell with music direction by Michael Mahler, July 13–September 1, 2013 in CST’s Courtyard Theater.  Based on the Academy Award®-winning DreamWorks film and the book by William Steig, CST’s 75-minute production of Shrek The Musical will take audiences on an unconventional fairy-tale adventure with everyone’s favorite ogre. The production features two Jeff Award-winning actors: Michael Aaron Lindner as the lovable ogre Shrek and Summer Naomi Smart in her CST debut as the spunky Princess Fiona.  Shrek The Musical tells the story of a swamp-dwelling ogre who goes on a life-changing quest to reclaim his home. Accompanied by a wisecracking donkey, this unlikely hero fights a fearsome dragon and rescues the cursed Princess Fiona. On this untraditional fairytale journey, Shrek discovers the value of friendship and realizes that true love is more than skin deep. The 75-minute, family-friendly version of the Tony Award®-nominated production has music by Jeanine Tesori (Thoroughly Modern Millie, Caroline, or Change), with book and lyrics by Pulitzer Prize-winning author David Lindsay-Abaire (Rabbit Hole, Wonder of the World, Good People). Named the 2012 Chicagoan of the Year in Theater by the Chicago Tribune, Jeff Award-winning director Rachel Rockwell returns to Chicago Shakespeare to direct and choreograph Shrek The Musical, after staging last summer’s critically-acclaimed Beauty and the Beast, hailed as “far and away the best family production of the year” by the Chicago Tribune. Rockwell’s additional credits with CST include the world-premiere family musicals The Adventures of Pinocchio and The Emperor’s New Clothes. Rockwell’s Chicago-area directing and choreography credits include productions at Marriott Theatre, Paramount Theatre, Apple Tree Theatre and Drury Lane Theatre Oakbrook, where she garnered a 2010 Best Director Jeff Award for Ragtime. Michael Aaron Lindner returns to Chicago Shakespeare as Shrek, having last been seen at CST as Louis/Billy Webster in the critically-acclaimed Sunday in the Park with George. Other Chicago credits include: Edna in Hairspray (Drury Lane Theatre Oakbrook); Fezziwig in A Christmas Carol (Goodman Theatre) and the title role in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (Jeff Award, Porchlight Music Theatre).  Jeff Award-winning actress Summer Naomi Smart makes her CST debut as Princess Fiona. Chicago credits include: Sweet Charity at Drury Lane Theatre Oakbrook (Jeff Award Best Actress), The Light in the Piazza at Marriott Theatre and the Chicago production of Wicked.  James Earl Jones II makes his CST debut as the wisecracking sidekick Donkey. Credits include: Dreamgirls (Marriott Theatre), The Wiz (Theater at the Center) and Porgy and Bess (Court Theatre).  Travis Taylor returns to Chicago Shakespeare as Lord Farquaad, after previously portraying the Beast in last summer’s CST family musical Beauty and the Beast. Other Chicago credits include: Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (Drury Lane Theatre Oakbrook); Pirates of Penzance (Marriott Theatre); and Brigadoon (Light Opera Works). Actors making their Chicago Shakespeare debut include: Cameron Conforti as Young Shrek/Baby Bear, Adam Fane as Pinocchio/Ensemble, Caroline Heffernan as Young Fiona/Ugly Duckling, Emily Leahy as Young Fiona/Ugly Duckling, Sarah Page as Witch/Ensemble, Alexis J. Rogers as Mama Bear/Dragon, Joey Stone as Papa Bear/Papa Ogre and Matthew Uzarraga as Young Shrek/Baby Bear. Actors returning to Chicago Shakespeare include: Norm Boucher as Wolf/Thelonius/Dwarf, Tommy Lucas as Pig/Knight/Ensemble, Rebecca Pink as Gingy/Teen Fiona, Liam Quealy as Pig/Knight/Ensemble and Will Skrip as Pig/Knight/Ensemble. The creative team for Shrek The Musical includes Music Director Michael Mahler, Orchestrator Ryan Nelson, Scenic Designer Scott Davis, Lighting Designer Jesse Klug, Costume Designer Theresa Ham, Projection Designer Mike Tutaj, Sound Designer Garth Helm, Wig and Make-up Designer Melissa Veal and Properties Master Chelsea Meyers. Chicago Shakespeare Theater continues its successful collaboration with the Chicago Children’s Museum (CCM) presenting the following series of programs featuring Shrek The Musical Shrek The Musical cast members visit CCM’s Great Hall for a short program followed by an opportunity for visiting children and families to interact with cast members on Wednesday, July 31 at 2 p.m. and Thursday, August 1 at 6 p.m. CCM Staff and Volunteers offer free hands-on art activities in the Theater’s lobbies between noon and 2 p.m. on Friday, August 2 and Saturday, August 3. Shrek The Musical will offer activities as part of Mayor Emanuel’s Summer of Learning program. The initiative represents an innovative public-private coordination to incorporate learning into summer youth programming, launching what could be the largest citywide summer learning campaign in the nation. The city's partnerships with youth-serving organizations, colleges and universities, museums and cultural institutions, and businesses will make the whole summer count in a new and different way. Shrek The Musical will offer young audience members an opportunity to learn about the art of storytelling in the context of a professional theatrical production. After seeing the play, students will be prompted to reflect on their experience and respond to their favorite elements of the production through take-home questions and activities printed in the program. Completion of the activities will earn each young person a “Bard Badge.”  Shrek The Musical is recommended for ages 5 and up and runs July 13–September 1, 2013. Tickets are $18–$25 with special discounts available for groups of 10 or more. All patrons receive a 40% parking discount at Navy Pier garages. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Chicago Shakespeare Theater’s Box Office at 312.595.5600 or visit the Theater’s website at www.chicagoshakes.com/shrek. About the CST Family Series Chicago Shakespeare Theater’s CST Family Series presents a wide range of affordable programming especially for families. As part of CST’s commitment to making theater and live performance accessible to all ages, offerings year-round include Short Shakespeare! adaptations of Shakespeare classics, summer musicals of imaginative children’s tales, classical music concerts in collaboration with The Chicago Chamber Musicians and the recently expanded Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks, which provides FREE Shakespeare performances in neighborhood parks throughout Chicago. These programs reach more than 45,000 patrons each season—making Chicago Shakespeare one of the largest providers of family programming in Chicago. CST has also championed the creation of new family productions, commissioning and producing three world-premiere summer musicals to great acclaim: How Can You Run with a Shell on Your Back?, about a group of students who bring a modern twist to Aesop’s fables, The Emperor’s New Clothes, based on Hans Christian Andersen’s classic tale; and The Adventures of Pinocchio, based on Carlo Collodi’s classic tale of a wooden puppet who yearns to be a real boy. About Chicago Shakespeare Theater Chicago Shakespeare Theater is a leading international theater company, known for vibrant productions that reflect Shakespeare’s genius for intricate storytelling, musicality of language and depth of feeling for the human condition. Recipient of the Regional Theatre Tony Award®, Chicago Shakespeare’s work has been recognized internationally with three of London’s prestigious Laurence Olivier Awards, and by the Chicago theater community with 70 Joseph Jefferson Awards for Artistic Excellence. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Barbara Gaines and Executive Director Criss Henderson, CST is dedicated to producing extraordinary classic productions, new works and family fare, unlocking Shakespeare’s work for educators and students, and serving as Chicago’s cultural ambassador through its World’s Stage Series.

**For families with older kids we also highly recommend checking out Othello: The Remix, a fantastic hip-hop adaptation by the Q Brothers, also at Chicago Shakespere in the upstairs theatre.  The production is now extended through July 27th.   Check out ChiIL Mama's review and full show details here. (aimed at adults but fine for mature tweens and up)** 

KINDIE LAND: WIN FREE Chicago Tickets From Romeo to Grave Digger #Giveaways

Proud press sponsor--Beat Kitchen's Concerts for Kids 2011-2013

Hey Chi, IL--ChiIL out with ChiIL Mama this winter.   Here are our sweet, new family 4 pack ticket giveaways for the end of January and beyond.   Enter like we vote in Chi, IL...early and often!   We never spam or share your info and we announce new free ticket winners weekly.   Rock out with family friendly fun, live music, local theatre and more.   It's easy to enter and winning ROCKS!

Here are all our Chicago Ticket Giveaways in one place.   

Click the links below to enter any or all.  We're giving away 4 free tickets to each event!

*All February Beat Kitchen's Concerts for Kids  New winners announced every Friday.  Open for entries through midnight every Thursday.

*Rock & Pop Circus 2pm 2/2 open for entries through midnight 1/31.


  *Monster Truck Jam   Enter through midnight 2/4.

*Justin Roberts-Old Town February 9th at 11am & 2pm  open for entries through midnight 2/5.

*All Baby Loves Disco Shows(Chicago) 2/23, 4/13, 5/11  Open for entry through midnight the Wednesday before each event.

*Gustafer Yellowgold & Brunch for Four at Schubas! open for entries through midnight 2/19.

*All Wilmette Theatre Kids' Shows
**Feb/March  
(Open for entries through midnight the Thursday before each show.  New winners announced Friday.)

*Short Shakespeare Romeo & Juliet (recommended for ages 10+)  Enter through midnight 2/19.

We have high brow...low brow and unibrow entertainment.

Remember to check back with ChiIL Mama (two ii's...one L...all fun in Chi, IL and beyond).   Also follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube & Google + to be the first to know about nationwide giveaways, Chicago shows, and more.

ChiiL out with ChiIL Mama!

Beauty and The Beast at Chicago Shakespeare #Giveaway

music by Alan Menken | lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice book by Linda Woolverton | directed by Rachel Rockwell in Chicago Shakespeare's Courtyard Theater June 28–August 26, 2012   Bring your whole family to Navy Pier for this 75-minute heartwarming musical adventure based on the Academy Award-winning Disney film. It recounts the "tale as old as time" of a clever beauty and her ferocious captor—a young prince trapped under an enchantress's spell, who must learn to love and be loved in order to break the curse. Dazzling production numbers, including the beloved title song and "Be Our Guest," will fill CST's Courtyard Theater. Audience members are invited to meet the cast in the lobby following each performance. Approximate Running Time: 75 minutes   A CST Family production best enjoyed by ages 5 and up   ChiIL Mama/ ChiIL Live Shows will be there for the opening performance on July 7th and we'll have a photo filled review for you then.  We're also excited to offer one of our lucky readers 4 free tickets to your choice of dates between June 30th & July 13th.   Enter right here for your chance to win! *Wait for Rafflecopter to load up right here (if you've gone through RSS feed or are scrolling down the blog and don't see it, click on the actual page title and it should pop right up).  Entries accepted nationwide.   Enter like we vote in Chi, IL...early and often.   Winning rocks!

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