Dress Up Like a Bear and Tease The Camp Out Consumers #BlackFriday

Hey... here's the deal for Black Friday.

Yes, it's that time of year, kidlets, when rampant consumerism and competitive deal shopping takes over otherwise sane people's brains and makes them do silly things like lining up on Thanksgiving night to get smokin' deals for the holidays.   It's intense... or in tents as the case may be.   If you can't bear it, add a little playful humor.

Redmoon's Bear-Skelebration 2013

We recently saw this idea on Facebook.  "Dress up like a bear & tease the people lined up in tents for Black Friday".

Redmoon, we're thinking you and our friends over at Strange Tree Group (who have a bear skin rug bear in their awesome current production, The Dead Prince) and Goodman's recent Jungle Book Baloo (Kevin Carolan) need to go out together tonight and remind people what the "bear necessities" of life really are.

Goodman Theatre Production Photo--The Jungle Book 2013

ACT OUT KIDS: Jungle Book Opening at The Goodman Theatre (6+) Now Extended Through Aug. 11th

One of the most hotly anticipated theatre events of the summer is nearly here.   Tickets are selling fast, so get yours NOW.   Here at ChiIL Mama we can't wait to see this one!   Tickets to The Goodman's Jungle Book are certainly one of the bear necessities of life for summer 2013.

THE JUNGLE BOOK BY TONY AWARD-WINNER MARY ZIMMERMAN, BASED ON THE 1967 WALT DISNEY FILM AND RUDYARD KIPLING’S ORIGINAL WORK, MAKES ITS THEATRICAL DEBUT AT GOODMAN THEATRE ***SECOND EXTENSION WEEK ADDED DUE TO HIGH DEMAND FOR TICKETS, NOW RUNS JUNE 21 - AUGUST 11*** ***YOUNG CHICAGOAN RONI AKURATI JOINS AKASH CHOPRA AS “MOWGLI THE MAN CUB”*** Goodman Theatre’s world premiere of The Jungle Book begins previews on June 21 (opening night is July 1) and, with a second extension week just added, now runs through August 11. Tony Award winner Mary Zimmerman reimagines Walt Disney’s 1967 animated hit into a wholly original new work for the stage, drawing from both the film as well as Rudyard Kipling’s 1894 collection of stories set in the Indian jungle and featuring original Indian-inspired music and dance. As previously announced, 10-year-old Akash Chopra makes his Chicago debut as young “man cub” Mowgli, who comes of age with the help of the anthropomorphic singing and dancing jungle animals; joining him in the role at select performances is Roni Akurati, who most recently appeared at the Goodman as Tiny Tim in the 2011 production of A Christmas Carol. The full 31-member company (19 cast and 12-member band) appears below. Zimmerman’s new book for the Goodman premiere blends the humor and spirit of Disney’s iconic film with Kipling’s poetry, balancing the jubilant songs from the film with the universal themes about the loss of childhood innocence. “Every adult knows how it feels to have been a child—the time when we're closer to the animals, nature and much freer outside of the rules of man—and how it feels to leave that time of life. I think that's part of the enduring, universal appeal of The Jungle Book,” said Zimmerman. “I want the audience to experience the joys of the music of the Disney film and of a world where you are one with nature and the animals—even with its dangers and troubles—and the recognition that you can’t stay there.” The score contains seven songs from the film, plus never-before-heard pieces from the Academy and Grammy Award winners Richard M. and Robert B. Sherman. Richard Sherman collaborates with Music Director Doug Peck, who arranges and orchestrates the music, adding underscoring based both on themes from the film and Indian ragas and dance music. Peck’s instrumentation includes piano/harmonium, bass, drum set, clarinet, saxophones, flute, trumpet, trombone, tuba, Indian snake trumpets, Carnatic (South Indian) violin, sitar, veena, tablas, ghattam, dholak and dhol. Tony Award-winning choreographer Christopher Gattelli collaborates with Chicago-based Hema Rajagopalan—founder and artistic director of Chicago’s Natya Dance Theatre—to combine elements of classical Indian dance forms with jazz, tap and other types of movement to enhance the storytelling. Rajagopalan’s company performs Bharata Natyam, a major classical Indian dance form that relies heavily on expressive, specific hand gestures. “I am extremely proud to bring The Jungle Book to Goodman audiences,” said Artistic Director Robert Falls. “Imaginative enough for family audiences yet told with the wit and sophistication that has become a hallmark of Mary’s work, it’s a beautiful new interpretation that captures the power, wonder and humor that have made these stories immortal.” Tickets to The Jungle Book ($30-$125, discounts available for subscribers, students and military, prices subject to change) are now on sale: visit GoodmanTheatre.org, call 312.443.3800 or in-person at the Goodman box office (170 N. Dearborn). The production runs approximately two hours (including one 15-minute intermission) and is for adults and families with children 6+. The Jungle Book is produced by special arrangement with Disney Theatrical Productions, which proudly supports Zimmerman's development of this title, providing financial support, creative consultation and access to song material, and is also produced in association with Huntington Theatre Company, where it will play September 7 – October 6, 2013. Allstate and JPMorgan Chase are Premier Sponsors of The Jungle Book and ComEd is the Official Lighting Sponsor. Chicago Tribune is the Media Partner and the Efroymson Family Fund is the Leadership Sponsor. Accenture and Towers Watson are Opening Night Sponsors.

The Jungle Book Rehearsal Photos Via Goodman Theatre:

Akash Chopra (Mowgli) pals around with a backstage buddy during his break in rehearsal for the world-premiere musical adaptation of The Jungle Book.

GOODMAN THEATRE AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS PRESENT FREE CITYWIDE SUMMER EVENTS IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE JUNGLE BOOK

In conjunction with Tony Award winner Mary Zimmerman’s world-premiere stage musical adaptation of The Jungle Book (June 21 – August 4) this summer, Goodman Theatre teams up with community partners to present show-related events and activities at venues throughout Chicago—many free of charge. The Goodman is grateful for the programming and promotional support of the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago Park District, Chicago Public Libraries, Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE), Chicago Council on Global Affairs, Eye on India Festival (in Chicago June 9 – July 14), Field Museum, Hamdard Center, Indo American Center, Kalapriya Center for Indian Performing Arts, Lincoln Park Zoo, and the Girl Scouts of America. Events and information are listed below; visit GoodmanTheatre.org for updates. Rehearsals are underway for The Jungle Book—a new music- and movement-filled adventure chronicling young Mowgli’s coming-of-age in the animal kingdom. Zimmerman’s adaptation is based on Nobel Laureate Rudyard Kipling’s 1894 collection of stories set in the Indian jungle and Walt Disney’s 1967 animated film. Tickets ($27-$125, discounts available for Subscribers, students and military) are available at GoodmanTheatre.org, 312.443.3800 or at the Goodman box office. Allstate and JPMorgan Chase are Premier Sponsors of The Jungle Book and ComEd is the Official Lighting Sponsor. Chicago Tribune is the Media Partner and Accenture and Towers Watson are Opening Night Sponsors. The Jungle Book is produced in association with the Huntington Theatre Company (where it will appear September 7 – October 6) and is appropriate for adults and families with children aged 6+. FREE EVENTS IN THE CHICAGO COMMUNITY  Chicago Summer Dance in Grant Park July 5, 6 - 7pm lesson, 7:30 - 9:30pm dancing | Grant Park, Spirit of Music Garden | ChicagoSummerDance.org The City of Chicago and Goodman Theatre present a celebration of Indian music and dance styles with musicians from Karsh Kale Collective and Kalapriya Center for Indian Performing Arts. The Jungle Book “Story Time” with Chicago Public Libraries July 11 at 6:30pm | Various venues (see below) | For families and children ages 3-8 The Goodman partners with Chicago Public Libraries to offer interactive story sessions. Professional actors accompanied by dancers from the Kalapriya Center for Indian Performing Arts bring Kipling’s stories of Mowgli, Baloo, Shere Khan and Bagheera to life through music, story and dance at Chicago Public Library branches including Budlong Woods, Douglass, Marshall, Bezazian, Daley, Woodson, Sulzer, Garfield Ridge, Mt. Greenwood and Lozano. The Jungle Book: Stage Chemistry with Chicago Public Libraries For students ages 12+ | Check with local branches for dates and times Bringing the jungle to life on stages takes imagination, creativity—and math and science! Learn how Goodman artists and technicians create the magic of the jungle every performance with this lively demonstration of stagecraft. Follow up this experience with hands-on set construction activities in select local library branches. Millennium Park Film Series – Screening of Walt Disney’s The Jungle Book July 23 at 6:30pm | Millennium Park, Pritzker Pavilion | CityofChicago.org Grab a seat under the stars in Millennium Park for a screening of the original 1967 Walt Disney animated classic, The Jungle Book, featuring the voices of Phil Harris, Sebastian Cabot and Bruce Reitherman (78 min). In addition, the following neighborhood festivals offer show-related family-friendly activities: Andersonville Midsommarfest (June 7 – 9, Clark Street/Andersonville); Taste of Randolph (June 14 – 16, West Loop); Custer's Last Stand (June 15 -16, Evanston); Summer on Southport (June 29 – 30, Southport/Waveland); Taste of Lakeview (July 6 - 7, Lincoln Avenue/Belmont) and Taste of Chicago (July 10 – 14, Grant Park). EVENTS AT GOODMAN THEATRE “Press Pass” Series: Breakfast with Richard M. Sherman & Chicago Tribune Chief Theater Critic Chris Jones June 29, 10am breakfast, 11am conversation $25 general public; $15 discounted A once-in-a-lifetime event featuring the legendary Grammy and Academy Award-winning composer Richard M. Sherman, who co-wrote (with brother Robert B. Sherman) the famed music of the films The Jungle Book, Winnie the Pooh, Mary Poppins, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and much more. Chicago Tribune’s Chris Jones joins for conversation and a look back at Sherman’s astonishing career and achievements—including an exclusive sampling of his classic, unforgettable songs. Sherman is collaborating with Mary Zimmerman and Music Director Doug Peck on the Goodman’s production of The Jungle Book, providing access and permission to adapt his songs from the film, plus new lyrics written for this production. The Chicago Tribune’s Press Pass series is presented by Nielsen. Jungle Brunch June 30; 12 Noon brunch, 2pm show | $200 adults, $150 children under 12 An afternoon of games, food, fun and a performance of The Jungle Book. Proceeds from Jungle Brunch help underwrite The Jungle Book Community Day on July 23, a free performance for underserved youth and families. Artist Encounter with Mary Zimmerman June 30 at 5pm | $10 general public, $5 Subscribers, Donors, students Artist Encounters bring together audiences and Goodman artists in an intimate environment for a behind-the-scenes look at the plays and the playmaking process. Zimmerman discusses The Jungle Book with Steve Edwards, most recently of WBEZ, where he served as host of the acclaimed daily shows The Afternoon Shift and Eight Forty-Eight and covered everything from public policy to pop culture. Edwards is currently the Deputy Director of the University of Chicago’s newly created Institute of Politics, founded and led by former White House Senior Advisor David Axelrod.