GIVEAWAY & REVIEW: MADAGASCAR – A MUSICAL ADVENTURE at Marriott Theatre for Young Audiences Now Playing Through December 29, 2019

Out of the zoo and onto the Marriott Theatre stage!
MADAGASCAR – A MUSICAL ADVENTURE
Now Playing Through December 29th



ChiIL Mama's Giving Away 2 
Family 4 Packs of Tickets ($72.92 Value)
Enter Below for Your Chance to WIN!
(Enter early and often through midnight November 3, 2019)

Guest Review

by lori morrison 

Marty, the Zebra's, 10th Birthday wish is to get out of the zoo and visit nature. Following the team of penguins with a dream to get back to Antarctica, he does just that.  Worried, his friends (Alex, Gloria, Melman and Mason) go searching for him. 

There is much adventure as they travel out of the zoo, get caught in subways of New York and wake up on a boat to Madagascar which gets overtaken by the Penguins. 

Once in Madagascar, they meet many new and interesting characters, some friendly and in need of help and some who's natural instincts are to harm them.

All characters realize just how different the wild is from the zoo and must decide if this is really what they want.

Marty, gets his 10th Birthday wish come true but is it all he thought it would be? 

Alex, the Lion is king of the zoo but does he have what it takes to be king of the jungle? Does he want to be? What will that do to his friendship with Marty and the others?

With catchy songs and fun set changes throughout, this play has something for everyone. It will be most enjoyable for the 10 and under crowd but song and dance numbers like "I like to move it, move it", will have everyone up and dancing. 

Lori Morrison is an unschooling Chicago mom who lives in LaGrange with her three kids, and a rescue dog. She is a 2nd degree black belt in TKD and a burlesque dancer, who teaches self defense and works for Edge Theatre, NFP.

It’s time to escape the zoo and head to the stage! The musical twist on the blockbuster DreamWorks motion picture, MADAGASCAR – A MUSICAL ADVENTURE, comes to life for children of all ages at Marriott Theatre for Young Audiences, 10 Marriott Drive in Lincolnshire, from October 4 to December 29, 2019. 



Audiences will join the familiar zoo escapees and embark on a truly unique and “crack-a-lackin’” adventure as each animal enjoys freedom for the very first time after spending their entire life in captivity. MADAGASCAR – A MUSICAL ADVENTURE, a theatrical interpretation of the 2005 hit film, is directed by Johanna McKenzie Miller, choreographed by Ericka Mac, with musical direction by Sam Groisser. 

Join Alex the Lion, Marty the Zebra, Melman the Giraffe, Gloria the Hippo and, of course, those hilarious, plotting penguins as they bound onto the stage in this musical adventure. MADAGASCAR – A MUSICAL ADVENTURE follows all of your favorite zoo friends as they escape from their home in New York’s Central Park Zoo and find themselves on an unexpected journey to the madcap world of King Julien’s Madagascar. This special one-hour presentation for kids (and parents) of all ages is filled with larger-than-life characters, non-stop adventure, and an upbeat score that will make audiences want to “Move It, Move It!” All performances are followed by a question & answer session with the cast.

Starring in MADAGASCAR – A MUSICAL ADVENTURE are Liam Quealy as “Alex,” Ron King as “Marty,” Rashada Dawan as “Gloria,” Steven Strafford as “Melman,” Emily Agy as “Rico,” Landree Fleming as “Maurice,” Alejandro Fonseca as “Kowalski,” Yando Lopez as “King Julien,” Garrett Lutz as “Mason,” Laura Savage as “Private,” and Allison Sill as “Skipper.” 

The production will feature set design by Rachel Rauscher, lighting design by Jesse Klug, costume design by Jesus Perez, sound design by Robert E. Gilmartin, and puppetry design/construction by Sarah E. Ross; with stage management by David A. Loranca and musical supervision by Patti Garwood.

MADAGASCAR – A MUSICAL ADVENTURE runs on most Wednesdays through Sundays at 10 a.m. with certain performances at 12:30 p.m. Visit www.MarriottTheatre.com or call (847) 634-0200 for exact schedule, as show times and dates may vary. Single ticket prices are $18.23 per person. Groups of 20 or more receive a discount by calling (847) 634-5909. Free parking is available at all shows. To reserve tickets, call the Marriott Theatre Box Office at (847) 634-0200 or visit www.MarriottTheatre.com.

Enter HERE for Your Chance to WIN!

ChiIL Mama's Giving Away 2 

Family 4 Packs of Tickets ($72.92 Value)

to MADAGASCAR – A MUSICAL ADVENTURE

(Enter early and often through midnight November 3, 2019. Tickets are good for winners' choice of any Madagascar date/time at Marriott through December 29th, 2019, pending availability.)

ENTER HERE

OPENING: Madagascar – A Musical Adventure at Chicago Shakespeare Theater!!

Chi, IL LIVE Shows On Our Radar:

Chicago Shakespeare Theater announces

Madagascar – A Musical Adventure

DreamWorks animated film brought to life onstage at Navy Pier

beginning July 13

Led by the wacky King Julien (Aaron Holland), the full company jams out to “Move it, Move it” in Chicago Shakespeare Theater's production of Madagascar – A Musical Adventure, based on the DreamWorks Animation motion picture, directed and choreographed by Rachel Rockwell in CST's Courtyard Theater, July 13–August 27, 2017. All photos by Liz Lauren.

Based on the DreamWorks Animation Motion Picture

Book by Kevin Del Aguila

Original Music and Lyrics by George Noriega & Joel Someillan

Directed and Choreographed by Matt Raftery 

Chicago Shakespeare Theatre has long been a favorite of ours here at ChiIL Mama and ChiIL Live Shows. My kids have grown up loving CST from toddlerhood to the teen years. They have a wide range of high caliber productions that include family friendly fare, Short Shakespeare, teen programs, and plenty of shows for adults from the bard and beyond.

Every summer Chicago Shakespeare Theatre on Navy Pier breaks out a fun, family friendly musical. This is an awesome opportunity to introduce the littles to theatre they'll love and make some family memories. Chicago Shakespeare Theatre's legendary sets and costumes, and world class talent bring shows to life in a vibrant, memorable explosion of color. Highly recommended!



July 13 – August 27, 2017
at Chicago Shakespeare Theater on Navy Pier
800 E. Grand Avenue Chicago, IL 60611

Tickets: $22 for children 12 and under | $34 for adults
Special discounts available for groups of 10 or more
Box Office: 312.595.5600 | Group Sales: 312.595.5678
www.chicagoshakes.com

Chicago Shakespeare Theater  (CST) continues its summer tradition of vibrant family programming with Madagascar – A Musical Adventure, directed and choreographed by Matt Raftery at the Theater’s home on Navy Pier, July 13–August 27, 2017. Based on the DreamWorks Animation motion picture, this wild and wacky new musical is written by Emmy Award-winner Kevin Del Aguila with original music and lyrics by George Noriega and Joel Someillan.

Madagascar – A Musical Adventure follows Alex the Lion, Marty the Zebra, Gloria the Hippo, Melman the Giraffe and those plotting Penguins on a hilarious and unexpected journey from Manhattan to the faraway island of Madagascar. After busting out of their home at New York’s Central Park Zoo, these furry friends encounter the madcap antics of the outrageous King Julian and his fellow island inhabitants in a musical celebration of friendship. The nonstop adventure and rollicking pop score will have audiences of all ages wanting to “Move It, Move It!” The 70-minute production is the perfect summer outing to share the wonder and delights of live theater with young people.



The plotting penguins—from left to right: Private (Erica Stephan), Skipper (Leah Morrow), Kowalski (Tony Carter) and Rico (Adrienne Storrs)—commandeer a ship to head for Antarctica

The blockbuster film is transformed for the stage by Kevin Del Aguila —the Emmy Award-winning writer of the animated PBS show Peg + Cat and book-writer behind the hit Alter Boyz, one of the longest running off-Broadway musicals of all time and winner of the New York Outer Critics Circle Award. Del Aguila has garnered Lucille Lortel and Drama Desk Award nominations, and is the recipient of Heideman Award for his play The Greekest of Tragedies (Actors Theatre of Louisville). Original music and lyrics for Madagascar – A Musical Adventure was created by creative duo George Noriega and Joel Someillan, who have collaborated for nearly a decade in developing music for Dora the Explorer and Go Diego Go, as well as many other projects for Nickelodeon TV and Film and Broadway Across America.

Madagascar is directed and choreographed by Matt Raftery, who returns to Chicago Shakespeare after having choreographed A Midsummer Night’s Dream, As You Like It, Sense and Sensibility (CST’s production at San Diego’s Old Globe) and Love’s Labor’s Lost—in addition to serving as associate director for the world premiere of The Book of Joseph. His notable musical theater work has also been seen at Drury Lane Theatre Oakbrook, Marriott Theatre and Theatre at the Center.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater presents a wide range of accessible and affordable programming for multi-generational audiences. In addition to imaginative summer musicals at the Theater’s home on Navy Pier, offerings year-round include Short Shakespeare! abridgments of Shakespeare’s classics and the FREE Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks tour to neighborhood parks throughout the city. These programs reach more than 100,000 patrons each season—making Chicago Shakespeare one of the largest providers of family programming in Chicago.

MADAGASCAR – A MUSICAL ADVENTURE
PERFORMANCE LISTING

Previews:
Thursday, July 13 at 11:00 a.m.
Friday, July 14 at 11:00 a.m.
Saturday, July 15 at 11:00 a.m.
Sunday, July 16 at 11:00 a.m.
Wednesday, July 19 at 11:00 a.m.

Wednesdays:
July 26; August 2, 9, 16, 23 – 11:00 a.m.

Thursdays:
July 20, 27; August 3, 10, 17, 24 – 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.

Fridays:
July 21, 28; August 4, 11, 18, 25 – 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.

Saturdays:
July 22, 29; August 5, 12, 19, 26 – 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.

Sundays:
July 23, 30; August 6, 13, 20, 27 – 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.

Melman the Giraffe (Stephen Schellhardt), Marty the Zebra (Gilbert Domally), Alex the Lion (Jordan Brown), and Gloria the Hippo (Lisa Estridge) embark on an epic, music-filled escapade 

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 creating extraordinary production of classics, new works and family programming; 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 650 performances, CST attracts 225,000 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. During 2016, CST spearheaded the Shakespeare 400 Chicago festival in addition to announcing the creation of an innovative performance venue, The Yard at Chicago Shakespeare.





**Disclosure: Thanks to Chicago Shakespeare Theater for providing complimentary tickets for review purposes. As always, all opinions are my own.** 

WIN 4 Tickets ($68 Value) to MADAGASCAR – A MUSICAL ADVENTURE at Marriott Theatre

ChiIL Mama's Chi, IL Picks List:

Now playing through April 15, 2017

The Marriott Theatre for Young Audiences

Presents

THE CHICAGO PREMIERE OF

Terry James, Executive Producer

Aaron Thielen, Lead Artistic Director

Andy Hite, Artistic Director

ENTER HERE through 3/17/17 for your chance to win 4 tickets ($68 value) --  (winner's choice of show dates/times pending availability.)

Here at ChiIL Mama, my kids adored the Madagascar movies. Even most of the adults I know cheered on the unlikely Alex the Lion and Marty the Zebra in their great escape, buddy movies. Now you can see it LIVE on stage and "move it move it" with the whole family while enjoying your favorite Madagascar tunes. The Marriott Theatre has a stellar reputation for presenting high caliber, world class shows, and their Marriott Theatre for Young Audiences series is no exception.

It’s time to escape the zoo and head to the stage! The musical twist on the blockbuster DreamWorks motion picture, MADAGASCAR – A MUSICAL ADVENTURE, comes to life for children of all ages at The Marriott Theatre for Young Audiences, 10 Marriott Drive in Lincolnshire, from February 25 through April 15, 2017, with a press opening on March 4 at 10 a.m. Audiences will join the familiar zoo escapees and embark on a truly unique and “crack-a-lackin’” adventure as each animal enjoys freedom for the very first time after spending their entire life in captivity. MADAGASCAR – A MUSICAL ADVENTURE, a theatrical interpretation of the 2005 hit film, will be directed and choreographed by Matt Raftery.

“The Marriott Theatre is proud to be producing the Chicago premiere of MADAGASCAR – A MUSICAL ADVENTURE. We are incredibly excited to be able to share this story with our audiences both young and young at heart”, said Marriott Theatre Artistic Director, Aaron Thielen. “It's exciting to be able to bring these familiar characters from the "big screen" to life on our stage.”

Join Alex the Lion, Marty the Zebra, Melman the Giraffe, Gloria the Hippo and, of course, those hilarious, plotting penguins as they bound onto the stage in this musical adventure. MADAGASCAR – A MUSICAL ADVENTURE follows all of your favorite zoo friends as they escape from their home in New York’s Central Park Zoo and find themselves on an unexpected journey to the madcap world of King Julien’s Madagascar. 

This special one-hour presentation for kids (and parents) of all ages is filled with larger-than-life characters, non-stop adventure, and an upbeat score that will make audiences want to “Move It, Move It!” All performances are followed by a Question & Answer session with the cast.

Costume designer (and assistant director) Jesus Perez assures that audiences will be dazzled by the unexpected costumes and innovative puppetry. “Madagascar is already an established idea, but since this is a live production and not a movie, it has opened up a world of creativity for us. This is the perfect vehicle for me as a designer to bring this fantastical world to life,” said Perez.

MADAGASCAR – A MUSICAL ADVENTURE stars James Earl Jones II as “Marty the Zebra,” Russell Mernagh as “Alex the Lion,” Rashada Dawan as “Gloria the Hippo,” Stephen Schellhardt as “Melman the Giraffe”, Jonathan Butler-Duplessis as “King Julien,” Leah Morrow as “Skipper,” Liam Quealy as “Kowalski,” Laura Savage as “Mort and Private,” Elena Romanowski as “Rico,” Samantha Pauly as “Maurice,” and Jed Feder as “Mason.”

MADAGASCAR – A MUSICAL ADVENTURE runs most Tuesdays through Sundays at 10 a.m. with certain performances at 12:30 p.m. Visit MarriottTheatre.com or call 847.634.0200 for exact schedule, as show times and dates may vary. Single ticket prices are $17.23 per person. Groups of 20 or more receive a discount by calling 847.634.5909. Free parking is available at all shows. To reserve tickets, call the Marriott Theatre Box Office at 847.634.0200 or visit www.MarriottTheatre.com.