FLASH GIVEAWAY: WIN A Family 4 Pack of Tickets (2 winners/$65 value) To ELEPHANT & PIGGIE’S “WE ARE IN A PLAY!” Via Marriott Theatre for Young Audiences

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Family Friendly Theatre Fun

Marriott Theatre for Young Audiences continues its 2023 children’s theatre season with their summer production, 

ELEPHANT & PIGGIE’S “WE ARE IN A PLAY!” 

All photos by Liz Lauren

Here at ChiIL Mama, we adore Marriott Theatre for Young Audiences as much as we love Mo Willems books! If you're grinning in agreement, we've got a great giveaway for you. ChiIL Mama's pleased to partner up with Marriott Theatre once again, and two of our lucky readers will win 4 complimentary tickets ( ($65 value) for the show of your choice (pending availability). Enter at the end of this post through midnight Tuesday, August 1st for your chance to win! Winners will be emailed Wednesday morning and announced here and on our social media channels. 

Families are invited to enjoy this musical take on the award-winning Mo Willems books that will leave them singing and dancing through a rollicking adventure, running July 14 through August 13, with a press opening on Saturday, July 22 at 10am at Marriott Theatre, located at 10 Marriott Drive. This special one-hour presentation is directed by Johanna McKenzie Miller and choreographed by Laura Savage with musical direction by Carolyn Brady. Each performance will be followed by a question-and-answer session with the cast.

“Any chance I have to work on a piece for theatre for young audiences is a joy, but it’s a priority that I craft an exciting and satisfying experience for the whole family,” said director Johanna McKenzie Miller. “The Elephant & Piggie books were such a large part of my kids’ early childhood, and I look forward to taking those cherished memories and bringing this performance to life.”

ELEPHANT & PIGGIE’S “WE ARE IN A PLAY!” is a charming and sweet musical, guaranteed to bring a smile to audiences of all ages! Gerald and Piggie are best, best, "bestus" friends, but Gerald worries that something could go wrong that would end their friendship. Piggie is not worried at all, she's even happier and more excited than usual. That's because she and Gerald are invited to a party hosted by the Squirrelles, three singing squirrels who love to have a good time. So begins a day when anything is possible. Filled with beloved characters and lively songs, ELEPHANT & PIGGIE’S “WE ARE IN A PLAY!” is a perfect way to introduce young audiences to theatre.

This production of ELEPHANT & PIGGIE’S “WE ARE IN A PLAY!” stars Lillian Castillo as “Piggie,” Lorenzo Rush Jr. as “Elephant,” Brian Bandura, Sara Reinecke, and Ciarra Stroud as “The Squirelles,” and Patrick Michael Tierney as “Dog/Penguin”; with understudies Crystal Claros, Dan Gold, Kayla Kennedy, and Katherine Viviano.

The Marriott Theatre for Young Audiences team will be led by Associate Artistic Director Katie Johannigman, with costume design by Theresa Ham, lighting design by Brian Elston, scenic and prop design by Eric Luchen, lighting programmed by Megan Wines and Billy Borst, sound design by Matthew Chase, and media design by Tony Churchill. The stage manager is Casie Morell.

ELEPHANT & PIGGIE’S “WE ARE IN A PLAY!” plays most Thursdays through Sundays at 10 am with select 12:30 pm performances. An ASL interpreted performance will take place on Saturday, August 12th at 10:00am. Visit MarriottTheatre.com or call 847.634.0200 for the exact schedule, as show times and dates vary. Tickets are $15.75, excluding tax and handling fees. Call for substantial group discounts on over 20 tickets. Free parking is available at all performances. To reserve tickets, please call The Marriott Theatre Box Office at 847.634.0200 or visit www.MarriottTheatre.com.

Buddy is also playing at Marriott Theatre through August 13th! 

This excellent production with  multigenerational appeal is an excellent pick for making some memories. Marriott's Buddy is chock full of major talent, timeless tunes, and a tragic ending. Don't miss this!

ChiIL Mama's pleased to partner up with Marriott Theatre once again, and two of our lucky readers will win 4 complimentary tickets ($65 value) for the show of your choice, as long as it's not sold out. 

ENTER HERE

ELEPHANT & PIGGIE’S “WE ARE IN A PLAY!” runs through August 13th. Please be sure you can make it to at least one of the dates below before entering. 

Enter here through midnight Tuesday, August 1st for your chance to win! Winners will be emailed Wednesday morning and announced here and on our social media channels. 

Thanks to Marriott Theatre for partnering up with ChiIL Mama and supplying complimentary tickets for our giveaway. As always, all opinions are my own.

The Young People’s Theatre of Chicago’s Inaugural Season To feature Two World Premieres and The Chicago Premiere of a New Mo Willems Musical

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TWO WORLD PREMIERES IN 3-PLAY 

2022-23 SEASON

A Science-Themed Musical by Emmy Award-Winning / Grammy-Nominated Team An Adaptation of a Best-Selling Early-Reader Series

The Chicago Premiere of a New Mo Willems Musical

Here at ChiIL Mama, we had the opportunity to meet Morgan Tayler, children's musician, father, and brilliant composer and lyricist of Peabody, many times over the years, starting way back in 2009. It was a pleasure to shoot photos and videos of him in concert at Chicago's Schubas, and partner up many times on giveaways for our readers. We were sad to hear that Morgan Taylor recently passed away from Covid complications:

— https://www.vanityfair.com/culture/2022/08/a-star-goes-out-the-loss-and-legacy-of-a-beloved-childrens-songwriter

— https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/25/arts/music/morgan-taylor-dead.html

We're happy to say his legacy lives on in his work, and the world premiere of Peabody will be presented in Morgan Taylor’s honor.

The Young People’s Theatre of Chicago’s (YPT) inaugural 2022-23 season features two highly anticipated world premieres. The season launches with Glen Berger (Emmy Award - Peep and the Big Wide World; FETCH! with Ruff Ruffman) and Morgan Taylor’s (Grammy nomination - Gustafer Yellowgood) S.T.E.M.-themed Peabody–a Musical Comedy for Intrepid Young Scientists (Oct 29–Nov 20) and concludes with John Glore’swickedly funny (and wonderfully spooky) adaptation of Abby Hanlon’s early-reader favorite, Dory Fantasmagory (May 5–28). Both new works are expected to enjoy long lives in children’s theaters across the country. Following the inaugural success of last year’s Knuffle Bunny, YPT also introduces Chicago to Mo Willems’ new musical adaptation of his own Caldecott Award-winning Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus (Feb 3–26).

All performances take place at The Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave. Tickets on sale September 1, 2022. For ticket purchases and more information, visit yptchi.org or call the box office at 773 404 7336.

In residence at the historic Greenhouse Theater Center, YPT produces the highest quality professional theatre for children of all ages and backgrounds. The company also plans to introduce performance and training opportunities for kids. Founding Artistic Director Randy White has directed extensively in New York and at regional theatres across the country. Mr. White was the founder of Cardinal Stage in Bloomington, IN, where he launched the extraordinarily successful “Cardinal for Kids” series.

“Last year’s Knuffle Bunny was a hugely successful first outing for YPT,” says Mr. White. “Now, as we get ready for our first full season of work, the company is focused on bringing original and innovative theatre to Chicagoland’s children and families. We’re excited to partner with community organizations, parents, impassioned educators, and local business leaders to make it possible for local children of all ages and backgrounds to experience and participate in a wide range of transformative theatrical experiences!”

YPT’S 2022 – 2023 SEASON

Eileen Doan as Alyssa Peabody Photos by Anthony La Penna

PEABODY, A MUSICAL COMEDY FOR INTREPID YOUNG SCIENTISTS

A World Premiere
Oct. 29 – Nov 20, 2022
Press Performance: Saturday, Oct 29 at 10am
Book by Glen Berger
Music and Lyrics by Morgan Taylor
Directed by Randy White
Performance Schedule: Fridays at 7pm; Saturdays at 10am and 1pm; Sundays at 1pm (added 10am performances on final two Sundays)
Tickets: $25 / $19 (under 12)
Appropriate for ages 5+

Why do apples fall? Question the obvious and you change the course of history! Or in the case of 11-year-old Alyssa Peabody, you spark pandemonium at your middle school science fair!

A rollicking musical comedy that gives new meaning to the term Science Whizz!

Glen Berger’s (book) plays include Underneath the Lintel (450 performances Off-Broadway, 350 productions worldwide). TV credits include two Emmy Awards and 200+ episodes for the PBS children’s series, Arthur. Glen was co-bookwriter for Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark (directed by Julie Taymor, music by Bono and The Edge of U2). His memoir Song Of Spider-Man—the harrowing tale of Turn Off the Dark’s creation—was published by Simon & Schuster.

Morgan Tayor (music & lyrics) is a Grammy-nominated composer and the creator of the popular multimedia Gustafer Yellowgood project. In addition to his off-Broadway work, Morgan has toured and/or worked with Wilco, Duncan Sheik, Lisa Loeb, and others.

DON’T LET THE PIGEON DRIVE THE BUS

The Chicago Premiere
Feb 3 – Feb 26, 2023
Press Performance: Friday, Feb. 3 at 7pm
Book by Mo Willems and Mr. Warburton
Lyrics by Mo Willems
Composed by Deborah Wicks La Puma
Directed by Randy White
Performance Schedule: Fridays at 7pm; Saturdays at 10am and 1pm; Sundays at 1pm (added 10am performances on final two Sundays)
Tickets: $25 / $19 (under 12)
Appropriate for all Ages

Poor Pigeon never gets to do anything! But when Bus Driver is running late (gasp!), Pigeon’s dream to drive the bus might actually come true! From the vivid imagination of Mo Willems comes an interactive romp with every child’s favorite high-strung bird!

As the Inaugural Kennedy Center Education Artist-in-Residence, Mo Willems adapted his own 2004 Caldecott Honor award-winning book in 2019 and critics in DC and across the country have raved:

 

• ●  “Magical!” –DC Theatre Scene

• ●  “Real-life wisdom for the young, delivered in a tasty hour-long concoction of silliness.”

  –Broadway World

• ●  “Phenomenal... will keep your kids at the edge of their seat, dancing and singing... I

  was hesitant taking my 8- and 10-year-old boys. But they loved it. – Seattlechild

• ●  “Reminiscent of cartoonish underdog characters who discover their purpose within the universe’s workings...like Rudolph, Wilbur the pig, or James and his giant peach...heartfelt and fulfilling.” – Arts at Michigan

  Mo Willems (playwright) is an author, illustrator, animator, and playwright. Best known for his #1 New York Times bestselling picture books, Willems has been awarded three Caldecott Honors, two Theodor Geisel Medals, and five Geisel Honors. Willems began his career as a writer and animator on PBS’ Sesame Street, where he garnered six Emmy Awards. Over the last decade, Willems has been the most produced playwright of Theater for Young Audiences in America, in large part thanks to his continued collaboration with Deborah Wicks La Puma. Willems is overjoyed to have written Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! with his longtime collaborator and friend, Mr. Warburton. Banana!

  Deborah Wicks La Puma (composer and orchestrator) composed Willems’ Elephant and Piggie’s We Are in a Play! (The Kennedy Center), and Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed: The Rock Experience (Seattle Children’s Theatre). One of the most produced artists in Theater for Young Audiences today, La Puma’s honors include the Jane Chambers Playwriting Award, an NEA New American Works Grant, two Parents Choice Awards, and a Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Musical Adaptation. A proud Mexican-American, La Puma is Mother to three daughters and lives in Southern California.

  DORY FANTASMAGORY

  A World Premiere
  May 5 – May 28
  Press Performance: Friday, May 5 at 7pm
  Written by: John Glore
  Based on the book: Dory Fantasmagory by Abby Hanlon
  Directed by Randy White
  Performance Schedule: Fridays at 7pm; Saturdays at 10am and 1pm; Sundays at 1pm (added 10am performances on final two Sundays)
  Tickets: $25 / $19 (under 12)
  Appropriate for Ages 4+

  It’s tough being the youngest! Dory’s siblings won’t play with her and there are monsters to battle all over the house, like the hair-raising Mrs. Gobble Gracker! With the help of her fairy godmother, Mr. Nuggy, Dory sets out to win what she wants most: her family’s attention!

  From children’s playwright and longtime South Coast Rep Literary Manager John Glore (A Wrinkle in Time, The Stinky Cheese Man), comes a clever and hilarious new adaptation of Abby Hanlon’s enormously popular Dory Fantasmagory. Directly engaging the audience in original and surprising ways, Glored captures the original series’ charm and delightfully droll sensibility.

  • ●  Charming, funny and true to life!” –Kirkus Review

  • ●  “Educational Value: A+” —Common Sense Media

John Glore (playwright/adaptor) is an award-winning playwright whose work for young audiences includes adaptations of A Wrinkle in Time, The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales, The Night Fairy, Kate DiCamillo's Flora and Ulysses, and many. His work for children and adults has been produced at Berkeley Rep, Actors Theatre of Louisville, The Round House Theatre, The Children's Theatre Company, First Stage, Childsplay, and others.

Abby Hanlon (book author) is the author and illustrator of Dory Fantasmagory, a series of chapter books for five to nine year olds. Dory was named a Best Book of the Year by Kirkus, Publishers Weekly, and Parent's Magazine. It won a Golden Kite Honor for Fiction and is an American Library Association Notable Book. The books have been translated in twenty-two languages and are Junior Library Guild selections. Abby also taught creative writing and gradeschool in the New York City public school system.

FOUNDING ARTISTIC DIRECTOR RANDY WHITE

Randy was the Founding Artistic Director of Cardinal Stage in Bloomington, IN. Under White’s leadership, Cardinal grew into Southern Indiana’s largest arts organization. A champion of children’s theatre, White also inaugurated the extraordinarily successful “Cardinal for Kids” series–which played to 100,000 kids in just 7 years. White was also gratified to work with 100+ extraordinarily talented Chicago actors, designers, and directors while at Cardinal.

In NYC, White directed Theatreworks USA’s Max and Ruby, a new children’s musical that played off-Broadway and toured nationally. He directed the 15-month off-Broadway run of Glen Berger’s Underneath the Lintel, assisted on Disney’s The Lion King, and was Resident Director at New Dramatists. Regionally, White has directed at Shakespeare Santa Cruz, Portland Center Stage, Actors Theatre of Louisville, etc. As an educator, White has directed and/or taught for the Yale Dramat, University of Pennsylvania, Indiana University, University of Minnesota/Guthrie, University of Alberta, Fordham, NYU, etc.

In Chicago, White directed The Wizard of Oz at the Children’s Theatre of Winnetka and Curious George and Knuffle Bunny at Northbrook Theatre. For the Greenhouse Theater, White directed Truman and The Birth of Israel and was nominated for an Equity Jeff Award for his critically acclaimed production of Midsummer (A Play with Songs). White holds an MFA in directing from the University of Alberta in his native Canada.

THE YOUNG PEOPLE’S THEATRE OF CHICAGO

The Young People’s Theatre of Chicago. YPT was established in early 2020 but significantly Covid-delayed. It wasn’t until late 2021 that YPT launched with a successful production of Mo Willems’ Knuffle Bunny — 

— "Will your kids be entertained? The answer (spoiler alert!) is ‘YES’— judged by the happy vocal reactions of the kids at the matinee I attended! A solid debut!” —Chicago Reader 

— “Vivacious… packs a big punch. If you have a little one in your life, be sure to bring them to see this fun, funny musical. This first production of YPT is a sign of good things to come.”  —Splashmags

Lincoln Park and surrounding neighborhoods welcomed Knuffle Bunny with multiple sold-out performances.

YPT’s follow up production of the science-themed musical comedy Peabody was postponed by multiple Covid cases in the first weeks of rehearsal. But we persevere! The world premiere of Peabody will launch YPT's 3-play 2022-2023 season. And then in the New Year we build on Knuffle Bunny’s success with the Chicago premiere of Mo Willems’ adaptation of his own award-winning and best-selling Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!  The inaugural season wraps up in the spring with a world premiere adaption of Abby Hanlon's award-winning Dory Fantasmagory. 

These two bookend world premiere productions suggest an exciting future for YPT—a future that foregrounds commissions and the development of exciting new work for children of all ages. 

Young People’s Theatre of Chicago (YPT) offers high-quality productions and performance/education opportunities for children of all ages and backgrounds. Housed in the historic Greenhouse Theater Center, YPT launched in the fall of 2021. The company’s inaugural 3-Play 2022-23 season features two exhilarating world premieres, along with the Chicago premiere of a new musical by America’s most popular children’s author!

YPT’s Managing Artistic Director Randy White noted that, “as we prepare for this inaugural season, YPT is focused on partnering with community organizations, parents, educators, and local business leaders to provide thrilling and transformative theatre experiences for children from Lincoln Park and surrounding neighborhoods. These community partners will make it possible for local children of all ages–from toddlers to teenagers–to experience theatre that entertains, empowers, educates, and inspires.”

OPENING: Leonardo! A Wonderful Show About A Terrible Monster at Chicago Children’s Theatre September 10 - October 16, 2022

 ChiIL Mama’s ChiIL Picks List

MANUAL CINEMA’S NEW ALL-AGES SHOW 

LEONARDO! A WONDERFUL SHOW ABOUT A TERRIBLE MONSTER

COMING DIRECT FROM EDINBURGH AND NYC TO LAUNCH CHICAGO CHILDREN’S THEATRE’S 18TH SEASON, SEPTEMBER 10-OCTOBER 16, 2022

Leonardo! A Wonderful Show About A Terrible Monster is ideal for ages 3 and up. 

Hundreds of illustrated puppets, fuzzy Muppet-style puppets, hilarious actors on live cameras, and a live music soundtrack bring the popular children’s books by Mo Willems to life in a new Manual Cinema show that is...

“more like seeing a movie than attending a play…just one of this interactive production’s charms,” using “paper cutouts, fuzzy puppets, an energetic cast and funny songs to tell a story that is seamlessly projected onto a huge screen hanging over the stage.”  -The New York Times

Leonardo is a terrible monster. He tries so hard to be scary, but he just…isn’t. Then Leonardo finds Sam, the most scaredy-cat kid in the world. Will Leonardo finally get to scare the tuna salad out of someone? Or will it be the start of an unlikely friendship.

The plot thickens when Leonardo and Sam meet Kerry and Frankenthaler, an even scaredier-cat and her monster friend. Kerry and Sam need to make a big decision: will they just be scaredy cats or can they become friends?

Leonardo! A Wonderful Show About A Terrible Monster is directed by Sarah Fornace, co-director of Manual Cinema, the Chicago-based, internationally-acclaimed multimedia artist collective known for their mind-bending fusion of shadow puppetry, video projection, DIY cinema, green screen techniques, original music, and immersive sound.

Performances are September 10-October 16, 2022

at Chicago Children’s Theatre, 100 S. Racine in the West Loop. 

(Free parking adjacent to the theater.)

Hundreds of illustrated puppets, fuzzy Muppet-style puppets, hilarious actors on live cameras, and a live music soundtrack bring the popular children’s books by Mo Willems to life in a new Manual Cinema show the whole family will enjoy.

Leonardo is a terrible monster. He tries so hard to be scary, but he just…isn’t. Then Leonardo finds Sam, the most scaredy-cat kid in the world. Will Leonardo finally get to scare the tuna salad out of someone? Or will it be the start of an unlikely friendship?

The plot thickens when Leonardo and Sam meet Kerry and Frankenthaler, an even scaredier-cat and her monster friend. Kerry and Sam need to make a big decision: will they just be scaredy cats or can they become friends?

Leonardo! A Wonderful Show About A Terrible Monster returns for its hometown debut after summer runs in Edinburgh and at New York’s New Victory Theater. There, the New York Times raved Leonardo! is “more like seeing a movie than attending a play…just one of this interactive production’s charms,” using “paper cutouts, fuzzy puppets, an energetic cast and funny songs to tell a story that is seamlessly projected onto a huge screen hanging over the stage.”

Leonardo! is directed by Sarah Fornace, co-director of Manual Cinema, the Chicago-based, internationally-acclaimed multimedia artist collective known for their mind-bending fusion of shadow puppetry, video projection, DIY cinema, green screen techniques, original music, and immersive sound.

In 2017, CCT was thrilled to present the world premiere of Manual Cinema’s The Magic City as the inaugural production in its now “forever home” at Monroe and Racine in Chicago’s West Loop. In 2018, Manual Cinema was named Chicago Tribune “Chicago Theater Artists of the Year.” Their national profile jumped again in 2021 thanks to their shadow puppet animation sequences in the critically acclaimed horror film Candyman, produced by Jordan Peele.

But Leonardo? He’s not scary.  

Leonardo! A Wonderful Show About A Terrible Monster is ideal for ages 3 and up. The show will delight audiences whether or not they have read the books, but there are plenty of easter eggs to delight fans of Mo Willems.

Performances are September 10-October 16, 2022, Saturdays and Sundays at 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Single tickets are $25-$36, fees not included. Mark your calendar, because these shows will sell out.

Or, guarantee your seats, save money and see three great plays – Manual Cinema’s Leonardo!, The Beatrix Potter Holiday Tea Party and The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show  – by purchasing a two- or three--show subscription to CT’s 2022-23 season, starting at just $37.

Subscriptions and single tickets are on sale now at chicagochildrenstheatre.org. Email boxoffice@chicagochildrenstheatre.org or call (312) 374-8835 to learn more about discounted rates for schools, playgroups, birthday parties and scouting groups.

Chicago Children’s Theatre is a “no shushing” theater. It is centrally located at 100 S. Racine Ave., at Monroe, in Chicago's West Loop, in the former 12th District Chicago Police Station, now home to the city’s largest professional theater devoted to children and young families.]

Chicago Children's Theatre is minutes from I-90 and I-290, as well as downtown and Ashland Avenue. Free, onsite parking is available on the south side of the building. Free street parking can be found nearby on weekends, or try the Impark parking lot, 1301 W. Madison St.

BOO! Behind-the-scenes of Leonardo! A Wonderful Show About A Terrible Monster

Leonardo! A Wonderful Show About A Terrible Monster is created by Manual Cinema, and is inspired by the books “Leonardo, The Terrible Monster” and “Sam, The Most Scaredy-Cat Kid in the Whole World” by Mo Willems. The production is directed by Sarah Fornace, from an adaptation by Sarah Fornace and Drew Dir, with music, lyrics and sound design by Ben Kauffman and Kyle Vegter. 

The cast features Leah Casey (Kerry, puppeteer), Lily Emerson (narrator, character voices, guitar and vocals), Julia Miller (Sam, puppeteer) and Lindsey Noel Whiting (Leonardo, Puppeteer). 

The creative team includes Drew Dir, 2D paper puppet and prop design; Lizi Breit, hand and rod puppet design; Mieka Van der Ploeg, costume and wig design; Trey Brazeal with Nick Chamernik, lighting design; Megan Alrutz, dramaturgy; Maydi Díaz, stage manager and board operator; and Mike Usrey, technical director 

Manual Cinema is an Emmy award winning performance collective, design studio, and film/ video production company founded in 2010 by Drew Dir, Sarah Fornace, Ben Kauffman, Julia Miller and Kyle Vegter. Manual Cinema combines handmade shadow puppetry, cinematic techniques, and innovative sound and music to create immersive stories for stage and screen. Using vintage overhead projectors, multiple screens, puppets, actors, live feed cameras, multi-channel sound design, and a live music ensemble, Manual Cinema transforms the experience of attending the cinema and imbues it with liveness, ingenuity, and theatricality. The company was awarded an Emmy Award in 2017 for “The Forger,” a video created for The New York Times and named Chicago Theater Artists of the Year in 2018 by the Chicago Tribune. In 2020 Manual Cinema celebrated their ten year anniversary and had their South American premiere at the Santiago a Mil festival. Their shadow puppet animations were featured in the 2021 film remake of Candyman, directed by Nia DaCosta and produced by Jordan Peele’s Monkeypaw Productions. 

Manual Cinema has been presented by, worked in collaboration with, or brought its work to Chicago Children’s Theatre, The Metropolitan Museum of Art (NYC), BAM (NYC), Arts Emerson, Yale Repertory Theatre, The Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, The Kennedy Center (DC), Under the Radar Festival (NYC), La Monnaie-DeMunt (Brussels), The Noorderzon Festival (Netherlands), The Kimmel Center (Philadelphia) The O, Miami Poetry Festival, The Tehran International Puppet Festival (Iran), Davies Symphony Hall (SF), The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Saudi Arabia), The Ace Hotel Theater (LA), The Hakaway International Arts Festival (Cairo), The Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and elsewhere around the world. They have collaborated with StoryCorps (NYC), Erratica (London), The Belgian Royal Opera (Brussels), Hubbard Street Dance (Chicago), Pop-Up Magazine (SF), Nu Deco Ensemble (Miami), New York Times best-selling author Reif Larsen (NYC), three time Grammy Award-winning eighth blackbird (Chicago), NPR’s Invisibilia, Topic Magazine, Grammy Award winning Esperanza Spalding and The New York Times. Learn more at manualcinema.com.

Mo Willems is an author, illustrator, animator, playwright, and the inaugural Kennedy Center Education Artist-in-Residence, where he collaborates in creating fun new stuff involving classical music, opera, comedy concerts, dance, painting, and digital works with the National Symphony Orchestra, Ben Folds, Yo-Yo Ma, and others. Willems is best known for his #1 New York Times bestselling picture books, which have been awarded three Caldecott Honors (“Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!,” “Knuffle Bunny,” “Knuffle Bunny Too”), two Theodor Geisel Medals, and five Geisel Honors (“The Elephant & Piggie” series). Willems’s art has been exhibited around the world, including major solo retrospectives at the High Museum (Atlanta) and the New-York Historical Society (NYC). Over the last decade, Willems has become the most produced playwright of Theater for Young Audiences in America, having written or co-written four musicals based on his books. He began his career as a writer and animator on PBS’ Sesame Street, where he garnered six Emmy Awards (writing). Other television work includes two series on Cartoon Network: Sheep in the Big City (creator + head writer) and Codename: Kids Next Door (head writer). Willems is creating new TV projects for HBOMax, where his live action comedy special Don’t Let the Pigeon Do Storytime! currently streams. His papers reside at Yale University’s Beinecke Library. For more, visit pigeonpresents.com.

Leonardo! A Wonderful Show About ATerrible Monster was commissioned by The Kennedy Center for Performing Arts with additional support from Chicago Children’s Theater and Utah Presents.

Playing next at Chicago Children’s Theatre in 2022-23

Later this fall, Chicago Children’s Theatre’s popular holiday show, The Beatrix Potter Holiday Tea Party, returns for its seventh season, November 19-December 24, 2022. 

A seasonal rite of passage for Chicago toddlers, this mesmerizing, interactive trunk and puppet show brings four adorable Beatrix Potter stories to life, followed by a festive holiday spread of juice, cookies and chocolate milk. 

Next spring, CCT will present The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show by Jonathan Rockefeller, creator of Disney’s Winnie the Pooh. 

Kids love this bright, bold spectacle production with 75 larger-than-life puppets that bring four Eric Carle favorites – “The Very Busy Spider,” “10 Rubber Ducks,” “Brown Bear, Brown Bear” and “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” – from the page to the stage. 

The Chicago Tribune called it “incredible work…Eric Carle’s books are brought beautifully to life.” Chicago Parent wrote “be wowed by the live action colorful world.” Jerrell L. Henderson directs. Performances are April 10-June 4, 2023.

About Chicago Children’s Theatre

“The Chicago theater scene is legendarily vibrant, so naturally a number of companies tailor productions to younger audiences. The cream of the crop is Chicago Children’s Theatre.” – Chicago Tribune

Chicago Children’s Theatre was founded in 2005 with a big idea: Chicago is the greatest theater city in the world, and it deserves a great children’s theater. Today, Chicago Children’s Theatre is the city’s largest professional theater company devoted exclusively to children and young families. CCT has established a national reputation for the production of first-rate children’s theater with professional writing, performing, and directorial talent and high-quality design and production expertise.

In January 2017, the company celebrated the opening of its new, permanent home, Chicago Children’s Theatre, The Station, located at 100 S. Racine Avenue in Chicago’s West Loop community. The building, formerly the Chicago Police Station for the 12th District, was repurposed into a beautiful, LEED Gold-certified, mixed-use performing arts, education and community engagement facility that now welcomes all Chicago families.

CCT provides tens of thousands of free and reduced-price tickets to under-resourced schools each season in partnership with Chicago Public Schools. CCT also continues to grow its performing arts and STEAM education programs, offering classes, workshops, winter and spring break camps, and summer camps for ages 0 to 14.

In 2019, Chicago Children’s Theatre won the National TYA Artistic Innovation Award from Theatre for Young Audiences/USA. In addition, Chicago Children’s Theatre has garnered six NEA Art Works grants, and in 2017, became the first theater for young audiences in the U.S. to win a National Theatre Award from the American Theatre Wing, creators of the Tony Awards.

Chicago Children’s Theatre is supported by Goldman Sachs, Paul M. Angell Family Foundation, The Ralla Klepak Foundation for Education in the Performing Arts, The Shubert Foundation, Polk Bros Foundation, The MacArthur Fund for Culture, Equity and the Arts at Prince, Bayless Family Foundation, The Crown Family, Rea Charitable Trust, ComEd, US Bank, City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE), Illinois Arts Council, Illinois Humanities Council, National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), The Susan M. Venturi Fund in memory of James and Roslyn Marks to Support Theatre Education Accession, and Erin and Jason, Ben, Bici and David Pritzker.

Chicago Children’s Theatre is led by Co-Founders, Artistic Director Jacqueline Russell and Board Chair Todd Leland, with Board President Armando Chacon.

For more, visit chicagochildrenstheatre.org.

Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical Via The Young People’s Theatre of Chicago Through Dec. 19 at The Greenhouse Theater Center

ChiIL Mama's Chi, IL Picks List: Family Friendly Theatre Fun

THE YOUNG PEOPLE’S THEATRE OF CHICAGO PRESENTS 

KNUFFLE BUNNY: A CAUTIONARY MUSICAL,

AT THE GREENHOUSE THEATER CENTER, DECEMBER 2 - 19

This Live Musical for Ages 3 and up is Based on The Beloved Children’s Book “Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale” by Mo Willems

Here at ChiIL Mama we adore Mo Willems and children's theatre, so we're excited to share there's a new troupe in town, The Young People’s Theatre of Chicago (YPT). Even better, their inaugural production is Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical, written by Mo Willems, with music by Michael Silversher, and directed by Randy White and music directed by David Zizic. I had the great pleasure of meeting and photographing Mo Willems for ChiIL Mama when my children were small and his hilarious books were in heavy rotation in our home. If he's a favorite of yours too, or if you're newly discovering his work, don't miss this! Theatre boosts empathy and creative thinking in children. If you're looking for family friendly fun with your littles this December, put Knuffle Bunny on your list.

Adapted by Willems from his own Caldecott Honor-winning children’s book, “Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale,” the production runs Thursday, Dec. 2 - Sunday, Dec. 19 at The Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave. Regular performances are Thursdays at 6:30 p.m., Fridays at 6:30 p.m., Saturdays at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. and Sundays at 1 p.m. The press opening is Thursday, Dec. 2 at 6:30 p.m. The current running time is 50 minutes. Tickets are $19 (under 12) and $25 (12 and up) and are available now at greenhousetheater.org, in person at the box office or by calling 773.404.7336.

*YPT will not be seating the theater at full capacity and proof of a COVID-19 vaccination is required for ages 12 and up.*

Knuffle Bunny is the spirited account of a beleaguered Dad who inadvertently leaves his toddler’s favorite stuffed bunny at the laundromat. Adapting his best-selling illustrated book for the stage, Mr. Willems explores the loving and complex bond between parent and child while celebrating the glorious complexity of family life in the big city. Knuffle Bunny features Michael Silversher’s irresistibly hummable music, plenty of energetic dance, and some truly inspired puppets (both modest and HUUUUGE!) – and even a guest appearance by Mo Willems’ own much-loved bus-driving pigeon!

The cast for Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical includes Aissa Guerra (Trixie), Grace Bobber (Mom), Sam Shankman (Dad), and Matthew O’Neal Lolar, Haley Gustafson, and Juanita Andersen (ensemble).

The production team of Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical includes Mo Willems (book & lyrics), Michael Silversher (composer), Randy White (director), Tuesdai B. Perry (choreographer), David Zizic (music director), Lauren M. Nichols (scenic design), Caitlin McLeod (costume design), Kat Pleviak (puppet design), Brandon Wardell (light design) and Dave Wisniewski (prop design).

ABOUT MO WILLEMS (adapter, author, lyricist and writer)

Mo Willems is a New York Times bestseller who began his career as a writer and animator for PBS' ”Sesame Street,”where he garnered six Emmy Awards for his writing. During his nine seasons at ”Sesame Street,” Willems also served as a weekly commentator for BBC Radio and created two animated series,

Nickelodeon's ”The Off-Beats” and Cartoon Network's ”Sheep in the Big City.” While serving as head writer for Cartoon Network's #1 rated show, “Codename: Kids Next Door,” Williems began writing and drawing books for children. His debut effort, ”Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!” became a New York Times Bestseller and the following year ”Knuffle Bunny: a Cautionary Tale” was awarded a Caldecott Honor. The sequel, ”Knuffle Bunny Too: A Case of Mistaken Identity” garnered him his third Caldecott Honor in 2008. In addition to picture books, Mo created the Elephant and Piggie books, a series of "Easy Readers", which were awarded the Theodor Seuss Geisel Medal in 2008 and 2009 and a Geisel Honor in 2011. For older audiences he has published an illustrated memoir of his year-long trip around the world in 1990-91 entitled ”You Can Never Find a Rickshaw When it Monsoons.” The animated ”Knuffle Bunny” was awarded Best Film during the New York International Children's Film Festival in 2008 and received the Andrew Carnegie Medal in 2007. The animated ”Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!” garnered Willems his second Carnegie Medal in 2010. He wrote the script and lyrics for Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale, commissioned by the Kennedy Center for its 2010 season. Willems lives in Massachusetts with his family.

ABOUT MICHAEL SILVERSHER (composer/co-lyricist)

Michael Silversher is a Grammy Award-winning songwriter (“Elmo in Grouchland”), with three primetime Emmy nominations, including two for Winnie-the-Pooh and one for The Muppets who collaborated with Joy Sikorski to create SingBabySing’s exclusive prenatal and infant music singing CD for moms, dads, grandparents, nurses and early childhood educators.

Silversher was the composer for the background music of the hit children’s TV show, “Dinosaur Train,” songwriter for “Pajanimals”and composer/co-lyricist for Knuffle Bunny, A Cautionary Tale, which premiered at the Kennedy Center. Silversher, in collaboration with Patty Silversher, also wrote the theme songs for Disney’s television series, “Tale Spin” and “Gummi Bears.” Together they have over one hundred songs in the Disney catalog.

He has written over forty-three musical theatre works and has worked extensively with Jim Henson Productions, MGM, Sony, Warner Bros., The Learning Channel, Kennedy Center, Los Angeles Opera, South Coast Repertory Theatre, Mark Taper Forum and Sundance Institute.

ABOUT FOUNDING ARTISTIC DIRECTOR RANDY WHITE (director)

Randy White was founding artistic director of Cardinal Stage in Bloomington, IN. Under White’s leadership, Cardinal grew into one of Indiana’s largest arts organizations. A champion of children’s theatre, White also inaugurated Cardinal’s extraordinarily successful Cardinal for Kids series, playing to 100,000+ children throughout Southern Indiana. White was also gratified to work with 100+ extraordinarily talented Chicago actors and designers while at Cardinal.

In New York City, White developed and directed Theatreworks USA’s Max and Ruby, a children’s musical that played off-Broadway and toured nationally. He directed the 15-month off-Broadway run of Glen Berger’s Underneath the Lintel, assisted on Disney’s The Lion King, and was resident director at New Dramatists. Regionally, White has directed at Shakespeare Santa Cruz, Portland Center Stage, Actors Theatre of Louisville and many other theatres across the county.

As a theatre educator, White has directed and/or taught at Yale, University of Pennsylvania, Indiana University, University of Minnesota/Guthrie, University of Alberta, Fordham and NYU Tisch.

In Chicago, White directed The Wizard of Oz at the Children’s Theatre of Winnetka and Curious George and Knuffle Bunny at Northbrook Theatre. For the Greenhouse Theater, White directed Truman and The Birth of Israel and was nominated for an Equity Jeff Award for his critically acclaimed production of Midsummer (A Play with Songs). White holds an MFA in directing from the University of Alberta in his native Canada.

The Young People’s Theatre of Chicago

The Young People’s Theatre of Chicago is a new children’s theatre company offering high-quality Theater for Young Audience productions and performance/education opportunities for children of all ages and backgrounds. Housed in the historic Greenhouse Theater Center, YPT launched in the fall of 2021, with additional productions planned for the spring of 2022.

YPT’s Managing Artistic Director Randy White noted that, “as we prepare for our inaugural season, YPT is focused on partnering with community organizations, parents, educators, and local business leaders to provide thrilling and transformative theatre experiences for children from Lincoln Park and surrounding neighborhoods. These community partners will make it possible for local children of all ages–from toddlers to teenagers–to experience and participate in a wide range of transformative theatre experiences, including established children’s classics, commissioned new works by celebrated American playwrights, and extraordinary performance and educational opportunities.”

Location: The Greenhouse Theater Center’s Upstairs Mainstage, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave, Chicago

Run Dates: Thursdays: December 2, 9 & 16 at 6:30 p.m.

Fridays: December 3, 10 & 17 at 6:30 p.m. Saturdays: December 4, 11 & 18 at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Sundays: December 5, 12 & 19 at 1 p.m.

Press Performance: Thursday, Dec. 2 at 6:30 p.m.

Tickets: $25 / $19 (under 12)

Running time: 50 minutes

Tickets: currently available at greenhousetheater.org, in person at the box office, or by calling 773.404.7336.