Showing posts with label Shrek the Musical. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Shrek the Musical. Show all posts

Monday, September 10, 2018

OPENING: SHREK THE MUSICAL at The Marriott Theatre for Young Audiences Through December 30th, 2018

ChiIL Live Shows On Our Radar
SHREK THE MUSICAL

Terry James, Executive Producer
Andy Hite, Lead Artistic Director
Aaron Thielen, Artistic Director
Presents


Everyone's favorite ogre is back in this hilarious stage spectacle,
based on the Oscar-winning, smash-hit film.

Here at ChiIL Mama, we adore The Marriott Theatre for Young Audiences series. Their one hour run time, expert casting, and fun theatre in the round staging makes these shows a delight for kids and adults alike. I'll be out with the family for the press opening, October 13th. Check back soon for my full review.

Rediscover the true form of love and friendship with Jeanine Tesori and David Lindsay Abaire’s musical adaptation of the Oscar-winning DreamWorks Animation hit, SHREK THE MUSICAL at The Marriott Theatre for Young Audiences, 10 Marriott Drive in Lincolnshire, from October 5 through December 30, 2018, with a press opening on Saturday October 13 at 10:00 a.m.  With its clever and humorous take on classic fairytales, this fun and adventure-filled production will be directed by Scott Weinstein, with choreography by William Carlos Angulo and musical direction by Matt Deitchman.

An unlikely hero, Shrek is determined to reclaim his precious swamp from exiled fairytale misfits with the help of his wisecracking sidekick, Donkey. Together, they find themselves on a life-changing journey to rescue a princess who is locked away in an isolated castle guarded by a fire-breathing, lovesick dragon. Throw in a short-tempered bad guy, a royal wedding, and an evil curse and you've got the kind of mess only true love’s kiss can fix!



Starring in SHREK THE MUSICAL will be a cast of Chicagoland all-stars, including Shea Coffman as Shrek, Jacquelyne Jones as Fiona, Steven Strafford as Farquaad, and Jonathan Butler-Duplessis as Donkey, with Stephen Allen, Jr., Landree Fleming, Rachel Guth, Keirsten Hodgens, Jersie Joniak, Ron King, Garrett Lutz, Sarah Ohlson, Liam Quealy, and Sara Reinecke.

This production will feature set and properties design by Kristen Martino, lighting design by Jesse Klug, costume design by Theresa Ham, sound design by Robert E. Gilmartin, and video design by Anthony Churchill.   


  
SHREK THE MUSICAL runs on most Wednesdays 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 $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.

Thursday, October 17, 2013

DREAMWORKS ANIMATION’S SHREK THE MUSICAL BRINGS OGRE-SIZED HEART AND SOUL TO HELP SAVE SCHOOL ARTS PROGRAMS



DreamWorks Animation and Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment Team Up with the National Association for Music Education to Award Five Arts Grants to High Schools Nationwide

DreamWorks Animation and Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment announced today a $50,000 donation to the National Association for Music Education (NAfME), a non-profit organization whose mission is to support school music and arts programs. In celebration of the soon to be released Blu-ray and DVD of the Tony Award® winning production of Shrek the Musical, the donation will be used to create five $10,000 grants to help save music and arts programs in schools. Schools are invited to enter starting today to receive a grant for their school music program at www.ShrekDay.com. All entries must be received by October 31, 2013 and following a random drawing, five schools will be announced as winners on November 4, 2013.

“Music is an essential part of every student’s educational experience; it teaches cooperation, collaboration, creativity, and communication. It is important to support school music programs so children can enjoy the lifelong benefits of music study,” said Michael A. Butera, executive director, National Association for Music Education and Give a Note Foundation. “Shrek the Musical tells a story of love, friendship and finding your true self. The fact that the story is enhanced by music demonstrates the true power of musical expression. We’re very grateful to DreamWorks Animation and Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment for their support and generosity.”

“We are proud that our live theater experience can give back to the educational community through this grant program,” said Bill Damaschke, Chief Creative Officer at DreamWorks Animation who also served as the producer of the Broadway show. “Full of high energy and fun, Shrek The Musical is a great introduction for kids to experience the magic of live theatre. The Shrek franchise continues to entertain audiences in a number of different ways.”

For more information, including official rules, visit www.ShrekDay.com. SHREK THE MUSICAL arrives on Blu-ray and DVD October 15, 2013.



About DreamWorks Animation
DreamWorks Animation creates high-quality entertainment, including CG animated feature films, television specials and series and live entertainment properties, meant for audiences around the world. The Company has world-class creative talent, a strong and experienced management team and advanced filmmaking technology and techniques. DreamWorks Animation has been named one of the “100 Best Companies to Work For” by FORTUNE® Magazine for five consecutive years. In 2013, DreamWorks Animation ranks #12 on the list. All of DreamWorks Animation’s feature films are produced in 3D. The Company has theatrically released a total of 27 animated feature films, including the franchise properties of Shrek, Madagascar, Kung Fu Panda, How to Train Your Dragon, Puss In Boots, and The Croods.

About Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment
Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment, LLC (TCFHE) is a recognized global industry leader and a subsidiary of Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation, a News Corporation company. Representing 75 years of innovative and award-winning filmmaking from Twentieth Century Fox, TCFHE is the worldwide marketing, sales and distribution company for all Fox film and television programming, acquisitions and original productions on DVD, Blu-ray Disc Digital Copy, Video On Demand and Digital Download. The company also releases all products globally for MGM Home Entertainment. Each year TCFHE introduces hundreds of new and newly enhanced products, which it services to retail outlets from mass merchants and warehouse clubs to specialty stores and e-commerce throughout the world.

About The National Association for Music Education
National Association for Music Education, among the world’s largest arts education organizations, is the only association that addresses all aspects of music education.  NAfME advocates at the local, state, and national levels; provides resources for teachers, parents, and administrators; hosts professional development events; and offers a variety of opportunities for students and teachers.  The Association orchestrates success for millions of students nationwide and has supported music educators at all teaching levels for more than a century.  With more than 70,000 members, the organization is the voice of music education in the United States. In 2011, NAfME established the Give a Note Foundation to bring together business leaders and everyone who cares about music education to work to establish and grow music education programs for underserved students across the United States.

Shrek The Musical Deluxe Edition Blu-ray™ and DVD out now!

Disclosure:  Thanks to Dreamworks and Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment for providing us with a review copy.  All opinions are our own.

WHAT WE'RE WATCHING:

Here at ChiIL Mama, we adore Shrek.   The great green ogre and his wife are the stars of a series of fairy tales that finally don't feature a skinny, blond, narcoleptic princess awaiting rescue.   Princess Fiona kicks booty, and is a fabulous role model.    

If you've never checked out the original book by William Steig, we highly recommend it.  The book is even quirkier and cooler than the animated movies (which we also love), and we completely dig the Broadway musical adaptation!   

Now the equation goes one step further with a Blu-Ray/DVD movie... of the play... of the book...


This one's a keeper!   Now out on DVD, Blu-ray and Digital HD from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment.  

Steig is an excellent children's author and illustrator and this is the perfect candidate for playing the "same/different game".  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".

Last night Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment, special guests and Broadway stars from Shrek The Musical walked the green carpet in NYC at The Hudson Bond for the Blu-ray, DVD and Digital Copy launch event.  


In attendance were Kelly Rutherford (Gossip Girl) and the stars of Shrek The Musical, including Sutton Foster (Fiona), Christopher Sieber (Lord Farquaad), John Tartaglia (Pinocchio), Daniel Breaker (Donkey), Marissa O'Donnell (Teen Fiona), Leah Greenhaus (Young Fiona, Flower Girl) and many others!

Featuring a fantastic score of 17 all-new songs, Shrek The Musical was filmed on stage to capture the magic of a Broadway performance and stars an amazing celebrated cast. The film was shot live on Broadway with 10 cameras and directed by Michael Warren. Now you can bring the magic of Broadway to your home and get the best seat in the house with Deluxe Edition Blu-ray™ and DVD out now!

Here at ChiIL Mama, we had a chance to give away 4 packs of tickets for our readers and review Shrek the Musical by the Broadway Touring Company and then again by Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, earlier this year.  Shrek the Musical is a pure joy to experience and fun for all ages.  Now you can take it home with you to enjoy over and over at your convenience!






6 Steps To Bring The Magic Of Broadway To Your Own Living Room 

Experience The Magic Of Shrek The Musical On Blu-ray and DVD, Available Now! 
With the Blu-ray, DVD and Digital HD release of Shrek The Musical releasing this week, fairy-tale fans and musical theatergoers alike can now experience the Grammy-nominated stage production in the comfort of one’s own home! Featuring a fantastic score of 17 brand new songs, Shrek The Musical was filmed on stage to capture the magic of a Broadway performance and features an all-star cast.


Here are 6 simple steps to emulate the magic of Broadway in your own living room:
Step One - Sight
No digital interpretation of the stage would be complete without a state-of-the-art projector that can produce an image of up to 150 inches. If a projector is too costly, a 40 inch television or larger will suffice to give the home audience the optimum visual experience.

Step Two – Sound
No ultimate living room entertainment set-up would be complete without a crisp surround sound system. With the ear being stimulated from 4 angles, the illusion of being immersed in a theatre can be achieved.


Step Three – Tickets Please
Why not design your own tickets to your show? Guests will have to show their tickets before entering the living room for example. German Shepherds dressed in tuxedos make excellent ushers too.

Step Four - Wow it’s Green in Here
With a simple purchase of green crepe paper attached to a range of living room light sources, a green filtered glow will engulf the room to create a wonderfully Shrek-like ambience.

Step Five - ‘Curtain Call Ladies and Gentlemen!’
The anticipation of waiting for the famous theatrical curtains to trickle away is no doubt one of the fundamental experiences of going to the theatre. With a curtain rail, fabric and some sticky tape, your living room will mirror the Gershwin’s famous curtain call in no time.


Step Five: Intermission:
Why not engage in a 15-minute interval? Prepare a refreshing beverage for the adults and load up on the ice cream for the kids. Don’t forget those little wooden spoons for the upmost authenticity.

Step Six: Applause:
Don’t forget to clap along with the audience when something particularly amusing or impressive arises on screen. Booing and hissing at the respective villains may also prove effective. Please note, please do not throw your shows or any object at the screen for fear of damaging your precious TV set.  Although all these tips may make you believe that you are in the theater, it’s not real remember.
We are sure you’ll love watching your favorite animated characters come to life like magic, and now you’re ready to experience it at home! Pick up the Blu-ray for your family to enjoy today!

 


Get To Know The Shrek Bunch

The Cast Of The Animated Franchise Comes To Life On Stage and Blu-ray, This Week!

The loved and laughable DreamWorks animation Shrek is brought to life in Shrek The Musical and enjoyed by fans and families of the Broadway stage. Now you can bring the excitement to your living room when you pick up the musical on Blu-ray and DVD. What better way to celebrate the release than a brief introduction to the stage cast of your favorite animated movie. Read down to find out who among them was a Bunhead, a Julliard graduate, and will be starring in a Shakespeare Classic this season.  Meet the Shrek bunch!



Bryan D’arcy James – Bryan plays the role of our beloved ogre Shrek. While he’s sure to win you over in his green role he’s definitely not new to the stage. Mr. Darcy will be star opposite Ethan Hawke in the Lincoln Center Theatre production of Shakespeare’s Macbeth. The talented artist is also notable on the screen too, most recently for his role as Frank Houston on NBC’s Broadway themed drama ‘Smash’.  You’re probably wondering if he sings too, and he does, his solo debut album is From Christmas Eve to Christmas Morn.



Sutton Foster - Princess Fiona is brought to life by the beautiful Sutton Foster. The multi talented artist (actor, singer, and dancer) is best known for her role in the fan favorite ABC Family series ‘Bunheads’, for which she earned a Critic’s Choice Television Awards nomination. Using her beautiful voice, Sutton has performed at venues across the country performing in concerts such as Funny Girl, They’re playing out songs, Chess, and many more.  Like her fellow cast mate, she also works on solo album projects, releasing two albums, Wish and An Evening with Sutton Foster – Live at the CafĂ© Carlye.


Christopher Sieber - Every story needs a villain and none is more villainous than Lord Farquaad, played by Christopher Sieber.  His performance as the miniature maniacal royal is sure to make your living room erupt with laughter and boo’s. Chris’ talent has also been enjoyed in various Broadway productions, such as Pipin, Spamalot, Beauty and The Beast, Into the Woods, and much more. He most recently debut his solo concert  “Minnesota Boy Does Well: Tales from Back and Center Stage.”  Fans of the Olsen twins may also remember him from the ABC comedy Two Of A Kind, in which he played the girls’ father.



Daniel Breaker- The character enjoyed equally by parents and their kids is Shrek’s smart tongued sidekick, Donkey.  As the liveliest character of the musical, Daniel Breaker brings sass, smarts, and laughter to the stage.  The Julliard Scholl Graduate has starred in several Tony and award winning productions such as Passing Strange, Cymbeline, and more. Off screen he has appeared in top titles such as Limitless opposite Robert DeNiro and Bradley Cooper, the Spike Lee-directed project entitled Redhook Summer and Passing Strange.  


John Tartaglia - What do Pinocchio, The Magic Mirror, Dragon Puppeteer all have in common? They are all John Tartaglia. The talented Tartaglia is best known for producing, creating, and starring in the 8-time Emmy nominated children’s show “Johnny and the Sprites”. Additionally, he received a Tony Award Nomination for his role in the Tony-Award winning musical Avenue Q, in which he originated the roles of Princeton and Rod. Most exciting of all his credits may be his 12-year stint on Sesame Street, making him one of the youngest puppeteers to ever perform on the historic show.

We are sure you’ll love watching your favorite animated characters come to life like magic, and now you know the people that are behind that magic! Pick up the Blu-ray for your family to enjoy today!

Disclosure:  Thanks to Dreamworks and Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment.   for providing us with a review copy.  All opinions are our own.




Sunday, June 30, 2013

Win 10 Family Friendly Freebies To ChiIL Out With This Summer #Giveaways



ChiIL Out with ChiIL Mama This Summer

Here are all our rockin' current giveaways in one easy place.   Enter any or ALL.  Good luck!

  Enter here for your chance to win loads of books, DVDs/Blu-Ray, CDs, games, toys and more (open to anyone 18+ in the USA) and a ton of sweet Chicago theatre and family concert tickets.

We love summer time and want to share our ChiIL Picks List for rockin' kindie music, movies, eco-friendly finds, events and more with you, so 2013 can be the best summer vacation EVER.   We're giving away great fam friendly freebies all summer long!!  

Disclaimer:   Thanks to all the kindie musicians, theatres, authors, publishers, Warner Brothers and American Girl for providing us with giveaway prizes and review copies.   All opinions are our own. Check back with us like we vote in Chi, IL... early and often, for loads of original content including video band interviews with kindie (kids' indie) favs, reviews, photo filled features, free downloads, new releases, and more great giveaways.

Here's the scoop:

  Click the name of the giveaways below to enter & see our full feature on each.

  #1/#2.  2 ChiIL Picks Book Bonanzas:



*Lost in Suburbia : A Momoir, by Tracy Beckerman (5 paperbacks available/$15 value each) Now extended through midnight 7/30. 
*The Ordinary Acrobat by Duncan Wall (5 hardbacks available/  $26.95 value each).  Enter through midnight 7/30. 

  Watch for loads of our original circus content throughout the month of our giveaway.  We have video interviews with Cirque Du Soleil performers featured in the book, live show clips we've filmed at CircEsteem Shows, and loads of stills from international touring circuses including Cirque Shanghai, performing on Navy Pier all summer in Chicago, and more!






#3/#4.   ChiIL Picks Blu-Ray & DVD Movies




*Jack the Giant Slayer Blu-Ray/DVD combo! Enter through midnight 7/9($44.95 value)





*Saige Paints the Sky (American Girl) Blu-Ray/DVD combo!  Enter through midnight 7/30. ($26.99 value)

#5/#6/#7.    Rockin' 20 Kindie CD Extravaganza 

We're giving away sets of awesome brand new releases along with 2012 & 13 favs of ours.   All entries are open through midnight 7/30.   Winners will be announced on Winning Wednesday, July 31st! It's road trip season ya know.   And time to ChiIL out and kick back with some of the best kindie artists around.   Throughout the month we'll be bringing you our original reviews and full info on each of the 20 CDs, along with original kindie band interviews, live show footage and more.   Enter to win any or all of these sets.   All of these CDs make it onto

  ChiIL Mama's ChiIL Picks List.

  *Set 1:  Great American Tunes  for July 4th & beyond  ($74.95 value)

  Click the Rafflecopter link below to enter:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 One lucky reader will win these 6 sweet CDs:

  

  • Ozomatli Presents Ozokidz (LA culture mashers known for singing about immigration protests, gang violence & hurricane Katrina they've now expanded their boundaries again and released a rockin' CD of kids' tunes about photosynthesis, spelling, balloons, germs, skateboards and a runaway moose that's so good you won't want to stop playing it the second you drop the kids at camp.  Freakin' hilarious, great musicians bringing quality, multicultural music in a range of genres.) $10

With five Parents’ Choice® awards to their credit, Ben Rudnick & Friends have what it takes to make recordings families love. Families also love their live shows, where the band’s unique dynamic transforms a concert into an event. The events are celebrations.
On July 11, 2008, the band set up at one of their favorite venues, the town green of Lexington, MA. The same green that saw the beginning of the Revolutionary War. Flying high from the string of shows that comes with summer, saying goodbye to their accordion player Mark Yacovone who was moving to Mississippi the next day, and joined by Rob “It’s Saturday Night” Lee on saxophones, the band turned in an unforgettable performance.
Featuring songs from their first six recordings and some favorite cover tunes, Live in Lexington fills every available second on the CD with good time tunes as only they can deliver.
Live in Lexington has garnered BR&F their SIXTH Parents' Choice Award.
ChiIL Mama had the great pleasure of catching the Okee Dokee Brothers for a video interview and shooting their live show at The Beat Kitchen in Chicago, where we sponsor an annual, weekly kindie music concert series.   They're down to earth, cool guys, with an eco-friendly bent and talent to spare.   We've given away copies of Can You Canoe earlier this year.   Now check out one of their earlier albums, Parents Choice Silver Award Winner and one of our favs, Take it Outside. $15



($77.93 value)


*Set 2:   Kidzapalooza Favs ($82 value):  

  Click the Rafflecopter link below to enter:

  a Rafflecopter giveaway


ChiIL out with ChiIL Mama at one of the best kindie fests in the nation!   We've covered Kidza all 3 days of EVERY year of it's existance.   We'll be back again for 2013.   To get you jazzed for the fest, we're giving away a CD set including Ella Jenkins' latest release-Get Moving, and kindie favs that have graced the Kidza stage in years past.   One lucky reader will win 6 CDs from these Kidzapalooza Favs:




(These guys are long time favs of ours and we've had the pleasure of shooting their live shows at Kidzapalooza and catching them for a video interview.   They have a new release out--Deep Sea Diver.   But we also adore their last two, In Tents and Flying.)


($82 value) Here's the rockin' 2013 Kidzapalooza lineup!    







  *Set 3:   Windy Kindie CDs ($96.80 value!!) Click the Rafflecopter link below to enter: 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

  Our own home town kids' musicians are awesome.   Look for these Chicago favorites at street fests all summer & at Beat Kitchen's Concerts for Kids again this fall.   One lucky reader will win these 8 CDs by Chicago Kindie favorites:
($96.80 value!!)


  #8.  Mini Bunny Bonanza ($39.95 value)
  Click the Rafflecopter link below to enter:
  a Rafflecopter giveaway

  For those summer days when some bunny needs a nap and some big bunny needs a break!!   Let Randy Travis & Lilly Tomlin take over on the endless story reading detail for a while.   Then watch your little one drift off to sleep to Deborah Poppink sweet, original tunes.   She's an over 40 mom of 2, and she gets it! Hop from Spring into Summer with bunny fun from our ChiIL Picks List for birth to 7 year olds.   *Some bunny will win both a DVD story collection & DidiPop CD! (Since bunnies know how to multiply over the summer months... we'll double this winning!!  2 winners chosen.)




  • Scholastic Storybook Treasures Read Along DVDs--The Springtime Collection featuring Max's Chocolate Chicken.   12 stories on 3 DVDs with narration by Lily Tomlin, Randy Travis and others.  $24.95 
Deborah Poppink is a kindie musician with 2 daughters of her own.  She says DidiPop comes from when I was a kids (“Debbie Poppins”) and because it’s fun to say and sing. The Beatles are my inspiration, and I was raised on pop radio from the 60s and 70s and musical theater. I started playing piano when I was 3, guitar at 9 and songwriting at 17. My mom says I sang the day I was born. I’ve always loved great music, a catchy chorus and interesting story.

“Bunny In The Moon: bedtime songs for falling asleep" is a new album of 14 original songs, designed to wind your child down to dream-land.
The “Goodnight Moon of children’s music. Your child will look forward to turning out the light and listening as s/he falls asleep to this intimate collection of winding down songs. 

Deborah says, as a mother who waited until she was 40 to start having kids, I pour as much art, music and mindfulness into my girls as I can… in small and fun doses. I hope that you will and can give your child music and art that inspires and teaches. I make music for my girls because it was my very best love as a child and it provided me with so much. I hope to share that love and present mindedness with you and your child…through song, rhythm and magic.


ChiIL Out in Chi, IL with theatre & live music:




#9.  Chicago Tickets-Family 4 Pack to Shrek at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre ($100 value) Your choice of any dates pending availability 7/13-9/1!   Enter through midnight 7/9.





#10.   Chicago Tickets-Family 4 Pack to Justin Roberts at Ravinia-Pavilion Seats ($40 value).  
Enter through midnight 7/9.

Check back soon for his brand new release!!   We'll be reviewing it right here and giving one away.




Chicago Tickets-Family 4 Pack to Mindy Hester & The Time Outs at Wilmette Theatre ($40 value).  
Enter through midnight 7/25.

Disclaimer:   Thanks to all the kindie musicians, theatres, authors, publishers, Warner Brothers and American Girl for providing us with giveaway prizes and review copies.   All opinions are our own.

Thursday, June 27, 2013

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)** 



Pinterest