MUSIC THEATER WORKS ANNOUNCES CAST AND CREATIVE TEAM FOR THE TONY AWARD-WINNING, AVENUE Q, MARCH 9 - APRIL 2 AT THE NORTH SHORE CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS

ChiIL Live Shows On Our Radar

Music Theater Works presents

Avenue Q

Hilarious, charming and a little profane, Avenue Q will turn your expectation of acceptable discourse on its head

Book by Jeff Whitty

Music and Lyrics by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx

Based on an original concept by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx

Directed and Choreogrpahed by Christopher Pazdernik

Assistant Directed by Ashley Keys

Music Directed by Eugene Dizon

Run time, including the intermission, is 2 hours and 30 minutes

Launch of Music Theater Works 43rd Season with the adult music comedy Avenue Q in the North Theatre at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts In Skokie, 9501 Skokie Blvd, Skokie. The Tony Award-winning musical comedy with book by Jeff Whitty, music and lyrics by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx, based on an original concept by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx and is directed and choreographed by Christopher Pazdernik, assistant directed by Ashley Keys and music directed by Eugene Dizon.

Music Theater Works’ 43rd Season Begins with the Musical Comedy That Won the Tony Award for Best Musical, Directed and Choreographed by Christopher Pazdernik, Assistant Directed by Ashley Keys and Music Directed by Eugene Dizon

Music Theater Works is proud to announce the cast and creative team for the first production in its 43rd season, Avenue Q in the North Theatre at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts In Skokie, 9501 Skokie Blvd, Skokie, March 9 - April 2. The Tony Award-winning musical comedy with book by Jeff Whitty, music and lyrics by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx, based on an original concept by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx and is directed and choreographed by Christopher Pazdernik, assistant directed by Ashley Keys and music directed by Eugene Dizon. 

The performance schedule includes a preview performance Thursday, March 9 at 1 p.m.

I'll be out for the press opening March 10th, so check back soon for my full review. The performance schedule is Wednesdays at 1 p.m., Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m. with a Saturday matinee, March 18 at 2 p.m. and two Thursday performances on March 23 and 30 at 7:30 p.m. 

Tickets are now on sale from $39 to $106 with tickets for guests 25 years old and younger available at half-price at MusicTheaterWorks.com or by calling the Music Theater Works box office at the North Shore Center, 847.673.6300. Group discounts are available for groups of 10 or more by contacting 847.920.5360.

Join the irreverent denizens of Avenue Q - part flesh, part plushy, people, puppets and all fun. Hilarious, charming and a little profane, Avenue Q will turn your expectation of acceptable discourse on its head. Follow our hero Princeton, fresh out of college, to his shabby New York apartment all the way out on Avenue Q which, it soon becomes clear, is not your ordinary neighborhood. Laugh out loud, funny, toe-tappingly singable and full of warmth and humor, Avenue Q won the Tony for Best Musical, Best Score and Best Book.

The cast of Avenue Q includes Jimmy Hogan (Princeton); Brandy Miller (Kate Monster); Adam Ross Brody (Rod); Andres J. DeLeon (Nicky/Trekkie Monster/Bad Idea Bear); Melissa Crabtree (Lucy/Mrs. Thistletwat/ Bad Idea Bear); Thomas E. Squires (Brian) and Mai Hartwich (Christmas Eve) and Whitney Dottery (Gary Coleman).

The Avenue Q understudies include Zoe Maroko (Kate Monster U/S); David Blakeman (Nicky/Trekkie/Bad Idea Bear U/S); Rachel Livingston (Lucy/Mrs. Thistletwat/Bad Idea Bear U/S); Mark Bartishell (Brian U/S) and Ashley Saul (Gary Coleman U/S).

The Avenue Q creative team currently includes Christopher Pazdernik  (director/choreographer); Ashley Keys (assistant director); Eugene Dizon (music director); Ben Lipinski (scenic designer); Justin LeBlanc (costume designer); Andrew Meyers (lighting designer); Rick Sims (sound designer); Bob Stilton (props designer); Nick Zabel (technical director); Kristi Martens (puppeteer); Peter Jacob Ruiz (dramaturg); Cameron Koniarski (master electrician); Will Hughes (scenic shop technical director); David Sajewich (media designer); Tony Churchill (associate media engineer); Alexis Lotspeich (assistant costume designer); Chelsea Lynn (lighting programmer); Elena Patterson (stage manager); MaK Cole (assistant stage manager); Jennifer King Russell (company manager); Chris Chase (production manager) and Kyle A. Dougan (producing artistic director). 

Health Safety Procedure:

All guests are recommended to wear face masks during the performance regardless of vaccination status.

ABOUT CHRISTOPHER PAZDERNIK, DIRECTOR/CHOREOGRAPHER

Christopher Pazdernik makes his Music Theater Works debut with Avenue Q. Pazdernik is best-known for his work as artistic director of Refuge Theatre Project (Jeff Awards, Best Director and Best Production of a Musical, High Fidelity); a long association with Porchlight Music Theatre, including directing eight Porchlight Revisits productions and his current role as producing director at Theo, where he directed Godspell earlier this year. Also an openly HIV+ artist, Pazdernik is the creator and producer of the annual benefit concert “Belting for Life” and co-captain of Team Option Up! for AIDS Run/Walk Chicago.

ABOUT EUGENE DIZON, MUSIC DIRECTOR

Eugene Dizon is currently the executive director at Mercury Theater Chicago with his husband L. Walter Stearns. He has been musical directing for over two decades garnering six Jeff Awards while at Porchlight Music Theatre (Ragtime, Sweeney Todd, Amadeus, Company, Into the Woods, Merrily We Roll Along), as well as Jeff nominations for A Grand Night for Singing (Mercury); Candide, Nine the Musical, Closer Than Ever, A Little Night Music, Passion, Colette Collage, and Falsettos; four After Dark Awards (Ragtime, Sweeney Todd, A New Brain, Merrily We Roll Along (Porchlight), a BroadwayWorld Award for Mercury’s Avenue Q and BroadwayWorld nominations for Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Little Shop of Horrors, Hair, Mary Poppins and The Color Purple, all at the Mercury. Additionally at the Mercury, he has musical directed Spamalot, Pippin, Company, The Producers and Barnum. He has been inducted into the Chicago Filipino Hall of Fame (class of 2004) and has co-produced six “Season of Carols” CDs for which Season of Concern awarded him the 2013 Larry Sloan Advocate Award and the Season of Concern 2018 Larry Sloan Legacy Award for “consistently and passionately being a trailblazer on behalf of Season of Concern.” Dizon most recent projects include TO BE (Chicago Shakespeare Theatre) and Mr. Burns – a post-electric play (Theater Wit). Upcoming projects include The Producers at Music Theater Works and Young Frankenstein at Mercury.

ABOUT MUSIC THEATER WORKS

Music Theater Works is a resident professional not-for-profit music theater founded in

1980. During its 42-year history it has presented more than 150 productions and intimate

presentations. Music Theater Works is a professional theater company whose mission is

to present works for the musical stage including historic repertoire, revitalizing the Golden Age of Broadway and earlier works, celebrating the Great American Songbook and introducing modern classics. 

JOYCE SAXON is the 2023 Music Theater Works Season Sponsor.

Preview: Thursday, March 9 at 1 p.m.

Press Performance: Friday, March 10 at 8 p.m.

Saturday, March 11 at 8 p.m.

Sunday, March 12 at 2 p.m.

Wednesday, March 15 at 1 p.m.

Friday, March 17 at 8 p.m.

Saturday, March 18 at 2 and 8 p.m.

Sunday, March 19 at 2 p.m.

Wednesday, March 22 at 1 p.m.

Thursday, March 23 at 7:30 p.m.

Friday, March 24 at 8 p.m.

Saturday, March 25 at 8 p.m.

Sunday, March 26 at 2 p.m.

Wednesday, March 29 at 1 p.m.

Thursday, March 30 at 7:30 p.m.

Friday, March 31 at 8 p.m.

Saturday, April 1 at 8 p.m.

Sunday, April 2 at 2 p.m.

Tickets: $39 to $106, tickets for guests 25 years old and younger are available for half-price.

Music Theater Works Box Office: (847) 673-6300

Website: MusicTheaterWorks.com

Acclaimed Ukrainian Ballet Company to Perform Romeo & Juliet and Swan Lake this January in Chicago

ChiIL Live Shows on our radar

THE NATIONAL BALLET THEATRE OF ODESSA BRINGS BALLET MASTERPIECES 

“SWAN LAKE” AND “ROMEO & JULIET” TO TOWN

Acclaimed Ukrainian Ballet Company To Perform “Romeo & Juliet” at Harris Theater for Music and Dance, January 19, 2020 and “Swan Lake” at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie, January 21, 2020

The National Ballet Theatre of Odessa, is proud to announce two performances coming to Chicagoland in January 2020.  Featuring 55 of Ukraine’s top performers, “Romeo & Juliet” will be performed at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 E. Randolph St. in Chicago, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2020 at 3 p.m., and “Swan Lake” will be performed at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2020 at 7:30 p.m.. “Romeo & Juliet” tickets are $55 - $85 , and are available by calling the box office at 312-334-7777 or through www.harristheaterchicago.org. “Swan Lake” tickets are $38 - $68 and are available by calling 847-673-6300 or by visiting www.northshorecenter.org.

“Romeo & Juliet” is a ballet performed in two acts, set to the music of composer Sergei Prokofiev, choreographed by Michael Lavrovsky, directed by Elena Baranovskaya and produced by Garri Sevoian. The fullscale production is based on the WIlliam Shakespeare’s tragedy of the two doomed young lovers. The principal dancers are Olena Dobrianska as “Juliet” and Sergii Dotsenko as “Romeo.”

“Swan Lake” is a ballet performed in four acts, with one intermission, also set to the music of composer Prokofiev. The script is based on the scenario by Vladimir Begichev and Vasiliy Geltser, directed by Elena Baranovskaya, and choreographed by Marius Petipa, Alexander Gorsky, Lev Ivanov, Konstantin Sergeyev and Yuri Grigorovich. The story follows a young prince as he tries to free the beautiful swan maiden from an evil spell.

ABOUT NATIONAL BALLET THEATRE OF ODESSA, UKRAINE

The year 1923 was a milestone in the history of the Odessa City Theater when its Ballet Company staged an in-house production of “Swan Lake”for the very first time.The press called it "the first attempt to create a real ballet performance in the history of the City Theater.” The ballet was staged by the ballet master Robert Balanotti. “Swan Lake” was followed by “The Little Humpbacked Horse,” “Coppelia”and “Le Corsaire.” In 1926, Kasyan Goleizovsky came to Odessa. His groundbreaking approach to choreography had an immense effect on the future of the Odessa ballet troupe. His ballets “Joseph the Beautiful” and “In the Sunlight”, but foremost the breathtaking “Polovetsian Dances” from the A. Borodin opera Prince Igor, which attained international fame, immediately won the hearts and minds of the Odessa audience. By the end of the 20s and into the 30s, the repertoire of the Theater grew rapidly and had new ballet productions to show for it: “La Carmagnole” by the Odessa composer Femilidi, as well as classical ballets “Don Quixote” and “Giselle.”

ABOUT NADEZHDA BABICH, Director of the Nation Ballet Theatre of Odessa

Nadezhda Babich graduated from the Kyiv State Institute of Culture in 1980, having obtained a qualification of a librarian-bibliographer. Nadezhda Babich has served as director to the National Ballet Theatre of Odessa since 2010, after serving as deputy headand then head of the Department of Culture and Tourism at the Odessa Regional Administration. Babich has served as artistic director in many successful opera and ballet productions, including Mozart’s “Don Giovanni,” “The Mystery of the Vienna Woods" to the music of J. Strauss and G.Mahler and on a grand scale, she  placed in two International Arts Festivals in Odessa: Opera 2012 and Opera 2013

WIN 4 Tickets ($80 Value) To The Grammy-Winning Okee Dokee Brothers in Skokie 2/16 and a "Winterland" Album Download!

ChiIL Mama's Chi, IL Picks List:

LIVE Family Friendly Shows On Our Radar

Enter Below Through Midnight February 13th

One of ChiIL Mama's lucky readers will WIN 4 Tickets ($80 Value) To The Okee Dokee Brothers in Skokie this Saturday, 2/16 (choice of 11am or 2pm) and a "Winterland" Album Download ($9.49 value)! *Non transferable. Tickets will be at the box office under the winner's name and must be picked up with a photo ID. Winner will be announced here on 2/14 and on our social media outlets.

Here at ChiIL Mama, we're SO excited to partner up with The Okee Dokee Brothers, to promote their "Winterland" album and tour. They're long time favorites of ours and some of the best kindie musicians out there. They'll be ChiILin' just north of Chi, IL at the North Shore Center for the Arts in Skokie this weekend. They're a ton of fun live, so don't miss this! The Okee Dokee Brothers are doing two shows at the North Shore Center for the Arts on Feb 16.

Blast From The Past: Check out ChiIL Mama's Video Interview With THE OKEE DOKEE BROTHERS from 2012!

THE OKEE DOKEE BROTHERS
Saturday, February 16 @ 11:00 am
Center Theatre
$12 | $16 | $20 
BUY TICKETS

Performance Schedule:
Sat, Feb 16 at 11am
Sat, Feb 16 at 2pm

Grammy-Winning Folk & Roots Music for Families!

♪ Five-time Parents’ Choice Award Winners

♪ The American Library Association’s Notable Children’s Recording Award

♪ The Grammy Award for Best Children’s Music Album

Justin Lansing and Joe Mailander have been exploring the outdoors together since they were kids. Now, as the Grammy-winning Okee Dokee Brothers, they write songs to encourage kids and families to get outside and get creative. Their brand-new album Winterland (2018), is a tribute to the season of coziness, family time and outdoor fun! This cold-weather project is the follow-up to their wildly popular Adventure Album trilogy which was inspired by their extended canoe trip down the Mississippi River (Can You Canoe?), their month-long trek along the Appalachian Trail (Through The Woods) and a joyous horseback adventure through the American West (Saddle Up).

As we weather the storm by looking inward, we can redefine our seasonal perspectives. In fact, with just the right outlook, winter can become our own sense of paradise, even through the warm months. Join The Okee Dokee Brothers as they welcome you to experience a refreshing, wide-eyed view of the most exciting time of year with their music from Winterland.

In a world where people are all too often pursuing their own individual journeys, Winterland humbly reminds us that we are all human beings living within the uncontrollable motions of Mother Nature. Embracing the cycles of loss and new life, darkness and light, bitter cold and warmth, Winterland reflects that winter is not only a season, but a feeling we carry within. 





With songs written under wide-open skies and harmonies fine-tuned around the campfire, the natural world is at the heart of their Americana folk music. The Okee Dokee Brothers make room for kids to dance, for parents to share stories, and for everyone to gain respect for nature, each other, and the world we live in.

“[The Okee Dokee Brothers] remind us of the American belief that we’re bound for better weather. Their album [Can You Canoe?] celebrates everyday explorers, young and old, who rediscover that notion daily.”

—All Things Considered, NPR

“The lyrics are playful, engaging and subtly filled with life lessons. These are songs that encourage kids to find happiness with fewer material possessions and embrace adventure even in trying situations.”

—Chicago Tribune

“Want to get away from the city? Check out these tunes.”

—The Washington Post

Enter HERE Through Midnight February 13th

One of ChiIL Mama's lucky readers will WIN 4 Tickets ($80 Value) To The Okee Dokee Brothers in Skokie Saturday 2/16 (choice of 11am or 2pm) and a "Winterland" Album Download ($9.49 value)! *Non transferable. Tickets will be at the box offic under the winner's name and must be picked up with a photo ID. Winner will be announced here on 2/14 and on our social media outlets.

WIN 4 Skokie Okee Dokee Bros Concert Tickets & Winterland Album Download ($90 Approx Value)

WIN 4 Tickets (Up to $188 Value) to the WORLD PREMIERE OF AMERICAN GIRL LIVE First National Tour Launch at The North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie 12/21/18

ChiIL Mama’s Chi, IL Picks List

WORLD PREMIERE 
OF 
AMERICAN GIRL LIVE 

ENTER BELOW FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN 4 OPENING NIGHT TICKETS!

First National Tour to Launch at The North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie

December 21-23, 2018

One of ChiIL Mama's lucky readers will 

WIN 4 Tickets to Opening Night of 

American Girl LIVE on 12/21/18 

(Up to $188 Value)

Enter through midnight 12/15/18. Tickets good for opening night on 12/21/18.

American Girl Live, an all-new musical inspired by the popular characters from American Girl® owned by Mattel, Inc., will celebrate its world premiere at The North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie (9501 Skokie Blvd.), Dec. 21-23, 2018. The cast of American Girl Live includes Jenna Bruce as Rebecca, Ashley Diane as Luciana, Laila E. Drew as Melody, Shelby Lysette Miguel as Nanea, Monica Potson as Julie and Kelsey Elaine Pressnall as Maryellen. The cast also features Orisa Gutierrez and Mari Skoultchi. For tickets and more information, please visit, NorthShoreCenter.org or call 847-673-6300.

American Girl Live will feature all-original songs and an unforgettable experience for fans of American Girl as they witness some of their favorite characters come to life. Audiences will join a group of girls at sleepover camp for an exciting summer away from home. When each camper is faced with a new challenge or experience, she comes to better understand the timeless lessons of her favorite American Girl character. The messages shared provide positive examples of friendship, courage and hope that will extend beyond the performance and into the hearts of the audience.

American Girl Live will perform at The North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie (9501 Skokie Blvd.) on Friday, Dec. 21 at 7 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 22 at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 23 at 1 p.m. Tickets range in price from $37 - $47 and are available now. Special VIP packages featuring a pre-show party and post-show photo opportunity with the cast are also available. Please visit, NorthShoreCenter.org or call 847-673-6300 for tickets or more information.

 

About American Girl
American Girl is a premium brand for girls and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mattel (NASDAQ: MAT), a leading global children's entertainment company that specializes in design and production of quality toys and consumer products.  Headquartered in Middleton, WI, American Girl offers an inspiring world of dolls, content, and experiences that nourish a girl’s spirit and help develop her strength of character. Best-selling lines include Truly Me™, Girl of the Year™, Bitty Baby™, WellieWishers™, and American Girl’s classic historical characters. The company sells products through its award-winning catalogue, on americangirl.com, in its proprietary U.S. experiential retail stores, as well as at specialty retailers nationwide. By inspiring girls to be their best, American Girl has earned the loyalty of millions and the praise and trust of parents and educators.

About Mills Entertainment
Mills Entertainment, a live entertainment content studio, and division of Creative Artists Agency (CAA), collaborates with top talent and property holders to create unforgettable live experiences.  With full global distribution and partnerships worldwide, our specialty is taking shows from concept to stage, serving as the complete solution in realizing the vision.  Current projects include Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood Live!, Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Carnival of Curi-oddities, Mel Brooks Live! Back in the Saddle Again, and Theresa Caputo Live! The Experience. www.millsentertainment.com

About The North Shore Center
The North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie is a dynamic two-theater complex designed by Boston architect Graham Gund and opened in November 1996. The North Shore Center is managed by Professional Facilities Management, Inc. and operates as part of the Village of Skokie’s plan to provide cultural, literary and educational programs to benefit the citizens of Skokie and Chicago’s North Shore. The facility features an 867-seat main theater, and a convertible 318-seat theater, which serves as the home to Northlight Theatre. In addition, there is a 6,000-square-foot grand lobby, rehearsal hall and conference rooms. The North Shore Center presents a Feature Series and the curriculum-based Youtheatre program, which has provided supplemental arts education to over a million Chicago area students since its launch in 1980. Located 30 minutes from Chicago’s Loop and conveniently across from Westfield Old Orchard Mall, the Center is in close proximity to many excellent dining, shopping and hotel options. Free parking is also abundantly available. For more information or tickets to its diverse programming, please visit NorthShoreCenter.org.

Enter HERE for your chance to WIN 4 Tickets to Opening Night of American Girl LIVE on 12/21/18 (Up to $188 Value)

Age range: All
Giveaway Details: Enter through midnight 12/15/18. Tickets good for opening night on 12/21/18.

Disclosure: It's our great pleasure at ChiIL Mama to partner up with lots of local theaters, restaurants, live concert venues and more, to offer great giveaways for our readers. Thanks to all the theaters mentioned here for offering us complimentary tickets for review purposes and for our giveaways. As always, all opinions are my own.