Young People's Theatre Of Chicago 2023-2024 Season Launches With Junie B. Jones, the Musical Oct 7–Nov 5, 2023

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3-PLAY SOPHOMORE SEASON 

AT THE GREENHOUSE THEATER CENTER

YPT’s joyful inaugural season saw enthusiastic reviews, sold-out performances, and thousands of local students at special school matinees!

And now Chicago’s newest Theatre for Young Audience (TYA) company is back with an exhilarating 3-play sophomore season to delight all ages. The 2023-24 season launches with the fabulously fun Junie B. Jones, the Musical (Oct 7–Nov 5). Then the New Year sees the Chicago premiere of Wendy Kesselman’s new one-act, TYA version of The Diary of Anne Frank (Feb 17–Mar 24). The season concludes with the dazzling hip-hop/soul adaptation of Matt de la Peña’s Newberry Award-winning Last Stop on Market Street (May 11- June 2).

All performances take place at the historic Greenhouse Theater Center (2257 N. Lincoln Ave). Tickets for all shows on sale now. For tickets and more information, visit yptchi.org or call the box office at 773 404 7336.

NEW THIS SEASON - TWEENS & TEENS

YPT inaugurates its Theatre for Tweens and Teens Series with the Chicago premiere of Wendy Kesselman’s vital new one-act TYA version of The Diary of Anne Frank. Updating the original 1955 Pulitzer Prize-winning text, Kesselman draws on more recently available diary entries to create a more complicated, authentic, and fascinating central character. Kesselman’s adaptation also centers the Jewishness of those in hiding. With Antisemitic incidents in the United States at an all-time high, YPT is proud to bring this consequential new family-focused production to our community. The company’s goal is to spark in children a lasting interest in theatre and this riveting and uncompromising new 75-minute Anne Frank will galvanize a less-served young-adult demographic.

Let Me Be Myself: The Life Story of Anne Frank Best enjoyed by everybody 9+. 

YPT’s production will be accompanied by an exhibit from the Anne Frank Center designed to help visitors understand Anne’s story in the context of the Holocaust. The exhibit then jumps forward to consider how young people face discrimination and exclusion today. Audience members can experience Let Me Be Myself: The Life Story of Anne Frank free of charge before and/or after each performance.

FOR YOUNGER AUDIENCES

Bookending the affecting new Anne Frank are two extraordinarily engaging musical theatre productions for the younger set.

Junie B. Jones Best enjoyed by everybody 3+.

Adapted from Barbara Parks’ perennially popular early-reader book series, this TYA classic follows the uproarious escapades of a plucky first-grader who discovers that what makes you happy and what makes you blue is part of the same indelible story that is your life.

Featuring a lively score and hilarious book, Junie B. Jones makes a joyous start to the new YPT season!

Last Stop on Market Street Best enjoyed by everybody 4+.

Visiting his grandmother’s unfamiliar neighborhood, 6-year-old CJ discovers friendship, empathy, and joy in unexpected places.

Adapted by Cheryl L. West from Matt de la Peña and Christian Robinson’s Newberry Award-winning picture book, Last Stop on Market Street’s glorious score is by Paris Ray Dozier and his father, Lamont Dozier, writer of Motown hits like How Sweet It Is and Stop! In the Name of Love.

Originally developed by the Chicago Children’s Theatre and the Children’s Theatre Company, YPT is thrilled to bring the second-ever production of Market Street to Chicago.

"Our first year was such a joy," notes artistic director Randy White. “This season we’re focused on expanding programming to all ages. We're proud to introduce Wendy Kesselman’s brilliant new one-act Anne Frank to local tweens, teens, and families. At the same time, Junie is a personal favorite and a fabulously fun way to kick off the new season. And bringing Matt de La Peña's celebrated Last Stop on Market Street back to Chicago is an honor. Our ambitious 2023-24 season promises something for all our kids!”

JUNIE B. JONES, THE MUSICAL OCT 7 – NOV 5, 2023

Fabulously fun adventures with Junie B. and friends!

Press Performance: Saturday, Oct 7 @ 1:30pm

Preview Performance: Saturday, Oct 7 @ 10am

Performance Schedule: Saturdays at 11am & 1:30pm / Sundays at 1:30pm

Book and lyrics by Marcy Heisler

Lyrics by Zina Goodrich

Adapted from the Junie B. Jones Series of books by Barbara Park Directed by Randy White

Tickets: $25 / $19 (under 12)

Best enjoyed by everyone 3+

Young People’s Theatre of Chicago

The Greenhouse Theater Center · 2257 N Lincoln Ave 60614 randy@yptchi.org · 773.404.7336 · 812.272.4511 (m) · www.yptchi.org

THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK (One Act) FEB 16 - MAR, 2024

The Chicago premiere of an essential new One-Act Theatre for Young Audiences version.

Preview Performances: Performance Schedule:

Saturday, Feb 17 @ 7:00pm

Friday, Feb 16 @ 7:00pm and Saturday, Feb 17 @ 1:30pm Fridays @ 7:00pm

Saturdays @ 1:30pm & 4:00pm

Sundays @ 1:30pm

By Frances Goodrich & Albert Hackett Newly adapted by Wendy Kesselman Based on The Diary of Anne Frank

Tickets: $35 / $24 (under 12)

Best enjoyed by everyone 9+

LAST STOP ON MARKET STREET MAY 11 - JUNE 2, 2024

A hip-hoppin’, toe-tappin’, musical joy-ride about finding beauty in everyday city life.

Preview Performances: Performance Schedule:

Saturday, May 11 @ 1:30pm

Saturday, May 11 @ 10am Saturdays @ 11am & 1:30pm Sundays @ 1:30pm

by Matt de la Peña, Illustrated by Christian Robinson Adapted for the stage by Cheryl L. West

Music and lyrics by Lamont Dozier & Paris Ray Dozier

Tickets: $25 / $19 (under 12) Best enjoyed by everyone 4+

@ The Greenhouse Theater Center 2257 N. Lincoln Ave, Chicago

773 404 7336 / www.yptchi.org

Young People’s Theatre of Chicago

The Greenhouse Theater Center · 2257 N Lincoln Ave 60614 randy@yptchi.org · 773.404.7336 · 812.272.4511 (m) · www.yptchi.org

OPENING: The Diary of Anne Frank at Writers Theatre

Writers Theatre presents an intimate staging of

The Diary of Anne Frank

Directed by Kimberly Senior

 February 24 – June 28, 2015

Here at ChiIL Live Shows we're thrilled to announce that Kimberly Senior will be directing Writers Theatre's Anne Frank beginning with previews the final week of February. 

This vital piece of historical storytelling, through a young girl's eyes, has become more than required reading for generations. It's become a poignant, powerful first person account of World War 2 that has moved and influenced countless numbers of readers. We can't wait to see it come to life on stage under Senior's creative and capable direction in the tiny but mighty theatre space in the back room of Books on Vernon. It's sure to be all the more moving because of the intimate space. For the same reason, shows here frequently sell out quickly. Be sure to purchase tickets early for the best prices and seat/date selection.

*Set designer Jack Magaw has designed a set for The Diary of Anne Frank that encloses the audience and most of the cast in its intimate space for the duration of the play.*

  

Title: The Diary of Anne Frank

Written by: Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett

Adapted by: Wendy Kesselman

Directed by: Kimberly Senior

Cast: Lance Baker, Sean Fortunato, Coburn Goss, Kevin Gudahl, Sam Hubbard, Leah Karpel, Heidi Kettenring, Lila Morse, Eric Slater, James Sparling, Sophie Thatcher, Kristina Valada-Viars and Antonio Zhiurinskas

Dates: First performance: February 24, 2015

Press openings: Wednesday, March 4 and Thursday, March 5 at 7:30pm

Closing performance: June 28, 2015

                          

            Schedule: Tuesdays & Wednesdays: 7:30pm

                        (with select 2:00pm Wednesday matinees)

                        Thursdays & Fridays: 8:00pm 

                        Saturdays: 4:00pm and 8:00pm

                        Sundays: 2:00pm and 6:00pm

                       

Location: Books on Vernon, 664 Vernon Ave, Glencoe 

             

Prices: Prices for all performances range from $35 - $70

           Purchase early for best prices     

Box Office: The Box Office is located at 321 Park Avenue, Glencoe;

847-242-6000; www.writerstheatre.org

*Director Kimberly Senior recently made her Broadway debut with Disgraced by Ayad Akhtar.*

Writers Theatre is again partnering with North Shore Libraries for its annual From Page to Stage program.  In addition, WT has joined forces with the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C. and The Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center in Skokie.  A comprehensive list of events can be found at www.writerstheatre.org/from-page-to-stage. 

Writers Theatre presents The Diary of Anne Frank by Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett, adapted by Wendy Kesselman and directed by Kimberly Senior. The show runs February 24 – June 28, 2015 at Books on Vernon, 664 Vernon Avenue, Glencoe. 

Thirteen actors share the intimate Writers Theatre bookstore space in this powerful and authentic portrait of a young girl clinging to hope in a time of tragedy. 

*The collection of 13 actors represents the largest cast ever to perform together on any Writers Theatre stage.  In the 60-seat bookstore space, they will equal nearly a quarter of the audience.*

As vital today as when it was first written, Anne Frank’s extraordinary diary has become an essential part of how we remember one of the darkest periods of human history. Filled with its young author’s luminous spirit – her “boundless desire for all that is beautiful and good” – the diary also illuminates the coming of age of a complex, passionate young girl as she falls in love, grows into a woman and struggles to survive with her family amid the chaos of war and religious persecution.

*For the Writers Theatre production, Anne Frank will be played by an actress very close to Anne’s age at the time of the play, 14-year-old Sophie Thatcher.*

Directed by Kimberly Senior, the Writers Theatre production will provide a visceral insight into the realities of life in the “secret annex,” in which the tight quarters and forced intimacy serve as an ever-present reminder of the danger just outside--allowing audiences to come to know Anne and her family in a new and strikingly honest way.

  

Curtain times are Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 7:30pm; Thursdays and Fridays at 8:00pm; Saturdays at 4:00pm and 8:00 pm; Sundays at 2:00pm and 6:00pm. Select Wednesday matinees are at 2:00pm. Tickets are $35-$70 and are available at the Box Office, 321 Park Avenue, Glencoe; 847-242-6000 or online at www.writerstheatre.org.

  

AUDIENCE ENRICHMENT

Throughout the season, Writers will be offering post-show discussions on select Wednesday evenings following the performance. Post-show discussions provide a forum for audience members to ask questions of the artists in the production and gain new insight into the work.

This year, Writers Theatre is continuing its partnership with select North Shore libraries to present the 10^th Annual From Page to Stage, designed to enhance and enrich audience appreciation of The Diary of Anne Frank.  All events are FREE of charge and open to the public, though reservations are required.  

Additionally, Writers is collaborating with the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center on a series of special enrichment events in order to further enhance audience engagement with the play:

CO-PRESENTED WITH THE ILLINOIS HOLOCAUST MUSEUM & EDUCATION CENTER IN SKOKIE

Presentation: In Their Voices

Sunday, March 15 – 1:30 p.m.

Hosted by Temple Am Shalom - 840 Vernon Ave, Glencoe

Aaron Elster, a child survivor of the Holocaust, will speak about his youth in the Sokolow Ghetto with his two sisters, mother and father, and his experiences and lessons from the Holocaust.

Performance: In Their Voices II

Sunday, March 22 – 1:30 p.m.

Hosted by the Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center - 9603 Woods Drive, Skokie

Reading from the moving compilation of stories In Our Voices, actors from Writers Theatre pay tribute to emotional and inspiring accounts of Holocaust survival written by Chicagoland-based survivors.

CO-PRESENTED WITH THE UNITED STATES HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL MUSEUM IN WASHINGTON, D.C.

Lecture: Some Were Wives, Some Were Mothers: Female Perpetrators during the Holocaust

Tuesday, May 12, (The start time and location for this event are yet to be announced.)
Wednesday, May 13, (The start time and location for this event are yet to be announced.)

Featuring Wendy Lower, Ph.D., Professor of History at Claremont McKenna College.

Former Museum fellow Lower will present new evidence that challenges the traditional picture of Germany’s women during World War II, shifting from that of loyal wives and mothers holding down the home front to one in which they are perpetrators in the Reich’s killing fields.

For more information, visit writerstheatre.org/events.

RIDE METRA TO WRITERS THEATRE

In an effort to promote taking public transit to the Theatre, Writers Theatre launched a new promotion in 2013. Any audience member who purchases a ticket to a Writers Theatre production and rides Metra’s Union Pacific North Line to the Theatre may snap a photo of themselves on the train and post it to their Facebook page or Twitter feed with a tag of @writerstheatre and #[the title of the show], and upon showing the post at the Writers Theatre Box Office, receive $5 in cash (in essence, paying the cost of the train ride from Downtown ($4.75).

This promotion is available for a limited time only, and may end without warning. Ticket must have been paid for in advance. Not valid on comp tickets. More information available at writerstheatre.org/metra

WRITERS THEATRE PARTNERS

Writers Theatre is pleased to recognize BMO Harris Bank as Season Sponsor of its 2014/15 Season, The Elizabeth F. Cheney Foundation as Bookstore Series Supporter, Northern Trust and Urban Innovations as Corporate Sponsors of The Diary of Anne Frank, and ComEd as Official Lighting Sponsor.  Additionally Writers Theatre is grateful to the following individuals for their sponsorship of The Diary of Anne Frank: Mrs. Louise Hart as Artists Council Sponsor; Randy L. and Melvin R. Berlin as From Page to Stage Sponsors; Julie and Larry Bernstein as Student Matinee Supporters; and Jeremy and Gill Farmer, Carol and Joel Honigberg, Cindy and David Knapp, Jane and Richard Lipton, Lizzy and Josh Scheinfeld, Harrison and Lois Steans, Seth Traxler and Jessica Aspen, and Kevin and Ellen Van Wart as Director’s Society Sponsors.

For more information about Writers Theatre’s 2014/15 Partners, visit writerstheatre.org/our-supporters.

ABOUT WRITERS THEATRE

Over the past twenty-three seasons, Writers Theatre has become a major Chicagoland cultural destination with a national reputation for excellence. Under the artistic leadership of Michael Halberstam and the executive leadership of Kathryn M. Lipuma, Writers Theatre has been deemed the “best drama company in the nation” by The Wall Street Journal. The company, which plays to a sold-out and discerning audience of 35,000 patrons each season, has garnered critical praise for the consistent high quality and intimacy of its artistry. Prized for the finest interpretations of classic and contemporary theatre in its two intensely intimate venues, Writers Theatre’s acclaimed work includes Artistic Director Michael Halberstam’s world premiere in Glencoe and subsequent productions of A Minister’s Wife at Lincoln Center Theater and West Coast premiere at the San Jose Repertory Theatre; David Cromer’s productions of A Streetcar Named Desire and Picnic; and the commissioning, world premiere and New York premiere of Crime and Punishment, which has received more than 30 subsequent regional theater productions.

In November 2013, Writers Theatre announced the launch of the $34 million On To a New Stage Campaign, which includes a cash reserve.  This campaign will establish the company's first permanent home in a new theatre center in downtown Glencoe, designed by the award-winning, internationally renowned Studio Gang Architects led by Founder and Design Principal Jeanne Gang. This will allow the Theatre to continue to grow to accommodate its audience, while maintaining its trademark intimacy. The new facility will resonate with and complement the Theatre’s neighboring Glencoe community, adding tremendous value to Chicagoland and helping to establish the North Shore as a premier cultural destination.

Find Writers Theatre on Facebook at Facebook.com/WritersTheatre or follow @WritersTheatre on Twitter. For more information, visit www.writerstheatre.org.