REVIEW: World Premier of Mr. Chickee's Funny Money Will Rock Your Winter #MrChickee

Chicago Children's Theatre has done it again!   They've managed to meld the unique vision of award winning author, Christopher Paul Curtis, with the phenomenal talents of a host of Chicago's finest, for a whole that's greater than the sum of it's parts.  This production of Mr. Chickee's Funny Money crackles with fabulous R & B music, smart kids, a giant dog, a suspenseful plot, and an awesome message.

Why does everybody want the funny money with the James Brown face?!   Come see for yourselves!   Highly recommended!!

This madcap adventure has all the elements of a great show including stellar original tunes, a smart girl, kid detectives, bumbling agents, and a wise old blind man who opens the eyes of others, so they can see what's truly valuable.   Mr. Chickee's funny money is thought provoking, fun and entirely impressive.



We love that a father/son team collaborated on the score!   The original songs are by Motown legend, Lamont Dozier, and additional music and lyrics by his son, Paris.   They're done justice on stage by a dynamic 4 piece LIVE band and include a rockin' mix of Motown, disco, rap, rock, jazz and hip hop!

Click the image above to watch the video trailer for Mr. Chickee's Funny Money!

Don't miss the show that is: "Highly Recommended" (Chicago Sun-Times)  "A winner!" (Chicago Parent)   "A priceless, peerless production!" (Chicago Theatre Resources)  and that Ada Grey says will "make you feel nice! Like sugar and spice! Aoow!" Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for a behind the scenes look of our world premiere R&B musical. Add your voice to the experience all over social media and share the love using hashtag #MrChickee.   Mr. Chickee's Funny Money runs through March 2 at the Ruth Page Center for the Arts.  Get your tickets now!

My 12 year old son and the adults in our family thoroughly enjoyed it, as did the rest of the audience, if the rousing standing standing ovation is any indication.   This production has hit written all over it, with multigenerational appeal, and catchy tunes you'll be humming for weeks!






What would you do if you suddenly found yourself with more money than you could comprehend or ever spend?   Would it make you generous, greedy, or suspicious?   Would it make your life easier and remove the stresses of car and house payments and working hard every day just to make ends meet, or would it make you a target and destroy the friendships you treasure most?   Maybe all of the above.   

Click here to check out our prior Mr. Chickee coverage including all the show details & ticket links.





We had the great pleasure of catching opening night, complete with pre-party, post show dinner and champaign toast, and truly stellar company!    





We enjoyed talking with CCT board members at length, chatted with infamous playwright Brett Neveu and his family, and saw Black Ensemble Theatre representing.   We also ran into our friend Ada Grey (9 year old critic) and all around creative kid.   It was a uniquely memorable evening.  

The food from Q and Wish Upon a Starch was fantastic.   

2014 Launch of 

Sage & Du's Reviews (a kids' eye view)

My kids have been immersed in the Chicago theatre scene their entire lives. Now at 10 & 12 they're still able to enjoy our city's stellar children's theatre offerings, but they've also become my go to +1's for big budget Broadway in Chicago spectacles, edgy storefront fare, and thought provoking dramas at Goodman, Steppenwolf and beyond.

My 12 year old, son, in particular has become quite the insightful critic, and we both love a good post show talk.  I was almost in tears on opening night of The Whale at Victory Gardens, as my son and I waited for the show to begin.   Instead of grousing about attending a play or burying his nose in a DS game as many boys would, he was busy perusing the program.   Then he turned to me and said "I'd really like to meet Chelsea Warren."   When I asked why he said, "Because the show hasn't even started yet, but the set design is so cool it really makes me curious to see who lives here.   It's really well done." Joy!

Though they've been my silent partners for years, they've recently been inspired by Ada Grey to speak up and take an active role in our reviews for ChiIL Mama.   I'll still be writing reviews, too, but they will have their own space for their own unique voices too.   So check back with ChiIL Mama like we vote in Chi, IL... early and often.   Sage & Du's Reviews (a kids' eye view) will be up very soon!

ChiIL Mama's photo recap of the opening night after party with the cast and creative team (including Lamont Dozier and Christopher Paul Curtis) and the Chicago Children's Theatre family.

Want more?   Check out this recap via Chicago Children's Theatre: The opening night of MR. CHICKEE'S FUNNY MONEY on January 24 was the place to be as the audience was able to meet the all-star creative team (including Motown legend Lamont Dozier and Newbery Award winning author Christopher Paul Curtis), the cast, and the Chicago Children's Theatre family. Check out the pictures from our reception featuring the cast and creative team (including Lamont Dozier and Christopher Paul Curtis) and the Chicago Children's Theatre family. Feel free to tag yourself in the pictures and share with your family and friends! #MrChickee is the can't miss musical hit of the winter. The show runs through March 2, get your tickets now:http://bit.ly/MrChickee Opening night reception sponsors: Wish Upon A Starch,Wishcraft Workshop, Cabot Creamery Cooperative Chicago has fallen in love with Mr. Chickee and so will you! ChiIL Mama's been eagerly awaiting this production since we bought the awesome book last year at Chicago Children's Theatre's Bud Not Buddy (based on another Curtis kids' classic) and got it signed by the author himself.  It was well worth the wait.

ACT OUT (Family Friendly): Harold and the Purple Crayon at Chicago Children's Theatre

Harold and the Purple Crayon

October 11 - November 4, 2012 Ideal for Ages 3+

The Ruth Page Center for Arts 1016 N. Dearborn St.

Chicago Premiere Based on the books by Crockett Johnson Text by Don Darryl Rivera, Lyrics by Rob Burgess, Music by Auston James, Directed by Sean Graney, Choreography by Tommy Rapley, Music Direction by Nick Davio

ChiIL Mama was thrilled to meet with Jacqueline Russell, Frank Maugeri and other key production staff for the upcoming season at Chicago Children's Theatre.

Harold and the Purple Crayon challenge--"Design a set entirely made of giant purple crayons!!   Oh yeah.....and they have to be durable, not melt under stage lights, and be light weight."     

Chicago Children's Theatre rose to the challenge.   Come see the stunningly playful and fun result.   Harold and the Purple Crayon is on now through Nov 4 in Chicago, with brief runs in Beverly and Skokie.    Don't delay.   Get your tickets today!!

Harold and the Purple Crayon

October 11 - November 4, 2012 Ideal for Ages 3+

The Ruth Page Center for Arts 1016 N. Dearborn St.

Chicago Premiere Based on the books by Crockett Johnson Text by Don Darryl Rivera, Lyrics by Rob Burgess, Music by Auston James, Directed by Sean Graney, Choreography by Tommy Rapley, Music Direction by Nick Davio

BUY TICKETS

• BEVERLY ARTS CENTER 2401 W. 111th St. Chicago, IL: November 7 -11

• NORTH SHORE CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS 9501 Skokie Blvd, Skokie, IL: November 14-18

Doin' it old school....   In these days of computer design programs, it was refreshing to also see the creative masterminds behind the costumes and set design for Harold and the Purple Crayon getting old school with the poster board collage brainstorming.

We geek out on the process behind the stage magic and think it's so much fun for kids...and adults to see a seed of an idea begin and then to see what it grows into in full bloom.

Check out some of the inspiration for Harold and the Purple Crayon below and see the creative process of how a simple, minimalist kids' classic morphs into a colorful, music filled stage production!!

Click here to buy your tickets

ChiIL Mama's been a huge fan of Chicago Children's Theatre since their inaugural year.   On the production end, their play bills read like a whose who of the best and brightest in Chicago's theatre community.   And the talent behind the scenes shows.   Their high caliber shows raise the bar for all children's theatre.   These shows are so intricately crafted and well done that they're as enjoyable for adults as they are for the littles.   

We're also happy to see collaborations with other local favorites of ours.   We adore Building Blocks Toy Stores and ChiIL Mama sponsored their big anniversary bash last year.   We're also fans of the cool arts and crafts at Wishcraft and the excellent resource for parents that is Neighborhood Parents Network. Check back with ChiIL Mama like we vote in Chi, IL...early and often.   We'll have loads more photos, our Harold and the Purple Crayon review and more.

Harold and the Purple Crayon teaches young audiences that anything is possible with a crayon and a big imagination. Meet Harold, a curious four year old boy who, armed with his trusty purple crayon, has the power to create a world of his own simply by drawing it. This imaginative musical uses breathtaking animation, inventive puppetry, and original music to bring Harold’s purple-hued world to life; it is perfect for introducing young children to theatre while simultaneously captivating their older companions.

Harold and the Purple Crayon will be helmed by CCT Artistic Associate Sean Graney, who directed the company’s productions of The Hundred Dresses, Honus and Me, and Hana’s Suitcase. Graney, Founding Artistic Director of The Hypocrites, is the recipient of a Career Development for Directors Program award from the National Endowment for the Arts and Theatre Communications Group, the winner of two non-Equity Joseph Jefferson Awards, and was named Chicago’s Best Avant-Garde Director by Chicago Magazine and 2004’s Chicagoan of the Year: Theater by the Chicago Tribune. 

Don’t miss Thursday night Piece Pizza Parties at Harold and the Purple Crayon: enjoy delicious Piece Pizza and IZZE Juice before the show. Only $20 a ticket (includes pizza party and performance!) 

Join us for Friday night Pajama Parties with Wishcraft at Harold and the Purple Crayon: After the show use your imagination to create something amazing, just like Harold does in the show! Only $25 a ticket (includes craft party and performance!) 

 

Building Blocks Toys is back this year to join us for Harold and the Purple Crayon with a post-show party: October 14, 11:00am. Free fun for the whole family: facepainting, glitter tattoos, yummy treats, activities & giveaways!  




Neighborhood Parent’s Network is back again, hosting a post-show party: October 21, 11:00am. Don’t miss coloring, refreshments, photography & more! 

Kindie Land: ChiIL Mama Sponsors Beat Kitchen's Kindie Series Again for 2012-13

ChiIL Mama's back again as media sponsor for another year of weekly kindie rockin' fun for your little folk, punk kin, and banger babies.   Beat Kitchen's Concerts for Kids kicks off with a BIG Fall Festival September 30th from 11-3.  Then mark your calendars for sweet day shows every Sunday, where you can drink some of the best bloody marys in town and dance with your littles for a song.        

For the fall festival, we'll be there in person with our infamous Rock Tots Photo Spot and Instrument Petting Zoo!   B.Y.O.C. (cameras that is) for some of the cutest photo/video ops.   You may have seen ChiIL Mama's Rock Tots tent at Do Division and Burger Fest this summer or Beat Kitchen festivals last fall and winter.    Check out our past photo features at the bottom of this post.

For just $8, you can rock out for 4 hours, get crafty, punk your hair, paint your face, and have a ton of fun with your birth through 10 year olds.

Be there!

We'll be bringing you loads of CD give aways, original live show videos and photos, video band interviews, kindie music reviews, and more, year round.




Check out ChiIL Mama's original, video interview with Suzi here.

We're particularly stoked for superstar Suzi Shelton at noon, in from NYC, with Chi-Town's own queen of the Kindie scene, Little Miss Ann.    



ChiIL Mama's original video of Suzi, Miss Ann & their kids Tomboy in a Princess Dress 
LIVE at Beat Kitchen-Chicago

**Click here for LOADS of our past Little Miss Ann coverage including 2 video interviews, live show footage, photos and more.**


We're also excited to hear the Young Stracke Allstars at 1pm.   These talented kids study at Old Town School of Folk Music and include a number of our school friends among their ranks!

See ya Sunday!



*Click here to check out our photo filled footage from Beat Kitchen's Fall Fest 2011-ChiIL Mama's Rock Star Photo Booth

*Click here to check out our photo filled footage from Beat Kitchen's Winter Fest-ChiIL Mama's Rock Tots Photo Spot (dress up & instrument petting zoo)

So check in with ChiIL Mama like we vote in Chi, IL...early and often.   We'll be adding loads of brand new footage and features on the fall fun festival musicians all week!!