Chicago Shakespeare Theater Presents THE WALK WITH LITTLE AMAL a Free Event on September 28, in Partnership with Navy Pier

ChiIL Mama’s ChiIL Picks List THE WALK WITH LITTLE AMAL Featuring Uniting Voices, with A.B.L.E. (Artists Breaking Limits and Expectations), Chicago Children’s Museum,  and the Syrian Community Network The 12-foot-tall puppet of a 10-year-old Syrian refugee child has travelled over 5,500 miles to nearly 100 cities and will make her first Chicago appearance at Chicago Shakespeare

Chicago Shakespeare Theater welcomes The Walk with Little Amal, the internationally celebrated 12‑foot‑tall puppet of a 10‑year‑old girl, as part of her epic 6,000‑mile journey across the United States this fall. Amal will make her first appearance in Chicago at the Theater’s iconic marquee on Navy Pier, proceeding from Lake Michigan toward the city’s skyline, in a free event for all ages on September 28 at 5:30 p.m. Presented in partnership with Navy Pier, the event will feature a performance by Uniting Voices (formerly Chicago Children’s Choir), along with appearances by A.B.L.E. and Chicago Children’s Museum, in collaboration with the Syrian Community Network. As she arrives in Chicago, Amal will ask, “What city, friends, is this?”—echoing Shakespeare’s poignant line from Twelfth Night—and explore belonging in a new place through the vibrancy and joy of art and expression. Audiences of all ages will join performers and partners to welcome Amal, helping her turn an overwhelming arrival in an unfamiliar place into a celebration of her own capacity for creating beauty and finding community. Her journey on the Pier will begin in front of Chicago Shakespeare and will conclude at Polk Bros Park. At the event, audiences will have the opportunity to learn more about and donate to local groups working to support asylum seekers in Chicago. Amal’s visit to the Pier will begin outside Chicago Shakespeare with a traditional welcome by the Syrian Community Network, followed by an invitation to engage with performers from A.B.L.E. near Navy Pier's Wave Wall. During a stop outside Chicago Children’s Museum, Amal will greet the 16‑foot‑tall “Flyboy” sculpture by Chicago artist Hebru Brantley, a tribute to the importance of childhood for all to realize every child’s potential. The event coincides with a puppet-themed Free Family Day at the Museum from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. In Amal’s final stop at the Pier, more than 70 members of the youth choir Uniting Voices will perform their original song “We All Live Here” in Polk Bros Park. Amal’s time in Chicago is part of her Walk Across America, for which more than 35 towns and cities from Boston to San Diego and more than 1,000 artists and arts organizations will create hundreds of events to welcome her. Amal’s journeys of art and hope celebrate the rich stories of refugees, immigrants and displaced people, and the communities that welcome them. Everyone is welcome to walk with Amal. The Walk with Little Amal is part of Chicago Shakespeare’s WorldStage Series, which has featured more than 1,300 artists in 97 productions from 22 countries spanning six continents to date. The series has welcomed some of the globe’s most exciting theatrical events, affording theatergoers prime opportunities to experience different cultural traditions and must‑see international shows without leaving Chicago. This free event, presented in partnership with community organizations, is also a component of Chicago Shakespeare CoLab, the Theater’s ongoing engagement initiatives that include cornerstone program Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks; co-created workshops and events with arts partners and community-based organizations; and opportunities for partner arts organizations to share Chicago Shakespeare’s stages. More information about this event can be found at www.chicagoshakes.com/littleamal or on social media at @chicagoshakes and @walkwithamal. The Walk with Little Amal will be presented September 28, 2023 at 5:30 p.m. beginning outside the Chicago Shakespeare Theater marquee on Navy Pier (800 E. Grand Avenue). Free admission for audiences of all ages; no tickets or advance reservations required. For more information, contact the Box Office at 312.595.5600 or visit the Theater’s website at www.chicagoshakes.com. ABOUT CHICAGO SHAKESPEARE THEATER Regional Tony Award-recipient Chicago Shakespeare Theater produces a bold and innovative year-round season—plays, musicals, world premieres, family productions, and theatrical presentations from around the globe—alongside nationally recognized education programming serving tens of thousands of students, teachers, and lifelong learners each year. Founded in 1986, the Theater’s onstage work has expanded to as many as twenty productions and 650 performances annually. Chicago Shakespeare is dedicated to welcoming the next generation of theatergoers; one in four of its audience members is under the age of eighteen. As a nonprofit organization, the Theater works to embrace diversity, prioritize inclusion, provide equitable opportunities, and offer an accessible experience for all. On the Theater’s three stages at its home on Navy Pier, in classrooms and neighborhoods across the city, and in venues around the world, Chicago Shakespeare is a multifaceted cultural hub—inviting audiences, artists, and community members to share powerful stories that connect and inspire. www.chicagoshakes.com. ABOUT OUR PARTNERS Little Amal Little Amal is the 12‑foot‑tall puppet of a 10‑year‑old Syrian refugee child at the heart of The Walk. She has become a global symbol of human rights, especially those of refugees. Since July 2021, Amal has travelled over 5,500 miles to nearly 100 towns and cities in 15 countries and been welcomed by more than a million people on the street, including hundreds of artists and civil society and faith leaders, as well as by tens of millions online. Her journeys are festivals of art and hope that draw attention to the huge numbers of children fleeing war, violence and persecution, each with their own story. Her urgent message to the world is “Don’t forget about us”. Learn more at www.walkwithamal.org. Navy Pier Navy Pier is the People’s Pier, Chicago’s lakefront treasure, welcoming all and offering dynamic and eclectic experiences through partnerships and programs that inspire discovery and wonder. Since its reopening in 1995, more than 180 million guests have come to enjoy the Pier’s 50 acres of unparalleled attractions and experiences. In 2023, Navy Pier continues to evolve into an accessible, year-round centerpiece for Chicago’s diverse arts and cultural treasures. Learn more at www.navypier.org. Uniting Voices Uniting Voices Chicago (formerly Chicago Children’s Choir) is a nonprofit organization that empowers and unites youth from diverse backgrounds to find their voice and celebrate their common humanity through the power of music. Founded in 1956 and inspired by the Civil Rights Movement, Uniting Voices Chicago provides accessible music education to youth ages 6-18 from every zip code of Chicago. With hundreds of choirs across 80+ Chicago schools; achievements that include international tours and collaborations with world renowned artists; and, a network of more than 50,000 alumni around the globe, Uniting Voices is taking the next step to empower a new generation of changemakers. More information at www.unitingvoiceschicago.org. A.B.L.E. (Artist Breaking Limits and Expectations) A.B.L.E.—Artists Breaking Limits & Expectations—is celebrating their 7th anniversary of creating theatre and film projects for, with, and by individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. A.B.L.E. engages actors ages 13 and up through performance ensembles, specialized workshops, and outreach programming. Whether in person or online, all A.B.L.E. programs strive to foster agency, and nurture lifelong skills like communication, collaboration, and creativity. A.B.L.E.’s ensembles have produced more than 25 projects for the stage and screen, ranging from adaptations of theatrical classics by Shakespeare, Dickens, and Gilbert & Sullivan, to original pieces. A.B.L.E.’s feature films have been recognized by several local and international festivals. By placing people with disabilities in the spotlight, A.B.L.E.’s work strives to shift societal preconceptions, and build more inclusive, empathetic communities. For more information about A.B.L.E., please visit www.ableensemble.com and find them on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Chicago Children’s Museum The mission of Chicago Children's Museum (CCM) is to improve children’s lives by creating a community where play and learning connect. CCM is dedicated to young children and the important adults in their lives. Play-filled experiences, including more than 15 interactive exhibits and daily programming, tap into how kids learn, and engage from ages 0-10 to develop the foundation for a lifelong love of learning. In its last fiscal year, CCM hosted more than 400,000 visitors. For more information, please visit www.ChicagoChildrensMuseum.org. Syrian Community Network The Syrian Community Network is a refugee and immigrant support organization that builds community and serves families by addressing their evolving needs. SCN envisions a United States that is welcoming to all immigrants and refugees. We define this as a United States that unapologetically advocates for the safety, autonomy, and agency of all — extending to the most marginalized in our communities. More at www.syriancommunitynetwork.org.

Summer Fun Abounds With The Netflix Family Summer Truck Tour

ChiIL Mama’s ChiIL Picks List

Netflix Activity Truck at Navy Pier

Photo Recap by Guest Reviewer

Kimberly Robb Baker and Family

If your kids are anything like mine, they BLOW UP your Netflix account! So it was an extra pleasure to bring my kids to the Netflix Activity Truck at Navy Pier this weekend.

All event photos by Kimberly Robb Baker

They got to take pictures with Blippi and Po (of Kungfu Panda fame). Netflix didn’t even mind when I got in on the greenscreen action, put in-scene of The Sea Beast, their new girl-hero water adventure! Did I mention there were generous swag bags for the kids?!

The truck tour began in California and brought a taste of Hollywood to the Windy City. You can get your own kid-friendly experience with Netflix as they appear in Minneapolis at the Mall of America’s Toddler Tuesday 10-3 on July 19th, at the New England Aquarium in Boston on July 23 and 24 9-5, and finally in Atlanta at The Battery from 9:30-4:30.

To keep the fun going at home, download the activity guide here and check out the “Summer Break” collection at www.netflix.com/netflixfamilysummer for even more summertime viewing suggestions. 

The Netflix Family Summer Truck Tour features a kids and family friendly film & series-themed truck which is making its way across the U.S. during July and August with stops at MLB games, aquariums, malls, piers and a host of other locations. Family fun includes giveaways, character meet-and-greets and an immersive photo experience highlighting the best “what to watch” films and series for families this summer.

To get the latest on Netflix Family Summer, follow on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest @NetflixFamily #NetflixFamilySummer 

The Pop-Up, Pixar Inspired Mini Golf PIXAR PUTT Opens in Chicago May 28, 2022

ChiIL Mama’s ChiIL Picks List

PIXAR PUTT CONTINUES THIS SUMMER

IN CHICAGO AT NAVY PIER

The Pop-Up, Pixar Inspired Mini Golf 

PIXAR PUTT

Opens in Chicago May 28, 2022

Tickets on Sale Beginning April 28, 2022

ChiIL Mama will be out to play on opening day in Chicago, so check back early and often for the scoop. Following stops in New York City, Houston, and San Antonio, Pixar Putt, the ultimate pop-up, open-air mini-golf experience will be arriving in Chicago this summer, with tickets available for purchase beginning April 28, 2022. Made up of 18 fun and interactive holes inspired by the stories, characters, and icons from some of Disney and Pixar's most beloved films including Toy Story, The Incredibles, Monsters, Inc., Finding Nemo, Coco, A Bug's Life, Wall-E, and Inside Out, Pixar Putt is set to take guests to infinity… and beyond!

Pixar Putt, co-presented by Rockefeller Productions and TEG Life Like Touring, is staged at the Polk Bros Park at Navy Pier beginning May 28, 2022, and running through August 21, 2022. The course will be open seven days a week, Monday-Friday from 12 pm-10 pm (last entry 8:30 pm) and Saturday-Sunday from 10 am-10 pm (last entry 8:30 pm); Pixar Putt After Dark, evening sessions for 18+, will take place Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 7:00 pm – 10 pm. Pixar Putt is also available to Private Groups and Corporate Groups. Tickets can be purchased by visiting www.pixarputt.com/chicago

Following its run in Chicago, Pixar Putt will continue touring nationally, with more locations to be announced this summer.

Pixar Putt is a perfect socially distant outing for any Pixar fan. The safety of patrons and staff is a top priority for Rockefeller Productions and TEG Life Like Touring. Pixar Putt's standard COVID Safe measures include capped player numbers on the course, physical distancing measures in queues and on course; sanitizer stations located onsite; plus sanitizing of all golfing equipment between users for every session, each day. These measures follow all federal and local guidelines and will be updated as those guidelines change.

Advance Booking Recommended

Tickets are expected to sell out fast, and advance booking is highly encouraged. Tickets will only be available digitally through www.pixarputt.com/chicago. This online, contactless purchase process helps keep customers and staff COVID safe.  

The Pop-Up, Pixar Inspired Mini Golf

PIXAR PUTT

Begins May 2022-August 2022

Navy Pier at Polk Bros Park

600 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60611

 

Hours of Operation:

Monday through Friday:  12:00 pm – 10:00 pm (last entry 8:30 pm)

Saturday and Sunday:  10:00 am – 10:00 pm: (last entry 8:30 pm)

7:00 pm onwards is 'Pixar Putt 18+ After Dark' for evening sessions Thursday through Saturday

Tickets can be purchased by visiting www.pixarputt.com/chicago

Directions and Parking: Located at Polk Bros Park, 600 E. Grand Ave. at Navy Pier, Pixar Putt is accessible by car or public transportation with several location parking options nearby, including Navy Pier’s two on-site garages, West Garage and East Garage.

 

COME TOGETHER FOR AS YOU LIKE IT Beginning October 6th at Chicago Shakespeare Theater

ChiIL Live Shows On Our Radar

Upcoming Season Productions and Programs for 2021/22

Academy Award-nominee David Strathairn stars in Remember This: The Lesson of Jan Karski

Broadway-bound World Premiere musical The Notebook from Ingrid Michaelson & Bekah Brunstetter

Shakespeare’s All’s Well That Ends Well directed by Shana Cooper in the Courtyard Theater

Leading director Sheldon Epps stages new take on The Tempest

Covid Precautions: vaccine proof, ID, and masks indoors at all times

The return of in-person performances has finally arrived, at Chicago Shakespeare Theater’s home on Navy Pier! Here at ChiIL Live Shows, CST has long been a favorite of ours, and we can't wait to catch the debut of As You Like It infused with the hit songs of The Beatles, beginning October 6, 2021. Check back soon for our full review.

Shakespeare’s romantic comedy joins a dynamic line-up of productions and programs for the Theater’s 2021/22 Season, which includes Academy Award-nominee David Strathairn in Remember This: The Lesson of Jan Karski, the Broadway-bound World Premiere musical The Notebook from Ingrid Michaelson and Bekah Brunstetter, Shakespeare’s All’s Well That Ends Well staged by Shana Cooper, visionary director Sheldon Epps’ startling new take on The Tempest, and a wide range of special theatrical events all year long. On the Theater’s three stages, in classrooms and neighborhoods across the city, and in venues around the world, Chicago Shakespeare has established itself as a multifaceted cultural hub—inviting audiences, artists, and community members to share powerful stories that connect us.

“We’re overcome with joy to be producing live theater again and sharing powerful artistic experiences with our audiences back where they belong at Chicago Shakespeare,” shared Artistic Director Barbara Gaines. “And we couldn’t wait! There’s never been a more important moment for all of us to come together—to gather with one another, to share music and laughter—and to bring back the magic we’ve missed over these many months apart.”

Chicago Shakespeare audiences return to the Courtyard Theater with a vibrant adaptation of Shakespeare’s romantic comedy As You Like It (October 6–November 21, 2021) adapted and directed by Daryl Cloran. Set in the ‘60s, the exuberant celebration of love features nearly 20 musical numbers from The Beatles songbook, performed live onstage, including “She Loves You,” “I Want to Hold Your Hand,” “Let It Be,” and “Here Comes the Sun.” The company includes Melanie Brezill (Celia) Adam Wesley Brown (Forest Lord/Hymen), Tony Carter (Oliver), Austin Eckert (Charles the Wrestler/Amiens), Lachrisa Grandberry (Audrey), Kevin Gudahl (Duke Senior/Duke Frederick), Heidi Kettenring (Phoebe), Kayvon Khoshkam (Touchstone), Kieran McCabe (Forest Lord), Steven Pringle (Adam/Sir Oliver Martext), Liam Quealy (Orlando), Lakeisha Renee (Rosalind), and Nancy Voigts (Corin).

Academy Award-nominated actor David Strathairn takes the stage in a tour-de-force solo performance, Remember This: The Lesson of Jan Karski (November 3-14, 2021). Originally created by The Laboratory for Global Performance and Politics at Georgetown University, Remember This is written by Clark Young and Derek Goldman, and directed by Goldman. Best known for acclaimed performances in Good Night, and Good Luck, Nomadland, and Lincoln, Strathairn takes on the role of real-life World War II hero Jan Karski. After surviving the devastation of Poland by Nazi Germany, Karski swears allegiance to the Polish Underground and risks his life to carry the first eyewitness reports of the Holocaust to the White House, where his warnings are met with inaction and disbelief. Strathairn captures the remarkable life of the self-described “insignificant, little man” who spoke truth in the halls of power in a timely story of moral courage.

The Theater’s raucous and irreverent holiday tradition Q Brothers Christmas Carol returns in a special limited engagement in The Yard at Chicago Shakespeare (December 7-23, 2021). Created and performed by Chicago hip hop sensations the Q Brothers Collective (GQ, JQ, Jax, and Pos) and developed with Creative Producer Rick Boynton, this wildly entertaining 80-minute reinterpretation of the Charles Dickens classic mashes up hip hop with contemporary musical styles ranging from reggae and dancehall music, to dubstep and epic rock ballads—all underscored with beats spun live at the turntables by DJ Supernova. A Chicago Shakespeare production, Q Brothers Christmas Carol is presented by CST and Richard Jordan Productions. In collaboration with leading Broadway and regional theater multimedia company HMS Media, the production will be filmed in front of a live audience for broadcast distribution.
Following the success of 2020’s virtual pop-up shop, the Holiday Artisan Market is slated to return in December 2021. From jewelry and ceramics to knitwork and more, the Holiday Artisan Market will not only be a one-stop-shop for bespoke and beautifully made gifts, but also celebration of the talent and resilience of our city’s creative community. One hundred percent of proceeds will go directly to the featured artisans, all from the creative sector—including onstage performers, backstage technicians, designers, and community artist partners from the Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks program. Last year’s event showcased more than 200 one-of-a-kind treasures from 25 local makers and garnered nearly $10,000 in direct artist support.

This winter, acclaimed Belgian theatre company Ontroerend Goed—previously seen at Chicago Shakespeare with Fight Night (2018) and A History of Everything (2012)—virtually presents its new production TM (January 2022) as part of the WorldStage series. Made in collaboration with theater-makers from across the world and directed by Alexander Devriendt, TM beckons audiences into a live interactive one-to-one experience exploring media manipulation, populist ideology and conspiracy theories—and was hailed “an ingenious show that tears up theatre’s playbook” by The Guardian.
In March, Chicago Shakespeare is proud to continue its role as a key partner in the development of new work with the debut of Broadway-bound new musical, The Notebook (March 15–April 24, 2022). The World Premiere production features music and lyrics by singer-songwriter Ingrid Michaelson with book by playwright Bekah Brunstetter. Known for her distinctively soulful folk-pop style, Michaelson is a force in the music industry with four Top 20 albums and two Platinum singles: “The Way I Am” and “Girls Chase Boys.” Brunstetter is a supervising producer and writer on NBC’s Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning series This Is Us, as well as an accomplished playwright whose work has played at theaters including Manhattan Theatre Club, South Coast Repertory, Atlantic Theater Company, and The Old Globe. Broadway powerhouses Michael Greif (Dear Evan Hansen, Next to Normal, Grey Gardens, RENT) and Schele Williams (Aida, Motown the Musical) team up to direct this deeply moving portrait of the enduring power of love. Based on Nicholas Sparks' best selling novel that inspired the hugely popular film, The Notebook chronicles the decades-long love story between a mill worker named Noah and a privileged debutante named Allie. Beginning with a whirlwind summer romance, their love affair spans an entire lifetime—in spite of the differences that threaten to pull them apart. With music direction by Carmel Dean and choreography by Katie Spelman, the World Premiere production will feature a diverse, multi-generational cast, reflecting the timeless and universal nature of the love story.

Beginning in April 2022, Shakespeare’s nuanced coming-of-age love story All’s Well That Ends Well (April 23–May 29, 2022) is brought to new life in the uniquely intimate setting of the Courtyard Theater, staged by acclaimed director Shana Cooper. A company member at the acclaimed Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company in Washington, D.C., Cooper’s directing credits span classical theater to new works at leading regional companies including Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Seattle Rep, and Yale Repertory Theatre. She notably staged the world premiere of The COOP's inaugural production Terra Firma off-Broadway in 2019. Bold, complex characters and hilarious turns of wit and wisdom make for a vivid exploration of love and loss, courtship and class. Besotted with a man who does not return her love, the intelligent, resourceful young Helena navigates the complexities of unrequited romance, courtly drama, and the pesky meddling of her elders—only to discover the reality that happy endings are never quite as simple as they seem in fairy tales.

The new musical It Came from Outer Space (May 25–June 26, 2022) will make its World Premiere in the Spring directed by Laura Braza. Commissioned and developed by Chicago Shakespeare with Creative Producer Rick Boynton, the project reignites an artistic partnership with creators Joe Kinosian and Kellen Blair, following the success of their Jeff Award-winning 2011 musical, Murder for Two which premiered at Chicago Shakespeare and went on to be produced off-Broadway and in theaters around the world. In this adaptation of the cult classic ‘50s sci-fi film from Universal Pictures, It Came from Outer Space spins Ray Bradbury’s flying saucer tale with a clever musical score and creative physical humor—examining society’s fear of outsiders and embracing the wonder of what lies just beyond the stars.

In September 2022, Chicago Shakespeare will join forces with leading director Sheldon Epps to stage a new production of Shakespeare’s The Tempest. An award-winning director, Epps conceived and directed the Tony Award-nominated Broadway musical Play On!, an adaptation of Shakespeare's Twelfth Night set to the music of Duke Ellington, as well as the acclaimed musical revue Blues in the Night, which played on Broadway and London's West End. He directed the world premiere of Blue at Arena Stage Theatre, which went on to be produced off-Broadway at the Roundabout Theatre. In addition to serving more than 20 years as the artistic director for the Pasadena Playhouse, Epps has directed plays and musicals for many of the nation’s major theaters including The Guthrie, the Old Globe Theatre, Manhattan Theatre Club, Seattle Repertory Theatre, Playwrights Horizons, and Goodman Theatre. Epps is set to bring his artistic vision to a lyrical storytelling of Shakespeare’s mystical romance.

One of the most comprehensive and highly respected arts education programs in the country, Chicago Shakespeare’s Team Shakespeare education initiatives are set to serve thousands of teachers and students all year long. Key initiatives include Bard Core, a professional learning seminar that introduces Chicago Public Schools high school English, Special Education, and ESL teachers to drama-based strategies for engaging students—including struggling and reluctant readers, and English language learners—with Shakespeare and other challenging texts. In the annual Chicago Shakespeare SLAM, hundreds of high school students and their teacher coaches come together from Chicago Public Schools, and public, private, and parochial schools across the region to celebrate the power of their own artistic voices in conversation with Shakespeare’s stories. Saturday workshop sessions and small group work sessions throughout the fall culminate in a spirited, fun-filled Final Bout at Chicago Shakespeare in January 2022.

Chicago Shakespeare strives to make its facility and performances accessible to all patrons through Access Shakespeare programming, which offers services designed for individuals with mobility, hearing, or visual impairments for its productions. In addition to offering assistive-listening devices as well as large-print and Braille programs, the Theater schedules dedicated performances featuring ASL duo-interpretation, open captioning, audio description, and touch tours. Tickets to Access Shakespeare performances are provided at pay-what-you-can rates to ensure that cost does not prohibit participation.
 

ABOUT CHICAGO SHAKESPEARE THEATER

A Regional Tony Award recipient, Chicago Shakespeare Theater produces a year-round season—featuring plays, musicals, world premieres, family productions, and theatrical presentations from around the globe—alongside education programming for students, teachers, and lifelong learners, and creative community engagement with the city’s artists and neighborhoods.

Founded in 1986, the Theater has evolved and expanded to present as many as twenty productions and 650 performances annually and has been honored with numerous national and international awards. Chicago Shakespeare is the city’s leading presenter of international work and has toured its own productions to five continents. Dedicated to welcoming the next generation of theatergoers, one in four audience members is under the age of eighteen.

As a non-profit organization, Chicago Shakespeare is committed to approaching its work onstage and in the community with the values of service, ingenuity, and collaboration. The Theater strives to engage today’s artists and audiences in active and critical conversations with the work of the Theater’s namesake playwright, William Shakespeare.

Located on Chicago’s iconic Navy Pier, Chicago Shakespeare’s campus features the Jentes Family Courtyard Theater, The Yard at Chicago Shakespeare, and the Thoma Theater Upstairs. Onstage, in classrooms and neighborhoods across the city, and in venues around the world, Chicago Shakespeare is a multifaceted cultural hub—inviting audiences, artists, and community members to share powerful stories that connect us. www.chicagoshakes.com

Chicago Shakespeare Theater’s 2021/22 Season

Re-lighting of the Marquee – October 6, 2021

AUDIENCES RETURN TO CHICAGO SHAKESPEARE

As You Like It

by William Shakespeare | adapted & directed by Daryl Cloran

conceived by Daryl Cloran and the Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival

in the Courtyard Theater

October 6–November 21, 2021

WORLD-CLASS ARTISTRY ON OUR STAGES

Remember This: The Lesson of Jan Karski

by Clark Young and Derek Goldman | directed by Derek Goldman | starring David Strathairn

in The Yard at Chicago Shakespeare

November 3-14, 2021

THE HOLIDAY TRADITION CONTINUES

Q Brothers Christmas Carol

written by Q Brothers Collective (GQ, JQ, Jax, Pos) | directed by GQ and JQ | developed with Rick Boynton

in The Yard at Chicago Shakespeare

December 7-23, 2021

CELEBRATING THE TALENT OF OUR CITY’S ARTISANS

Holiday Artisan Market @ Chicago Shakespeare

Virtual pop-up shop with 100% proceeds to local artists

December 2021

STREAMING THE WORLDSTAGE

Ontroerend Goed’s

TM

a WorldStage production from Belgium

directed by Alexander Devriendt

on Chicago ShakesSTREAM

January 2022

STUDENTS IN CONVERSATION WITH SHAKESPEARE

Chicago Shakespeare SLAM

in high schools across the region and onstage at Chicago Shakespeare

January 2022

PRE-BROADWAY WORLD PREMIERE

The Notebook

music and lyrics by Ingrid Michaelson | book by Bekah Brunstetter | based on the novel by Nicholas Sparks | directed by Michael Greif and Schele Williams

In The Yard at Chicago Shakespeare

March 15–April 24, 2022

SHAKESPEARE’S COMING-OF-AGE LOVE STORY

All’s Well That Ends Well

by William Shakespeare | directed by Shana Cooper

in the Courtyard Theater

April 23–May 29, 2022

WORLD PREMIERE MUSICAL EVENT

It Came from Outer Space

book, music and lyrics by Joe Kinosian and Kellen Blair | directed by Laura Braza

in the theater Upstairs at Chicago Shakespeare

May 25–June 26, 2022

LEADING DIRECTOR HELMS NEW PRODUCTION

The Tempest

by William Shakespeare | directed by Sheldon Epps

September–October 2022

 

DISCOUNT CODE: ChiIL Mama's Readers Get $4 off on Tickets to The Chicago Flower & Garden Show

**Canceled Due to Coronavirus Closures**

Tired of winter? 

The Chicago Flower & Garden Show 

presented by 811 Chicago and Peoples Gas, 

brings a welcome hint of spring. 

ChiIL Mama's Readers get $4 off on all adult tickets with Code: ChiILMama20 (not case sensitive)

There's fun for all ages with a full lineup hands-on fun and learning for future gardeners in the Kids Activity Garden sponsored by JULIE.



Kids activities include:

Bugs & Worms – The U of IL Extension Insect Petting Zoo showcases Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches, Bess Beetles, American Millipedes, Ant Farms, Tarantulas, and more. Kids will learn the basics of worm composting and can even dare to eat bugs (dried mealworms, crickets and other crawly treats)!



Craftapalooza in the Children’s Butterfly Garden -Offering a myriad of educational activities throughout the weekend!

Tea Time Socials – Kids will marvel at the unique fairy and gnome tablescapes as they enjoy a tea party!

Paint ‘n Take Birdhouse Station

Nature Play
     *From Forest Preserve District of Cook County and Conservation@Home – Kids can help built forts, dress up as woodland animals, and more. They’ll also learn how animals help pollinate plants through hands on activity.
     *From the Chicago Park District – Kids will enjoy a variety of ecological sites where they can learn and explore new ways to connect with nature.

Click link to book your tickets. ChiIL Mama's Readers get $4 off on all adult tickets with Code: ChiILMama20 (not case sensitive)

This is the ONLY Flower & Garden Show in America that offers a Kids Garden. Click here for the full activity lineup!

The Show is open Wed., March 18 – Sun., March 22, held at Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave., Festival Hall.
Hours: Kids activities available at the show between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. daily
Tickets: Adults $20; Kids $5 (ages 5 – 12) *Click link to book your tickets. ChiIL Mama's Readers get $4 off on all adult tickets with Code: ChiILMama20 (not case sensitive)

The City of Chicago’s longest running event, The Chicago Flower & Garden Show (presented by The Get Growing Foundation) inspires, educates, and motivates the next generation of gardeners and shows people to make gardening a part of their lives in so many different and approachable ways. This year’s impressive lineup includes FREE hands-on fun and learning for future gardeners presented by the Chicago Park District, University of Illinois Master Gardeners, Forest Preserve District of Cook County and more. 

THE GET GROWING FOUNDATION PRESENTS:

“20/20 FOCUS ON FLOWERS” 

CHICAGO FLOWER & GARDEN SHOW

Blooming with New Garden Exhibits, Activities, Exclusive Plant Varieties, Nightly Spring Fling Events, and More

The Get Growing Foundation, a 501c3 nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring interest in horticulture and the environment – especially in under-served communities – presents the “20/20 Focus on Flowers” Chicago Flower & Garden Show featuring a fresh experience for gardening enthusiasts of all ages and expertise.  Dating back to 1847, the annual Show will kick-off the region’s gardening season by inspiring, educating, motivating and entertaining patrons with stunning gardens, “how to” seminars, a marketplace of the latest gardening trends and products, a culinary stage, new nightly themed events, and much more.

  New to the 2020 Chicago Flower & Garden Show:

·        Bask in the must-see display of floral quilts and quilt-pattern garden of flowers by The American Quilter’s Society.

·        Experience a rare look at a locktender wife’s garden with the interactive Illinois & Michigan Canal Corridor 1848 Garden.

·        Enjoy the magnificent selection of more than 700 plant varieties, including a new exclusive Wave Petunia, unveiled at and only available for purchase at the Show.

·        Be among the first to see new technology for outdoor spaces in unique rooftop exhibits.

·        View stunning floral fashions by local designers with the Hort Couture exhibit and vote for your favorite design.

·        Tour the one-of-a-kind Plant Truck Chicago, a mobile garden boutique operated by The Get Growing Foundation, to bring much needed plant material to urban and under-served local communities.

·        Get ideas for small spaces and parkway gardens with an original exhibit.

·        Stay for the new, nightly Spring Fling events featuring live music, craft beer, local wineries, distilleries and more.

The 2020 Show also brings back:

·        the popular Potting Parties, container garden make and take workshops;

·        Garden Gourmet stage featuring culinary demonstration by top Chefs;

·        free Kids Activity Garden with fun, experience-based learning activities presented by the Chicago Park District, University of Illinois Master Gardeners and the Forest Preserve District of Cook County

·        Horticulture Photography Competition; and

·        Tablescapes Exhibit, featuring creative ideas for the dining table presented by leading interior and floral designers. 

Where: Navy Pier

600 Grand Ave., Festival Hall A & B

Chicago

When: *Wednesday, March 18 – Saturday, March 21; 10 am – 7 pm

*Sunday, March 22; 10 am – 6 pm

*Nightly Spring Fling Events; 

visit www.ChicagoFlower.com for details

Tickets: *$20 per adult one-day ticket Jan. 1, 2020 – March 22, 2020

ChiIL Mama's Readers get $4 off on all adult tickets with Code: ChiILMama20 (not case sensitive)

*$5 per child one-day ticket, ages 5 – 12 years old

*$10 -$25 per person Spring Fling event (after 4 p.m. admittance)

*Discounted rates are available for groups of 15 or more.

Contact groups@chicagoflower.com for more information.

Parking: 

*Navy Pier offers a pre-paid reduced daily parking rate of $34; a five-day pre-paid pass is $133.

*Three additional lots serviced by the Navy Pier Trolley offer a discounted daily rate of $15 with a validation by Navy Pier.

Hotel Deals:       

Visit www.ChicagoFlower.com for discount codes and reservations to the following hotels:

*The St. Clair Hotel

                                162 E. Ontario Street

                                $94/night, plus taxes

*Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott – Downtown Magnificent Mile

                                216 E. Ontario Street

                                $129/night, plus taxes

                                *Hyatt Centric Chicago Magnificent Mile

633 N. St. Clair Street

$139/night, plus taxes

About The Get Growing Foundation

The Get Growing Foundation (TGGF) is a Chicago-based 501c3 nonprofit organization providing year-round educational programming and community outreach, including garden installations, to inspire interest in horticulture and the environment, especially among youth in underserved communities.  GGF produces the annual Chicago Flower & Garden Show, kicking off the region’s gardening season, and operates the new Plant Truck Chicago, a seasonal mobile gardening boutique providing access to much needed plant material in urban and under-served communities.  

ChiIL Mama's Readers get $4 off on all adult tickets with Code: ChiILMama20 (not case sensitive)