The Great and Terrible Wizard of Oz Returns to The House Theatre of Chicago 3/17-5/7

Chi, IL LIVE Shows On Our Radar

The House Theatre of Chicago announces the final production in their 15^th season, 

The Great and Terrible Wizard of Oz, 

adapted from L. Frank Baum’s book by The House Theatre Company Member Phillip Klapperich and directed by The House Theatre Company Member Tommy Rapley, playing at the Chopin Upstairs Theatre, 1543 W. Division St., March 17 – May 7. 

Recommended for Ages 10+

ChiIL Mama and the teens will be ChiILin' with Chi, IL's House Theatre for the press opening of their remount of The Great and Terrible Wizard of Oz. We're all beyond excited to check it out! I vividly remember watching this childhood classic on the living room floor, as a young kid, snuggled up in my new sleeping bag. Abduction by flying monkey was the stuff of my nightmares for years. Still, I adored the movie and eager awaited it's annual TV showing, back in the days before DVDs and on demand. As a parent, it was fun to rediscover it as I introduced it to my children. Now we'll get to enjoy yet another iteration, on stage, reimagined by one of our local favs!

First produced by The House Theatre of Chicago in their third season, The Great and Terrible Wizard of Oz returns with modern twist on the classic American tale. A twister lands our teenage Dorothy and her house in Munchkinland. Right on top of a wicked witch. Her phone won't work, her dog is scared, and she's desperate to get home to what little family she has left.  But the town's residents are gleefully celebrating Dorothy's powers as the fabled Witch Slayer. When Glinda and the munchkins can't convince her to stick around and be their new hero, they send her off on the road of yellow brick wearing magical boots soaked in the red blood of the slain witch. A favor from the fabled all-powerful Wizard will be her only chance to get out of Oz.

Unsure about her path forward, Dorothy teams up with a one-day-old Scarecrow, a heartbroken Tin Woodsman, and the Cowardly Lion. Her boots, and their friendships, guard against lots of danger on their way to the Emerald City. But the Wizard will ask the Witch Slayer to live up to her violent and vengeful new name in exchange for a return ticket to her old life.

The forest creatures of Oz come to life with puppets large and small by Jesse Mooney-Bullock (The Hammer Trinity), and music from company member Kevin O'Donnell. With fighting monkeys flying in the air overhead, and enveloping projections on all sides of the theatre, Dorothy's travels will be filled with mystery, wonder, and surprise. If she can get home, Kansas may never be the same. 

Performance Schedule: 

Thursdays - Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday matinees at 3 p.m. and Sunday evenings at 7 p.m. Preview tickets (March 17 – March 26, no performance March 25) are $15 and regular run tickets range from $30 – $45. 

The show is recommended for adults and kids aged 10 and up. Same-day tickets for students and industry professionals are $15 and available for all dates, seats permitting. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit www.thehousetheatre.com or call 773.769.3832. 

The cast includes: 

Kara Davidson* (Dorothy), Joey Steakley* (Toto), Christine Mayland Perkins* (Scarecrow), Jeremy Sonkin (Tin Woodsman), Michael E. Smith* (Cowardly Lion), AnJi White^ (The Witch of the West), Benjamin Sprunger (The Wizard of Oz/Levi-Strauss), Amanda de la Guardia (Glinda), Ben Hertel* (Ensemble), Elana Elyce* (Ensemble), Tina Munoz Pandya (Ensemble) and Carlos Olmedo (Ensemble) and understudies are Anthony Kayer, David Kaplinsky, Monica Szaflik and Tamara White.

The design team includes: Tommy Rapley*, director; Phillip Klapperich*, writer; Collette Pollard*, scenic designer; Mieka van der Ploeg, costume designer; Lee Keenan*, lighting designer; Grover Holloway, sound designer; Kevin O’Donnell*, composer; Matthew Muniz*, music director; Joseph Burke, projections designer; Jesse Mooney-Bullock, puppet designer; Ryan Borque, fight choreographer; Dennis Watkins*, magic designer; and Brian DesGranges*^, stage manager.

*House Company Member  ^Actor’s Equity Association Member

ABOUT PHILLIP KLAPPERICH, adaptor

Phillip co-founded The House, in 2000, with Nathan Allen and Shawn Pfautsch. He was the executive director of the company until 2009, and remains a company member. He has written several House shows, including The Terrible Tragedy of Peter Pan, The Rocketman, The Great and Terrible Wizard of Oz, The Nutcracker and co-wrote Wilson Wants it All.

                                                                          

ABOUT TOMMY RAPLEY, director

Tommy is a proud company member with The House where he regularly directs and choreographs. A member of Actor's Equity Association, he has performed around Chicago on stages such as Drury Lane Oakbrook, The Marriott, The Court and The Goodman Theatre. His directing credits include The Nutcracker, All the Fame of Lofty Deeds, Hope Springs Infernal, DORIAN and Ellen Under Glass. Rapley also regularly teaches at Chicago Academy for the Arts and Northwestern University.

ABOUT THE HOUSE THEATRE OF CHICAGO 

The House is Chicago's premier home for intimate, original works of epic story and stagecraft. Founded and led by Artistic Director Nathan Allen and driven by an interdisciplinary ensemble of Chicago’s next generation of great storytellers, The House aims to become a laboratory and platform for the evolution of the American theatre as an inclusive and popular artform.

The House was founded in 2001 by a group of friends to explore connections between Community and Storytelling through a unique theatrical experience. Since becoming eligible in 2004, The House has been nominated for 66 Joseph Jefferson Awards (23 wins), became the first recipient of Broadway in Chicago’s Emerging Theater Award in 2007, and was awarded a 2014 National Theatre Company Grant by the American Theatre Wing, founder of the Tony Awards. The 15^th anniversary year of original work is underway and The House continues it mission to unite Chicago in the spirit of Community through amazing feats of Storytelling.

For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit www.thehousetheatre.com or call 773.769.3832.

OPENING: Disney's Aladdin Appearing April 11 For 12 Weeks Only

                                                                 

ChiIL Mama's Chi, IL Picks List:

Here at ChiIL Mama and ChiIL Live Shows, it was our great pleasure to catch a press preview last year, way back on June 22nd, with some of the Aladdin cast members. The songs were amazing! This production is sure to be epic, with stunning costumes, set design and special effects. The North American tour kick off for Aladdin is shaping up to be an exciting extravaganza the whole family will love. 

We've been enjoying the program, rockin' canvas bag, and official CD since the press preview last June, and we can't wait to catch the full show. Got your tickets yet? Don't miss this! 

Chi, IL LIVE Shows On Our Radar:

Disney Theatrical Productions and Broadway In Chicago's long-awaited engagement of Disney’s Aladdin will launch its North American tour in Chicago at the Cadillac Palace Theatre with performances beginning on Tuesday, April 11, 2017.  

Tickets are currently available at all Broadway In Chicago Box Offices (24 W. Randolph St., 151 W. Randolph St., 18 W. Monroe St. and 175 E. Chestnut), the Broadway In Chicago Ticket Line at (800) 775-2000, all Ticketmaster retail locations and online at www.BroadwayInChicago.com.  Tickets for Aladdin at the Cadillac Palace Theatre range from $42 – $118.  A select number of Premium Ticket Packages, which include a prime seat location, a commemorative souvenir program and an exclusive merchandise item, are also available for many performances. Group tickets for 15 or more are available by calling Broadway In Chicago Group Sales at (312) 977-1710. For a complete performance schedule for Aladdin, please visit www.BroadwayInChicago.com.

Ticket buyers are reminded that Broadway In Chicago theatres and www.BroadwayInChicago.com are the only official retail ticket outlets for all performances at the Cadillac Palace Theatre. Ticket buyers who purchase tickets from a ticket broker or any third party should be aware that Broadway In Chicago is unable to reprint or replace lost or stolen tickets and is unable to contact patrons with information regarding time changes or other pertinent updates regarding the performance.

Disney's Aladdin opened on Broadway at the New Amsterdam Theatre to critical acclaim on March 20^th, 2014 and quickly established itself as one of the biggest new blockbusters in recent years, breaking 11 New Amsterdam Theatre house records and welcoming over 3 million people worldwide. Its global footprint has expanded to include productions in Tokyo, Hamburg, London and Sydney, in addition to the two U.S. productions. 

About ALADDIN

Produced by Disney Theatrical Productions, the show features music by Tony Award and eight-time Oscar^® winner Alan Menken (Beauty and the Beast, Newsies, Sister Act), lyrics by two-time Oscar winner Howard Ashman (Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid), three-time Tony Award and three-time Oscar winner Tim Rice (Evita, Aida) and four-time Tony Award nominee Chad Beguelin (The Wedding Singer), with a book by Beguelin, and is directed and choreographed by Tony Award winner Casey Nicholaw (The Book of Mormon, Something Rotten!).  

Aladdin, adapted from the Academy Award^®-winning animated Disney film and centuries-old folktales including “One Thousand and One Nights,” is brought to fresh theatrical life in this bold new musical.  Aladdin’s journey sweeps audiences into an exotic world of daring adventure, classic comedy and timeless romance.  This new production features a full score, including the five cherished songs from the Academy Award-winning soundtrack and more written especially for the stage.

The animated film Aladdin was released by Disney in 1992 and was a critical and box office smash, grossing over $500 million worldwide (not adjusted for inflation) and becoming the highest-grossing film of the year. 

The film won the Oscar for Best Original Score and introduced the hit song “A Whole New World,” which won the second of the film’s two Academy Awards as Best Original Song.  The Peabo Bryson/Regina Belle recording of the tune soared to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Aladdin is designed by seven-time Tony-winning scenic designer Bob Crowley, six-time Tony-winning lighting designer Natasha Katz, two-time Tony-winning costume designer Gregg Barnes and sound designer Ken Travis.

The production team also includes illusion designer Jim Steinmeyer, hair designer Josh Marquette and makeup designer Milagros Medina-Cerdeira.  The music team is headed by music supervisor and music director Michael Kosarin, who also created the vocal and incidental music arrangements, joined by orchestrator Danny Troob and dance music arranger Glen Kelly. 

ABOUT BROADWAY IN CHICAGO

Broadway In Chicago was created in July 2000 and over the past 16 years has grown to be one of the largest commercial touring homes in the country.  A Nederlander Presentation, Broadway In Chicago lights up the Chicago Theater District entertaining well up to 1.7 million people annually in five theatres.  Broadway In Chicago presents a full range of entertainment, including musicals and plays, on the stages of five of the finest theatres in Chicago’s Loop including The PrivateBank Theatre, the Oriental Theatre, Cadillac Palace Theatre, the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University and just off the Magnificent Mile, the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place.

For more information, visit www.BroadwayInChicago.com

Facebook @BroadwayInChicago ● Twitter @broadwaychicago ● Instagram @broadwayinchicago ● #broadwayinchicago

Porchlight Music Theatre Launches Inaugural Summer Camp for 7-12 Year Olds

Cool Camps For Chi, IL Kids:

There's energy in new beginnings and it's fun to be first. So ChiIL Mama's excited to announce that there's a NEW theatre camp in town, starting this summer. Porchlight Theatre has been an iconic and adored Chicago company for ages, and a long time favorite of ours for musical theatre. Who wants to be part of their inaugural summer?! My own kids did theatre camps with quite a few different companies over the years and it was a great confidence builder, fabulous fun, and a way to make lasting friendships.

Porchlight Music Theatre

School of Porchlight Summer Camp

Porchlight Music Theatre’s School at Porchlight launches its inaugural summer camp for children ages 7 - 12 years old. The four sessions are scheduled for the following dates and locations: 

  

June 26 – July 7* – The Theatre School at DePaul, 2350 N. Racine Ave. 

July 10 – July 21 – The Theatre School at DePaul, 2350 N. Racine Ave. 

July 24 – August 4 – Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn Street 

August 7 – August 18 – Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn Street.

Each session’s classes are held from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. daily, with the performance being held on the final Friday of camp at 2:15 p.m. More information about the camp can be found at http://porchlightmusictheatre.org/summer-camp/   

Pricing:
Sessions are $650 ($585 for the June 26 – July 7 session) with discounts available for siblings, or students signing up for multiple sessions.
Admission includes

·Porchlight T-Shirt for every camper

·Recess at a local park daily, weather permitting

·Crafts! Create props and set pieces

·Professional Teaching Artists that are working Chicago actors

·New skills in singing, dancing, acting, and writing

·Final Show on a professional Chicago theatre stage with attendance open          to friends and family members

·Lasting friendships.

Students will work with professional teaching artists including Michelle Lauto and Aaron Thacker-Woodruff, to create a brand new musical. Classes encourage students to develop new skills in writing, singing, acting and movement. Drama naturally creates an environment where students must take risks. Through games and activities, the teachers help build the students’ confidence. Each student will participate in the creation and completion of the musical, learning the importance of practice and working as an ensemble member and how both will help support them on stage. Students will be able to share their experiences and passions to create a dynamic songs and story for their final show. Each show will begin and end with a whole camp number to a popular hit from a musical or the radio that relates to the theme of their show.

WIN 4 Tickets ($68 Value) to MADAGASCAR – A MUSICAL ADVENTURE at Marriott Theatre

ChiIL Mama's Chi, IL Picks List:

Now playing through April 15, 2017

The Marriott Theatre for Young Audiences

Presents

THE CHICAGO PREMIERE OF

Terry James, Executive Producer

Aaron Thielen, Lead Artistic Director

Andy Hite, Artistic Director

ENTER HERE through 3/17/17 for your chance to win 4 tickets ($68 value) --  (winner's choice of show dates/times pending availability.)

Here at ChiIL Mama, my kids adored the Madagascar movies. Even most of the adults I know cheered on the unlikely Alex the Lion and Marty the Zebra in their great escape, buddy movies. Now you can see it LIVE on stage and "move it move it" with the whole family while enjoying your favorite Madagascar tunes. The Marriott Theatre has a stellar reputation for presenting high caliber, world class shows, and their Marriott Theatre for Young Audiences series is no exception.

It’s time to escape the zoo and head to the stage! The musical twist on the blockbuster DreamWorks motion picture, MADAGASCAR – A MUSICAL ADVENTURE, comes to life for children of all ages at The Marriott Theatre for Young Audiences, 10 Marriott Drive in Lincolnshire, from February 25 through April 15, 2017, with a press opening on March 4 at 10 a.m. Audiences will join the familiar zoo escapees and embark on a truly unique and “crack-a-lackin’” adventure as each animal enjoys freedom for the very first time after spending their entire life in captivity. MADAGASCAR – A MUSICAL ADVENTURE, a theatrical interpretation of the 2005 hit film, will be directed and choreographed by Matt Raftery.

“The Marriott Theatre is proud to be producing the Chicago premiere of MADAGASCAR – A MUSICAL ADVENTURE. We are incredibly excited to be able to share this story with our audiences both young and young at heart”, said Marriott Theatre Artistic Director, Aaron Thielen. “It's exciting to be able to bring these familiar characters from the "big screen" to life on our stage.”

Join Alex the Lion, Marty the Zebra, Melman the Giraffe, Gloria the Hippo and, of course, those hilarious, plotting penguins as they bound onto the stage in this musical adventure. MADAGASCAR – A MUSICAL ADVENTURE follows all of your favorite zoo friends as they escape from their home in New York’s Central Park Zoo and find themselves on an unexpected journey to the madcap world of King Julien’s Madagascar. 

This special one-hour presentation for kids (and parents) of all ages is filled with larger-than-life characters, non-stop adventure, and an upbeat score that will make audiences want to “Move It, Move It!” All performances are followed by a Question & Answer session with the cast.

Costume designer (and assistant director) Jesus Perez assures that audiences will be dazzled by the unexpected costumes and innovative puppetry. “Madagascar is already an established idea, but since this is a live production and not a movie, it has opened up a world of creativity for us. This is the perfect vehicle for me as a designer to bring this fantastical world to life,” said Perez.

MADAGASCAR – A MUSICAL ADVENTURE stars James Earl Jones II as “Marty the Zebra,” Russell Mernagh as “Alex the Lion,” Rashada Dawan as “Gloria the Hippo,” Stephen Schellhardt as “Melman the Giraffe”, Jonathan Butler-Duplessis as “King Julien,” Leah Morrow as “Skipper,” Liam Quealy as “Kowalski,” Laura Savage as “Mort and Private,” Elena Romanowski as “Rico,” Samantha Pauly as “Maurice,” and Jed Feder as “Mason.”

MADAGASCAR – A MUSICAL ADVENTURE runs most Tuesdays 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 $17.23 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.

REVIEW: Powerhouse Personal Show "From Jackie With Love" Highly Recommended

Chi, IL LIVE Shows On Our Radar:

JACKIE TAYLOR TO STAR IN

A THREE NIGHT ENGAGEMENT OF

FROM JACKIE WITH LOVE 

(WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS NOW)

AT BLACK ENSEMBLE THEATER 

March 6-8, 2017 at 7:30pm

 Black Ensemble Theater Founder and CEO Jackie Taylor will star in her one-woman show From Jackie With Love (What The World Needs Now) at the Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center, 4450 N. Clark Street in Chicago, March 6-8, 2017 at 7:30pm.  

Jackie Taylor may be 65, but she gives most 25 year olds a run for the money! She has the charisma, powerhouse vocals, and even the dance moves to bring down the house, coupled with the wisdom of a lifetime of experience. It's an irresistible combination. We've long been fans of her writing and directing talents and her skills in expanding the 40 year old Black Ensemble Theatre into a world class Chicago gem. Still, except for exuberant curtain calls, I've only had the pleasure of seeing her performing on stage once, in a roll she jumped into when a cast member had an emergency and couldn't make it in that day. 

From Jackie With Love (What The World Needs Now) is Jackie Taylor in her full glory, singing original songs, playing her first guitar, embodying favorite monologues, and sharing her personal back story. With a band of 5 musicians and 3 backup singers who are all veteran BET ensemble members, Jackie Taylor had the audience laughing, smiling, weeping openly, and singing along in turn. She is entirely genuine, with a real connection to the audience, and a raw willingness to share her passions, her pain, her past, and her hopes for the world. This show is nothing short of inspiring. Highly recommended.

You may know Jackie Taylor as the Founder and Executive Director of the Black Ensemble Theater, but have you ever experienced her as a performer on stage? Ms. Taylor will sing, dance and share her celebrated acting talents through monologues from her own works and the works of August Wilson, Lorraine Hansberry, Pearl Cleage and Tennessee Williams. The story will be laced with Jackie’s own personal song compositions as we experience her perspectives on her life, from growing up in Cabrini Green to embracing a dysfunctional family to her own the successes and failures.  

Black Ensemble Theater will host a VIP night of From Jackie With Love (What The World Needs Now) on Wednesday, March 8, 2017, as a fundraiser to ensure the company’s future as the preeminent African-American theater company in the country.  The evening will begin at 6:30pm with a pre-show reception with appetizers, champagne and wine, followed by the performance at 7:30pm.

Regular tickets for all three performances are $65.  The VIP Event on March 8 is $150 which includes the private reception and performance.  Tickets are available at the Black Ensemble Box Office located at 4450 N. Clark St in Chicago, online HERE, or by phone at (773) 769-4451. 

The Black Ensemble Theater 

Founded in 1976, by the phenomenal producer, playwright and actress Jackie Taylor, Black Ensemble Theater is the only African American theater located in the culturally, racially and ethnically diverse north side Uptown community. Through its Five Play Season of Excellence, The Black Ensemble Theater dazzles audiences locally, nationally and internationally with outstanding original musicals that are entertaining, educational and uplifting. The Black Ensemble Theater has produced more than 100 productions and employed over 5,000 artists.

On November 18, 2011, The Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center opened and is able to accommodate larger-scale productions, bigger audiences and a wider range of educational programming. The new facility includes amenities such as a 299-seat main stage theater (double the capacity of the original venue); 14 offices, classroom space, rehearsal hall, dance studio, scene shop, costume shop, and wardrobe rooms; seven dressing rooms; rehearsal room for musicians; front lobby space with concession areas; and an indoor parking garage.  The completion of a 150-seat theater, which will serve as an experimental stage for the work of the Black Playwright Initiative (BPI), with construction by General Contractor Norcon Inc., is expected in 2017. 

The mission of the Black Ensemble Theater Company is to eradicate racism and its devastating effects upon society through the theater arts.  For more information on the Black Ensemble Theater Company, please visit www.BlackEnsembleTheater.org or call 773-769-4451.

Digital Media Academy's Summer STEM Camps are Filling Fast - Save $75 with Code!

Here at ChiIL Mama, we're huge advocates for STEM and STEAM classes and camps. So we're pleased to partner up with Digital Media Academy on this sponsored post. We don't have first hand experience with these camps but we have a sweet discount for our readers. Stave off the summer slump with Digital Media Academy's fun project-based approach to summer camps spark curiosity, build confidence, and foster teamwork as students seek creative solutions to real-world problems through technology.

Don't miss your chance to find your child's passion for coding, 3D modeling, robotics, filmmaking, game design, and more at DMA! Find a camp today and save BIG with code SPRINGUSFG17.

At the end of each course, students go home with a completed project in addition to their new skills and experience in technology and personal development. DMA's immersive courses bring like-minded students together to inspire one another, and explore their passion through creating.

$75 off discount code: SPRINGUSFG17 - Ends March 31, 2017!




Learn the Skills of Tomorrow, Today!

Get ready to learn from the best instructors. Digital Media Academy's project-based camps put the students in control as they complete hands-on projects designed to ensure growth and understanding. Plus, students use the best hardware and software on the market today!



Students Love Summer at DMA

At Digital Media Academy, student satisfaction is our number one priority. We make it our mission to provide a memorable and rewarding summer camp experience for all students.

Thanks to our amazing instructors, technology partners, and dedicated staff, 92% of our students give us a 4.5/5 or above in overall student satisfaction. That's what the students are saying - what will you create this summer?





Safety Matters

At DMA, your child's safety is the top priority, which is why all staff pass complete Federal background checks in addition to First-Aid and CPR training so you feel confident in your child's experience.

Everyone Deserves Summer Camp

Digital Media Academy is dedicated to making world-class digital media education accessible to everyone. Their needs-based financial assistance program makes camp possible for those who may not otherwise be able to attend. Apply today!


Disclosure: I'm pleased to partner up on this sponsored post via US Family Bloggers. I have been compensated for sharing this information with my readers. As always, all opinions are my own.

Johnsonville Sparks the Season With First Brats At Chicago's Polar Plunge

The darkest days of winter are nearly over and we just can't wait for summer beach time and grilling season, so we were thrilled when Johnsonville reached out to us about partnering up on a sponsored post. 

Sunday ChiIL Mama was ChiILin' at North Avenue beach with Johnsonville, former pro linebacker Brian Urlacher, and a host of crazy costumed plungers ready to go jump in a lake for a great cause. The 2017 Chicago Polar Plunge to benefit Special Olympics was sponsored by Johnsonville, and they were on site grilling up an epic number of brats on the world's largest grill. 

They made a lot of shivering participants happy with piping hot Johnsonville #FirstBrats of the season, fresh off the burners of the Big Taste Grill. We scored a couple tasty brats, too. As a half German I grew up on brats and they're still my favorite sausage.

Check Out ChiIL Mama's Full Set Of Photos HERE:

We were stoked to score a Big Taste Grill tee and a Johnsonville hat, so we'll be stylin' while we grill, no matter the March Chicago weather.

Kudos to Johnsonville for hosting The Polar Plunge that benefits Special Olympics Chicago. This aligns with the charitable mission of the Big Taste Grill. They figured, if these extreme plungers are willing to jump in freezing water for a good cause, Johnsonville should be a part of it, as they don’t let weather get in the way of what they love – grilling brats.

Kicking off grilling season in a BIG way!

Didjaknow... Over 80% of “mature millennials” – millennials between 25-33 – rank grilling as one of their favorite summer activities. However, people who love to grill can’t wait to grill – and these extreme grillers may even do it when it’s not quite time yet. We had a blast kicking off the season with Johnsonville for a great cause.

The Big Taste Grill is a 20-foot tall, 65-foot long grill, which cooks 2,500 brats an hour or 750 bratwurst at a time on its 40 square feet of grilling surface. 

It's never too cold or too early to get your grill on. Here at ChiIL Mama, we're ready, are YOU?! With Johnsonville’s Spark the Season campaign it’s time to come out of the “dark period” of winter and welcome grilling season and the new beginnings of spring and maybe even win big.

ChiIL Mama's Readers can enter to win Johnsonville’s #FirstBrats Contest. Check it out:

Johnsonville’s #FirstBrats contest begins March 8, 2017 and ends May 15, 2017. *(Contest Period: The Contest begins at 12:00 PM Eastern Time on March 8, 2017 and ends at 11:59:59 PM ET on May 15, 2017.)

There are two (2) ways to enter:

Online: During the Contest Period, an entrant may visit www.FirstBratsContest.com, enter his/her email address, and follow the instructions to register by entering all information requested on the registration form. After an entrant has registered, he/she may follow the instructions to upload one (1) photo of his/her “first grill of the season”.

Social Media: During the Contest Period, an entrant may (a) log in to his/her Twitter or Instagram account, follow @Johnsonville on Twitter or @jvillesausage on Instagram (if he/she does not already), and post a Tweet/post that includes one (1) photo of his/her “first grill of the season” and the hashtag “#FirstBratsContest” or (b) log in to his/her Facebook account, visit Sponsor’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/johnsonville/, and post a comment responding to Sponsor’s Invitation Post that includes a photo of his/her “first grill of the season” and the hashtag “#FirstBratsContest.

One (1) Grand Prize winner will receive snow removal or lawn care for a year, a value of $1,500.

Fourteen (14) First Prize winners will receive a $100 grocery coupon code and a Johnsonville prize pack.

Following the Contest period, all eligible entries received during the Contest period will be judged by a panel of qualified judges selected by Johnsonville. The judges will score the entries according to the following weighted criteria: creativity, photo quality and relevance to the Contest theme (e.g., entry captures the passion for grilling even if the weather is not ideal for grilling).

o Limit one (1) prize per person

o There is a limit of one (1) entry per entry method per person per calendar day during the Contest period (i.e., an entrant may receive one entry each via www.FirstBratsContest.com, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook) for a total of five (5) entries per day.

o Official Contest rules can be found at www.FirstBratsContest.com.

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Johnsonville. The opinions and text are all mine.