Scottish ISLANDER at Chicago Shakespeare Theater's WorldStage Series November 29–December 17, 2023

 

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Chicago Shakespeare Theater presents a WorldStage production 

from Scotland

ISLANDER

A spellbinding new musical with a Scottish folk-inspired score Upstairs at Chicago Shakespeare, November 29–December 17, 2023

Chicago Shakespeare Theater presents Islander, a new folk musical from Scotland, fresh off of a critically acclaimed off-Broadway run. Originally conceived and directed by Amy Draper, with tour staging and associate direction by Eve Nicol, a book by Stewart Melton, and music and lyrics by Finn Anderson, Islander uses live sound looping technology to create a spellbinding musical experience. The production plays in a limited engagement in the theater Upstairs at Chicago Shakespeare as part of the Theater’s WorldStage Series, November 29–December 17, 2023.

Staged with a contemporary folk-inspired score and epic storytelling, two performers reveal a world of characters, live-mixing and layering their voices to create a dazzling, unexpected soundscape as dramatic as the Scottish coastline. Eilidh is the only child on Kinnan Island, where most of the dwindling population has moved to the “Big Land.” As the island’s residents debate its future, a baby whale beaches itself, and Eilidh discovers a mysterious girl along the shore. This modern myth takes audiences on a journey that transcends loss, recovers hope, and finds community.

The winner of Best New Musical at Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Islander was given five stars by BritishTheatre, who called it “A flawless gem…a modern folk tale that is hard not to fall in love with.” During its off-Broadway run, The Daily Beast touted that “Islander is really gorgeous—sharp, moving, funny, and one of the best musicals in New York.”

The company is double cast, with two performers performing each of the two roles at alternating performances. Sharing the role of Eilidh are Lois Craig and Sylvie Stenson, and sharing the role of Arran are Stephanie MacGaraidh and Julia Murray. In addition to their primary roles, they bring a multitude of other characters to life. The creative team also includes Scenic Designer Emma Bailey, Lighting Designer Simon Wilkinson, Costume Designer Hahnji Jang, and Sound Designer Sam Kusnetz. Islander is produced in association with Setasea LLC, Helen Milne Productions, Theatre Royal Plymouth, and Dundee Rep Theatre.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater’s WorldStage Series exemplifies a landmark commitment to bring the world’s great theaters to Chicago and Chicago Shakespeare to the world. 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. To date, the WorldStage Series has featured more than 1,300 artists from 22 countries spanning six continents, sharing compelling stories in 24 languages.

Accessible and enhanced performances for Islander include:

Open-captioned performance – Wednesday, December 6, 2023, at 7:30 p.m. A text display of the words and sounds heard during a play, synced live with the action onstage.

ASL duo-interpreted performance – Friday, December 8, 2023, at 7:30 p.m. All dialogue and lyrics are translated into American Sign Language by two certified interpreters.

Audio-described performance – Sunday, December 10, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. A program that provides spoken narration of a play’s key visual elements for patrons who are blind or have low vision.

More information at www.chicagoshakes.com/islander or on social media at @chicagoshakes.

Islander will be presented November 29–December 17, 2023, in the theater Upstairs at Chicago Shakespeare. Tickets start at $65 and are on sale now. Special discounts are available for groups of 10 or more. For more information or to purchase tickets, 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.

Aurora’s Paramount Theatre Presents Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory November 8, 2023-January 14, 2024

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Enter a world of pure imagination when Aurora’s Paramount Theatre presents the Professional Regional Premiere of  Roald Dahl's  Charlie and the Chocolate Factory  directed by Jeff Award-winner Trent Stork,  November 8, 2023-January 14, 2024

(front, from left) Mike Teavee (August Forman), Charlie Bucket (Meena Sood), (back) Veruca Salt (Devon Hayakawa), Augustus Gloop (David Blakeman) and Violet Beauregarde (Tiffany T. Taylor) are the five lucky winners of a golden ticket in Paramount Theatre’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. (Sood alternates performances as Charlie Bucket with Charlie Long.) All Advance Photos by Amy Nelson

Oompa Loompas, oodles of fun and other surprises await audiences!

Stephen Schellhardt plays Willy Wonka  Here at ChiIL Mama, we adore Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory books, and the movie adaptations, so we can't wait to see what magic Paramount Theatre brings with this stage version. Paramount is a top favorite of ours for good reason and this regional premiere is sure to be an epic production and a fabulous experiential gift for the holidays. All ages are sure to adore this chocolate covered morality tale. We can't wait to catch it! Step behind the gates and discover the magic that awaits when Aurora’s Paramount Theatre presents the Professional Regional Premiere of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, November 8, 2023-January 14, 2024. Follow young Charlie Bucket, his Grandpa Joe and four more Golden Ticket winners on a private tour of eccentric “Candy Man” Willy Wonka’s magical and mysterious chocolate factory. Who will win the lifetime supply of chocolate? Experience their life-changing journey through a world of “Pure Imagination," revealed with Wonka’s army of curious Oompa-Loompas.

Meena Sood plays Charlie Bucket in Paramount Theatre’s Professional Regional Premiere of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. (Sood alternates performances as Charlie Bucket with Charlie Long.)

Meena Sood (left) plays Charlie Bucket and Stephen Schellhardt is Willy Wonka Trent Stork, Paramount’s Artistic Producer and Casting Director, and winner, Jeff Award, Director-Musical-Large, for Paramount’s Kinky Boots in 2022, and their design team are planning a high-energy, technicolor production performed on a dazzling set designed by Jeffrey D. Kmiec, with choreography by Kasey Alfonso, music direction by Kory Danielson and costumes by Ryan Park.  Before audiences even step into the theater and see the amazing set, Paramount’s Grand Gallery will be fully decked out for the holidays, anchored by a two-story, Willy Wonka-themed Christmas tree, the perfect backdrop for pre-show holiday season selfies.

Charlie Bucket (Charlie Long) wins a golden ticket

Charlie Long (left) plays Charlie Bucket and Stephen Schellhardt is Willy Wonka   Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is your golden ticket for a scrumdiddlyumptious holiday outing for the whole family at Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd. in downtown Aurora. Single tickets, $28-$79, are on sale now, or save with a Paramount Theatre three-play Broadway Series subscription package.  For tickets, subscriptions and information, visit paramountaurora.com or call (630) 896-6666.  For the latest updates, visit paramountaurora.com, follow @paramountaurora on Facebook and Instagram, and Paramount Theatre on LinkedIn.

Meena Sood (left) and Charlie Long alternate in the role of Charlie Bucket in Paramount Theatre’s  Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

David Blakeman plays Augustus Gloop in  Paramount Theatre’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. 

Tiffany T. Taylor plays Violet Beauregarde in  Paramount Theatre’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.  

Devon Hayakawa plays Veruca Salt in  Paramount Theatre’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.   Welcome to a world of pure imagination: Paramount’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory  Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is based on the beloved 1964 children’s novel of the same name by Roald Dahl. The musical features an original score composed by Marc Shaiman with lyrics by Shaiman and Scott Wittman (Hairspray) and a book by David Greig.

August Forman plays Mike Teavee in Paramount Theatre’s  Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory also pays homage to the original score by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley including favorites like "Candy Man," "I've Got a Golden Ticket," "Oompa Loompa Song" and "Pure Imagination."  The musical premiered on London’s West End in 2013 where it ran for more than three years and earned seven Laurence Olivier Award nominations, including Best New Musical. It premiered on Broadway in 2017, ran for nine months, and was followed by two national tours. 

Paramount Theatre’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory stars (top, from left) Charlie Long and Meena Soodalternating as Charlie Bucket, (middle, from left) Stephen Schellhardt as Willy Wonka, Gene Weygandt as Grandpa Joe, David Blakeman as Augustus Gloop, Abby C. Smith as Mrs. Gloop, Devon Hayakawa as Veruca Salt, Jason Richards as Mr. Salt, (bottom, from left) August Forman as Mike Teavee, Heidi Kettenring as Mrs. Teavee, Tiffany T. Taylor as Violet Beauregarde, Lorenzo Rush Jr. as Mr. Beauregarde and Jaye Ladymore as Mrs. Bucket.  For Paramount’s Professional Regional Premiere, two super talented child performers - Charlie Long and Meena Sood - will alternate in the role of Charlie Bucket. Long played Kurt last season in Paramount’s The Sound of Music and rocked out as Billy and in the ensemble of School of Rock. Sood made her Paramount debut last spring in School of Rock as Shonelle, and she stepped into the role of class factotum Summer Hathaway for several performances. Meet the cast! Paramount Theatre’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory features everyone’s favorite Wonka characters including (front, from left) Veruca Salt (Devon Hayakawa), Charlie Bucket (Charlie Long), Violet Beauregarde (Tiffany T. Taylor), (back) Augustus Gloop (David Blakeman), Willy Wonka (Stephen Schellhardt) and Mike Teavee (August Forman). All Advance Photos by Amy Nelson Paramount’s principal cast for Charlie and the Chocolate Factory includes Stephen Schellhardt as Willy Wonka, Gene Weygandt as Grandpa Joe, David Blakeman as Augustus Gloop, Abby C. Smith as Mrs. Gloop, Devon Hayakawa as Veruca Salt, Jason Richards as Mr. Salt, August Formanas Mike Teavee, Heidi Kettenring as Mrs. Teavee, Tiffany T. Taylor as Violet Beauregarde, Lorenzo Rush Jr. as Mr. Beauregarde and Jaye Ladymore as Mrs. Bucket.  Ensemble members are Terrell Armstrong, Lexie Bailey, Brian Bandura, Matthew Bettencourt, Ben Broughton, Lydia Burke, Morgan DiFonzo, Evan C. Dolan, Nick Druzbanski, Alley Ellis, Jared David Michael Grant, Dakota Hughes, Michael Lunder, Jessica Minter, Sara Reinecke, Nellie Shuford, Allison Sill, Ayana Strutz and Matthew Weidenbener. 

Trent Stork Director Trent Stork, Paramount’s Artistic Producer and Casting Director, won their first Jeff Award, Director-Musical-Large, for Paramount’s Kinky Boots in 2022. Stork also helmed last season’s blockbuster productions ofSchool of Rock, and Into the Woods with co-director Jim Corti.  Stork’s production team includes Kasey Alfonso, choreographer; Kory Danielson, music director, conductor and music supervisor; Jeffrey D. Kmiec, scenic designer; Ryan Park, costume designer; Greg Hofmann, lighting designer; Adam Rosenthal, sound designer; Paul Deziel, projection designer; Jesse Gaffney, prop designer; Ethan Deppe, electronic music designer; Max Fabian, fight and intimacy director; Susan Gosdick, dialect coach; Vertigo, flying effects; Amanda Raquel Martinez Charlie and the Chocolate Factory runs  November 8, 2023-January 14, 2024 at  Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd.  in downtown Aurora. Tickets: paramountaurora.com or (630) 896-6666