REVIEW: World Premiere of The Dress-Up Play Via Jackalope Theatre Now Extended Through March 29, 2026

ChiIL Mama's Chi, IL Picks List DUE TO POPULAR DEMAND JACKALOPE THEATRE COMPANY ANNOUNCED ADDED PERFORMANCES FOR THE WORLD PREMIERE OF  THE DRESS-UP PLAY NOW EXTENDED THROUGH MARCH 29th  AT THE BROADWAY ARMORY PARK Adult Only and Family Friendly Performances Added for this New Play by Juliet Kang Huneke and Directed by Karina Patel Recommended for ages 4+. The running time is 60 minutes with no intermission.  REVIEW By Bonnie Kenaz-Mara I adored The Dress-Up Play from the first moments of group art making in the lobby to the rousing standing ovation. Playwright, Juliet Kang Huneke has created an immersive playroom that teaches diversity, inclusion, and individuality in a fun and playful way. Highly recommended. ChiIL Mama's Chi, IL Picks List. ★★★★ Four out of four stars. (L to R) Jett Parr, Keimon Shook and Casey Whisler in THE DRESS-UP PLAY, by Jackalope Theatre, now extended through March 29. Photo by Joel Maisonet Photography Four very different young friends meet up for a dress-up play date and hilarity and life lessons ensue. Everyone is invited to play dress-up from their seats or get more involved if that's your jam. There's space for a couple of families to sit in the set, and a chance to volunteer for a runway show towards the end, in your own unique outfit.  (L to R) Keimon Shook and Aidan Henri. Photo by Joel Maisonet Photography The actors playfully and gently guide the audience through an enlightening series of wardrobe changes. The message is never heavy handed as actors model sharing, playing well with others, and respect. They also show responses to bullying, and how to compromise when parental and institutional rules smash up against self expression. This is such a clever and timely take on acceptance and inclusion, as legal and physical attacks on trans and gender nonconforming humans are escalating at an alarming rate. The Dress-Up Play reminds us that boys can enjoy purses and dresses and girls can be knights and pirates, and those choices hurt no-one. In fact, we're all better off for ditching narrowly defined gender roles and allowing ourselves and others more choices of how to dress, and how to be in the world.  The Reader critic, Kerry Reid and ChiIL Mama critic, Bonnie Kenaz-Mara had a blast picking accessories based on prompts. You're never too old to play dress-up! Even the grandparents in the crowd were happily letting their inner children out to play.  Bring the littles in your life or round up your friend group and come to the added 18+ performance on Friday, March 27 at 7 p.m. (an adults only performance, recommended for ages 18 years old and older, that may include improvised language not suitable for younger audiences). Other show times are recommended for all ages 4+.  Keimon Shook in THE DRESS-UP PLAY, by Jackalope Theatre. Photo by Joel Maisonet Photography It's always an adventure at Jackalope Theatre, beginning with a winding maze through Broadway Armory. Follow the mythical horned jackrabbit signs through the hallways, up the staircase, and past aerielists. There you will find a charming little theatre doing brave new works like the world premiere of The Dress-Up Play. Jackalope Theatre has long been a favorite of ours here at ChiIL Live Shows, for their plays for grownups. My son, Dugan, was in Northwestern University's theatre program with both the playwright and director, so I was particularly excited to check out their new family friendly show.   I left with a handmade card, a gem, and stickers. The best takeaway though was a joyful glow that had the whole audience grinning and celebrating both our individual creativity and our power as a community to curb bullying and embrace creative self expression with an open mind. Don't miss this.  (L to R) Keimon Shook, Jett Parr, Casey Whisler and Aidan Henri  Bonnie is a Chicago based writer, theatre critic, photographer, artist, and Mama to 2 amazing adults. She owns two websites where she publishes frequently: ChiILLiveShows.com (adult) & ChiILMama.com (family friendly). Keimon Shook in THE DRESS-UP PLAY, by Jackalope Theatre, now extended through March 29. Photo by Joel Maisonet Photography Jackalope Theatre Company is proud to announce additional performances for the world premiere of The Dress-Up Play by Juliet Kang Huneke, now playing through March 29, directed by Karina Patel, at the Broadway Armory Park, 5917 N Broadway St.The added performances are Friday, March 27 at 7 p.m. (an adults only performance, recommended for ages 18 years old and older, Friday’s performance may include improvised language not suitable for younger audiences) and Saturday, March 28 and Sunday, March 29 at 11 a.m. The current performance schedule is Fridays at 7 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15 - $35 with student and Edgewater resident discounts available. Subscription and single tickets are now available at JackalopeTheatre.org or call/text the box office at 773.340.2543. The Dress-Up Play is a new family-friendly production from Jackalope. New friends gather in a bedroom to play dress up. But who gets to wear what? Do our clothes have to match what we look like outside? And what if our outside doesn’t match our inside? Filled with tutus, fake mustaches, scarves and fierce runway walks, The Dress-Up Play is an immersive fashion party for all ages that celebrates self-expression, open-mindedness and the wholeness of everyone. Casey Whisler in THE DRESS-UP PLAY, by Jackalope Theatre, now extended through March 29. Photo by Joel Maisonet Photography The cast of The Dress-Up Play includes Keimon Shook (he/him, Remi); Casey Whisler (she/her, Olivia); Aidan Henri (they/he/she, Aiden) and Jett Parr (they/them, Miles).  The creative team for The Dress-Up Play includes Juliet Kang Huneke (she/they, playwright); Karina Patel (she/her, director and new works manager); AJ Links, CSA(she/her, casting director), Eric Turner (he/him, production manager); Seojung Jang (she/her, lighting designer); Newton Schottelkotte (they/she, sound designer); Amal Salem (she/her, stage manager); Hudson Therriault (he/him, accessibility manager); Amira Danan (she/her, development director) and Kaiser Ahmed (he/him, artistic director),  Playwright Juliet Kang Huneke  ABOUT JULIET KANG HUNEKE, PLAYWRIGHT Juliet Kang Huneke is a playwright and performer who is passionate about theatre that is larger than life. Her new TYA play, Hannah and Halmoni Save the World! recently had its world premiere at Filament Theatre. In addition, she was awarded the 2023 ReImagine: New Plays in TYA grant to develop Hannah and Halmoni with Filament. Juliet is also a 24 Hour Plays Nationals alum. Other Chicago writing credits include: Echo’s Inferno (The Understudy), Home for the Summer (Theo Ubique, American Music Theatre Project), Mycelium (Playground Chicago) and Mechanicals (Impostors Theater Co Footholds Vol. 4).  Director Karina Patel  ABOUT KARINA PATEL, DIRECTOR Karina Patel is a devised theatre artist, director and dramaturg originally from London, United Kingdom. She is currently the New Works manager at Jackalope Theatre Company and literary associate at Chicago Shakespeare Theater. Patel has developed new and devised work with The Story Theatre, The Understudy Chicago, APIDA Arts, TimeLine Theatre Company, Avalanche Theatre, Token Theatre, 24 Hour Plays and more. She has also served as an assistant director at Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Lookingglass Theatre Company, Court Theatre and the Repertory Theatre of St Louis.  MORE FROM JACKALOPE WORLD PREMIERE Andy Warhol Presents: The Cocaine Play May 27 - July 6, 2026 Written by Terry Guest Directed by AmBer Montgomery Previews: Wednesday, May 27 at 7:30 p.m., Friday, May 29 and Saturday, May 30 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, May 21 at 2 p.m. Performance schedule: Fridays, Saturdays and Mondays at 7:30 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m. The Broadway Armory, 5917 N. Broadway St. JackalopeTheatre.org/2024-2025-season Tickets: $15 - $45 It’s 1962 in New York City and Andy Warhol (no, not that Andy Warhol) is stuck. He hasn’t finished a painting in years and has no new ideas. When a mysterious actress named Marilyn Monroe (no, not that Marilyn Monroe) stumbles into his life, she sends him down an epic path of madness, murder, betrayal and the desperate pursuit of fame, sex and beauty. Andy Warhol presents: The Cocaine Play is a 100% fake story about 100% real people that asks how far are you willing to go for the chance at superstardom.  17th Annual Living Newspaper Festival August 20 - 24, 2026 Performance schedule: Thursday - Saturday at 7:30 p.m., Sunday at 3 p.m. and Monday at 7:30 p.m. The Broadway Armory, 5917 N. Broadway St. JackalopeTheatre.org/2024-2025-season Tickets: $15 - $35 The Living Newspaper Festival is inspired by the 1930s Living Newspapers of the Federal Theatre Project that created stories based on recent events. This year’s Festival includes world premieres inspired from recent news headlines. Performances, show times, dates are subject to change. ABOUT JACKALOPE THEATRE Jackalope Theatre Company expands the definition of American Identity by engaging with communities to produce works that celebrate diverse perspectives. Jackalope is a premier home for new and exciting Off-Loop Theatre based in Chicago's Edgewater and Rogers Park neighborhoods. They are committed to cultivating new voices that contribute to an expanding American culture and mythology. Each season, Jackalope produces full-length plays, new play development programming and provides free classes in partnership with the Chicago Park District. Season 18 is made possible by the continued generosity of Season Sponsors Michael and Mona Heath.

EXTENDED: World Premiere of LITTLE BEAR RIDGE ROAD at Steppenwolf Theatre Now Playing Through August 4, 2024

 ChiIL Mama's Chi, IL Picks List

Steppenwolf Theatre Opens the World Premiere of

LITTLE BEAR RIDGE ROAD

By Samuel D. Hunter

Directed by Joe Mantello

Featuring ensemble member Laurie Metcalf

with John Drea, Meighan Gerachis and Micah Stock

Extended Through August 4, 2024 in Steppenwolf’s Downstairs Theater 

Pictured (left to right) Ensemble member Laurie Metcalf and Micah Stock in Steppenwolf Theatre’s world premiere of "Little Bear Ridge Road." Photo by Michael Brosilow.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company, the nation’s premier ensemble theater company, is pleased to conclude its 48th season with the highly anticipated world premiere of Little Bear Ridge Road, a comic, cosmic and intimate drama by MacArthur Fellow Samuel D. Hunter (The Whale, A Bright New Boise), directed by Tony Award winner Joe Mantello (Wicked, Airline Highway). Due to popular demand, Little Bear Ridge Road will enjoy two additional weeks of performances, extending through Sunday, August 4, 2024 in Steppenwolf’s Downstairs Theater, 1650 N. Halsted St. in Chicago. Single tickets starting at $20 are now on sale at steppenwolf.org or the Box Office at (312) 335-1650.

Tony and Emmy Award-winning ensemble member Laurie Metcalf (The Conners, Three Tall Women – Tony Award) comes home to Steppenwolf, joined by John Drea (Steppenwolf debut), Meighan Gerachis (POTUS, Domesticated) and Micah Stock (Steppenwolf debut, It's Only A Play – Tony Award nomination).

In the outer limits of rural Idaho, the last two estranged members of the Fernsby family tree, a reclusive aunt and her gay nephew, reunite to sort the mess left behind after a troubled father's passing. They now face an uncomfortable and universal question: how do we deal with other people? And is connection more trouble than it’s worth? As their relationship begins anew, the two reluctant Fernsbys ­– separated by age and experience – start to understand the joys and perils of letting someone else into your own story, even if only for a moment.

The creative team includes Scott Pask (Scenic Design), Jessica Pabst (Costume Design), Heather Gilbert (Lighting Design), Mikhail Fiksel (Sound Design), John Baker (Dramaturg), Gigi Buffington (Voice and Text Coach), Patrick Zakem (Creative Producer), Tom Pearl (Producing Director), JC Clementz, CSA (Casting), Laura D. Glenn (Production Stage Manager) and Jaclynn Joslin (Assistant Stage Manager). For full cast and creative team bios, click here.

Cast (in alphabetical order): John Drea (James/Kenny) Meighan Gerachis (Paulette/Vickie) Laurie Metcalf (Sarah) and Micah Stock (Ethan).

Location: Steppenwolf’s Downstairs Theater, 1650 N. Halsted St., Chicago

Dates: Previews: Thursday, June 13 – Saturday, June 22, 2024

Press performance/Opening: Sunday, June 23 at 6 pm

Regular run: Tuesday, June 25 – Sunday, August 4, 2024

Curtain Times: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursdays and Friday at 7:30 pm; Saturdays at 3 pm & 7:30 pm; and Sundays at 3 pm. Please note: there will be added performances on Sunday, July 28 and Sunday, August 4 at 7:30 pm; there will not be performances on Tuesday, June 18, Thursday July 4 or Tuesday, July 16; the performance on Tuesday, July 10 begins at 2 pm (there will not be an evening performance).

Tickets: Single tickets for Little Bear Ridge Road ($20 - $168) are now on sale at steppenwolf.org and the Box Office at (312) 335-1650. Steppenwolf Flex Memberships are also currently on sale: Black Card Memberships with six tickets for use any time for any production and RED Card Memberships for theatergoers under 30.

Accessible Performance Dates:

Audio-described and touch tour: Sunday, July 7 at 3 pm (touch tour at 1:30 pm, curtain at 3 pm)

Open-captioned: Saturday, July 13 at 3 pm and Thursday, July 18 at 7:30 pm

ASL-interpreted: Friday, July 12 at 7:30 pm

Artist Biographies:

Samuel D. Hunter (Playwright) grew up in Moscow, Idaho and lives in New York City with his husband and daughter. His plays include The Whale (Drama Desk Award, Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Play, GLAAD Media Award, Drama League and Outer Critics Circle nominations for Best Play), A Case for the Existence of God (New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award for Best Play, Hull-Warriner Award), A Bright New Boise (Obie Award, Drama Desk nomination for Best Play), Greater Clements (Drama Desk nomination for Best Play, Outer Critics Circle Honoree), Lewiston/Clarkston (Drama Desk nomination for Best Play), The Few, A Great Wilderness, Rest, Pocatello, The Healing and The Harvest, among others. His screenplay adaptation of The Whale, directed by Darren Aronofsky and starring Brendan Fraser, was nominated for the 2023 BAFTA Award for Best Adapted Screenplay and received two Oscars, including Best Actor. He was also a writer and producer on all four seasons of FX’s Baskets. He is the recipient of a 2014 MacArthur “Genius Grant” Fellowship, a 2012 Whiting Writers Award and an honorary doctorate from the University of Idaho. He holds degrees in playwriting from NYU, The Iowa Playwrights Workshop and Juilliard.

Joe Mantello (Director) recently directed David Ives and Stephen Sondheim’s Here We Are at the Shed. Broadway directing credits include: Grey House, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf, Hillary and Clinton, Three Tall Women (Tony nom.) The Boys in the Band, Blackbird, The Humans (Tony nom.), Airline Highway, The Last Ship, Casa Valentina, I’ll Eat You Last, The Other Place, Other Desert Cities, Pal Joey, 9 to 5, Laugh Whore, November, The Ritz, Three Days of Rain, The Odd Couple, Glengarry Glen Ross (Tony nom.), Wicked, Assassins (Tony Award), Take Me Out (Tony Award), Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune, Love! Valour! Compassion!  (Tony nom.) Off-Broadway: Dogfight, The Pride, A Man of No Importance, The Vagina Monologues, bash, Corpus Christi. As an actor he has appeared in American Horror Story: NYC (FX), Hollywood, The Watcher (Netflix), The Normal Heart (HBO, Emmy Nom.) and FEUD Season 2: Capote vs. The Swans (FX). Broadway: The Glass Menagerie, The Normal Heart (Tony nom.), Angels in America (Tony nom.). Recipient of Outer Critics Circle, Drama Desk, Lucille Lortel, Clarence Derwent, Obie, Joe A. Callaway and SDCF “Mr. Abbott" awards. Member of the Theatre Hall of Fame.

Laurie Metcalf (Sarah) received Tony Awards for her performances in Three Tall Women and A Doll's House, Part 2. Tony nominations include November, The Other Place, Misery and Hillary and Clinton. Metcalf received three Emmy Awards for her work on the television series Roseanne and also for her role on Hacks. Other Emmy nominations were for Third Rock from the Sun, Monk, Desperate Housewives, The Big Bang Theory, Horace and Pete and Getting On. Films include Lady Bird (National Board of Review Award for Best Supporting Actress, Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations for Best Supporting Actress), Somewhere in Queens, Desperately Seeking Susan, Leaving Las Vegas, Uncle Buck, JFK, Internal Affairs and the Toy Story series. She is an original member of Steppenwolf Theater Company in Chicago.

John Drea (James/Kenny) Steppenwolf Theatre Company debut. Chicago: The Sound Inside (Goodman Theatre); Solaris (Griffin Theatre, Jeff Nomination); Chagall in School (Grippo Stage Company, Jeff Nomination); Twelfth Night, Cymbeline (Midsommer Flight); American Psycho (Kokandy Productions); Skunk and Badger, Whose Body? (Lifeline Theatre); A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Much Ado About Nothing (Goodly Creatures Theatre); Free Space (Possibilities Theatre). Off-off Broadway: OneIronaut (The Outer Loop). Regional: Deathtrap (Constellation Stage). Television: Ashley Green, The Onion. He is represented by Gray Talent Group. @johndrea1998

Meighan Gerachis (Paulette/Vickie) Steppenwolf Theatre Company: POTUS, Domesticated, Our Town and The House on Mango Street. Chicago: The Malignant Ampersands, Small Mouth Sounds, Solstice (A Red Orchid Theater) Roe, The Wolves, A Christmas Carol, New Stages: Blue Skies Process and Graveyard Shift (Goodman Theatre); Admissions, Seven Homeless Mammoths Wander New England (Theater Wit); MOTHERHOUSE, The Electric Baby, Precious Little, The Walls, Elliot, A Soldier's Fugue, Indulgences at the Louisville Harem, Factory Girls, My Simple City, Wrens (Rivendell Theatre Ensemble); Measure for Measure (Chicago Shakespeare Theater); Cloud Nine (About Face Theatre); Cigarettes and Moby Dick and Che Che Che (Latino Chicago); The Underpants (Noble Fool Theatricals). Regional: Charm (Mixed Blood Theatre); Elliot , A Soldier's Fugue (Stageworks). Film/TV: Somebody Somewhere, Batman v. Superman: Dawn Dawn of Justice, At Any Price, Virginia, Chicago P.D., Crisis, Bobby & Iza, Sirens and Battleground.

Micah Stock (Ethan) Steppenwolf Theatre Company: Debut. Broadway: The Front Page, It's Only a Play (Tony Nom, Theater World Award). Off-Broadway: Moscow x6 (Williamstown), Hamlet (Waterwell), Terrence McNally's And Away We Go. Film: Maggie Moore(s), Brittany Runs a Marathon, Life Itself, King Kelly. TV: Kindred, Bonding, The Right Stuff, Escape at Dannemora, Amazing Stories. Education: BFA, SUNY Purchase Conservatory.

Accessibility

As a commitment to make the Steppenwolf experience accessible to everyone, performances featuring American Sign Language Interpretation, Open Captioning and Audio Description are offered during the run of each STC production (see dates above). Assistive listening devices and large-print programs are available for every performance and all our spaces are equipped with an induction hearing loop. Our building features wheelchair accessible seating and restrooms, push-button entrances, a courtesy wheelchair and all-gender restrooms, with accessible counter and table spaces at our bars. For additional information regarding accessibility, visit steppenwolf.org/plan-your-visit/accessibility or e-mail access@steppenwolf.org.

Sponsor Information

Little Bear Ridge Road is supported in part by Zell Family Foundation, AARP Illinois, CNA, The Orlebeke Foundation, and PNC. United Airlines is the Official and Exclusive Airline of Steppenwolf. Steppenwolf is also grateful for the significant season support from lead sponsors Allstate Insurance Company, Paul M. Angell Family Foundation, Crown Family Philanthropies, Caroline and Keating Crown, Good Chaos, Joyce Foundation, Lefkofsky Family Foundation, Ron and Paula Mallicoat, Northern Trust, Anne and Don Phillips, John Hart and Carol Prins, Robert Rivkin and Cindy Moelis, Shubert Foundation, Inc, Walder Foundation, and Zell Family Foundation. Steppenwolf also acknowledges generous support from premier sponsors Anonymous, ArentFox Schiff, Andrew and Amy Bluhm, Michael and Cathy Brennan, Ann and Richard Carr, Chicago Community Trust, Conagra Brands Foundation, Steven and Nancy Crown,  CRC Group, Rich and Margery Feitler, Julius Frankel Foundation, FROST CHICAGO, Goldman Sachs, Shmaila Tahir and Asheesh Goel, Bob and Amy Greenebaum, Kirkland & Ellis, Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust, Christopher and Eileen Murphy, The Orlebeke Foundation, Polk Bros. Foundation, Bryan Traubert and Penny Pritzker, Sacks Family Foundation, Smart Family Foundation of Illinois, Gary Sinise Foundation, Elliot A. Stultz, and Vinci Restaurant. Steppenwolf also acknowledges support from the Illinois Arts Council Agency. This project is partially supported by a CityArts Grant from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs & Special Events.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company is the nation’s premiere Ensemble Theater with 49 members who are among the top actors, playwrights and directors in the field. Thrilling, powerful, groundbreaking productions - from Balm in Gilead and Grapes of Wrath to August: Osage County, Downstate and The Brother/Sister Plays - have made this theatre legendary. Founded in 1976, Steppenwolf started as a group of teens performing in the basement of a church. Today, the company's artistic force remains rooted in the original vision of its founders: an artist-driven theatre, whose vitality is defined by its appetite for bold and innovative work. Every aspect of Steppenwolf is rooted in its Ensemble ethos, from the intergenerational artistic programming to the multi-genre performance series LookOut, to the nationally recognized work of Steppenwolf Education and Engagement which serves nearly 15,000 teens annually. While grounded in the Chicago community, more than 40 original Steppenwolf productions have enjoyed success nationally and internationally, including Broadway, Off-Broadway, London, Sydney, Galway and Dublin. Steppenwolf also holds accolades that include the National Medal of Arts, 12 Tony Awards, and more. Led by Artistic Directors Glenn Davis and Audrey Francis, Executive Director Brooke Flanagan and Board of Trustees Chair, Keating Crown - Steppenwolf continually redefines the landscape of acting and performance.

Steppenwolf’s Mission: Steppenwolf strives to create thrilling, courageous and provocative art in a thoughtful and inclusive environment. We succeed when we disrupt your routine with experiences that spark curiosity, empathy and joy. We invite you to join our ensemble as we navigate, together, our complex world. 

steppenwolf.org, facebook.com/steppenwolftheatre, twitter.com/steppenwolfthtr and instagram.com/steppenwolfthtr.

EXTENDED AGAIN: Mary Zimmerman’s world-premiere of THE MATCHBOX MAGIC FLUTE at Goodman Theatre February 10 – March 24, 2024

ChiIL Mama’s ChiIL Picks List: Family Friendly Shows On Our Radar

TONY AWARD WINNER MARY ZIMMERMAN MARKS 30 YEARS AS 

MANILOW RESIDENT DIRECTOR WITH HER 18TH GOODMAN PRODUCTION

THE MATCHBOX MAGIC FLUTE

A NEW THEATRICAL ADAPTATION OF MOZART’S OPERA

***MARLENE FERNANDEZ, LAUREN MOLINA, EMILY ROHM, BILLY RUDE AND MORE JOIN THE 21-MEMBER COMPANY OF THE FAMILY-FRIENDLY OPERA IN MINIATURE, APPEARING FEBRUARY 10 – MARCH 24*** 

HIGH DEMAND FOR TICKETS PROMPTS A SECOND EIGHT-PERFORMANCE EXTENSION WEEK FOR MARY ZIMMERMAN’S WORLD-PREMIERE ADAPTATION, THE MATCHBOX MAGIC FLUTE, A FAMILY-FRIENDLY OPERA IN MINIATURE

 Recommended for audiences aged 8+

Goodman Theatre Manilow Resident Director Mary Zimmerman’s newest production, The Matchbox Magic Flute, has extended its run before performances begin. The Tony Award-winning director’s world-premiere-in-miniature adaptation of Mozart’s magical family-friendly opera features a 15-member company (10 actors and five musicians) and marks Zimmerman’s 18th production over a three-decade Goodman artistic affiliation. With dragons, a man who is a bird, trials by fire and water and more, Day and Night do battle in this playful and imaginative hero’s quest—following the adventures of Prince Tamino and Princess Pamina, and revealing that things are not always as they seem. Recommended for audiences aged 8+, The Matchbox Magic Flute appears February 10 – March 24th. Tickets ($25 - $90; subject to change) are available at GoodmanTheatre.org/Flute or by phone at 312.443.3800. Goodman Theatre is grateful for the support of Mayer Brown, LLP (Corporate Sponsor), PAXXUS Inc. (Contributing Sponsor) and Russell Reynolds Associates (Contributing Sponsor).

Rehearsals for The Matchbox Magic Flute, Mary Zimmerman’s world-premiere-in-miniature adaptation of Mozart’s magical, family-friendly opera, are underway with a 21-member company of 16 actors and five musicians. Zimmerman celebrates three decades as Goodman Theatre’s Manilow Resident Director directing her theatrical adaptation of the beloved opera, where Prince Tamino (Billy Rude) embarks on a journey to rescue Princess Pamina (Marlene Fernandez)—the daughter of the Queen of the Night (Emily Rohm)—all with the help of a magical flute. Audiences aged 8+ will enjoy the fantastical characters coming to life in this hero’s quest, revealing that things are not always as they seem. A complete cast list appears below. The Matchbox Magic Flute appears February 10 – March 10 (opening night is Monday, February 19 at 7pm). Tickets ($25 - $90; subject to change) are available at GoodmanTheatre.org/Flute or by phone at 312.443.3800. Goodman Theatre is grateful for the support of Mayer Brown, LLP (Corporate Sponsor), PAXXUS Inc. (Contributing Sponsor) and Russell Reynolds Associates (Contributing Sponsor).

“We’re making something that is a bit of old, and a bit of new,” said Mary Zimmerman, the Tony Award-winning adaptor/director whose first Goodman opera was Galileo Galilei with Philip Glass (2002), and who more recently directed Lucia de Lammermoor (Metropolitan Opera, La Scala) and Armida, la Sonnambula, Rusalka (Metropolitan Opera). “Our process relies on the playful, creative collaboration of everyone involved, and I know I will be inspired by this beautiful, eclectic cast of musical theater artists, opera singers and musicians from different genres. I’m extremely excited to get into the room with this bunch of people.”

Playful and imaginative, it’s big music in a small space. This “matchbox” presentation of The Matchbox Magic follows the adventures of Prince Tamino and Princess Pamina. With dragons, a man who is a bird, trials by fire and water and underground corridors, Day and Night do battle in Mary Zimmerman’s brand-new adaptation.

Full Company of The Matchbox Magic Flute (in alphabetical order)

Adapted and Directed by Mary Zimmerman

Marlene Fernandez…..Pamina

Keanon Kyles……Sarastro

Russell Mernagh…..Monostatos

Lauren Molina……Papagena/Lady

Tina Muñoz Pandya……Lady

Reese Parish…….The Spirit

Shawn Pfautsch…...Papageno

Emily Rohm…..Queen of the Night

Billy Rude….Tamino

Monica West…..Lady

Creative Team

Assistant Director….Nora Geffen

Music Adaptor and Arranger…Amanda Dehnert and Andre Pluess

Music Director….Amanda Dehnert

Sound Designer ….Andre Pluess

Associate Music Director/Conductor….Paul Mutzabaugh

Set Designer…..Todd Rosenthal

Costume Designer ……Ana Kuzmanic

Lighting Designer…..T.J. Gerckens

Wig & Hair Designer….Charles “Chuck” LaPointe

Understudies for this production include Dario Amador-Lage (Tamino), Ann Delaney (Papagena/Lady), Devin DeSantis (Papageno/Monostatos), Holly Hinchliffe (Pamina/Spirit), Nathan Karnik (Sarastro) and Emilie Lynn (Queen of the Night/Lady).

Casting is by Lauren Port, CSA. Patrick Fries is the Production Stage Manager and Beth Koehler is the Stage Manager.

ENHANCED AND ACCESSIBLE PERFORMANCES AT GOODMAN THEATRE

Touch Tour* and Audio-Described Performance: Sunday, March 3, 12:30pm Touch Tour; 2pm performance – The action/text is audibly enhanced for patrons via headset.

ASL-Interpreted Performance: Saturday, March 9 at 2pm – Professional ASL interpreter signs the action/text as played.

Spanish-Subtitled Performance: Saturday, March 9 at 7:30pm – An LED sign presents Spanish-translated dialogue in sync with the performance.

Open-Captioned Performance: Sunday, March 10 at 2pm – An LED sign presents dialogue in sync with the performance.

Visit Goodman theatre.org/Access for more information about Goodman Theatre’s accessibility efforts.

EXTENSION WEEK PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE

Tuesday, March 12 at 7:30pm

Wednesday, March 13 @ 7:30pm

Thursday, March 14 @ 2pm

Thursday, March 14 @ 7:30pm

Friday, March 15 @ 7:30pm

Saturday, March 16 @ 2pm and 7:30pm

Sunday, March 17 @ 2pm

EXTENSION WEEK II PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE

Tuesday, March 19 @ 7:30pm

Wednesday, March 20 @ 7:30pm

Thursday, March 21 @ 2pm and 7:30pm

Friday, March 22 @ 7:30pm

Saturday, March 23 @ 2pm and 7:30pm

Sunday, March 24 @ 2pm

ABOUT GOODMAN THEATRE

Chicago’s theater since 1925, Goodman Theatre is a not-for-profit arts and community organization in the heart of the Loop, distinguished by the excellence and scope of its artistic programming and community engagement. Led by Artistic Director Susan V. Booth and Executive Director/CEO Roche Schulfer, the theater’s artistic priorities include new play development (more than 150 world or American premieres), large scale musical theater works and reimagined classics. Artists and productions have earned two Pulitzer Prizes, 22 Tony Awards and more than 160 Jeff Awards, among other accolades.

The Goodman is the first theater in the world to produce all 10 plays in August Wilson’s “American Century Cycle.” Its longtime annual holiday tradition A Christmas Carol, now in its fifth decade, has created a new generation of theatergoers in Chicago. The Goodman also frequently serves as a production and program partner with national and international companies and Chicago’s Off-Loop theaters.

Using the tools of theatrical practice, the Goodman’s Education and Engagement programs aim to develop generations of citizens who understand and empathize with cultures and stories of diverse voices. The Goodman’s Alice Rapoport Center for Education and Engagement is the home of these programs, which are offered for Chicago youth—85% of whom come from underserved communities—schools and life-long learners.

Goodman Theatre was built on the traditional homelands of the Council of the Three Fires: the Ojibwe, Odawa and Potawatomi Nations. We recognize that many other Nations consider the area we now call Chicago as their traditional homeland—including the Myaamia, Ho-Chunk, Menominee, Sac and Fox, Peoria, Kaskaskia, Wea, Kickapoo and Mascouten—and remains home to many Native peoples today. While we believe that our city’s vast diversity should be reflected on the stages of its largest theater, we acknowledge that our efforts have largely overlooked the voices of our Native peoples. This omission has added to the isolation, erasure and harm that Indigenous communities have faced for hundreds of years. We have begun a more deliberate journey towards celebrating Native American stories and welcoming Indigenous communities.

Goodman Theatre was founded by William O. Goodman and his family in honor of their son Kenneth, an important figure in Chicago’s cultural renaissance in the early 1900s. The Goodman family’s legacy lives on through the continued work and dedication of Kenneth’s family, including Albert Ivar Goodman, who with his late mother, Edith-Marie Appleton, contributed the necessary funds for the creation on the new Goodman center in 2000.

Julie Danis is Chair of Goodman Theatre’s Board of Trustees, Lorrayne Weiss is Women’s Board President and Kelli Garcia is President of the Scenemakers Board for young professionals.

House of the Exquisite Corpse III Immersive Puppet Haunted House Extended Through November 4, 2023

ChiIL Mama’s ChiIL Picks List House of the Exquisite Corpse III  Chicago’s only immersive puppet haunted house, extended through November 4 at Steppenwolf’s Merle Reskin Garage Space Recommended for ages 14+ “If you want to move beyond schlock and shock into an elevated horror experience, look no further than House of the Exquisite Corpse”  - Chicago Reader

Rough House Theater's House of the Exquisite Corpse III features this puppet by  Grace Needlman and Pablo Monterubio, puppeteered by Lindsey Ball.  Credit: Yvette Marie Dostatni Rough House Theater of Chicago is extending House of the Exquisite Corpse III, Chicago’s one and only immersive puppet haunted house, through November 4 at Steppenwolf's Merle Reskin Garage Space, 1624 N. Halsted St. in Lincoln Park. Originally set to close October 31, Rough House will now welcome puppet horror thrill seekers Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., through November 4. Small groups gather in the dark bar and lobby, and are beckoned inside every 15 minutes.  House of the Exquisite Corpse III, with an all-new program of six immersive acts of puppet horror ready to shock, scare, astonish and delight, is also open Halloween Night, Tuesday, October 31. Purchase tickets and pre-select entry times at RoughHouseTheater.com. Tickets are $16-$46. Rough House also offers several Pay What You Want options. This production is recommended for ages 14 and over.  Step inside - if you dare - Rough House Theater’s House of the Exquisite Corpse III

Rough House Theater's House of the Exquisite Corpse III features puppets by artists Justin D’Acci and Sion Silva. Credit: Yvette Marie Dostatni

House of the Exquisite Corpse III features puppets by Emilie Wingate and Tom Lee, puppeteered by Sam Lewis. Credit Yvette Marie Dostatni

House of the Exquisite Corpse III features puppets by Jacky Kelsey, puppeteered by Chio Cabrera and Lucy Wirtz. Credit Yvette Marie Dostatni

House of the Exquisite Corpse III features puppets by Ken Buckingham, puppeteered by Felix Mayes and Kevin Michael Wesson. Credit Yvette Marie Dostatni

This year, Rough House’s Halloween peep show/puppet theater anthology is inspired by the book “Our Homes and How to Keep Them Healthy,” published in 1883 by Robert Brudenell Carter.   Top Chicago theater artists, working alone or in teams, selected six chapters including “The Difficulty of Proof in Cases of Arsenic Poisoning,” “The Dangers of Rebreathed Air” and “Advantages of the Removal of The Sick” to unleash and lay open their darkest creative impulses.     For 2023, House of the Exquisite Corpse III stitches together six puppet peep-shows created by Chicago artists who work in multiple disciplines, including Pablo Monterrubio-Benet and Grace Needlman, Tom Lee and Sam Lewis, Corey Smith, Claire Bauman, Chio Cabrera and Jacky Kelsey, Justin D’Acci and Sion Silva, Ken Buckingham, and Felix Mayes and Kevin Michael Wesson. Process directors are Claire Saxe and Mike Oleon. Audiences enter House of the Exquisite Corpse in small groups via timed entries. Once inside, they must brave its dark halls for about an hour, stopping at each room to spy through keyholes, cracks, and hidden doors to witness the horrors within.  Through original puppetry, physical performance, soundscape, and illusion, each room terrifies as it enraptures. Collectively, anyone who loves haunted houses or theater of the macabre will feel buyer’s envy after touring the otherworld ills plaguing Rough House Theater’s horrifying domestic spaces.

House of the Exquisite Corpse III features this puppet by  Grace Needlman and Pablo Monterubio, puppeteered by Lindsey Ball.  Credit: Yvette Marie Dostatni

House of the Exquisite Corpse III features this puppet by Grace Needlman and Pablo Monterubio, puppeteered by Lindsey Ball. Credit: Yvette Marie Dostatni

House of the Exquisite Corpse III features this puppet by Grace Needlman and Pablo Monterubio, puppeteered by Lindsey Ball. Credit: Yvette Marie Dostatni

House of the Exquisite Corpse III features puppets by artists Justin D’Acci and Sion Silva. Credit: Yvette Marie Dostatni

House of the Exquisite Corpse III features puppets by Jacky Kelsey, puppeteered by Chio Cabrera and Lucy Wirtz. Credit Yvette Marie Dostatni

“Our Halloween production gives these artists the freedom to follow their own visions, create their own visuals, and be presented as individuals,” said Mike Oleon, Co-Artistic Director of Rough House, who conceived House of the Exquisite Corpse.  “They get to work independently, motivated by whatever flavor of horror that freaks that person out the most. Then we all come together to assemble a collaborative anthology that, collectively, blurs the lines between horror, puppetry and theater, beckoning you to gaze into a variety of nightmares you won’t soon forget.” Health and Safety For the health and safety of our audiences and performers, Rough House strongly encourages all audience members to wear masks during the entire performance, regardless of vaccination status. For details, visit RoughHouseTheater.com.

About Rough House Theater Co. Rough House Theater Co. is on a mission to connect individuals and communities through art that celebrates the weird things that make us unique and the weirder things that bring us together. Rough House creates theater that captures the heart through the eye. Their shows use puppetry, music, and human performance to tell intimate stories, as strange as they are sincere. Through performances, presentations of work by fellow artists, and artist training, Rough House aspires to make Chicago a national hub of contemporary puppet theater, comprising a diverse and ever-growing community of audiences and artists. The company’s work has appeared in the National Puppetry Festival, The Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival, punk houses, funeral parlors, a lotion factory, and the woods of Appalachia. For more information, visit RoughHouseTheater.com and follow the company on Instagram and Facebook.