OPENING: Junie B. Jones,The Musical at Marriott Theatre for Young Audiences July 12 to August 11, 2019

ChiIL Mama's Chi, IL Picks List: 

Family Friendly Theatre Fun

Terry James, Executive Producer

Andy Hite, Lead Artistic Director

Aaron Thielen, Artistic Director

Presents

Sneak a peek into the "Top-Secret Personal Beeswax Journal" of the outspoken and lovable Junie B. Jones!

My kids grew up on Junie B. Jones books, and adored this quirky, creative heroine. We're jazzed to see Marriott is bringing her to life on stage in the ever popular, Junie B. Jones, The Musical. Since my littles are now not so little teens, one of my fabulous freelancers, Chicago based writer and mom of 3, Kimberly Robb Baker will be out for the press opening, with her young children, reviewing for ChiILMama.com. 

Live a day in the life of this ever lovable and outspoken first grader with the premiere of Junie B. Jones, The Musical, at Marriott Theatre for Young Audiences, 10 Marriott Drive in Lincolnshire. Running from July 12 to August 11, 2019, with press opening on Saturday, July 20 at 10 a.m., this special one-hour presentation explores the wonderful works of Barbara Park’s beloved best-selling books. Created by the team who brought Dear Edwina to the stage—Marcy Heisler and Zina Goldrich—and developed into a genuinely comical (and not strictly-for-kids) musical by TheatreworksUSA, Junie B. Jones, The Musical is directed and choreographed by Johanna McKenzie Miller, with musical direction by Ellen Morris.

Audiences will follow the trials and tribulations of this zany first grader, who learns what friendship really means, that the things that make you different also make you special, and that sometimes when life gives you lemons… you just need to make lemonade!

It's Junie B.'s first day of first grade, and a lot of things have changed for her: Junie's friend, Lucille, doesn't want to be her best pal anymore and, on the bus, Junie B. makes friends with Herb, the new kid at school. Also, Junie has trouble reading the blackboard and her teacher, Mr. Scary, thinks she may need glasses. Throw in a friendly cafeteria lady, a kickball tournament and a "Top-Secret Personal Beeswax Journal," and first grade has never been more exciting. Featuring a tremendously loveable character and fun-filled songs, Junie B. Jones will capture your heart just as the books captivated an entire generation of students.

Starring in Junie B. Jones, The Musical are Elizabeth Telford as “Junie B. Jones,” Lydia Burke as “May and Chenille,” Rashada Dawan as “Mom, Mrs. Gutzman, Grace and Camille,” Jackson Evans as “Sheldon,” Adam LaSalle as “Daddy, Mr. Scary and Mr. Woo,” Garrett Lutz as “Herb,” and Allison Sill as “Lucille.”

The production will feature set design by Rachel Rauscher, lighting design by Aaron Lorenz, costume design by Amanda Vander Byl, sound design by Robert E. Gilmartin, media design by Anthony Churchill and Nick Coso, and musical supervision by Patti Garwood.

Junie B. Jones, The Musical runs on most Wednesdays 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 $18.23 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.

ART BEAT: SAVE THE DATES: Elmhurst Art Museum Highlights Mies van der Rohe McCormick House Beginning September 15, 2019

Elmhurst Art Museum highlights its 

Mies van der Rohe McCormick House

this Fall with McCormick House – Past, Present, Future exhibition, house tours and related architecture-themed programming

LUDWIG MIES VAN DER ROHE, MCCORMICK HOUSE, LIVING ROOM, 1950s, HEDRICH BLESSING ARCHIVE, HB17555A, CHICAGO HISTORICAL SOCIETY

INSTALLATION VIEW OF MCCORMICK HOUSE: 1952 – 1959 CURATED BY ROBERT KLEINSCHMIDT AND RYAN MONTELEAGRE. PHOTO BY JIM PRINZ

For first time ever, McCormick House features a full 1950s domestic presentation; on view September 14, 2019 – January 12, 2020, with weekly tours starting Sept. 15    

For the first time ever, the Elmhurst Art Museum (150 South Cottage Hill Avenue) will exhibit a full 1950s domestic representation of its Mies van der Rohe McCormick House (1952), highlighting this rare single-family home in the Museum’s collection.  McCormick House – Past, Present, Future will present visitors with classic mid-Century furniture of the time period as well as historic images showing how residents lived in the home and explanations about the preservation and restoration process currently underway. Further, the walls will highlight a timeline of events and photos dating back to the building’s conception, including anecdotes and stories about the home’s residents.  McCormick House – Past, Present, Future will be on view September 14, 2019 – January 12, 2020 and is organized in conjunction with the Chicago Architecture Biennial.

As curated by veteran Chicago architect & interior designer Robert Kleinschmidt, the exhibition will prove how livable, inviting, and human a Mies-designed home can be with period décor. This work continues Kleinschmidt’s relationship with the house; last Fall, commemorating the separation of the House from the main museum building, he introduced a partial period installation in the home’s ‘children’s wing,’ captivating visitors. 

“After walking under the restored carport and crossing a new threshold, visitors have better appreciated Mies van der Rohe’s designs for the McCormick House,” says Elmhurst Art Museum Executive Director John McKinnon. “We are excited to further educate and inspire our public by addressing the house’s interior. Rob’s exhibition will help our guests understand its domestic scale through period furniture and illustrate its history as a residence.”



RELATED PUBLIC PROGRAMS

All are free with museum admission unless noted.



·         Weekly house tours

Sunday afternoons, starting Sept. 15, 1pm and 3pm

New weekly house tours will invite visitors to explore the McCormick House history with Museum docents and special guides, including a former resident.



·         Curator Tour: Robert Kleinschmidt

Saturday, September 21, 1:30pm

Architect Robert Kleinschmidt will guide a tour, sharing his designs for the domestic interior and his history with other projects by Mies van der Rohe.



·         Lecture: Preserving the Modern Home

Saturday, October 5, 1:30pm

Architectural historian Susan Benjamin utilizes stunning historic images to highlight notable modern houses in and around Chicago and the efforts of their passionate owners to preserve them. Benjamin is head of Benjamin Historic Certifications and co-author of Great Houses of Chicago: 1871-1921 (Acanthus Press, 2008) and Modern in the Middle: Chicago Houses, 1929-1975 (Monacelli Press, early 2020). 



·         Panel Discussion: Preserving Chicago’s Glass Houses

Saturday, October 26, 1:30pm

Dennis Rodkin, Crain’s Chicago Business columnist and “What’s that Building?” contributor to WBEZ Radio, leads a panel discussion about Chicago’s progressive architectural developments, including numerous steel and glass houses in the greater metro area such as Farnsworth House, McCormick House, Ben Rose House, Rockwell House, and others. Co-organized with The Farnsworth House, attendees will learn more about these unique residential designs, the visionary architects, and the preservation challenges the homes present.



·         Family Day

Saturday, November 16, 1-4pm
Families are invited to participate in an afternoon of art activities inspired by the museum’s current exhibition in Mies van der Rohe’s McCormick House.



·         Holiday Designer Pop-Up Shop

Friday, December 6, 4-8pm

In tandem with special holiday décor in the McCormick House, celebrate the time of year at this new pop-up shop featuring designer goods by local businesses and artisans.



About the McCormick House

In 1952, the renowned modern architect Mies van der Rohe (1886-1969) designed a home for Robert Hall McCormick III, a member of Chicago’s most prominent families, and his wife, the poet Isabella Gardner. The house was later lived in by families of Arthur and Marilyn Sladek, Ray and Mary Ann Fick, and then purchased by the Elmhurst Art Museum for a new arts complex. The house is a rare and important example of Mies van der Rohe’s mature style, incorporating elements of his celebrated designs for the Farnsworth House (1951) and 860-880 Lake Shore Drive (1951). The McCormick House—one of only three single-family homes designed by Mies in the United States—originally served two purposes: it was a home for the McCormick family and a prototype for a proposed group of smaller, affordable mass-produced modular homes in the western Chicago suburbs that McCormick and co-developer Herbert S. Greenwald were hoping to build. However, the cutting-edge, high-end buildings were not met with enough buyers to begin construction. The house became part of the Elmhurst Art Museum’s campus in 1994, and important restoration efforts have been recently undertaken.  In 2018, the McCormick House’s façade and Mies van der Rohe’s original carport design were revealed for the first time in nearly twenty-five years.

Simultaneous with the McCormick House – Past, Present, Future, Elmhurst Art Museum will be mounting What Came After: Figurative Painting in Chicago 1978-98—also September 14, 2019 - January 12, 2020—a survey of diverse interests in the figure as a subject, the human condition, and an interest in personal iconography.

About Elmhurst Art Museum

Elmhurst Art Museum is located at 150 South Cottage Hill Avenue in Elmhurst (IL), 25 minutes from downtown Chicago by car or public transportation (Metra). The Museum is both an international destination for Mies van der Rohe scholars and fans and a regional center where people from Chicago and the western suburbs learn to see and think differently through the study of the art, architecture and design of our time.

The Museum is one block from the Elmhurst Metra station and open Tuesday-Sunday from

11am -5pm. Admission is $15 ($12 for seniors) and free for students and children under 18. For more information, please call 630.834.0202 or visit elmhurstartmuseum.org.

Elmhurst Art Museum presents What Came After: Figurative Painting in Chicago 1978-98 on view September 14, 2019 - January 12, 2020

Exhibition organized in conjunction with newly installed Chicago Imagists installation at Elmhurst College

Underwater-Inspired Kids' Mermaid Fun at 900 NORTH MICHIGAN SHOPS In Downtown Chicago July 19-28th

“Underwater Wonders” 

AWAITS VISITORS TO 900 NORTH MICHIGAN SHOPS 

ONCE AGAIN THIS SUMMER

Friday, July 19 – Sunday, July 28

Photos by Ben Ramos

Ocean-themed art projects * Interactive and imaginative journeys * Ocean conservation * Fishtail braids * Fish scale face painting * Seashell sugar cookies * Splits of bubbly * Keepsake photos with a real-life mermaid


Additional activities include:

Bubbles Academy will feature a pop-up offering ocean-themed art projects, and an imaginary adventure across the sea, complete with props, costumes and songs! For more information, and to register for classes visit
Educational information on ocean conservation, and a chance to become an adopted, “child of the sea” by Blue Ring

Mario Tricoci will be offering complimentary fishtail braiding, and fish scale, face painting

Adorable seashell sugar cookies compliments of Aster Hall

Bellina Caetano will be showcasing their new summer collection, which includes some of the same, beaded jewelry the mermaid will be wearing

Sweet Star champagne splits by Chandon USA


WHAT:           
900 North Michigan Shops has partnered with Bubbles Academy, Mario Tricoci,    Aster Hall, Bellina Caetano, Chandon USA, and ocean conservation group, Blue  Ring, to produce an underwater-inspired oasis of enchantment and engagement  for mermaids and sailors of all ages. 

Starting Friday, July 19th, visitors can tuck into the iconic shopping center to do everything from visiting with a real-life mermaid in a dreamy, Instagrammable setting, to participating in ocean-themed art projects, and learning about ocean conservation. Kids can even commit to becoming an, “adopted child of the sea”, and receive a free pendant made of plastic to remind them to keep recycled waterways clear of pollutants. The mostly free activation runs from Friday, July 19th to Sunday, July 28th, and is open Monday through Saturday from 10AM-2PM, and Sunday from 12PM-4PM.   

                                                                                                                                        
Activities to include:

Bubbles Academy pop-up will feature ocean-themed art projects like decorating a treasure chest, or making flowery, mermaid crowns, and an imaginary adventure across the sea complete with props, costumes and songs! For more information, and to register for classes visit http://www.bubblesacademy.com/bubbles-at-900/ 
Educational information on ocean conservation, and a chance to become an adopted, “child of the sea” by Blue Ring
Photos and visits with an enchanting, real-life mermaid, courtesy of 900 North Michigan Shops  

Bellina Caetano will be showcasing their new summer collection, which includes some of the same, beaded jewelry the mermaid will be wearing
Fishtail braid bar, and fish scale, face painting by Mario Tricoci
Sweet Star champagne splits by Chandon USA
Adorable seashell sugar cookies courtesy of Aster Hall


WHERE:         
All activities will take place on Level 2 of 900 North Michigan Shops

WHEN:           
Friday, July 19th through Sunday, July 28th, 2019
Mondays through Saturdays, 10AM-2PM, and Sundays from 12PM-4PM.

      
The following activities are free and open to the public:

Explore the ocean-themed Bubbles Academy space
Educational information on ocean conservation
Become an adopted, “child of the sea” – participants receive a blue charm necklace made of recycled plastic found in the ocean
Visits and selfies with the mermaid  
Viewing of the new, Bellina Caetano summer jewelry collection
Fishtail braid bar
Fish scale, face painting
Seashell cookies


The following activities have fees associated:

Bubbles Academy
Mermaid & Pirate Adventure - $25
Treasure Chest Decorating or Mermaid Flower Crown - $10
Chandon Sweet Star champagne splits - $17
Bellina Caetano jewelry – each item priced individually
Pricing for photos with the mermaid are as follows, with a portion of proceeds benefiting ocean conservation non-profit Blue Ring:
$30 (2) 5x7
$40 digital download
$45 for (2) 5x7 and digital download
Visit shop900.com for complete details on the underwater-inspired experience.


ABOUT 900   
An iconic anchor of the Magnificent Mile, 900 North Michigan Shops is a 465,000-square-foot,
seven-level experiential retail destination in the heart of Chicago. The property is in the midst of
a multi-phase renovation designed to further elevate and enhance the guest experience.
Anchored by Bloomingdale’s, 900 North Michigan Shops features more than 70 luxe retailers
including a two-level Gucci, MaxMara, and Aritzia, and recently opened Aster Hall - a 22,000
square-foot, chef driven food hall.

$25 CATS MUSICAL TICKETS VIA DIGITAL LOTTERY THROUGH AUGUST 4, 2019

ChiIL Live Shows on our radar

BROADWAY IN CHICAGO 

ANNOUNCES DIGITAL LOTTERY FOR

CATS

THE TONY AWARD®-WINNING, RECORD-BREAKING SPECTACULAR

BROADWAY IN CHICAGO’S 

JAMES M. NEDERLANDER THEATRE

JULY 16 – AUGUST 4, 2019

I'll be ChiILin' in Chi, IL at the press opening for CATS on July 17th. I've caught this family friendly fav many times, and I'm eager to see this revival. The original Broadway production closed on September 10, 2000 and is currently the fourth longest-running show in Broadway history. This marks the first tour of the first-ever Broadway revival of the iconic musical. CATS is only in Chicago for a limited three-week engagement at Broadway In Chicago’s James M. Nederlander Theatre (24 W. Randolph) from July 16 through August 4, 2019, so don't miss this.

Broadway In Chicago is delighted to announce there will be a digital lottery for CATS!

The digital lottery will begin July 15 at 9AM, and 26 tickets will be sold for every performance at $25 each. The lottery will happen online only the day before each performance. Seat locations vary per performance.

HOW TO ENTER THE DIGITAL LOTTERY

·         Visit https://www.broadwayinchicago.com/show/cats-2019/

·         Follow the link “Click here for details and to enter the lottery”

·         Click the “Enter Now” button for the performance you want to attend.

·         Fill out the entry form including the number of tickets you would like (1 or 2). Patrons will receive a confirmation email once they have validated their email (one time only) and successfully entered the lottery.

·         After the lottery closes, patrons will be notified via email within minutes as to whether they have won or not.

·         Winners have 60 minutes from the time the lottery closes to pay online with a credit card.

·         After payment has been received, patrons can pick up tickets at the James M. Nederlander Theatre (24 W. Randolph) no sooner than 30 minutes before show time with a valid photo ID.



DIGITAL LOTTERY ADDITIONAL RULES

Limit 1 entry per person, per performance. Multiple entries will not be accepted. Patrons must be 18 years old and have a valid, non-expired photo ID that matches the names used to enter. Tickets are non-transferable. All lottery prices include a $3.50 facility fee. Ticket limits and prices displayed are at the sole discretion of the show and are subject to change without notice. Lottery prices are not valid on prior purchases. Lottery ticket offer cannot be combined with any other offers or promotions. All sales final - no refunds or exchanges.  Lottery may be revoked or modified at any time without notice. No purchase necessary to enter or win.  A purchase will not improve your chances of winning.

CATS, the record-breaking musical spectacular by Andrew Lloyd Webber that has captivated audiences in over 30 countries and 15 languages, is now on tour across North America! 

Audiences and critics alike are rediscovering this beloved musical with breathtaking music, including one of the most treasured songs in musical theater — "Memory.” Winner of 7 Tony Awards® including BEST MUSICAL, CATS tells the story of one magical night when an extraordinary tribe of cats gathers for its annual ball to rejoice and decide which cat will be reborn. The original score by Andrew Lloyd Webber (The Phantom of the Opera, School of Rock, Sunset Boulevard), original scenic and costume design by John Napier (Les Misérables), all-new lighting design by Natasha Katz (Aladdin), all-new sound design by Mick Potter, new choreography by Andy Blankenbuehler (Hamilton) based on the original choreography by Gillian Lynne (Phantom) and direction by Trevor Nunn (Les Misérables) make this production a new CATS for a new generation!

Composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber and based on T.S. Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats, the record-breaking musical spectacular has been seen by more than 73 million people worldwide. 

The original Broadway production opened in 1982 at Broadway’s Winter Garden Theatre, where it ran for 7,485 performances and 18 years. CATS was originally produced on Broadway by Cameron Mackintosh, The Really Useful Company Limited, David Geffen, and The Shubert Organization.

CATS returned to Broadway in 2016 in a stunning revival at the Neil Simon Theatre. Preview performances began Thursday, July 14, 2016, and officially opened on Sunday, July 31, 2016. CATS played its final performance on Saturday, December 30, 2017 after 16 previews and 593 regular performances.

Originally directed by Trevor Nunn with choreography and associate direction by Gillian Lynne, scenic and costume design by John Napier, lighting design by David Hersey, and sound design by Abe Jacob, CATS opened in the West End in 1981. The musical debuted on Broadway in 1982 where it won seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical. Both the original London and Broadway cast recordings won Grammy Awards for Best Cast Album. CATS hit song “Memory” has been recorded by over 150 artists from Barbra Streisand and Johnny Mathis to Liberace and Barry Manilow. The Tony Award-winning Best Musical held the title of longest-running musical in Broadway history until it was surpassed in 2006 by Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera. 

The first-ever, live-action film adaptation of CATS, produced by Universal Pictures and Working Title, will open on Dec. 20, 2019. 

The revival of CATS is produced by The Shubert Organization, James L. Nederlander, The Really Useful Group and Cameron Mackintosh.

For more information, please visit CatsTheMusical.com.
Follow @catsmusical on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.



PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE

Tuesdays at 7:30PM

Wednesdays at 2PM & 7:30PM (no matinee performance on Wednesday, July 17)

Thursdays at 7:30PM

Fridays at 7:30PM

Saturdays at 2PM & 8PM

Sundays at 2PM (an additional 7:30PM performance will be held on Sunday, July 21)


TICKET INFORMATION
Individual tickets for CATS are currently on-sale to the public and range in price from $30-$95 with a select number of premium seats available. Tickets are available now for groups of 10 or more by calling Broadway In Chicago Group Sales at (312) 977-1710 or emailing GroupSales@BroadwayInChicago.com. For more information, visit www.BroadwayInChicago.com. 


ABOUT BROADWAY IN CHICAGO
Broadway In Chicago was created in July 2000 and over the past 19 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 more than 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 Cadillac Palace Theatre, CIBC Theatre, James M. Nederlander Theatre, and just off the Magnificent Mile, the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place and presenting Broadway shows at the Auditorium Theatre.

Broadway In Chicago proudly celebrates 2019 as the Year of Chicago Theatre.

For more information, visit www.BroadwayInChicago.com.

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

OPENING: Agatha Christie’s mystery thriller And Then There Were None at Drury Lane Theatre Through September 1, 2019

ChiIL Live Shows on our radar

Agatha Christie’s mystery thriller

And Then There Were None

Directed by Jessica Fisch

July 12 – September 1, 2019

And Then There Were None is rated PG-13.

My son and I will be dressin' snazzy and havin' a swell time at Drury Lane's opening night for 1930's era Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None, Thursday, July 25th, reviewing for ChiILMama.com & ChiILLiveShows.com. Can't wait! 

Ten strangers meet on a clandestine island. Each holds a murderous secret. Who will pay the ultimate price? Drury Lane Theatre announces casting for the edge-of-your-seat murder mystery And Then There Were None, written by Agatha Christie and directed by Jessica Fisch. And Then There Were None runs July 12 – September 1, 2019, at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace. 

The cast of And Then There Were None includes Cher Álvarez (Vera Clayton), Matt DeCaro (Justice Wargrave), Jennifer Engstrom (Mrs. Rogers), Marilyn Dodds Frank (Emily Brent), Casey Hoekstra (Fred Narracott), Paul-Jordan Jansen (William Blore), Zachary Keller (Anthony Marston), David Kortemeier (Doctor Armstrong), Yousof Sultani (Philip Lombard), Paul Tavianini (Thomas Rogers), and Bruce Young (General Mackenzie).

As the ten guests of the mysterious U. N. Owen start dying one by one, no one knows who to trust. Alliances are made and broken, and with no way off the uninhabited island, safety is a dangerous illusion. Based on the best-selling novel by murder mystery master Agatha Christie, And Then There Were None elicits tension, fear, and the macabre to weave a tale that captivates audiences until the final curtain.

The creative team for And Then There Were None includes Andrew Boyce (scenic design), Jessica Pabst (costume design), Driscoll Otto (lighting design), Ray Nardelli (sound design), Claire Moores (wig design), and Kate DeVore (dialect coach). Larry Baker is the Production Stage Manager.

About the Artists

JESSICA FISCH (Director) Recent credits: I Wanna F*#%ing Tear You Apart (Rivendell Theatre Ensemble), Twilight Bowl (University of Wisconsin at Madison), Cry It Out (Northlight Theatre), You Across From Me (Actors Theatre of Louisville, Humana Festival), Late Company (Cor Theatre, Midwest Premiere), The Firebirds Take The Field (Rivendell Theatre Ensemble), Straight White Men (Associate Director, Steppenwolf Theatre), Trudy, Carolyn, Martha and Regina Travel to Outer Space (Actors Theatre of Louisville, Humana Festival), The Rosenkranz Mysteries: An Evening of Magic (Royal George Cabaret), Fefu and Her Friends (Goodman Theatre/Rivendell Latina/o Celebration), Opulent Complex and That Thing That Time (Actors Theatre of Louisville, The Tens), Psychodramatic (A Red Orchid, Incubator Series), Traces (Feast Productions/ Jackalope Theatre). Selected New York credits: The Realm (The Wild Project), strive/seek/find (Abingdon Theatre), the 2009 Playwrights Horizons’ Stories on 5 Stories Benefit, Personal History (Ensemble Studio Theatre), The Redheaded Man (Barrow Street Theatre/Down Payment Productions/ FringeNYC/ FringeEncores), Dressed In Your Dreams (Public Theater/Emerging Writers Group), an adaptation of the cult 1960’s gothic vampire soap opera Dark Shadows (Williamstown Theatre Festival). Jessica was a resident director at Ensemble Studio Theater, the Playwrights Horizons Directing Resident, and a member of the Lincoln Center Directors Lab. Upcoming Credits: Every Brilliant Thing (Windy City Playhouse). MFA: Northwestern University. www.JessicaFisch.com




Featuring:                    
Cher Álvarez (Vera Clayton), Matt DeCaro (Justice Wargrave), Jennifer Engstrom (Mrs. Rogers), Marilyn Dodds Frank (Emily Brent), Casey Hoekstra (Fred Narracott), Paul-Jordan Jansen (William Blore), Zachary Keller (Anthony Marston), David Kortemeier (Doctor Armstrong), Yousof Sultani (Philip Lombard), Paul Tavianini (Thomas Rogers), and Bruce Young (General Mackenzie).

Creative team:              
Andrew Boyce (scenic design), Jessica Pabst (costume design), Driscoll Otto (lighting design), Ray Nardelli (sound design), Claire Moores (wig design), and Kate DeVore (dialect coach). Larry Baker is the Production Stage Manager.

Dates:                           
Previews: July 12 – 17, 2019
Press Opening: Thursday, July 25 at 8:00 p.m.
Regular run: July 18 – September 1, 2019

Schedule:                    
Wednesdays: 1:30 p.m.
Thursdays: 1:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
Fridays: 8:00 p.m.
Saturdays: 3:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
Sundays: 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.

Location: 
Drury Lane Theatre at 100 Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace 

Tickets:                        
Previews: $45 – $60
Single Tickets: $50 – $65
Wednesday and Thursday matinees: $50
Thursday and Sunday evenings: $60
Friday and Saturday evenings and Sunday matinees: $65
Senior Citizens start at $45 for matinees
Student group tickets available
Dinner and show packages available

Box Office:                  
100 Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace
630.530.0111, Ticketmaster at 800.745.3000
or visit DruryLaneTheatre.com

2019/2020 Season and Subscription Information 

The 2019/2020 season includes two award-winning Regional Theatre premieres – the imaginative Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical (April 26 – June 23, 2019), based on the beloved novel, and the beautifully captivating Gershwin musical An American in Paris (January 31 – March 29, 2020). The thrilling season also includes Agatha Christie’s edge-of-your-seat murder mystery And Then There Were None (July 12 – September 1, 2019); the revival of the exhilarating The Color Purple (September 13 – November 3, 2019), based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel; and the magical musical for all ages Mary Poppins (November 15 – January 19, 2020).

Subscriptions for the 2019/2020 Season are priced from $172 to $203.50 and are currently on sale. Subscribers receive special offers on dining, flexible ticket exchanges, and early notification and priority seating for added events and concerts. For more information, visit DruryLaneTheatre.com. 

The performance schedule for all productions during the 2019/2020 season is as follows: Wednesdays at 1:30 p.m., Thursdays at 1:30 p.m. and 8 p.m., Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Student group tickets start as low as $35 and Senior Citizens start at $45 for matinees. Dinner and show packages are also available. For individual ticket on-sale dates and ticket reservations, call the Drury Lane Theatre box office at 630.530.0111 or TicketMaster at 800.745.3000 or visit DruryLaneTheatre.com. 

About Drury Lane Theatre   
Under the leadership of President Kyle DeSantis, Drury Lane Theatre is a major force in the Chicagoland theatre scene, presenting world-class productions in collaboration with some of the nation’s leading actors, artists, writers, and directors. Drury Lane has staged more than 2,000 productions and has been nominated for more than 360 Joseph Jefferson Awards. Drury Lane is committed to breathing new life into beloved classics and introducing audiences to exciting new works.  

Throughout its 50-year history, Drury Lane has employed more than 7,500 actors and 10,000 musicians, designers, and crew members to entertain upwards of nine million audience members. Originally founded by Anthony DeSantis, Drury Lane Theatre moved to its current Oakbrook Terrace home more than 30 years ago and remains a family-run organization known for producing breathtaking Broadway classics, top-rated musicals, bold new works, hilarious comedies, and unforgettable concert events.  

THE 2019 YEAR OF CHICAGO THEATRE BRINGS $1.3 MILLION IN DIRECT SUPPORT TO CHICAGO'S LOCAL THEATRE COMMUNITY

 MAYOR LIGHTFOOT AND DCASE ANNOUNCE $1.3 MILLION IN DIRECT SUPPORT TO THE LOCAL THEATRE COMMUNITY DURING THE 2019 YEAR OF CHICAGO THEATRE

116 theatres and dance artist organizations will receive $835,750 in financial grants and 157 theaters, and theatre-makers will receive $448,650 to fund artist performance fees and commissions to maintain free public programming

Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot and the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) announced more than $835,750 in financial grants to 116 theatre and dance artists, nonprofit theatres and other community organizations as part of the 2019 Year of Chicago Theatre – with a special focus on organizations located on the South, Southwest and West Sides. In addition to these cultural program grants, DCASE will also provide more than $448,650 to 157 theatres, theatre-makers and dance-makers to cover artist performance fees and commissions so these organizations can maintain their free public programs.

The City of Chicago and the League of Chicago Theatres have designated 2019 as the ‘Year of Chicago Theatre.’ This citywide, year-long focus on theatre is the first of its kind in the U.S.



“Theater has the power to bring people together, influence the way that we think and feel, encourages personal reflection, and fosters creativity and expression – all while making our lives better,” said Mayor Lori Lightfoot. “Our performing arts organizations are integral to the fabric of Chicago and help to define its world-class status. It is only right that we support those organizations that add so much value and culture to Chicago.”

DCASE grants, performance fees, and commissions are made possible by the City’s annual budget and through the generous support of Chicago’s philanthropic and business leaders.

“To truly fall in love with Chicago, you must go to our theatres. This is where the city bares its fearless soul,” said DCASE Commissioner Mark Kelly. “From Broadway musicals or storefront plays and improv, the energy of the city comes alive in our theatres. And with a diverse collection of more than 250 dynamic theatres throughout our neighborhoods, there’s always a seat waiting for you.”

Financial grants awarded through the DCASE Cultural Grants Program:

Year of Chicago Theatre Sector-building Grants
2019 CityArts Project Grants support initiatives and projects that have the potential to impact the Chicago theatre sector at large. The goal of this grant program is to incentivize creativity related to city-wide initiatives and to further the program priorities of innovation, community engagement, diversity, equity and collaboration. Grants range from $5,000 to $50,000.
$319,750 awarded
17 organizations supported

Year of Chicago Theatre Micro-grants
The 2019 Year of Chicago Theatre Micro-grants support projects which increase diversity and access in Chicago’s theatre sector, with a focus on Chicago’s South and West sides. Grants range from $2,000 – $5,000.
$50,000 awarded
13 organizations supported

CityArts Program Grants (specifically for theatre, dance and performance arts)
The CityArts Program seeks to encourage nonprofit organizations to attain artistic excellence and financial stability by making general operating grants to Chicago-based, arts and culture-focused organizations of all sizes. DCASE gen-op funding has increased by 36% over the past two years. Grants range from $2,000 – $25,000.
$400,000 awarded
64 organizations supported

Individual Artists Program Grants (specifically for theatre, dance and performing arts)
Through project grants, the Individual Artists Program aims to assist Chicago's professional artists in creating work that elevates their careers and brings value to the City of Chicago. Grants range from $500 – $5,000.
$66,000 awarded
22 artists supported

Examples of the organizations supported through financial grants include Albany Park Theater Project (“Port of Entry”), Chicago Children’s Theatre (X Marks The Spot, an Extra-Sensory Tour), Chicago Latino Theater Alliance (DESTINOS – 3rd Chicago International Latino Theater Festival), Deeply Rooted Dance Theater (“Essence” Project), DirectorsLabChicago in collaboration with Haven and the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (Stage Direction Masterclass Series), Jackalope Theatre Company (House Party: Youth Access Initiative), Kuumba Lynx (Chicago Hip Hop Theater Festival), See Chicago Dance (Expanding and Diversifying Dance Journalism) and Victory Gardens Theater (ACCESS 2.0).

Additionally, DCASE supports artist performance fees and commissions totaling $448,650 to 157 theatres, theatre-makers, and dance-makers as part of its free public programming. Examples include the new Millennium Park theatre series, a new Millennium Park theatre-themed public art activation, theatre exhibitions and special events at the Chicago Cultural Center, theatre performances at the Taste of Chicago, and dance performances and lessons offered as part of the Chicago SummerDance series.

Examples of the organizations supported through performance fees and commissions include Aguijón Theater Company, Barrel of Monkeys, CircEsteem, Chicago Dance Crash, Chicago Full Moon Jam Productions, Collaboraction Theatre Company, Emerald City Theatre, eta Creative Arts Foundation and Free Street Theater (Millennium Park Theatre Residencies, presented in partnership with the Bayless Family Foundation).

The first half of 2019 has been a busy one for DCASE and the League of Chicago Theatres, including the launch of a new theatre asset mapping project aimed at bolstering theatre on the South, Southwest and West Sides. Other initiatives include a major advertising campaign and global media events with Choose Chicago, and theatre-themed cultural programming at Millennium Park (including the Film Series programmed in collaboration with theatres), the Chicago Cultural Center, and the Chicago Riverwalk (including Art on theMART and lantern processions). DCASE and the League of Chicago Theatres have also partnered with the Chicago Park District for “Night Out in the Park” for more than 200 free performances from 40 theatres in all 77 of Chicago’s community areas. Over 100 arts industry volunteers serving on committees to advance this important initiative.

Earlier this year, DCASE and the League of Chicago Theatres announced significant foundation support for the Year of Chicago Theatre from BMO Harris Bank, Bayless Family Foundation, The Chicago Community Trust, Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation, Illinois Arts Council Agency, The Joyce Foundation, Lloyd A. Fry Foundation Endowment at Millennium Park Foundation, MacArthur Foundation, Millennium Park Foundation, Prince Charitable Trusts, Richard H. Driehaus Foundation and Robert R. McCormick Foundation.
Promotional and programming support for the Year of Chicago Theatre is provided by Art on theMART, Chicago Loop Alliance, Choose Chicago, FCB Chicago, HMS Media, Illinois Restaurant Association, LUMA8, The Magnificent Mile Association, Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority and others—plus many City departments and sister agencies including the Chicago Park District, Chicago Public Library, Chicago Public Schools, Chicago Transit Authority and the Department of Aviation.

For more information about the Year of Chicago Theatre, visit ChicagoPlays.com and join the conversation on Social Media (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram) @ChicagoDCASE and @ChicagoPlays (#2019isYOCT #ChiTheatre).



2019 Year of Chicago Theatre:
The City of Chicago and the League of Chicago Theatres have designated 2019 as the ‘Year of Chicago Theatre.’ This citywide, year-long focus on theatre is the first of its kind in the U.S. The initiative includes performances and special events for the public at hundreds of cultural venues, theaters, parks and neighborhood locations throughout the city. The City of Chicago and its partners will also launch a marketing campaign; provide additional financial grants to theatre projects; encourage dialog around inclusion and equity; and call on civic, philanthropic, arts and business leaders to support the theatre community. To truly fall in love with Chicago, you must go to our theatres - where the city bares its fearless soul. From Broadway musicals to storefront plays and improv, there’s a seat waiting for you at one of our 250+ theatres. Book your next show today at ChicagoPlays.com.

Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events:
The Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) is dedicated to enriching Chicago’s artistic vitality and cultural vibrancy. This includes fostering the development of Chicago’s non-profit arts sector, independent working artists and for-profit arts businesses; providing a framework to guide the City’s future cultural and economic growth, via the 2012 Chicago Cultural Plan; marketing the City’s cultural assets to a worldwide audience; and presenting high-quality, free and affordable cultural programs for residents and visitors.

OPENING: Chicago Shakespeare Theater presents The Wizard of Oz July 6-August 25, 2019

ChiIL Mama’s Chi, IL Picks List:

Follow the Yellow Brick Road to Navy Pier

for 75 minutes of Summer Fun

Chicago Shakespeare Theater presents

The Wizard of Oz

July 6-August 25, 2019

Wednesdays at 11 a.m. & Thursdays-Sundays at 11 a.m. & 2 p.m.

Tickets start at $24

This summer, Chicago Shakespeare Theater presents the 75-minute musical stage adaptation of the timeless 1939 MGM film The Wizard of Oz, directed by Brian Hill and choreographed by Kenny Ingram. Based on the landmark novel by L. Frank Baum and featuring music and lyrics by Harold Arlen and E.Y. Harburg, The Wizard of Oz promises to be the perfect outing for audiences of all ages at Chicago Shakespeare's home on Navy Pier all summer long, July 6-August 25, 2019 with performances on Wednesdays at 11:00 a.m. and Thursdays-Sundays at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.

Dorothy and her trusty pup Toto are whisked away from Kansas on an unforgettable journey to the magical land of Oz, where she makes new friends--including Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion--and encounters a fiendishly wicked witch. Audiences will be dazzled by the spectacular setting and charmed by its timeless score featuring such cherished classics as "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" and "Follow the Yellow Brick Road"--ultimately discovering that there's truly no place like home.

The Wizard of Oz is directed by Brian Hill, who has served as associate director for Broadway's The Little Mermaid and the National Tours of Sunset Boulevard and The Sound of Music. An accomplished book writer, Hill has notably written numerous new musicals with composter/lyricist Neil Bartram, who is adapting orchestrations for the Chicago Shakespeare production. Bartram and Hill's joint credits include The Theory of Relativity, The Story of My Life (debuting on Broadway in 2009, and garnering four Drama Desk Award nominations), and The Adventures of Pinocchio, which premiered at Chicago Shakespeare in 2011. Joining Hill is choreographer Kenny Ingram, a multiple Jeff Award-winner, who returns to Chicago after fifteen years in the company of Broadway's The Lion King.

Taking on the role of Dorothy Gale is Leryn Turlington, who adventures in Oz alongside Marya Grandy (Hunk/Scarecrow), Joseph Anthony Byrd (Hickory/Tin Man), Jose Antonio Garcia (Zeke/Cowardly Lion)--as well as her canine companion Derby (Toto), in his stage debut. Appearing as the Wicked Witch of the West is twelve-time Jeff Award-winner Hollis Resnik (Miss Gulch/The Wicked Witch of the West). Also featured in the company are Emily Rohm (Aunt Em/Glinda), William Dick (Professor Marvel/The Wizard of Oz), and Jared D.M. Grant (Uncle Henry/Emerald City Guard). Rounding out the ensemble are Kayla Boye, Timothy P. Foszcz, Haley Gustafson, Aalon Smith, Lauren Smith, Anthony Sullivan, Jr., and Kaleb Van Rijswijck.

The production's Music Director is Kory Danielson, whose credits include The Little Mermaid, Mamma Mia!, and West Side Story at Paramount Theatre. The award-winning creative team features Scenic Designer Scott Davis, Costume Designer Theresa Ham, Lighting Designer Lee Fiskness, Sound Designer Christopher M. LaPorte, Projections Designer Mike Tutaj, and Chicago Shakespeare's resident Wig and Makeup Designer Richard Jarvie. Rounding out the creative team are Assistant Music Director and Conductor Kevin Reeks and Assistant Director and Assistant Choreographer Aaron Umsted.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater presents a wide range of accessible and affordable programming for multi-generational audiences. In addition to imaginative summer musicals at the Theater's home on Navy Pier, offerings year-round include Short Shakespeare! abridged versions of Shakespeare's classics and the FREE Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks tour to neighborhood parks throughout the city. These programs reach more than 100,000 patrons each season--making Chicago Shakespeare one of the largest providers of family programming in Chicago.



The Wizard of Oz

by L. Frank Baum
With Music & Lyrics by Harold Arlen and E.Y. Harburg
Background Music by Herbert Stothart
Dance and Vocal Arrangements by Peter Howard
Orchestration by Larry Wilcox
Adapted by John Kane for the Royal Shakespeare Company
Based upon the Classic Motion Picture by Turner Entertainment Co. and distributed in all media by Warner Bros.
Directed by Brian Hill
Choreographed by Kenny Ingram

July 6-August 25, 2019
at Chicago Shakespeare Theater on Navy Pier

Tickets: $24 for children 12 and under | $38 for adults
Special discounts available for groups of 10 or more
Box Office: 312.595.5600 | Group Sales: 312.595.5678
www.chicagoshakes.com/oz



PERFORMANCE LISTING

Wednesdays at 11:00 a.m.
Thursdays at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.
Fridays at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.
Saturdays at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.
Sundays at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.
[No 2:00 p.m. performance on 7/6, 7/7, and 7/11.]
CST strives to make its facility and performances accessible to all patrons through its Access Shakespeare programs. Accessible performances for The Wizard of Oz include:

ASL Duo-interpretation - Saturday, August 24, 2019 at 11:00 a.m.
All dialogue and lyrics are translated into American Sign Language by two certified interpreters.
Audio-description - Sunday, August 18, 2019 with optional touch tour at 11:00 a.m.

Audio Description is a program that enables patrons who are blind or have low vision to more fully experience live performances by providing spoken narration of a play's key visual elements. Touch Tours provide patrons who are blind or have low vision the opportunity to experience, firsthand, a production's design elements.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater presents The Wizard of Oz July 6–August 25, 2019 in the Courtyard Theater. Single tickets ($24 for children age 12 and under; $38 for adults) are on sale now. Special discounts will be available for groups of 10 or more. For more information, contact Chicago Shakespeare Theater's Box Office at 312.595.5600 or visit the Theater's website at www.chicagoshakes.com.



ABOUT CHICAGO SHAKESPEARE THEATER
Under the leadership of Artistic Director Barbara Gaines and Executive Director Criss Henderson, Chicago Shakespeare has redefined what a great American Shakespeare theater can be--a company that defies theatrical category. This Regional Tony Award-winning theater's year-round season features as many as twenty productions and 650 performances--including plays, musicals, world premieres, family programming, and presentations from around the globe. Chicago Shakespeare is the city's leading presenter of international work, and has toured its own productions across five continents. The Theater's nationally acclaimed arts in literacy programs support the work of teachers, and bring Shakespeare to life on stage for tens of thousands of students annually. Each summer, the company tours a free professional production to neighborhood parks across Chicago. In 2017 the Theater unveiled The Yard, which, together with the Jentes Family Courtyard Theater and the Thoma Theater Upstairs, positions Chicago Shakespeare as Chicago's most versatile performing arts center.

REVIEW: Next Door and Helga Through Sunday at Physical Theater Festival Chicago at Stage 773 Through June 9, 2019

Full Body Physical Theatre Takes Audience on a Journey that Spans Decades and Continents

Out of Balanz From Copenhagen, Denmark

REVIEW:

by bonnie kenaz-mara

Next Door and Helga are a great pairing at Physical Theater Festival Chicago at Stage 773. Actors in both shows embody characters from youth, young adulthood, middle age, and the final, elderly years, in a stunning transformation. These actors are masters of comedic timing, amazing physical feats, and facial expressions that are beyond funny.

Henni Kervinen in Helga – the life of a diva extraordinare (Finland)

Next Door by Out of Balanz From Copenhagen, Denmark

Next Door celebrates interconnectedness and the friendships of neighbors from 10 year old boys to adults. Expect exciting sword fights, a harrowing adventure at sea, skateboarding, biking, memorabilia, and an epic death scene. With a dynamic duo from Finland and Denmark, Next Door is a hilarious exploration of the universal nature of human connections and missed connections, as well as a fun glimpse into Nordic life. This is physical, comedic storytelling at its best. 

Delightful diva in decline, Helga is performed to perfection by Finnish circus artist Henni Kervinen. I want to hang out with this booze swilling, espresso lovin' curmudgeon, and hear no nonsense wisdom and tales of her glory days. This act includes a full on flashback trapeze act and burlesque tease from a Helga at the height of her youth as well as the same act, repeated in present day. Expect aerial arts, early parenthood, the cat lady who raised a beast, prepping for company and an interesting array of costume choices.

We adored these celebrations of life experience, characters, and everyday moments from the mundane to the monumental. Highly recommended. 

Here at ChiIL Mama, we're huge, lifelong fans of circus arts and physical comedy in the art of storytelling on stage. We're thrilled to be catching 10 days of world class physical theatre right here in Chicago at Physical Fest at Stage 773 and Chopin Theatre. Check out the full schedule and show details here: http://www.chiilmama.com/2019/05/fest-alert-physical-theater-festival.html

Bonnie Kenaz-Mara is a Chicago based writer-theater critic-photographer-videographer-actress-artist-general creatrix and Mama to two terrific teens. She owns two websites where she has published frequently since 2008: ChiILLiveShows.com (adult) & ChiILMama.com (family friendly). 

Next Door by Multi-award winning 

Danish company Out of Balanz

By Out of Balanz

From Copenhagen, Denmark

Friday, May 31 at 7 p.m., Saturday, June 1 at 9 p.m., Sunday,

June 2 at 2 p.m.

60 minutes

For ages 12 and up

*Parents: Sunday, June 2, 2 p.m. is Sitter Sunday. Come for the show, teaching staff from Willow Tree Child Care will watch your kids, ages potty trained and up. See website for details.

Next Door Trailer from Out of Balanz on Vimeo.

Multi-award winning Danish company Out of Balanz returns to Chicago with their critically acclaimed Next Door. The stand-out smash hit of Chicago’s first Physical Theater Festival in 2014 is back by popular demand to re-celebrate physical comedy, active imaginations and the importance of relationships.

When Ivan Hansen’s neighbor passes away suddenly, Ivan realizes he doesn’t know anything about him. In Next Door, intimate storytelling and high-octane physical theater explore what it is that really connects us.

Next Door captured First Prize and Audience Prize at the Birmingham European Theatre Festival 2013 and Best Male Performers at Kosovo’s Skena Up International Festival. The Copenhagen Post called it “imaginative and groundbreaking…an unforgettable journey into the human psyche.” The Scotsman found it “irresistible.”

Founded in 2006, Out of Balanz is an award-winning international theater ensemble based in Copenhagen, Denmark. Recognized for their highly collaborative creative process and for producing original work rich in spectacle and adventurous in form, Out of Balanz has created over a dozen original works and toured to 16 different countries in Europe, North America and Asia (including such venues as The John Houseman Theatre off-Broadway, The Barbican in London and at the first-ever Physical Theater Festival Chicago.) The company was named one of the 13 most innovative physical theater companies in the world, alongside such prestigious companies as The SITI Company and DV8, by backstage.com. For more, visit outofbalanz.org.

Henni Kervinen in 

Helga – the life of a diva extraordinare (Finland)

Helga – life of a diva extraordinaire

By Henni Kervinen, directed by Jenni Kallo

From Finland

Friday, May 31 at 9 p.m.; Saturday, June 1 at 7 p.m.; and Sunday, June 2 at 5 p.m.

60 minutes

For ages 10 and up

Helga Trailer from Kallo Collective on Vimeo.

A new cabaret diva extraordinaire is here! Poignant, melancholy mime, clowning circus skills and physical comedy make up the wordless story of Helga. Tragedy and comedy meet as Helga invites us into her world, from the mundane details of her day to the fabulous memories of her life.

Helga is skillfully performed by Finnish circus artist Henni Kervinen and directed by Jenni Kallo, Artistic Director of the renowned Kallo Collective (Only Bones, Edinburgh Fringe 2016). LapinKansa.fi called Helga 'absurd comedy and sparkling wit…', with an Edinburgh Fringe Fest fan hitting the nail on the head with "only the Finns can make humor out of melancholy as fabulously as this.” For more, visit kallocollective.com.

Note: Helga is silent, no interpreter needed, making it appropriate for audiences that are deaf or hard of hearing.

ChiIL Live Shows on our radar

PHYSICAL THEATER FESTIVAL CHICAGO GROWS TO A 10-DAY EVENT WITH NEW FORMS OF THEATER FROM AROUND THE WORLD, 

MAY 31-JUNE 9 AT STAGE 773 

Check out the full Physical Festival schedule and show details here: http://www.chiilmama.com/2019/05/fest-alert-physical-theater-festival.html