tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34130665411246836292024-03-27T18:53:48.413-05:00ChiIL Mama Bonnie Kenaz-Marahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05141662039871081535noreply@blogger.comBlogger3945125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3413066541124683629.post-51824632328715464252024-03-10T22:49:00.002-05:002024-03-11T10:57:36.535-05:00REVIEW & GIVEAWAY: Marriott Theatre's Highly Recommended JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH Through March 30, 2024<p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">ChiIL Mama’s Chi, IL Picks List: </span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Family Friendly Shows On Our Radar</span></i></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Roald Dahl’s </b></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH</b></span></i></span></div><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgiIWH9YAa6t36njc2v4QQjGNESu-jba9xZYBVUWVNwug12fcvopyrjvWOpccRf-X87bVBsubxMolj1AYz3fIUoCDdL2yoBGbaxPuO7C-Z4L6oDDFPgwXCDr5vJfEDBb22GwvOy3GpXvSYYQVcWh173YQEjww3MOuma6qO1RfzgJunMBljTq9_GtwQKGZ5Z" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1260" data-original-width="2400" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgiIWH9YAa6t36njc2v4QQjGNESu-jba9xZYBVUWVNwug12fcvopyrjvWOpccRf-X87bVBsubxMolj1AYz3fIUoCDdL2yoBGbaxPuO7C-Z4L6oDDFPgwXCDr5vJfEDBb22GwvOy3GpXvSYYQVcWh173YQEjww3MOuma6qO1RfzgJunMBljTq9_GtwQKGZ5Z=w640-h336" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Peter Blair, Executive Producer </i></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Peter Marston Sullivan, Artistic Director </i></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Katie Johannigman, Associate Artistic Director </i></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-size: large;">Presents </span></i></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><i></i></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE9F69Q7X2deqss2C6cIy3kpShGmIkpa6qQX140ebxp4no6QHi77XE7CncPuFZ__UsTSmuoM6Tyw38tZ2KwMH-1DVzOXiQbqNairE_Cd7z2CHZg8AhyYKjUbdB_6L7z2uggTFIPp6QeFwhyphenhyphenovCxuT9OGkUxJhlG7C2d27Hwv0E0UAULj8jxMyRP-ndGPus/s1352/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-12%20at%203.00.00%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="242" data-original-width="1352" height="114" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE9F69Q7X2deqss2C6cIy3kpShGmIkpa6qQX140ebxp4no6QHi77XE7CncPuFZ__UsTSmuoM6Tyw38tZ2KwMH-1DVzOXiQbqNairE_Cd7z2CHZg8AhyYKjUbdB_6L7z2uggTFIPp6QeFwhyphenhyphenovCxuT9OGkUxJhlG7C2d27Hwv0E0UAULj8jxMyRP-ndGPus/w640-h114/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-12%20at%203.00.00%20PM.png" width="640" /></a></i></b></div><i><span style="font-size: large;">A delightfully offbeat adaptation of the classic Roald Dahl adventure </span></i><div><span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">Two of ChiIL Mama's lucky readers will win 4 tickets each!</span></b></i></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;">ChiIL Mama and Marriot are partnering up on 2 giveaways, once again. <b style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Marriott's Theatre for Young Audiences James and the Giant Peach: 2 winner/4 tickets each ($60 value)</span> And/Or </b><span class="xv78j7m" spellcheck="false" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><i><span style="color: #cc0000;">Marriott Theatre</span></i></b></span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>'s In The Heights: 2 winners/a pair of tickets each ($120 value).</b> </span></i>Winners' choice of any dates through March 17th pending availability. </span>Enter at the end of this feature for your chance to win. </p><p style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiRkdSJb7jaPsJ9xwuGv6gtL0uNKrALC2NShie-XCE0ltI40Fu6UCKBDE26EtOsi6PYRXiKZug7k9Rzc5ubI5FTWnSS7K_AO-g6lFNb48URVRLw-9UfTGHpi4hOa0TValzpaUCgws1hC2fGZ4vELXpkHie0R-OuAI3rBJwtFXtyXBRlRHHx5vpP03T5ocIi" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;"><img alt="" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" height="537" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiRkdSJb7jaPsJ9xwuGv6gtL0uNKrALC2NShie-XCE0ltI40Fu6UCKBDE26EtOsi6PYRXiKZug7k9Rzc5ubI5FTWnSS7K_AO-g6lFNb48URVRLw-9UfTGHpi4hOa0TValzpaUCgws1hC2fGZ4vELXpkHie0R-OuAI3rBJwtFXtyXBRlRHHx5vpP03T5ocIi=w640-h537" width="640" /></a></p><p style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">REVIEW: </span></i></p><p style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">By Bonnie Kenaz-Mara </span></i></p><p>Highly Recommended. ★★★★ Four out of four stars. Bonnie Kenaz-Mara, ChiILMama.com</p><p>Roald Dahl’s JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH is imagination incarnate. The book, film, and stage adaptation have long been family favorites of ours. In the capable hands of director/choreographer, Tommy Rapley, this story comes alive on stage at Marriott in all it's glory. Adults will adore this colorful cast and stellar storytelling as much as the kids do. Kudos to all the humans and bugs on cast and crew for a truly delightful production. When we caught opening weekend, the young kids in the audience were laughing often and entirely engaged with the on stage magic and mayhem. </p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEilsRsz9bOmSph4XmrC4-ZqREZquLMHNdngTz8ev1pylXNLbq1FwG7xwrbYuhV8jImaKtCCMeyduCcnJISxcURzeL58YmfHOhYfuzeYVorQQxKcaWE9tTaWiE8WENTSDkz6KNNl2tu1vjaPI3RXHtwpe5yu5qRuCfz0MlNhEuMMC_t-PfDpEX8EsjeE4po0" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;"><img alt="" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" height="537" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEilsRsz9bOmSph4XmrC4-ZqREZquLMHNdngTz8ev1pylXNLbq1FwG7xwrbYuhV8jImaKtCCMeyduCcnJISxcURzeL58YmfHOhYfuzeYVorQQxKcaWE9tTaWiE8WENTSDkz6KNNl2tu1vjaPI3RXHtwpe5yu5qRuCfz0MlNhEuMMC_t-PfDpEX8EsjeE4po0=w640-h537" width="640" /></a></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjAgqjvw_x9uRfYdA8OmNB61aQBzG6bo30vmGXMya0Xmo42Wq3h2OZx2TvuTUc-gzg3CX3nuRU_kgNWdtTn87UH7SX2LCL3886h2ZjJ3Jx4r9zsUx-_13EDwsYL-tMN-FNDIvvfLeJ6GNnDDpXVOIdz0TKRsXwDrv1jqOyvqw5jXKjWL9bdzmOBtcyIcfYP" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;"><img alt="" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" height="537" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjAgqjvw_x9uRfYdA8OmNB61aQBzG6bo30vmGXMya0Xmo42Wq3h2OZx2TvuTUc-gzg3CX3nuRU_kgNWdtTn87UH7SX2LCL3886h2ZjJ3Jx4r9zsUx-_13EDwsYL-tMN-FNDIvvfLeJ6GNnDDpXVOIdz0TKRsXwDrv1jqOyvqw5jXKjWL9bdzmOBtcyIcfYP=w640-h537" width="640" /></a></p><p>I had the special delight of sharing the experience with 3 recent graduates of Northwestern University's theatre program, including my son, who had director/choreographer, Tommy Rapley, as their acting professor for 4 years. They were all enthusiastic fans of the production, and I can't tell you how jazzed I am to still be able to bring twenty somethings to a Marriott Theatre for Young Audiences show! My kids grew up on Chicago regional children's theatre and I'm so excited that my oldest is now working in the industry and getting the next generation of kids introduced to the wonder and joy of live theatre. Studies show exposing kids to theatre increases empathy and creativity. And you never know what a show might spark and what future plans may unfold. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhLaLv8SRKpNU81mMTfijFuBZG_EgJmHztENRhPlDft7RPeKk50cUw-isggu1cG5hOjq8KFl3pMxIwWR5PliZizOz9DtUXnEUb3c1wL8ZS6J6M9-7QsRd9dpJtmu1hjolnUUlfSCbOLeSoqaRB5BQuX7gXY6mT2hNCg-JtC7Jd3jJVbYm1D1vstM6R-K8_7" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhLaLv8SRKpNU81mMTfijFuBZG_EgJmHztENRhPlDft7RPeKk50cUw-isggu1cG5hOjq8KFl3pMxIwWR5PliZizOz9DtUXnEUb3c1wL8ZS6J6M9-7QsRd9dpJtmu1hjolnUUlfSCbOLeSoqaRB5BQuX7gXY6mT2hNCg-JtC7Jd3jJVbYm1D1vstM6R-K8_7=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><b><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">ChiIL Mama, Bonnie Kenaz-Mara (left) with 3 of director/choreographer, Tommy Rapley's students who recently graduated from Northwestern University, including my son, Dugan (right). </span></i></b></div></b><p></p><p>Marriot's JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH is such a fun show. The costumes, puppets, props, music, and staging are playful and a joy to see. We particularly loved the unique choreography for Marriott's theatre in the round configuration which played out on multiple levels and directions so even the youngest audience members have great sight-lines. </p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhu_MRpHXmj3O5S8HE45o9dEootLWqtzsED778l3NNXSHDW6Hu-68ivcRaGzinnKn9GY-Mo50bNg_2HQaB2ZsXktpcH--EL0aKoxjzxnV3v77r6F-q9xJKaBdbKcKo3T9BmRfuDC8Qw0flGqoIW-sgZonlJg5VABYc-OVGIbZ86wiOe55xoM5VueD9Rzgq7" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;"><img alt="" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" height="537" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhu_MRpHXmj3O5S8HE45o9dEootLWqtzsED778l3NNXSHDW6Hu-68ivcRaGzinnKn9GY-Mo50bNg_2HQaB2ZsXktpcH--EL0aKoxjzxnV3v77r6F-q9xJKaBdbKcKo3T9BmRfuDC8Qw0flGqoIW-sgZonlJg5VABYc-OVGIbZ86wiOe55xoM5VueD9Rzgq7=w640-h537" width="640" /></a></p><p>We also dug the steamer trunks lining the perimeter of the stage, providing a treasure trove of props and costume changes. </p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjJfgA9hr07JIwdMEgqU5wxVA6YMGvMMysuxRx0Zk6lrLbz2EkFdl7-r-H5jVJK3OoYYYZrF4eefeJ5g7nzMXK5L4cHUA7ZgeiTMlhDPk6yHQcmRV-ifZT-iWKf1yQNo_W141sAXOvBvnrInWLjd4Wax5--lUqHVBRq_9u35YRxH6u98tR139eC_m-8SDEW" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;"><img alt="" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" height="537" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjJfgA9hr07JIwdMEgqU5wxVA6YMGvMMysuxRx0Zk6lrLbz2EkFdl7-r-H5jVJK3OoYYYZrF4eefeJ5g7nzMXK5L4cHUA7ZgeiTMlhDPk6yHQcmRV-ifZT-iWKf1yQNo_W141sAXOvBvnrInWLjd4Wax5--lUqHVBRq_9u35YRxH6u98tR139eC_m-8SDEW=w640-h537" width="640" /></a></p><p>The entire cast is hilarious and crazy talented. Special shout out to Kai Edgar as “James,” Andrés Enriquezas “Earthworm,” Lucy Godinez as “Aunt Sponge,” and Leah Morrow as “Aunt Spiker”.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhcHx5O_5Nh8vdZrnt__bn3NjdeYUCJlzmR45zN4IjOi4v9D-PlI4EzTlOnDyj8fAaxPqCfSAfBEwjSJ59ngjvRm5jeoUgeoyVWIzAzFH63iB-QphzeIXjhj-uDRcH9F0Fecpfq4EtvShFKKDhXZDFTxtymUUqQYh1ye9HJVqatSCNmYoIv8gHXU0VDKZpc" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="564" data-original-width="1654" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhcHx5O_5Nh8vdZrnt__bn3NjdeYUCJlzmR45zN4IjOi4v9D-PlI4EzTlOnDyj8fAaxPqCfSAfBEwjSJ59ngjvRm5jeoUgeoyVWIzAzFH63iB-QphzeIXjhj-uDRcH9F0Fecpfq4EtvShFKKDhXZDFTxtymUUqQYh1ye9HJVqatSCNmYoIv8gHXU0VDKZpc=w640-h218" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>The puppets are a must see. Don't miss this! </p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEivd-6vLtt7m9kgemNFGI82eU1L1ZGaaZJbtuvk5TYMenQPEgSnq1SsQZOy-cNDup20yK2HcABwH83lTMZWJHf-zKQ5exg8o0lZ6B-bUT0GOApThBt5YceqCyhPxv47mASCeWHssIzjIZ_xyhL6TyJTSRnh0eX9KYo4TllE66E_s4Eznv4yMCnAVd3huUGq" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;"><img alt="" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" height="537" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEivd-6vLtt7m9kgemNFGI82eU1L1ZGaaZJbtuvk5TYMenQPEgSnq1SsQZOy-cNDup20yK2HcABwH83lTMZWJHf-zKQ5exg8o0lZ6B-bUT0GOApThBt5YceqCyhPxv47mASCeWHssIzjIZ_xyhL6TyJTSRnh0eX9KYo4TllE66E_s4Eznv4yMCnAVd3huUGq=w640-h537" width="640" /></a></p><p style="text-align: left;"><b><i>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).</i></b></p><p style="text-align: left;"><b><i><br /></i></b></p><p style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhAkI9V_DJCqZlG35Z1IAtN9PYlUxpMS6sEuo5_uU-GkCG94nJznd9m6PEASsWfPF1dnnjmcifNr0oRqaVuW1hGEzSnBgQ_uLbU13PpWk4FWUp_cpnGERHzGhXLrRLi0dnHnTGq4yapSATAbJ09iGp_6dZ_xLfYLLyvfm2P9Yc1GnmY-nOLV75HzyZ8GfP4" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;"><img alt="" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" height="537" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhAkI9V_DJCqZlG35Z1IAtN9PYlUxpMS6sEuo5_uU-GkCG94nJznd9m6PEASsWfPF1dnnjmcifNr0oRqaVuW1hGEzSnBgQ_uLbU13PpWk4FWUp_cpnGERHzGhXLrRLi0dnHnTGq4yapSATAbJ09iGp_6dZ_xLfYLLyvfm2P9Yc1GnmY-nOLV75HzyZ8GfP4=w640-h537" width="640" /></a></p><p>Marriott Theatre for Young Audiences invites theatergoers of all ages on a remarkable voyage with Roald Dahl’s JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH. Roald Dahl’s beloved story is brought to fantastical musical life, running through March 30, at 10 Marriott Drive. The one-hour musical journey is directed and choreographed by Tommy Rapley with music direction by Ryan T. Nelson. Each performance will be followed by a question-and-answer session with the cast. </p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgcWXvytVYCAY7dCPZs8KYchdVB3rcBuisDEusIGS1qa5iCigGIOhvAYuFnUry2VGhd0W0DAleUC23SYBQePuAAdG932kpsP3qlR8KfPPxrzhnyw4wBpvQUxg1oYn6AQmQs3hh_xxftqe1thuQfjzfxAkCol8_FUZxDRvr14mvGHqeBvn4xMDtXww07SG4A" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;"><img alt="" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" height="537" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgcWXvytVYCAY7dCPZs8KYchdVB3rcBuisDEusIGS1qa5iCigGIOhvAYuFnUry2VGhd0W0DAleUC23SYBQePuAAdG932kpsP3qlR8KfPPxrzhnyw4wBpvQUxg1oYn6AQmQs3hh_xxftqe1thuQfjzfxAkCol8_FUZxDRvr14mvGHqeBvn4xMDtXww07SG4A=w640-h537" width="640" /></a></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhBODCTFCTpuj5DfBpyRg4OAivps33-EsoAEAysSmy-7Dv46lFJLUaRIFjhO6GI62RYiZgvx_CHYfgX-RAG50HLCqIKvOoBsIIOo_sX7NGW2uKYv1zg6O5ieTsKh3UHn-kJahpUanKXi2b9LgitMwkbsjKXY4JQ-TlhsWojtlkpQfjqDJnp4GXL-ctUkoZi" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;"><img alt="" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" height="537" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhBODCTFCTpuj5DfBpyRg4OAivps33-EsoAEAysSmy-7Dv46lFJLUaRIFjhO6GI62RYiZgvx_CHYfgX-RAG50HLCqIKvOoBsIIOo_sX7NGW2uKYv1zg6O5ieTsKh3UHn-kJahpUanKXi2b9LgitMwkbsjKXY4JQ-TlhsWojtlkpQfjqDJnp4GXL-ctUkoZi=w640-h537" width="640" /></a></p><p>“I am thrilled to be bringing James and the Giant Peach to Marriott Lincolnshire families,” said director Tommy Rapley. “This whimsical musical adaptation of Roald Dahl’s classic contains the perfect blend of playful, spooky, heartwarming, mysterious, imaginative, and downright hilarious storytelling that I love as a director. The themes of forgiveness, the importance of family, and the boundless love between parent and child are particularly moving and vitally important to share with young audiences. At the heart of our story, James is the ideal character to welcome young people into adventure, as he leads young audiences on a journey that blends grief, hope, love, and joy." </p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhoM-2AZbSTqBC83gGRetU49dOTxqH3yoQKNjxQWENoHMKryNm6RRyYJcPwaaRhrBYQ0YEZQ14NGhn_hSoy4CvOKfoOKGexMJgxYEixMRA4gnelDcL0XYfQO673ewiobdidK5kE9UCmJpxQ-41W0WTFQDHteFKRquGoU7hpjmA1I8WBePlPW42JETGehlYi" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;"><img alt="" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" height="537" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhoM-2AZbSTqBC83gGRetU49dOTxqH3yoQKNjxQWENoHMKryNm6RRyYJcPwaaRhrBYQ0YEZQ14NGhn_hSoy4CvOKfoOKGexMJgxYEixMRA4gnelDcL0XYfQO673ewiobdidK5kE9UCmJpxQ-41W0WTFQDHteFKRquGoU7hpjmA1I8WBePlPW42JETGehlYi=w640-h537" width="640" /></a></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjyGWiZJ5wBZ-t8B6OvENjHA2QaxajTmcfFNwGlGMZlF8bTyhveZtAA82sT6_8ds6wuVhUKJnFPdzDWsgbgk900rQf248tZOL9qO36PBojc94nyL2auUMZPq9PG8J0lmCqFSH3Z3jczPMiOJwJY7DXteI47hEndnf7VVVjoul7NObPBfuN7z5lLA8s4Vylv" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;"><img alt="" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" height="537" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjyGWiZJ5wBZ-t8B6OvENjHA2QaxajTmcfFNwGlGMZlF8bTyhveZtAA82sT6_8ds6wuVhUKJnFPdzDWsgbgk900rQf248tZOL9qO36PBojc94nyL2auUMZPq9PG8J0lmCqFSH3Z3jczPMiOJwJY7DXteI47hEndnf7VVVjoul7NObPBfuN7z5lLA8s4Vylv=w640-h537" width="640" /></a></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgrGtWejqqJGM6vbTcuT2etuZ1cF5xnWhEGnYlduoZquoZm1sK3Q52whHn2R6TCsRHeN4ay02Wh7T5x5fLrd-tk5gq5zWWLzXrpaNymQ-foZ5mpH4lvKrD_dt73Z36uJG1A0WgPgVdF6H_hMY5CqhUVKV-eJtKQwPdCVscWIi2VPo9MWPWmSABTqj7beOAH" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;"><img alt="" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" height="537" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgrGtWejqqJGM6vbTcuT2etuZ1cF5xnWhEGnYlduoZquoZm1sK3Q52whHn2R6TCsRHeN4ay02Wh7T5x5fLrd-tk5gq5zWWLzXrpaNymQ-foZ5mpH4lvKrD_dt73Z36uJG1A0WgPgVdF6H_hMY5CqhUVKV-eJtKQwPdCVscWIi2VPo9MWPWmSABTqj7beOAH=w640-h537" width="640" /></a></p><p>When James is sent by his aunts to chop down their old fruit tree, he discovers a magic potion that launches an expedition of enormous proportions. Suddenly, James finds himself in the center of a gigantic peach, among human-sized insects with equally oversized personalities. After the peach rolls into the ocean, the group faces hunger, sharks and plenty of disagreements. Thanks to James' quick wit and creative thinking, they learn to live and work together as a family. Featuring a wickedly tuneful score by the Tony Award-nominated team of Pasek and Paul (La La Land, Dear Evan Hansen, The Greatest Showman) and a curiously quirky book by Timothy Allen McDonald (Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka, Jim Henson’s Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas). JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH is the perfect voyage for young theatergoers. </p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjqZcgdCnH9nlTxXhUAGEnfpjXGtf-GtOBwr40FGM2c2dldGM_QT-OS-G-c7D3aUKaFdEhGAvaf2soRanAiCPbf94GAtMreOzkaWcGC9-OU5GuZ_FYZ0DFaQVl551ggqg52TCvR6mOh28Hr4ec7R3ooVU10Zf5wRAk-Rex_5AH-fV5KiPpjP45iV9Q8GRXM" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;"><img alt="" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" height="537" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjqZcgdCnH9nlTxXhUAGEnfpjXGtf-GtOBwr40FGM2c2dldGM_QT-OS-G-c7D3aUKaFdEhGAvaf2soRanAiCPbf94GAtMreOzkaWcGC9-OU5GuZ_FYZ0DFaQVl551ggqg52TCvR6mOh28Hr4ec7R3ooVU10Zf5wRAk-Rex_5AH-fV5KiPpjP45iV9Q8GRXM=w640-h537" width="640" /></a></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjPiQap6XRQrR6idIjMIqHhRzL4un-8wYiGgqbqSyG_O3-tw5rh0PK4d0wyMxvR1_F0VtaNZSULH0rEkoJ5JaJHk214QSfj8STBtDIEQ13N6xJhoLdDa0ZjzkziPdznpfWWYu1WLw0qhC_W7Hr-Xt6lUziyx3ZYE-mVJ9D9Rovb93VsuRLRsi3Ili3YrMxa" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;"><img alt="" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" height="537" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjPiQap6XRQrR6idIjMIqHhRzL4un-8wYiGgqbqSyG_O3-tw5rh0PK4d0wyMxvR1_F0VtaNZSULH0rEkoJ5JaJHk214QSfj8STBtDIEQ13N6xJhoLdDa0ZjzkziPdznpfWWYu1WLw0qhC_W7Hr-Xt6lUziyx3ZYE-mVJ9D9Rovb93VsuRLRsi3Ili3YrMxa=w640-h537" width="640" /></a></p><p>This production of JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH stars Kai Edgar as “James,” Andrés Enriquezas “Earthworm,” Lucy Godinez as “Aunt Sponge,” Alex Goodrich as “Ladahlord,” Christopher Kale Jones as “Green Grasshopper,” Garret Lutz as “Centipede,” Leah Morrow as “Aunt Spiker,” Juwon Tyrel Perry as “Spider”, and Elizabeth Telford as “Ladybug” with understudies Emily Ann Brooks, Crystal Claros, Milla Liss, Tommy Thurston and Annie Yokom. </p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg9mJ-xGG-WcLd0X9MN2qO64j10bES16b6hJIKNRdcN4aL_rUlbaQD7lmZISf0HUqMLsTwzrrC_lt50T8tU4ihunh7O7vFaIXCc1WsL44IRlmvU_z4jsCY5jm_AKQsPFwXElih3Jrsp5uTAz_rSOmxmXr-tCNbdRrLmt6Fz_QIxJkj-1MhmtAD4Q9OGRzNd" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;"><img alt="" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" height="537" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg9mJ-xGG-WcLd0X9MN2qO64j10bES16b6hJIKNRdcN4aL_rUlbaQD7lmZISf0HUqMLsTwzrrC_lt50T8tU4ihunh7O7vFaIXCc1WsL44IRlmvU_z4jsCY5jm_AKQsPFwXElih3Jrsp5uTAz_rSOmxmXr-tCNbdRrLmt6Fz_QIxJkj-1MhmtAD4Q9OGRzNd=w640-h537" width="640" /></a></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiB2WKy3Ja0h2zG4pEWLYrPw11QGisCt-2vmB_7rqxGtcYTrc6KFfE1ZhwtKP6VM4Xoc9pV-PHf5Jfbmhe0R40SOLR4oBpyxG0Q7jBAeACKDTlVj4XWM2j3yua_r--_9Zy815ltIk0gKrWc_xKrO4tSuUwNz_ft-Ojc829xuoyFqlpPMpheg-6t27PRMIzU" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;"><img alt="" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" height="537" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiB2WKy3Ja0h2zG4pEWLYrPw11QGisCt-2vmB_7rqxGtcYTrc6KFfE1ZhwtKP6VM4Xoc9pV-PHf5Jfbmhe0R40SOLR4oBpyxG0Q7jBAeACKDTlVj4XWM2j3yua_r--_9Zy815ltIk0gKrWc_xKrO4tSuUwNz_ft-Ojc829xuoyFqlpPMpheg-6t27PRMIzU=w640-h537" width="640" /></a></p><p>The Marriott Theatre for Young Audiences team is led by Associate Artistic Director Katie Johannigman and Interim Artistic Associate Annie Yokom, with Costume Design by Amanda Vander Byl, Lighting Design by Ben Carne, Scenic Design by Milo Bue, Wig Design by Ray Sanchez, Props Design by Leo Bassow, and Sound Design by Michael Daly. The creative team also includes Assistant Director & Choreographer Emily Ann Brooks, Dialect Coach Sammi Grant, and Stage Manager Marcus Carroll. </p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgwnQa1y6XXHG-KQeJqsN6lvdRzXxRz0QgfAxtIjgEwiY_L_jJq2Ky0JOaI_pKW8Jx8TSrJEMlnvyXC7oKxSjncjJFVzDwEWWOg0KiegyrmJec0O23JVHN_WmEfGbDGnLJE5-jfEo-MTBW4reAsJxApxPIIoaHFSWOs8wOptbNccbogdooJ37xq0zk4MVW_" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;"><img alt="" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" height="537" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgwnQa1y6XXHG-KQeJqsN6lvdRzXxRz0QgfAxtIjgEwiY_L_jJq2Ky0JOaI_pKW8Jx8TSrJEMlnvyXC7oKxSjncjJFVzDwEWWOg0KiegyrmJec0O23JVHN_WmEfGbDGnLJE5-jfEo-MTBW4reAsJxApxPIIoaHFSWOs8wOptbNccbogdooJ37xq0zk4MVW_=w640-h537" width="640" /></a> </p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgTjn54sQjK9RWCmrbHY1OqOM4e12b3o0LZPbOCCeuUWi7d_3bVb_hE7OYXUgG7gn4UqD7stZm1U6NfF0ET6oK0xtfKMAoKCob4Bf0UhPe5smonRcX8VR0dbDVvd66WpwbWl_ZjqIPCdbzUtgSiOxC37NuVRTFnGzb04jndecc8SOmZ_teUW0PKqNZ36yAt" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;"><img alt="" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" height="537" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgTjn54sQjK9RWCmrbHY1OqOM4e12b3o0LZPbOCCeuUWi7d_3bVb_hE7OYXUgG7gn4UqD7stZm1U6NfF0ET6oK0xtfKMAoKCob4Bf0UhPe5smonRcX8VR0dbDVvd66WpwbWl_ZjqIPCdbzUtgSiOxC37NuVRTFnGzb04jndecc8SOmZ_teUW0PKqNZ36yAt=w640-h537" width="640" /></a></p><p>JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH plays most Wednesdays through Sundays at 10 am with select 12:30 pm performances and plenty of Spring Break performances. An ASL interpreted performance will take place on March 16 at 10am. Visit MarriottTheatre.com or call 847.634.0200 for the exact schedule, as show times and dates vary. Tickets are $15.75 (plus tax and handling fees). Call for substantial group discounts on over 20 tickets. Free parking is available at all performances. To reserve tickets, please call The Marriott Theatre Box Office at 847.634.0200 or visit <b><a href="http://www.MarriottTheatre.com." rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.MarriottTheatre.com.</a></b> </p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiPsp4IFVOw3exHBhgL669tldqLe_l8OcVw1vRzXRwZ-_Brc07yrVttI_cgMDSltM-ZMhuVoLMSTZhDh8HsiFYciGPsEUa_JIbQibhOnJhS9_31517pCtHsivRusVFDeHxQ6FaunX8wGSKvdOolUIlO1YmqW4br4Uka7sj_oeCVP_wvtfhCld1DxhVC7ZTh" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;"><img alt="" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" height="537" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiPsp4IFVOw3exHBhgL669tldqLe_l8OcVw1vRzXRwZ-_Brc07yrVttI_cgMDSltM-ZMhuVoLMSTZhDh8HsiFYciGPsEUa_JIbQibhOnJhS9_31517pCtHsivRusVFDeHxQ6FaunX8wGSKvdOolUIlO1YmqW4br4Uka7sj_oeCVP_wvtfhCld1DxhVC7ZTh=w640-h537" width="640" /></a></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi3dZ0PNRDR2WobpE0NSJRnS7zuGWKHO3lW1Eqge8PByxJNB4n53dg0a-wFkCbUJX_CCB2TR9s8vK-Wfto3Rx7_tk7z5LWOS7ZF0_FfEjfw-1xx9OHd03BwdfRLUVnLFxGBV_aPgEKm0uld1EhmQAu2CWFrw0N5ogWEv_iX0tGnv3Y0BwVf8EXx92Hl_DK0" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;"><img alt="" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" height="537" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi3dZ0PNRDR2WobpE0NSJRnS7zuGWKHO3lW1Eqge8PByxJNB4n53dg0a-wFkCbUJX_CCB2TR9s8vK-Wfto3Rx7_tk7z5LWOS7ZF0_FfEjfw-1xx9OHd03BwdfRLUVnLFxGBV_aPgEKm0uld1EhmQAu2CWFrw0N5ogWEv_iX0tGnv3Y0BwVf8EXx92Hl_DK0=w640-h537" width="640" /></a></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEieuwpw9XL_CDOT3arCnlxrhiiB9tn6Az6rKjdAGta2gP4f6UoQp4CCD28Xgy9oKDR1tswTsYcxwJ_odZgspytoqebg7EXocQp2Ao04sckJiK-RWC46lGqbx0aMmEf6ODcuIkBvbQ_4NaAnWRrnGJh_n1bEiv9xdBOzGG6WSZSUIPGRF_faRqWUtE-4D221" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;"><img alt="" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" height="537" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEieuwpw9XL_CDOT3arCnlxrhiiB9tn6Az6rKjdAGta2gP4f6UoQp4CCD28Xgy9oKDR1tswTsYcxwJ_odZgspytoqebg7EXocQp2Ao04sckJiK-RWC46lGqbx0aMmEf6ODcuIkBvbQ_4NaAnWRrnGJh_n1bEiv9xdBOzGG6WSZSUIPGRF_faRqWUtE-4D221=w640-h537" width="640" /></a></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">Also Now Playing Through March 17th: </span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">Lin-Manuel Miranda's In The Heights </span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Highly Recommended!</span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span>★★★★ Four out of four stars, </i><i>Bonnie Kenaz-Mara, ChiILMama.com</i></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifcofr8ptC9jur2m-mTdzE2EQmWC8_EeirVWwCOm6LzNThRiLy7pua30UX2Yi5kAxGngBGp_zAfnFDZK0-ld4l8D9WTyxSVnIVLNL1P7CgspLct26ut3duuNrwp06XoWXOc1jfep7z3VcLMJd-dAWAuVHwwjjxKPaOVo82eqSDPaNCyB-sitM4zUDIHzJR/s2048/422061256_769240988572409_9093297418773967491_n.jpg" style="font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="779" data-original-width="2048" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifcofr8ptC9jur2m-mTdzE2EQmWC8_EeirVWwCOm6LzNThRiLy7pua30UX2Yi5kAxGngBGp_zAfnFDZK0-ld4l8D9WTyxSVnIVLNL1P7CgspLct26ut3duuNrwp06XoWXOc1jfep7z3VcLMJd-dAWAuVHwwjjxKPaOVo82eqSDPaNCyB-sitM4zUDIHzJR/w640-h244/422061256_769240988572409_9093297418773967491_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><p><i style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></i></p><p><i style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">FLASH GIVEAWAY: </span></i></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiC11O2HuMJ6NXC5iifs4gpXGHNH80CnJxgVJF8THP3SwRXFgTFx3iW5fkv29MUlqEZdc7wGRoYKNoJY6BVkRLJGmtazgjDWxMebdd-TLj1c51DOcuKJmOrOhX26tQL-PDNzcNbcztFYnV0HSkuogb6qLmu4nPTsczY2IBVXafYwg5skEyRCoEtGAf3K35H" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="420" data-original-width="800" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiC11O2HuMJ6NXC5iifs4gpXGHNH80CnJxgVJF8THP3SwRXFgTFx3iW5fkv29MUlqEZdc7wGRoYKNoJY6BVkRLJGmtazgjDWxMebdd-TLj1c51DOcuKJmOrOhX26tQL-PDNzcNbcztFYnV0HSkuogb6qLmu4nPTsczY2IBVXafYwg5skEyRCoEtGAf3K35H" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Marriott's Theatre for Young Audiences James and the Giant Peach: 2 winner/4 tickets each ($60 value). </span></b>Winners' choice of any dates through March 30th (see below) pending availability. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/83926c6c530/?" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Enter for your chance to WIN James and the Giant Peach Tickets HERE</a></span></i></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><i style="white-space: pre-wrap;">*Your information will never be shared or sold and will only be used in the </i><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>fulfillment</i></span><i style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> of this contest.</i></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><i style="white-space: pre-wrap;"></i></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi00dp6gln-QBpIGP2RUWkeMgVRdufybtv1G9Afqu500ZhU6VIl5xGulvpL3zA9QitH4APJHfm8cDlX6dcw4dRU7ugUPNSoZzR4Ggm1-hkEIuJCWGzVD3sVJ2kNh_iE3lE-dD1RpnSeuoRPBmyuhf8qs3ZpMmcOv9ACoCDUr10h3QCpAsRxP46kTzL1CdlI" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="2000" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi00dp6gln-QBpIGP2RUWkeMgVRdufybtv1G9Afqu500ZhU6VIl5xGulvpL3zA9QitH4APJHfm8cDlX6dcw4dRU7ugUPNSoZzR4Ggm1-hkEIuJCWGzVD3sVJ2kNh_iE3lE-dD1RpnSeuoRPBmyuhf8qs3ZpMmcOv9ACoCDUr10h3QCpAsRxP46kTzL1CdlI" width="320" /></a></i></b></div><b><i style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></i></b><span class="xv78j7m" spellcheck="false" style="text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><i><span style="font-size: large;">Marriott Theatre</span></i></b></span><span style="text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><b>'s In The Heights: 2 winners/a pair of tickets each ($120 value).</b> </span></i>Winners' choice of any dates through March 17th (see below) pending availability. </span><p></p><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/83926c6c531/?" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><i style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Click HERE for Your Chance to WIN In The Heights Tickets</span></b></i></a></div><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Spring forward and WIN big, Chicago! </span><span class="xv78j7m" spellcheck="false" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">ChiIL Mama</span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> and </span><span class="xv78j7m" spellcheck="false" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">ChiIL Live Shows</span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> are giving away tickets to some of the hottest shows in town! Enter through midnight Monday 3/12. Winners emailed and announced Tuesday morning on both sites and social media.</span><br /><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Enter like we vote in Chi, IL... early and often! Good luck, and thanks for reading ChiILMama.com & ChiILLiveShows.com, your guide to fun in Chi, IL and beyond. </span><p></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi1mDhlWdkYt7QB5GlM4t9yKURx-zLCEvgbjx7Y4YlvzhSYlpNNRWNT0r5ICiH6cArCP2QGispYzRcRRP1srHm7Tr9pGOu1U3MZLWujTd8hlHEkN3ZlXIcA2UD5vYTM7lN75v7toK8CisnGsB_WeSN5ZcmqtpG3iojYiEb7UsnHTZjBtend33oEWAkDRnfb" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;"><img alt="" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" height="537" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi1mDhlWdkYt7QB5GlM4t9yKURx-zLCEvgbjx7Y4YlvzhSYlpNNRWNT0r5ICiH6cArCP2QGispYzRcRRP1srHm7Tr9pGOu1U3MZLWujTd8hlHEkN3ZlXIcA2UD5vYTM7lN75v7toK8CisnGsB_WeSN5ZcmqtpG3iojYiEb7UsnHTZjBtend33oEWAkDRnfb=w640-h537" width="640" /></a></p></div>Bonnie Kenaz-Marahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05141662039871081535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3413066541124683629.post-59621750027807168782024-02-28T11:43:00.010-06:002024-03-01T17:33:26.354-06:00Message In A Bottle Now Playing Cadillac Palace Theatre in Chicago For a Limited One-week Engagement February 28 – March 3, 2024<p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="text-align: left;">Chi, IL Live Shows On Our Radar</span><b> </b></span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Message In A Bottle</span></b></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Choreography by Kate Prince, set to the most celebrated hits of world-renowned artist, Sting, is now playing in Chicago</span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">for a limited one-week engagement</span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">February 28 – March 3, 2024</span></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQyBjQOpTNaYduk4LVcD3ErQuvq5fqRRNZ5uJ1TC2tA0tzgzkKc_2_tjs9adx3zPInPrex2OpQnpC6n_l4QI3QE-uC2PwkHE8uLR_TL7VG7j9QYUN29oyLhsCsFH4Ih-9CBzT1qBLCfkKGX9grfQq7OVeNmQ-vvsfkxn-CqyIsNnVDk_K1m6FgBHwvD2f2/s1356/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-28%20at%2011.34.11%20AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="742" data-original-width="1356" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQyBjQOpTNaYduk4LVcD3ErQuvq5fqRRNZ5uJ1TC2tA0tzgzkKc_2_tjs9adx3zPInPrex2OpQnpC6n_l4QI3QE-uC2PwkHE8uLR_TL7VG7j9QYUN29oyLhsCsFH4Ih-9CBzT1qBLCfkKGX9grfQq7OVeNmQ-vvsfkxn-CqyIsNnVDk_K1m6FgBHwvD2f2/w640-h350/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-28%20at%2011.34.11%20AM.png" width="640" /></a></div><p>Audiences can now see Message In A Bottle, a new dance theatre production choregraphed by Sadler’s Wells’ Associate Artist Kate Prince at Chicago’s Cadillac Palace Theatre for a limited run, from February 28, 2024 to March 3, 2024. Produced by Sadler’s Wells and Universal Music UK, Message In A Bottle is a dance theatre production set to the music of 17-time Grammy Award-winning artist Sting. Tickets are now available for this smashing production. Prices range from $32 to $95 with a select number of premium tickets available for all performances. 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. Current Broadway In Chicago subscribers can add to their subscription by calling (312) 977-1717.</p><p><i><span style="font-size: large;">Performance Schedule</span></i></p><p>Wednesday through Friday 7:00PM (Thursday, February 29 Matinee at 1:00PM)</p><p>Saturday at 2:00PM and 7:30PM</p><p>Sunday at 1:00PM and 6:30PM</p><p>Sadler’s Wells and Universal Music UK present Message In A Bottle, a new dance theatre production by Sadler’s Wells Associate Artist Kate Prince, set to the music of 17-time Grammy Award-winning artist Sting. Message In A Bottle made its world premiere at Sadler’s Wells’ West End venue, the Peacock Theatre, on Wednesday 19 February 2020. Gravity-defying lyrical hip hop dance and breath-taking music combine in a moving story of humanity and hope.</p><p>Message In A Bottle sees a village alive with joyous celebrations suddenly come under siege. In the chaos, three siblings - Leto, Mati and Tana - are separated from their parents. They undertake a perilous journey to new lands and set out on their own extraordinary adventures. Songs include Every Breath You Take, Roxanne, Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic, Walking On The Moon, Englishman In New York, Shape Of My Heart and Fields Of Gold.</p><p>The soundtrack to Message In A Bottle also features new vocals by Sting and new arrangements by Grammy and Tony award winner Alex Lacamoire (Hamilton, The Greatest Showman), with guest vocals from award-winning actress and singer Beverley Knight MBE and Lynval Golding (The Specials).</p><p><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>About Kate Prince MBE Director and Choreographer</b></span></i></p><p>Kate Prince is a director, writer and choreographer. She is also the Artistic Director of ZooNation: The Kate Prince Company which she founded in 2002. Kate is an Associate Artist at both The Old Vic and Sadler’s Wells, where ZooNation: The Kate Prince Company is also a Resident Company.</p><p>In 2005 Sadler’s Wells commissioned the company’s first full-length work, Into the Hoods, conceived and directed by Kate. The show’s premiere in 2006 met with widespread critical acclaim and Into the Hoods went on to become the first hip hop dance show to transfer to the West End in 2008, after two critically successful runs at the Edinburgh Fringe.</p><p>Kate’s further work with ZooNation includes the Olivier-nominated Some Like It Hip Hop (The Peacock, 2011- 13, 2019 and two UK tours), Groove on Down the Road (Southbank Centre, 2013-14), ZooNation: Unplugged (Sadler’s Wells, 2013), The Mad Hatter’s Tea Party (Royal Opera House, Linbury Studio, 2014 and Roundhouse, 2016), Into the Hoods: Remixed (The Peacock, 2015-16 and UK tour), and SYLVIA (The Old Vic, 2018). The company created special performances for Nelson Mandela’s 90th birthday celebrations and for the Laurence Olivier Awards in 2011, creating new choreography for West Side Story with the BBC Symphony Orchestra.</p><p>For TV, Kate’s credits include work for Strictly Come Dancing, So You Think You Can Dance, The Royal Variety Show, Top of the Pops, Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Take Away, CD:UK, Blue Peter, Strictly Dance Fever, Sport Relief, The Album Chart Show, Discomania and PopWorld. Her film work includes choreography for Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, StreetDance 3D and The Holloway Laundrette, which she wrote & directed for BAFTA/Channel 4.</p><p>Other theatre work includes Everybody’s Talking About Jamie for Jonathan Butterell (Sheffield Crucible & West End, nominated for Olivier Award for Best Theatre Choreographer), Enda Walsh’s Ballyturk (National Theatre), Stephen Mear’s Shoes (Sadler’s Wells and The Peacock), I Can’t Sing: The X-Factor Musical (London Palladium) and A Mad World My Masters (Royal Shakespeare Company), both for Sean Foley.</p><p>With ZooNation she has also created choreography for sporting events, including the Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Handover Ceremonies (2008), the Opening Ceremony of the Tour de France (2007) and the IOC opening ceremony for the London 2012 Olympics at the Royal Opera House. In 2018, ZooNation: The Kate Prince Company became an Arts Council National Portfolio Organisation and a registered charity, in recognition of its mission to inspire the next generation of theatregoers and theatremakers. In 2020, Kate was the subject of the BBC Imagine Documentary series presented by Alan Yentob entitled Kate Prince: Every Move She Makes.</p><p>Kate has been nominated for five Olivier Awards, a South Bank Sky Arts Award, a WhatsOnStage Award and two Critics’ Circle National Dance Awards. Kate has an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Winchester and in 2019 Kate received an MBE for services to dance.=</p><p>Most recently Kate co-wrote, directed and choreographed SYLVIA at the Old Vic, for which she was nominated for the Gillian Lynne Olivier Award for best theatre choreographer.</p><p>Kate’s proudest achievement is being Leo’s wife and Ella’s mum.</p><p><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>About Sting Music and Lyrics</b></span></i></p><p>Composer, singer-songwriter, actor, author, and activist Sting was born in Newcastle, England before moving to London in 1977 to form The Police with Stewart Copeland and Andy Summers. The band released five studio albums, earned six GRAMMY Awards® and two Brits, and was inducted into The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2003.</p><p>One of the world’s most distinctive solo artists, Sting has received an additional 11 GRAMMY Awards®, two Brits, a Golden Globe, an Emmy, four Oscar nominations, a TONY nomination and has sold 100 million albums from his combined work with The Police and as a solo artist. He is a member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame and has received the Kennedy Center Honors, as well as honorary Doctorate of Music degrees from Northumbria University (1992), Berklee College of Music (1994), University of Newcastle upon Tyne (2006) and Brown University (2018).</p><p>Sting, managed by Martin Kierszenbaum/Cherrytree Music Company, has appeared in more than 15 films, a variety of TV shows and authored two books, including The New York Times best-selling memoir, Broken Music. In 1989 he starred in The Threepenny Opera on Broadway. His most recent theatre project is the Tony®-nominated musical The Last Ship, inspired by his memories of the shipbuilding community of Wallsend in the northeast of England where he was born and raised.</p><p>In 2019, an album entitled My Songs, featuring contemporary interpretations of his most celebrated hits, was released, and followed by a world tour and acclaimed Las Vegas residency of the same name. Sting’s latest album, The Bridge, showcases his prolific and diverse songwriting prowess, representing various stages and styles from throughout his unrivaled career. Most recently, Sting produced Shaggy’s album, Com Fly Wid Mi which finds the reggae icon performing the Sinatra songbook in a reggae style and earned a Grammy Award nomination for it.</p><p>Earlier this year, Sting became a Fellow of the Ivors Academy – the highest honor reserved for those who have reshaped and redefined the art and craft of music creation, while his hit song, “Every Breath You Take” was added to Spotify’s ‘Billions Club,’ having amassed over 1 billion streams on the platform with the correlating music video surpassing 1 billion streams on YouTube. His critically acclaimed My Songs world tour is currently underway and finds the 17-time Grammy Award winning artist performing his most beloved songs with an electric rock ensemble. Full tour itinerary can be found here.</p><p>Sting’s support for human rights organizations such as Amnesty International, and Live Aid mirrors his art in its universal outreach. Along with wife Trudie Styler, Sting founded the Rainforest Fund in 1989 to protect both the world’s rainforests and the indigenous people living there. Together they have held 19 benefit concerts to raise funds and awareness for our planet’s endangered resources. Since its inception, the Rainforest Fund has expanded to a network of interconnected organizations working in more than 20 countries over three continents.</p><p>For the latest news, official fan club access and more, please visit: <b>www.sting.com</b></p><p><br /></p><p><b><i><span style="font-size: medium;">About Sadler’s Wells</span></i></b></p><p>Sadler's Wells is a world-leading dance organisation. We strive to make and share dance that inspires us all. Our acclaimed year-round programme spans dance of every kind, from contemporary to flamenco, Bollywood to ballet, salsa to street dance and tango to tap. </p><p>We commission, produce and present more dance than any other organisation in the world. Since 2005, we have helped to bring more than 200 new dance works to the stage, embracing both the popular and the unknown. Our acclaimed productions tour the world. Since 2005 we’ve produced 64 new full-length works and performed to audiences of more than two million, touring to 51 countries. </p><p>Each year, over half a million people visit our three London theatres - Sadler’s Wells Theatre, Lilian Baylis Studio and Peacock Theatre. Millions more attend our touring productions nationally and internationally or explore our digital platforms, including Sadler’s Wells Digital Stage. </p><p>Sadler’s Wells East </p><p>In 2024 we’re opening a fourth London venue in Stratford’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Sadler’s Wells East will house a 550-seat mid-scale theatre, as well as facilities for the new Rose Choreographic School and the hip hop theatre training centre, Academy Breakin’ Convention. </p><p>Sadler’s Wells East joins the rich cultural heritage of Stratford, opening in London’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park as part of the East Bank development alongside the BBC, UAL’s London College of Fashion, UCL and the V&A. Sadler’s Wells East will support artist development and training, and the creation of new work. It will build the infrastructure for dance and make it accessible to more people. Sadler’s Wells East will house a flexible theatre presenting a wide variety of dance performances. Community will be at the heart of Sadler’s Wells East with a large open foyer that can be used by everyone as a meeting or performance space. There will also be dance studios and world-class dance facilities for dancemakers to train, create and rehearse productions. </p><p>Supporting artists </p><p>Supporting artists is at the heart of our work. We have associate artists and companies, which nurture some of the most exciting talent working in dance today. We host the National Youth Dance Company, which draws together some of the brightest young dancers from across the country. Sadler’s Wells Breakin' Convention runs professional development programmes to champion and develop the world’s best hip hop artists, as well as producing, programming and touring groundbreaking hip hop performances. </p><p>Learning and community links </p><p>Around 30,000 people take part in our learning and engagement programmes every year. We support schools local to our theatres in Islington and Stratford, designing experiences for children and young people to watch, explore and critically engage with the arts. We also run Company of Elders, a resident performance company of dancers aged over 60 who rehearse with renowned artists to make new work for public performances locally, nationally and internationally. </p><p>Sadler’s Wells is an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation. </p><p><b>www.sadlerswells.com </b></p><p><b>Stay up to date with everything Sadler’s Wells on social media </b></p><p><b>Facebook: @SadlersWells </b></p><p><b>Twitter: @Sadlers_Wells </b></p><p><b>Instagram: @sadlers_wells </b></p><p><b>YouTube: Sadler’s Wells Theatre </b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><i>About Broadway In Chicago</i></p><p><i>Broadway In Chicago was created in July 2000 and over the past 24 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 up to 1.7 million people annually in five theatres. Broadway In Chicago presents a full range of entertainment, including musicals and plays, on the stages of five of the finest theatres in Chicago’s Loop including the 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.</i></p><p>For more information, visit <b><a href="http://www.BroadwayInChicago.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.BroadwayInChicago.com</a></b></p><p><b><i>Follow @BroadwayInChicago</i></b></p><p><b><i>Facebook ● Instagram ● TikTok </i></b></p><p><b><i>#broadwayinchicago</i></b></p><p><br /></p>Bonnie Kenaz-Marahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05141662039871081535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3413066541124683629.post-76270474389654359022024-02-26T17:55:00.000-06:002024-02-26T17:57:39.834-06:00Music Theater Works Presents The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee March 7 - 31st, 2024<p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">ChiIL Mama’s ChiIL Picks List: </span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Family Friendly Shows On Our Radar</span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">MUSIC THEATER WORKS ANNOUNCES THE CAST AND CREATIVE TEAM FOR </span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="font-size: large;">THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE</span></b></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">MARCH 7 - 31, AT THE NORTH SHORE CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS IN SKOKIE</span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLymg8jlkTvRVTukkGwM6TyBJq1gzAV9hTddmW2GR2cnJ0aiQeeIZvMIT3__cY5fjGCIfzSqm_SZMPY4vHGZxSBdIk90h-xFnp9TEPxQ7BoThpEPoxDKSSbB1o1rQxsGmDsEclYn0KqT8YFXPauj2RYnk08yw3nWH1LiW8ey5s53DIGng90FMhrigpD9LL/s1000/poster_spelling_bee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="650" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLymg8jlkTvRVTukkGwM6TyBJq1gzAV9hTddmW2GR2cnJ0aiQeeIZvMIT3__cY5fjGCIfzSqm_SZMPY4vHGZxSBdIk90h-xFnp9TEPxQ7BoThpEPoxDKSSbB1o1rQxsGmDsEclYn0KqT8YFXPauj2RYnk08yw3nWH1LiW8ey5s53DIGng90FMhrigpD9LL/w416-h640/poster_spelling_bee.jpg" width="416" /></a></i></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><b>Perfect for All Ages, with Adult Only Performances, Spelling Bee Invites Audiences to Join This Group of Unique and Dedicated Students as they Compete for the Spelling Bee Championship in this Hilarious Musical </b></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Tickets Only $25 for those Younger than 25 Years Old.</i></b></p><p>Music Theater Works is proud to announce the cast and creative team for the first production of its 2024 season, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, in the North Theatre at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts In Skokie, 9501 Skokie Blvd, Skokie, March 7 - 31. The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, conceived by Rebecca Feldman, additional material by Jay Reiss, music and lyrics by William Finn and book by Rachel Sheinkin, is directed and choreographed by Christopher Pazdernik, assistant directed and choreographed by Keely Vasquez and music directed by Michael McBride. The schedule includes a preview performance Thursday, March 7 at 7:30 p.m. I'll be out for the press opening March 8th so check back soon for my full review. </p><p>The performance schedule is Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., Wednesdays at 2 p.m., Saturday, March 16 at 2 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m. The two performances: Saturday, March 23 and March 27 at 7:30 p.m., are for guests 18 years old and above as words spelled will be of an adult nature and may not be suitable for children.Tickets are now on sale from $39 to $106 with tickets for guests 25 years old and younger available at half-price at <b><a href="http://MusicTheaterWorks.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">MusicTheaterWorks.com</a></b> or by calling the Music Theater Works box office at the North Shore Center, 847.673.6300. Group discounts are also available for groups of 10 or more by contacting 847.920.5360.</p><p>Winner of the Tony and the Drama Desk Awards for Best Book, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee has won the hearts of theatergoers across the country with its mix of wit, wills, and audience participation. Join this group of unique and dedicated students as they compete for the spelling bee championship that celebrates the pursuit of the ultimate prize while finding the joy of being oneself.</p><p>The cast of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee includes Neala Barron (she/her, Rona Lisa Peretti); Zach Kunde (he/him, Douglas Panch); Michael Davis Arnold (he/him, Mitch Mahoney); Will Koski (he/him, William Barfée); Rachel Guth (she/her, Olive Ostrovsky); Jamie Dillon Grossman (she/her, Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre); Mai Hartwich (she/her, Marcy Park); Joe Lewis (he/him, Leaf Coneybear) and Brandon Acosta (he/him, Chip Tolentino). The understudies include Joselle Reyes (she/her, Marcy/Olive U/S); Kevin Parra (he/him, Leaf/Chip U/S); Dane Strange (he/him, Barfee/Mitch U/S); Lilli Galuzzo (she/they, Logainne/Rona U/S) and Bryson Howard (he/him, Panch U/S). </p><p>The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee’s creative team is Christopher Pazdernik (any with respect, director/choreographer); Keely Vasquez (she/her, assistant director and assistant choreographer); Michael McBride (he/him, music director); Amber Wuttke (she/her, fight & intimacy choreographer); Allison Gonzales (she/her, stage manager); Ethan Colish (he/him, assistant stage manager); Ben Lipinski (he/him, scenic designer/paint charge); Ab Rieve (they/them, props designer); Kristen Brinatti (she/her, costume designer); Melanie Saso (she/her, asst. hair, wig and makeup designer); Levi K. Wilkins (he/him, lighting designer); Forrest Gregor (he/him, sound designer) and Andersonville Scenic Studios (scene shop).</p><p>ABOUT CHRISTOPHER PAZDERNIK, DIRECTOR/CHOREOGRAPHER</p><p>Christopher Pazdernik returns to Music Theater Works after making his debut with 2023’s Avenue Q. Pazdernik is best-known for his work as artistic director of Refuge Theatre Project (Jeff Awards, Best Director and Best Production of a Musical, High Fidelity); a long association with Porchlight Music Theatre--including directing eight Porchlight Revisits productions; three years of directing Who's Holiday at Theater Wit and his current role as producing director at Theo. Also an openly HIV+ artist, Pazdernik is the creator and producer of the benefit concert “Belting for Life” and co-captain of Team Option Up! for AIDS Run/Walk Chicago.</p><p>ABOUT KEELEY VASQUEZ, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR/CHOREOGRAPHER</p><p>Keely Vasquez is an actor, singer, teacher and voiceover artist. Recent acting credits include: Dear Evan Hansen (First National tour), Spamalot (Mercury Theater Chicago) and Next to Normal (Writers Theatre). Other Chicago theatrical credits include shows at Porchlight Music Theatre, Drury Lane Oakbrook Theatre, Goodman Theatre, Paramount Theatre, Marriott Lincolnshire Theatre and The Broadway Playhouse. She has served as casting associate for Mercury Theater Chicago since 2021. For nearly a decade, she toured the world singing with Barry Manilow. </p><p>ABOUT MICHAEL MCBRIDE, MUSIC DIRECTOR</p><p>Dr. Michael McBride is a Jeff Award-winning music director, internationally-performed composer, performer and educator. He is excited to return to Music Theatre Works after music directing Lerner & Loewe’s Brigadoon and Billy Elliot. Credits include Big Fish (Boho Theatre, Jeff Award); Revolution(s) (Goodman Theatre); Grease (Drury Lane Theatre); The Scarlet Pimpernel (Engeman Theatre, NY); Rent, New Faces Sing 1951, PorchlightPalooza, Broadway by the Decade (Porchlight Music Theatre); Passing Strange (Theo Ubique); 49th Annual Jeff Awards Ceremony; Ain’t Misbehavin’, The Robber Bridegroom, Jesus Christ Superstar, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Pippin,What a Wonderful World (workshop), Man of La Mancha, Mamma Mia, Into The Woods, The Little Mermaid (Timber Lake Playhouse); The Boys and the Nuns (composer & MD), Fun Home, Violet, Cabaret, Tintypes, She Loves Me, Spring Awakening, Hot Mikado, Urinetown, Into the Woods (Loyola University Chicago); The Christmas Foundling (composer and music director; Pride Arts Center); Footloose (Wallace Bowl); The Drake Hotel holiday programming and The Cabaret Project in Chicago, St. Louis and Lake Geneva. He is proud to be music director at A Church 4 Me MCC in Chicago. Having earned a DM in composition from Northwestern University, He has served on faculty of Northwestern University, Loyola University Chicago and North Park University where he is a visiting assistant professor.</p><p>MUSIC THEATER WORKS 2024 SEASON</p><p>Subscriptions are now available at MusicTheaterWorks.com for its 44th season including 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, March 7 – 31, 2024, followed by Carousel, August 8 – August 18, 2024, Little Shop of Horrors, October 24 – November 17, 2024 and concludes with Legally Blonde: The Musical, December 19 – 29, 2024. All performances are at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie, 9501 Skokie Blvd. Single tickets go on sale for the 2024 Season Tuesday, Jan. 23 at 12 p.m. </p><p>ABOUT MUSIC THEATER WORKS</p><p><i>Music Theater Works is a resident professional not-for-profit music theater founded in 1980. During its 44-year history it has presented more than 150 productions and intimate presentations. Music Theater Works is a professional theater company whose mission is to present works for the musical stage including historic repertoire, revitalizing the Golden Age of Broadway and earlier works, celebrating the Great American Songbook and introducing modern classics. </i></p><p><i><b>JOYCE SAXON is the 2024 Music Theater Works Season Sponsor.</b></i></p><p><br /></p><p>Preview: Thursday, March 7 at 7:30 p.m. </p><p>Opening Night Performance: Friday, March 8 at 7 p.m. </p><p>Saturday, March 9 at 7:30 p.m.</p><p>Sunday, March 10 at 2 p.m. (Post Show Discussion: Behind the Scenes with Tom Shea)</p><p>Wednesday, March 13 at 2 p.m.</p><p>Friday, March 15 at 7:30 p.m.</p><p>Saturday, March 16 at 2 p.m.</p><p>Saturday, March 16 at 7:30 p.m. </p><p>Sunday, March 17 at 2 p.m. (Post Show Discussion: Behind the Scenes with Tom Shea)</p><p>Wednesday, March 20 at 2 p.m.</p><p>Friday, March 22 at 7:30 p.m.</p><p>Saturday, March 23 at 7:30 p.m. (Adults Only) *</p><p>Sunday, March 24 at 2 p.m.</p><p>Thursday, March 28 at 7:30 p.m.</p><p>Friday, March 29 at 7:30 p.m.</p><p>Saturday, March 30 at 7:30 p.m. (Adults Only) *</p><p>Sunday, March 31 at 2 p.m. </p><p>Tickets: $39 to $106, <b>tickets for guests 25 years old and younger are available for half-price.</b></p><p>Music Theater Works Box Office: (847) 673-6300</p><p>Website: <b><a href="http://MusicTheaterWorks.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">MusicTheaterWorks.com</a></b></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYOfxfjdd8pq5Oo6aa45oXrsGJbEvuCqLE2lfNtvkhPdwV6Pnjhe4euuJy2N7ZtdSHjzr8vzoWPeTSk9wdVrQfrFKbumTVyruCHnL4lw0nQobG6vG9f-hMOchPI9zNmA4-xMrjCVxrUeoBp0icDvhqrQLYHFoPArcXxv0jL3ykSfUx_P6PFADVR3rKho0j/s2048/422293541_970892704747166_1167727077349058526_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-style: italic; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="799" data-original-width="2048" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYOfxfjdd8pq5Oo6aa45oXrsGJbEvuCqLE2lfNtvkhPdwV6Pnjhe4euuJy2N7ZtdSHjzr8vzoWPeTSk9wdVrQfrFKbumTVyruCHnL4lw0nQobG6vG9f-hMOchPI9zNmA4-xMrjCVxrUeoBp0icDvhqrQLYHFoPArcXxv0jL3ykSfUx_P6PFADVR3rKho0j/w640-h250/422293541_970892704747166_1167727077349058526_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></p>Bonnie Kenaz-Marahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05141662039871081535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3413066541124683629.post-16227733299146666252024-02-20T14:04:00.000-06:002024-02-20T14:04:41.921-06:00 EXTENDED AGAIN: Mary Zimmerman’s world-premiere of THE MATCHBOX MAGIC FLUTE at Goodman Theatre February 10 – March 24, 2024<p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">ChiIL Mama’s ChiIL Picks List: Family Friendly Shows On Our Radar</span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">TONY AWARD WINNER MARY ZIMMERMAN MARKS 30 YEARS AS </span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">MANILOW RESIDENT DIRECTOR WITH HER 18TH GOODMAN PRODUCTION</span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><b>THE MATCHBOX MAGIC FLUTE</b></span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">A NEW THEATRICAL ADAPTATION OF MOZART’S OPERA</span></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZYidzKtfeQKD_yK2WkBXbXHgyR7SHz62-bc4ZgMMVbg2hiueXsdmaEPkhDA1sCiC6cqQ5djDm4q4ercZXE2NcR8xRF_1eDICeZRFfp9jB491XCKOg7Bm6HT9F9syzwCvN9aFji74RBsOzJarhGoqSCcUdWo_Ho2E56WvUFLe4potG8F8p77Uevrdcj-Mo/s4802/The%20Matchbox%20Magic%20Flute_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3201" data-original-width="4802" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZYidzKtfeQKD_yK2WkBXbXHgyR7SHz62-bc4ZgMMVbg2hiueXsdmaEPkhDA1sCiC6cqQ5djDm4q4ercZXE2NcR8xRF_1eDICeZRFfp9jB491XCKOg7Bm6HT9F9syzwCvN9aFji74RBsOzJarhGoqSCcUdWo_Ho2E56WvUFLe4potG8F8p77Uevrdcj-Mo/w640-h426/The%20Matchbox%20Magic%20Flute_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><b><i>***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</i></b><b><i>*** </i></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>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</i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 35, 66); text-align: left;"> </span><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 35, 66); text-align: left;">Recommended for audiences aged 8+</span></span></b></i></p><p>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).</p><p>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 <b><a href="http://GoodmanTheatre.org/Flute" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">GoodmanTheatre.org/Flute</a></b> 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).</p><p>“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.”</p><p>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.</p><p><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Full Company of The Matchbox Magic Flute (in alphabetical order)</span></i></p><p>Adapted and Directed by Mary Zimmerman</p><p>Marlene Fernandez…..Pamina</p><p>Keanon Kyles……Sarastro</p><p>Russell Mernagh…..Monostatos</p><p>Lauren Molina……Papagena/Lady</p><p>Tina Muñoz Pandya……Lady</p><p>Reese Parish…….The Spirit</p><p>Shawn Pfautsch…...Papageno</p><p>Emily Rohm…..Queen of the Night</p><p>Billy Rude….Tamino</p><p>Monica West…..Lady</p><p><br /></p><p>Creative Team</p><p>Assistant Director….Nora Geffen</p><p>Music Adaptor and Arranger…Amanda Dehnert and Andre Pluess</p><p>Music Director….Amanda Dehnert</p><p>Sound Designer ….Andre Pluess</p><p>Associate Music Director/Conductor….Paul Mutzabaugh</p><p>Set Designer…..Todd Rosenthal</p><p>Costume Designer ……Ana Kuzmanic</p><p>Lighting Designer…..T.J. Gerckens</p><p>Wig & Hair Designer….Charles “Chuck” LaPointe</p><p>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).</p><p>Casting is by Lauren Port, CSA. Patrick Fries is the Production Stage Manager and Beth Koehler is the Stage Manager.</p><p><br /></p><p><i><span style="font-size: medium;">ENHANCED AND ACCESSIBLE PERFORMANCES AT GOODMAN THEATRE</span></i></p><p>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.</p><p>ASL-Interpreted Performance: Saturday, March 9 at 2pm – Professional ASL interpreter signs the action/text as played.</p><p>Spanish-Subtitled Performance: Saturday, March 9 at 7:30pm – An LED sign presents Spanish-translated dialogue in sync with the performance.</p><p>Open-Captioned Performance: Sunday, March 10 at 2pm – An LED sign presents dialogue in sync with the performance.</p><p>Visit <b>Goodman theatre.org/Access</b> for more information about Goodman Theatre’s accessibility efforts.</p><p>EXTENSION WEEK PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE</p><p>Tuesday, March 12 at 7:30pm</p><p>Wednesday, March 13 @ 7:30pm</p><p>Thursday, March 14 @ 2pm</p><p>Thursday, March 14 @ 7:30pm</p><p>Friday, March 15 @ 7:30pm</p><p>Saturday, March 16 @ 2pm and 7:30pm</p><p>Sunday, March 17 @ 2pm</p><p><br /></p><div><div>EXTENSION WEEK II PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE</div><div><br /></div><div>Tuesday, March 19 @ 7:30pm</div><div>Wednesday, March 20 @ 7:30pm</div><div>Thursday, March 21 @ 2pm and 7:30pm</div><div>Friday, March 22 @ 7:30pm</div><div>Saturday, March 23 @ 2pm and 7:30pm</div><div>Sunday, March 24 @ 2pm</div></div><div><br /></div><p><i>ABOUT GOODMAN THEATRE</i></p><p><i>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.</i></p><p><i>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.</i></p><p><i>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.</i></p><p><i>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.</i></p><p><i>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.</i></p><p><i>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.</i></p>Bonnie Kenaz-Marahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05141662039871081535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3413066541124683629.post-79787113839238733992024-02-18T22:06:00.418-06:002024-02-22T00:44:41.487-06:00REVIEW of Paramount Theatre’s Striking Billy Elliot: The Musical Now Playing Through March 24, 2024<p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">ChiIL Mama’s ChiIL Picks List: </span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">Family Friendly Shows On Our Radar</span></i></p><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">Paramount Theatre's </span></i></div><div style="font-family: arial; text-align: center;"><i style="font-family: -webkit-standard;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Billy Elliot: The Musical </b></span></i></div><div style="font-family: arial; text-align: center;"><i style="font-family: -webkit-standard;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: black; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td align="" class="m_-4844896269799784433editor-col m_-4844896269799784433OneColumnMobile" style="margin: 0px;" valign="top" width="100%"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="m_-4844896269799784433editor-image m_-4844896269799784433editor-image" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td align="center" style="margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-top: 10px;" valign="top"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f%3D001fZd0ZO1HmobntfJIt-wWXETtA4YQYHSTv0ijBzLEAiuURjdyEhN7fNlf1oxSMwTVdxQC8LG7h9MNCLy0x-CagYdzeniSidoiQiRG8FiWS0RdTpL3QNcDeaS9hFinObfoMYGuO5kSc6nmslyuQVzVWjzCFPKehpvcXafLFCUsVdqmCFEmwvkWP3ln6PDrwotZynvGgb0mxlEAD419xdCU_vJPKg7yONEeDWIXK2f-92HbSyD-8qsTdQ%3D%3D%26c%3Dz3sQmJKNiSxelPrl-eWhaYy6VR3xQtrW3gzNcsFdvbE83Mh_8srGaA%3D%3D%26ch%3DEktGuaLEUCMBEMLMJE0lFoMzrp9LtcijkYlH5VE6MO8OfTA_dQO4gw%3D%3D&source=gmail&ust=1708545628237000&usg=AOvVaw1rmL9zDRfJxYaS2w2GdPy5" href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001fZd0ZO1HmobntfJIt-wWXETtA4YQYHSTv0ijBzLEAiuURjdyEhN7fNlf1oxSMwTVdxQC8LG7h9MNCLy0x-CagYdzeniSidoiQiRG8FiWS0RdTpL3QNcDeaS9hFinObfoMYGuO5kSc6nmslyuQVzVWjzCFPKehpvcXafLFCUsVdqmCFEmwvkWP3ln6PDrwotZynvGgb0mxlEAD419xdCU_vJPKg7yONEeDWIXK2f-92HbSyD-8qsTdQ==&c=z3sQmJKNiSxelPrl-eWhaYy6VR3xQtrW3gzNcsFdvbE83Mh_8srGaA==&ch=EktGuaLEUCMBEMLMJE0lFoMzrp9LtcijkYlH5VE6MO8OfTA_dQO4gw==" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" class="CToWUd" data-bit="iit" hspace="0" jslog="32272; 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display: block; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 20px; word-wrap: break-word;" valign="top"><div></div><div><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold;">Michelle Aravena</span><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px;"> (right, with cigarette) plays Mrs. Wilkinson, a ballet teacher who sees unusual talent in a young British boy named Billy (</span><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold;">Neo Del Corral</span><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px;">, center). </span></div><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px;">All production photos by Liz Lauren.</span></div></div></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></i></div><p style="text-align: center;"><i style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Inspired new production of the coming-of-age tale </span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">directed by Trent Stork</span></i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">February 7-March 24, 2024</span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></p><p><i><span style="font-size: large;">REVIEW:</span></i></p><p><i><span style="font-size: medium;">By Bonnie Kenaz-Mara</span></i></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Before miners or dancers ever step foot on the stage, the sheer magnitude of Paramount Theatre’s Billy Elliot set is sure to impress. With its towering iron scaffolding, towers and wheels, this gritty landscape provides the perfect backdrop for Paramount's blue collar Cinderella story. Billy Elliot comes from generations of overworked, underpaid English coal miners with few options. These hard headed brawlers are often the stereotype of toxic masculinity, but under those hard hats, there's fierce loyalty and community pride. When a year long strike creates financial woes, clashes with the police turn violent and neighbors are pitted against one another as some cross the picket line as scabs. </span></p><div align="center" style="caret-color: rgb(54, 73, 95); color: #36495f; text-align: center;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td align="" class="m_-4844896269799784433editor-col m_-4844896269799784433OneColumnMobile" style="margin: 0px;" valign="top" width="100%"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td align="left" class="m_-4844896269799784433editor-text m_-4844896269799784433editor-text" style="color: #36495f; display: block; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 20px; word-wrap: break-word;" valign="top"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: black; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td align="" class="m_-4844896269799784433editor-col m_-4844896269799784433OneColumnMobile" style="margin: 0px;" valign="top" width="100%"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="m_-4844896269799784433editor-image m_-4844896269799784433editor-image" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td align="center" style="margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-top: 10px;" valign="top"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f%3D001fZd0ZO1HmobntfJIt-wWXETtA4YQYHSTv0ijBzLEAiuURjdyEhN7fNlf1oxSMwTVdxQC8LG7h9MNCLy0x-CagYdzeniSidoiQiRG8FiWS0RdTpL3QNcDeaS9hFinObfoMYGuO5kSc6nmslyuQVzVWjzCFPKehpvcXafLFCUsVdqmCFEmwvkWP3ln6PDrwotZynvGgb0mxlEAD419xdCU_vJPKg7yONEeDWIXK2f-92HbSyD-8qsTdQ%3D%3D%26c%3Dz3sQmJKNiSxelPrl-eWhaYy6VR3xQtrW3gzNcsFdvbE83Mh_8srGaA%3D%3D%26ch%3DEktGuaLEUCMBEMLMJE0lFoMzrp9LtcijkYlH5VE6MO8OfTA_dQO4gw%3D%3D&source=gmail&ust=1708545628241000&usg=AOvVaw2EshV8sQL2tNzaz3_WvYjr" href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001fZd0ZO1HmobntfJIt-wWXETtA4YQYHSTv0ijBzLEAiuURjdyEhN7fNlf1oxSMwTVdxQC8LG7h9MNCLy0x-CagYdzeniSidoiQiRG8FiWS0RdTpL3QNcDeaS9hFinObfoMYGuO5kSc6nmslyuQVzVWjzCFPKehpvcXafLFCUsVdqmCFEmwvkWP3ln6PDrwotZynvGgb0mxlEAD419xdCU_vJPKg7yONEeDWIXK2f-92HbSyD-8qsTdQ==&c=z3sQmJKNiSxelPrl-eWhaYy6VR3xQtrW3gzNcsFdvbE83Mh_8srGaA==&ch=EktGuaLEUCMBEMLMJE0lFoMzrp9LtcijkYlH5VE6MO8OfTA_dQO4gw==" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" class="CToWUd" data-bit="iit" hspace="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEhWsqZ2Uh6K5sZbLE9YU9MU11911KSaUpcd4JOezK3p8CVNL3H8yeI51P-tbXlxfmwckCyWo8abzALhqC8Wy3BbYcfFSfhSJcUIMmYPcvu4lHwE-ECtvVgoEv3CQ6zxPpcNI3f0TB3dUgd00O8JzmX2cBmrGVpyC8xBheXlU9FB70sNHzloRkdVLtVMa-CY3C9wYCXg6T9bpmfBafUcJ5A=s0-d-e1-ft" style="display: block; height: auto; max-width: 100%;" vspace="0" width="600" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: black; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td align="" class="m_-4844896269799784433editor-col m_-4844896269799784433OneColumnMobile" style="margin: 0px;" valign="top" width="100%"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td align="left" class="m_-4844896269799784433editor-text m_-4844896269799784433editor-text" style="display: block; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 20px; word-wrap: break-word;" valign="top"><div style="color: #36495f; font-size: 14px;"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="color: #161d26; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold;">Ron E. Rains</span><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="color: #161d26; font-size: 16px;"> (center, left) is Dad and </span><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="color: #161d26; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold;">Spencer Milford</span><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="color: #161d26; font-size: 16px;"> (right) is his son, Tony, leading coal miners on strike in a rural town in 1984 England in </span></span></div><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="color: #161d26; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Billy Elliot: The Musical</span><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="color: #161d26; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic;">. </span></span></div></div><div style="color: #36495f; font-size: 14px; text-align: center;"><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="color: #161d26; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div><div style="color: #36495f; font-size: 14px; text-align: center;"><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="color: #161d26; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: black;">In the midst of this </span><span style="color: black; text-align: center;">stress and</span><span style="color: black; text-align: center;"> upheaval, y</span>oung Billy Elliot, who has recently lost his mom, accidently discovers a passion for ballet. It's a hard sell to his family and friends, but his raw talent is recognized, and finally even the skeptics are willing to pitch in to help him follow his dreams, get trained, and rise above a dying town, where fossil fuel mining is going the way of the dinosaurs. </span></div></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%;"><tbody style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><tr><td align="" class="m_-4844896269799784433editor-col m_-4844896269799784433OneColumnMobile" style="margin: 0px;" valign="top" width="100%"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; 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height: auto; max-width: 100%;" vspace="0" width="599" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td align="" class="m_-4844896269799784433editor-col m_-4844896269799784433OneColumnMobile" style="margin: 0px;" valign="top" width="100%"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td align="left" class="m_-4844896269799784433editor-text m_-4844896269799784433editor-text" style="color: #36495f; display: block; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 20px; word-wrap: break-word;" valign="top"><div><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #161d26; font-family: arial; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold;">Sam Duncan</span><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="color: #161d26; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span>(aloft) plays Billy and </span><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="color: #161d26; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold;">Christopher Kelley</span><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="color: #161d26; font-size: 16px;"> is Older Billy in</span><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="color: #161d26; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic;"> </span><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="color: #161d26; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Billy Elliot: The Musical</span><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="color: #161d26; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic;">.</span><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="color: #161d26; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold;"> </span><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="color: #161d26; font-size: 16px;">Note: Sam shares the role of Billy with Neo Del Corral. </span></div></div></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; 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height: auto; max-width: 100%;" vspace="0" width="600" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: black; font-size: 14px; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td align="" class="m_-4844896269799784433editor-col m_-4844896269799784433OneColumnMobile" style="margin: 0px;" valign="top" width="100%"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td align="left" class="m_-4844896269799784433editor-text m_-4844896269799784433editor-text" style="color: #36495f; display: block; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 20px; word-wrap: break-word;" valign="top"><div></div><div><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px;">Billy (</span><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold;">Neo Del Corral</span><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px;">, center) rehearses with his ballet teacher, Mrs. Wilkinson (</span><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold;">Michelle Aravena</span><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px;">, right) and Mr. Braithwaite, accompanist for Mrs. Wilkinson’s ballet class, (</span><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold;">Dakota Hughes</span><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px;">, left). </span></div></div><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></div></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: black; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td align="" class="m_-4844896269799784433editor-col m_-4844896269799784433OneColumnMobile" style="margin: 0px;" valign="top" width="100%"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: center;">Here at ChiIL Mama, we couldn't love Paramount's production more. The casting is world class, and the entire confluence of creativity in choreography, lighting, sound, costumes, and set design is superb. This cast just kills it, and there isn't a weak link in the bunch. By the closing number there were few dry eyes in the place, and a rousing standing ovation erupted without coaxing. </span></div><span><span style="font-family: times; text-align: center;"><br /></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: black; font-size: 14px; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td align="" class="m_-4844896269799784433editor-col m_-4844896269799784433OneColumnMobile" style="margin: 0px;" valign="top" width="100%"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="m_-4844896269799784433editor-image m_-4844896269799784433editor-image" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td align="center" style="margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-top: 10px;" valign="top"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f%3D001fZd0ZO1HmobntfJIt-wWXETtA4YQYHSTv0ijBzLEAiuURjdyEhN7fNlf1oxSMwTVdxQC8LG7h9MNCLy0x-CagYdzeniSidoiQiRG8FiWS0RdTpL3QNcDeaS9hFinObfoMYGuO5kSc6nmslyuQVzVWjzCFPKehpvcXafLFCUsVdqmCFEmwvkWP3ln6PDrwotZynvGgb0mxlEAD419xdCU_vJPKg7yONEeDWIXK2f-92HbSyD-8qsTdQ%3D%3D%26c%3Dz3sQmJKNiSxelPrl-eWhaYy6VR3xQtrW3gzNcsFdvbE83Mh_8srGaA%3D%3D%26ch%3DEktGuaLEUCMBEMLMJE0lFoMzrp9LtcijkYlH5VE6MO8OfTA_dQO4gw%3D%3D&source=gmail&ust=1708545628240000&usg=AOvVaw0eILKDgaSp_Vs7oxvJcapu" href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001fZd0ZO1HmobntfJIt-wWXETtA4YQYHSTv0ijBzLEAiuURjdyEhN7fNlf1oxSMwTVdxQC8LG7h9MNCLy0x-CagYdzeniSidoiQiRG8FiWS0RdTpL3QNcDeaS9hFinObfoMYGuO5kSc6nmslyuQVzVWjzCFPKehpvcXafLFCUsVdqmCFEmwvkWP3ln6PDrwotZynvGgb0mxlEAD419xdCU_vJPKg7yONEeDWIXK2f-92HbSyD-8qsTdQ==&c=z3sQmJKNiSxelPrl-eWhaYy6VR3xQtrW3gzNcsFdvbE83Mh_8srGaA==&ch=EktGuaLEUCMBEMLMJE0lFoMzrp9LtcijkYlH5VE6MO8OfTA_dQO4gw==" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" class="CToWUd" data-bit="iit" hspace="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEg5YjoxtdDmlqHyz-TPqMTJRiRLKCKKUDb4YtiTXYeDWm_cg6OaGdrxSonGLs_2XY3tc0s0eAyP7RXYZ6vZvGHaetFOEL73W7NOqrqWYgs0TIsZwcNGiKYhELYVNsFEbOaw3EwlsOLI3iREIxT4aOVbaAlnACh8hHGw8jOvo7prgDhmcdmNHCsSmiOIsfHvVYNVnFUoZw6jyVOuKeF3r6o=s0-d-e1-ft" style="display: block; height: auto; max-width: 100%;" vspace="0" width="599" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: black; font-size: 14px; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td align="" class="m_-4844896269799784433editor-col m_-4844896269799784433OneColumnMobile" style="margin: 0px;" valign="top" width="100%"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td align="left" class="m_-4844896269799784433editor-text m_-4844896269799784433editor-text" style="display: block; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 20px; word-wrap: break-word;" valign="top"><div style="color: #36495f; font-size: 14px;"></div><div><div align="center" style="color: #36495f; font-size: 14px; text-align: center;"><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="color: #161d26; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold;">Billy</span><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="color: #161d26; font-size: 16px;"> (Sam Duncan, right) and Michael (</span><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="color: #161d26; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold;">Gabriel Lafazan</span><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="color: #161d26; font-size: 16px;">) perform “Expressing Yourself” in</span><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="color: #161d26; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic;"> </span><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="color: #161d26; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Billy Elliot: The Musical</span><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="color: #161d26; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic;">. </span><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="color: #161d26; font-size: 16px;">Note: Sam shares the role with Neo Del Corral. </span></div><div align="center" style="color: #36495f; font-size: 14px; text-align: center;"><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="color: #161d26; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></div><div style="color: #36495f; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; font-family: arial;">ChiIL Tips: Come early and grab dinner in Aurora. Free street parking is easier to find if you're early and great restaurants are plentiful. We've tried at least 5 different places for pre-show food and drinks so far, and would happily return to any one of them.</span></div><div style="color: #36495f; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="color: #36495f; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: black;">As you leave </span><span style="color: black; text-align: center;">Billy Elliot: The Musical, y</span><span style="color: black;">ou may find yourself singing earworm "Solidarity" for days after, but this show's excellent message of inclusion, community, support, and transcending differences is one worth remembering. Paramount's </span><span style="color: black;">Billy Elliot: The Musical is not just memorable but remarkable. </span><span style="color: black; text-align: center;"> Don't miss this. </span></span></div><div align="center" style="color: #36495f; font-size: 14px; text-align: center;"><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="color: #161d26; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></div><div align="center" style="color: #36495f; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">★★★★ Four out of four stars. Highly Recommended. </span></div><div align="center" style="color: #36495f; font-size: 14px; text-align: center;"><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="color: #161d26; font-size: 16px;"></span></div><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: left;"><b>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<span>.com (family friendly). </span></b></i></div></div></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></div><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi10h6gtolG979fhNB1jLRVMHPMJb0Mn-kT3wj3DCk9Sb_hF5c4N8BKJWe1cVq6pUGpNDDZUf7DJ9W8rHVUjpt6xeIt9KictQJth2kY0GQ84URxsIh92vXOAooUmrobtKOghy-DIb2YOeCqJSRuAVn8fX3EjfQv6v8dHmLTHarHDdHjk5lW1yK4orR04lw1/s5000/Billy%20Elliot_show%20image.jpg" style="font-weight: 700; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5000" data-original-width="5000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi10h6gtolG979fhNB1jLRVMHPMJb0Mn-kT3wj3DCk9Sb_hF5c4N8BKJWe1cVq6pUGpNDDZUf7DJ9W8rHVUjpt6xeIt9KictQJth2kY0GQ84URxsIh92vXOAooUmrobtKOghy-DIb2YOeCqJSRuAVn8fX3EjfQv6v8dHmLTHarHDdHjk5lW1yK4orR04lw1/w640-h640/Billy%20Elliot_show%20image.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><div><div align="center" style="caret-color: rgb(54, 73, 95); color: #36495f; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: center;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td align="" class="m_-4844896269799784433editor-col m_-4844896269799784433OneColumnMobile" style="margin: 0px;" valign="top" width="100%"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td align="left" class="m_-4844896269799784433editor-text m_-4844896269799784433editor-text" style="display: block; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 20px; word-wrap: break-word;" valign="top"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span>Combating prejudice with dance: </span></i><i>Paramount Theatre </i></span></div><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">rings in the new year with<span> </span></span></i></div><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-size: 14px;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Billy Elliot: The Musical</span></b></i></div><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-size: 14px;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></b></i></div><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f%3D001fZd0ZO1HmobntfJIt-wWXETtA4YQYHSTv0ijBzLEAiuURjdyEhN7fNlf1oxSMwTVdxQC8LG7h9MNCLy0x-CagYdzeniSidoiQiRG8FiWS0RdTpL3QNcDeaS9hFinObfoMYGuO5kSc6nmslyuQVzVWjzCFPKehpvcXafLFCUsVdqmCFEmwvkWP3ln6PDrwotZynvGgb0mxlEAD419xdCU_vJPKg7yONEeDWIXK2f-92HbSyD-8qsTdQ%3D%3D%26c%3Dz3sQmJKNiSxelPrl-eWhaYy6VR3xQtrW3gzNcsFdvbE83Mh_8srGaA%3D%3D%26ch%3DEktGuaLEUCMBEMLMJE0lFoMzrp9LtcijkYlH5VE6MO8OfTA_dQO4gw%3D%3D&source=gmail&ust=1708545628241000&usg=AOvVaw2EshV8sQL2tNzaz3_WvYjr" href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001fZd0ZO1HmobntfJIt-wWXETtA4YQYHSTv0ijBzLEAiuURjdyEhN7fNlf1oxSMwTVdxQC8LG7h9MNCLy0x-CagYdzeniSidoiQiRG8FiWS0RdTpL3QNcDeaS9hFinObfoMYGuO5kSc6nmslyuQVzVWjzCFPKehpvcXafLFCUsVdqmCFEmwvkWP3ln6PDrwotZynvGgb0mxlEAD419xdCU_vJPKg7yONEeDWIXK2f-92HbSyD-8qsTdQ==&c=z3sQmJKNiSxelPrl-eWhaYy6VR3xQtrW3gzNcsFdvbE83Mh_8srGaA==&ch=EktGuaLEUCMBEMLMJE0lFoMzrp9LtcijkYlH5VE6MO8OfTA_dQO4gw==" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" class="CToWUd" data-bit="iit" hspace="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEgbRKobISfueU8Q_sqNzNt_aki7V8fCjdzAJySHtTfvK7i55-i6gJUMrnIcsYTwm96ehNTQP15VmMQ45XD-OxfifoMKlFtv9hYJ20Sb-wTk0gvW8melMlCf1k6u3F4BrdAvYizwrsEM0iu3ig8rB8FZKpC2OHzTLkUVSYP4cr9uWgcugQ0VlRP3z7Z5waiRYPcx5Tt_u8uhgR2s1wih5_Y=s0-d-e1-ft" style="display: block; height: auto; max-width: 100%;" vspace="0" width="600" /></a></div><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: black; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td align="" class="m_-4844896269799784433editor-col m_-4844896269799784433OneColumnMobile" style="margin: 0px;" valign="top" width="100%"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td align="left" class="m_-4844896269799784433editor-text m_-4844896269799784433editor-text" style="color: #36495f; display: block; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 20px; word-wrap: break-word;" valign="top"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="color: #161d26; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold;">Sam Duncan</span><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="color: #161d26; font-size: 16px;"> (center, back to camera) plays the title role in</span><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="color: #161d26; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic;"> </span><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="color: #161d26; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Billy Elliot: The Musical</span><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="color: #161d26; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic;">. </span><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="color: #161d26; font-size: 16px;">Note: Sam shares the role with Neo Del Corral. </span></div></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></div><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">February 7-March 24, 2024</span></i></p><p>Do what you love no matter what other people think. That’s the message that leaps from the stage in Billy Elliot: The Musical, originally nominated for 15 Tony Awards and a winner of ten, including Best Musical. </p><p></p><p>Meet Billy Elliot, an 11-year-old English boy who stumbles upon a ballet class during his weekly boxing lesson. His surprise love for dance must be hidden at all costs, especially from his coal miner father. With help from his sharp-tongued teacher, Mrs. Wilkinson, Billy gets the chance to attend a prestigious ballet school and must decide what is most important: doing what he loves or doing what other people want. </p><p>Paramount Theatre rings in 2024 with an inspired new production of this popular coming-of-age tale, set to the music of Elton John, book and lyrics by Lee Hall, directed by Trent Stork. Performances are February 7-March 24, 2024. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-5CcrS31hde2aEJIxNj6E72c-XvMwixF96l6s3KctoL4tDsTK4CP6C1j4wBPDvkPZBksgBxdGJVN29jK5LiNXyEnzuaH53DZO9oOGUd5weMTePLg3WOc_W9fmJwpPzWJGUmGulj_bn2k-lYZhrxZjiy9Qb_s_h8ruEwj36wN-KANMixWI7x6Tk3mfHrsZ/s720/unnamed-2.jpg" style="font-style: italic; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="484" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-5CcrS31hde2aEJIxNj6E72c-XvMwixF96l6s3KctoL4tDsTK4CP6C1j4wBPDvkPZBksgBxdGJVN29jK5LiNXyEnzuaH53DZO9oOGUd5weMTePLg3WOc_W9fmJwpPzWJGUmGulj_bn2k-lYZhrxZjiy9Qb_s_h8ruEwj36wN-KANMixWI7x6Tk3mfHrsZ/s320/unnamed-2.jpg" width="215" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><i><b>Trent Stork</b></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Director Trent Stork, Paramount’s Artistic Producer and Casting Director, won their first Jeff Award, Director-Musical-Large, in 2022 for Paramount’s Kinky Boots. Stork also helmed Paramount’s current holiday season blockbuster, the Chicago Regional Premiere of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, along with last season’s School of Rock, and Into the Woods with co-director Jim Corti. </div><p>Stork has assembled another stellar design and production team, on point to create a dazzling night of theater: Isaiah Silvia-Chandley, choreographer; Kory Danielson, music director, conductor and music supervisor; Michelle Lilly, scenic designer; Izumi Inaba, costume designer and wig, hair and makeup designer; Greg Hofmann, lighting designer; Adam Rosenthal, sound designer; Mike Tutaj, projection designer; Jesse Gaffney, properties designer; Ethan Deppe, electronic music designer; Susan Gosdick, dialect coach; John A. Tovar, fight director; Max Fabian, intimacy director; Devon Hayakawa, dramaturg; Amanda Raquel Martinez, associate director; Alex Mitchell, associate choreographer; Cameron Tragesser, associate music director and associate conductor; Jinni Pike, stage manager; Maegan Burnell and Lanita VanderSchaaf, assistant stage managers; and Bailey O’Neil and Madeline Scott, young performer supervisors.</p><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: black; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td align="" class="m_-4844896269799784433editor-col m_-4844896269799784433OneColumnMobile" style="margin: 0px;" valign="top" width="100%"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="m_-4844896269799784433editor-image m_-4844896269799784433editor-image" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td align="center" style="margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-top: 10px;" valign="top"><img alt="" border="0" class="CToWUd a6T" data-bit="iit" hspace="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEjzYa_-lvwmpo1LenkKWJwJDWldBghy9sY1tsApYLNVsCP6_0qfCJAJKt7BtsQqZ9_6cQLq04uAcKTyhwxGV80qYhDYbJ_QkFbetOBQ3UyhxcZMq-F7nvnvCxxqi0whz5A8o34mFLvyyr_ZK9I19sjURuk3IRfMcJEsZV3daY8rj_Co4-p_d2eXQtssDvAk0-Shgdy0sCvHPRQfCb_pMjA=s0-d-e1-ft" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: auto; max-width: 100%; outline: 0px;" tabindex="0" vspace="0" width="600" /></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: black; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td align="" class="m_-4844896269799784433editor-col m_-4844896269799784433OneColumnMobile" style="margin: 0px;" valign="top" width="100%"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td align="left" class="m_-4844896269799784433editor-text m_-4844896269799784433editor-text" style="color: #36495f; display: block; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 20px; word-wrap: break-word;" valign="top"><div></div><div><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold;">Neo Del Corral</span><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px;"> performs the title role </span><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 16px;">in</span><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic;"> </span><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Billy Elliot: The Musical</span><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic;">. </span></div></div></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Billy Elliot: The Musical, based on the 2000 film, features music by Elton John. Book and lyrics are by Lee Hall, who also wrote the film's screenplay, inspired in part by A. J. Cronin's 1935 novel about a miners' strike in North East England, “The Stars Look Down.” The musical premiered at the Victoria Palace Theatre in London's West End in 2005 and was nominated for nine Laurence Olivier Awards, winning four, including Best New Musical. The production ran through April 2016. Its success led to productions in Australia, Broadway, and numerous other countries. In New York, it won ten Tony Awards and ten Drama Desk Awards, including, in each case, Best Musical. It was originally directed by Stephen Daldry. Orchestrations are by Martin Koch.</p><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: black; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%;"><tbody></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: black; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td align="" class="m_-4844896269799784433editor-col m_-4844896269799784433OneColumnMobile" style="margin: 0px;" valign="top" width="100%"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="m_-4844896269799784433editor-image m_-4844896269799784433editor-image" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td align="center" style="margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-top: 10px;" valign="top"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f%3D001fZd0ZO1HmobntfJIt-wWXETtA4YQYHSTv0ijBzLEAiuURjdyEhN7fNlf1oxSMwTVdxQC8LG7h9MNCLy0x-CagYdzeniSidoiQiRG8FiWS0RdTpL3QNcDeaS9hFinObfoMYGuO5kSc6nmslyuQVzVWjzCFPKehpvcXafLFCUsVdqmCFEmwvkWP3ln6PDrwotZynvGgb0mxlEAD419xdCU_vJPKg7yONEeDWIXK2f-92HbSyD-8qsTdQ%3D%3D%26c%3Dz3sQmJKNiSxelPrl-eWhaYy6VR3xQtrW3gzNcsFdvbE83Mh_8srGaA%3D%3D%26ch%3DEktGuaLEUCMBEMLMJE0lFoMzrp9LtcijkYlH5VE6MO8OfTA_dQO4gw%3D%3D&source=gmail&ust=1708545628240000&usg=AOvVaw0eILKDgaSp_Vs7oxvJcapu" href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001fZd0ZO1HmobntfJIt-wWXETtA4YQYHSTv0ijBzLEAiuURjdyEhN7fNlf1oxSMwTVdxQC8LG7h9MNCLy0x-CagYdzeniSidoiQiRG8FiWS0RdTpL3QNcDeaS9hFinObfoMYGuO5kSc6nmslyuQVzVWjzCFPKehpvcXafLFCUsVdqmCFEmwvkWP3ln6PDrwotZynvGgb0mxlEAD419xdCU_vJPKg7yONEeDWIXK2f-92HbSyD-8qsTdQ==&c=z3sQmJKNiSxelPrl-eWhaYy6VR3xQtrW3gzNcsFdvbE83Mh_8srGaA==&ch=EktGuaLEUCMBEMLMJE0lFoMzrp9LtcijkYlH5VE6MO8OfTA_dQO4gw==" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" class="CToWUd" data-bit="iit" hspace="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEggcFSRlZfBT1KfyUAGQhIhBpQ4tjvfYhRcBdjcp1eCDC6fmC_4d6kU8od1J1c-yb0RX3qGEO0U9FkaAsSdpiJSKzytyWsUSpMCYB8uqjmPyUp6uzYCwiPvfYWBKwBgvmeyS5DvlZEJIVECLa3bt4NT0MP81DIXexTSIhb86M8SJx-AHloAHRq2vspdUID8eHuRI5YG-g880FBP1D_JHD4=s0-d-e1-ft" style="display: block; height: auto; max-width: 100%;" vspace="0" width="599" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: black; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td align="" class="m_-4844896269799784433editor-col m_-4844896269799784433OneColumnMobile" style="margin: 0px;" valign="top" width="100%"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td align="left" class="m_-4844896269799784433editor-text m_-4844896269799784433editor-text" style="color: #36495f; display: block; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 20px; word-wrap: break-word;" valign="top"><div></div><div><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="color: #161d26; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold;">Sam Duncan</span><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="color: #161d26; font-size: 16px;"> (left) plays Billy and </span><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="color: #161d26; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold;">Christopher Kelley</span><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="color: #161d26; font-size: 16px;"> is Older Billy</span></div></div></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><p><b><i><span style="font-size: large;">Times, dates and ticket information</span></i></b></p><p>Previews start Wednesday, February 7, 2024 at 7 p.m. Opening Night is Friday, February 16 at 8 p.m. Performances run through March 24: Wednesdays at 1:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.; Thursdays at 7 p.m.; Fridays at 8 p.m.; Saturdays at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Sundays at 1 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Run time is approximately 2 hours 30 minutes with intermission.</p><p>Paramount Theatre is located at 23 E. Galena Blvd. in downtown Aurora. For tickets and information, visit paramountaurora.com, call (630) 896-6666, or stop by the Paramount box office Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and until show time on show days. For group discounts, contact Melissa Striedl, melissas@paramountarts.com or (630) 723-2461. </p><p><b>Pay What You Can Performances</b></p><p>Paramount will offer two Pay What You Can performances of Billy Elliot: Thursday, February 8 at 7 p.m., and Saturday, February 10 at 3 p.m. Both days, starting at 10 a.m., visit the Paramount box office in-person to request tickets. Limit four per person. Subject to availability. See paramountaurora.com/pay-what-you-can for details. </p><p><b>Access Services</b></p><p>Paramount offers assistive listening devices free of charge at all performances. Check in at the coat room before the show to borrow a listening device.</p><p>Paramount will offer open captioning on Thursday, March 21 at 7 p.m., and American Sign Language interpretation on Friday, March 22 at 8 p.m.</p><p>If you require wheelchair or special seating or other assistance, please contact the box office at (630) 896-6666 or boxoffice@paramountarts.com in advance.</p><p><i>Sponsors</i></p><p><i>Billy Elliot: The Musical is sponsored by Clear Perspective Advisors. Paramount Theatre Broadway Season sponsors are the Dunham Foundation, the City of Aurora, BMO, ComEd and the Illinois Arts Council. </i></p><p>Paramount Theatre is located at 23 E. Galena Blvd. in downtown Aurora. Single tickets are $28-$79. For tickets and information, visit <b><a href="http://paramountaurora.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">paramountaurora.com</a></b> or call (630) 896-6666. <b>For the latest updates, follow @paramountaurora on Facebook and Instagram, and Paramount Theatre on LinkedIn. </b></p><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: black; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%;"><tbody></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: black; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td align="" class="m_-4844896269799784433editor-col m_-4844896269799784433OneColumnMobile" style="margin: 0px;" valign="top" width="100%"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="m_-4844896269799784433editor-image m_-4844896269799784433editor-image" style="border-collapse: collapse; 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table-layout: fixed; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td align="" class="m_-4844896269799784433editor-col m_-4844896269799784433OneColumnMobile" style="margin: 0px;" valign="top" width="100%"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td align="left" class="m_-4844896269799784433editor-text m_-4844896269799784433editor-text" style="color: #36495f; display: block; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 20px; word-wrap: break-word;" valign="top"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="color: #161d26; font-size: 16px;"></span></div></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: black; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td align="" class="m_-4844896269799784433editor-col m_-4844896269799784433OneColumnMobile" style="margin: 0px;" valign="top" width="100%"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="m_-4844896269799784433editor-image m_-4844896269799784433editor-image" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td align="center" style="margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-top: 10px;" valign="top"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f%3D001fZd0ZO1HmobntfJIt-wWXETtA4YQYHSTv0ijBzLEAiuURjdyEhN7fNlf1oxSMwTVdxQC8LG7h9MNCLy0x-CagYdzeniSidoiQiRG8FiWS0RdTpL3QNcDeaS9hFinObfoMYGuO5kSc6nmslyuQVzVWjzCFPKehpvcXafLFCUsVdqmCFEmwvkWP3ln6PDrwotZynvGgb0mxlEAD419xdCU_vJPKg7yONEeDWIXK2f-92HbSyD-8qsTdQ%3D%3D%26c%3Dz3sQmJKNiSxelPrl-eWhaYy6VR3xQtrW3gzNcsFdvbE83Mh_8srGaA%3D%3D%26ch%3DEktGuaLEUCMBEMLMJE0lFoMzrp9LtcijkYlH5VE6MO8OfTA_dQO4gw%3D%3D&source=gmail&ust=1708545628239000&usg=AOvVaw1lKCXQ5423W5QryQavduwB" href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001fZd0ZO1HmobntfJIt-wWXETtA4YQYHSTv0ijBzLEAiuURjdyEhN7fNlf1oxSMwTVdxQC8LG7h9MNCLy0x-CagYdzeniSidoiQiRG8FiWS0RdTpL3QNcDeaS9hFinObfoMYGuO5kSc6nmslyuQVzVWjzCFPKehpvcXafLFCUsVdqmCFEmwvkWP3ln6PDrwotZynvGgb0mxlEAD419xdCU_vJPKg7yONEeDWIXK2f-92HbSyD-8qsTdQ==&c=z3sQmJKNiSxelPrl-eWhaYy6VR3xQtrW3gzNcsFdvbE83Mh_8srGaA==&ch=EktGuaLEUCMBEMLMJE0lFoMzrp9LtcijkYlH5VE6MO8OfTA_dQO4gw==" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" class="CToWUd" data-bit="iit" hspace="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEjqiq-1qo-LYo4evNQ_CnG-heYAfhQPQzocHVtBGcJ9Qhgj6zNC6KOqAgD63NDRQZRd9JUTlHFlbjiEldP746GykDJsax3Jcx4F93XCi17y_w8YCDjHFlHl0slukHqYcoY7YWXkpiBJBBHMNCknjNngKfit7Q_HhL7G0N2xb79tgB4HS27YNHDeCL6E44Rg4iurapOZTaw5yWLLwKToB7Q=s0-d-e1-ft" style="display: block; height: auto; max-width: 100%;" vspace="0" width="599" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: black; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td align="" class="m_-4844896269799784433editor-col m_-4844896269799784433OneColumnMobile" style="margin: 0px;" valign="top" width="100%"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td align="left" class="m_-4844896269799784433editor-text m_-4844896269799784433editor-text" style="display: block; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 20px; word-wrap: break-word;" valign="top"><div style="color: #36495f;"></div><div style="color: #36495f;"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold;">Michelle Aravena</span><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px;"> (center) plays Mrs. Wilkinson, a ballet teacher who sees unusual talent in a young boy named Billy, (</span><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold;">Sam Duncan</span><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px;">, right) in </span><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Billy Elliot: The Musical</span><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic;">. </span><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="color: #161d26; font-size: 16px;">Note: Sam shares the role of Billy with Neo Del Corral. </span></div><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;">I'll always hold a soft spot for Billy Elliott, since it was the first Broadway touring production I ever reviewed reviewed for ChiILMama.com, back in 2010. My family was invited behind the scenes, to meet the four boys playing Billy on the national tour, and I got to bring my children to their first Broadway musical, at the ripe old ages of 7 and 9. I've been reviewing theatre ever since and couldn't love it more. </div></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><strong style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"></strong></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><strong style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVVu0kd2ScW0ii0szIk1Sir01DRpPBIxQ6X6eiPc_QY48Yopj1F4bXX3X4zu6HwwGJ9QGOJT6-uZGeIJhiHA-PtEEuQRCnSes5T456r7mXBlntOfIixOzS0-zbmA1u9oGH1eSOVzlDQPaMVSlBUYU00ORTl0qUzjZjJdcxN2-SoC3C5K2PSCBo4vdj9wFY/s512/Billy_Elliot.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="372" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVVu0kd2ScW0ii0szIk1Sir01DRpPBIxQ6X6eiPc_QY48Yopj1F4bXX3X4zu6HwwGJ9QGOJT6-uZGeIJhiHA-PtEEuQRCnSes5T456r7mXBlntOfIixOzS0-zbmA1u9oGH1eSOVzlDQPaMVSlBUYU00ORTl0qUzjZjJdcxN2-SoC3C5K2PSCBo4vdj9wFY/w466-h640/Billy_Elliot.jpg" width="466" /></a></strong></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><span style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><div style="text-align: center;"><span><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="color: #333333; font-weight: bold;"> </span><i><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-weight: bold;"> </span><span><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: small; font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-family: times;"><b>My daughter </b></span></span></i></span><span><i><span style="font-family: times;"><b>Sage, Daniel, my son Dugan, and Billy Elliot -- AKA: J.P. Viernes</b></span></i></span></div></span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Speaking of coming of age stories... Fourteen years later, these littles are now 20-22 year olds and my son has a theatre degree from Northwestern University! You never know how early exposure to theatre arts will grow. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="font-size: large;">Places please: </span></b></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="font-size: large;">Behind the scenes of Paramount’s Billy Elliot: The Musical </span></b></i></p><p>Performing the title role requires a “triple-threat” young performer who can act, sing and is a highly-trained ballet dancer. Paramount has found their Billy, two of them in fact, Neo Del Corral and Sam Duncan, who will alternate in the role. </p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8346DVWYwuOBF6TS8Mm7pHE5biEOTmj06G1aB5YVaQwmi4_AappR3q4oCmSbNk3dJn8cLJ8sZ00SgvaTfzc6_20M2HAN7uvnGUi4suYEB7xrHKRiHE4J0Nmuu4bM9H4o7VzOYjczTtWkREjEvCCo-Nj1OnIG-JD_WlZOrtMWeTqvLnQO5nkDTI2cboahw/s1200/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-03%20at%2010.34.21%20AM.png" style="font-style: italic; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="664" data-original-width="1200" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8346DVWYwuOBF6TS8Mm7pHE5biEOTmj06G1aB5YVaQwmi4_AappR3q4oCmSbNk3dJn8cLJ8sZ00SgvaTfzc6_20M2HAN7uvnGUi4suYEB7xrHKRiHE4J0Nmuu4bM9H4o7VzOYjczTtWkREjEvCCo-Nj1OnIG-JD_WlZOrtMWeTqvLnQO5nkDTI2cboahw/w640-h354/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-03%20at%2010.34.21%20AM.png" width="640" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><b>Paramount's Billy Elliot: The Musical will feature “triple-threat” actors/singers/dancers Neo Del Corral (left) and Sam Duncan alternating in the role of Billy.</b></i></p><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; 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font-size: 16px;"> (right, standing) plays Billy’s late Mum, </span><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold;">Michelle Aravena</span><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px;">(center) is Billy’s ballet teacher, Mrs. Wilkinson, and </span><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold;">Neo Del Corral </span><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px;">(left) plays Billy. </span></div><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-size: 14px; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%;"><tbody></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-size: 14px; 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font-size: 16px;"> performs the title role </span><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 16px;">in</span><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic;"> </span><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Billy Elliot: The Musical</span><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic;">. </span></div><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="color: #161d26; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold;"></span></div></div></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-size: 14px; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td align="" class="m_-4844896269799784433editor-col m_-4844896269799784433OneColumnMobile" style="margin: 0px;" valign="top" width="100%"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="m_-4844896269799784433editor-image m_-4844896269799784433editor-image" style="border-collapse: collapse; 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height: auto; max-width: 100%;" vspace="0" width="599" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-size: 14px; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td align="" class="m_-4844896269799784433editor-col m_-4844896269799784433OneColumnMobile" style="margin: 0px;" valign="top" width="100%"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td align="left" class="m_-4844896269799784433editor-text m_-4844896269799784433editor-text" style="color: #36495f; display: block; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 20px; word-wrap: break-word;" valign="top"><div></div><div><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold;">Jennie Sophia</span><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px;"> (left) plays Billy’s Mum, and </span><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold;">Neo Del Corral </span><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px;">plays Billy in </span><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Billy Elliot: The Musical</span><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px;">. Note:</span><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic;"> </span><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="color: #161d26; font-size: 16px;">Neo shares the role with Sam Duncan.</span></div></div></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: -webkit-standard;">Del Corral, a veteran dancer at Miami City Ballet, has played Billy in productions in Florida and California. Duncan, from Connecticut, making his Billy debut, has many credits including John in Fun Home, the young prince in Public Theatre’s Richard III, plus TV appearances on Saturday Night Live and What We Do in the Shadows.</p></span></div></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: black; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%;"><tbody></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: black; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td align="" class="m_-4844896269799784433editor-col m_-4844896269799784433OneColumnMobile" style="margin: 0px;" valign="top" width="100%"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="m_-4844896269799784433editor-image m_-4844896269799784433editor-image" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td align="center" style="margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-top: 10px;" valign="top"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f%3D001fZd0ZO1HmobntfJIt-wWXETtA4YQYHSTv0ijBzLEAiuURjdyEhN7fNlf1oxSMwTVdxQC8LG7h9MNCLy0x-CagYdzeniSidoiQiRG8FiWS0RdTpL3QNcDeaS9hFinObfoMYGuO5kSc6nmslyuQVzVWjzCFPKehpvcXafLFCUsVdqmCFEmwvkWP3ln6PDrwotZynvGgb0mxlEAD419xdCU_vJPKg7yONEeDWIXK2f-92HbSyD-8qsTdQ%3D%3D%26c%3Dz3sQmJKNiSxelPrl-eWhaYy6VR3xQtrW3gzNcsFdvbE83Mh_8srGaA%3D%3D%26ch%3DEktGuaLEUCMBEMLMJE0lFoMzrp9LtcijkYlH5VE6MO8OfTA_dQO4gw%3D%3D&source=gmail&ust=1708545628240000&usg=AOvVaw0eILKDgaSp_Vs7oxvJcapu" href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001fZd0ZO1HmobntfJIt-wWXETtA4YQYHSTv0ijBzLEAiuURjdyEhN7fNlf1oxSMwTVdxQC8LG7h9MNCLy0x-CagYdzeniSidoiQiRG8FiWS0RdTpL3QNcDeaS9hFinObfoMYGuO5kSc6nmslyuQVzVWjzCFPKehpvcXafLFCUsVdqmCFEmwvkWP3ln6PDrwotZynvGgb0mxlEAD419xdCU_vJPKg7yONEeDWIXK2f-92HbSyD-8qsTdQ==&c=z3sQmJKNiSxelPrl-eWhaYy6VR3xQtrW3gzNcsFdvbE83Mh_8srGaA==&ch=EktGuaLEUCMBEMLMJE0lFoMzrp9LtcijkYlH5VE6MO8OfTA_dQO4gw==" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" class="CToWUd" data-bit="iit" hspace="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEjkY5n7hCZc6RzP9F9lTQUDYSh5MGGBJ2Di3X54QK6C2oTTB8ta4n1-Janqej6IcVmbQTQlPQA1_m_X1NTuscJykKWq4XZbBTOwkkFch4ZoTLZR_30zrj_fieXo4hfn7N-NKdBwaMlXZPbaRSyXyzrTAvvhJ-zUHHhXPWKmxzyB2TqxQEOPA2gRqF4RekkTo2_ughl8fZM8pmdw0QF4I7A=s0-d-e1-ft" style="display: block; height: auto; max-width: 100%;" vspace="0" width="600" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: black; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td align="" class="m_-4844896269799784433editor-col m_-4844896269799784433OneColumnMobile" style="margin: 0px;" valign="top" width="100%"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td align="left" class="m_-4844896269799784433editor-text m_-4844896269799784433editor-text" style="color: #36495f; display: block; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 20px; word-wrap: break-word;" valign="top"><div></div><div><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="color: #161d26; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold;">Sam Duncan</span><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="color: #161d26; font-size: 16px;"> (center, back to camera) plays the title role in</span><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="color: #161d26; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic;"> </span><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="color: #161d26; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Billy Elliot: The Musical</span><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="color: #161d26; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic;">. </span><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="color: #161d26; font-size: 16px;">Note: Sam shares the role with Neo Del Corral. </span></div></div><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td align="" class="m_-4844896269799784433editor-col m_-4844896269799784433OneColumnMobile" style="margin: 0px;" valign="top" width="100%"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: black; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%;"><tbody></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: black; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td align="" class="m_-4844896269799784433editor-col m_-4844896269799784433OneColumnMobile" style="margin: 0px;" valign="top" width="100%"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%;"><tbody></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: black; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td align="" class="m_-4844896269799784433editor-col m_-4844896269799784433OneColumnMobile" style="margin: 0px;" valign="top" width="100%"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="m_-4844896269799784433editor-image m_-4844896269799784433editor-image" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td align="center" style="margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-top: 10px;" valign="top"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f%3D001fZd0ZO1HmobntfJIt-wWXETtA4YQYHSTv0ijBzLEAiuURjdyEhN7fNlf1oxSMwTVdxQC8LG7h9MNCLy0x-CagYdzeniSidoiQiRG8FiWS0RdTpL3QNcDeaS9hFinObfoMYGuO5kSc6nmslyuQVzVWjzCFPKehpvcXafLFCUsVdqmCFEmwvkWP3ln6PDrwotZynvGgb0mxlEAD419xdCU_vJPKg7yONEeDWIXK2f-92HbSyD-8qsTdQ%3D%3D%26c%3Dz3sQmJKNiSxelPrl-eWhaYy6VR3xQtrW3gzNcsFdvbE83Mh_8srGaA%3D%3D%26ch%3DEktGuaLEUCMBEMLMJE0lFoMzrp9LtcijkYlH5VE6MO8OfTA_dQO4gw%3D%3D&source=gmail&ust=1708545628239000&usg=AOvVaw1lKCXQ5423W5QryQavduwB" href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001fZd0ZO1HmobntfJIt-wWXETtA4YQYHSTv0ijBzLEAiuURjdyEhN7fNlf1oxSMwTVdxQC8LG7h9MNCLy0x-CagYdzeniSidoiQiRG8FiWS0RdTpL3QNcDeaS9hFinObfoMYGuO5kSc6nmslyuQVzVWjzCFPKehpvcXafLFCUsVdqmCFEmwvkWP3ln6PDrwotZynvGgb0mxlEAD419xdCU_vJPKg7yONEeDWIXK2f-92HbSyD-8qsTdQ==&c=z3sQmJKNiSxelPrl-eWhaYy6VR3xQtrW3gzNcsFdvbE83Mh_8srGaA==&ch=EktGuaLEUCMBEMLMJE0lFoMzrp9LtcijkYlH5VE6MO8OfTA_dQO4gw==" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" class="CToWUd" data-bit="iit" hspace="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEg4bpC1XBfhDm_Wh4J3s8Llq9I7oHfKh6R9kZatjONeyVJXv4JEDB5oI2Thyphenhyphenq8eo7H1qcV9auKL78BLquLCwLDSZ9BSMgcnk-Ie_7u_Ck1Bvhp_lg9bauwqWaBjy1ha46SGrCxCAAuIadHQyPqv_SD-267jacUEGDhjA4ptBttaEpori-8BxrBPJB5pMdLNoTkxHNIYfXMHIGhQH5oxBLs=s0-d-e1-ft" style="display: block; height: auto; max-width: 100%;" vspace="0" width="600" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: black; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td align="" class="m_-4844896269799784433editor-col m_-4844896269799784433OneColumnMobile" style="margin: 0px;" valign="top" width="100%"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td align="left" class="m_-4844896269799784433editor-text m_-4844896269799784433editor-text" style="color: #36495f; display: block; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 20px; word-wrap: break-word;" valign="top"><div></div><div><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="color: #161d26; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold;">Sam Duncan</span><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="color: #161d26; font-size: 16px;"> (aloft) plays Billy and </span><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="color: #161d26; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold;">Christopher Kelley</span><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="color: #161d26; font-size: 16px;"> is Older Billy</span></div><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: black; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td align="" class="m_-4844896269799784433editor-col m_-4844896269799784433OneColumnMobile" style="margin: 0px;" valign="top" width="100%"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="m_-4844896269799784433editor-image m_-4844896269799784433editor-image" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td align="center" style="margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-top: 10px;" valign="top"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f%3D001fZd0ZO1HmobntfJIt-wWXETtA4YQYHSTv0ijBzLEAiuURjdyEhN7fNlf1oxSMwTVdxQC8LG7h9MNCLy0x-CagYdzeniSidoiQiRG8FiWS0RdTpL3QNcDeaS9hFinObfoMYGuO5kSc6nmslyuQVzVWjzCFPKehpvcXafLFCUsVdqmCFEmwvkWP3ln6PDrwotZynvGgb0mxlEAD419xdCU_vJPKg7yONEeDWIXK2f-92HbSyD-8qsTdQ%3D%3D%26c%3Dz3sQmJKNiSxelPrl-eWhaYy6VR3xQtrW3gzNcsFdvbE83Mh_8srGaA%3D%3D%26ch%3DEktGuaLEUCMBEMLMJE0lFoMzrp9LtcijkYlH5VE6MO8OfTA_dQO4gw%3D%3D&source=gmail&ust=1708545628240000&usg=AOvVaw0eILKDgaSp_Vs7oxvJcapu" href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001fZd0ZO1HmobntfJIt-wWXETtA4YQYHSTv0ijBzLEAiuURjdyEhN7fNlf1oxSMwTVdxQC8LG7h9MNCLy0x-CagYdzeniSidoiQiRG8FiWS0RdTpL3QNcDeaS9hFinObfoMYGuO5kSc6nmslyuQVzVWjzCFPKehpvcXafLFCUsVdqmCFEmwvkWP3ln6PDrwotZynvGgb0mxlEAD419xdCU_vJPKg7yONEeDWIXK2f-92HbSyD-8qsTdQ==&c=z3sQmJKNiSxelPrl-eWhaYy6VR3xQtrW3gzNcsFdvbE83Mh_8srGaA==&ch=EktGuaLEUCMBEMLMJE0lFoMzrp9LtcijkYlH5VE6MO8OfTA_dQO4gw==" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" class="CToWUd" data-bit="iit" hspace="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEjK2wD4EPS9SHcwrc4i8_HT_MXkeKNGNInbWnGMcS8f9GX_fn9OB5s0MAD3dkvRMFZhiCUwsSGKSd7KUTP3GYsabncRtjGGp_IcCxgDy8oA9Io3cj-UJfptyhyphenhyphensSBS6WRTNWQA3cJGpRianK6qN6ViMqXiJIYyFPNn-qoDQAfy8TfmUBXV6iPKuqed1NR4vCAcYrtVSCBn_leA8MoEK45s=s0-d-e1-ft" style="display: block; height: auto; max-width: 100%;" vspace="0" width="599" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: black; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td align="" class="m_-4844896269799784433editor-col m_-4844896269799784433OneColumnMobile" style="margin: 0px;" valign="top" width="100%"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td align="left" class="m_-4844896269799784433editor-text m_-4844896269799784433editor-text" style="color: #36495f; display: block; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 20px; word-wrap: break-word;" valign="top"><div></div><div><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="color: #161d26; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold;">Sam Duncan</span><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="color: #161d26; font-size: 16px;"> (center) plays Billy </span></div><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="color: #161d26; font-size: 16px;"></span></div></div></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: black; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td align="" class="m_-4844896269799784433editor-col m_-4844896269799784433OneColumnMobile" style="margin: 0px;" valign="top" width="100%"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="m_-4844896269799784433editor-image m_-4844896269799784433editor-image" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td align="center" style="margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-top: 10px;" valign="top"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f%3D001fZd0ZO1HmobntfJIt-wWXETtA4YQYHSTv0ijBzLEAiuURjdyEhN7fNlf1oxSMwTVdxQC8LG7h9MNCLy0x-CagYdzeniSidoiQiRG8FiWS0RdTpL3QNcDeaS9hFinObfoMYGuO5kSc6nmslyuQVzVWjzCFPKehpvcXafLFCUsVdqmCFEmwvkWP3ln6PDrwotZynvGgb0mxlEAD419xdCU_vJPKg7yONEeDWIXK2f-92HbSyD-8qsTdQ%3D%3D%26c%3Dz3sQmJKNiSxelPrl-eWhaYy6VR3xQtrW3gzNcsFdvbE83Mh_8srGaA%3D%3D%26ch%3DEktGuaLEUCMBEMLMJE0lFoMzrp9LtcijkYlH5VE6MO8OfTA_dQO4gw%3D%3D&source=gmail&ust=1708545628240000&usg=AOvVaw0eILKDgaSp_Vs7oxvJcapu" href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001fZd0ZO1HmobntfJIt-wWXETtA4YQYHSTv0ijBzLEAiuURjdyEhN7fNlf1oxSMwTVdxQC8LG7h9MNCLy0x-CagYdzeniSidoiQiRG8FiWS0RdTpL3QNcDeaS9hFinObfoMYGuO5kSc6nmslyuQVzVWjzCFPKehpvcXafLFCUsVdqmCFEmwvkWP3ln6PDrwotZynvGgb0mxlEAD419xdCU_vJPKg7yONEeDWIXK2f-92HbSyD-8qsTdQ==&c=z3sQmJKNiSxelPrl-eWhaYy6VR3xQtrW3gzNcsFdvbE83Mh_8srGaA==&ch=EktGuaLEUCMBEMLMJE0lFoMzrp9LtcijkYlH5VE6MO8OfTA_dQO4gw==" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" class="CToWUd" data-bit="iit" hspace="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEisFd1fpKo9lUePFZwkw9P_zmqJ1owqkKAZhSmLt2XwtA60G88lfRUrJnN6n_b7Yz46JGMEqdN9woB9mMI2EYsKeSTerSe-YAOhga03KcE89JFlM-mA75NDmImbwAE-cNkpxnTLtKNIsaHzg2DhMksnm2ZU-4Db4HiW7sv6IHSEqZWgKSz96ZSvsA7Zk6NWc5qJKNbdC7FG78umwZsdvzc=s0-d-e1-ft" style="display: block; height: auto; max-width: 100%;" vspace="0" width="599" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: black; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td align="" class="m_-4844896269799784433editor-col m_-4844896269799784433OneColumnMobile" style="margin: 0px;" valign="top" width="100%"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td align="left" class="m_-4844896269799784433editor-text m_-4844896269799784433editor-text" style="color: #36495f; display: block; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 20px; word-wrap: break-word;" valign="top"><div></div><div><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold;">Sam Duncan</span><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px;"> (right) plays Billy and </span><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold;">Ron E. Rains</span><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px;"> is Dad</span></div><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: black; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td align="" class="m_-4844896269799784433editor-col m_-4844896269799784433OneColumnMobile" style="margin: 0px;" valign="top" width="100%"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="m_-4844896269799784433editor-image m_-4844896269799784433editor-image" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td align="center" style="margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-top: 10px;" valign="top"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f%3D001fZd0ZO1HmobntfJIt-wWXETtA4YQYHSTv0ijBzLEAiuURjdyEhN7fNlf1oxSMwTVdxQC8LG7h9MNCLy0x-CagYdzeniSidoiQiRG8FiWS0RdTpL3QNcDeaS9hFinObfoMYGuO5kSc6nmslyuQVzVWjzCFPKehpvcXafLFCUsVdqmCFEmwvkWP3ln6PDrwotZynvGgb0mxlEAD419xdCU_vJPKg7yONEeDWIXK2f-92HbSyD-8qsTdQ%3D%3D%26c%3Dz3sQmJKNiSxelPrl-eWhaYy6VR3xQtrW3gzNcsFdvbE83Mh_8srGaA%3D%3D%26ch%3DEktGuaLEUCMBEMLMJE0lFoMzrp9LtcijkYlH5VE6MO8OfTA_dQO4gw%3D%3D&source=gmail&ust=1708545628240000&usg=AOvVaw0eILKDgaSp_Vs7oxvJcapu" href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001fZd0ZO1HmobntfJIt-wWXETtA4YQYHSTv0ijBzLEAiuURjdyEhN7fNlf1oxSMwTVdxQC8LG7h9MNCLy0x-CagYdzeniSidoiQiRG8FiWS0RdTpL3QNcDeaS9hFinObfoMYGuO5kSc6nmslyuQVzVWjzCFPKehpvcXafLFCUsVdqmCFEmwvkWP3ln6PDrwotZynvGgb0mxlEAD419xdCU_vJPKg7yONEeDWIXK2f-92HbSyD-8qsTdQ==&c=z3sQmJKNiSxelPrl-eWhaYy6VR3xQtrW3gzNcsFdvbE83Mh_8srGaA==&ch=EktGuaLEUCMBEMLMJE0lFoMzrp9LtcijkYlH5VE6MO8OfTA_dQO4gw==" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" class="CToWUd" data-bit="iit" hspace="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEhqMThRfQjgHPy6CMs30Mxy8HGcPpe0mDSeHUGIWZyNDM9-9rCk0DALCKkXxw1eApUwidE0xXqAc_iNsgh87Bn6R6lc3FqNaCXd4GGXt5tLhmpr_nUkZPT2Dc77fUjq8o6IfsWge9TB6ecvOatYoaypEQkYXCRU8PoAcEScWtCepLlEQrqruCdz-4rbF3e1bB6fVCSi0iuJHtnFKAMLJig=s0-d-e1-ft" style="display: block; height: auto; max-width: 100%;" vspace="0" width="600" /></a><div align="center" style="caret-color: rgb(54, 73, 95); color: #36495f; font-size: 14px;"></div></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: black; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td align="" class="m_-4844896269799784433editor-col m_-4844896269799784433OneColumnMobile" style="margin: 0px;" valign="top" width="100%"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td align="left" class="m_-4844896269799784433editor-text m_-4844896269799784433editor-text" style="color: #36495f; display: block; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 20px; word-wrap: break-word;" valign="top"><div><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="color: #161d26; font-size: 16px;">Billy (</span><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="color: #161d26; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold;">Sam Duncan</span><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="color: #161d26; font-size: 16px;">, right) spins Michael (</span><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="color: #161d26; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold;">Gabriel Lafazan</span><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="color: #161d26; font-size: 16px;">) upside down in </span></div><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="color: #161d26; font-size: 16px;">“Expressing Yourself” </span></div><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="color: #161d26; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></div><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQqrhhwfoLUXgcWTGzi8zGxEyKErhwm8E4AFl3AAYLa153kGLxtG6mLTNfHmIulbmUA0HOImcgUnb6pwrAKRczf1CRXT5v1xLcNZmA-2MSz0mL5HhUhrWlJ6NRv9XTWSZIsKMU1WyWaEHV0FpkB2Q376q1ekxpr5cpgPRj8_7oVMwyz33vyGaE4IbOU76J/s654/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-03%20at%2010.35.17%20AM.png" style="font-style: italic; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="654" data-original-width="598" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQqrhhwfoLUXgcWTGzi8zGxEyKErhwm8E4AFl3AAYLa153kGLxtG6mLTNfHmIulbmUA0HOImcgUnb6pwrAKRczf1CRXT5v1xLcNZmA-2MSz0mL5HhUhrWlJ6NRv9XTWSZIsKMU1WyWaEHV0FpkB2Q376q1ekxpr5cpgPRj8_7oVMwyz33vyGaE4IbOU76J/w586-h640/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-03%20at%2010.35.17%20AM.png" width="586" /></a><b><i>Principal cast members include (top, from left) Michelle Aravena (Mrs. Wilkinson), Ron E. Rains (Dad), (bottom) Barbara Robertson (Grandma) and Spencer Milford (Tony).</i></b></div></div><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: black; font-family: -webkit-standard; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td align="" class="m_-4844896269799784433editor-col m_-4844896269799784433OneColumnMobile" style="margin: 0px;" valign="top" width="100%"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="m_-4844896269799784433editor-image m_-4844896269799784433editor-image" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td align="center" style="margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-top: 10px;" valign="top"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f%3D001fZd0ZO1HmobntfJIt-wWXETtA4YQYHSTv0ijBzLEAiuURjdyEhN7fNlf1oxSMwTVdxQC8LG7h9MNCLy0x-CagYdzeniSidoiQiRG8FiWS0RdTpL3QNcDeaS9hFinObfoMYGuO5kSc6nmslyuQVzVWjzCFPKehpvcXafLFCUsVdqmCFEmwvkWP3ln6PDrwotZynvGgb0mxlEAD419xdCU_vJPKg7yONEeDWIXK2f-92HbSyD-8qsTdQ%3D%3D%26c%3Dz3sQmJKNiSxelPrl-eWhaYy6VR3xQtrW3gzNcsFdvbE83Mh_8srGaA%3D%3D%26ch%3DEktGuaLEUCMBEMLMJE0lFoMzrp9LtcijkYlH5VE6MO8OfTA_dQO4gw%3D%3D&source=gmail&ust=1708545628241000&usg=AOvVaw2EshV8sQL2tNzaz3_WvYjr" href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001fZd0ZO1HmobntfJIt-wWXETtA4YQYHSTv0ijBzLEAiuURjdyEhN7fNlf1oxSMwTVdxQC8LG7h9MNCLy0x-CagYdzeniSidoiQiRG8FiWS0RdTpL3QNcDeaS9hFinObfoMYGuO5kSc6nmslyuQVzVWjzCFPKehpvcXafLFCUsVdqmCFEmwvkWP3ln6PDrwotZynvGgb0mxlEAD419xdCU_vJPKg7yONEeDWIXK2f-92HbSyD-8qsTdQ==&c=z3sQmJKNiSxelPrl-eWhaYy6VR3xQtrW3gzNcsFdvbE83Mh_8srGaA==&ch=EktGuaLEUCMBEMLMJE0lFoMzrp9LtcijkYlH5VE6MO8OfTA_dQO4gw==" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" class="CToWUd" data-bit="iit" hspace="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEjY5SqI2RqXCFi4Etjk8y1yo_lO2T6Db7-NbUhn8gkChMFsTtUl6RLMVcbBmE7EvyTce1NWOpzF96GLlBWSbUzc-CKr3NTIO7AIriO7TGVg8Ux_hVi9vaW3yk1So6vDi983KzVwB3WZGdSMGwaLl7sHxV0Hz5eckIulTpni-oPpxBqfhwNNn-Q4pVvq80cVHaaNa4QBBORhhEFtddWYEjc=s0-d-e1-ft" style="display: block; height: auto; max-width: 100%;" vspace="0" width="599" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: black; font-family: -webkit-standard; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%;"><tbody style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><tr><td align="" class="m_-4844896269799784433editor-col m_-4844896269799784433OneColumnMobile" style="margin: 0px;" valign="top" width="100%"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td align="left" class="m_-4844896269799784433editor-text m_-4844896269799784433editor-text" style="color: #36495f; display: block; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 20px; word-wrap: break-word;" valign="top"><div></div><div><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="color: #161d26; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold;">Michelle Aravena</span><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="color: #161d26; font-size: 16px;"> (center) plays Mrs. Wilkinson, a ballet teacher who sees unusual talent in a boy named Billy </span><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px;">in </span><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Billy Elliot: The Musical</span><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic;">, </span><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px;">playing now through March 24 at Paramount Theatre in downtown Aurora. </span><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 16px;">Photo credit: Liz Lauren</span></div></div></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Youth performers are Gabriel Lafazan (Michael), Omi Lichtenstein and Elin Joy Seiler (rotating as Debbie), Charlie Long and Archer Geye (rotating as Tall Boy/Posh Boy), Levi Merlo and Eli Vander Griend (rotating as Small Boy), Ava Barabasz and Nina Poulimas (rotating as Angela Robson), Maya Keane and Meena Sood (rotating as Julie Hope), Avelyn Choi and Asha Dale Hopman (rotating as Keeley Gibson), Jojo Nabwangu and Willa Zatzenbloom (rotating as Margaret Gormley), Annabel Finch and Katie Romanski (rotating as Sharon Percy), Alexandria Rose Bell and Kavia Suri Kakodkar (rotating as Susan Parks), and Jordyn Helvie and Piper Sobel (rotating as Tracey Atkinson).</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiCv04IEc1KcTdGYlhPMh6utntbvVn8lkXoJEYCjtCnthgmbFkwVHv9Y36fq4qr7251DbVQ3B4pYcnY8gJpuTY7UWR18xGe7RbUGq-kw5K2yzxhywtp_UbRK0Zk_koB-T9pbZjH_R2hDq3F7w7uTnU6_kJrVIP_3mFP6h7NXw-2nn0OPLVw2WSYfmIDxXd/s1200/unnamed-1.jpg" style="font-style: italic; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiCv04IEc1KcTdGYlhPMh6utntbvVn8lkXoJEYCjtCnthgmbFkwVHv9Y36fq4qr7251DbVQ3B4pYcnY8gJpuTY7UWR18xGe7RbUGq-kw5K2yzxhywtp_UbRK0Zk_koB-T9pbZjH_R2hDq3F7w7uTnU6_kJrVIP_3mFP6h7NXw-2nn0OPLVw2WSYfmIDxXd/w640-h320/unnamed-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><p>The ensemble (at press time) features Brian Bandura, Lydia Burke, Joe Foust, Neil Friedman, Nathan Gallop, Jared David Michael Grant, Dakota Hughes, Brian Hupp, Conor Jordan, Christopher Kelley, Chris Khoshaba, Kevin Kuska, Michael Earvin Martin, Matt Miles, Liz Pazik, Concetta Russo, Jennie Sophia and Matthew Weidenbener. </p><div style="text-align: center;"><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #161d26; font-size: 16px;"><i><b>It’s 1984 in rural England, and coal miners are on strike in </b></i></span><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Billy Elliot: The Musical</span><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic;">, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-size: 16px;">playing now through March 24 at Paramount Theatre in downtown Aurora. </span></div><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: black; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td align="" class="m_-4844896269799784433editor-col m_-4844896269799784433OneColumnMobile" style="margin: 0px;" valign="top" width="100%"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="m_-4844896269799784433editor-image m_-4844896269799784433editor-image" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td align="center" style="margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-top: 10px;" valign="top"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f%3D001fZd0ZO1HmobntfJIt-wWXETtA4YQYHSTv0ijBzLEAiuURjdyEhN7fNlf1oxSMwTVdxQC8LG7h9MNCLy0x-CagYdzeniSidoiQiRG8FiWS0RdTpL3QNcDeaS9hFinObfoMYGuO5kSc6nmslyuQVzVWjzCFPKehpvcXafLFCUsVdqmCFEmwvkWP3ln6PDrwotZynvGgb0mxlEAD419xdCU_vJPKg7yONEeDWIXK2f-92HbSyD-8qsTdQ%3D%3D%26c%3Dz3sQmJKNiSxelPrl-eWhaYy6VR3xQtrW3gzNcsFdvbE83Mh_8srGaA%3D%3D%26ch%3DEktGuaLEUCMBEMLMJE0lFoMzrp9LtcijkYlH5VE6MO8OfTA_dQO4gw%3D%3D&source=gmail&ust=1708545628241000&usg=AOvVaw2EshV8sQL2tNzaz3_WvYjr" href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001fZd0ZO1HmobntfJIt-wWXETtA4YQYHSTv0ijBzLEAiuURjdyEhN7fNlf1oxSMwTVdxQC8LG7h9MNCLy0x-CagYdzeniSidoiQiRG8FiWS0RdTpL3QNcDeaS9hFinObfoMYGuO5kSc6nmslyuQVzVWjzCFPKehpvcXafLFCUsVdqmCFEmwvkWP3ln6PDrwotZynvGgb0mxlEAD419xdCU_vJPKg7yONEeDWIXK2f-92HbSyD-8qsTdQ==&c=z3sQmJKNiSxelPrl-eWhaYy6VR3xQtrW3gzNcsFdvbE83Mh_8srGaA==&ch=EktGuaLEUCMBEMLMJE0lFoMzrp9LtcijkYlH5VE6MO8OfTA_dQO4gw==" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" class="CToWUd" data-bit="iit" hspace="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEh6tpNIdifq0mTJDDoJqSsYmCOlGcRKN3hoDx1hXaupDU7Ov8KAK821__6Xtla5BLYh7Ot0Vw7qRmh87CHxAdsGaeoioqM-G9LTzcvI8eoR3s_U3I50OF5lruVCkz_BIjEuZ-ybcpzMk2GIjY2-Tx6CsUCiAuOSCDo5s5qSYE635KctIlHeDc6d9OivojGuoEZL6nnXM5RJYTH_c-34Uaw=s0-d-e1-ft" style="display: block; height: auto; max-width: 100%;" vspace="0" width="600" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: black; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%;"><tbody style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><tr><td align="" class="m_-4844896269799784433editor-col m_-4844896269799784433OneColumnMobile" style="margin: 0px;" valign="top" width="100%"></td></tr></tbody></table></div>Bonnie Kenaz-Marahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05141662039871081535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3413066541124683629.post-57661881197530471692024-02-12T13:49:00.008-06:002024-02-19T11:26:21.711-06:00Activism and Atrocities Abound: Review of Steppenwolf For Young Adults' World Premiere of a home what howls<p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="text-align: left;">ChiIL Mama’s ChiIL Picks List: </span></span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="text-align: left;">Theatre For Young Adults On Our Radar</span> </span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Steppenwolf Theatre Company presents the world premiere of</span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">a home what howls (or the house what was ravine)</span></b></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">By Matthew Paul Olmos</span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Directed by Laura Alcalá Baker </span></i></p><i><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCqx-ZmVjlLFq4Ea3BgVRkxN23Lzj7W6nWhHUg2b7Kt4jfqpGWcOg3Q6_yYGgfj0PirgBj6l6nWrNICC8TqhK_Xu3t22E_ohWvXbx90TVuE8dpE6vxjMpQJfgS3wfC9Ij_vXZN6GjqUir-A8Sor6HIXYJ8cgza5D1iuAqAS8eibESjUs69kI55fkK8RvgR/s904/426327265_120204664365820205_1306111127780197700_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="904" data-original-width="904" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCqx-ZmVjlLFq4Ea3BgVRkxN23Lzj7W6nWhHUg2b7Kt4jfqpGWcOg3Q6_yYGgfj0PirgBj6l6nWrNICC8TqhK_Xu3t22E_ohWvXbx90TVuE8dpE6vxjMpQJfgS3wfC9Ij_vXZN6GjqUir-A8Sor6HIXYJ8cgza5D1iuAqAS8eibESjUs69kI55fkK8RvgR/w640-h640/426327265_120204664365820205_1306111127780197700_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Featuring ensemble member Tim Hopper with Charín Álvarez,</span></i></div></i><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Leslie Sophia Pérez, Isabel Quintero and Eddie Torres</span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i> </i><i>February 7 – March 2, 2024 in the Ensemble Theater</i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><i>REVIEW:</i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>By Bonnie Kenaz-Mara</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Meet Soledad Vargas (expertly embodied by <span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Leslie Sophia Pérez)</span>, a youth activist standing up to the forces of injustice, imminent domain land grabs, greedy developers, displacement, and even murder. Words matter, and neighborhood renewal is a spin for developers' glossy ads, and usually not a positive for uprooted families, forcibly evicted and/or priced out of land and homes that have been theirs for generations. Steppenwolf's world premiere of a home what howls is a welcome reminder of who bears the highest cost and consequences for gentrification. This poetic and powerful look at real-life struggles of displaced communities around the globe is a lyrically-rendered exploration of humanity's capacity for evil and environmental devastation. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSzKZ-HHNCEJOJHmYiM3jc5H0kYnJJMcSbvIGFLWQ6Mq_UalCr2zLrAZv0emAfZt7X2sbsO7ZHZS62Z4veHoO5nK5G-cly0lbns_At9VymldBGwLGddouI0EYhgJaaKgomPBa02DMGFND5eVBiYVBAfrcsgUnqe80PuxMWZ9XlIqUHsTuol_lfexDYJG6-/s906/426257422_120204664365700205_904919040199027044_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; font-style: italic; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="906" data-original-width="906" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSzKZ-HHNCEJOJHmYiM3jc5H0kYnJJMcSbvIGFLWQ6Mq_UalCr2zLrAZv0emAfZt7X2sbsO7ZHZS62Z4veHoO5nK5G-cly0lbns_At9VymldBGwLGddouI0EYhgJaaKgomPBa02DMGFND5eVBiYVBAfrcsgUnqe80PuxMWZ9XlIqUHsTuol_lfexDYJG6-/w640-h640/426257422_120204664365700205_904919040199027044_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">A coyote howling. A home in disarray. A young woman alone. In Matthew Paul Olmos’ world premiere, Soledad Vargas is in the city, fighting for her family’s right to live on their land. When hope starts to dwindle, how far will she go, and what will she be forced to leave behind? </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRRFRYGk6mcd36HGuvyhkYwhB6v4bUPR9F6WWjRTytDWB6LIgwZ_P5PDux3vBMEVgbSvf5-p7jYS7mFuFYCwjMJhdIrNKV7CZOrr2q9nJ4t1Uztr_xHuL6mWDvM808Bw55FSOcLSYo9GEXpFdU9_zonxmHE4jVYfWQQStjccdlwW7thgJ7cphrlvHB7ZcA/s903/426438157_120204664365840205_4184823759855874394_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; font-style: italic; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="903" data-original-width="903" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRRFRYGk6mcd36HGuvyhkYwhB6v4bUPR9F6WWjRTytDWB6LIgwZ_P5PDux3vBMEVgbSvf5-p7jYS7mFuFYCwjMJhdIrNKV7CZOrr2q9nJ4t1Uztr_xHuL6mWDvM808Bw55FSOcLSYo9GEXpFdU9_zonxmHE4jVYfWQQStjccdlwW7thgJ7cphrlvHB7ZcA/w640-h640/426438157_120204664365840205_4184823759855874394_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">With a talented, primary Latinx Chicago cast, this production pops. The cast includes ensemble member Tim Hopper (Downstate, Chicago, New York & London) with Charín Álvarez (I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter, ¡Bernarda!), Leslie Sophia Pérez (I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter), Isabel Quintero (La Osa Menor) and Eddie Torres (Downstate, Chicago, New York & London).</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbnVVt1tp9jSuqtZwhKEix2obSWj-QJaErvQwmGMEMcLK1WNzMcVjYf7lOVyIJVXP9u8-YXgRbJ6M60y9i5NrgodZHbj8LxGawQsSKTpLAT3z9ophjw2u5aU9g6kOZCr5rBIZo4uk4yv09S7pfr6Xr65iV7gu7nivv1DQXRgHVQyGztB11Qs0EUzoNdoUT/s904/426313654_120204664365670205_2917913666908521358_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; font-style: italic; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="904" data-original-width="904" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbnVVt1tp9jSuqtZwhKEix2obSWj-QJaErvQwmGMEMcLK1WNzMcVjYf7lOVyIJVXP9u8-YXgRbJ6M60y9i5NrgodZHbj8LxGawQsSKTpLAT3z9ophjw2u5aU9g6kOZCr5rBIZo4uk4yv09S7pfr6Xr65iV7gu7nivv1DQXRgHVQyGztB11Qs0EUzoNdoUT/w640-h640/426313654_120204664365670205_2917913666908521358_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Interesting lighting and audio choices enhance the story telling, as this all too timely modern myth plays out on a simple stage with rock formations, a water feature made of light, and the jagged remains of what was once a family home. Don't miss this. Recommended. </span></p><p><b><i>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). </i></b></p><div><i style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-FqPlNXGtTVp-zGWVnBfId91LFBKIcZ7Wu6qf2Sg97s3JhPvf_sT1a483GDtBX5xdEe22QH4ZbUz51JX2re41qq_Qij62nVe_fQpjdZmb8UDyJG1HLlchQBlZffwH_Q2AkdxB7NEIbtaFu4ZcIILJjC4ccRSx4RT4wVojCXbmJ8_ojz4vHlcTyqURWX0n/s820/417164753_771765568317957_7744321417544128795_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="312" data-original-width="820" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-FqPlNXGtTVp-zGWVnBfId91LFBKIcZ7Wu6qf2Sg97s3JhPvf_sT1a483GDtBX5xdEe22QH4ZbUz51JX2re41qq_Qij62nVe_fQpjdZmb8UDyJG1HLlchQBlZffwH_Q2AkdxB7NEIbtaFu4ZcIILJjC4ccRSx4RT4wVojCXbmJ8_ojz4vHlcTyqURWX0n/w640-h244/417164753_771765568317957_7744321417544128795_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></i></div><div><i style="text-align: center;"><br /></i></div><div>Steppenwolf Theatre Company, the nation’s premier ensemble theater company, is pleased to present Steppenwolf for Young Adults’ (SYA) world premiere of a home what howls (or the house what was ravine) by Matthew Paul Olmos and directed by Laura Alcalá Baker. This powerful and poetic look at displacement and youth activism will play February 7 – March 2, 2024 in Steppenwolf’s stunning in-the-round Ensemble Theater in Honor of Helen Zell, 1646 N. Halsted St. in Chicago. </div><div><i style="text-align: center;"><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju1riPuG3ez1YYMXhATz-tF-CF6_o_l0Zjp4dCRkAuLxdDw8oCCwxauUNMQXQd37ul_4q5B4uOVa26449EOiUAN3bwj2u_y9KtLD-Ws-joqc3OMuzeXaW3RqOnL3P1BhC1eZ0NSlSulxOVr1bTWSHfq5fu6Avu_itCauVLcqn53wGXe_tmrp0FXVaa_mRD/s1800/ahwh%20Cast%201.%20Photo%20by%20Joel%20Moorman.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1201" data-original-width="1800" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju1riPuG3ez1YYMXhATz-tF-CF6_o_l0Zjp4dCRkAuLxdDw8oCCwxauUNMQXQd37ul_4q5B4uOVa26449EOiUAN3bwj2u_y9KtLD-Ws-joqc3OMuzeXaW3RqOnL3P1BhC1eZ0NSlSulxOVr1bTWSHfq5fu6Avu_itCauVLcqn53wGXe_tmrp0FXVaa_mRD/w640-h428/ahwh%20Cast%201.%20Photo%20by%20Joel%20Moorman.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><i><b>The cast of Steppenwolf Theatre’s world premiere of a home what howls (or the house what was ravine)</b></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><b>includes (left to right) Eddie Torres, Isabel Quintero, Leslie Sophia Pérez,</b></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><b>Charín Álvarez and ensemble member Tim Hopper. Photo by Joel Moorman.</b></i></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzyUtaQiaweRD4b15PW5hIyv48Oirhw4ZjWZ4PkiNky2Y-Yj3gkKms-_h6ohsgHP2LZjM9EI6gXSx0hncD-vhICc8Oi4ayEu0cEvR7ChByg_VtqvelVCa0qv6UJzl8O6km3YXCPCCfLY-7HkUVIJ3-fLtHEUcNP7eVOPloVHaPz9-h1c50-n3Vu_-2jxPd/s905/426379053_120204664365790205_8145152826593297259_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-style: italic; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="905" data-original-width="905" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzyUtaQiaweRD4b15PW5hIyv48Oirhw4ZjWZ4PkiNky2Y-Yj3gkKms-_h6ohsgHP2LZjM9EI6gXSx0hncD-vhICc8Oi4ayEu0cEvR7ChByg_VtqvelVCa0qv6UJzl8O6km3YXCPCCfLY-7HkUVIJ3-fLtHEUcNP7eVOPloVHaPz9-h1c50-n3Vu_-2jxPd/w640-h640/426379053_120204664365790205_8145152826593297259_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-size: medium;">$5 Tickets for High School Students and School Groups</span></i></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Tickets Starting at $20 for all Public Performances</span></i></b></p><p><b>Ticket Information</b></p><p>a home what howls will feature both public performances and student matinees, inviting all audiences to experience this world premiere. Regular tickets are $5 for high school students, $15 for college students and begin at $20 for the general public. Single tickets to a home what howls are now on sale at <b><a href="http://steppenwolf.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">steppenwolf.org</a> </b>and (312) 335-1650.</p><p><b>Student Matinees</b></p><p>Student matinees will take place at 10 am on weekdays from Wednesday, February 7 – Friday, March 1, 2024. Tickets are only $5 for students and chaperones are free. Recommended for grades eight and up. To register your school, click here.</p><p>The a home what howls production team includes Lauren Nichols (Scenic Design), Uriel Gómez (Costume Design), Lindsey Lyddan (Lighting Design), Peter Clare (Sound Design), April Dawn Guthrie (Original Music), Maya Vinice Prentiss (Fight Choreographer & Intimacy Consultant), Kate DeVore (Vocal Coach), Mike Przygoda (Music Consultant), Bryar Barborka (Dramaturg), Patrick Zakem (Creative Producer), Elise Hausken (Production Manager), JC Clementz, CSA (Casting), Michelle Medvin (Production Stage Manager) and Kathleen Barrett (Assistant Stage Manager).</p><p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_LRo3AG1QeCGxeOwjrISGzTYZSKVvzxIh3Wp6Ja1nYVCIeCRgH2ldRooz0nFzrfyTzthRlHZ7YLj0yFlQ0yJxWqMJbDWaBcbuGeKcwXuzqXhXa6B-A5jfPY92bp9UiisJ-2QmyzEFhJSepyMM_nFKpWSen_wEK7_M7fQcmVyjfioqxkWZ1VbCqe0KCwTd/s1800/ahwh%20Cast%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_LRo3AG1QeCGxeOwjrISGzTYZSKVvzxIh3Wp6Ja1nYVCIeCRgH2ldRooz0nFzrfyTzthRlHZ7YLj0yFlQ0yJxWqMJbDWaBcbuGeKcwXuzqXhXa6B-A5jfPY92bp9UiisJ-2QmyzEFhJSepyMM_nFKpWSen_wEK7_M7fQcmVyjfioqxkWZ1VbCqe0KCwTd/w640-h426/ahwh%20Cast%202.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><p><b>PRODUCTION DETAILS</b></p><p>Cast: Charín Álvarez (abrana vargas), Tim Hopper (frank, male conductor), Leslie Sophia Pérez (soledad), Isabel Quintero (coyotl/syera loma) and Eddie Torres (manuel vargas).</p><p>Location: Steppenwolf’s Ensemble Theater in Honor of Helen Zell, 1646 N. Halsted St., Chicago</p><p>Dates: Previews: Friday, February 9 at 7:30 pm and Saturday, February 10 at 3 pm</p><p>Press Performance/Opening: Saturday, February 10 at 7:30 pm</p><p>Public Run: Saturday, February 17 – Saturday, March 2, 2024</p><p>Public Performance Curtain Times: Saturdays at 3 pm & 7 pm. Please note: there will be an added 7:30 pm performance on Friday, February 23 at 7:30 pm.</p><p>Tickets: Single tickets for a home what howls ($20 - $30) are now on sale at steppenwolf.org and the Box Office at (312) 335-1650. Regular tickets are $5 for high school students and $15 for college students.</p><p> </p><p><b>Accessible Performance Dates:</b></p><p>Spanish Language-Captioned Student Matinee: Friday, February 16 at 10 am</p><p>Open-Captioned Public Performance: Saturday, February 17 at 3 pm</p><p>Relaxed Sensory Friendly Public Performance: Saturday, February 17 at 3 pm</p><p>Audio-Described and Touch Tour Public Performance: Saturday, February 24 at 3 pm (1:30 pm touch tour, 3 pm curtain)</p><p>ASL-Interpreted Student Matinee: Friday, March 1 at 10 am</p><p>ASL-Interpreted Public Performance: Saturday, March 2 at 3 pm</p><p> </p><p><b>Artist Biographies:</b></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHAkALCLBqzq7s3HLyhjT-d8e7y5tzGcubZJbGJxXaoooMk5z7icRgh-EyDVoLgsCQik-jiNyxtQ1MfnTG2CevKZZ1FpTuxCJjn1fUYJyaAPrvyKTS0H0HGcD2ZzWegpgoKwErtQcwLnhZFNmOivl8zoLaRFJ-Oohqn0HiDrgtbehT8MB52DWtbnwZQFC2/s1601/Playwright%20Matthew%20Paul%20Olmos.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1601" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHAkALCLBqzq7s3HLyhjT-d8e7y5tzGcubZJbGJxXaoooMk5z7icRgh-EyDVoLgsCQik-jiNyxtQ1MfnTG2CevKZZ1FpTuxCJjn1fUYJyaAPrvyKTS0H0HGcD2ZzWegpgoKwErtQcwLnhZFNmOivl8zoLaRFJ-Oohqn0HiDrgtbehT8MB52DWtbnwZQFC2/s320/Playwright%20Matthew%20Paul%20Olmos.jpg" width="240" /></a>Matthew Paul Olmos (Playwright) is a Mexican-American playwright who focuses on the creation of space for marginalized, underrepresented communities and gives them poetics and theatricality. While his work is always personal, it is aimed at reaching across sociopolitical boundaries, showing the ridiculous of how separate we are, and illuminating hope for future generations.</p><p>He is a three-time Sundance Institute Fellowship/Residency recipient, inaugural Dramatists Guild Foundation Catalyst Fellow, Echo Theater Company Resident Playwright, lifetime Ensemble Studio Theatre member and Sloan Commission recipient, Playwrights’ Center Core Writer and two-time Venturous Playwright Fellowship nominee. Previous Actors’ Theatre of Louisville Humana Festival Commission, Arizona Theatre Company’s National Latine Playwriting Awardee, Baryshnikov Arts Center Resident Artist, Brooklyn Arts Exchange Resident Artist, Center Theatre Group LA Playwright, Drama League nominee, Geffen Playhouse Writers Room, Ingram New Works at Nashville Repertory, INTAR H.P.R.L., a proud Kilroys nominator, New York Theatre Workshop Fellow, Oregon Shakespeare Festival Black Swan Lab, two-time Ojai Playwrights Conference, inaugural Primary Stages Creative Development Grantee and Dorothy Strelsin New American Writers Group, Princess Grace Awardee in Playwriting, Repertorio Español Miranda Family Nuestra Voces Playwriting Awardee. </p><p>He spent two years as a Mabou Mines/SUITE Resident Artist being mentored by Ruth Maleczech, was chosen/mentored by Taylor Mac for Cherry Lane’s Mentor Project, and was La MaMa e.t.c.'s Ellen Stewart Emerging Playwright Awardee as selected by Sam Shepard. His work has been presented nationally and internationally, taught in university and is published by Concord Theatricals/Samuel French and NoPassport Press. matthewpaulolmos.com</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifuPLiq5zVywbZFZvXbTYDAPyrYF0H6qUsAMbLe1E9CTj8OFD-lSkOhSdFIa0GxlAutKb3OtH5rstSFg7hbkeCvB9A2Tueetn0pgpVYiixB8xghoUxrQ-FT9siJcD_5Tc8ZEU3oOpc7ASp50_Nt6sgVYTQZV1-IiJEwg3oFL1ImbILIclkyaRVM5JPHzAx/s1280/Director%20Laura%20Alcala%CC%81%20Baker.%20Photo%20by%20Joe%20Mazza-Brave%20Lux.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="914" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifuPLiq5zVywbZFZvXbTYDAPyrYF0H6qUsAMbLe1E9CTj8OFD-lSkOhSdFIa0GxlAutKb3OtH5rstSFg7hbkeCvB9A2Tueetn0pgpVYiixB8xghoUxrQ-FT9siJcD_5Tc8ZEU3oOpc7ASp50_Nt6sgVYTQZV1-IiJEwg3oFL1ImbILIclkyaRVM5JPHzAx/s320/Director%20Laura%20Alcala%CC%81%20Baker.%20Photo%20by%20Joe%20Mazza-Brave%20Lux.jpg" width="229" /></a></p><p>Laura Alcalá Baker (Director, she/they) is a Chicago-based director and new work developer specializing in unearthing the missing canon and reimagining the existing one. She lives in the intersection of a mixed child, one and both – Mexican American. Chicago directing credits include: Anna in the Tropics (Remy Bumppo), The Leopard Play, or sad songs for lost boys (Steep Theatre); The Way She Spoke (DCASE, Greenhouse Theater Center); Nancy García Loza’s BRAVA (Make-Believe Association); BULL: a love story (Paramount Theatre); and The Pillowman (The Gift Theatre). Regional directing credits include Somewhere Over the Border (City Theatre/People’s Light), Equivocation, The Giver, 11:11 and Collapse (B Street Theater). New play workshops and readings include work with Steep Theatre, The New Colony, Paramount Theatre and the Goodman Theatre New Stages Festival. She is a Steep Theatre ensemble member and a proud former member of the Alliance of Latinx Theatre Artists. She was nominated for “Best Casting Director” and “Best Director: Brava” at the ALTA Awards. labdirecting.com</p><p>Charín Álvarez (abrana vargas) Steppenwolf Theatre Company: I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter, La Ruta, Infidel, Ordinary Yearning, Fermi. Chicago: Anna in the Tropics, Passage, Skin of Our Teeth, Clean House (Remy Bumppo); Lettie, Mojada, Oedipus El Rey, Anna in the Tropics, A Park in the House (Victory Gardens Theater); The Scene (Writers Theatre); 2666, Pedro Paramo, El Nogalar, Dollhouse, Electricidad (Goodman Theatre); In The Time of the Butterflies, Our Lady of the Underpass, I Put the Fear of Mexico in ‘em, Dreamlandia, Another Part of the House (Teatro Vista); Water by the Spoonful (Court Theatre); What We Once Felt (About Face Theatre); Kita & Fernanda (16th Street Theatre); Esperanza Rising (Chicago Children’s Theatre); Two Sisters and a Piano (Apple Tree Theatre); Generic Latina (Teatro Luna); La Casa de Bernarda Alba (Aguijon Theatre). Film/TV: Rooftop Wars, Arc of a Bird, Were the World Mine, Chicago Overcoat, First and Only Lesson, Dogwalker, Olympia: An Instruction Manual For How Things Work, Signature Move, En Algun Lugar, Somebody Somewhere, Paper Girls, Ripple Effects, Chicago Med, Easy, Shameless, Chicago Fire, Mob Doctor, Boss, Chicago Code, Approach Alone, Rogers Park, Princess Cyd, Single File, Teacher, Hala, Saint Frances, Rounding, Heartsong, Museum, Last Drop, Single Car Crashes and Adult Children.</p><p>Tim Hopper (frank/male conductor) is a member of the Steppenwolf Theatre Company ensemble. Recent roles at Steppenwolf include Andy in Downstate, which traveled to the National Theatre in London, and to Playwrights Horizons in New York. He also appeared at the Goodman Theatre in the title role of Uncle Vanya. Television appearances include Chicago Fire, the Amazon series Utopia, Fargo, The Americans, The Exorcist, Empire and Chicago Med. Film appearances include Perpetrator; Knives and Skin, School of Rock and To Die For, among others. Recipient of the 2018 Lunt-Fontanne Fellowship. Broadway: Present Laughter. Off-Broadway: New York Theatre Workshop, Theatre for a New Audience, Vineyard Theatre and the Atlantic Theater. Regionally, at Long Wharf; Williamstown and La Jolla Playhouse. Internationally, the Edinburgh Festival and Antwerp's De Singel Theatre. </p><p>Leslie Sophia Pérez (soledad) Class of ‘23 graduate of The Theatre School at DePaul University. Steppenwolf Theatre Company: I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter (also at Seattle Rep). Chicago: Project Potential (Theater on the Lake); Assumptions and Forgiveness (American Blues Theater). Television: Chicago PD, HBO Max Pilot: Computer School. Commercial: Visa commercial. @_leslie.sophia.</p><p>Isabel Quintero (coyotl/syera loma) Steppenwolf Theatre Company: The House On Mango Street (u/s), La Osa Menor (LookOut 2019, 2023). Chicago: In The Heights (Porchlight Music Theatre); The Sins of Sor Juana, Blood Wedding ad., Yasmina’s Necklace (u/s), Let the Eagle Fly, Boleros for the Disenchanted (u/s) (Goodman Theatre); Living Large in a Mini Kind of Way, Quita Mitos (Teatro Luna); La Posada Magica (Teatro Vista); Mark of Zorro (Lifeline Theatre) Regional: The Roommate (Renaissance Theaterworks); Mojada (Indianapolis Shakespeare Company); Quixote Nuevo (Roun House Theatre) Calabasas Street (Children’s Theater of Madison) Film: Holy Trinity, A Handful of Dirt, L.A.I.D.; Television: Chicago P.D.,The Chi. Awards: DCASE Esteemed Artist Award 2022; laosamenoralbum.com</p><p>Eddie Torres (manuel vargas) Steppenwolf Theatre Company: Downstate (2023 Lortel nomination/Best Featured Performer in a Play) at Playwrights Horizons, The National Theatre in London and Steppenwolf Theater Company. Directing: The Old Globe, productions of El Borracho, Familiar, Native Gardens and Water by the Spoonful. Geffen Playhouse, Second Stage, Goodman, The Public, Repetorio Espanol, and more. He directed the world premiere of Kristoffer Diaz's The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity. (Victory Gardens Theatre & Teatro Vista), which was named Best Play and New York Times (2010). Received Joseph Jefferson Awards, including Best Production and Director. Awards: Latin ACE Award (Best Musical, Artist de Teatro Independient (Best Director). He is an Associate Professor in Theater at University of Illinois Chicago and is Artistic Director Emeritus at Teatro Vista.</p><p><b>Accessibility</b></p><p>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.</p><p><i>Sponsor Information</i></p><p><i>United Airlines is the Official and Exclusive Airline of Steppenwolf. Steppenwolf is also grateful for the significant season support from Northern Trust, Allstate Insurance Company, Amazon, Conagra Brands Foundation, Kirkland & Ellis, PNC, ArentFox Schiff, and Vinci Restaurant. Additional Steppenwolf Education support comes from the Paul M. Angell Family Foundation, Crown Family Philanthropies, Polk Bros. Foundation, ADM and the Lloyd A. Fry Foundation. 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. </i></p><p><i>Steppenwolf Theatre Company is a Chicago theater that is home to America’s ensemble. The company began performing in the mid-1970s in the basement of a Highland Park, IL church—today Steppenwolf is the nation’s premier ensemble theater with 49 members who are among the top actors, playwrights and directors in the field. Deeply rooted in its ensemble ethos, the company is committed to equity, diversity, inclusion and making the Steppenwolf experience accessible to all. Groundbreaking productions from Balm in Gilead and August: Osage County to Downstate and Pass Over—and accolades that include the National Medal of Arts and 12 Tony® Awards—have made the theatre legendary. Artistic programming includes a membership series; a Steppenwolf for Young Adults season; and LookOut, a multi-genre performance series. The nationally recognized work of Steppenwolf Education engages more than 20,000 participants annually in Chicagoland communities promoting compassion, encouraging curiosity and inspiring action. While firmly 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. 2021 marked the opening of Steppenwolf’s landmark Lefkofsky Arts & Education Center—deepening the company’s commitment to Chicagoland teens and serving as a cultural nexus for Chicago. Glenn Davis and Audrey Francis are the Artistic Directors and E. Brooke Flanagan is Executive Director. Keating Crown is Chair of Steppenwolf’s Board of Trustees.</i></p><p><i>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. </i></p><p><i><b>We invite you to join our ensemble as we navigate, together, our complex world. <a href="http://steppenwolf.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">steppenwolf.org</a>, facebook.com/steppenwolftheatre, twitter.com/steppenwolfthtr and instagram.com/steppenwolfthtr.</b></i></p>Bonnie Kenaz-Marahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05141662039871081535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3413066541124683629.post-18581420013707852742024-02-10T00:20:00.005-06:002024-02-19T11:37:07.337-06:00Hellish, Hopeful, and Highly Recommended: Review of TimeLine Theatre’s Notes from the Field<p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="text-align: left;">ChiIL Mama’s ChiIL Picks List: </span></span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="text-align: left;">Adult Shows With Family Themes On Our Radar</span> </span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">TIMELINE THEATRE PRESENTS CHICAGO PREMIERE OF ANNA DEAVERE SMITH’S </span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">NOTES FROM THE FIELD</span></b></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">JANUARY 31 - MARCH 24, 2024</span></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggDkyw7xQsaSs9cDSCY7-6NFu1mX_Ltqckbn11XINtWv-UbS9-n-pQ0JYOmmRQJ46nHHese-HwNvjcbyFpdxcqmmloAsRyIEiAs_yhzODs4ut-VVYTCRNrFp3rjm-KRnd66d2KXfDxT2ZLVYc6GwqwSoREPmrBXocIIQH_PRF_nutpr2CrMB6yMxZsz1E/s1174/unnamed-1.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="912" data-original-width="1174" height="498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggDkyw7xQsaSs9cDSCY7-6NFu1mX_Ltqckbn11XINtWv-UbS9-n-pQ0JYOmmRQJ46nHHese-HwNvjcbyFpdxcqmmloAsRyIEiAs_yhzODs4ut-VVYTCRNrFp3rjm-KRnd66d2KXfDxT2ZLVYc6GwqwSoREPmrBXocIIQH_PRF_nutpr2CrMB6yMxZsz1E/w640-h498/unnamed-1.png" width="640" /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><i><span style="font-size: large;">Mildred Marie Langford, Shariba Rivers, and Adhana Reid give voice to 19 real-life people in director Mikael Burke’s staging of Smith’s searing indictment of America’s school-to-prison pipeline</span></i></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">REVIEW:</span></i></p><p style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">By Bonnie Kenaz-Mara</span></i></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">A dirt floor, a sparse set, a chorus of 3 figures in black speaking in unison. 3 pairs of bare feet grounding, connecting, and rooting a series of disparate stories with a common thread of injustice, so something incredible can grow. Three powerful women channeling the true stories of 19 individuals fighting to overcome and transform America’s education and criminal justice systems. One must see performance that will blow the blinders off audience members and bring systemic racism, classism, and school/police failures into the spotlight. <span style="text-align: center;">Notes from the Field is an</span></span><span style="font-family: arial;"> eye opening compilation of heart wrenching stories, staged in a stark and moving way. Kudos to all the </span><span style="font-family: arial;">TimeLine</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial;">cast and creatives for bringing critical, true stories into the spotlight, encouraging </span><span style="font-family: arial;">empathy, </span><span style="font-family: arial;">and inciting change. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Highly recommended. </span><i style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">★★★★ Four out of four stars. </span></b></i></p><p style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_J11bcnY9Hpdm2sO8kgLaTjU5R6FJsyxI-VEF8O5ntJJLp1ZROAZEvOAY08wEAjGdTtJAHtiyb3lDlOrNEpOjuv0FpYoCD3EJR1eYjZjmqnAkXXYe_lhEgy5SDRXtXJwI650A6SA5JU16diQYve2wijINvyvVkI-Rum_jtD8qYuhAe-XKpkil01ysdOHa/s1200/unnamed-3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_J11bcnY9Hpdm2sO8kgLaTjU5R6FJsyxI-VEF8O5ntJJLp1ZROAZEvOAY08wEAjGdTtJAHtiyb3lDlOrNEpOjuv0FpYoCD3EJR1eYjZjmqnAkXXYe_lhEgy5SDRXtXJwI650A6SA5JU16diQYve2wijINvyvVkI-Rum_jtD8qYuhAe-XKpkil01ysdOHa/w640-h426/unnamed-3.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Adhana Reid (from left), Shariba Rivers, and Mildred Marie Langford collectively become Sherrilyn Ifill from the NAACP. All p</i></b><b><i>roduction photos by Brett Beiner Photography.</i></b></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Three is a magic number, and Mildred Marie Langford, Adhana Reid, and Shariba Rivers are transformation in action and bring the stage magic! By simple costume changes and impressively different body language, cadence and accents, these 3 masters of the craft embody 19 vastly different human beings, and bring their real experiences to our eyes and ears in a visceral, chill-inducing way.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">We live in difficult times socially, politically, environmentally, and economically. Yet, we could also be on the cusp of exciting,historic change. Lots of elements in our society are failing, and one of the first steps to making positive changes is acknowledging the problems. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOmGGsTg9EqOr4JfrLi8rze_zERVkIKtFCOyTu-tvFXNpEvCRhWpJ0LA-EYMBfR2-5pgQ-eSQgafeAXANonPIc97GVI_3cswgUvkIq3QdiJ7rnOqyvl8W6wa7HjDklkTMwfCYVjIU7fuVmIwh8OtwmvZQegL2GdZLbhupRdUhxVCGclXiFSiuq_GBmwgI-/s1799/unnamed-13.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1799" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOmGGsTg9EqOr4JfrLi8rze_zERVkIKtFCOyTu-tvFXNpEvCRhWpJ0LA-EYMBfR2-5pgQ-eSQgafeAXANonPIc97GVI_3cswgUvkIq3QdiJ7rnOqyvl8W6wa7HjDklkTMwfCYVjIU7fuVmIwh8OtwmvZQegL2GdZLbhupRdUhxVCGclXiFSiuq_GBmwgI-/w426-h640/unnamed-13.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b style="font-family: -webkit-standard;"><i>Shariba Rivers as fisherman and former inmate Taos Procter </i></b><b style="font-family: -webkit-standard;"><i>shares his story </i></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b style="font-family: -webkit-standard;"><i>of ending up in prison</i></b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I have many friends who are teachers, so for years I've heard a barrage of stories about our broken system. A close friend who taught in an alternative school in Chicago's Englewood neighborhood had a student in class with an ankle monitor and another who disappeared from her English class one day, and when she asked around she discovered he had murdered his two housemates and was arrested. So many students are dealing with unimaginable stress and untenable living situations, with few safety nets or services to help, before situations hit critical. Another close friend of mine teaches kids who have been kicked out of public school, in a near western burb. She's had many success stories, as well as the heartbreak of seeing more than one promising student get murdered, and several classmates kill each other! And then we have to take into account the lesser but relentless daily discipline </span><span style="font-family: arial;">problems</span><span style="font-family: arial;">, poverty, and life stressors. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">I still think the general public is oblivious or buying knee-jerk fear mongering without taking a good look at surrounding social problems and more effective solutions.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I'm the mother of 2 graduates of Chicago Public Schools and walking though metal detectors and past cops every day from 7th-12th grade was routine for them, along with active shooter drills, and even school bomb threats. My daughter was stopped by a squad car while walking to school her sophomore year. Her crime? She was a few minutes tardy, since the L train was late and she missed her connecting bus. They scared, grilled, and hassled her, accused her of being from another school and causing trouble, and eventually released her, much tardier than she would have been. She was a cute, little white girl. How different would it have been if she was a black boy, especially one who ran when they pulled up? How could that scary encounter have gone if she had ADHD, or had other physical or mental disabilities that made her unable to hear them or comply with their demands?</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: center;">Here at ChiIL Mama, we can't praise </span><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: center;">TimeLine</span><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: center;"> enough for producing the uncomfortable work that sparks difficult discussions. </span><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Chicago's new Mayor campaigned on a promise to remove police officers from Chicago Public Schools, so we're at an interesting moment where school counselors, and those trained in deescalation over incarceration may see more funding and support. At this juncture, </span></span><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Notes from the Field couldn't be more timely. There are so many nuggets of wisdom, common sense and compassion in this show. The idea that children in crisis need to be pulled closer, nurtured, and helped, not incarcerated and separated, truly resonates. It's easy to become numb to the constant negative news cycles, but elevating a crisis to the stage makes a unique impact. </span></span><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: center;"> </span></p><div><b><i> </i></b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEbcKcBW9psgzFwJKUdDX3a6PQq7zRGImKLqqAIi2MHityzcgHYtY7iAw-3SEYOoTd5nHl-PQJ3zfzdtM67s7hH6qrs1b8WhqR0Xf3kIrHQa7uZgSRsbFoIyBAvZjMb6M4AIosEvBx24XRRH-lvPs2ZUYH6bfyNjP2w-6LXIqcjWWkvmal0NVb-dQkBrng/s1200/unnamed-12.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEbcKcBW9psgzFwJKUdDX3a6PQq7zRGImKLqqAIi2MHityzcgHYtY7iAw-3SEYOoTd5nHl-PQJ3zfzdtM67s7hH6qrs1b8WhqR0Xf3kIrHQa7uZgSRsbFoIyBAvZjMb6M4AIosEvBx24XRRH-lvPs2ZUYH6bfyNjP2w-6LXIqcjWWkvmal0NVb-dQkBrng/w640-h426/unnamed-12.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><b><i>Adhana Reid as Chief Judge Abby Abinanti shares why it’s better to pull our children closer when they stray rather than push them away.</i></b></div><div><br /></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: center;">Despite some truly horrific situations, </span><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: center;">Notes from the Field</span><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> ends on a hopeful note. Activists are making headway and the general public seems to be open to the possibility of change. TimeLine does an excellent lobby display tie-in for each of their shows, which includes concrete steps to take and contact information for the change makers, along with more history on the topic. Come early or stay after and check it out.</span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLchvWWvT4uN1vdmkfBpbjHoP_tPCh2LedIZVoHK3jXhL423WURJxh9dNp5e9rcrvN333nL-xeoYZRBCsEGCA3y30dwXYh3MSje2cp8RVVDNdtsmoAs-01Uwux8fQ3K0RCEsptFgMOyzkTFFGcMrtbPyie3LCPUoILpdLZvxRI7KFOtVTcQosYMwlQmnSq/s300/Mikael%20Burke%20255x300.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="255" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLchvWWvT4uN1vdmkfBpbjHoP_tPCh2LedIZVoHK3jXhL423WURJxh9dNp5e9rcrvN333nL-xeoYZRBCsEGCA3y30dwXYh3MSje2cp8RVVDNdtsmoAs-01Uwux8fQ3K0RCEsptFgMOyzkTFFGcMrtbPyie3LCPUoILpdLZvxRI7KFOtVTcQosYMwlQmnSq/s1600/Mikael%20Burke%20255x300.jpg" width="255" /></a></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">We're excited to see director Mikael Burke, making his TimeLine debut.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Don't let his fabulous Oscar the Grouch coat fool you... Mikael Burke is no mere Muppet curmudgeon, hiding out on Sesame Street. We keep bumping into him everywhere, and seeing his work all over town. This ubiquitous up-and-comer is one to watch! </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Here at ChiIL Live Shows and ChiIL Mama, he's been a favorite of ours for years. We caught both of his recent critically acclaimed stagings, Blues for an Alabama Sky for Remy Bumppo and Tambo & Bones for Refracted Theatre Company, and we were wowed. With Mikael Burke at the helm, and three top Chicago actors—TimeLine Company Member Mildred Marie Langford, Adhana Reid and Shariba Rivers on stage, TimeLine Theatre’s Notes from the Field is in great hands. Don't miss this! </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><i>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). </i></p><p style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></p><div><i><b>Hellish, Hopeful, and Highly Recommended</b></i></div><div><i><b><span style="font-size: medium;">★★★★ Four out of four stars. </span></b></i></div><div><i><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Bonnie Kenaz-Mara, ChiILMama.com</span></b></i></div><div><i><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></i></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFBl2clPZErtNFw816wYqDyKYL6AcpltCuHx5dQUDwA9PLDOLf9CVXLnDBHdmTmMSNqRgFjIY4FM-hGCdnV8Y-JMeWdQ84UUkbNMNG3IXI5rqNpXoFU8vDgk7fD5mPG0kHKrmpA0lt6d_cCKQusOBIFF5fgLmjRbPN_J5Gc63tTupHKmmGPSZeHgzTmnk/s1200/unnamed.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="462" data-original-width="1200" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFBl2clPZErtNFw816wYqDyKYL6AcpltCuHx5dQUDwA9PLDOLf9CVXLnDBHdmTmMSNqRgFjIY4FM-hGCdnV8Y-JMeWdQ84UUkbNMNG3IXI5rqNpXoFU8vDgk7fD5mPG0kHKrmpA0lt6d_cCKQusOBIFF5fgLmjRbPN_J5Gc63tTupHKmmGPSZeHgzTmnk/w640-h246/unnamed.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><p>TimeLine Theatre’s Chicago premiere of Notes from the Field by Anna Deavere Smith. Performances are January 31 - March 24, 2024 at TimeLine’s longtime home, 615 W. Wellington Ave., in Chicago’s Lakeview East neighborhood. </p><p><span style="font-family: times;">Notes from the Field is a strikingly intimate evening of theater unlike anything you’ve experienced before, presenting snapshots from a variety of real people, documenting their intersections with the American dream and the obstacles that work to block them from it. Utilizing verbatim dialogue pulled from more than 250 accounts from students, faculty, prisoners, activists, politicians, and victims’ families, Notes from the Field takes audiences on an emotional journey through the faults and injustices of an American criminal justice system that seems more focused on incarceration over education.</span></p><p>Deeply human, profoundly moving, and full of moments of humor, compassion, and resilience, Notes from the Field is a masterful work by one of the most accomplished theater artists of our time that asks audiences to observe, be present, and join the call for urgent and necessary change. The New York Times called it "a searing and urgent work that confronts some of the most pressing issues of our time with honesty, intelligence, and compassion.” </p></div></div><p>Originally performed by creator Anna Deavere Smith as a one-woman show, TimeLine’s Chicago premiere features TimeLine Company Member Mildred Marie Langford, Adhana Reid and Shariba Rivers to weave together narratives of change makers, activists, and those caught within and trying to change the school-to-prison pipeline.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXPUQLaI0Bp1Cq_-U9s62CldL5Ydk4LOw9eBd_f5wUqqhD86wp7KRuaQpLNlyx4Z1YJ-b_rTpMVt90uwTaxrGkSeZ6aOiCyk8reY5oGAkykFoFuUSEiAyFks-HVpB48mMfApkFzy_SLDHHnHLzfRmhWhlWRjQQs305OVnxy4tzgwEX_gwBaQkaiwmdMry-/s1800/unnamed-7.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXPUQLaI0Bp1Cq_-U9s62CldL5Ydk4LOw9eBd_f5wUqqhD86wp7KRuaQpLNlyx4Z1YJ-b_rTpMVt90uwTaxrGkSeZ6aOiCyk8reY5oGAkykFoFuUSEiAyFks-HVpB48mMfApkFzy_SLDHHnHLzfRmhWhlWRjQQs305OVnxy4tzgwEX_gwBaQkaiwmdMry-/w426-h640/unnamed-7.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i>Mildred Marie Langford as inmate Denise Dodson expresses what prison has taught her and how a better education could have given her a different path.</i></b></div><p>In sum, Smith gives voice to 19 real-life instigators of change, from household names to brave Americans who were unexpectedly thrust into the spotlight of history, including Sherrilyn Ifill, president of the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund; Rev. Jamal Harrison Bryant, who eulogized Freddie Gray in Baltimore; Niya Kenny, the high school student who confronted a violent police deputy—all caught on film; activist Bree Newsome, who took the Confederate flag down from the South Carolina State House grounds; and many others. She ends the play with the late Congressman John Lewis, who personifies both a violent time in American history with the civil rights movement, and the promise of what American character is all about.</p><p>TimeLine’s production team includes Eleanor Kahn (Scenic Designer, she/her), Christine Pascual (Costume Designer, she/her), Eric Watkins (Lighting Designer), Ellie Terrell (Properties Designer, she/her), Rasean Davonté Johnson (Projections Designer, he/him), Christie Chiles Twillie (Sound Designer, she/her), DeRon S. Williams (Dramaturg, he/him), Dina Spoerl (Dramaturgical Display Designer, she/her), Sammi Grant (Dialect Coach, she/her), Regina Victor (Associate Director, pharaoh/they/them) and Katie Klemme (Stage Manager, she/her). Understudies are Ashli Rene Funches (any pronoun), Stephanie Mattos (she/her) and Jenese Upton (she/her).</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSnRYPIe_29tByfEH9E13_K_ZU9FOK_FyBP-r70duX7q52FkiOVcjiavD_G0rXMh_wwEk0pUy8-mU84Zx79FMtlFoZsorvm2naSL_A053u5EYeH92TnnpHikd5yvCKlsuYHdol_SXrukFH7b8rofsi8ivA4DjSiAcjInkUc04OpDxlxfdaml4FOoal__Ic/s1200/unnamed-9.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSnRYPIe_29tByfEH9E13_K_ZU9FOK_FyBP-r70duX7q52FkiOVcjiavD_G0rXMh_wwEk0pUy8-mU84Zx79FMtlFoZsorvm2naSL_A053u5EYeH92TnnpHikd5yvCKlsuYHdol_SXrukFH7b8rofsi8ivA4DjSiAcjInkUc04OpDxlxfdaml4FOoal__Ic/w640-h426/unnamed-9.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Adhana Reid as student Niya Kenny shares her personal experience with police interference in the classroom.</i></b></p><p><b>NOTES FROM THE FIELD: “EVERYONE SHOULD WATCH IT, AT LEAST ONCE” </b></p><p>Originally performed as a one-woman show by creator Anna Deavere Smith, this 2017 Obie Award-winning production was hailed by The Guardian as “captivating political theatre, a devastating document of racial inequality and the most rousing of rallying calls. Everyone should watch it, at least once.” Deeply human, profoundly moving, and full of moments of humor, compassion, and resilience, it’s a masterful work that makes it impossible to look away from the urgent need for change.</p><p>Said TimeLine Artistic Director PJ Powers, “Notes from the Field is the latest installment of what Anna Deavere Smith has referred to as her life’s work: a series of plays she calls On the Road: A Search for American Character. It’s a provocation, highlighting on-the-ground difference-makers who, in their own way, are instigators of change, from household names to a few brave Americans who were unexpectedly thrust into the spotlight of history as outspoken voices for change.”</p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWS1QQoJUBV6g4cYB8Ki52Vvs8Gjoo18fJSHiM9gbPp6iQ0ahU5-EHVCQFS563vPv7jlKK1zexj7jepcEYCkcwul_HzVEPCpsqcBpZSq9dAC1cYF1WRVAcsCjJNyV522zX831fHR0-7CLWBL81bWQJAj2xC9Z6gnAJjqdvU2d5SxwtF-F8mhnMyuYy5u6i/s1200/unnamed-10.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWS1QQoJUBV6g4cYB8Ki52Vvs8Gjoo18fJSHiM9gbPp6iQ0ahU5-EHVCQFS563vPv7jlKK1zexj7jepcEYCkcwul_HzVEPCpsqcBpZSq9dAC1cYF1WRVAcsCjJNyV522zX831fHR0-7CLWBL81bWQJAj2xC9Z6gnAJjqdvU2d5SxwtF-F8mhnMyuYy5u6i/w640-h426/unnamed-10.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Shariba Rivers as educator Sari Muhonen explains how student discipline and assistance in Finland differs from the United States.</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><p><b><i><span style="font-size: medium;">NOTES FROM THE FIELD PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE</span></i></b></p><p>Previews are Wednesday, January 31 through Friday, February 2 at 8 p.m.; Saturday, February 3 at 4 p.m.; Sunday, February 4 at 2 p.m.; and Tuesday, February 6 at 7:30 p.m. Press Night is Wednesday, February 7 at 7:30 p.m. Opening Night is Thursday, February 8 at 7:30 p.m. (sold out). Regular performances continue through March 24: Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7:30 p.m.; Fridays at 8 p.m.; Saturdays at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.; and Sundays at 2 p.m. Exceptions: No 4 p.m. show Saturday, February 10; and no performances on Saturday, March 16 and Sunday, March 17. There are three added performances: Tuesday, March 12 at 7:30 p.m. and matinees on Wednesday, March 13 at 2 p.m. and Thursday, March 14 at 2 p.m.</p><p><b>BUYING TICKETS</b></p><p>Single tickets to Notes from the Field are $35-$67. For tickets and information, visit <b><a href="http://timelinetheatre.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">timelinetheatre.com</a> </b>or call the TimeLine Box Office at (773) 281-8463 x6.</p><p>Preview tickets are $35. Single tickets to regular performances are $52 (all evening performances) and $67 (all matinee performances). <b>Student discount is 35% off regular price with valid ID.</b> TimeLine is also a member of TCG’s <b>Blue Star Theatre Program and is offering $25 tickets to U.S. military personnel, veterans, first responders, and their spouses and family.</b></p><p><b>Ticket buyers ages 18-35 may join TimeLine’s free MyLine program</b> to obtain access to discounted tickets, special events and more. Discounted rates for groups of 10 or more are also available. Visit <b><a href="http://timelinetheatre.com/discounts" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">timelinetheatre.com/discounts</a></b> for more about available discounts.</p><p><b>LOCATION/TRANSPORTATION/PARKING</b></p><p>Notes from the Field will take place at TimeLine Theatre, 615 W. Wellington Ave., in Chicago’s Lakeview East neighborhood, near the corner of Wellington and Broadway, inside Chabad East Lakeview, the former Wellington Avenue United Church of Christ building. TimeLine is served by multiple CTA trains and buses. There are multiple paid parking options nearby, plus limited free and metered street parking. Visit timelinetheatre.com/timeline-theatre for details and available discounts.</p><p><b>DISCUSSIONS</b></p><p>Post-Show Discussions: A brief, informal post-show discussion hosted by a TimeLine Company Member and featuring the dramaturg and members of the production team on Thursday, February 15; Sunday, February 18; Thursday, March 7; and Wednesday, March 13 (2 p.m. matinee).</p><p>Pre-Show Discussions: Starting one hour before the performance, a 25-minute introductory conversation hosted by a TimeLine Company Member and the dramaturg on Thursday, February 22, and Sunday, March 10.</p><p>Company Member Discussion: A post-show discussion with the collaborative team of artists who choose TimeLine’s programming and guide the company’s mission on Sunday, February 25.</p><p>Sunday Scholars Panel Discussion: A one-hour panel discussion featuring experts on the themes and issues of the play alongside a member of the production team in a moderated discussion, following the performance on Sunday, March 3.</p><p>All discussions are free and open to the public. For details, visit <b><a href="http://timelinetheatre.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">timelinetheatre.com</a>. </b></p><p><b>HEALTH AND SAFETY</b></p><p>Mask-wearing is no longer required at TimeLine performances. Exception: One scheduled Distanced Performance for each production. Anyone is welcome to attend the Distanced Performance, but due to very limited capacity, we ask that immunocompromised patrons be given the first chance to reserve. </p><p>While masking is no longer required at most performances, TimeLine supports an individual’s choice to mask and will continue to make good quality masks available upon request. Protocols are subject to change based on current public health recommendations; for the most current information, visit timelinetheatre.com/health-and-safety.</p><p><b>UPCOMING PERFORMANCES</b></p><p>Following Notes from the Field, TimeLine’s 2023-24 subscription season finale is another riveting play that links past, present and future, the world premiere of Black Sunday by Dolores Díaz. Developed through TimeLine’s Playwrights Collective and directed by Sandra Marquez, Black Sunday is a startling look at conflicts of climate change, race, and gender in the days leading up to an infamous dust storm in 1930s Texas. Previews start May 8, 2024. Press opening is Wednesday, May 15 at 7:30 p.m. Performances run through June 29.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJJREQ5m9n1Exz2FZP3M6kfWqsqlNJYNIyAXaaT7sEDzw9lXvuouWCiTnBZySGwGd1bc6fpzSad0zrP_gkpJ0zr39mlCTAAnAoLMS8Cdb-R1UYUv86877jQS2YKX_H95hUjpDFqpgo6FEIPDTM6GQVqIsV-jteTNL-ovMaqE04GSw-L9OF8y85e43Y-Sc/s500/unnamed-7.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJJREQ5m9n1Exz2FZP3M6kfWqsqlNJYNIyAXaaT7sEDzw9lXvuouWCiTnBZySGwGd1bc6fpzSad0zrP_gkpJ0zr39mlCTAAnAoLMS8Cdb-R1UYUv86877jQS2YKX_H95hUjpDFqpgo6FEIPDTM6GQVqIsV-jteTNL-ovMaqE04GSw-L9OF8y85e43Y-Sc/w200-h200/unnamed-7.jpg" width="200" /></a></p><p><b>ABOUT TIMELINE THEATRE COMPANY</b></p><p><i>TimeLine Theatre Company, recipient of the prestigious 2016 MacArthur Award for Creative and Effective Institutions, was founded in April 1997 with a mission to present stories inspired by history that connect with today's social and political issues. Currently celebrating its 27th season, TimeLine has presented 90 productions, including 13 world premieres and 41 Chicago premieres, and launched the Living History Education Program and TimeLine South summer arts program, which bring the company's mission to life for students in Chicago Public Schools and beyond. Recipient of the Alford-Axelson Award for Nonprofit Managerial Excellence and the Richard Goodman Strategic Planning Award from the Association for Strategic Planning, TimeLine has received 60 Jeff Awards, including an award for Outstanding Production 11 times.</i></p><p><i>The company has long been bursting at the seams of its current leased home located at 615 W. Wellington Avenue in Chicago’s Lakeview East neighborhood, where the theatre has been in residence since 1999. The company is currently working to develop its new home, located at 5035 North Broadway in Chicago’s Uptown neighborhood. Plans feature an intimate black box theater seating up to 250 audience members, expanded area for the immersive lobby experiences that are a TimeLine hallmark, new opportunities for education and engagement, room to allow audience members to arrive early and stay late for theatergoing experiences that extend far beyond the stage, and more.</i></p><p><i>TimeLine is led by Artistic Director PJ Powers, Executive Director Mica Cole, and Board President John Sterling. TimeLine Company members are Tyla Abercrumbie, Will Allan, Nick Bowling, Janet Ulrich Brooks, Behzad Dabu, Charles Andrew Gardner, Lara Goetsch, Juliet Hart, Anish Jethmalani, Mildred Marie Langford, Mechelle Moe, David Parkes, Ron OJ Parson, PJ Powers, and Maren Robinson.</i></p><p><i>Major corporate, government and foundation donors providing season support via TimeLine’s Annual Fund include: Abe and Ida Cooper Foundation; Crown Family Philanthropies; Joseph & Bessie Feinberg Foundation; Laughing Acres Family Foundation; Lloyd A. Fry Foundation; The MacArthur Fund for Culture, Equity, and the Arts at Prince; Polk Bros. Foundation; The Shubert Foundation; Van Dam Charitable Foundation; and Walder Foundation. TimeLine also acknowledges the support of a CityArts Grant from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs & Special Events and a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency.</i></p><p><b>BIOGRAPHIES </b> </p><p>Anna Deavere Smith (Playwright) is an actress, teacher, playwright, and the creator of the acclaimed On the Road series of one-woman plays, which are based on her interviews with diverse voices from communities in crisis. A recipient of the National Humanities Medal from President Obama and two Obie Awards, her work has also been nominated for a Pulitzer and two Tonys. Onscreen, she has appeared in many films and television shows, including Philadelphia, The West Wing, Black-ish, and Nurse Jackie. She is University Professor in the department of Art & Public Policy at New York University, where she also directs the Institute on the Arts and Civic Dialogue. In 2019, she was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.</p><p>Mikael Burke (Director) is a Chicago-based director, deviser, and educator, making his TimeLine directing debut. A Princess Grace Award-winner in Theatre and Jeff Award-nominated director, Burke has worked with Goodman, Chicago Shakespeare, Remy Bumppo, Victory Gardens, Northlight, Raven, Jackalope, First Floor, The Story, and Refracted in Chicago, and regionally with Yale Rep, Forward Theatre, Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, Indiana Rep, Theatreworks Hartford, Urbanite, Theatreworks Colorado Springs, Asolo Rep, Geva, Phoenix Theatre Indianapolis, and Third Avenue Playworks. Burke previously served as Associate Artistic Director at both About Face Theatre and First Floor Theater, and adjuncts at DePaul and Roosevelt universities. Recent directing credits include the world premiere of The Salvagers by Harrison David Rivers (Yale Rep); Blues for an Alabama Sky by Pearl Cleage (Remy Bumppo); the Chicago premiere of Tambo & Bones by Dave Harris (Refracted); Clyde’s by Lynn Nottage (Theatreworks Hartford); and The Magnolia Ballet by Terry Guest (About Face; 2022 Jeff Award – Production, Short Run). He holds an MFA in Directing from The Theatre School at DePaul University. mklburke.com.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpxwsF6f3jLkvo4txeurjIv4evxGK-WOZp7WlQd5TJUbwoGAb3E2_ylXxv3pUFsdsoxtlxQS9c0B9ro_Up7F2dfJMn4itwkFsHINBYGu1A3YNJy8AKJfvGCMp9RbHJTqft1U2oRnCciQygXlkzDnTGHT1zW-m3LsGJUXAo1HXUERwe5xINSZEOAMTYQoji/s1200/unnamed-4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpxwsF6f3jLkvo4txeurjIv4evxGK-WOZp7WlQd5TJUbwoGAb3E2_ylXxv3pUFsdsoxtlxQS9c0B9ro_Up7F2dfJMn4itwkFsHINBYGu1A3YNJy8AKJfvGCMp9RbHJTqft1U2oRnCciQygXlkzDnTGHT1zW-m3LsGJUXAo1HXUERwe5xINSZEOAMTYQoji/w640-h426/unnamed-4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Mildred Marie Langford as activist Bryan Stevenson shares how speaking out can help make the change we need.</i></b></p><p>Mildred Marie Langford has been a TimeLine Company Member since 2012. She was last seen last season at TimeLine in the world premiere of Boulevard of Bold Dreams, as well as in A Raisin in the Sun (BTAA nomination), My Kind of Town and In Darfur (Black Excellence Award nomination). Other credits include The Bluest Eye (A Noise Within Theatre, Los Angeles), The Great Jheri Curl Debate (East West Players, Los Angeles), Intimate Apparel (Northlight; BTAA, Equity Jeff, and Black Excellence award nominations–Best Actress), Gunshot Medley: Part 1 (CAB/Rogue Machine Theatre, Los Angeles; Ovation award nomination–Lead Actress), Native Son (Antaeus Theatre Company/Kirk Douglas Theatre 2019 Block Party, Los Angeles), Domesticated, Animal Farm, Venus and The Crucible (Steppenwolf), The Royale (American Theater Company, BTAA winner–Best Featured Actress), Luck of the Irish (Next), A Raisin in the Sun (Milwaukee Rep) and Failure: A Love Story (Victory Gardens). TV and film credits include Grey’s Anatomy, Bosch, Delilah, Chicago Med, Masters of Sex, Magic Funhouse, and the indie film projects Cotton Candy Bubble Gum, Morning Steep, The Three Phases of Isa, Upload, Dignity, Your Beautiful Baby, Concrete Rose and Analysis Paralysis.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmc_mKJkuW-0pKXTXmxWFvES54qCOAG4Dfkv8XuQYHeQQFBSnwGnUYMzGVwGYnRzvITZGxDk7O7ofUtuZNukIYLH8rXtPOWtkmWDEqZ5PB0R7OSMnM6y1_dzkdSTpgv_oPkfNHoTggF2PBMN-LotMFW4JSYB3xm_uOU7kYGtZGvi5VmEhrqloxkJ1ng3m6/s1200/unnamed-5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmc_mKJkuW-0pKXTXmxWFvES54qCOAG4Dfkv8XuQYHeQQFBSnwGnUYMzGVwGYnRzvITZGxDk7O7ofUtuZNukIYLH8rXtPOWtkmWDEqZ5PB0R7OSMnM6y1_dzkdSTpgv_oPkfNHoTggF2PBMN-LotMFW4JSYB3xm_uOU7kYGtZGvi5VmEhrqloxkJ1ng3m6/w640-h426/unnamed-5.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Adhana Reid as artist and activist Bree Newsome shares her story of taking down a Confederate flag in South Carolina.</i></b></div><p>Adhana Reid is making her Timeline Theatre debut. Her Chicago credits include School Girls; Or, the African Mean Girls Play (Goodman Theatre), Rocky Horror Picture Show (Haven Theatre), The MLK Project (Writers Theatre), Sheepdog (Shattered Globe), A Christmas Carol and The Color Purple (Drury Lane Theatre); Little Shop of Horrors (Mercury Theatre), Eclipsed (Pegasus), Big River (Theatre at the Center) and Spring Awakening (Marriott Theatre). adhanareid.com</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMwHQNEXX4I0V41ubsyYbq8nziRHNLZMZeqaf_Po7zt4dxSnjqYShK6zCUtUGmPH9Aw1_o6Be-tHnKz9mGHEevKhoqrijfkk7lS-sYNRfpp46v0w13XIKOZJywdeC-Ey2Q7djK7j3pdtkwCKXOOd_fOpGVS3uyOcn_GM9xt9Jc9GcENuvFV0MKmBr6Qcov/s1200/unnamed-6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMwHQNEXX4I0V41ubsyYbq8nziRHNLZMZeqaf_Po7zt4dxSnjqYShK6zCUtUGmPH9Aw1_o6Be-tHnKz9mGHEevKhoqrijfkk7lS-sYNRfpp46v0w13XIKOZJywdeC-Ey2Q7djK7j3pdtkwCKXOOd_fOpGVS3uyOcn_GM9xt9Jc9GcENuvFV0MKmBr6Qcov/w640-h426/unnamed-6.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Shariba Rivers as pastor Jamal Harrison Bryant urges his congregation to break the stigmas around them and fight back.</i></b></div><p>Shariba Rivers had her TimeLine debut last season with her critically acclaimed portrayal of Wiletta Mayer in Alice Childress’ Trouble in Mind. Other Chicago credits include The Nacirema Society (Goodman), The October Storm and Hoodoo Love (Raven), Sweat (Paramount), Small Jokes about Monsters (16th Street), The Tasters (Rivendell) and In the Canyon (Jackalope). Regional credits include Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner (Arts Center of Coastal Carolina), School Girls; Or, the African Mean Girls Play (TheatreSquared, Fayetteville, AK) and We are Continuous (Geva Theatre, Rochester, NY). Film/TV credits include Smoking Gun!, Chicago Med, Chicago Fire and Chicago P.D. (NBC), The Chi (Showtime) and Empire (Fox). sharibatheactor.com</p><p><b><i>For more information, visit <a href="http://timelinetheatre.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">timelinetheatre.com</a> or Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram (@TimeLineTheatre on all platforms).</i></b></p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBxTiy5cdagKWKxqaPGG1RPV1GKDClOhlwClxlp9daC7i89twpESbFArw4YNFSvVnQpsK-IMzC7Oh_F9no_HoLRcRyolLWIhfw5-76B4JS-vW2WyGYUIQW7Jwg-BoaMT9uiGBFJ-IWQzxhyKjV4lLAdNMGVFMT4B7v4wJxW2lsl8dL1g9n8R4vQEP_s7Hc/s1200/unnamed-11.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBxTiy5cdagKWKxqaPGG1RPV1GKDClOhlwClxlp9daC7i89twpESbFArw4YNFSvVnQpsK-IMzC7Oh_F9no_HoLRcRyolLWIhfw5-76B4JS-vW2WyGYUIQW7Jwg-BoaMT9uiGBFJ-IWQzxhyKjV4lLAdNMGVFMT4B7v4wJxW2lsl8dL1g9n8R4vQEP_s7Hc/w640-h426/unnamed-11.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i> </i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Mildred Marie Langford as educator Stephanie Williams tells an emotional story of her experience in an elementary classroom, in TimeLine Theatre Company’s Chicago premiere production of Notes from the Field, by Anna Deavere Smith and directed by Mikael Burke. Presented at TimeLine Theatre, January 31 – March 24, 2024. Production photo by Brett Beiner Photography.</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>Bonnie Kenaz-Marahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05141662039871081535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3413066541124683629.post-80876549492982995252024-02-05T15:27:00.085-06:002024-02-26T15:42:33.879-06:00Goodman Presents The Chicago Premiere of The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood March 2 – 31, 2024<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i> <span style="text-align: left;">ChiIL Mama’s ChiIL Picks List: </span></i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="text-align: left;"><i>Adult Shows With Family Themes On Our Radar</i></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">JENNIFER MORRISON STARS AS “PENELOPE,” LEADS AN ALL-FEMALE, ALL-CHICAGO CAST OF 13 IN </span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">MARGARET ATWOOD’S THE PENELOPIAD</span></b></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>DIRECTED BY SUSAN V. BOOTH, CHOREOGRAPHY BY JOANN M. HUNTER</i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>***BOOTH’S FIRST PRODUCTION TO DIRECT AS NEW GOODMAN ARTISTIC DIRECTOR, THE CHICAGO PREMIERE APPEARS MARCH 2 - 31, 2024 IN THE ALBERT THEATRE***</i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitypF8RLctxP4-5DEVJp1qxFkFSlfIQcQU8oKfmK9Hra4BiW4FBsnOy5x_1zr_xOR4YkFPY3ITNPbGqXAA2_1SDmZS9QMsmCoH-SuZdXQztz009CvRE5k5fKO8J9JnJ1-z9Vu2nUtdvUHfHp_yOhTfUxXlb1I8KLNpi8KHR9spSMcJBz50AjefHtgBQvkq/s5078/unnamed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3385" data-original-width="5078" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitypF8RLctxP4-5DEVJp1qxFkFSlfIQcQU8oKfmK9Hra4BiW4FBsnOy5x_1zr_xOR4YkFPY3ITNPbGqXAA2_1SDmZS9QMsmCoH-SuZdXQztz009CvRE5k5fKO8J9JnJ1-z9Vu2nUtdvUHfHp_yOhTfUxXlb1I8KLNpi8KHR9spSMcJBz50AjefHtgBQvkq/w640-h426/unnamed.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></b></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><b><span style="font-size: x-small;">(L-R Back Row) Hannah Whitley, Ericka Ratcliff, Laura Savage, Elizabeth Laidlaw, Allison Sill and Noelle Kayser. (L-R Front Row) Helen Joo Lee, Demetra Dee, Tyler Meredith, Jennifer Morrison, Maya Lou Hlava, Aja Alcazar and Andrea San Miguel.</span></b></i></div></div><p>Here at ChiIL Mama, we're so excited for Susan V. Booth's first mainstage production as Goodman Theatre's new Artistic Director. We're huge fans of Margaret Atwood's novels as well as women centered works. I'm especially jazzed for this one as I've just begun a 7 week writing workshop with Goodman called GeNarrations, a storytelling performance workshop for adults 55+ on the themes of The Penelopiad. I expect the workshop and this production will both hit close to home, as I'm a recent empty nester who just spent 20 years at home, raising children, while my husband literally traveled the world with film crews, having epic adventures! </p><p>The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood (The Handmaid’s Tale) will star Jennifer Morrison (Once Upon a Time, House) in the title role of the Chicago premiere. Atwood serves up a new perspective on literature’s most famous domestic vigil by shifting authorial control to Penelope, Odysseus’ long-suffering wife, in this unexpected remix of Homer’s ancient classic. Portraying Penelope’s 12 faithful maids are Aja Alcazar, Demetra Dee, Maya Lou Hlava, Noelle Kayser, Elizabeth Laidlaw, Helen Joo Lee, Tyler Meredith, Ericka Ratcliff, Andrea San Miguel, Laura Savage, Allison Sill and Hannah Whitley. Casting is by Lauren Port, CSA. This ancient tale told anew by “one of the most admired authors in North America” (NPR) features choreography by JoAnn M. Hunter (Broadway’s Bad Cinderella, School of Rock, On A Clear Day). The design team includes Neil Patel (Sets); Kara Harmon (Costumes); Xavier Pierce (Lighting); Willow James (Sound); Samuel Davis (Music Composition); Jeremy Ramey (Music Direction); and Neena Arndt (Dramaturg). Kimberly McCann is the Production Stage Manager and Jennifer Gregory is the Stage Manager. Goodman Theatre’s Women’s Board is the Major Production Sponsor of The Penelopiad; The BOLD Theater Women’s Leadership Circle is the Production Sponsor; the National Endowment for the Arts provides Production Support; and Winston & Strawn LLP is the Corporate Sponsor Partner. The Penelopiad appears March 2 – 31 in the 856-seat Albert Theatre. Tickets ($25 – 90; subject to change) are available at <b><a href="http://GoodmanTheatre.org/Penelopiad" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">GoodmanTheatre.org/Penelopiad</a></b> or by phone at 312.443.3800.</p><p>“When you think about stories of journeys, there is always someone left at home—and their story tends not to be told. I devoured Margaret Atwood’s funny, subversive novella on a plane ride, immediately struck by the paradigm shift of a story I thought I knew well,” said Susan V. Booth, who in 2022 was named Goodman Theatre’s eighth Artistic Director in 97 years, and is the first woman to assume the role. “I’m thrilled to direct this fantastic play as my first as Artistic Director. It just feels like an essential part of my inaugural season leading this theater.”</p><p>For the titular role of Penelope, Booth tapped stage and screen star Jennifer Morrison, who notes, “As a kid who grew up in Chicago, I was in awe of the productions at Goodman Theatre. It’s truly a childhood dream come true to return to my home town and perform here.” Morrison was raised in Arlington Heights and graduated from Loyola University Chicago. Best known for her roles on television and in films—including Dr. Allison Cameron in the series House and Tess in the film Warrior—she appeared on Broadway at the Circle In The Square Theatre in The Miracle Worker and at the off-Broadway MCC Theater in The End of Longing.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwDUtU0xGxbEvun69OxzSD_IYCslYeHqpK9ieZ0Wf5ND2tKKFvXu5Uh6batZJYvhHtaWgHMTXv_u4nTVyrRYpIN46Gxb7hNGp-5cxyfLrVk5sqdcVYZ0OeiUsfiAvy3W3-Nlsr7ASiSIWSRK3lRvEcXiE4PDPD1esiJssAbEDsDFFAUmP1RJpXJTR9VOu8/s5039/The%20Penelopiad_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3359" data-original-width="5039" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwDUtU0xGxbEvun69OxzSD_IYCslYeHqpK9ieZ0Wf5ND2tKKFvXu5Uh6batZJYvhHtaWgHMTXv_u4nTVyrRYpIN46Gxb7hNGp-5cxyfLrVk5sqdcVYZ0OeiUsfiAvy3W3-Nlsr7ASiSIWSRK3lRvEcXiE4PDPD1esiJssAbEDsDFFAUmP1RJpXJTR9VOu8/w640-h426/The%20Penelopiad_2.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="font-size: x-small;">Jennifer Morrison</span></b></i></p><p>Choreographer JoAnn M. Hunter has more than 30 credits on Broadway, the West End and Australia. She most recently directed and choreographed SuperYou, The Musical (Lyric Theater in London) in the fall of 2023 and a live album concert at Carnegie Hall of SuperYou in 2022; Anyone Can Whistle with Ted Sperling (Carnegie Hall); 50 Years Of Broadway (Kennedy Center). Broadway: Bad Cinderella, Disaster, School of Rock, On A Clear Day, Broadway Bound. Love Life (City Center Encores 2025). National Tour/Regional: UnMasked, The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber (World Premier- PMP); Ever After (Alliance Theatre); World Premiers of August Rush with John Doyle, Beatsville by Glenn Slater, Harmony (Alliance/Ahmanson Theatre); the world premiere of Marvin Hamlisch and Rupert Holmes’ The Nutty Professor. Upcoming projects: Bran Castle, Jo The Musical, The Mulan Project.</p><p>Margaret Atwood is the author of more than 50 books of fiction, poetry and critical essays. Her novels include Cat’s Eye, The Robber Bride, Alias Grace, The Blind Assassin, and the Maddaddam trilogy. Atwood's 1985 classic, The Handmaid’s Tale, was followed in 2019 by a sequel, The Testaments, which was a global number one bestseller and won the Booker Prize. In 2020 she published Dearly, her first collection of poetry in a decade, followed in 2022 with Burning Questions, a selection of essays from 2004-2021. Her next collection of short stories, Old Babes in the Wood, was published in March 2023. Atwood has won numerous awards, including the Arthur C. Clarke Award for Imagination in Service to Society, Franz Kafka Prize, Peace Prize of the German Book Trade, PEN USA Lifetime Achievement Award and Dayton Literary Peace Prize. In 2019 she was made a member of the Order of the Companions of Honour for services to literature. She has also worked as a cartoonist, illustrator, librettist, playwright and puppeteer. She lives in Toronto, Canada.</p><p>Susan V. Booth joined Goodman Theatre in the fall of 2022, having previously served as Artistic Director of Atlanta’s Tony Award-winning Alliance Theatre, premiering new work that went on to national, international and commercial life. She has directed at the Goodman, Hartford Stage, Ford's Theatre, La Jolla Playhouse, St. Louis Repertory Theatre, Cincinnati Playhouse, New York Stage and Film, Actors Theatre of Louisville, Northlight Theatre, Victory Gardens, Court Theatre and others. She has held teaching positions at Northwestern, DePaul and Emory Universities. She is past president of the Board of Directors for the Theatre Communications Group, the national service organization for the field.</p><p>ABOUT GOODMAN THEATRE</p><p><i>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 earner two Pulitzer Prizes, 22 Tony Awards and nearly 200 Joseph Jefferson 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.</i></p><p><i>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.</i></p><p><i>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.</i></p><p><i>The Goodman 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 of the new Goodman center in 2000.</i></p><p><i>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.</i></p>Bonnie Kenaz-Marahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05141662039871081535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3413066541124683629.post-54543182597224223472024-02-05T15:17:00.002-06:002024-02-05T15:17:57.759-06:00World Premiere of a home what howls via Steppenwolf Theatre February 7 – March 2, 2024 <p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="text-align: left;">ChiIL Mama’s ChiIL Picks List: </span></span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="text-align: left;">Theatre For Young Adults On Our Radar</span> </span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Steppenwolf Theatre Company presents the world premiere of</span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">a home what howls (or the house what was ravine)</span></b></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">By Matthew Paul Olmos</span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Directed by Laura Alcalá Baker </span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-FqPlNXGtTVp-zGWVnBfId91LFBKIcZ7Wu6qf2Sg97s3JhPvf_sT1a483GDtBX5xdEe22QH4ZbUz51JX2re41qq_Qij62nVe_fQpjdZmb8UDyJG1HLlchQBlZffwH_Q2AkdxB7NEIbtaFu4ZcIILJjC4ccRSx4RT4wVojCXbmJ8_ojz4vHlcTyqURWX0n/s820/417164753_771765568317957_7744321417544128795_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="312" data-original-width="820" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-FqPlNXGtTVp-zGWVnBfId91LFBKIcZ7Wu6qf2Sg97s3JhPvf_sT1a483GDtBX5xdEe22QH4ZbUz51JX2re41qq_Qij62nVe_fQpjdZmb8UDyJG1HLlchQBlZffwH_Q2AkdxB7NEIbtaFu4ZcIILJjC4ccRSx4RT4wVojCXbmJ8_ojz4vHlcTyqURWX0n/w640-h244/417164753_771765568317957_7744321417544128795_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></i></div><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Featuring ensemble member Tim Hopper with Charín Álvarez,</span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Leslie Sophia Pérez, Isabel Quintero and Eddie Torres</span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i> </i><i>February 7 – March 2, 2024 in the Ensemble Theater</i></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju1riPuG3ez1YYMXhATz-tF-CF6_o_l0Zjp4dCRkAuLxdDw8oCCwxauUNMQXQd37ul_4q5B4uOVa26449EOiUAN3bwj2u_y9KtLD-Ws-joqc3OMuzeXaW3RqOnL3P1BhC1eZ0NSlSulxOVr1bTWSHfq5fu6Avu_itCauVLcqn53wGXe_tmrp0FXVaa_mRD/s1800/ahwh%20Cast%201.%20Photo%20by%20Joel%20Moorman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1201" data-original-width="1800" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju1riPuG3ez1YYMXhATz-tF-CF6_o_l0Zjp4dCRkAuLxdDw8oCCwxauUNMQXQd37ul_4q5B4uOVa26449EOiUAN3bwj2u_y9KtLD-Ws-joqc3OMuzeXaW3RqOnL3P1BhC1eZ0NSlSulxOVr1bTWSHfq5fu6Avu_itCauVLcqn53wGXe_tmrp0FXVaa_mRD/w640-h428/ahwh%20Cast%201.%20Photo%20by%20Joel%20Moorman.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><i><b>The cast of Steppenwolf Theatre’s world premiere of a home what howls (or the house what was ravine)</b></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><b>includes (left to right) Eddie Torres, Isabel Quintero, Leslie Sophia Pérez,</b></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><b>Charín Álvarez and ensemble member Tim Hopper. Photo by Joel Moorman.</b></i></p><p>Steppenwolf Theatre Company, the nation’s premier ensemble theater company, is pleased to present Steppenwolf for Young Adults’ (SYA) world premiere of a home what howls (or the house what was ravine) by Matthew Paul Olmos and directed by Laura Alcalá Baker. This powerful and poetic look at displacement and youth activism will play February 7 – March 2, 2024 in Steppenwolf’s stunning in-the-round Ensemble Theater in Honor of Helen Zell, 1646 N. Halsted St. in Chicago. </p><p>The cast includes ensemble member Tim Hopper (Downstate, Chicago, New York & London) with Charín Álvarez (I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter, ¡Bernarda!), Leslie Sophia Pérez (I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter), Isabel Quintero (La Osa Menor) and Eddie Torres (Downstate, Chicago, New York & London).</p><p>A coyote howling. A home in disarray. A young woman alone. In Matthew Paul Olmos’ world premiere, Soledad Vargas is in the city, fighting for her family’s right to live on their land. When hope starts to dwindle, how far will she go, and what will she be forced to leave behind? A modern myth drawn from the real-life struggles of displaced communities around the globe, a home what howls is a lyrically-rendered quest of youth activism standing against forces of injustice.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-size: medium;">$5 Tickets for High School Students and School Groups</span></i></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Tickets Starting at $20 for all Public Performances</span></i></b></p><p><b>Ticket Information</b></p><p>a home what howls will feature both public performances and student matinees, inviting all audiences to experience this world premiere. Regular tickets are $5 for high school students, $15 for college students and begin at $20 for the general public. Single tickets to a home what howls are now on sale at <b><a href="http://steppenwolf.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">steppenwolf.org</a> </b>and (312) 335-1650.</p><p><b>Student Matinees</b></p><p>Student matinees will take place at 10 am on weekdays from Wednesday, February 7 – Friday, March 1, 2024. Tickets are only $5 for students and chaperones are free. Recommended for grades eight and up. To register your school, click here.</p><p>The a home what howls production team includes Lauren Nichols (Scenic Design), Uriel Gómez (Costume Design), Lindsey Lyddan (Lighting Design), Peter Clare (Sound Design), April Dawn Guthrie (Original Music), Maya Vinice Prentiss (Fight Choreographer & Intimacy Consultant), Kate DeVore (Vocal Coach), Mike Przygoda (Music Consultant), Bryar Barborka (Dramaturg), Patrick Zakem (Creative Producer), Elise Hausken (Production Manager), JC Clementz, CSA (Casting), Michelle Medvin (Production Stage Manager) and Kathleen Barrett (Assistant Stage Manager).</p><p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_LRo3AG1QeCGxeOwjrISGzTYZSKVvzxIh3Wp6Ja1nYVCIeCRgH2ldRooz0nFzrfyTzthRlHZ7YLj0yFlQ0yJxWqMJbDWaBcbuGeKcwXuzqXhXa6B-A5jfPY92bp9UiisJ-2QmyzEFhJSepyMM_nFKpWSen_wEK7_M7fQcmVyjfioqxkWZ1VbCqe0KCwTd/s1800/ahwh%20Cast%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_LRo3AG1QeCGxeOwjrISGzTYZSKVvzxIh3Wp6Ja1nYVCIeCRgH2ldRooz0nFzrfyTzthRlHZ7YLj0yFlQ0yJxWqMJbDWaBcbuGeKcwXuzqXhXa6B-A5jfPY92bp9UiisJ-2QmyzEFhJSepyMM_nFKpWSen_wEK7_M7fQcmVyjfioqxkWZ1VbCqe0KCwTd/w640-h426/ahwh%20Cast%202.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><p><b>PRODUCTION DETAILS</b></p><p>Cast: Charín Álvarez (abrana vargas), Tim Hopper (frank, male conductor), Leslie Sophia Pérez (soledad), Isabel Quintero (coyotl/syera loma) and Eddie Torres (manuel vargas).</p><p>Location: Steppenwolf’s Ensemble Theater in Honor of Helen Zell, 1646 N. Halsted St., Chicago</p><p>Dates: Previews: Friday, February 9 at 7:30 pm and Saturday, February 10 at 3 pm</p><p>Press Performance/Opening: Saturday, February 10 at 7:30 pm</p><p>Public Run: Saturday, February 17 – Saturday, March 2, 2024</p><p>Public Performance Curtain Times: Saturdays at 3 pm & 7 pm. Please note: there will be an added 7:30 pm performance on Friday, February 23 at 7:30 pm.</p><p>Tickets: Single tickets for a home what howls ($20 - $30) are now on sale at steppenwolf.org and the Box Office at (312) 335-1650. Regular tickets are $5 for high school students and $15 for college students.</p><p> </p><p><b>Accessible Performance Dates:</b></p><p>Spanish Language-Captioned Student Matinee: Friday, February 16 at 10 am</p><p>Open-Captioned Public Performance: Saturday, February 17 at 3 pm</p><p>Relaxed Sensory Friendly Public Performance: Saturday, February 17 at 3 pm</p><p>Audio-Described and Touch Tour Public Performance: Saturday, February 24 at 3 pm (1:30 pm touch tour, 3 pm curtain)</p><p>ASL-Interpreted Student Matinee: Friday, March 1 at 10 am</p><p>ASL-Interpreted Public Performance: Saturday, March 2 at 3 pm</p><p> </p><p><b>Artist Biographies:</b></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHAkALCLBqzq7s3HLyhjT-d8e7y5tzGcubZJbGJxXaoooMk5z7icRgh-EyDVoLgsCQik-jiNyxtQ1MfnTG2CevKZZ1FpTuxCJjn1fUYJyaAPrvyKTS0H0HGcD2ZzWegpgoKwErtQcwLnhZFNmOivl8zoLaRFJ-Oohqn0HiDrgtbehT8MB52DWtbnwZQFC2/s1601/Playwright%20Matthew%20Paul%20Olmos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1601" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHAkALCLBqzq7s3HLyhjT-d8e7y5tzGcubZJbGJxXaoooMk5z7icRgh-EyDVoLgsCQik-jiNyxtQ1MfnTG2CevKZZ1FpTuxCJjn1fUYJyaAPrvyKTS0H0HGcD2ZzWegpgoKwErtQcwLnhZFNmOivl8zoLaRFJ-Oohqn0HiDrgtbehT8MB52DWtbnwZQFC2/s320/Playwright%20Matthew%20Paul%20Olmos.jpg" width="240" /></a>Matthew Paul Olmos (Playwright) is a Mexican-American playwright who focuses on the creation of space for marginalized, underrepresented communities and gives them poetics and theatricality. While his work is always personal, it is aimed at reaching across sociopolitical boundaries, showing the ridiculous of how separate we are, and illuminating hope for future generations.</p><p>He is a three-time Sundance Institute Fellowship/Residency recipient, inaugural Dramatists Guild Foundation Catalyst Fellow, Echo Theater Company Resident Playwright, lifetime Ensemble Studio Theatre member and Sloan Commission recipient, Playwrights’ Center Core Writer and two-time Venturous Playwright Fellowship nominee. Previous Actors’ Theatre of Louisville Humana Festival Commission, Arizona Theatre Company’s National Latine Playwriting Awardee, Baryshnikov Arts Center Resident Artist, Brooklyn Arts Exchange Resident Artist, Center Theatre Group LA Playwright, Drama League nominee, Geffen Playhouse Writers Room, Ingram New Works at Nashville Repertory, INTAR H.P.R.L., a proud Kilroys nominator, New York Theatre Workshop Fellow, Oregon Shakespeare Festival Black Swan Lab, two-time Ojai Playwrights Conference, inaugural Primary Stages Creative Development Grantee and Dorothy Strelsin New American Writers Group, Princess Grace Awardee in Playwriting, Repertorio Español Miranda Family Nuestra Voces Playwriting Awardee. </p><p>He spent two years as a Mabou Mines/SUITE Resident Artist being mentored by Ruth Maleczech, was chosen/mentored by Taylor Mac for Cherry Lane’s Mentor Project, and was La MaMa e.t.c.'s Ellen Stewart Emerging Playwright Awardee as selected by Sam Shepard. His work has been presented nationally and internationally, taught in university and is published by Concord Theatricals/Samuel French and NoPassport Press. matthewpaulolmos.com</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifuPLiq5zVywbZFZvXbTYDAPyrYF0H6qUsAMbLe1E9CTj8OFD-lSkOhSdFIa0GxlAutKb3OtH5rstSFg7hbkeCvB9A2Tueetn0pgpVYiixB8xghoUxrQ-FT9siJcD_5Tc8ZEU3oOpc7ASp50_Nt6sgVYTQZV1-IiJEwg3oFL1ImbILIclkyaRVM5JPHzAx/s1280/Director%20Laura%20Alcala%CC%81%20Baker.%20Photo%20by%20Joe%20Mazza-Brave%20Lux.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="914" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifuPLiq5zVywbZFZvXbTYDAPyrYF0H6qUsAMbLe1E9CTj8OFD-lSkOhSdFIa0GxlAutKb3OtH5rstSFg7hbkeCvB9A2Tueetn0pgpVYiixB8xghoUxrQ-FT9siJcD_5Tc8ZEU3oOpc7ASp50_Nt6sgVYTQZV1-IiJEwg3oFL1ImbILIclkyaRVM5JPHzAx/s320/Director%20Laura%20Alcala%CC%81%20Baker.%20Photo%20by%20Joe%20Mazza-Brave%20Lux.jpg" width="229" /></a></p><p>Laura Alcalá Baker (Director, she/they) is a Chicago-based director and new work developer specializing in unearthing the missing canon and reimagining the existing one. She lives in the intersection of a mixed child, one and both – Mexican American. Chicago directing credits include: Anna in the Tropics (Remy Bumppo), The Leopard Play, or sad songs for lost boys (Steep Theatre); The Way She Spoke (DCASE, Greenhouse Theater Center); Nancy García Loza’s BRAVA (Make-Believe Association); BULL: a love story (Paramount Theatre); and The Pillowman (The Gift Theatre). Regional directing credits include Somewhere Over the Border (City Theatre/People’s Light), Equivocation, The Giver, 11:11 and Collapse (B Street Theater). New play workshops and readings include work with Steep Theatre, The New Colony, Paramount Theatre and the Goodman Theatre New Stages Festival. She is a Steep Theatre ensemble member and a proud former member of the Alliance of Latinx Theatre Artists. She was nominated for “Best Casting Director” and “Best Director: Brava” at the ALTA Awards. labdirecting.com</p><p>Charín Álvarez (abrana vargas) Steppenwolf Theatre Company: I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter, La Ruta, Infidel, Ordinary Yearning, Fermi. Chicago: Anna in the Tropics, Passage, Skin of Our Teeth, Clean House (Remy Bumppo); Lettie, Mojada, Oedipus El Rey, Anna in the Tropics, A Park in the House (Victory Gardens Theater); The Scene (Writers Theatre); 2666, Pedro Paramo, El Nogalar, Dollhouse, Electricidad (Goodman Theatre); In The Time of the Butterflies, Our Lady of the Underpass, I Put the Fear of Mexico in ‘em, Dreamlandia, Another Part of the House (Teatro Vista); Water by the Spoonful (Court Theatre); What We Once Felt (About Face Theatre); Kita & Fernanda (16th Street Theatre); Esperanza Rising (Chicago Children’s Theatre); Two Sisters and a Piano (Apple Tree Theatre); Generic Latina (Teatro Luna); La Casa de Bernarda Alba (Aguijon Theatre). Film/TV: Rooftop Wars, Arc of a Bird, Were the World Mine, Chicago Overcoat, First and Only Lesson, Dogwalker, Olympia: An Instruction Manual For How Things Work, Signature Move, En Algun Lugar, Somebody Somewhere, Paper Girls, Ripple Effects, Chicago Med, Easy, Shameless, Chicago Fire, Mob Doctor, Boss, Chicago Code, Approach Alone, Rogers Park, Princess Cyd, Single File, Teacher, Hala, Saint Frances, Rounding, Heartsong, Museum, Last Drop, Single Car Crashes and Adult Children.</p><p>Tim Hopper (frank/male conductor) is a member of the Steppenwolf Theatre Company ensemble. Recent roles at Steppenwolf include Andy in Downstate, which traveled to the National Theatre in London, and to Playwrights Horizons in New York. He also appeared at the Goodman Theatre in the title role of Uncle Vanya. Television appearances include Chicago Fire, the Amazon series Utopia, Fargo, The Americans, The Exorcist, Empire and Chicago Med. Film appearances include Perpetrator; Knives and Skin, School of Rock and To Die For, among others. Recipient of the 2018 Lunt-Fontanne Fellowship. Broadway: Present Laughter. Off-Broadway: New York Theatre Workshop, Theatre for a New Audience, Vineyard Theatre and the Atlantic Theater. Regionally, at Long Wharf; Williamstown and La Jolla Playhouse. Internationally, the Edinburgh Festival and Antwerp's De Singel Theatre. </p><p>Leslie Sophia Pérez (soledad) Class of ‘23 graduate of The Theatre School at DePaul University. Steppenwolf Theatre Company: I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter (also at Seattle Rep). Chicago: Project Potential (Theater on the Lake); Assumptions and Forgiveness (American Blues Theater). Television: Chicago PD, HBO Max Pilot: Computer School. Commercial: Visa commercial. @_leslie.sophia.</p><p>Isabel Quintero (coyotl/syera loma) Steppenwolf Theatre Company: The House On Mango Street (u/s), La Osa Menor (LookOut 2019, 2023). Chicago: In The Heights (Porchlight Music Theatre); The Sins of Sor Juana, Blood Wedding ad., Yasmina’s Necklace (u/s), Let the Eagle Fly, Boleros for the Disenchanted (u/s) (Goodman Theatre); Living Large in a Mini Kind of Way, Quita Mitos (Teatro Luna); La Posada Magica (Teatro Vista); Mark of Zorro (Lifeline Theatre) Regional: The Roommate (Renaissance Theaterworks); Mojada (Indianapolis Shakespeare Company); Quixote Nuevo (Roun House Theatre) Calabasas Street (Children’s Theater of Madison) Film: Holy Trinity, A Handful of Dirt, L.A.I.D.; Television: Chicago P.D.,The Chi. Awards: DCASE Esteemed Artist Award 2022; laosamenoralbum.com</p><p>Eddie Torres (manuel vargas) Steppenwolf Theatre Company: Downstate (2023 Lortel nomination/Best Featured Performer in a Play) at Playwrights Horizons, The National Theatre in London and Steppenwolf Theater Company. Directing: The Old Globe, productions of El Borracho, Familiar, Native Gardens and Water by the Spoonful. Geffen Playhouse, Second Stage, Goodman, The Public, Repetorio Espanol, and more. He directed the world premiere of Kristoffer Diaz's The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity. (Victory Gardens Theatre & Teatro Vista), which was named Best Play and New York Times (2010). Received Joseph Jefferson Awards, including Best Production and Director. Awards: Latin ACE Award (Best Musical, Artist de Teatro Independient (Best Director). He is an Associate Professor in Theater at University of Illinois Chicago and is Artistic Director Emeritus at Teatro Vista.</p><p><b>Accessibility</b></p><p>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.</p><p><i>Sponsor Information</i></p><p><i>United Airlines is the Official and Exclusive Airline of Steppenwolf. Steppenwolf is also grateful for the significant season support from Northern Trust, Allstate Insurance Company, Amazon, Conagra Brands Foundation, Kirkland & Ellis, PNC, ArentFox Schiff, and Vinci Restaurant. Additional Steppenwolf Education support comes from the Paul M. Angell Family Foundation, Crown Family Philanthropies, Polk Bros. Foundation, ADM and the Lloyd A. Fry Foundation. 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. </i></p><p><i>Steppenwolf Theatre Company is a Chicago theater that is home to America’s ensemble. The company began performing in the mid-1970s in the basement of a Highland Park, IL church—today Steppenwolf is the nation’s premier ensemble theater with 49 members who are among the top actors, playwrights and directors in the field. Deeply rooted in its ensemble ethos, the company is committed to equity, diversity, inclusion and making the Steppenwolf experience accessible to all. Groundbreaking productions from Balm in Gilead and August: Osage County to Downstate and Pass Over—and accolades that include the National Medal of Arts and 12 Tony® Awards—have made the theatre legendary. Artistic programming includes a membership series; a Steppenwolf for Young Adults season; and LookOut, a multi-genre performance series. The nationally recognized work of Steppenwolf Education engages more than 20,000 participants annually in Chicagoland communities promoting compassion, encouraging curiosity and inspiring action. While firmly 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. 2021 marked the opening of Steppenwolf’s landmark Lefkofsky Arts & Education Center—deepening the company’s commitment to Chicagoland teens and serving as a cultural nexus for Chicago. Glenn Davis and Audrey Francis are the Artistic Directors and E. Brooke Flanagan is Executive Director. Keating Crown is Chair of Steppenwolf’s Board of Trustees.</i></p><p><i>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. </i></p><p><i><b>We invite you to join our ensemble as we navigate, together, our complex world. <a href="http://steppenwolf.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">steppenwolf.org</a>, facebook.com/steppenwolftheatre, twitter.com/steppenwolfthtr and instagram.com/steppenwolfthtr.</b></i></p>Bonnie Kenaz-Marahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05141662039871081535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3413066541124683629.post-67391990710309098372024-01-28T13:35:00.001-06:002024-01-28T13:35:18.251-06:00Chekhov’s Seagull and Diva Dementia Center Stage in Charming Chayka <p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">ChiIL Live Shows On Our Radar</span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">The Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival </span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Chayka</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuw6UCAhzP06Uko0PrP3GPTWqUAWRgxG80fkbtpCwf2bGfWRT8MAhB8_XzEQkjYSEgPc1AP6adaDbA2t_HsI1XFCS15vpfohzGebWcYJvqLN4OiBfx06FGskWQzWT1jWLWPuPmUj5SVzLsfWZjSwOJsq1SfjU1e7U74t0_uOvdc9bksf_Jtaefw1U9nRWZ/s1200/Chayka-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuw6UCAhzP06Uko0PrP3GPTWqUAWRgxG80fkbtpCwf2bGfWRT8MAhB8_XzEQkjYSEgPc1AP6adaDbA2t_HsI1XFCS15vpfohzGebWcYJvqLN4OiBfx06FGskWQzWT1jWLWPuPmUj5SVzLsfWZjSwOJsq1SfjU1e7U74t0_uOvdc9bksf_Jtaefw1U9nRWZ/w640-h426/Chayka-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Belova-Iacobelli Theatre Company </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">From Belgium/Chile</span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;"><i>Recommended for Ages 13+ </i></span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div><div><i><span style="font-size: large;">REVIEW:</span></i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><span style="font-size: medium;">By Bonnie Kenaz-Mara</span></i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Yesterday, I had the pleasure of seeing Chayka at the Chopin Theatre's main stage. This lovely solo show features one puppeteer with a life-sized, half body puppet that shares her feet and one arm. A</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> teddy bear, a book, a scarf </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">stand in for the other main characters in Chekhov’s play, The Seagull. A</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">nd of course, there's a seagull. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSDLvXFEwedNWaFtjrT8GJ5J72RSc9qA4KKBJ5reOfJ8KrzHTjWSGz1au88MxXdH_WC_QHOVw6k5VOOBV0n8ZsZ_cSAQdAl_jVacgvG8a8RhH0JBqkovLJE3XsN3NkWpuQMbhLoRgS8dQmpoMrLK5H5nvbvDSJ-ULp_tHII98JpKFZ_PUhp0Dm1fkNWBWo/s1920/Chayka_9-2.jpg" style="font-weight: 700; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1920" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSDLvXFEwedNWaFtjrT8GJ5J72RSc9qA4KKBJ5reOfJ8KrzHTjWSGz1au88MxXdH_WC_QHOVw6k5VOOBV0n8ZsZ_cSAQdAl_jVacgvG8a8RhH0JBqkovLJE3XsN3NkWpuQMbhLoRgS8dQmpoMrLK5H5nvbvDSJ-ULp_tHII98JpKFZ_PUhp0Dm1fkNWBWo/w640-h426/Chayka_9-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">As Chayka, an aging diva with dementia makes her final appearance on stage as </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Chekhov’s </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Arkadina, the 4th wall is broken down, and the audience is privy to both the actress and the character in turn. </span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">The puppetry is exquisite, as the young woman puppeteer and Chayka alternately dialogue, merge and split, and even swap places, in a dance of memories and forgetting.</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCjEXEjW50CM1d75FmSikREKDDaJEqHueZHpXPLSi2oEbYO4kkjmIXP7ULx5Un_d5mg0IMLrnxqQIiUtgiSpnXEDL3t7vYmvG4yLVqtLxro66L3Q2dftVCRnP6-f4xnr5idl0L5kuHlQ7GtLNnvZOxdI2plsjvH1RfsWfMpEqT-yOzRJAvecEkNatfT5rf/s1000/Chayka_Lutka_Galeb_Michael-Galvez_2-2.jpg" style="font-weight: 700; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="666" data-original-width="1000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCjEXEjW50CM1d75FmSikREKDDaJEqHueZHpXPLSi2oEbYO4kkjmIXP7ULx5Un_d5mg0IMLrnxqQIiUtgiSpnXEDL3t7vYmvG4yLVqtLxro66L3Q2dftVCRnP6-f4xnr5idl0L5kuHlQ7GtLNnvZOxdI2plsjvH1RfsWfMpEqT-yOzRJAvecEkNatfT5rf/w640-h426/Chayka_Lutka_Galeb_Michael-Galvez_2-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">English subtitles are projected above, so it was easy to follow the plot and transcend any language barriers. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">On a minimalist, stripped down set, Chayka relives the glory days when she played a host of the younger Seagull characters, bemoans the lack of a lake, and finds her light. It's a poignant piece, and a bold choice. Puppet genre shows dealing with aging and endings are rare. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeoWlPNx3TjnVQgKvMY8gA_jbVln1YNM7LhhZYKhX8KTjRPD7oFLmMovLYiltXKSjzjylKaZMgg6NzEZjKIRA9AemMU8yXMJ2mMmNtsiIXNstyL9m60lv32hVAv2OPYiUlHdUuJxM75sCV3jmCnqQ59o1w3IWg9Al6aGrFmhXLSrT6ODsNQYDqCarI9fvP/s2560/Chayka_7-scaled-2.jpg" style="font-weight: 700; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="1707" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeoWlPNx3TjnVQgKvMY8gA_jbVln1YNM7LhhZYKhX8KTjRPD7oFLmMovLYiltXKSjzjylKaZMgg6NzEZjKIRA9AemMU8yXMJ2mMmNtsiIXNstyL9m60lv32hVAv2OPYiUlHdUuJxM75sCV3jmCnqQ59o1w3IWg9Al6aGrFmhXLSrT6ODsNQYDqCarI9fvP/w426-h640/Chayka_7-scaled-2.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Despite the melancholy subject, there's plenty of humor, and the opportunity to run the gamut of emotions, escalating to a set deconstructing, table flipping rage. In the past few years, I've seen both The Seagull and also Stupid F*#@ing Bird, Aaron Posner's irreverent, contemporary remix of Chekhov’s The Seagull. All 3 productions explore the timeless tussle between young and old, past and present, in search of meaning. </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">If you're a fan of creative puppeteering and particularly Chekhovian explorations of frustration and decline, make a point to experience Chayka. </span></div><div><br /></div><div><i><b>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). </b></i></div></div><div><i><br /></i></div><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUkzuScAj9EXGTp2ZdMTszQRrl-YUFAiBFBztUlNgH6gGTac6Kif6QorPmZjBi8t7SMm85_LlJCUtPqDt85t8bwWZbUEytfHbwL36gmah220L5nWzF2VDGxGrE_SN_JMSSejaDBAY9o90BQsHuckuoYduFTcBDvcN7-4HSIPZWXjFYQxiXTIFTTZ1xY-bf/s1920/Chayka_10-2.jpg" style="font-weight: 700; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1920" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUkzuScAj9EXGTp2ZdMTszQRrl-YUFAiBFBztUlNgH6gGTac6Kif6QorPmZjBi8t7SMm85_LlJCUtPqDt85t8bwWZbUEytfHbwL36gmah220L5nWzF2VDGxGrE_SN_JMSSejaDBAY9o90BQsHuckuoYduFTcBDvcN7-4HSIPZWXjFYQxiXTIFTTZ1xY-bf/w640-h426/Chayka_10-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><p><b>Chayka</b></p><p><b>Belova-Iacobelli Theatre Company</b></p><p><b>Belgium/Chile</b></p><p><b>Chopin Theatre (mainstage), 1543 W. Division St., Wicker Park</b></p><p><b>January 26-28</b></p><p><b>Three shows: Friday and Saturday, January 26 and 27 at 7 p.m.; Sunday, January 28 at 3 p.m.</b></p><p><b>60 minutes (English subtitles)</b></p><p><b>Ages 13 and up</b></p><p><b>Tickets: $30-$40</b></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYqcwXWaqN86Vqv7t70XmjFRp_mtgZyK5-_h0ys_KtRJCSW_O4fp8hbu73kohQ69UFC_MQp41wM-M2qlkW2Dc4BrrVGP1N8x08FnZMRSuay_wHb_cTD1eWcB0sF9KTP_tsjv7jloLM85MtMNuWxEo0PPNWyHTIt19mT8zJcEOtVAPO_6sxCfeAdVCNzBhA/s1920/Chayka_6-2.jpg" style="font-weight: 700; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1920" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYqcwXWaqN86Vqv7t70XmjFRp_mtgZyK5-_h0ys_KtRJCSW_O4fp8hbu73kohQ69UFC_MQp41wM-M2qlkW2Dc4BrrVGP1N8x08FnZMRSuay_wHb_cTD1eWcB0sF9KTP_tsjv7jloLM85MtMNuWxEo0PPNWyHTIt19mT8zJcEOtVAPO_6sxCfeAdVCNzBhA/w640-h426/Chayka_6-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><p>In the backstage of a theater, an aging actress named Chayka struggles to remember why she is there. A young woman arrives to remind her: tonight she must play the part of Arkadina in Chekhov’s The Seagull. As her memory fades, not knowing quite who she is nor the part she is meant to be playing, Chayka is determined at least to give this last performance. In her struggle and descent, reality and fiction intersect.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGlFjxQClEc5qZ7lSC8OPzbE9e5ZxZy-3zEO_l2PC0pcvrBdzOpvxs7ei6f_o-9SNDt_hQqP0uuNEEW4KjX2N-QPmTea2l02tvtwNuOKZdnS_OMtYtgXUMfx5sjw-z04CEAVmI3c_EBzrh4pBjuUd_e2Orwm6D59PVTnrRcPshKzwmg9mnWHTezycfTgK9/s2560/Chayka_8-scaled-2.jpg" style="font-weight: 700; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="1707" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGlFjxQClEc5qZ7lSC8OPzbE9e5ZxZy-3zEO_l2PC0pcvrBdzOpvxs7ei6f_o-9SNDt_hQqP0uuNEEW4KjX2N-QPmTea2l02tvtwNuOKZdnS_OMtYtgXUMfx5sjw-z04CEAVmI3c_EBzrh4pBjuUd_e2Orwm6D59PVTnrRcPshKzwmg9mnWHTezycfTgK9/w426-h640/Chayka_8-scaled-2.jpg" width="426" /></a> </p><p>This multi-award winning production, told in a dreamlike style, is a duo performance for one actress and one puppet, and is the first piece from the Belgo-Chilean company Belova ~ Iacobelli. In 2012, the Chilean actress and stage director Tita Iacobelli met the Belgo-Russian puppeteer Natacha Belova in Santiago, Chile, at the La Rebelión de los Muñecos Festival. In 2015, again in Santiago, they created an experimental theater laboratory for contemporary puppet theater. When the two-month experience was over, they decided to develop a play together. Chayka was the first production, created in June 2018 in Santiago de Chile, followed In September 2021, by LOCO at the Théâtre National Wallonie-Bruxelles in Belgium. In October 2022, the performance Sisypholia, by Natacha Belova co-directed with Dorian Chavez, was presented at the International Biennial of Living Arts Toulouse Occitanie in France. <a href="http://belova-iacobelli.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">belova-iacobelli.com</a>. </p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4A4LAMyupfL2pZztKEofsOHzsCE4WDK6RKyLMJ-7qLrGFMtPSdeAT0tXxW0a0tkHLPxdrxQdPuY7pBmW0gVdTaY5WFSdcHgKYQrPCrEE1o7Omy7YYq4xE9ZjnC8BCzymGzyHMABVSON1ZwW_RSI1g6zhJJDzzVZ5IV-O-NssB4m856bIskLUAbBhQgRD4/s1600/Chayka_4-2.jpg" style="font-weight: 700; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4A4LAMyupfL2pZztKEofsOHzsCE4WDK6RKyLMJ-7qLrGFMtPSdeAT0tXxW0a0tkHLPxdrxQdPuY7pBmW0gVdTaY5WFSdcHgKYQrPCrEE1o7Omy7YYq4xE9ZjnC8BCzymGzyHMABVSON1ZwW_RSI1g6zhJJDzzVZ5IV-O-NssB4m856bIskLUAbBhQgRD4/w512-h640/Chayka_4-2.jpg" width="512" /></a></p><p><b></b></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUTprdUKKER7snNImttxXegYRPsuGZlhXEY5cTtjlM2vzljO1BSQxsPWtfHTw8v2aYaoPb0r12YmLEMIgjcOgAt3V-VJ8cfJUtgswHRmW1YLTIx1PqMF4j97GH5yZ4L9J9iYeEwK9pQ8aq6X-E4ofkD56Edv9H4rnmJszRgDOU57pi7moxHe47sQT4lEw/s640/unnamed-2-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUTprdUKKER7snNImttxXegYRPsuGZlhXEY5cTtjlM2vzljO1BSQxsPWtfHTw8v2aYaoPb0r12YmLEMIgjcOgAt3V-VJ8cfJUtgswHRmW1YLTIx1PqMF4j97GH5yZ4L9J9iYeEwK9pQ8aq6X-E4ofkD56Edv9H4rnmJszRgDOU57pi7moxHe47sQT4lEw/w640-h640/unnamed-2-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><p><i><span style="font-size: large;">Everything you need to know about the 6th Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival January 18-28, 2024</span></i></p><p>January in Chicago isn't all dreary, cold, and grey. Puppet fest is back to put some color and joy into your January. Here at ChiIL Mama and ChiIL Live Shows, we've covered the Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival every year since it's inception. We're elated that they're now an annual fest instead of every other year, and we'll be out to review as much of the fest as possible once again in 2024. Check out the schedule below to save the dates. There'll be plentiful family friendly and adult puppet fun and we'll have the scoop right here. </p><p>Tickets are now on sale for the 6th Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival, the largest of its kind in North America, returning January 18-28, 2024, at venues large and small throughout the city. </p><p>The Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival is the largest event dedicated to the art form in North America. In the heart of winter, the Festival spans 11 days and dozens of Chicago venues, sharing 100+ puppetry activities with 14,000+ guests. The festival includes performances, the Free Neighborhood Tour, a Puppet Hub open throughout the festival on the fourth floor of the Fine Arts Building, a symposium, the Catapult Artist Intensive, workshops, and more. </p><p><b><i>Visit <a href="http://chicagopuppetfest.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">chicagopuppetfest.org</a> for tickets and information about the 6th Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival, and sign up for the festival’s e-news.</i></b></p><p><b><i>Follow the festival on Facebook, Instagram, Vimeo, hashtag #ChiPuppetFest.</i></b></p><p><b><i><br /></i></b></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaRgYmNXha8bp7V9uZIeIHpb5DrmpYxrHjJaTLkTvdqDldfhA8L-obwMeU15VQYRn8vuts5cPqFncJ82uR59tof3G1_VPh0c2S0LbcbricocMGmr-QoGDn5AgXvc7Kr192A-PQmfz8e4wJJfqCqm0mCDrUQHY7RbVLgAOhMBJnDRpWVRqekVlYFx2zFx8/s426/unnamed-6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="426" data-original-width="276" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaRgYmNXha8bp7V9uZIeIHpb5DrmpYxrHjJaTLkTvdqDldfhA8L-obwMeU15VQYRn8vuts5cPqFncJ82uR59tof3G1_VPh0c2S0LbcbricocMGmr-QoGDn5AgXvc7Kr192A-PQmfz8e4wJJfqCqm0mCDrUQHY7RbVLgAOhMBJnDRpWVRqekVlYFx2zFx8/s320/unnamed-6.jpg" width="207" /></a></p><div><br /></div>Bonnie Kenaz-Marahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05141662039871081535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3413066541124683629.post-1938639589866853112024-01-25T17:08:00.302-06:002024-01-26T13:09:52.038-06:00Magically Macabre Krabat Leaves a Mark at The Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival <p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">ChiIL Live Shows On Our Radar</span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span style="text-align: left;"><i>Figurentheater Wilde & Vogel </i></span></span><span style="text-align: left;"><i>and Grupa Coincidentia </i></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="text-align: left;"><i>from </i></span><span style="text-align: left;"><i>Germany/Poland</i></span><i><span>:</span></i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><i><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Krabat</span></b></i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">ChiIL Live Shows On Our Radar</span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">Recommended for Ages 13+</span></i></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOPwx5BD4XDK2C8wNkwnMpawiwdSXH7vc5IyeL28yk93RCiyBtF2pDGawKC7BaBgogjR8Px6mk7-lNgVTi2OadWZbbeGCqMIzMmDQevXsmsVKG-ZjdZGo_TJfN4osXgSpvyVTML4JXkuvnuBj6djPOoSyAtvoWS68w671DnOobd6AbaxPTGODaahJMyMU/s1200/unnamed-12.jpg" style="font-style: italic; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOPwx5BD4XDK2C8wNkwnMpawiwdSXH7vc5IyeL28yk93RCiyBtF2pDGawKC7BaBgogjR8Px6mk7-lNgVTi2OadWZbbeGCqMIzMmDQevXsmsVKG-ZjdZGo_TJfN4osXgSpvyVTML4JXkuvnuBj6djPOoSyAtvoWS68w671DnOobd6AbaxPTGODaahJMyMU/w640-h640/unnamed-12.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p><i><span style="font-size: large;">REVIEW:</span></i></p><p><i><span style="font-size: medium;">By Bonnie Kenaz-Mara</span></i></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Black magic, blood, grinding bones, dissonant chords at a volume to rival a punk or metal concert, people transforming into ravens, and magically macabre puppetry make for an interesting evening with Figurentheater Wilde & Vogel and Grupa Coincidentia. We caught Krabat with 5 friends and family members and reactions ranged from enthusiastic adoration to abject loathing. I never expect full consensus from a given audience, and differing views on a show spark interesting conversations. Still, it's a testament to these puppeteers, that they push the boundaries of performance to the extent that they elicit strong, emotional reactions, equally positive and negative. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Don't let the source material, a classic German children's book “Krabat and the Sorcerer's Mill,” fool you into thinking this is a children's show. It's a darkly disturbing, adult piece of theatre set at the end of the 30 years' war (lasting from 1618 to 1648) when a desperate war orphan, Krabat, becomes an apprentice to a master who not only runs a mill, but also sacrifices children and works dark magic</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">. Remember, Germans are the ones who brought us "children's stories" like <span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 34); color: #202122;">The </span><span style="caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 34); color: #202122;">Brothers Grimm </span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 34); color: #202122;">(</span><span style="caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 34); color: #202122;" title="German-language text"><i lang="de">die Brüder Grimm</i></span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 34); color: #202122;"> or </span><span style="caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 34); color: #202122;" title="German-language text"><i lang="de">die Gebrüder Grimm</i></span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 34); color: #202122;">) fairytale collections which originally included much creepier versions of the familiar stories we know and love. For example, t</span></span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(24, 24, 24); color: #181818; font-family: verdana;">he evil stepsisters in </span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(24, 24, 24); color: #181818; font-family: verdana;">“Cinderella”</span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(24, 24, 24); color: #181818; font-family: verdana;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(24, 24, 24); color: #181818;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">cut off their heels and toes trying to make the slipper fit, and themes of mutilation, child abuse, incest, murder, and dismemberment run rampant throughout their folktales. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">One of our friends was speechless by the end of the show, and claimed to need time to process what she just saw. Another said it was an uncomfortable, awful audience experience, but the other 3 of us enjoyed it and found the story telling evocative and fascinating. If you enjoy the creepy side of human nature, heavy industrial and ethereal music, and creative storytelling, don't miss this. Recommended.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">We caught up with musician Charlotte Wilde of for a casual, post-show conversation. where she told us that she met puppeteer and puppet maker Michael Vogel in college in the late 90s, when she was studying to become a music teacher. The puppetry took off, as a viable career, and they never looked back. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">These collaborators from </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Germany/Poland live around a 10 hour drive from one another, which makes rehearsals complicated. Flights are shorter, but not conducive to hauling puppets and set pieces, so they generally do end up driving. Nevertheless, they have collaborated on quite a few productions and the melding of companies is impressive. </span></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsKU5QoGqSbqmTtbkcHzflc2Y_N7F67uO7qTk9SwKfzNlBmYjZH1P5cv2LLkKa6PvKCmPYZ96HqYMrmHCTQm59veoLyS4MTVfsPiL5PXi8kPASKqpgCJcWz-1-zkNESnGY6O9HveYuU0TztSD4zw6Iy3a6SeeGfU17yK12fkgPRL33KQTRrsJ8wY4XCFDP/s1440/422928776_869510875183728_5523360487612245106_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-style: italic; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsKU5QoGqSbqmTtbkcHzflc2Y_N7F67uO7qTk9SwKfzNlBmYjZH1P5cv2LLkKa6PvKCmPYZ96HqYMrmHCTQm59veoLyS4MTVfsPiL5PXi8kPASKqpgCJcWz-1-zkNESnGY6O9HveYuU0TztSD4zw6Iy3a6SeeGfU17yK12fkgPRL33KQTRrsJ8wY4XCFDP/w640-h640/422928776_869510875183728_5523360487612245106_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">My husband, who's a location sound engineer for TV/film, was intrigued with the low tech mechanics used to create the ambient sound and lighting effects. He even stayed after the show to confirm his theory about the mill shadows, and rhythmic scraping and thumping, created by a lighted, rotating wheel with a phono needle, pictured in the center, below.</span></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0IH4Hl86_JCy8CCkDDR5Hs9BYX0SOodfBBLXNOoN5bTJrqS-bZtTXVCVfIx_2zDukYu-poBX-B0lQh_X4J5bQKcOCS0bisawUd0ESbkeCstcnj1fPan30BBxYbZp54Tz9M9NWY6fhMEydzC_N3ZqIfLdIcICNy63QoHZiEJXdMiB6b9XfBFCuZym7PKlV/s1440/422926911_869510905183725_6618634890652983254_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-style: italic; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0IH4Hl86_JCy8CCkDDR5Hs9BYX0SOodfBBLXNOoN5bTJrqS-bZtTXVCVfIx_2zDukYu-poBX-B0lQh_X4J5bQKcOCS0bisawUd0ESbkeCstcnj1fPan30BBxYbZp54Tz9M9NWY6fhMEydzC_N3ZqIfLdIcICNy63QoHZiEJXdMiB6b9XfBFCuZym7PKlV/w640-h640/422926911_869510905183725_6618634890652983254_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">We particularly loved the light and shadows, the quirky gears, and the way the puppet, Krabat was pulled around the stage by a string. The play of light and water, as well as the bits with floating plastic were visually gorgeous and accompanied by an equally eerie and beautiful score. The show does eventually have a happy ending, with the redemption of a love story, but it's an intense and gory road to get there. </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Recommended.</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMyhXfgzL8rx-0iuWFQXuMBAlfaOCCkG47OG0NmfXk2zr1WcJ8eiRaIQjxveYN4-w4TC06XnfNqq9MVcEMYuZTgN4E3wXi_jAA74BeXatVnXW4OwfI6Ek7Mo9lKOQMV87_cslNFrE5gZCBL_4KKzwvN2vdV_9cEreSQSzQdAkiWANMCjA8UbfDNDOXQ1D6/s1280/422903785_869510851850397_6455071009518835358_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-style: italic; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMyhXfgzL8rx-0iuWFQXuMBAlfaOCCkG47OG0NmfXk2zr1WcJ8eiRaIQjxveYN4-w4TC06XnfNqq9MVcEMYuZTgN4E3wXi_jAA74BeXatVnXW4OwfI6Ek7Mo9lKOQMV87_cslNFrE5gZCBL_4KKzwvN2vdV_9cEreSQSzQdAkiWANMCjA8UbfDNDOXQ1D6/w640-h640/422903785_869510851850397_6455071009518835358_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><p><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://www.chiilmama.com/2023/11/save-dates-6th-chicago-international.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Full Puppet Fest Schedule, including video clips of the productions HERE</a>. </span></b></p><p><i><b>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). </b></i></p><p><i></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><i><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijp3ab8lHxWeAN7t5cnlwsRFpP1vxf0Fs9OkoaTXLWW5rvrxSSqUa0tAPz8SHB4ugGjb5HH18qpdwsBFZdcOMVnvs6D_eeqJNj3Th36IdQ6U9i-ilO8bhQYKnhJbgRkaQujUX-98Sryrg1bCJHyOJmV1tFJanGDcbcVFd_3ZIntElOHWA9xTx4ID8FCm4/s1000/unnamed-11.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijp3ab8lHxWeAN7t5cnlwsRFpP1vxf0Fs9OkoaTXLWW5rvrxSSqUa0tAPz8SHB4ugGjb5HH18qpdwsBFZdcOMVnvs6D_eeqJNj3Th36IdQ6U9i-ilO8bhQYKnhJbgRkaQujUX-98Sryrg1bCJHyOJmV1tFJanGDcbcVFd_3ZIntElOHWA9xTx4ID8FCm4/w640-h640/unnamed-11.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Krabat</b></div></i><p></p><p><b><i>Figurentheater Wilde & Vogel and Grupa Coincidentia</i></b></p><p><b><i>Germany/Poland</i></b></p><p><b><i>The Biograph Theater's Začek-McVay Mainstage, 2433 N. Lincoln Ave., Lincoln Park</i></b></p><p><b><i>January 25-28</i></b></p><p><b><i>Four shows: Thursday, January 25 at 7 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, January 26 and 27 at 9 p.m.; Sunday, January 28 at 3 p.m.</i></b></p><p><b><i>70 minutes</i></b></p><p><b><i>13 and up</i></b></p><p><b><i>Tickets: $35-$45</i></b></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrgsHOauN7E2EiiIMcvCV87E2dEdVVjQVSMIP34B7kcW8sYxiQtIs8NnASmPYRIUkoj5DQYwwno8XVrh6yfYEC4gSRTpIgMsC7CoNcYISdAAfsewc3Lta_REASgpv36Ku4FB4KELa_mqKGF38Zc3BYHbH3snv9oNSE2sSYVclNVJY9slbkSx5sUKztWS8/s720/unnamed-10.jpg" style="font-style: italic; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrgsHOauN7E2EiiIMcvCV87E2dEdVVjQVSMIP34B7kcW8sYxiQtIs8NnASmPYRIUkoj5DQYwwno8XVrh6yfYEC4gSRTpIgMsC7CoNcYISdAAfsewc3Lta_REASgpv36Ku4FB4KELa_mqKGF38Zc3BYHbH3snv9oNSE2sSYVclNVJY9slbkSx5sUKztWS8/w426-h640/unnamed-10.jpg" width="426" /></a></p><p>Based on the classic German children's book “Krabat and the Sorcerer's Mill,” a stray war orphan finds shelter with eleven millers and their Master. Strict rules, dark practices, black magic…anything can be endured as long as the bowl is full and the bed is dry. Krabat grows closer and closer to the Master. Finally, it is not heroism, but disobedience - the motive of gaining a friend and a girl who loves him - that breaks the power of the spell. A play about hard times, human falls and the power of first love, Krabat goes straight to the heart with penetrating clarity, power of image, stage humor and a minimum of words. Dark, bold and at the same time incredibly light, it’s a carousel of feelings spinning among great musical landscapes.</p><p>Figurentheater Wilde & Vogel was founded in 1997 by musician Charlotte Wilde and puppeteer and puppet maker Michael Vogel, first in Stuttgart, from 2003 in Leipzig, where Wilde and Vogel are co-founders of the International Centre for Animated Theatre Westflügel. Their repertoire includes classical drama, adaptations of novels, poetry and original works. Figurentheater-wildevogel.de *see longer bio above</p><p>Grupa Coincidentia was founded in 2009 by Dagmara Sowa and Pawel Chomczyk, graduates of the Bialystok Puppet Art Department of the Theater Academy. Coincidentia has produced over a dozen performances in collaboration with artists such as Michael Vogel, Lukasz Kos, Christiane Zanger, Pawel Aigner, Michal Walczak, Robert Jarosz, Christoph Bochdansky, Pawel Passini, Robert Drobniuch and Konrad Dworakowski. Coincidentia's shows have been presented at numerous festivals in Europe, Asia and North America and have been honored with many awards (including The Bank of Scotland Herald Angel, Total Theater Award Edinburgh, Grand Prix of the Konteksty Festival, the Grand Prix of the MFTL in Torun). Coincidentia collaborates on a permanent basis with the German independent scene Lindenfels Westfluegel in Leipzig and the Figurentheater Wilde & Vogel. In 2016, Grupa Coincidentia established Siedlisko Kultury Solniki 44 - an independent cultural center located in the forest in Podlasie region, which has hosted dozens of theatrical performances, artistic and educational workshops, works in progress, concerts and panel discussions. In 2018, the center initiated LasFest - International Theater Festival in the Forest, and in 2020, LasKids - a festival addressed to children's audiences. Both include independent theaters, laboratory works, concerts, student shows, meetings with artists, film screenings and unconventional events combining art with nature. <b><a href="http://grupacoincidentia.pl" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">grupacoincidentia.pl</a></b></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span>More Fabulous Puppet Fun From </span></i><span style="text-align: left;"><i>Figurentheater Wilde & Vogel </i></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="text-align: left;"><i>from </i></span><span style="text-align: left;"><i>Germany:</i></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large; text-align: left;"><i><b>Spleen </b></i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large; text-align: left;"><i> at The Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival </i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large; text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;"><i>Ages: 16+</i></span></b><i><span> </span></i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6pDyk-uXDu1AnFnd-GmSZ2ZBoUuzpoX2lOb160oZoqlRXdfvxARBsre35Sz82YsXkOc3HQ4r8lk-PGnC9sH3cvQ4VD9n7rn7VhtGNFmw2HEm-1x-OMdEa2MSrREDD7IGZGV4LSR0tNcI6lLLSCHpWO0wvECZTc7C0hvxAugMCR2jhvkPnlYMr95Ux7sI/s1200/unnamed-8.jpg" style="font-style: italic; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6pDyk-uXDu1AnFnd-GmSZ2ZBoUuzpoX2lOb160oZoqlRXdfvxARBsre35Sz82YsXkOc3HQ4r8lk-PGnC9sH3cvQ4VD9n7rn7VhtGNFmw2HEm-1x-OMdEa2MSrREDD7IGZGV4LSR0tNcI6lLLSCHpWO0wvECZTc7C0hvxAugMCR2jhvkPnlYMr95Ux7sI/w640-h426/unnamed-8.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></p><p><i><span style="font-size: large;">REVIEW:</span></i></p><p><i><span style="font-size: medium;">By Bonnie Kenaz-Mara</span></i></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">If dissonant amplified violin, brutally loud electric guitar, creepy puppets, and esoteric 19th century poetry recorded by children is your jam, you have found your happy place! Figurentheater Wilde & Vogel's Spleen is wonderfully weird. This dynamic duo melds puppetry and an original score to breath new life into text well over a century old, and completely relevant today. Spleen inspired by Charles Baudelaire’s collection of poems “Le Spleen de Paris,” published posthumously in 1869. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Baudelaire's words, paired with an eerie assortment of puppets, is the show you never knew you needed to see. Charlotte Wilde arranges, composes and plays the music (violin, guitar and keyboard instruments) and brings compelling emotion and punctuation to the performance. </span></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlIsDMbE5sJTw7AChR8pdBf5tvMDjvjH01-N7yyvIDClHy9izxhGVC6vTZfaSG3oVvtOoqyMhCJKCDgaZi4YDESX_nrOL24iGCRobmuSShrKTF0ncqgMwop6qtALpJheURWdPf3kqbOeHgEm1suXS_4aDI5H4jfcALUx_Zn7wuiROjAZut-evP_z7h9N0/s1800/unnamed-9.jpg" style="font-style: italic; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlIsDMbE5sJTw7AChR8pdBf5tvMDjvjH01-N7yyvIDClHy9izxhGVC6vTZfaSG3oVvtOoqyMhCJKCDgaZi4YDESX_nrOL24iGCRobmuSShrKTF0ncqgMwop6qtALpJheURWdPf3kqbOeHgEm1suXS_4aDI5H4jfcALUx_Zn7wuiROjAZut-evP_z7h9N0/w426-h640/unnamed-9.jpg" width="426" /></a></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">We couldn't look away from the demonic, little creature that seemed self propelled, and others that moved unaided. We also adored the puppets animated by the shockingly limber and talented puppeteer and puppet maker, Michael Vogel. The craft and design of these puppets is fabulous and leaves a lasting impression. The plot may be too baffling and esoteric to ever be mainstream, but we enjoyed it immensely. </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Recommended.</span></p><p><i><b>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). </b></i></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLTqks7Pzk0QbKf4T74xGxA7izl0KZYQKT485unUh9XHidi1TfQD2Qtbq8gghmYQZ9G6xLlzGbuZTCzF1Rp2IhdR4aq0y6ROF3JluE0qZMP0ej46bU77uroPcTL1WVUDZdNWLN0i8SnYU85OrVLznb_QW-FeC9sILD5E4RQ9kNvTStj3l3NRsrhyGg7GY/s1800/unnamed-7.jpg" style="font-style: italic; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLTqks7Pzk0QbKf4T74xGxA7izl0KZYQKT485unUh9XHidi1TfQD2Qtbq8gghmYQZ9G6xLlzGbuZTCzF1Rp2IhdR4aq0y6ROF3JluE0qZMP0ej46bU77uroPcTL1WVUDZdNWLN0i8SnYU85OrVLznb_QW-FeC9sILD5E4RQ9kNvTStj3l3NRsrhyGg7GY/w426-h640/unnamed-7.jpg" width="426" /></a><i><br /><b><br /></b></i></p><p></p><p><b><i>Spleen</i></b></p><p><b><i>The Biograph's Richard Christiansen Theatre, 2433 N. Lincoln Ave., Lincoln Park</i></b></p><p><b><i>January 19-21</i></b></p><p><b><i>Four shows: Friday, January 19 at 9 p.m., Saturday, January 20 at 5 p.m. and 9 p.m.; Sunday, January 21 at 5 p.m.</i></b></p><p><b><i>70 minutes</i></b></p><p><b><i>16 and up</i></b></p><p><b><i>Tickets: $20-$30</i></b></p><p>Spleen is a kaleidoscope of pictures, songs and miniatures, inspired by Charles Baudelaire’s collection of poems “Le Spleen de Paris,” published posthumously in 1869. Mankind on the threshold to modernity is described in scenes played out between thirst for life and longing for death, between a romantic search for infinity and a brutal triviality. The performers are on the stage with puppets and musical instruments, while Baudelaire’s texts are spoken by children recorded on tape. The magic of this kaleidoscope develops in the imagination between actors, material and audience - a sequence of pictures and live music that wants to counterpoint Baudelaire’s vision of the world and open it for a new understanding for the present.</p><p>Figurentheater Wilde & Vogel was founded in 1997 by musician Charlotte Wilde and puppeteer and puppet maker Michael Vogel, first in Stuttgart, from 2003 in Leipzig, where Wilde and Vogel are co-founders of the International Centre for Animated Theatre Westflügel. Wilde, who studied music, English and history in Karlsruhe, arranges, composes and plays the music (violin, guitar and keyboard instruments). Vogel studied in Prague with Milos Kirschner and the Spejbl & Hurvinek Theatre, and studied puppet theater in Stuttgart at the University of Music and Performing Arts. Today, puppetry and live music are the artistic means of Wilde & Vogel’s theater, with a repertoire including classical drama, adaptations of novels, poetry and original works. Themes and dramatic material for the productions are manifold, and are always reduced to the essence, to open space for imagination beyond the visible for the audience. <b><a href="http://figurentheater-wildevogel.de" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">figurentheater-wildevogel.de</a></b></p><div><br /></div><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUTprdUKKER7snNImttxXegYRPsuGZlhXEY5cTtjlM2vzljO1BSQxsPWtfHTw8v2aYaoPb0r12YmLEMIgjcOgAt3V-VJ8cfJUtgswHRmW1YLTIx1PqMF4j97GH5yZ4L9J9iYeEwK9pQ8aq6X-E4ofkD56Edv9H4rnmJszRgDOU57pi7moxHe47sQT4lEw/s640/unnamed-2-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUTprdUKKER7snNImttxXegYRPsuGZlhXEY5cTtjlM2vzljO1BSQxsPWtfHTw8v2aYaoPb0r12YmLEMIgjcOgAt3V-VJ8cfJUtgswHRmW1YLTIx1PqMF4j97GH5yZ4L9J9iYeEwK9pQ8aq6X-E4ofkD56Edv9H4rnmJszRgDOU57pi7moxHe47sQT4lEw/w640-h640/unnamed-2-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><p><i><span style="font-size: large;">Everything you need to know about the 6th Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival January 18-28, 2024</span></i></p><p>January in Chicago isn't all dreary, cold, and grey. Puppet fest is back to put some color and joy into your January. Here at ChiIL Mama and ChiIL Live Shows, we've covered the Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival every year since it's inception. We're elated that they're now an annual fest instead of every other year, and we'll be out to review as much of the fest as possible once again in 2024. Check out the schedule below to save the dates. There'll be plentiful family friendly and adult puppet fun and we'll have the scoop right here. </p><p>Tickets are now on sale for the 6th Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival, the largest of its kind in North America, returning January 18-28, 2024, at venues large and small throughout the city. </p><p>The Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival is the largest event dedicated to the art form in North America. In the heart of winter, the Festival spans 11 days and dozens of Chicago venues, sharing 100+ puppetry activities with 14,000+ guests. The festival includes performances, the Free Neighborhood Tour, a Puppet Hub open throughout the festival on the fourth floor of the Fine Arts Building, a symposium, the Catapult Artist Intensive, workshops, and more. </p><p><b><i>Visit <a href="http://chicagopuppetfest.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">chicagopuppetfest.org</a> for tickets and information about the 6th Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival, and sign up for the festival’s e-news.</i></b></p><p><b><i>Follow the festival on Facebook, Instagram, Vimeo, hashtag #ChiPuppetFest.</i></b></p><p><b><i><br /></i></b></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaRgYmNXha8bp7V9uZIeIHpb5DrmpYxrHjJaTLkTvdqDldfhA8L-obwMeU15VQYRn8vuts5cPqFncJ82uR59tof3G1_VPh0c2S0LbcbricocMGmr-QoGDn5AgXvc7Kr192A-PQmfz8e4wJJfqCqm0mCDrUQHY7RbVLgAOhMBJnDRpWVRqekVlYFx2zFx8/s426/unnamed-6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="426" data-original-width="276" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaRgYmNXha8bp7V9uZIeIHpb5DrmpYxrHjJaTLkTvdqDldfhA8L-obwMeU15VQYRn8vuts5cPqFncJ82uR59tof3G1_VPh0c2S0LbcbricocMGmr-QoGDn5AgXvc7Kr192A-PQmfz8e4wJJfqCqm0mCDrUQHY7RbVLgAOhMBJnDRpWVRqekVlYFx2zFx8/s320/unnamed-6.jpg" width="207" /></a></p><div><br /></div>Bonnie Kenaz-Marahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05141662039871081535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3413066541124683629.post-1851576543588502262024-01-25T13:40:00.024-06:002024-02-19T11:36:16.156-06:00 Filament Theatre presents Constellation Points’ Cloud Man March 17 through April 14, 2024<p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">ChiIL Mama’s ChiIL Picks List: </span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Family Friendly Shows On Our Radar</span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Cloud Man </span></b></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">The production is thanks to a new partnership between Filament and the Scottish theatre company Constellation Points.</span></i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkkt5RsGJt7_EEO1KTc743PGxbEjPxzqTcQn9K3QJslG4xrKRfhV_GuRZxBgadp9hKIXyoEsV6mfuGpSC0vsiMryc0ZmfrfZ2puwBfg7-WwMLdPa7T47Zrd3Zo6nGhq9-BfoICLJtC2yeQ6Y05nJaEORolhaUG5pGuOc3s0DdToVsxMEdKRyG7iK7CnIxO/s1164/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-19%20at%2010.25.30%20AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1164" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkkt5RsGJt7_EEO1KTc743PGxbEjPxzqTcQn9K3QJslG4xrKRfhV_GuRZxBgadp9hKIXyoEsV6mfuGpSC0vsiMryc0ZmfrfZ2puwBfg7-WwMLdPa7T47Zrd3Zo6nGhq9-BfoICLJtC2yeQ6Y05nJaEORolhaUG5pGuOc3s0DdToVsxMEdKRyG7iK7CnIxO/w640-h412/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-19%20at%2010.25.30%20AM.png" width="640" /></a></i></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><b><i><span style="color: #cc0000;">Cloud Man has been specifically designed for audiences members between 4-7 years old, but Filament welcomes family members of all ages.</span></i></b></span></p><p>The Northwest Side theater for young audiences invites audiences to follow the clues to the top of Cloud Mountain March 17 through April 14. Expect magical puppets, inventive storytelling, and lots of clouds and surprises.</p><p>Filament Theatre, the Northwest Side’s premier theater for young audiences, is delighted to present the magical Constellation Points’ Cloud Man from March 16 to April 14.</p><p>Cloud Man features exquisite puppetry and invites audience members to follow the clues to the very top of Cloud Mountain, where the views are always surprising. The story is told by cloud expert Cloudia, who always had her head in the clouds. All of her life, she has dreamt of seeing a Cloud Man–an extremely rare creature who lives a quiet life up high in the sky.</p><p>A cleverly staged show featuring one performer, puppets, storytelling and lots of clouds, Cloud Man explores the ways we try to make sense of the world. It encourages audiences to notice the beauty and wonder to be found in everyday life. It’s a gentle lesson in the ways we can care for the world without controlling it.</p><p> “We are thrilled to partner with Constellation Points to bring Cloud Man to Filament. It’s been a delight to imagine all of the ways that we can enjoy the enchantment of nature and all its mystery while we think thoughtfully about what it means to care for the world around us. “ Producing Artistic Director, Reji Simon</p><p>Central to Filament’s mission is its effort to create new work not only for, but with, young audiences. Via school residencies and Filament workshops, young people will explore themes from the play to create pre- and post-show activities.</p><p> CLOUD MAN: Cloud Man will be performed on Saturdays at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m. from March 17 through April 14. There is no performance on March 31. A sensory friendly performance will be held April 6 at 11 a.m. Field trips are available. Tickets:<b> <a href="http://www.filamenttheatre.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.filamenttheatre.org</a></b></p><p>By Ailie Cohen and Lewis Hetherington</p><p>Directed by Alasdair Satchel</p><p>Soundtrack by Niroshini Thambar and Nik Paget-Tomlinson Illustrations by Ailie Cohen</p><p>Performed by Molly Bunder Understudy Tia Pinson</p><p><i>ABOUT CONSTELLATION POINTS: is the collaboration between Ailie Cohen and Lewis Hetherington, with Producer Sarah Gray. Constellation Points create playful, curious and engaging work for audiences of all ages. They create theatre which uses visuals, music, text and more to tell beautiful original stories which are full of heart, fun and magic. They create work which encourages us to reflect and think deeply and creatively about the world we live in and the challenges we face. The name Constellation Points reflects the deeply collaborative nature of the company's work. Each show is carefully constructed by a team of makers, each one being a vital and beautiful point of light in creating the constellation of that show. Work includes Cloud Man, The Secret Life of Suitcases and Rocket Post! Their work has traveled all over the world delighting audiences in China, Dubai, Egypt, Japan, America, Australia and more, as well as extensively throughout the UK.</i></p><p><i>ABOUT FILAMENT THEATRE: Filament Theatre, on Chicago’s Northwest Side, has been creating innovative theater for young audiences since 2007. Filament’s mission is to create a more equitable society by celebrating and amplifying the perspectives and experiences of young people through the performing arts. Awards: Chicago Tribune Best Off-Loop Theatre (2016), Illinois Theatre Association Award of Excellence in Theatre for Young Audiences (2020), Bayless Family Foundation Stepping Stone Grant Recipient (2022).</i></p><p>4041 N MILWAUKEE AVE. CHICAGO IL 60641 - (773) 270-1660 - <b><a href="http://www.filamenttheatre.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.filamenttheatre.org</a></b></p>Bonnie Kenaz-Marahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05141662039871081535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3413066541124683629.post-6720257915527660962024-01-25T13:05:00.038-06:002024-02-12T13:10:11.064-06:00<p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">ChiIL Mama’s ChiIL Picks List: </span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Adult Shows With Family Themes On Our Radar</span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i> </i><i>RAVEN THEATRE COMPANY WORLD PREMIERE</i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">“brother sister cyborg space” </span></b></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><b></b></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnveqROI2XjhP5WhcJ8vh5NUXyZAY-rJEN2vOFDahdHXW9KGI0GJ4_6dB81qlck6JEHwYUsjFyHj-WCFAhBXr6Xdap9oyBQjIbtIFU9Mt0ajGT5oTPpmCkWz-gSWNCtfTKpHQgIhyphenhypheni1EjsVvQZ8xzWm9IGTOMLgYC4jEXTFjeNVWXEbeT-oeS_V0oZPyLv/s640/BSCS_PromoBanner-640x440.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="440" data-original-width="640" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnveqROI2XjhP5WhcJ8vh5NUXyZAY-rJEN2vOFDahdHXW9KGI0GJ4_6dB81qlck6JEHwYUsjFyHj-WCFAhBXr6Xdap9oyBQjIbtIFU9Mt0ajGT5oTPpmCkWz-gSWNCtfTKpHQgIhyphenhypheni1EjsVvQZ8xzWm9IGTOMLgYC4jEXTFjeNVWXEbeT-oeS_V0oZPyLv/w640-h440/BSCS_PromoBanner-640x440.jpg" width="640" /></a></b></i></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Futuristic Climate Parable Runs February 12 - March 17, 2024</span></i></p><p>Chicago’s Raven Theatre Company today released two first look images of their upcoming World Premiere of Paul Michael Thomson’s brother sister cyborg space, set to run February 12 - March 17, 2024 (previews February 8 - 11). Directed by three-time Jeff Award winner Terry Guest, the timely tale of climate crisis appears on Raven Theatre’s stage at 6157 N. Clark St. Tickets ($45) on sale now at <b><a href="http://www.raventheatre.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.raventheatre.com</a></b>. I'll be out for the press opening February 12th, so check back shortly after for my full review. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGQ_XSfbhEcOV4ZBHsEZU6TPeUlvYIe4tQT97VCG4TAjv9LZ7mdmD2BSVx7_rdQKmbr7GYIwv2G4pvVTrQ29avss8A_DYFMk_Z_3eV-YV2ehL-Jv9sWdBw4tSnM0k7_2hLJN9zijc_-mDVUy4vfAij484x_wsj-m5JY4BenN734X_qD2RKeFhOcdVXTCJk/s640/screenshot-2024-01-25-at-104830-a.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="241" data-original-width="640" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGQ_XSfbhEcOV4ZBHsEZU6TPeUlvYIe4tQT97VCG4TAjv9LZ7mdmD2BSVx7_rdQKmbr7GYIwv2G4pvVTrQ29avss8A_DYFMk_Z_3eV-YV2ehL-Jv9sWdBw4tSnM0k7_2hLJN9zijc_-mDVUy4vfAij484x_wsj-m5JY4BenN734X_qD2RKeFhOcdVXTCJk/w640-h242/screenshot-2024-01-25-at-104830-a.png" width="640" /></a></b></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Photo credit: Jenn Udoni (Franco Images)</i></b></p><p>In the too-close-for-comfort future, an environmental justice organizer named Giselle and her billionaire baby brother Elon are (unsurprisingly) at odds. She believes the earth and her people are worth saving; he marvels at the potential in starting over somewhere new. Meanwhile, his virtual assistant Ava has some very nuanced opinions of her own. (Who programmed her to talk so much?!) Set against the backdrop of a rapidly-accelerating climate crisis, brother sister cyborg space explores political divisions within families, an expanding definition of humanity and what we’ll do when time runs out.</p><p>Starring Matt Bowdren as “Elon,” Brittney Brown as his sister “Giselle,” and Charence Higgins as the voice of AI virtual assistant “Ava,” the production marks the second show in Raven’s 41st season.</p><p>Raven Theatre’s brother sister cyborg space runs February 12 - March 17, 2024, with previews February 8 - 11. Performances are held Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., and Sundays at 3 p.m. on the Johnson Stage at Raven Theatre, 6157 N. Clark St. Tickets are $45, with discounts available for students, military, and industry ($35 previews); to purchase tickets and for more information about Raven Theatre’s 41st season, visit <b><a href="http://www.raventheatre.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.raventheatre.com</a></b>. </p><p>Dates: February 12 - March 17, 2024 (Previews February 8 - 11)</p><p>Schedule: Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.; Sundays at 3 p.m.</p><p>Location: Raven Theatre (6157 N. Clark St.)</p><p>Tickets: General Admission: $45; Student, Military, and Industry tickets $15. Previews $35.</p><p>Box Office:<a href=" www.raventheatre.com " rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> <b>www.raventheatre.com</b></a>.</p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSP15D2qH_wIlquHhNndxFY07QbBQYxxuApyJgC13vqFL6uaNGpAlzO0ZuYZ7E5l09KtZozcGYBxXcdhk5HxFebKpUvOHrblNSmq2N8eQ9l0x1c4p2yPcU8rTdwC5o9fqN59ZVjUSUwDa7pmJC0LzQIMhD-vm6rfa00qfOYTJGGJQRT5L6FDSrL1RDXF6o/s4219/logo-full-rb.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; font-weight: 700; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="4219" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSP15D2qH_wIlquHhNndxFY07QbBQYxxuApyJgC13vqFL6uaNGpAlzO0ZuYZ7E5l09KtZozcGYBxXcdhk5HxFebKpUvOHrblNSmq2N8eQ9l0x1c4p2yPcU8rTdwC5o9fqN59ZVjUSUwDa7pmJC0LzQIMhD-vm6rfa00qfOYTJGGJQRT5L6FDSrL1RDXF6o/w200-h184/logo-full-rb.png" width="200" /></a></p><p><i>ABOUT RAVEN THEATRE COMPANY</i></p><p><i>Raven Theatre tells stories of today and the past that connect us to our cultural landscape. Through its plays, as well as its educational programming, Raven is committed to serving our communities’ needs through the arts. Raven Theatre Company is funded in part by Polk Bros Foundation, The Shubert Foundation, S&C Electric Company Fund, Paul M. Angell Foundation, The Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation and the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency. For more information: <a href="http://www.raventheatre.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.raventheatre.com</a>. </i></p>Bonnie Kenaz-Marahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05141662039871081535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3413066541124683629.post-45037366832792616242024-01-23T17:29:00.401-06:002024-02-03T11:20:08.453-06:00Aurora’s Paramount Theatre leaps into 2024 with Billy Elliot: The Musical, February 7-March 24, 2024<p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">ChiIL Mama’s ChiIL Picks List: </span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Family Friendly Shows On Our Radar</span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Billy Elliot: The Musical </span></b></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi10h6gtolG979fhNB1jLRVMHPMJb0Mn-kT3wj3DCk9Sb_hF5c4N8BKJWe1cVq6pUGpNDDZUf7DJ9W8rHVUjpt6xeIt9KictQJth2kY0GQ84URxsIh92vXOAooUmrobtKOghy-DIb2YOeCqJSRuAVn8fX3EjfQv6v8dHmLTHarHDdHjk5lW1yK4orR04lw1/s5000/Billy%20Elliot_show%20image.jpg" style="font-weight: 700; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5000" data-original-width="5000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi10h6gtolG979fhNB1jLRVMHPMJb0Mn-kT3wj3DCk9Sb_hF5c4N8BKJWe1cVq6pUGpNDDZUf7DJ9W8rHVUjpt6xeIt9KictQJth2kY0GQ84URxsIh92vXOAooUmrobtKOghy-DIb2YOeCqJSRuAVn8fX3EjfQv6v8dHmLTHarHDdHjk5lW1yK4orR04lw1/w640-h640/Billy%20Elliot_show%20image.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Inspired new production of the coming-of-age tale </span></i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">directed by Trent Stork</span></i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">February 7-March 24, 2024</span></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw2ngHsJecNCdUGT2C7aXjYs0G0fO722yIpAoWXHKE0y21VEz8zdOPzKqLT5toEg2S4WMQ8QXhsbC4VB6uZRPHsqIs8S2usFXnmeBKmGJSbUpxrhu2AINvhbUEV7yEpv-X6Ly7a1x4d4HQcTGxFjeN93ypLFmkLzTYu1V0OXnvCsmGL3ESGyClVADT9lQb/s720/PT_BElliot_pre_2_web_credit%20Amy%20Nelson.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="720" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw2ngHsJecNCdUGT2C7aXjYs0G0fO722yIpAoWXHKE0y21VEz8zdOPzKqLT5toEg2S4WMQ8QXhsbC4VB6uZRPHsqIs8S2usFXnmeBKmGJSbUpxrhu2AINvhbUEV7yEpv-X6Ly7a1x4d4HQcTGxFjeN93ypLFmkLzTYu1V0OXnvCsmGL3ESGyClVADT9lQb/w640-h426/PT_BElliot_pre_2_web_credit%20Amy%20Nelson.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><b style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></b><div><b style="text-align: center;"><i>Paramount Theatre’s Billy Elliot: The Musical features “triple-threat” actors/singers/dancers Neo Del Corral (left) and Sam Duncan alternating performances in the role of Billy. Photo credit: Amy Nelson</i></b><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5N-sg-VB61IAJkFKz0wV_xLMYWExMrgygUf2nTl84fA7uRnzDzhe2BunJutRp4t6RzrcoraP93HryfexF1ous2YMHs24fkZ_Ppy_yhwPcn3u45QytQ3y0ibZCFmWxC6OUC9z4poOGVpRC1E5l_tNzoIvlnqSiF7T9GMtcDSLIZDKprY0YaOPmUw-FXw-W/s720/PT_BElliot_pre_1_web_credit%20Amy%20Nelson.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="720" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5N-sg-VB61IAJkFKz0wV_xLMYWExMrgygUf2nTl84fA7uRnzDzhe2BunJutRp4t6RzrcoraP93HryfexF1ous2YMHs24fkZ_Ppy_yhwPcn3u45QytQ3y0ibZCFmWxC6OUC9z4poOGVpRC1E5l_tNzoIvlnqSiF7T9GMtcDSLIZDKprY0YaOPmUw-FXw-W/w640-h426/PT_BElliot_pre_1_web_credit%20Amy%20Nelson.jpg" width="640" /></a> <b><i>Neo Del Corral (left) and Sam Duncan. </i></b><b><i>All Advance Production Photos by Amy Nelson</i></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><i><br /></i></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">Combating prejudice with dance</span></i></p><p>Do what you love no matter what other people think. That’s the message that leaps from the stage in Billy Elliot: The Musical, originally nominated for 15 Tony Awards and a winner of ten, including Best Musical. </p><p>I'll be out for opening night, February 16th, so check back soon for my full review. I'll always hold a soft spot for Billy Elliott, since it was the first Broadway touring production I ever reviewed reviewed for ChiILMama.com, back in 2010. My family was invited behind the scenes, to meet the four boys playing Billy on the national tour, and I got to bring my children to their first Broadway musical, at the ripe old ages of 7 and 9. I've been reviewing theatre ever since and couldn't love it more. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><strong style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"></strong></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><strong style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVVu0kd2ScW0ii0szIk1Sir01DRpPBIxQ6X6eiPc_QY48Yopj1F4bXX3X4zu6HwwGJ9QGOJT6-uZGeIJhiHA-PtEEuQRCnSes5T456r7mXBlntOfIixOzS0-zbmA1u9oGH1eSOVzlDQPaMVSlBUYU00ORTl0qUzjZjJdcxN2-SoC3C5K2PSCBo4vdj9wFY/s512/Billy_Elliot.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="372" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVVu0kd2ScW0ii0szIk1Sir01DRpPBIxQ6X6eiPc_QY48Yopj1F4bXX3X4zu6HwwGJ9QGOJT6-uZGeIJhiHA-PtEEuQRCnSes5T456r7mXBlntOfIixOzS0-zbmA1u9oGH1eSOVzlDQPaMVSlBUYU00ORTl0qUzjZjJdcxN2-SoC3C5K2PSCBo4vdj9wFY/w466-h640/Billy_Elliot.jpg" width="466" /></a></strong></span></div><strong style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span><i> <span style="font-size: x-small;"> My daughter </span></i></strong><strong style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Sage, Daniel, my son Dugan, and Billy Elliot--AKA: J.P.Viernes</span></i></strong><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Speaking of coming of age stories... Fourteen years later, these littles are now 20-22 year olds and my son has a theatre degree from Northwestern University! You never know how early exposure to theatre arts will grow. And in that wonderful 6 degrees of </span><span style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">separation, we're still friends with Daniel's mom, Amy Bizzarri, who is now the author of many fabulous travel books and writes for Choose Chicago. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><strong style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><i></i></strong></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg84R2YkN0YxymCJzNGxYha14Y8MqCnCvfQ_S5ciTu0G7HsQluj9L0j1MpV_QOI6yuj0qHLIkP19knW78GyTsmw5P3EUBcxAmZN6wARfopb_B7u_YXbMdMv-EQB1keZOB01-NKeRS-JhyYQ-kRySbtwiVJclpAkWGMwAap_5r34xS919H_ym1UpZhDaQ57Y/s400/JP,%20Tommy,%20Cesar,%20Giuseppe%20-%20FCPA,OT%20Marquee.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="313" data-original-width="400" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg84R2YkN0YxymCJzNGxYha14Y8MqCnCvfQ_S5ciTu0G7HsQluj9L0j1MpV_QOI6yuj0qHLIkP19knW78GyTsmw5P3EUBcxAmZN6wARfopb_B7u_YXbMdMv-EQB1keZOB01-NKeRS-JhyYQ-kRySbtwiVJclpAkWGMwAap_5r34xS919H_ym1UpZhDaQ57Y/w640-h500/JP,%20Tommy,%20Cesar,%20Giuseppe%20-%20FCPA,OT%20Marquee.jpg" width="640" /></a></i></strong></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">In more </span><span style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">6 degrees of </span><span style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">separation news, we're also friends with this photographer, Amy Boyle. Her younger 2 sons were in Lane Tech's theatre production of Chicago with my son, Dugan, in 2019, and her oldest son shot photos at Northwestern with him. In 2020, Amy featured me in her series </span><a href="https://www.52phenomenalwomen.com/post/crossing-the-abyss-meet-bonnie-44-52-2" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">the 52 Phenomenal Women Project</a>, a social platform and community celebrating everyday women. Through portraiture and the subject’s own words, she’s shown what makes them phenomenal right now. <span style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Now all 3 of her sons are talented photographers, and her oldest, </span><span style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Colin's work can be seen weekly at Block Club Chicago. </span></div></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Who knows what the future holds for these young Paramount Billy Elliot actors and this photographer, Amy Nelson... You could be seeing the future famous! We've covered Broadway's touring Billy Elliot in 2010 and Drury Lane's Billy Elliot in 2015. We can't wait to see what 2024 and </span>Paramount Theatre's Billy Elliot brings.</span></div><div style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">Aurora’s Paramount Theatre's </span></i></div><div style="font-family: arial; text-align: center;"><i style="font-family: -webkit-standard;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Billy Elliot: The Musical </span></b></i></div><p></p><p>Meet Billy Elliot, an 11-year-old English boy who stumbles upon a ballet class during his weekly boxing lesson. His surprise love for dance must be hidden at all costs, especially from his coal miner father. With help from his sharp-tongued teacher, Mrs. Wilkinson, Billy gets the chance to attend a prestigious ballet school and must decide what is most important: doing what he loves or doing what other people want. </p><p>Paramount Theatre rings in 2024 with an inspired new production of this popular coming-of-age tale, set to the music of Elton John, book and lyrics by Lee Hall, directed by Trent Stork. Performances are February 7-March 24, 2024. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-5CcrS31hde2aEJIxNj6E72c-XvMwixF96l6s3KctoL4tDsTK4CP6C1j4wBPDvkPZBksgBxdGJVN29jK5LiNXyEnzuaH53DZO9oOGUd5weMTePLg3WOc_W9fmJwpPzWJGUmGulj_bn2k-lYZhrxZjiy9Qb_s_h8ruEwj36wN-KANMixWI7x6Tk3mfHrsZ/s720/unnamed-2.jpg" style="font-style: italic; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="484" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-5CcrS31hde2aEJIxNj6E72c-XvMwixF96l6s3KctoL4tDsTK4CP6C1j4wBPDvkPZBksgBxdGJVN29jK5LiNXyEnzuaH53DZO9oOGUd5weMTePLg3WOc_W9fmJwpPzWJGUmGulj_bn2k-lYZhrxZjiy9Qb_s_h8ruEwj36wN-KANMixWI7x6Tk3mfHrsZ/s320/unnamed-2.jpg" width="215" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><i><b>Trent Stork</b></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Director Trent Stork, Paramount’s Artistic Producer and Casting Director, won their first Jeff Award, Director-Musical-Large, in 2022 for Paramount’s Kinky Boots. Stork also helmed Paramount’s current holiday season blockbuster, the Chicago Regional Premiere of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, along with last season’s School of Rock, and Into the Woods with co-director Jim Corti. </div><p>Stork has assembled another stellar design and production team, on point to create a dazzling night of theater: Isaiah Silvia-Chandley, choreographer; Kory Danielson, music director, conductor and music supervisor; Michelle Lilly, scenic designer; Izumi Inaba, costume designer and wig, hair and makeup designer; Greg Hofmann, lighting designer; Adam Rosenthal, sound designer; Mike Tutaj, projection designer; Jesse Gaffney, properties designer; Ethan Deppe, electronic music designer; Susan Gosdick, dialect coach; John A. Tovar, fight director; Max Fabian, intimacy director; Devon Hayakawa, dramaturg; Amanda Raquel Martinez, associate director; Alex Mitchell, associate choreographer; Cameron Tragesser, associate music director and associate conductor; Jinni Pike, stage manager; Maegan Burnell and Lanita VanderSchaaf, assistant stage managers; and Bailey O’Neil and Madeline Scott, young performer supervisors.</p><p>Billy Elliot: The Musical, based on the 2000 film, features music by Elton John. Book and lyrics are by Lee Hall, who also wrote the film's screenplay, inspired in part by A. J. Cronin's 1935 novel about a miners' strike in North East England, “The Stars Look Down.” The musical premiered at the Victoria Palace Theatre in London's West End in 2005 and was nominated for nine Laurence Olivier Awards, winning four, including Best New Musical. The production ran through April 2016. Its success led to productions in Australia, Broadway, and numerous other countries. In New York, it won ten Tony Awards and ten Drama Desk Awards, including, in each case, Best Musical. It was originally directed by Stephen Daldry. Orchestrations are by Martin Koch.</p><p><b>Times, dates and ticket information</b></p><p>Previews start Wednesday, February 7, 2024 at 7 p.m. Opening Night is Friday, February 16 at 8 p.m. Performances run through March 24: Wednesdays at 1:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.; Thursdays at 7 p.m.; Fridays at 8 p.m.; Saturdays at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Sundays at 1 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Run time is approximately 2 hours 30 minutes with intermission.</p><p>Paramount Theatre is located at 23 E. Galena Blvd. in downtown Aurora. For tickets and information, visit paramountaurora.com, call (630) 896-6666, or stop by the Paramount box office Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and until show time on show days. For group discounts, contact Melissa Striedl, melissas@paramountarts.com or (630) 723-2461. </p><p><b>Pay What You Can Performances</b></p><p>Paramount will offer two Pay What You Can performances of Billy Elliot: Thursday, February 8 at 7 p.m., and Saturday, February 10 at 3 p.m. Both days, starting at 10 a.m., visit the Paramount box office in-person to request tickets. Limit four per person. Subject to availability. See paramountaurora.com/pay-what-you-can for details. </p><p><b>Access Services</b></p><p>Paramount offers assistive listening devices free of charge at all performances. Check in at the coat room before the show to borrow a listening device.</p><p>Paramount will offer open captioning on Thursday, March 21 at 7 p.m., and American Sign Language interpretation on Friday, March 22 at 8 p.m.</p><p>If you require wheelchair or special seating or other assistance, please contact the box office at (630) 896-6666 or boxoffice@paramountarts.com in advance.</p><p><i>Sponsors</i></p><p><i>Billy Elliot: The Musical is sponsored by Clear Perspective Advisors. Paramount Theatre Broadway Season sponsors are the Dunham Foundation, the City of Aurora, BMO, ComEd and the Illinois Arts Council. </i></p><p>Paramount Theatre is located at 23 E. Galena Blvd. in downtown Aurora. Single tickets are $28-$79. For tickets and information, visit <b><a href="http://paramountaurora.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">paramountaurora.com</a></b> or call (630) 896-6666. <b>For the latest updates, follow @paramountaurora on Facebook and Instagram, and Paramount Theatre on LinkedIn. </b></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv044a4nqeDN3HYYC3xOK8M7eW_vv1rbev4Sbhw300T16qiOLnrKF5uoiBqe4c5OzSsw2L0LOHxUTE0ROh490oEgw4Fye5ZZPeCFcqPoZMj_JcT2fAA_aZjHY_hEsvf2IRJgDnEqx_CFxNZz5lejCG6RGvRcUqahuqBXrEhRTOW2Jv-r_-B14ysrKPGUwp/s720/PT_BElliot_pre_3_web_credit%20Amy%20Nelson.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="720" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv044a4nqeDN3HYYC3xOK8M7eW_vv1rbev4Sbhw300T16qiOLnrKF5uoiBqe4c5OzSsw2L0LOHxUTE0ROh490oEgw4Fye5ZZPeCFcqPoZMj_JcT2fAA_aZjHY_hEsvf2IRJgDnEqx_CFxNZz5lejCG6RGvRcUqahuqBXrEhRTOW2Jv-r_-B14ysrKPGUwp/w640-h426/PT_BElliot_pre_3_web_credit%20Amy%20Nelson.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Neo Del Corral (left) and Sam Duncan. </i></b><b><i>All Advance Production Photos by Amy Nelson</i></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><i><br /></i></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="font-size: large;">Places please: </span></b></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="font-size: large;">Behind the scenes of Paramount’s Billy Elliot: The Musical </span></b></i></p><p>Performing the title role requires a “triple-threat” young performer who can act, sing and is a highly-trained ballet dancer. Paramount has found their Billy, two of them in fact, Neo Del Corral and Sam Duncan, who will alternate in the role. </p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8346DVWYwuOBF6TS8Mm7pHE5biEOTmj06G1aB5YVaQwmi4_AappR3q4oCmSbNk3dJn8cLJ8sZ00SgvaTfzc6_20M2HAN7uvnGUi4suYEB7xrHKRiHE4J0Nmuu4bM9H4o7VzOYjczTtWkREjEvCCo-Nj1OnIG-JD_WlZOrtMWeTqvLnQO5nkDTI2cboahw/s1200/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-03%20at%2010.34.21%20AM.png" style="font-style: italic; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="664" data-original-width="1200" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8346DVWYwuOBF6TS8Mm7pHE5biEOTmj06G1aB5YVaQwmi4_AappR3q4oCmSbNk3dJn8cLJ8sZ00SgvaTfzc6_20M2HAN7uvnGUi4suYEB7xrHKRiHE4J0Nmuu4bM9H4o7VzOYjczTtWkREjEvCCo-Nj1OnIG-JD_WlZOrtMWeTqvLnQO5nkDTI2cboahw/w640-h354/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-03%20at%2010.34.21%20AM.png" width="640" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><b>Paramount's Billy Elliot: The Musical will feature “triple-threat” actors/singers/dancers Neo Del Corral (left) and Sam Duncan alternating in the role of Billy.</b></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuEURLo-jgm3P12k1NiX5FJRPsrSJ8jQRWbophvmibbfj_KwcgUXBKeq3My8zZfYMiJPDCm7yLFCWVhsvg_cMDU_KWGNbFUdrqjxWqKlHr9l9PD5IWIfZvRazAqNmIUuphLuSW5U8m7GHtTAbUahn6ugcTNyK9VP-ahgqWBi4seiimvpw8SO-9lWH9-ZX_/s1200/unnamed.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuEURLo-jgm3P12k1NiX5FJRPsrSJ8jQRWbophvmibbfj_KwcgUXBKeq3My8zZfYMiJPDCm7yLFCWVhsvg_cMDU_KWGNbFUdrqjxWqKlHr9l9PD5IWIfZvRazAqNmIUuphLuSW5U8m7GHtTAbUahn6ugcTNyK9VP-ahgqWBi4seiimvpw8SO-9lWH9-ZX_/w640-h320/unnamed.jpg" width="640" /></a></i></div><span style="text-align: left;"><p style="text-align: left;">Del Corral, a veteran dancer at Miami City Ballet, has played Billy in productions in Florida and California. Duncan, from Connecticut, making his Billy debut, has many credits including John in Fun Home, the young prince in Public Theatre’s Richard III, plus TV appearances on Saturday Night Live and What We Do in the Shadows.</p></span><p></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQqrhhwfoLUXgcWTGzi8zGxEyKErhwm8E4AFl3AAYLa153kGLxtG6mLTNfHmIulbmUA0HOImcgUnb6pwrAKRczf1CRXT5v1xLcNZmA-2MSz0mL5HhUhrWlJ6NRv9XTWSZIsKMU1WyWaEHV0FpkB2Q376q1ekxpr5cpgPRj8_7oVMwyz33vyGaE4IbOU76J/s654/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-03%20at%2010.35.17%20AM.png" style="font-style: italic; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="654" data-original-width="598" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQqrhhwfoLUXgcWTGzi8zGxEyKErhwm8E4AFl3AAYLa153kGLxtG6mLTNfHmIulbmUA0HOImcgUnb6pwrAKRczf1CRXT5v1xLcNZmA-2MSz0mL5HhUhrWlJ6NRv9XTWSZIsKMU1WyWaEHV0FpkB2Q376q1ekxpr5cpgPRj8_7oVMwyz33vyGaE4IbOU76J/w586-h640/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-03%20at%2010.35.17%20AM.png" width="586" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Principal cast members include (top, from left) Michelle Aravena (Mrs. Wilkinson), Ron E. Rains (Dad), (bottom) Barbara Robertson (Grandma) and Spencer Milford (Tony).</i></b></p><p>Youth performers are Gabriel Lafazan (Michael), Omi Lichtenstein and Elin Joy Seiler (rotating as Debbie), Charlie Long and Archer Geye (rotating as Tall Boy/Posh Boy), Levi Merlo and Eli Vander Griend (rotating as Small Boy), Ava Barabasz and Nina Poulimas (rotating as Angela Robson), Maya Keane and Meena Sood (rotating as Julie Hope), Avelyn Choi and Asha Dale Hopman (rotating as Keeley Gibson), Jojo Nabwangu and Willa Zatzenbloom (rotating as Margaret Gormley), Annabel Finch and Katie Romanski (rotating as Sharon Percy), Alexandria Rose Bell and Kavia Suri Kakodkar (rotating as Susan Parks), and Jordyn Helvie and Piper Sobel (rotating as Tracey Atkinson).</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiCv04IEc1KcTdGYlhPMh6utntbvVn8lkXoJEYCjtCnthgmbFkwVHv9Y36fq4qr7251DbVQ3B4pYcnY8gJpuTY7UWR18xGe7RbUGq-kw5K2yzxhywtp_UbRK0Zk_koB-T9pbZjH_R2hDq3F7w7uTnU6_kJrVIP_3mFP6h7NXw-2nn0OPLVw2WSYfmIDxXd/s1200/unnamed-1.jpg" style="font-style: italic; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiCv04IEc1KcTdGYlhPMh6utntbvVn8lkXoJEYCjtCnthgmbFkwVHv9Y36fq4qr7251DbVQ3B4pYcnY8gJpuTY7UWR18xGe7RbUGq-kw5K2yzxhywtp_UbRK0Zk_koB-T9pbZjH_R2hDq3F7w7uTnU6_kJrVIP_3mFP6h7NXw-2nn0OPLVw2WSYfmIDxXd/w640-h320/unnamed-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><p>The ensemble (at press time) features Brian Bandura, Lydia Burke, Joe Foust, Neil Friedman, Nathan Gallop, Jared David Michael Grant, Dakota Hughes, Brian Hupp, Conor Jordan, Christopher Kelley, Chris Khoshaba, Kevin Kuska, Michael Earvin Martin, Matt Miles, Liz Pazik, Concetta Russo, Jennie Sophia and Matthew Weidenbener. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQd_eipzjDYibeTf8IGzOXcxHAvqNIdPX9nOFZjPfb4aZJF9Y8yyo3NP56F2E0UuQNBSD2HCRf_xlQNF08CiJQjo-Z0wrZVRFYZ9yzbC_q76at3akFLHNnRIrSDGPK6VST_0ui8X43PQRSaxCxaKvOwvaSR689k_j162gcLp3R1lkaou8T2sxezOT8GA-_/s720/PT_BElliot_pre_4_web_credit%20Amy%20Nelson.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="720" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQd_eipzjDYibeTf8IGzOXcxHAvqNIdPX9nOFZjPfb4aZJF9Y8yyo3NP56F2E0UuQNBSD2HCRf_xlQNF08CiJQjo-Z0wrZVRFYZ9yzbC_q76at3akFLHNnRIrSDGPK6VST_0ui8X43PQRSaxCxaKvOwvaSR689k_j162gcLp3R1lkaou8T2sxezOT8GA-_/w640-h426/PT_BElliot_pre_4_web_credit%20Amy%20Nelson.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i>Neo Del Corral as Billy Elliot</i></b></div><p style="text-align: center;"><b><i> </i></b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIGK1JN_BEjs-VoGdjUQgPY3Glr6RqXC8K5ef73sgC_EE_X-SAzTsx5BKGRMOmpbMA37hp07qPSy-niCU0zsFTSAeBHVaTuh3cwM6SesvZCDDeQJs4fKeGKyuiOfpTE86gUpFppw83UQaYKbZ1BkML732uVSJ9SpQyTa7tZARu4Qn29bN3ZJXYXsUiMomf/s720/PT_BElliot_pre_11_web_credit%20Amy%20Nelson.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIGK1JN_BEjs-VoGdjUQgPY3Glr6RqXC8K5ef73sgC_EE_X-SAzTsx5BKGRMOmpbMA37hp07qPSy-niCU0zsFTSAeBHVaTuh3cwM6SesvZCDDeQJs4fKeGKyuiOfpTE86gUpFppw83UQaYKbZ1BkML732uVSJ9SpQyTa7tZARu4Qn29bN3ZJXYXsUiMomf/w426-h640/PT_BElliot_pre_11_web_credit%20Amy%20Nelson.jpg" width="426" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Paramount Theatre’s Billy Elliot: The Musical features Michelle Aravena (left) as Mrs. Wilkinson and Neo Del Corral as Billy. Note: Neo alternates performances as Billy with Sam Duncan.</i></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><i> </i></b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib9qSn7QUCSRt2fK8tPJP6sGf4O0Nj_P5LyT9WZT-Qg9x2LZ2uhfgWuVJOhxWqN8CKyvEUy_Cb8p5Ywolxi-mT6T5P5zRSrXGmm8kRZ7nOxTvqJ91KzUS5fG6QOZXS4ZV5oXFd5QDWdi_SlYo5e_e6cyuQaDIhyphenhyphenayEIzzSLP6SjhZkoD1duYVMEVy3tmmH/s720/PT_BElliot_pre_5_web_credit%20Amy%20Nelson.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib9qSn7QUCSRt2fK8tPJP6sGf4O0Nj_P5LyT9WZT-Qg9x2LZ2uhfgWuVJOhxWqN8CKyvEUy_Cb8p5Ywolxi-mT6T5P5zRSrXGmm8kRZ7nOxTvqJ91KzUS5fG6QOZXS4ZV5oXFd5QDWdi_SlYo5e_e6cyuQaDIhyphenhyphenayEIzzSLP6SjhZkoD1duYVMEVy3tmmH/w426-h640/PT_BElliot_pre_5_web_credit%20Amy%20Nelson.jpg" width="426" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Neo Del Corral as Billy Elliot</i></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrdZojY7UP7kGU6qYTQUIaCUTv50753ddCLiq4MZx__9JM3EOIbAt9e9ylF-4jWtGNG8A8jtZqN89ef1nov5KkpvZ1rfpPTJDiBcO4BkhNiIosFBfDLIooK_RTyBxRQZNB58FBh1mAMh16UQZnUvlSbk47NDT2W-AnRpAw3wJyLy-yoh-LgaNXGwQOLCQN/s720/PT_BElliot_pre_12_web_credit%20Amy%20Nelson.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="720" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrdZojY7UP7kGU6qYTQUIaCUTv50753ddCLiq4MZx__9JM3EOIbAt9e9ylF-4jWtGNG8A8jtZqN89ef1nov5KkpvZ1rfpPTJDiBcO4BkhNiIosFBfDLIooK_RTyBxRQZNB58FBh1mAMh16UQZnUvlSbk47NDT2W-AnRpAw3wJyLy-yoh-LgaNXGwQOLCQN/w640-h426/PT_BElliot_pre_12_web_credit%20Amy%20Nelson.jpg" width="640" /></a><b><i> </i></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Michelle Aravena (left) plays Mrs. Wilkinson and Sam Duncan is Billy Elliot</i></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilV4qKVIWC1fEvAZwf-Jq6DqceuwGq3BwCD7_c_dcerOEnRuek_pfEnfncKTf3lWMt_EwjNk3qjrHg2wn8iHkwr6Elez3_60DY4I3rBmfzjd4HLoxoU50t898WkRdAOiFxG810zBz-61JSmzKZDPh5LtRCBll3HZRzTJHODER-PJye6W-EV7LRQP9ItzpH/s720/PT_BElliot_pre_8_web_credit%20Amy%20Nelson.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilV4qKVIWC1fEvAZwf-Jq6DqceuwGq3BwCD7_c_dcerOEnRuek_pfEnfncKTf3lWMt_EwjNk3qjrHg2wn8iHkwr6Elez3_60DY4I3rBmfzjd4HLoxoU50t898WkRdAOiFxG810zBz-61JSmzKZDPh5LtRCBll3HZRzTJHODER-PJye6W-EV7LRQP9ItzpH/w426-h640/PT_BElliot_pre_8_web_credit%20Amy%20Nelson.jpg" width="426" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Sam Duncan plays Billy in Paramount Theatre’s Billy Elliot: The Musical. Sam shares the role with Neo Del Corral.</i></b></p><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: 400;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVRRJqy0nXDV5pQjAIOiZ6lDWvQUqJAJJUb0FTL-p_ELjGHpaIyWKfW7_60aREKJ3DDaXZ5K0pGrCbAuKUhS9pwh-grlGDXfYM6ctuLMfchWgGD232ySMv_WbvielbdiUVGRcIT9-Pog3NtfkO33i-8VBeNDdFTfgVc8hrJ1_eyVy9x-nh4GnBHIlcfcWI/s720/PT_BElliot_pre_10_web_credit%20Amy%20Nelson.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="720" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVRRJqy0nXDV5pQjAIOiZ6lDWvQUqJAJJUb0FTL-p_ELjGHpaIyWKfW7_60aREKJ3DDaXZ5K0pGrCbAuKUhS9pwh-grlGDXfYM6ctuLMfchWgGD232ySMv_WbvielbdiUVGRcIT9-Pog3NtfkO33i-8VBeNDdFTfgVc8hrJ1_eyVy9x-nh4GnBHIlcfcWI/w640-h426/PT_BElliot_pre_10_web_credit%20Amy%20Nelson.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br style="font-weight: 400; text-align: left;" /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: 400;"><br /></div><br style="font-weight: 400; text-align: left;" /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: 400;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><i><br /></i></b></div></div>Bonnie Kenaz-Marahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05141662039871081535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3413066541124683629.post-73158823527033727402024-01-23T15:37:00.040-06:002024-02-21T15:45:25.761-06:00SHORT SHAKESPEARE! ROMEO AND JULIET Via Chicago Shakespeare Theater February 24–March 16, 2024<p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="text-align: left;">ChiIL Mama’s ChiIL Picks List: Family Friendly Shows On Our Radar</span> </span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Chicago Shakespeare Theater presents</span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">SHORT SHAKESPEARE! ROMEO AND JULIET</span></b></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">75-minute adaptation of the tragic romance offers a perfect introduction to Shakespeare</span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Agv_WKK5qHabRn9RlEhuTi0mrWUid8dShOkFVKMRdkctqP5O4WbtVoD_HdDkg9BN3CLX7ma025RPBmB7B9yvHguIE2CIs_ue-wWWBVC2SpXPnq0jSr9xvmIu1C9DFiBOE32OF25gvIGVS2XK7almiwC2bEy4SFSAfLAT0IZTUnggA3bteCe6_MCMns8A/s1960/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-21%20at%202.40.40%20PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="508" data-original-width="1960" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Agv_WKK5qHabRn9RlEhuTi0mrWUid8dShOkFVKMRdkctqP5O4WbtVoD_HdDkg9BN3CLX7ma025RPBmB7B9yvHguIE2CIs_ue-wWWBVC2SpXPnq0jSr9xvmIu1C9DFiBOE32OF25gvIGVS2XK7almiwC2bEy4SFSAfLAT0IZTUnggA3bteCe6_MCMns8A/w640-h166/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-21%20at%202.40.40%20PM.png" width="640" /></a></i></div><i><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Welcoming thousands of students from across Chicagoland and beyond to weekday matinees</span></i></div></i><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Public performances Saturdays at 11:00 a.m., February 24–March 16</span></i></p><p>Chicago Shakespeare Theater presents a perfect introduction to Shakespeare’s work for young audiences with a 75-minute abridgement of Romeo and Juliet, adapted and directed by Mikael Burke. This production reimagines Shakespeare’s tale of young love found—and tragically lost—in the 1980s. During a four-week run of weekday matinees, Chicago Shakespeare will welcome thousands of middle and high school students from across the region to the Courtyard Theater. In addition, performances are open to the public on Saturdays at 11:00 a.m., February 24–March 16, 2024. After each performance, the actors remain on stage for a question-and-answer session about the production. Tickets for public performances start at just $26 for students ages 18 and under.</p><p>Verona burns under summer's heat—and the division of two prominent families. Against a backdrop of violence and an endless cycle of vengeance, this adaptation of Shakespeare’s text poses a profound question—can true love survive in a divided community? Combining Shakespeare's original verse, dynamic staging, and a high-energy 1980s setting, Short Shakespeare! Romeo and Juliet offers a new lens for young people to experience this enduring tale.</p><p>Adapter and director Mikael Burke said, “It's a cautionary tale that proves if we can't figure out how to disentangle love from violence in our world, violence will always win. And every time it does, we stand to lose the greatest and purest things in life. That was true 400 years ago and is certainly still true today. Love and violence are scarily and upsettingly tied together in this play in a way we don't always consider, but Shakespeare really commands us to pay attention to how closely these two things are related—and hopefully compel us to action.”</p><p>Burke is a Princess Grace Award winner and Jeff Award nominee, with credits at Goodman Theatre, TimeLine Theatre Company, Remy Bumppo Theatre Company, and more in Chicago, as well as regionally with Yale Repertory Theatre, Theatreworks Hartford, Forward Theatre, Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, Indiana Repertory Theatre, and more. He previously served as the associate artistic director at About Face Theatre and is an adjunct faculty member at DePaul and Roosevelt Universities.</p><p>The company of Romeo and Juliet features Kenneth La'Ron Hamilton as Romeo and Felicia Oduh as Juliet. The company also includes Adeoye (Prince/Apothecary), Bobby Bowman (Gregory/Lord Montague), Ronald L. Conner (Lord Capulet), Jack DeCesare (Paris/Abraham), Barbara Figgins (Nurse), Rasell Holt (Mercutio), Carolyn Kruse (Lady Capulet), Ian Maryfield (Tybalt), Alex Benito Rodriguez (Benvolio), Donovan Session (Sampson/Peter), and Jonah D. Winston (Friar Laurence). Understudies include Diego Longoria, Carlos Olmedo, Bradford Stevens, Pricilla Torres, and Sarafina Vecchio.</p><p>Creating the world of Romeo and Juliet are Choreographer Frankie DiCiaccio, Scenic Designer Alyssa Mohn, Costume Designer Gregory Graham, Lighting Designer Eric Watkins, and Original Music and Sound Designer Ethan Korvne. Also joining Burke on the creative team are Intimacy Director Courtney Abbott, Fight Choreographer Rachel Flesher, Verse Coach Tyler Meredith, Assistant Director Christina Casano, Casting Director Bob Mason, Stage Manager Danny Fender, and Assistant Stage Manager Lucy Whipp.</p><p>Chicago Shakespeare’s Short Shakespeare! series is part of the Theater’s nationally recognized Team Shakespeare education programs, which have impacted two million students to date. Chicago Shakespeare brings Shakespeare’s work to life in the school curriculum—through live performance, professional learning for educators, comprehensive teaching resources, and opportunities for students to perform Shakespeare. These initiatives—in concert with the free citywide Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks tour and summer family musical series—exemplify the Theater’s steadfast commitment to young audiences.</p><p><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Accessible and enhanced performances for Short Shakespeare! Romeo and Juliet include:</span></i></p><p>ASL-interpreted & Open-captioned performance – Saturday, March 9, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. All dialogue and lyrics are translated into American Sign Language by two certified interpreters. Also, a text display of the words and sounds heard during a play, will be synced live with the action onstage.</p><p>Short Shakespeare! Romeo and Juliet will be presented to the public on Saturdays at 11:00 a.m. from February 24–March 16, 2024, in Chicago Shakespeare’s Courtyard Theater. Single tickets ($26 for audience members age 18 and under; $42 for adults) are on sale now. Special discounts will be available for groups of 10 or more. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Chicago Shakespeare Theater’s Box Office at 312.595.5600 or visit the Theater’s website at <b><a href="http://www.chicagoshakes.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.chicagoshakes.com</a></b>.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi97_FXVfQmszmR-pTuwQYmIqETH0LlXhSbV7ugoNZGaJv4VgItSRnqJ_HInY04F2I1izEXvXFtIp6NXSPTzp7OI_i8DUHRBksXQht-UbPTfl-ZbJvR9eoTZZ1wT8pJkhWkx-Cz_57vkpN8k0SHr0gEbijJjqYtAjQzHNp9W7Ob0B7cK3y229mV3pCr7z5N/s520/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-21%20at%202.41.03%20PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="font-style: italic; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="254" data-original-width="520" height="98" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi97_FXVfQmszmR-pTuwQYmIqETH0LlXhSbV7ugoNZGaJv4VgItSRnqJ_HInY04F2I1izEXvXFtIp6NXSPTzp7OI_i8DUHRBksXQht-UbPTfl-ZbJvR9eoTZZ1wT8pJkhWkx-Cz_57vkpN8k0SHr0gEbijJjqYtAjQzHNp9W7Ob0B7cK3y229mV3pCr7z5N/w200-h98/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-21%20at%202.41.03%20PM.png" width="200" /></a></p><p><i>ABOUT CHICAGO SHAKESPEARE THEATER</i></p><p><i>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. <b><a href="http://www.chicagoshakes.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.chicagoshakes.com</a></b>.</i></p>Bonnie Kenaz-Marahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05141662039871081535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3413066541124683629.post-12917476998624043672024-01-23T12:37:00.038-06:002024-03-14T12:53:04.255-05:00Midwest Premiere of The Brightest Thing in the World Via About Face Theatre March 14-April 13, 2024<p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span>ChiIL Mama's Chi, IL Picks List: </span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="text-align: left;">Adult Shows With Family Themes On Our Radar</span><span> </span></span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">About Face Theatre to produce</span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">the Midwest premiere </span></i><i><span style="font-size: large;">of </span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">The Brightest Thing in the World</span></b></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></b></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjJa9KMl2vVH1Oe-5CEmbjAi17wzmDxhlyxzXf69CUbLSwuR3IbqOI8YxEMMLMN_chicWeQPSJQ4f0o5o2ZFpqjX-j2B5ffQ_c91tUMhQ7RGqIIDk1li37eina7z-EJBpIgP8O03FkiHlLw4_1L7nFDh7A2N6VQ5jCjoCsHKxEkx2YPJ6KjZM-aP3_WMWYj" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="1200" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjJa9KMl2vVH1Oe-5CEmbjAi17wzmDxhlyxzXf69CUbLSwuR3IbqOI8YxEMMLMN_chicWeQPSJQ4f0o5o2ZFpqjX-j2B5ffQ_c91tUMhQ7RGqIIDk1li37eina7z-EJBpIgP8O03FkiHlLw4_1L7nFDh7A2N6VQ5jCjoCsHKxEkx2YPJ6KjZM-aP3_WMWYj=w640-h336" width="640" /></a></span></b></i></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">directed by Keira Fromm</span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">March 14-April 13, 2024</span></i></p><p><br /></p><p>About Face Theatre continues its 29th season with the Midwest premiere of The Brightest Thing in the World by Leah Nanako Winkler, directed by AFT Artistic Associate Keira Fromm. The show will run March 14 through April 13, 2024, at The Den Theatre. The Brightest Thing in the World starts as a bubbling romantic comedy between barista Lane and her regular Steph, charting their growing relationship as they encounter real-world challenges like teen pregnancy, parenting, and addiction. This play is a celebration of love, family, and the people in our lives who shine the brightest.</p><p>THE BRIGHTEST THING IN THE WORLD</p><p>Written by Leah Nanako Winkler</p><p>Directed by AFT Artistic Associate Keira Fromm</p><p>March 14 – April 13, 2024 | </p><p>I'll be out for the press opening, Friday, March 22, so check back soon after for my full review. </p><p>All performances will take place at The Den Theatre, 1331 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago</p><p> </p><p>Showtimes: Thurs and Fri at 8:00pm, Sat at 3:00pm and 8:00pm, Sun at 3:00pm</p><p>Please note: There is no matinee performance on Saturday, March 16</p><p>Open Captioning performances: Dates TBD.</p><p>Masks Required performances: Saturday matinees on March 30 and April 6 will require every attendee to wear a mask.</p><p><b>Pay-what-you-can tickets ($5 – $35) on sale now at The Den Theatre box office or About Face Theatre’s website.</b></p><p> </p><p>TICKETS</p><p>Tickets are on sale now online at <b><a href="http://AboutFaceTheatre.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">AboutFaceTheatre.com</a></b>, by calling 773.697.3830, or in-person at The Den Theatre box office. <b>Ticket prices range from $5 to $35.</b></p><p><b>AFT offers a ticket pricing system that allows each patron to decide the price that they can comfortably afford to pay for a ticket. Ultimately, About Face wants everyone who wants to attend a show to be able to do so. Please note: there are limited quantities available at each pricing level. </b></p><p>THE PLAY</p><p>Charmingly free-spirited barista Lane is determined to win over her new regular, the reserved and intellectual Steph. Delightful romantic comedy ensues with poetry, homemade desserts, and sparks flying. But both women are carrying life-changing secrets involving addiction, past relationships, and family. What happens when the giddy romance wears off and Lane and Steph must do the work of building a lasting relationship out of honesty, compassion, and courage? The Brightest Thing in the World is a funny, heartfelt new play delving into the people we think we know and the people we know we love.</p><p>“I love Leah Nanako Winkler’s use of language and the smart, messy, recognizable women at the center of the story,” says director Keira Fromm. “She has created a play that manages to be both a funny queer rom-com and a devastating portrait of addiction and the ways we’re all constantly in a state of recovery.”</p><p>The Brightest Thing in the World was commissioned by Yale Repertory Theatre in 2019, where it received its world premiere in 2022.</p><p> </p><p>CAST</p><p>Blakewell (Della)</p><p>Claire Kaplan (Lane)</p><p>Jojo Brown (Steph)</p><p> </p><p>PRODUCTION TEAM</p><p>Dramaturg, Casting Director Catherine Miller</p><p>Choreographer Jenn Freeman</p><p>Intimacy & Violence Designer Sheryl Williams</p><p>Assistant Director Aimy Tien</p><p>Scenic Designer Sotirios Livaditis</p><p>Lighting Designer Conchita Avitia</p><p>Sound Designer Christopher Kriz</p><p>Costume Designer Gregory Graham</p><p>Properties Designer Amanda Herrmann</p><p>Technical Director Becca Venable</p><p>Stage Manager Jean Compton</p><p>Assistant Stage Manager B Valek</p><p>Production Manager Audrey Kleine</p><p><br /></p><p>Keira Fromm (she/her): director</p><p>Keira is a Chicago-based, Jeff-award nominated director. She is also an Artistic Associate with About Face Theatre where she directed Bull in a China Shop, Significant Other, Bright Half Life, and A Kid Like Jake. Other directing credits include: Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf (Milwaukee Chamber Theatre), The Moors, A Phoenix Too Frequent, and A Doll’s House (American Players Theatre), The Last Match (Writers Theatre); At the Wedding and Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley (TheatreSquared); Top Girls and hang (Remy Bumppo); The Columnist (American Blues Theater); Charles Ives Take Me Home (Strawdog); The How and the Why (TimeLine Theatre); Broadsword (The Gift Theatre); and Fallow (Steep Theatre.) She received her MFA from DePaul University, her BFA from Boston University, is an alumna of Lincoln Center Theater Directors Lab, and a member of SDC, the professional directors union. Keira will be directing The Liar at American Players Theatre this upcoming summer. www.keirafromm.com</p><p>Cyd Blakewell (she/her): “Della”</p><p>Cyd was most recently seen in Northlight Theatre’s Birthday Candles. She is a proud ensemble member of The Gift Theatre. Gift Theatre credits: The Locusts, Pillowman, Doubt, A Life Extra Ordinary, Good For Otto, Body + Blood, Broadsword, Mine, and TEN. Other Chicago credits: The Snare (Jackalope); Balm In Gilead and Port (Griffin); Buddy Cop 2, breaks & bikes, and Milk Milk Lemonade (Pavement Group); Sweet Confinement and Ivanov (SiNNERMAN Ensemble); Orange Flower Water (Interrobang); Lies & Liars and Mimesophobia (Theatre Seven); Rewind (The Side Project). Last summer she wrapped on a short film called Fairground and can also be seen in Jeri’s Grille. Next, you can see her in the World Premier of Obliterated by Andrew Hinderaker, co-starring Michael Patrick Thornton. Cyd got her BFA from Southwestern University in Georgetown, TX and is a graduate of the School at Steppenwolf. She is represented by Promote Talent Agency.</p><p>Jojo Brown (she/her): “Steph”</p><p>Jojo Brown is a stage and screen actor who was born and raised in Chicago. Off-Broadway credits include CHARM and 7 Minutes. Television credits include her recurring role as Mindy on Freeform's “Single Drunk Female” and appearances on NBC, Showtime, Comedy Central, FX, and Paramount Plus.</p><p>Claire Kaplan (she/her): “Lane”</p><p>Claire is a theater-maker, actor, and teacher from Long Beach, CA. Regional credits include South Coast Rep, La Jolla Playhouse, and East West Players. Claire is co-artistic director of The West, an experimental theatre company formerly based in LA, now creating work in Chicago and Berlin. She is directing Theatre Unspeakable's touring show introducing Shakespeare to kids and is teaching devised theater at UIC. She recently helped create the musical world for Backroom Shakes' The Winter's Tale.</p><p>Leah Nanako Winkler (she/her): playwright</p><p>Leah Nanako Winkler is an award-winning playwright and TV writer from Kamakura, Japan, and Lexington, Kentucky. Her plays include God Said This, Two Mile Hollow, Kentucky, Hot Asian Doctor Husband, and The Brightest Thing in the World, as well as many short plays all produced Off-Broadway and regionally. Accolades and fellowships: Yale Drama Series Prize, Mark O’Donnell Prize from The Actors Fund and Playwrights Horizons, Audible’s Emerging Playwrights Fund, Jerome New York Fellow at the Lark, Francesca Primus Prize, and a 2020 Steinberg Playwright Award. She is published by American Theater Magazine, Nanjing University’s Stage and Screen Reviews, Yale University Press, Backstage, Smith and Krauss, Samuel French, and Dramatists Play Service. TV credits include Michael Moore’s TV NATION, New Amsterdam, A24’s Ramy on Hulu (where she along with the other writers won a Peabody Award), Love Life on HBO MAX, and currently on projects at Apple, Warner and Amazon.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhbcIrEB4fFurxvu6l2GTzBtQJbfDw4kSvU_Ptu5bvHFW5kTrckHh1hAjr8yAMnoYcs3--OuDZoXdbaDyLvZlRa-wwkw3l6Be38s1QMUpjSvmTtyWB1_qiM0ZR2KyTMPGglky8p-GYm1KanhHjIpmG3WkHGGKAZgtfq2AL0tAUbwYy_WF04kwkI7_6XUUtm" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="828" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhbcIrEB4fFurxvu6l2GTzBtQJbfDw4kSvU_Ptu5bvHFW5kTrckHh1hAjr8yAMnoYcs3--OuDZoXdbaDyLvZlRa-wwkw3l6Be38s1QMUpjSvmTtyWB1_qiM0ZR2KyTMPGglky8p-GYm1KanhHjIpmG3WkHGGKAZgtfq2AL0tAUbwYy_WF04kwkI7_6XUUtm=w640-h244" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><i>ABOUT FACE THEATRE advances LGBTQ+ equity through community building, education, and performance. AFT envisions an affirming and equitable world in which all LGBTQ+ individuals are thriving and free from prejudice and discrimination. About Face Theatre is also dedicated to being an intentionally and increasingly anti-racist organization. Due to the intersectionality of our identities, we understand our work to advance LGBTQ+ equity as directly connected to movements for racial justice.</i></p>Bonnie Kenaz-Marahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05141662039871081535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3413066541124683629.post-25586712882969308402024-01-23T11:24:00.057-06:002024-02-02T13:13:18.402-06:00Northlight Theatre's Selling Kabul January 25 – February 25, 2024<p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">ChiIL Mama’s ChiIL Picks List: </span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Adult Shows With Family Themes On Our Radar</span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">Northlight Theatre continues 2023-2024 season with</span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Selling Kabul</span></b></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">By Sylvia Khoury</span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Directed by Hamid Dehghani</span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxB3LpRVFr7VbaVQFZrxoSsiiBL_lU5yYJtaujFw7c77vrYv57lgSyJ4YmNr8eKcjProWlX2_0qiixilNOiPCKiUYfcf5SVjX52iBzUIbsKtLZeW6JWma5SjGfH8RfFJK5EtEnUZU7gHxbjonbViq3KeYlTLckAEBEe16DuvVtaP7522vmk7SyMNOlfv8v/s2000/420192387_856642436472020_965304795998323768_n.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1335" data-original-width="2000" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxB3LpRVFr7VbaVQFZrxoSsiiBL_lU5yYJtaujFw7c77vrYv57lgSyJ4YmNr8eKcjProWlX2_0qiixilNOiPCKiUYfcf5SVjX52iBzUIbsKtLZeW6JWma5SjGfH8RfFJK5EtEnUZU7gHxbjonbViq3KeYlTLckAEBEe16DuvVtaP7522vmk7SyMNOlfv8v/w640-h428/420192387_856642436472020_965304795998323768_n.png" width="640" /></a></i></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">January 25 – February 25, 2024</span></i></p><p><br /></p><p>Northlight Theatre, under the direction of Artistic Director BJ Jones and Executive Director Timothy J. Evans, continues its 2023–2024 season with the suspenseful 2022 Pulitzer Prize Finalist Selling Kabul by Sylvia Khoury, directed by recent Northlight Artistic Fellow Hamid Dehghani. The production runs January 25 – February 25, 2024, at Northlight Theatre, 9501 Skokie Blvd in Skokie. I'll be out for the press opening February 2, so check back soon for my full review. </p><p>The 2022 Pulitzer Prize Finalist is a suspenseful drama about family and sacrifice. Taroon once served as an interpreter for the U.S. military in Afghanistan. Now that the Americans have withdrawn — along with their promises of protection — Taroon spends his days in hiding, a target of the increasingly powerful Taliban. On the day his son is born, he must choose between staying safe but trapped in his sister’s apartment or risking his life to see his child.</p><p style="text-align: left;">The cast of Selling Kabul includes Owais Ahmed (Taroon), Ahmad Karnal (Jawid), Aila Ayilam Peck (Afiya), and Shadee Vossoughi (Leyla).</p><p>The creative team includes Joseph Johnson (set design), David Arevalo (costume design), Maximo Grano de Oro (light design), Josh Schmidt (sound design), Mariah Bennett (props design). Juan Barrera López is the assistant director, Awesta Zarif and Sahar Sediqi are the Cultural Consultants, and Rita M. Vreeland is the stage manager.</p><p><br /></p><p><b><i><span style="font-size: medium;">About the Artists</span></i></b></p><p>Hamid Dehghani (Director) is a director, playwright, and actor, recently seen in Northlight’s Andy Warhol in Iran. He was born and raised in Iran and considers Buraki-ye Olya his hometown. Select acting credits in Iran: Barren (Iran International Fadjr Theatre Festival); Afsooskhar, The Archbishop’s Ceiling (Khourshid Theatre); Equus (Farabi Hall- best acting award at IIFUT); Charlie (Molavi Theatre), Rhinocéros (University of Tehran); The Legend of Nimrooz (Fooladshahr Theatre). Select short film: Jade Farei (best short film at Tehran International Short Film Festival); Yek Bar Se; Occasion; Unbreakable Mirrors; Night Story Of The Boulevard; Who is Going All This Way; Monologue C473; and To Die in Place of Another One. Select directing: From the Environs of Milad, Sohrab’s Transgression (original scripts); A Moment of Silence, Eurydice, and Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo (Northwestern). In 2020, he co-founded Grass Studio Theatre. </p><p>Owais Ahmed (Taroon) has appeared in Guards at the Taj (Milwaukee Rep), Small Mouth Sounds (Alliance Theatre), Heartland (Geva Theatre), The Invisible Hand (Steep Theatre, Jeff Award Recipient), The Hard Problem (Court Theatre), Orange (Mixed Blood Theatre), and The Qualms (Steppenwolf Theatre). Film/TV credits include: Batman V. Superman: Dawn Of Justice (Dir. Zack Snyder), Age Of Ice (Dir. Emile Edwin Smith), Empire (Dir. John Singleton) & Chicago Fire (NBC, Dir. Reza Tabrizi). </p><p>Ahmad Kamal (Jawid) is a resident of Washington DC and has worked as an actor and fight choreographer with numerous theater companies, including Signature Theatre, Shakespeare Theatre Company, Mosaic Theater Company, Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company, and many more. He holds a BFA from The University of Virginia and an MA from Bristol Old Vic Theatre School.</p><p>Aila Ayilam Peck (Afiya) returns to Northlight where she previously appeared in Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley. Other Chicago credits include: Night Watch (Raven), A Distinct Society (Writers); Hatefuck (First Floor); Shakuntala (Goodman Future Labs); This Wide Night, Five Mile Lake (Shattered Globe); Birdland (Steep); The Royal Society Of Antarctica (The Gift); 1984 (Steppenwolf for Young Adults). Regional credits include: House Of Joy (Repertory Theatre of St. Louis); Brahman/I, A One-Hijra Stand-Up Comedy Show, Proof (Kitchen Theatre); The Who And The What (Huntington Theatre); A Doll’s House, Twelfth Night, Macbeth (American Players Theatre). She is a proud graduate of the School at Steppenwolf and the University of North Carolina School of the Arts.</p><p>Shadee Vossoughi (Leyla) is making her Northlight Theatre debut. Shadee is a Chicago-based actor, writer, and improviser originally from Portland, OR. Most recently she was seen in Sanaz Toossi’s Wish You Were Here at Yale Repertory Theatre. Notable collaborations include work with Goodman Theatre, Writers Theatre, First Floor Theater, Silk Road Rising, The Second City, iO Theatre, and Oregon Shakespeare Festival. TV/Film credits include: Redwood Highway, The Bear (FX), The Big Leap (Fox). Training: B.F.A., Southern Oregon University; NBCUniversal Bob Curry Fellowship at The Second City.</p><p><b>Dates:<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></b></p><p><b>Previews begin January 25, 2024</b></p><p><b>Regular run: February 3-25, 2024</b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b>Featuring:<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></b></p><p><b>Owais Ahmed (Taroon), Ahmad Karnal (Jawid), Aila Ayilam Peck (Afiya), and Shadee Vossoughi (Leyla)</b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b>Schedule: </b></p><p><b>Tuesdays: 7:30pm (January 30 only)</b></p><p><b>Wednesdays: 1:00pm and 7:30pm</b></p><p><b>Thursdays: 7:30pm </b></p><p><b>Fridays: 7:30pm</b></p><p><b>Saturdays: 2:30pm (except January 27) and 7:30pm</b></p><p><b>Sundays: 2:30pm and 7:00pm (January 28 only)</b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b>An Open Captioned and Relaxed/Sensory Friendly performance will be held on February 16 at 7:30pm. An Open Captioned and Audio Described/Touch Tour performance will be held on February 17 at 2:30pm.</b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b>Location: Northlight Theatre is located at the North Shore</b></p><p><b><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd,</b></p><p><b><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Skokie</b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b>Tickets: Previews: $39-$74</b></p><p></p><p><b><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Regular run: $49-$89</b></p><p><b><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Student tickets are $15, any performance </b><b>(subject to availability)</b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b>Box Office: The Box Office is located at 9501 Skokie Blvd, Skokie.</b></p><p></p><p></p><p><b><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>847.673.6300; <a href="http://northlight.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">northlight.org</a></b></p><p><br /></p><p><i>Up-to-date Covid-19 related policies can be found at northlight.org/health-safety.</i></p><p><i>Northlight Theatre aspires to promote change of perspective and encourage compassion by exploring the depth of our humanity across a bold spectrum of theatrical experiences, reflecting our community to the world and the world to our community.</i></p><p><i>Founded in 1974, the organization has mounted over 240 productions, including more than 45 world premieres. Northlight has earned 217 Joseph Jefferson Award nominations and 36 Awards, as well as 11 Edgerton Foundation for New Play Awards. As one of the area’s premier theatre companies, Northlight is a regional magnet for critical and professional acclaim, as well as talent of the highest quality.</i></p><p><i>Northlight is supported in part by generous contributions from the Paul M. Angell Family Foundation; BMO Harris Bank; Bulley and Andrews; Byline Bank; The Elizabeth F. Cheney Foundation; CoBank; ComEd, An Exelon Company; Eckenhoff Saunders; Evanston Arts Council; Evanston Community Foundation; Lloyd A. Fry Foundation; Full Circle Foundation; The Gross Foundation; Gruman Butkus Associates; Hagerty Consulting; John R. Halligan Fund; Illinois Arts Council, a state agency; Illinois Humanities; Katten Muchin Roseman LLP; Kirkland & Ellis Foundation; The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation; Modestus Bauer Foundation; National Endowment for the Arts; Niles Township; NorthShore University HealthSystems; Northwestern University; The Offield Family Foundation; PNC Bank; Polsinelli; Pritzker Foundation; Ralla Klepak Trust for the Performing Arts; Room & Board; Sanborn Family Foundation; The Saints Foundation; Dr. Scholl Foundation; The Shubert Foundation, Inc.; The Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust; The Sullivan Family Foundation; and Tom Stringer Design Partners.</i></p><div><br /></div>Bonnie Kenaz-Marahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05141662039871081535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3413066541124683629.post-10750917487853011082024-01-22T17:08:00.140-06:002024-02-07T09:36:33.242-06:00Chicago Loves ChiILin' at Disney on Ice: Magic in the Stars Through February 4, 2024<p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">ChiIL Mama’s ChiIL Picks List: Family Friendly Shows On Our Radar</span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Disney On Ice presents Magic in the Stars</span></b></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">features the most Disney characters in one show!</span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKnM1JcZ_1moSiVEGf1x_y45Rz3_4FD_2hfolJMapRIa7qfAgdb7snIBWpYBSherh-rzTa8aCcxqiB0q-rQST4ddRBqCwhQGtEVlDgySUVMTJqr37jYjIW-8UOIYVoVnbFylvbLksgkURGTpV5Y_i7Z-4zvdcmM8SukSbRXMqvN855uuq9nLo2vvbMJkHC/s3000/_030_Mickey%20&%20Friends_D37.jpg" style="font-style: italic; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2400" data-original-width="3000" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKnM1JcZ_1moSiVEGf1x_y45Rz3_4FD_2hfolJMapRIa7qfAgdb7snIBWpYBSherh-rzTa8aCcxqiB0q-rQST4ddRBqCwhQGtEVlDgySUVMTJqr37jYjIW-8UOIYVoVnbFylvbLksgkURGTpV5Y_i7Z-4zvdcmM8SukSbRXMqvN855uuq9nLo2vvbMJkHC/w640-h512/_030_Mickey%20&%20Friends_D37.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>All Production photos courtesy of Disney on Ice</b></span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Highlighted by the on-ice debuts of Raya from Raya and </span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">the Last Dragon and </span></i><i><span style="font-size: large;">Frozen 2 with Elsa & Anna</span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIrVUTq2B4daBY2aVsL57lEFgoFxbNhnOJnoYKH4gbRhThtXiKLhDOpW01d3LqvKXgYHXiBxTC7PW8f7lNjLc4dOXjPpWVvzhXCFtbqdYrsaHLgLGFvyu34_DK5oYWdyXABB1WntHRdFtop2Maf0uQHXt2Qe5HpjFTRxRvxC_dE1lLkar3tcgikGzhIk8Y/s1275/420192055_10210320499004743_6890360012858263557_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1275" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIrVUTq2B4daBY2aVsL57lEFgoFxbNhnOJnoYKH4gbRhThtXiKLhDOpW01d3LqvKXgYHXiBxTC7PW8f7lNjLc4dOXjPpWVvzhXCFtbqdYrsaHLgLGFvyu34_DK5oYWdyXABB1WntHRdFtop2Maf0uQHXt2Qe5HpjFTRxRvxC_dE1lLkar3tcgikGzhIk8Y/w482-h640/420192055_10210320499004743_6890360012858263557_n.jpg" width="482" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Photo Credit: Kimberly Robb Baker </b></span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><br /></b></span></i></p><p style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Guest Review</span></i></p><p style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">by Kimberly Robb Baker</span></i></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">There's no better place to ChiIL than Disney on Ice! Whether you have kids or are just a kid at heart, get ready to make a wish and watch imagination come to life at the brand new show, Disney on Ice: Magic in the Stars, happening now through February 4 at the United Center and Allstate Arena.</span></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSRfsSUypH_Xu46nbqtJPGhNLACY7gL8EAnxS4eOq64swmozt7YSHgcSDjtEVeae3tqi78mfxFoQ-ltJRutL2rGDGFrAJQReeIp1f4ttm74rA0nEfRI6d4Kw2A5WODzDP-EZ2p96Wa-onJd3PvlM9q1NuZkwd9r-y91LDBNThjrlryJ-rkkma-3Q_LcubF/s2400/D37_Asha_Horizontal%20Pose%201.jpg" style="font-style: italic; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2400" data-original-width="2400" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSRfsSUypH_Xu46nbqtJPGhNLACY7gL8EAnxS4eOq64swmozt7YSHgcSDjtEVeae3tqi78mfxFoQ-ltJRutL2rGDGFrAJQReeIp1f4ttm74rA0nEfRI6d4Kw2A5WODzDP-EZ2p96Wa-onJd3PvlM9q1NuZkwd9r-y91LDBNThjrlryJ-rkkma-3Q_LcubF/w640-h640/D37_Asha_Horizontal%20Pose%201.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">While we've rarely missed a chance to see our favorite characters skating their hearts out, my crew was especially enchanted with this show. To start with, you'll want to arrive early to explore swag, branded treats (we loved the snow cones in our choice of Disney cups), photo ops, and character experiences with Elsa and Mirabel.</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAT8LjLfnUphc6l9UCKGxLIjNMjhPkuXkJxiJtNjBoTbJF7KiBs6LKfTBKHFFuTMYCl2Z0_Ir6wkgLngyldSFXq-M_UYZpyxcEZsJRyxiESYzZ86LgpxiKmuVCjzzaBRc-zu10VvQMvZzTe45jL8XdEQAipVpgcogGE1wlYAWKV43aYytiR5IJ2ueYAuwW/s1257/IMG_20240118_190056895.jpg" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="947" data-original-width="1257" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAT8LjLfnUphc6l9UCKGxLIjNMjhPkuXkJxiJtNjBoTbJF7KiBs6LKfTBKHFFuTMYCl2Z0_Ir6wkgLngyldSFXq-M_UYZpyxcEZsJRyxiESYzZ86LgpxiKmuVCjzzaBRc-zu10VvQMvZzTe45jL8XdEQAipVpgcogGE1wlYAWKV43aYytiR5IJ2ueYAuwW/w640-h482/IMG_20240118_190056895.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><i style="font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Photo Credit: Kimberly Robb Baker</b></span></i></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: arial;">With Mickey and friends MC-ing and setting the stage for lots of wishing on stars, the performance was engaging from the first second. And, let me say, it is super fun to see everyone's favorite mouse in some sparkly jeans! What follows are heartfelt performances by talented skaters, pulling the audience in to see everyone from Tiana to Lightning McQueen following their dreams. </span></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5bdvJXBDs1_zGMrGPivJY6aK6MKg1SlRbnCTxDmzUPj3HHPuK6iaZz90ryYAQzyEZzPeboaU7JmFhpuyJS1AAVKpmLjskCgM66OGUQ4yTxYMOFGsefRalC2lBXx71zG-3ntw8vpEbrmzupuDHtKr7XIiq2PJ1uRk6nRAi9jVL37K_WM1s7-_CFFnHLLaD/s3000/_009_Cars_D37.jpg" style="clear: left; font-family: -webkit-standard; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2400" data-original-width="3000" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5bdvJXBDs1_zGMrGPivJY6aK6MKg1SlRbnCTxDmzUPj3HHPuK6iaZz90ryYAQzyEZzPeboaU7JmFhpuyJS1AAVKpmLjskCgM66OGUQ4yTxYMOFGsefRalC2lBXx71zG-3ntw8vpEbrmzupuDHtKr7XIiq2PJ1uRk6nRAi9jVL37K_WM1s7-_CFFnHLLaD/w640-h512/_009_Cars_D37.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: arial;">My 9-, 13-, and 14-year-old were each entranced throughout the show, which had all of the production value you've come to expect from Disney on Ice, and an inspiring theme that wishes really do come true.</span></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAGw92vO433fZ993jgIrFrcayRWTcjWEvMn_9cb2bGHBNpn45Bh8hNW_3E8mmhBRwj7EhoEAXpH74UPS2MEwbMWCU5nAiIYE-VjB5n2qQHjUs01NshgTTdgeZirNKzIY198OX3qavDUP-6ylUeJFZHr8bJNmYRv1UQ_TJKSKcZJw99VZ87uEjCO3ssLNos/s11098/D37_Mickey%20&%20Friends.jpg" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; font-style: italic; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="11098" data-original-width="8337" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAGw92vO433fZ993jgIrFrcayRWTcjWEvMn_9cb2bGHBNpn45Bh8hNW_3E8mmhBRwj7EhoEAXpH74UPS2MEwbMWCU5nAiIYE-VjB5n2qQHjUs01NshgTTdgeZirNKzIY198OX3qavDUP-6ylUeJFZHr8bJNmYRv1UQ_TJKSKcZJw99VZ87uEjCO3ssLNos/w480-h640/D37_Mickey%20&%20Friends.jpg" width="480" /></a></span></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: arial;">A fresh remix of Snow White's wishing well song was one of the first stops on the journey, and it was fun for my kids to enjoy a modern take on this classic. We all enjoyed the beautiful high romance of couples skating, with Aladdin and Jasmine's number giving athleticism, synchrony, and incredible lifts that were especially noteworthy. Oh, and Magic Carpet on skates was absolutely whimsical. </span></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGSr7vAofsSQSZcYFhfpWU6PFEOF3JfmC67nza34KEUTgpJ7kQFs2oxI5WNSs0frTVJsLy7OysmlASVGQEGWRCXqy3G0pHtja4VoD43ZGwyRIopqoIInWISfkVws7SMCsrgsGulJq2Hiy-Dmnd_Lt7TBULVCbnI4JagHxd7IleyZZVw0LcoM8pVKl5K-Oa/s9504/D37_20230830_Orlando_Geo_0432_Edit.jpg" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; font-style: italic; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6336" data-original-width="9504" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGSr7vAofsSQSZcYFhfpWU6PFEOF3JfmC67nza34KEUTgpJ7kQFs2oxI5WNSs0frTVJsLy7OysmlASVGQEGWRCXqy3G0pHtja4VoD43ZGwyRIopqoIInWISfkVws7SMCsrgsGulJq2Hiy-Dmnd_Lt7TBULVCbnI4JagHxd7IleyZZVw0LcoM8pVKl5K-Oa/w640-h426/D37_20230830_Orlando_Geo_0432_Edit.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: arial;">My favorite appearance was Raya from The Last Dragon. While several of the skaters seem to have learned some aerials for their parts, it's clear that Raya's skills above the ice are just as strong as her skating, and it makes for a powerful and exciting performance. </span></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-vwroKN_bDDbqS6GmVIPmKkk7FWT3xb8AtCgR5v_fyRqJ7OLiKasFR6eTRZsgaC7R3V2JJ8Ykq3TklOEl2hM0QfM8aNif9BwPip77IWF3vRFUfv_oCGkbBAq6wqCgxv4_cjpfwi8BXTnnpBW3CAWjaE48ecyLMBdKpxwkKCQJ98wmSxGtm617XARVFtvx/s9504/D37_Raya_Aerial%20Pole.jpg" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; font-style: italic; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="9504" data-original-width="6336" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-vwroKN_bDDbqS6GmVIPmKkk7FWT3xb8AtCgR5v_fyRqJ7OLiKasFR6eTRZsgaC7R3V2JJ8Ykq3TklOEl2hM0QfM8aNif9BwPip77IWF3vRFUfv_oCGkbBAq6wqCgxv4_cjpfwi8BXTnnpBW3CAWjaE48ecyLMBdKpxwkKCQJ98wmSxGtm617XARVFtvx/w426-h640/D37_Raya_Aerial%20Pole.jpg" width="426" /></a></span></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: arial;">She's far from the only strong feminine figure, though. From From visiting Tiana's restaurant to Asha, from the recent film Wish, making her Disney on Ice debut, there are plenty of sheros to enjoy.</span></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPajTlS9Uss7NIwt7x2xD7rSheAQBhimCRpvqRiOEXD9R-vxVbSbJbRYF6sBA2fOACBwvoMcOk7I7segV_L41M7_Oo_0o25Q1uv8gR5NhcoSPVkxyJLqQUmEMC8o-sUFRTq2ZZXyX-5D4QZUJfKj-VRM11TSG-_FoTuf9eb9Qm5uspH8BqTjGwHJhINuwt/s7688/_026_Encanto_D37.jpeg" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; font-style: italic; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="7688" data-original-width="5283" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPajTlS9Uss7NIwt7x2xD7rSheAQBhimCRpvqRiOEXD9R-vxVbSbJbRYF6sBA2fOACBwvoMcOk7I7segV_L41M7_Oo_0o25Q1uv8gR5NhcoSPVkxyJLqQUmEMC8o-sUFRTq2ZZXyX-5D4QZUJfKj-VRM11TSG-_FoTuf9eb9Qm5uspH8BqTjGwHJhINuwt/w440-h640/_026_Encanto_D37.jpeg" width="440" /></a></span></span></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This show also offered a richness of ensemble numbers, including Genie (and his many copies--suuuuper fun!), all the princesses, and--the hands-down big-kid fave, Encanto, in which they absolutely DO talk about Bruno!</span></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQsP0M7yuZ-yHZMFQ1bWTs65GmzbDaxi0BrzJY-fwpNZb_hgKqwuYDE6p9AML6MJ7dBntVfPY8c1DQ3IOCdvX2bJOUQmTQZGa3bH4Gp32SXmKRCEwsadUrA6h16R-8X2yC_UdwktC7HiqLsJ53jaqjiAywhX_djMk6fWr4s-wtmsHvITUAXnh3-UwIDbE0/s8945/_024_Encanto_D37.jpeg" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; font-style: italic; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8945" data-original-width="6116" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQsP0M7yuZ-yHZMFQ1bWTs65GmzbDaxi0BrzJY-fwpNZb_hgKqwuYDE6p9AML6MJ7dBntVfPY8c1DQ3IOCdvX2bJOUQmTQZGa3bH4Gp32SXmKRCEwsadUrA6h16R-8X2yC_UdwktC7HiqLsJ53jaqjiAywhX_djMk6fWr4s-wtmsHvITUAXnh3-UwIDbE0/w438-h640/_024_Encanto_D37.jpeg" width="438" /></a></span></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: arial;">My youngest loved seeing his favorite Frozen characters, especially Olaf and Elsa! He also loves the tradition of everyone in the audience bringing fun light-up Disney gear to wave at special moments. I don't want to ruin the surprise, but I will say that this comes quite in handy for helping Buzz Lightyear out of a fix, and there are opportunities throughout for audience participation.</span></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHDRzIL0AXGBp1_nEemasQdcFnBxFo2i93InoSdMBBNFYtIIg9ovMOze27wTtq27uzQBdICLslmgDHfH4nEI4fjgNzT2nju8rBW7_-3sSBzFIAYAPmtDlkEvsCZXjpD013O_8PmQ63T1ETvC1DgwM-QV5B9sZQxdutiPvkNUZL38U9UenL0BhPX2pZLP1I/s1275/420320513_10210320499324751_5000850664435355486_n.jpg" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1275" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHDRzIL0AXGBp1_nEemasQdcFnBxFo2i93InoSdMBBNFYtIIg9ovMOze27wTtq27uzQBdICLslmgDHfH4nEI4fjgNzT2nju8rBW7_-3sSBzFIAYAPmtDlkEvsCZXjpD013O_8PmQ63T1ETvC1DgwM-QV5B9sZQxdutiPvkNUZL38U9UenL0BhPX2pZLP1I/w482-h640/420320513_10210320499324751_5000850664435355486_n.jpg" width="482" /></a></div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><i style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Photo Credit: Kimberly Robb Baker</b></span></i></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><br /></b></span></i></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmqf45lRxR2wh7WvMiYESRKjx7ed2xhaJiiCvzdefbwpqz6fb2xngiu80HY8hTy-B2oR00qMeeWWR0CcUXVfaxDTidSxYrWQOt93ZoH9Oir7Ov15G3mcNqbm8NRzROh3_YBRkFLzA0l8ZhQVP9lpngRoV5amWswzyNuoppGfNeGDVYpwX0vYehRDzmqz0U/s9504/D37_Frozen%202%20Group.jpg" style="font-style: italic; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6336" data-original-width="9504" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmqf45lRxR2wh7WvMiYESRKjx7ed2xhaJiiCvzdefbwpqz6fb2xngiu80HY8hTy-B2oR00qMeeWWR0CcUXVfaxDTidSxYrWQOt93ZoH9Oir7Ov15G3mcNqbm8NRzROh3_YBRkFLzA0l8ZhQVP9lpngRoV5amWswzyNuoppGfNeGDVYpwX0vYehRDzmqz0U/w640-h426/D37_Frozen%202%20Group.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: arial;">If your wish is to shake off those winter blues, Disney on Ice: Magic in the Stars! is just the thing!</span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZmBNGqiKVH39I7T0aHAaFtouwC_G6Vu6NxaXw1GDLenYvyYVAQJ7ZSpatrjZ3Ip_XNfSyATMR-CLHbW6Gdv11NF2akwpCdQ0aJwLOjCc-yVupeCeIawRCqMb8aNJywM2qRIMJuC89TmSkUTiZffnTfSmdeS9GNUZ0ixsWfVlc-PlMi9pLODqGo5sfITXx/s947/IMG_20240118_190529550.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><img border="0" data-original-height="947" data-original-width="713" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZmBNGqiKVH39I7T0aHAaFtouwC_G6Vu6NxaXw1GDLenYvyYVAQJ7ZSpatrjZ3Ip_XNfSyATMR-CLHbW6Gdv11NF2akwpCdQ0aJwLOjCc-yVupeCeIawRCqMb8aNJywM2qRIMJuC89TmSkUTiZffnTfSmdeS9GNUZ0ixsWfVlc-PlMi9pLODqGo5sfITXx/w482-h640/IMG_20240118_190529550.jpg" width="482" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Photo Credit: Kimberly Robb Baker</b></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><br /></b></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdIK4x0YBKHe71EUvUQbNra5bkDkd3zeunb11zloopL0LyBhyphenhyphenZw9mzZubr4WOw_j8ski1FFpuZEqqcozsj_OvLT9GI5Y9PP0W27L5YM0-IVZcg7V_QS4-l2vBdVxywbxmLwFqEbWYxeORJlcLGiGcXCXfwqBI-e8DN9H-GYTkuc5bIQoZWiQkocvUpv-UZ/s1257/IMG_20240118_194921080.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="947" data-original-width="1257" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdIK4x0YBKHe71EUvUQbNra5bkDkd3zeunb11zloopL0LyBhyphenhyphenZw9mzZubr4WOw_j8ski1FFpuZEqqcozsj_OvLT9GI5Y9PP0W27L5YM0-IVZcg7V_QS4-l2vBdVxywbxmLwFqEbWYxeORJlcLGiGcXCXfwqBI-e8DN9H-GYTkuc5bIQoZWiQkocvUpv-UZ/w640-h482/IMG_20240118_194921080.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p></p><p><b><i> Kimberly Robb Baker is a Chicago based writer, blogger, consultant, story teller, and mother. You can find her worky stuff here: ThisLittleBrand.com and her artsy fartsy stuff here: DisruptiveMama.com.</i></b></p><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">**All-New Show Debuting in Chicagoland </span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">January 18-February 4, 2024**</span></i></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJFCOCXxqrqjRBD6h5BUC8IZHENFzSwYM11LSOd2t8DzQ9S3WaD6l-Po9NELklfTYIaPm4p-Y4KrOrnPaqcUKmV-pGZjZaBEcHddwrpX60AdN6Q8GJtMPFJnp_o-lWlJURJ6RndFUdqDXTrcg_3tnqQr5WxrIAQLdvd_ykkO4hlTxS-bjHkFiOoLCy-5qt/s6000/D37_Princess%20Composite.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4134" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJFCOCXxqrqjRBD6h5BUC8IZHENFzSwYM11LSOd2t8DzQ9S3WaD6l-Po9NELklfTYIaPm4p-Y4KrOrnPaqcUKmV-pGZjZaBEcHddwrpX60AdN6Q8GJtMPFJnp_o-lWlJURJ6RndFUdqDXTrcg_3tnqQr5WxrIAQLdvd_ykkO4hlTxS-bjHkFiOoLCy-5qt/w440-h640/D37_Princess%20Composite.jpg" width="440" /></a></i></div><p>Chart a course through the night sky to Disney On Ice presents Magic in the Stars where every story begins with a wish! Witness the captivating on-ice debut of Asha from the epic Walt Disney Animation Studios’ animated musical adventure Wish, releasing in theaters on November 22. Asha and her friend Star will dazzle audiences as they skate to “This Wish,” written by Julia Michaels and Ben Rice and performed by Academy Award®- winning actress Ariana DeBose. </p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsc3HO8ztZATHnNIJ-T3b76IaSfNB2-LhxFshGK5sLhdxsU5pnnzoMrtx1-7a96OByEwZ0MTkr_7pi-ethayMojwsbcZpTMAXKtnzIFdF0HDs6iMN4ZBUJKQ_rDCclady583t7u5JukzU5_7a4py5TjPIM_-TKDNR1Zg0trdZPkuOld1tFi-IA_X10eA9i/s3600/D37_Asha__Vertical_Pose%202.jpg" style="font-style: italic; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3600" data-original-width="2400" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsc3HO8ztZATHnNIJ-T3b76IaSfNB2-LhxFshGK5sLhdxsU5pnnzoMrtx1-7a96OByEwZ0MTkr_7pi-ethayMojwsbcZpTMAXKtnzIFdF0HDs6iMN4ZBUJKQ_rDCclady583t7u5JukzU5_7a4py5TjPIM_-TKDNR1Zg0trdZPkuOld1tFi-IA_X10eA9i/w426-h640/D37_Asha__Vertical_Pose%202.jpg" width="426" /></a></p><p>This all-new production brings the brightest Disney stars to life through cutting-edge figure skating, high-flying acrobatics, unexpected stunts, innovative lighting, thrilling special effects, eye-catching costumes, and stunning set designs. Experience the dynamic moments that take place on the ice and in the air when Disney On Ice presents Magic in the Stars visits Allstate Arena, January 18-21, 2024, and February 1-4, 2024, and the United Center, January 25-28, 2024.</p><p>Join Disney On Ice for a magical journey with Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Donald, and Daisy through timeless tales and today’s favorites. The adventure begins when the North Star shines brightly and descends upon Jiminy Cricket as he welcomes and reminds the audience that the most fantastic, magical things can happen, and it all starts with a wish.</p><p>Journey to Rosas, the kingdom of wishes, to meet optimistic and sharp-witted Asha, from Disney’s newest animated musical feature Wish. She makes an impassioned plea to the stars, which is answered by a cosmic force, a little ball of boundless energy named Star. Together they face the most formidable of foes to save her community and prove that when the will of one courageous human connects with the magic of the stars, wondrous things can happen.</p><p>Watch as Raya from Raya and the Last Dragon debuts live on ice and ascends into the air, lifting the show to higher heights as the strong warrior performs an aerial acro-pole routine. And for the first time on ice, escape “Into the Unknown” with Elsa and Anna from Frozen 2. </p><p>Travel to the mountains of Colombia where the Madrigal family lives, unlock the magic in the family’s casita, and discover why “We Don’t Talk About Bruno.” </p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzqt2nWEOei_619GR8ra_Aa6DoJhmKCDT2glDS_zyO4PsM4N-Y5mppk5Ln997ez3gB3k530Ct0nmt_szP_28Y03XO35LYhXJxkulhcyDvrsFAvMkCxSShlU4ZF6a_KxgD_FkdpWUqY2uRTty6HWdz-HXy38s5tObMdGOWQoi2LaAX9R8mbx4IpcGRKmxns/s9504/D37_Mirabel.jpg" style="font-style: italic; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="9504" data-original-width="6336" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzqt2nWEOei_619GR8ra_Aa6DoJhmKCDT2glDS_zyO4PsM4N-Y5mppk5Ln997ez3gB3k530Ct0nmt_szP_28Y03XO35LYhXJxkulhcyDvrsFAvMkCxSShlU4ZF6a_KxgD_FkdpWUqY2uRTty6HWdz-HXy38s5tObMdGOWQoi2LaAX9R8mbx4IpcGRKmxns/w426-h640/D37_Mirabel.jpg" width="426" /></a></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfoG1Kw7Umk3mvLbiS8h8i7XrrFBnKRquhpu_HZEllgfigyubdrVCUyaxEoCk-xqNvEVAZjCiQ-fUS-fhiq94hfkIUSqDU9W6jK0KgJGNMce1MpYwkYVtBmXpGsmjV-IYUM4zwQ1Kv2QsF-VeT9LKQ66T3UjL6U1p9ifIPtLEzbF809DBZ_Mk0v5knvvhl/s5184/_023_Encanto_D37.jpeg" style="font-style: italic; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="5184" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfoG1Kw7Umk3mvLbiS8h8i7XrrFBnKRquhpu_HZEllgfigyubdrVCUyaxEoCk-xqNvEVAZjCiQ-fUS-fhiq94hfkIUSqDU9W6jK0KgJGNMce1MpYwkYVtBmXpGsmjV-IYUM4zwQ1Kv2QsF-VeT9LKQ66T3UjL6U1p9ifIPtLEzbF809DBZ_Mk0v5knvvhl/w640-h426/_023_Encanto_D37.jpeg" width="640" /></a></p><p>Set sail with Moana on her canoe into the open ocean, to witness her encourage Te Kā to “Know Who You Are” and transform into Te Fiti. </p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqrArUrh9QVSUSfELlLhVh3ml76n_MFWS4ocR766mTWA48UNnwcNJzmrA-yTispD5DN5KoZWPF9ELYx5gZv4nmO3vJiCW1yjZMksL_jvo3hpYS_gW2BPB55uRpvpBBYcP-0N7K5FRtT4CEku25pC5lx8QUt4g-64T9QH89JJZFt1-2kTJR2mJYLTX63mwP/s3600/_013_Moana_D37.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; font-style: italic; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2400" data-original-width="3600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqrArUrh9QVSUSfELlLhVh3ml76n_MFWS4ocR766mTWA48UNnwcNJzmrA-yTispD5DN5KoZWPF9ELYx5gZv4nmO3vJiCW1yjZMksL_jvo3hpYS_gW2BPB55uRpvpBBYcP-0N7K5FRtT4CEku25pC5lx8QUt4g-64T9QH89JJZFt1-2kTJR2mJYLTX63mwP/w640-h426/_013_Moana_D37.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-lmuGWAiHzMgbAQxc8DQuptqfuOd95IWN4r_L_QibkI3BZy2O4qfi52Hde6AWWKrCbdW1AtzElJgvfIQChgpiwwW4CDiXxASrmYOzytk7y2vVbg1uyjggFkb45_UecMCLlqAmIWdyV0wkTNvJOXsbb6lstSxlTnYhvgq2nSG3e6wRAgsXeaGx_Ddh4g3k/s5184/_017_Moana_D37.jpg" style="font-style: italic; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="5184" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-lmuGWAiHzMgbAQxc8DQuptqfuOd95IWN4r_L_QibkI3BZy2O4qfi52Hde6AWWKrCbdW1AtzElJgvfIQChgpiwwW4CDiXxASrmYOzytk7y2vVbg1uyjggFkb45_UecMCLlqAmIWdyV0wkTNvJOXsbb6lstSxlTnYhvgq2nSG3e6wRAgsXeaGx_Ddh4g3k/w640-h426/_017_Moana_D37.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>Prepare to hit the road with Disney and Pixar’s Lightning McQueen and Tow Mater as they cruise on the ice to “Life Is A Highway,” </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_95UuxKNbCi356e53kztpDAXlXGAFd1Iyy0dMcdhhbC3c8oHSU3QuMBehvZUMd18ZKRUOQN5c_TF77F0uboV8d7YCl5-i-QMJ2hdH2fYP7Q28w8ZI3Hq7NcoLqe05cecgCxc_T886hNG-EwG8atnW3CDUx-RpN1gvbyAdcR5vII3JVp4c4_63iuxEwiIl/s3000/_010_Cars_D37.jpg" style="font-style: italic; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2400" data-original-width="3000" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_95UuxKNbCi356e53kztpDAXlXGAFd1Iyy0dMcdhhbC3c8oHSU3QuMBehvZUMd18ZKRUOQN5c_TF77F0uboV8d7YCl5-i-QMJ2hdH2fYP7Q28w8ZI3Hq7NcoLqe05cecgCxc_T886hNG-EwG8atnW3CDUx-RpN1gvbyAdcR5vII3JVp4c4_63iuxEwiIl/w640-h512/_010_Cars_D37.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">and reconnect with Toy Story’s Buzz Lightyear, Woody, Jessie, Rex, and Hamm.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr_RoSus3Mxl3pqM2lHlu3YpIJm5wYMkyDwtpbxLfQy709HyE6lfDUrA6WlUrIsdxWbopBPbSLAb8h_ceJ5vqWyB6qGkeMQDfvJ0wUKFvEMHD0LXinojseqheQurnr3xOZQcUZbGA2OPY5z2demp7QPa4v0IoZ6XklfdJo3swWfzWp2dQqc8Um4Ov8Kz95/s3000/_011_Toy%20Story_D37.jpg" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 238); font-style: italic; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2400" data-original-width="3000" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr_RoSus3Mxl3pqM2lHlu3YpIJm5wYMkyDwtpbxLfQy709HyE6lfDUrA6WlUrIsdxWbopBPbSLAb8h_ceJ5vqWyB6qGkeMQDfvJ0wUKFvEMHD0LXinojseqheQurnr3xOZQcUZbGA2OPY5z2demp7QPa4v0IoZ6XklfdJo3swWfzWp2dQqc8Um4Ov8Kz95/w640-h512/_011_Toy%20Story_D37.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Pursue your dreams with Tiana, from The Princess and the Frog, as she strives to make her wish of opening a restaurant come true. Discover the power of three wishes with Aladdin when he finds a magic lamp in the Cave of Wonders. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Reminisce with Cinderella, Snow White, Belle, and Rapunzel as they remind us to never stop wishing and dreaming.</div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_95UuxKNbCi356e53kztpDAXlXGAFd1Iyy0dMcdhhbC3c8oHSU3QuMBehvZUMd18ZKRUOQN5c_TF77F0uboV8d7YCl5-i-QMJ2hdH2fYP7Q28w8ZI3Hq7NcoLqe05cecgCxc_T886hNG-EwG8atnW3CDUx-RpN1gvbyAdcR5vII3JVp4c4_63iuxEwiIl/s3000/_010_Cars_D37.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; font-style: italic; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></div><p>In the end, audiences will learn that everyone has dreams they want to come true, but the brightest light shines inside of YOU! Every one of you is a STAR! So, shine bright and let your stories light up the night sky!</p><p><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>R O S E M O N T</i></span></b></p><p>Thursday, January 18 – 7:00 PM </p><p>Friday, January 19 – 10:30 AM & 7:00 PM </p><p>Saturday, January 20 – 1:00 AM, 3:00 PM & 7:00 PM</p><p>Sunday, January 21 – 11:00 AM, 3:00 PM & 7:00 PM</p><p> </p><p>Thursday, February 1 – 7:00 PM </p><p>Friday, February 2 – 10:30AM & 7:00 PM </p><p>Saturday, February 3 – 11:00 AM, 3:00 PM & 7:00 PM</p><p>Sunday, February 4 – 11:00 AM, 3:00 PM & 7:00 PM</p><p> </p><p>WHERE: </p><p>Allstate Arena – 6920 North Mannheim Rd. Rosemont, IL 60018</p><p><br /></p><p><i><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">C H I C A G O</span></b></i></p><p>Thursday, January 25 – 7:00 PM </p><p>Friday, January 26 – 10:30AM & 7:00 PM </p><p>Saturday, January 27 – 11:00 AM, 3:00 PM & 7:00 PM</p><p>Sunday, January 28 – 11:00 AM, 3:00 PM & 7:00 PM</p><p>WHERE: </p><p>United Center – 1901 West Madison St. Chicago, IL 60612 </p><p><br /></p><p>TICKETS: </p><p>Tickets now available for purchase online at <b><a href="http://Ticketmaster.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Ticketmaster.com</a></b> or visit the venue Box Office. It’s easier than ever to experience the Disney magic. With a variety of ticket options, choose what fits best for an enchanted experience. </p><p>*Ticket prices subject to change – additional venue/ticketing fees may apply</p><p>“Family Fun with Elsa and Mirabel” Character Experience</p><p>Enhance your Disney On Ice presents Magic in the Stars show ticket with a preshow Character Experience. “Family Fun with Elsa and Mirabel” includes crafting and interactive time with Elsa and Mirabel, and great photo opportunities.</p><p>Please note: Each guest (ages 2 and up) must have both a Character Experience ticket and a Disney On Ice show ticket to attend; children must be accompanied by an adult.</p><p>Follow Disney On Ice social media channels: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok. Subscribe to the Disney On Ice YouTube Channel at <b><a href="http://www.youtube.com/DisneyOnIce" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.youtube.com/DisneyOnIce</a></b>.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5PX9NoO1EaZQ7-xM_L9CuYtOMAZu3mUIC8wnBPqhHBg9OSZaeqtoD1PjCBmB8lTzcm0ysYSUYm4VbM2v3iD_AZdhcmq79SUYsTpICVpDXFifNcIXiai-uPfYOD3xOWhZrZ1kwj0uujsqScXVBeX4QvHxZ6h0rmVquNWCpcO-Cxt88js9KVYy_5_MqDHCq/s300/dbtid-AAAistnpNFgdyheRg9EafPREoz84GBdquso.png" style="font-style: italic; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5PX9NoO1EaZQ7-xM_L9CuYtOMAZu3mUIC8wnBPqhHBg9OSZaeqtoD1PjCBmB8lTzcm0ysYSUYm4VbM2v3iD_AZdhcmq79SUYsTpICVpDXFifNcIXiai-uPfYOD3xOWhZrZ1kwj0uujsqScXVBeX4QvHxZ6h0rmVquNWCpcO-Cxt88js9KVYy_5_MqDHCq/w200-h200/dbtid-AAAistnpNFgdyheRg9EafPREoz84GBdquso.png" width="200" /></a></p><p><i>About Feld Entertainment®</i></p><p><i>Feld Entertainment®, family owned and operated, is the worldwide leader in producing and presenting live touring family entertainment experiences that bring people together and uplift the human spirit. Properties include Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey®, Monster Jam®, Disney On Ice, Marvel Universe LIVE!, Jurassic World Live Tour, Monster Energy AMA Supercross, and the SuperMotocross World Championship. Across the brand portfolio, Feld Entertainment has entertained millions of families in more than 75 countries and on six continents. Visit <b><a href="http://feldentertainment.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">feldentertainment.com</a></b> for more information.</i></p><div><br /></div>Bonnie Kenaz-Marahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05141662039871081535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3413066541124683629.post-4913623834153882962024-01-21T15:50:00.199-06:002024-01-25T12:30:56.917-06:00 World Premiere of Wakka Wakka's Delightful Dead as a Dodo Highly Recommended<p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">ChiIL Live Shows On Our Radar</span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Dead as a Dodo</b></span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Via Wakka Wakka From The U.S./Norway</span></i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large; text-align: left;"><i> at The Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival <span> </span></i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large; text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;"><i>Ages: 8 and up</i></span></b></span></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO1V5PYviEp2pRh6teWHu8OrsKZPhGQAEfzjE0Q4lhvC-f1oLQe7wSVbHb4QqYlbRY8a1DB-ldu8NE30ViX0pUGVrBHfw4PWU7JUd0sx0-jvWhia7cAXE0EuTNTg2MYek3jdz2QEtKWPv_5ncnaa9Pzzvbb3z7ALXoGz0LkXUAGtTjDpBUyd_v4jx1iWA/s1200/unnamed-3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="901" data-original-width="1200" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO1V5PYviEp2pRh6teWHu8OrsKZPhGQAEfzjE0Q4lhvC-f1oLQe7wSVbHb4QqYlbRY8a1DB-ldu8NE30ViX0pUGVrBHfw4PWU7JUd0sx0-jvWhia7cAXE0EuTNTg2MYek3jdz2QEtKWPv_5ncnaa9Pzzvbb3z7ALXoGz0LkXUAGtTjDpBUyd_v4jx1iWA/w640-h480/unnamed-3.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><p><i><span style="font-size: large;">REVIEW:</span></i></p><p><i><span style="font-size: medium;">By Bonnie Kenaz-Mara</span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>"It's all just fog and sparkling darkness"</b></span></i></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">It was truly a treat to see the World Premiere of Dead as a Dodo. When we think extinct, "Go the way of the Dodo" is at the top of the list. Yet scientists are presently bringing back extinct species (yes De-extinction is now a thing), </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">while human beings teeter precariously close to joining the list. Climate denial is still rampant, and even among humans trying for </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">change and sustainability, it's tough to change minds and actions.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Wakka Wakka to the rescue! These intrepid eco-puppeteers shoot straight for the heart with deep truths embedded in a visually stunning production. The misadventures of </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">their </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">skeleton Dodo and skeleton Neanderthal are so much fun to experience, you don't notice the eco-education seeping in. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">We were delighted and utterly charmed with this entire production. I've never seen puppeteers and sets covered in sparkling fabric instead of matte black, and the black light ocean scenes were amazing. We especially got a kick out of watching the dodo inexplicably regenerate piecemeal, from bones to a fully fleshed bird, on stage!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">The lighting is stellar, the set, puppet design, sound design, and puppetry and writing is all world class. </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">In fact, this production has my favorite line of the fest to date, </span><i style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>"It's all just fog and sparkling darkness". </b></span></i><span style="font-family: verdana;">Kudos to the cast that traveled in and the local Chicago crew that joined them. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Theatre makers have been called the "canary in the coal mine" for their ability to effectively call out our looming human policies, politics, and </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">problems </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">earlier and more effectively than other mediums. It's easy to tune out the endless barrage of bad news coming at us online, on TV, and in print. Yet, people are more open when they've bought a ticket and chosen to come out to a venue. </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Humans are even more open when they're laughing and enjoying something creative and visually stunning.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Transformation </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">starts in the mind and spreads to action. Could it be that our best hope for the survival of the species is art? Mad thanks for the </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Wakka Wakka wakeup call. </span><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="text-align: center;"><span>Wakka Wakka: </span></span><span>Animalia Trilogy is highly recommended. </span></span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span>With </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">100+ puppetry activities in </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">dozens of Chicago venues, and only </span><span style="background-color: white;">11 days to fit it all in, it can be daunting to try to Tetris in all the puppet possibilities. I'm officially reviewing 7 shows as an arts critic and catching an additional 5 just for fun, as an audience member. There's an incredible array of world class productions this year, from far-flung countries like Kenya, Mexico, Norway, and Germany, as well as many other states, so puppet up and see some shows. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><a href="https://www.chiilmama.com/2023/11/save-dates-6th-chicago-international.html">Full Puppet Fest Schedule, including video clips of the productions HERE.</a></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b style="font-family: -webkit-standard;"><i>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). </i></b></span></p><p><br /></p><p><b>World Premiere</b></p><p><b>Dead as a Dodo </b></p><p><b>The Biograph Theater’s Začek-McVay Mainstage, 2433 N. Lincoln Ave., Lincoln Park</b></p><p><b>January 19-21</b></p><p><b>Three shows: Friday, January 19 at 7 p.m.; Saturday, January 20 at 1:30 p.m.; Sunday, January 21 at 7 p.m.</b></p><p><b>75 minutes</b></p><p><b>Tickets: $40-$45</b></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIMSp6H3QCZUJFHBelZOYkso2oNrkpcWFM-s0CzOdu-0ycEqybcPEsCMYv4LvSOz03NZDHb0p0-tySLn9muIMZJKlVvsHjxLCGS_ag4fQjR9A5TxPffQB6avVBeWt0BH-f5zLA1taLJsaU9B4vZCwiET3Y89Hl5XOD6plQX-dw8RfTCfk6UpAzm_KIcqg/s720/unnamed-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="528" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIMSp6H3QCZUJFHBelZOYkso2oNrkpcWFM-s0CzOdu-0ycEqybcPEsCMYv4LvSOz03NZDHb0p0-tySLn9muIMZJKlVvsHjxLCGS_ag4fQjR9A5TxPffQB6avVBeWt0BH-f5zLA1taLJsaU9B4vZCwiET3Y89Hl5XOD6plQX-dw8RfTCfk6UpAzm_KIcqg/w470-h640/unnamed-2.jpg" width="470" /></a></p><p>Deep within the underworld, a skeleton Dodo and a skeleton Neanderthal are tirelessly digging for fresh bones; their ancient skeletal forms are quickly deteriorating and they are afraid of disappearing completely. One day, a peculiar occurrence disrupts their routine...without warning, the Dodo miraculously sprouts a new bone! A maelstrom of transformation begins to unravel within the realm of bones, shattering the established order. The great reversal has begun. Infused with a blend of puppetry, projections, and humor, Dead as a Dodo offers a fantastical glimpse into a future that harkens back to the distant past.</p><div><br /></div><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">More Fabulous Puppet Fun From Wakka Wakka:</span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Animalia Trilogy </b></span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">ChiIL Live Shows On Our Radar</span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibwmsrcLvg3W6aujccp_TsaIiTOV7RwRaEeCtZqO7sT9xXLgIOmhL80M_xViwiwqnbV-_q3gmT60dngRMakMy5xE3DoOJ5A8t1II_JD008wmBHxE5mF1_It35d_ArCY6rXrt-q-AOe18F3qFK311mNowQiugg5DUgH7Pd7YAoIfQhyphenhyphenM-KK_SWTsHu7UO4/s1500/unnamed.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibwmsrcLvg3W6aujccp_TsaIiTOV7RwRaEeCtZqO7sT9xXLgIOmhL80M_xViwiwqnbV-_q3gmT60dngRMakMy5xE3DoOJ5A8t1II_JD008wmBHxE5mF1_It35d_ArCY6rXrt-q-AOe18F3qFK311mNowQiugg5DUgH7Pd7YAoIfQhyphenhyphenM-KK_SWTsHu7UO4/w512-h640/unnamed.jpg" width="512" /></a></p><p><b>Wakka Wakka's Animalia Trilogy</b></p><p><b>Wakka Wakka</b></p><p><b>U.S./Norway</b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b>The Immortal Jellyfish Girl</b></p><p><b>Steppenwolf's Downstairs Mainstage Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted St., Lincoln Park</b></p><p><b>January 18-21</b></p><p><b>Four shows: Thursday, January 18 at 7:30 p.m.; Friday January 19 at 1:30 p.m.; Saturday, January 20 at 7 p.m.; Sunday, January 21 at 1:30 p.m. </b></p><p><b>80 minutes</b></p><p><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">Ages: 10 and up</span></b></p><p><b>Tickets: $40-$45</b></p><p><b>Free events: Come make your own masks at free Wakka Wakka drop-in mask making workshops, Saturday and Sunday, January 20 and 21 at 2:45 p.m.</b></p><p>A gripping tale of humanity on the brink of annihilation and the unlikely hero who might just save them all. The year is 2555. Large swaths of earth’s surface are considered dead zones, and mass extinction has begun. There is a war (there is always a war). As both sides grow desperate, their thirst for destruction becomes more and more volatile. An improbable meeting between an orphan and a jellyfish girl threatens to tip the balance forever, but in whose favor, and at what cost? A mysterious man in a homemade fox costume has seen this all before, has lived this tragedy too many times, but he is determined it will end differently. Hilarious, ridiculous and virtuosic, this puppet show blends innovative projection, original music and puppetry that soars through dimensions, unconfined by time, gravity or biology. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><b>The New York Times called it "A 26th-century love story." </b></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><b>The New Yorker called it "stunning."</b></i></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhThP1oX-GXDluq_a9TYbQHqCdJuY909XnG4v4sTCnd_RAGjURcIdU3FmHs3zt1jTyv6sVCkSpemHxCYCthmuIRXfOwrG_ZHes9k7y29vlB_00aGDTRZW8-HyeP6AUBbX5wo4fcNUJv5YNThL-JUP3AjFWL0dvgHsqrMT-BlTrCCP615icVifBFTq7LPeg/s1200/unnamed.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="805" data-original-width="1200" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhThP1oX-GXDluq_a9TYbQHqCdJuY909XnG4v4sTCnd_RAGjURcIdU3FmHs3zt1jTyv6sVCkSpemHxCYCthmuIRXfOwrG_ZHes9k7y29vlB_00aGDTRZW8-HyeP6AUBbX5wo4fcNUJv5YNThL-JUP3AjFWL0dvgHsqrMT-BlTrCCP615icVifBFTq7LPeg/w640-h430/unnamed.png" width="640" /></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><p style="font-family: -webkit-standard;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">REVIEW:</span></i></p><p style="font-family: -webkit-standard;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">By Bonnie Kenaz-Mara</span></i></p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">There's something compelling in puppetry. Instead of actors pontificating front and center, people on stage hide in plain sight, while inanimate objects drive the action. What other form of theatre so skillfully and gorgeously melds light and shadows, artistry and craftsmanship, spoken word, multimedia elements, and object manipulation, all in the service of storytelling. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">For the 2024 fest, Wakka Wakka, based in Oslo, Norway and NYC, claim the coveted opening night spot, and bring not one but 3 very different, yet interrelated shows, to Chicago's Steppenwolf and Biograph Theatres January 18-23rd. </span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_EywMyeUJeMsZC89rBWQLxM_W-CJSlHybhC3jzb-Lzucd_iAvayNFsotjYrtwzwPgneE1_RCnW6P8Y23MiUuBSlADp9HV8ksFB8MjxOx7AaW8mAFtL9GnXu_ctaD9eCJq8Kl8DyjIBziunDG0pHXDblXcFMQMFOueozslR3J7SW7C-5gApRRYcap67L4/s1200/unnamed-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_EywMyeUJeMsZC89rBWQLxM_W-CJSlHybhC3jzb-Lzucd_iAvayNFsotjYrtwzwPgneE1_RCnW6P8Y23MiUuBSlADp9HV8ksFB8MjxOx7AaW8mAFtL9GnXu_ctaD9eCJq8Kl8DyjIBziunDG0pHXDblXcFMQMFOueozslR3J7SW7C-5gApRRYcap67L4/w640-h640/unnamed-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Immortal Jellyfish Girl is epic story telling for our time. This dystopian yet hopeful love story is a visual and auditory delight. We were awestruck at the world class artistry, design work, puppeteering, multimedia, and the original score. Wakka Wakka sounds the alarm on our global doomsday clock, offering a much needed eco-friendly reminder in a way that's not heavy handed. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Do note, some of the storyline and characters may be frightening and too intense for young children. This show is recommended for ages 10+ and is truly more of an adult offering. The Immortal Jellyfish Girl engaged all our senses and left us wanting more. After catching this insanely talented troupe, we'll be on the lookout for more from Wakka Wakka in the future. Highly recommended!</span></p><p><br /></p><p><b></b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNmsiuULauCCp6r0_Mor814AVDLFefpurFpKIg_RijiXO6gs5U6g-wTCUEv3o4BUd3IYHprX2Vzw-ENzpVfcg9S_e-U_8dJl7YvWmfcBGceR-5MSlhZvh2XUK9rKjB4Yj2hYEwAzivmgiBGMrGPkXOu3pZcKP9I4Q2wOR0Xuwhqx8BrGVPzP4-CcIHcLU/s1200/unnamed-5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="699" data-original-width="1200" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNmsiuULauCCp6r0_Mor814AVDLFefpurFpKIg_RijiXO6gs5U6g-wTCUEv3o4BUd3IYHprX2Vzw-ENzpVfcg9S_e-U_8dJl7YvWmfcBGceR-5MSlhZvh2XUK9rKjB4Yj2hYEwAzivmgiBGMrGPkXOu3pZcKP9I4Q2wOR0Xuwhqx8BrGVPzP4-CcIHcLU/w640-h372/unnamed-5.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><p><b>Animal R.I.O.T.</b></p><p><b>Steppenwolf's 1700 Theater, 1650 N. Halsted St., Lincoln Park</b></p><p><b>January 19-23</b></p><p><b>Five shows: Friday, Saturday and Sunday, January 19-21 at 9:30 p.m.; </b></p><p><b>Monday and Tuesday, January 22 and 23 at 7:30 p.m. </b></p><p><b>75 minutes</b></p><p><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">Ages: 13 and up</span></b></p><p>Tickets: $30-$40</p><p>Animal R.I.O.T (Animal Resurgence In Our Time) is an anonymous anthropomorphic organization, founded by the Fantastic Mr. Fox (the non-fictional one). Can you believe it? The human species will come together and save all animals from extinction (including ourselves)! Become a real life masked avenger answering the CALL of the WILD and join the BIO-ECCENTRIC PACIFIST FIGHT CLUB! Join us or die out! animalriot.org </p><p>Wakka Wakka Productions, Inc. is a non-profit visual theater company based in New York City and Oslo. Its mission is to push the boundaries of the imagination by creating works that are bold, unique and unpredictable. The company is led by Gabrielle Brechner, Kirjan Waage and Gwendolyn Warnock and supported by company members Andrew Manjuck and Peter Russo.</p><p>Since 2001 Wakka Wakka has created and produced 11 original works which have toured extensively throughout the U.S. and abroad. All of Wakka Wakka’s productions have been highly physical, overlapping in a wide range of styles and incorporating elements such as puppetry, object manipulation, masks and original music. Wakka Wakka has been honored with a Drama Desk Award, an Obie Award and two UNIMA Citations of Excellence, and nominated for four Drama Desk Awards, a Helen Hayes Award and a Hawes Design Award. wakkawakka.org</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUTprdUKKER7snNImttxXegYRPsuGZlhXEY5cTtjlM2vzljO1BSQxsPWtfHTw8v2aYaoPb0r12YmLEMIgjcOgAt3V-VJ8cfJUtgswHRmW1YLTIx1PqMF4j97GH5yZ4L9J9iYeEwK9pQ8aq6X-E4ofkD56Edv9H4rnmJszRgDOU57pi7moxHe47sQT4lEw/s640/unnamed-2-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUTprdUKKER7snNImttxXegYRPsuGZlhXEY5cTtjlM2vzljO1BSQxsPWtfHTw8v2aYaoPb0r12YmLEMIgjcOgAt3V-VJ8cfJUtgswHRmW1YLTIx1PqMF4j97GH5yZ4L9J9iYeEwK9pQ8aq6X-E4ofkD56Edv9H4rnmJszRgDOU57pi7moxHe47sQT4lEw/w640-h640/unnamed-2-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><p><i><span style="font-size: large;">Everything you need to know about the 6th Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival January 18-28, 2024</span></i></p><p>January in Chicago isn't all dreary, cold, and grey. Puppet fest is back to put some color and joy into your January. Here at ChiIL Mama and ChiIL Live Shows, we've covered the Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival every year since it's inception. We're elated that they're now an annual fest instead of every other year, and we'll be out to review as much of the fest as possible once again in 2024. Check out the schedule below to save the dates. There'll be plentiful family friendly and adult puppet fun and we'll have the scoop right here. </p><p>Tickets are now on sale for the 6th Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival, the largest of its kind in North America, returning January 18-28, 2024, at venues large and small throughout the city. </p><p>The Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival is the largest event dedicated to the art form in North America. In the heart of winter, the Festival spans 11 days and dozens of Chicago venues, sharing 100+ puppetry activities with 14,000+ guests. The festival includes performances, the Free Neighborhood Tour, a Puppet Hub open throughout the festival on the fourth floor of the Fine Arts Building, a symposium, the Catapult Artist Intensive, workshops, and more. </p><p><b><i>Visit <a href="http://chicagopuppetfest.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">chicagopuppetfest.org</a> for tickets and information about the 6th Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival, and sign up for the festival’s e-news.</i></b></p><p><b><i>Follow the festival on Facebook, Instagram, Vimeo, hashtag #ChiPuppetFest.</i></b></p><p><b><i><br /></i></b></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaRgYmNXha8bp7V9uZIeIHpb5DrmpYxrHjJaTLkTvdqDldfhA8L-obwMeU15VQYRn8vuts5cPqFncJ82uR59tof3G1_VPh0c2S0LbcbricocMGmr-QoGDn5AgXvc7Kr192A-PQmfz8e4wJJfqCqm0mCDrUQHY7RbVLgAOhMBJnDRpWVRqekVlYFx2zFx8/s426/unnamed-6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="426" data-original-width="276" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaRgYmNXha8bp7V9uZIeIHpb5DrmpYxrHjJaTLkTvdqDldfhA8L-obwMeU15VQYRn8vuts5cPqFncJ82uR59tof3G1_VPh0c2S0LbcbricocMGmr-QoGDn5AgXvc7Kr192A-PQmfz8e4wJJfqCqm0mCDrUQHY7RbVLgAOhMBJnDRpWVRqekVlYFx2zFx8/s320/unnamed-6.jpg" width="207" /></a></p><div><br /></div>Bonnie Kenaz-Marahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05141662039871081535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3413066541124683629.post-73729773550164359972024-01-20T12:08:00.378-06:002024-01-26T16:05:09.831-06:00Epic Dystopian Adventure Awaits at The Hip Hopera of SP1N0K10 <p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"> ChiIL Live Shows On Our Radar </span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><b>The Hip Hopera of </b></span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><b>SP1N0K10 </b></span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">by Tarish “Jeghetto” Pipkins </span></i></p><i><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGCQXUjHIAf0Ls8miWaLolOSTR-KnRSxibpbYwzfiC2kilJ4dMLMcEfK9ekEupcDjb3buOqHDui7GOtjnNuGMYnF1pemwXy2CvdoZ7h1hsZnD8yhoMby-zD3fp58c4j6YpAX2NsYLA5UE5HgzW5kIFB4Gnxqz1Xa3-YVW9TZbYYx8jQ5RznW0I4RmhoB-k/s2000/Spinokio_Richard-Termine_6.jpg" style="font-style: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGCQXUjHIAf0Ls8miWaLolOSTR-KnRSxibpbYwzfiC2kilJ4dMLMcEfK9ekEupcDjb3buOqHDui7GOtjnNuGMYnF1pemwXy2CvdoZ7h1hsZnD8yhoMby-zD3fp58c4j6YpAX2NsYLA5UE5HgzW5kIFB4Gnxqz1Xa3-YVW9TZbYYx8jQ5RznW0I4RmhoB-k/w640-h426/Spinokio_Richard-Termine_6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></i><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Presented by eta Creative Arts Foundation and </span></i><i><span style="font-size: medium;">the </span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival</span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;"><i>Ages: 10+ </i></span></b></p><p><i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></p><p><i><span style="font-size: large;">REVIEW:</span></i></p><p><i><span style="font-size: medium;">By Bonnie Kenaz-Mara</span></i></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizPgo_DNW9iXM6-Cjz3t7u_NiGPsLaD0vze4Zre0aDP7mNvOBDLtnI5-oGzD_UN9G3eIvN9UXG5iH8mmRJdOFHoowNICiVV7VVC9p3OMSRq5ozJnQlq6UpwALSQsUF-SJOH9qXAHP8tCK7EJFJfZQ-XDyC08qr1v6kyxyKjuJ2beslmGlVhrqM9LKG_Gc4/s2000/Spinokio_Richard-Termine_9.jpg" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizPgo_DNW9iXM6-Cjz3t7u_NiGPsLaD0vze4Zre0aDP7mNvOBDLtnI5-oGzD_UN9G3eIvN9UXG5iH8mmRJdOFHoowNICiVV7VVC9p3OMSRq5ozJnQlq6UpwALSQsUF-SJOH9qXAHP8tCK7EJFJfZQ-XDyC08qr1v6kyxyKjuJ2beslmGlVhrqM9LKG_Gc4/w640-h640/Spinokio_Richard-Termine_9.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">When I saw that The Hip Hopera of SP1N0K10 (pronounced “Spin-o-kio”) by Tarish Jeghetto Pipkins was going to be part of this year's Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival I prioritized tickets to this one over many other choices with simultaneous openings. I experienced one of Jeghetto's shows, Just Another Lynching (An American Horror Story), at puppet fest back in 2019, and it was such a powerfully moving piece that it's stuck with me ever since.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRhpGuzmnepOjGMdjDe3dMC8hD28cC12sxe3kXqfhOpLwsqUyi3NyF2H5e6uJhF8UGiuR3DF4a8N_awxL8GRZ7U2kZH4ybPWuuNhM10nqn4jQKalMS1E3nhLOpN5rgEvIzP5uNyt8yqL4Umzc5u4tXLzQMjYKs_DGkIO1daYz6HCrkXh84K30hSSXkSeOF/s960/50299944_10157848451237580_5505293151641796608_n.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; font-style: italic; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRhpGuzmnepOjGMdjDe3dMC8hD28cC12sxe3kXqfhOpLwsqUyi3NyF2H5e6uJhF8UGiuR3DF4a8N_awxL8GRZ7U2kZH4ybPWuuNhM10nqn4jQKalMS1E3nhLOpN5rgEvIzP5uNyt8yqL4Umzc5u4tXLzQMjYKs_DGkIO1daYz6HCrkXh84K30hSSXkSeOF/w300-h400/50299944_10157848451237580_5505293151641796608_n.jpg" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLUvmvpkpXuzzKidhL5JR9QkXp3yHRsqOB42PLzXlOAApwCW6dfJqwFJKKkmfS0_gqkTfgF_Jn0S6kN_1UBDMzFX9NeVqr44uLY2QITbKIhvaSAsQ7nS0QkmXJANnldU0wHtBLDGqKCGzUS7YOVJc9cLVVdW4faswLkWw9KcdJIP72fThj2b3u6nUyM6I8/s960/50667364_10157848451347580_5378635300522164224_n.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; font-style: italic; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLUvmvpkpXuzzKidhL5JR9QkXp3yHRsqOB42PLzXlOAApwCW6dfJqwFJKKkmfS0_gqkTfgF_Jn0S6kN_1UBDMzFX9NeVqr44uLY2QITbKIhvaSAsQ7nS0QkmXJANnldU0wHtBLDGqKCGzUS7YOVJc9cLVVdW4faswLkWw9KcdJIP72fThj2b3u6nUyM6I8/w300-h400/50667364_10157848451347580_5378635300522164224_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Photos by Bonnie Kenaz-Mara</i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Tarish Jeghetto Pipkins pictured with one of his sons, </i><i>2019 and with 2 sons 2024</i></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY16jRhjvmAyiqrEYnf8LKfq0cFRX_wvFm9Wo-hBdLGFQPqztxn1Nx6OVw0AgZRnK7dgkghMRFcGM9-nxye1hNfD-L1yg6VWyszBLx6-07PkptmqF0sO0tIw0MfF2WbtSdyyG88KyNl4emXFoZDS6tPl9-EBrPwGWiX9kJqziyl7DOvnHoeMzLCgX-Web5/s2048/421451117_10164177666232580_398943094061904274_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY16jRhjvmAyiqrEYnf8LKfq0cFRX_wvFm9Wo-hBdLGFQPqztxn1Nx6OVw0AgZRnK7dgkghMRFcGM9-nxye1hNfD-L1yg6VWyszBLx6-07PkptmqF0sO0tIw0MfF2WbtSdyyG88KyNl4emXFoZDS6tPl9-EBrPwGWiX9kJqziyl7DOvnHoeMzLCgX-Web5/w300-h400/421451117_10164177666232580_398943094061904274_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNRfJrfNlGbf_x7ZpX7Z0U-uTb0evmSVwMYokPnziCv34ugsR8YHKPGIdUDv_iyUfmx6ybQ2-bXSisoNwz9SQ08RnzZ0-PRXnZcYQFzFUDVZSSaBD266oZXK_oxmmTpw_A-1h45RR9bboFP0SwpG9Plr5GFsw1Sb5cTCy80Ymiiezp22lvUtkQt_xdmIZu/s2048/421466739_10164177666537580_5537762077261757706_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNRfJrfNlGbf_x7ZpX7Z0U-uTb0evmSVwMYokPnziCv34ugsR8YHKPGIdUDv_iyUfmx6ybQ2-bXSisoNwz9SQ08RnzZ0-PRXnZcYQFzFUDVZSSaBD266oZXK_oxmmTpw_A-1h45RR9bboFP0SwpG9Plr5GFsw1Sb5cTCy80Ymiiezp22lvUtkQt_xdmIZu/w400-h300/421466739_10164177666537580_5537762077261757706_n.jpg" width="400" /></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNRfJrfNlGbf_x7ZpX7Z0U-uTb0evmSVwMYokPnziCv34ugsR8YHKPGIdUDv_iyUfmx6ybQ2-bXSisoNwz9SQ08RnzZ0-PRXnZcYQFzFUDVZSSaBD266oZXK_oxmmTpw_A-1h45RR9bboFP0SwpG9Plr5GFsw1Sb5cTCy80Ymiiezp22lvUtkQt_xdmIZu/s2048/421466739_10164177666537580_5537762077261757706_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">This time around, the subject matter is more graphic novel than graphic American history, and well worth the trek to 79th street on the south side. It was truly a pleasure to catch this real life black Geppettos' latest sci-fi epic, </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">SP1N0K10, </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">with two of his sons as fellow puppeteers! </span></div></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Despite some opening night technical difficulties, this dystopian hero's story is lots of fun. SP1N0K10 features an impressive array of intricate puppets, projection screens, music, and sound cues that enhance the plot. </span></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikrg7NEhtb5Cd65mI3A4GLRq8K72d1wwSDNf6efCkddbMan8-ly3q97yoKPsJESXP4kN43yHq2PKOtiVFF4dqGB8vt2CSv2ONcTGSKC-pDMF1qgfhVLu_23znSi2e0DMHQkCdP03d2BhSu6HvrfmQ7ZIaRMfwxyiVIg9o84p2IUTZW4XQwk3kJnn5R6LJE/s1118/Spinokio_16.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="984" data-original-width="1118" height="564" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikrg7NEhtb5Cd65mI3A4GLRq8K72d1wwSDNf6efCkddbMan8-ly3q97yoKPsJESXP4kN43yHq2PKOtiVFF4dqGB8vt2CSv2ONcTGSKC-pDMF1qgfhVLu_23znSi2e0DMHQkCdP03d2BhSu6HvrfmQ7ZIaRMfwxyiVIg9o84p2IUTZW4XQwk3kJnn5R6LJE/w640-h564/Spinokio_16.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Tarish Jeghetto Pipkins' puppets aren't his only mini me's. He's a proud father of 5 children, and so far at least several are embracing his love for creating intricate puppets and shows across genres. He's made short puppet films and is working toward a longer feature film as well as turning this original show into a graphic novel adaptation. SP1N0K10 is Highly recommended. </span></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY8bwM8RL17JUXfg2TBvL04-Ba53YIuL9jxqqPx12lhEzEBuI4Y_VpMYB0a2uTKgrv3ovhVc7cxeOm5L4RnmMGNy7p1iuEDtf6YY6bZebBrQp3xq8LG0HDQc-8z4Sar1EIWZ__qxf9fA57GY2cALdjRUDDcm6m5HF9-aD16Nltgj8qcXrbbSdgeIQ_S275/s2000/Spinokio_Richard-Termine_7.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY8bwM8RL17JUXfg2TBvL04-Ba53YIuL9jxqqPx12lhEzEBuI4Y_VpMYB0a2uTKgrv3ovhVc7cxeOm5L4RnmMGNy7p1iuEDtf6YY6bZebBrQp3xq8LG0HDQc-8z4Sar1EIWZ__qxf9fA57GY2cALdjRUDDcm6m5HF9-aD16Nltgj8qcXrbbSdgeIQ_S275/w640-h640/Spinokio_Richard-Termine_7.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgijjNg8gkQOH-lDNRE_oJnvSjWZUKoMGM7IfR5wKipEeJc-YokPdw_JsE4nrdQkf_3Zg89TXKFnIAdrFYwaLiKNUG9xm4WJUwYX0je1bdNrTyuWPtK0V4uTevrZ80IF5P_OAOdAbsd3h-Sbki7dM80HL9Asi8A_u_Tjsw7Zo3j66Y_ZOG6uSIrJSZGAD7w/s1532/Spinokio_13.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1253" data-original-width="1532" height="524" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgijjNg8gkQOH-lDNRE_oJnvSjWZUKoMGM7IfR5wKipEeJc-YokPdw_JsE4nrdQkf_3Zg89TXKFnIAdrFYwaLiKNUG9xm4WJUwYX0je1bdNrTyuWPtK0V4uTevrZ80IF5P_OAOdAbsd3h-Sbki7dM80HL9Asi8A_u_Tjsw7Zo3j66Y_ZOG6uSIrJSZGAD7w/w640-h524/Spinokio_13.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><a href="https://www.chiilmama.com/2023/11/save-dates-6th-chicago-international.html"><i>Full Puppet Fest Schedule, including video clips of the productions HERE.</i></a></b></span></p><div><i><b>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). </b></i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9C4tzWkZvWuB0mWRCcZUn7RfxBgfVL8KRbWP6YwoO8VwubtNtRJWmeh2_Kba4pGZDo9Prw0dANGN9SwBVUWVxmeIJwyGtSYnzL0Kwn-OHbSBqg50Kwk1oqqSYDVwIPhg4bX3yK-Dm7XcKrA0oaQFqMrjlzWmTd2CLjSYJKcUUpvNPFHDiyryMY3mF4sRK/s2000/Spinokio_Richard-Termine_12-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9C4tzWkZvWuB0mWRCcZUn7RfxBgfVL8KRbWP6YwoO8VwubtNtRJWmeh2_Kba4pGZDo9Prw0dANGN9SwBVUWVxmeIJwyGtSYnzL0Kwn-OHbSBqg50Kwk1oqqSYDVwIPhg4bX3yK-Dm7XcKrA0oaQFqMrjlzWmTd2CLjSYJKcUUpvNPFHDiyryMY3mF4sRK/w640-h426/Spinokio_Richard-Termine_12-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><b>The Hip Hopera of SP1N0K10</b></p><p><b>Tarish “Jeghetto” Pipkins </b></p><p><b>North Carolina</b></p><p><b>Presented by eta Creative Arts Foundation and the Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival</b></p><p><b>At eta Creative Arts Foundation, 7558 S. South Chicago Ave., Grand Crossing</b></p><p><b>January 19-21</b></p><p><b>Four shows: Friday, January 19 at 7 p.m.; Saturday, January 20 at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.; Sunday, January 21 at 1 p.m.</b></p><p><b>45 minutes</b></p><p><b>10 and up</b></p><p><b>Tickets: $20-$30</b></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi03qsQXdpzLpJRJoOA07l3L9z-lQ_HNUVYCrfrzH-4dpl_mMn43EtfuEa3cBmFDJxsLloirVUabejS1wJuVJJlRYluRYnQJXioNVh71T4rjOk0R6OCz_l6Fa0B0n4JaNGeMPcMSodqddnqpwV3w3RGa0EIRD_LOwNdTlRV97wXqbrWOM29lIA36-J6U6lk/s2000/Spinokio_Richard-Termine_8.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="2000" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi03qsQXdpzLpJRJoOA07l3L9z-lQ_HNUVYCrfrzH-4dpl_mMn43EtfuEa3cBmFDJxsLloirVUabejS1wJuVJJlRYluRYnQJXioNVh71T4rjOk0R6OCz_l6Fa0B0n4JaNGeMPcMSodqddnqpwV3w3RGa0EIRD_LOwNdTlRV97wXqbrWOM29lIA36-J6U6lk/w640-h512/Spinokio_Richard-Termine_8.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><p>Set in an Afro-futuristic post-apocalyptic realm, The Hip Hopera of SP1N0K10 (pronounced "Spin-oh-kio") is a science fiction tale about an android who wants to be a real B-Boy. It’s co-written by Pierce Freelon and Tarish "Jeghetto" Pipkins, and performed with Tarish’s two sons, Divine and Tarin. Featuring an original score by hip-hop producer Hir-O, video, and emceeing, Jeghetto’s magical plywood marionettes share his "artivism" as the title character encounters racism, oppression and police brutality on their path toward a better future. </p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr8q0xm9EtfMeThiRlnhIxB6BczVYhug__oB-gp7wRifdJAwmiTa0OxYtAXMVaLuh8jkIM-wA9d8lcx8ClKIbmxVSVulAIFySZ-ALUlak7bIlo2Go5JFtfg86MvnJvqSJXsGCZYEEHQMj5FkIIsjL2PQg6ZJR047t93k3sTPaIT1DTDUZtSMp65gPboxlV/s2000/Spinokio_Richard-Termine_5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr8q0xm9EtfMeThiRlnhIxB6BczVYhug__oB-gp7wRifdJAwmiTa0OxYtAXMVaLuh8jkIM-wA9d8lcx8ClKIbmxVSVulAIFySZ-ALUlak7bIlo2Go5JFtfg86MvnJvqSJXsGCZYEEHQMj5FkIIsjL2PQg6ZJR047t93k3sTPaIT1DTDUZtSMp65gPboxlV/w640-h426/Spinokio_Richard-Termine_5.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVG8QhHnkRU_8wShmb6sEL6Pe9K9nZ0ATM9pMEYeA65NgkZaEdqtcLXSRM5_HPxqjXW6ecPS5nZhCBuqRijt19jpOfZriFMUsdZyBuQi0FjJFD6Qra6mmQu_NnVO6LYnN424fQmRBB9_tNaj-1zSnIuZ3lEc8i2npQmmeLT1g4McAQrzs_z161MrQBkBd3/s2000/Spinokio_Richard-Termine_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVG8QhHnkRU_8wShmb6sEL6Pe9K9nZ0ATM9pMEYeA65NgkZaEdqtcLXSRM5_HPxqjXW6ecPS5nZhCBuqRijt19jpOfZriFMUsdZyBuQi0FjJFD6Qra6mmQu_NnVO6LYnN424fQmRBB9_tNaj-1zSnIuZ3lEc8i2npQmmeLT1g4McAQrzs_z161MrQBkBd3/w640-h426/Spinokio_Richard-Termine_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><p>Tarish "Jeghetto" Pipkins was born in a small steel mill town called Clairton, PA. He is a self taught artist and has been creating art from a very young age. As a teenager, he moved to the East Side of Pittsburgh and graduated from Taylor Allderdice High School. In the late 90’s, Pipkins joined the BridgeSpotters Collective and became known for his live paintings and poetry. He was also a barber for over 20 years. He moved to North Carolina in 2005 where he launched his career in puppetry doing street performances with his puppets. In 2008 he started working with Paperhand Puppet Intervention, building puppets and performing in Paperhand productions. Jeghetto had the pleasure to work with Missy Elliott on her music video, “WTF (Where They From),” controlling the Pharell puppet and doing some puppet building. He also worked on the Amazon Echo commercial featuring Missy Elliott and Alec Baldwin as puppets. Pipkins is a former teacher at Just Right Academy, a private alternative school for children with special needs. He is married and a proud father of five children.<b> <a href="https://jeghetto.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">jeghetto.com </a></b></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUTprdUKKER7snNImttxXegYRPsuGZlhXEY5cTtjlM2vzljO1BSQxsPWtfHTw8v2aYaoPb0r12YmLEMIgjcOgAt3V-VJ8cfJUtgswHRmW1YLTIx1PqMF4j97GH5yZ4L9J9iYeEwK9pQ8aq6X-E4ofkD56Edv9H4rnmJszRgDOU57pi7moxHe47sQT4lEw/s640/unnamed-2-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUTprdUKKER7snNImttxXegYRPsuGZlhXEY5cTtjlM2vzljO1BSQxsPWtfHTw8v2aYaoPb0r12YmLEMIgjcOgAt3V-VJ8cfJUtgswHRmW1YLTIx1PqMF4j97GH5yZ4L9J9iYeEwK9pQ8aq6X-E4ofkD56Edv9H4rnmJszRgDOU57pi7moxHe47sQT4lEw/w640-h640/unnamed-2-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><p><i><span style="font-size: large;">Everything you need to know about the 6th Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival January 18-28, 2024</span></i></p><p>January in Chicago isn't all dreary, cold, and grey. Puppet fest is back to put some color and joy into your January. Here at ChiIL Mama and ChiIL Live Shows, we've covered the Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival every year since it's inception. We're elated that they're now an annual fest instead of every other year, and we'll be out to review as much of the fest as possible once again in 2024. Check out the schedule below to save the dates. There'll be plentiful family friendly and adult puppet fun and we'll have the scoop right here. </p><p>Tickets are now on sale for the 6th Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival, the largest of its kind in North America, returning January 18-28, 2024, at venues large and small throughout the city. </p><p>The Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival is the largest event dedicated to the art form in North America. In the heart of winter, the Festival spans 11 days and dozens of Chicago venues, sharing 100+ puppetry activities with 14,000+ guests. The festival includes performances, the Free Neighborhood Tour, a Puppet Hub open throughout the festival on the fourth floor of the Fine Arts Building, a symposium, the Catapult Artist Intensive, workshops, and more. </p><p><b><i>Visit <a href="http://chicagopuppetfest.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">chicagopuppetfest.org</a> for tickets and information about the 6th Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival, and sign up for the festival’s e-news.</i></b></p><p><b><i>Follow the festival on Facebook, Instagram, Vimeo, hashtag #ChiPuppetFest.</i></b></p><p><b><i><br /></i></b></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaRgYmNXha8bp7V9uZIeIHpb5DrmpYxrHjJaTLkTvdqDldfhA8L-obwMeU15VQYRn8vuts5cPqFncJ82uR59tof3G1_VPh0c2S0LbcbricocMGmr-QoGDn5AgXvc7Kr192A-PQmfz8e4wJJfqCqm0mCDrUQHY7RbVLgAOhMBJnDRpWVRqekVlYFx2zFx8/s426/unnamed-6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="426" data-original-width="276" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaRgYmNXha8bp7V9uZIeIHpb5DrmpYxrHjJaTLkTvdqDldfhA8L-obwMeU15VQYRn8vuts5cPqFncJ82uR59tof3G1_VPh0c2S0LbcbricocMGmr-QoGDn5AgXvc7Kr192A-PQmfz8e4wJJfqCqm0mCDrUQHY7RbVLgAOhMBJnDRpWVRqekVlYFx2zFx8/s320/unnamed-6.jpg" width="207" /></a></p><div><br /></div>Bonnie Kenaz-Marahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05141662039871081535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3413066541124683629.post-67371590327339313872024-01-15T16:26:00.051-06:002024-01-26T16:47:24.941-06:00The 81st Annual Dolphin Show at Northwestern University is Kinky Boots the Musical January 19-27, 2024<p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b> The Dolphin Show</b></span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AMERICA’S LARGEST STUDENT PRODUCED MUSICAL PRESENTS…</b></span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">KINKY BOOTS THE MUSICAL</span></b></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">WINNER OF 6 TONY AWARDS INCLUDING BEST MUSICAL!</span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7SIPwRDZhA_iZMiFB07LIDSKwpUO9jH7d2vWBVY6qI-dMoBnEw-O5U6pOGUnyaQVlccMczRPBdwvJ8_iQJ0MQ4-kJA6dwosDiqxbwBHVusfpm6-9GWnqasLUYqE7BBqWoY2KA2g0z3mpd2nLfHAL3yrmlnaaxM0iMXIlu-UFN3lZh5hpwi8HtUEaq0BYs/s2500/catalyzer++(2)-min.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="2500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7SIPwRDZhA_iZMiFB07LIDSKwpUO9jH7d2vWBVY6qI-dMoBnEw-O5U6pOGUnyaQVlccMczRPBdwvJ8_iQJ0MQ4-kJA6dwosDiqxbwBHVusfpm6-9GWnqasLUYqE7BBqWoY2KA2g0z3mpd2nLfHAL3yrmlnaaxM0iMXIlu-UFN3lZh5hpwi8HtUEaq0BYs/w640-h320/catalyzer++(2)-min.png" width="640" /></a></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">With Book by Harvey Fierstein and Music & Lyrics by Cyndi Lauper</span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;"><i><b>Recommended for Ages 10+</b></i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis9mUArrYtjGUbwNitKwzu6ZzReWLq88rLhQ6Lw0tMRA6qlinlq8FganOnYvh4wn_6dJ73KwknFWBDJqz-vfO7l15MgZlLY1SFwbxNrWQmxz0GGC2BiOxsc_2MWJx8sZmBvXOAM49XryTMpkaHXTZpP5s1HaEHhSJxFNXOzhXo0VJTIRNCF3TusMGlxrRu/s2500/DS2024-53.jpg" style="font-style: italic; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1667" data-original-width="2500" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis9mUArrYtjGUbwNitKwzu6ZzReWLq88rLhQ6Lw0tMRA6qlinlq8FganOnYvh4wn_6dJ73KwknFWBDJqz-vfO7l15MgZlLY1SFwbxNrWQmxz0GGC2BiOxsc_2MWJx8sZmBvXOAM49XryTMpkaHXTZpP5s1HaEHhSJxFNXOzhXo0VJTIRNCF3TusMGlxrRu/w640-h426/DS2024-53.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">We're thrilled to announce that The 81st Annual Dolphin Show is gearing up to bring you an electrifying performance of Kinky Boots the Musical! </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Get ready to be dazzled by this spectacular show filled with fabulous music, incredible designs, sensational choreography, and a heartwarming story that will leave you cheering for more. Our team of over 150 students cannot wait to bring this relevant and powerful narrative to Northwestern’s campus and continue our educational workshops, community outreach efforts, and more. Whether you're a fan of musical theater or just looking for a night of pure entertainment, this is an event you won't want to miss. Save the date and join us for a night of unforgettable entertainment that's sure to knock your boots off!</span></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6yJtZM2d0p2hDpuVWe_YlrrTN1HfZ-Akk3Ql_sGv8CVuazXXd0lQeRx1BO0w1gHTED0kx0VxlFWJq2OheCVrqahwiKbty69Lc4K3cLDkaHBLj3kxHEvUgOnDskryXC1mWyJSef-Cev9c4zm__7tCsRwmn3Ykk3KpEPFBmL1U205yH1oNHarOm5Wo99AFC/s2500/DS2024-22.jpg" style="font-style: italic; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1667" data-original-width="2500" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6yJtZM2d0p2hDpuVWe_YlrrTN1HfZ-Akk3Ql_sGv8CVuazXXd0lQeRx1BO0w1gHTED0kx0VxlFWJq2OheCVrqahwiKbty69Lc4K3cLDkaHBLj3kxHEvUgOnDskryXC1mWyJSef-Cev9c4zm__7tCsRwmn3Ykk3KpEPFBmL1U205yH1oNHarOm5Wo99AFC/w640-h426/DS2024-22.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><p><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.nudolphinshow.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">GET TICKETS NOW</a></span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Tickets can be purchased online from Northwestern Box Office or in person at the Norris University Center front desk at 1999 Campus Drive, Evanston, IL 60201.</span></p><p><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">How do I access my tickets?</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Tickets will be emailed to you after you make a purchase. Please present this PDF either on your screen or printed out when entering the theatre. Make sure to pull up the QR code.</span></p><p><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">What age is the show recommended for?</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Kinky Boots is officially recommended for children ages 10 and older, but children younger than 10 may be suited for the production based on maturity levels and parental involvement. For more information, please visit our parent guide here.</span></p><p><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">Are there special discounts available for tickets?</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Northwestern Students can access $10 tickets to performances by logging in with their Northwestern email. Limit 2 tickets per performance.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Northwestern Faculty can access $20 tickets to performances by logging in with their Northwestern email. Limit 2 tickets per performance.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Children under age 18 can access $10 tickets by applying the code TDSstudent10 at checkout. Limit 2 tickets per order.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Seniors over age 65 can access $20 tickets by applying the code TDSsenior20 at checkout. Limit 2 tickets per order. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">How can I bring a group to see Kinky Boots?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Group tickets are available for purchase for all performances. Orders with 10 or more tickets will receive a 10% discount on the order. If you are interested in group booking, please reach out to sales@nudolphinshow.org for booking assistance. Group tickets can only be paid for via check (made out to “Northwestern University” with the memo line “Dolphin Show - Group Tix”) or in person with a credit card at the Norris Center front desk.</span></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiijF7Xz0YSACVDSBFhinKtM5acK5SFsEccdLzbU3MjWOY_YZE58UAHaCfF8b7b0DzI6excJy7gc7zmIe1W5UV1R8nuIkLsqkpoAW2MltKmwF-la-ClA8lmcweEYT8wTfYRl2ZIxmZ13Z7kYImbDDLvQhCduxLMEOGSPGS2_X5psrICrIPiFQLVgnskCrZH/s2278/PAY+WHAT+U+CAN.png" style="font-style: italic; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="914" data-original-width="2278" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiijF7Xz0YSACVDSBFhinKtM5acK5SFsEccdLzbU3MjWOY_YZE58UAHaCfF8b7b0DzI6excJy7gc7zmIe1W5UV1R8nuIkLsqkpoAW2MltKmwF-la-ClA8lmcweEYT8wTfYRl2ZIxmZ13Z7kYImbDDLvQhCduxLMEOGSPGS2_X5psrICrIPiFQLVgnskCrZH/w640-h256/PAY+WHAT+U+CAN.png" width="640" /></a></p><p><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">What if purchasing tickets is a financial burden for me, as a Northwestern student?</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">The 81st Annual Dolphin Show has partnered with The Student Activities Assistance Fund to offer “pay what you can tickets” to financially support students in attending our upcoming production of Kinky Boots The Musical.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Tickets for undergraduate and graduate Northwestern students are $10. If this is a financial burden, please email sales@nudolphinshow.org to access pay what you can tickets, where you will have the option to pay as little as $0.</span></p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnnZlCT4obVcgNnRGtkD6olQGsBDHRPaoV58O0hB7WgmDKi09gokbMZvYpfwzBeVNx6SEMZxnnIeONLyCWF5suYSXwKUKa6iYNrGqDxXAWWxOaFjOqVMaruHp0ZO-Ghh5JFzcmpRdoN9OV-RkR5P0gwq08qJ6gAe3WQ2hBqAhp7tvW-rRnQQCaDqowo9st/s572/Screen%20Shot%202024-01-26%20at%204.19.25%20PM.png" style="font-style: italic; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="306" data-original-width="572" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnnZlCT4obVcgNnRGtkD6olQGsBDHRPaoV58O0hB7WgmDKi09gokbMZvYpfwzBeVNx6SEMZxnnIeONLyCWF5suYSXwKUKa6iYNrGqDxXAWWxOaFjOqVMaruHp0ZO-Ghh5JFzcmpRdoN9OV-RkR5P0gwq08qJ6gAe3WQ2hBqAhp7tvW-rRnQQCaDqowo9st/s320/Screen%20Shot%202024-01-26%20at%204.19.25%20PM.png" width="320" /></a></p><p><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">What is the Dolphin Show?</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Dolphin Show at Northwestern University is a non-profit student theatre organization that annually produces the largest student-produced musical in the country. It celebrates the diverse talents of the Northwestern undergraduate community by providing opportunities to learn and excel in all artistic and administrative fields. Every year, The Dolphin Show presents a professional-caliber production led by over 150 undergraduate students. Learn more about Dolphin’s mission on our About page.</span></p><p><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">Where did the Dolphin Show get its name?</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Dolphin Show was named after the Dolphin Swim Club, the Northwestern swim team who presented the first annual Dolphin Show in the Northwestern swimming pool as a fundraiser for their team to travel to competitions. Visit our About page for Dolphin Show’s full history. </span></p><p><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">Who can get involved with The Dolphin Show?</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Northwestern University undergraduate students of all backgrounds, majors, and experience levels are welcome to work on the Dolphin Show. Students can work on the production in many capacities, including on the business team, the artistic team, the production team, in the cast, or in the orchestra. Dolphin Show’s annual productions are open to the public. </span></p><p><b><i><a href="https://www.nudolphinshow.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Click here for </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">information,</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">show photos, tickets and more. </span></a></i></b></p>Bonnie Kenaz-Marahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05141662039871081535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3413066541124683629.post-11922972271873552602024-01-11T12:28:00.003-06:002024-01-11T12:42:00.529-06:00 The Morton Arboretum Center for Tree Science Names New Director<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="text-align: left;">The Morton Arboretum Soil Ecologist Meghan Midgley, Ph.D., has been named director of the tree-focused botanical garden’s renowned Center for Tree Science.</span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfhvcx5jTK7rbuAodwMcWo9yIBiZJy0gGTbzMOAWNoQH3xqmYFsLAkr7HiW2Sds2JLTeAJ7L3bz8Cor9AWZgZUozND8C317-GOxbwA5J7vLNHWWxiceF1ZfYbGxS9aWreN3SzrevlYUv__BGC9PN_WDwbdR2n5Xgo9ozp8hJrz9U8a2CixNZFm4807dfij/s7070/Meghan_Midgley.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5252" data-original-width="7070" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfhvcx5jTK7rbuAodwMcWo9yIBiZJy0gGTbzMOAWNoQH3xqmYFsLAkr7HiW2Sds2JLTeAJ7L3bz8Cor9AWZgZUozND8C317-GOxbwA5J7vLNHWWxiceF1ZfYbGxS9aWreN3SzrevlYUv__BGC9PN_WDwbdR2n5Xgo9ozp8hJrz9U8a2CixNZFm4807dfij/w640-h476/Meghan_Midgley.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Here at ChiIL Mama we're huge fans of the Morton Arboretum. It's an amazing resource for the Chicago region and beyond. We also love science. If our world and it's people are going to survive there are a few things we need more of, and healthy trees and smart women top the list! Kudos to <span style="text-align: center;"><span><span style="text-align: left;">Meghan Midgley, Ph.D., for the promotion, for </span></span></span>being an inspiration to girls who want to advance in scientific fields, and for working toward a sustainable future for our one and only planet's trees, plants, and soil. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The research hub includes over 30 Arboretum scientists who collaborate with colleagues around the world, contributing scientific knowledge and technical expertise to secure the future of trees.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Midgley stepped into the position on Dec. 23, 2023, having been an integral Center for Tree Science team member since its 2015 inception. She will continue leading the Arboretum’s Soil Ecology Laboratory, which she has spearheaded for the past eight years. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Midgley succeeds Chuck Cannon, Ph.D., who established and expanded the scope of the center. He passed the reins to focus on his many ecological evolution research projects and associated networks through his new role as the Arboretum’s Senior Scientist in Ecological Evolution. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">During her time at the Arboretum, Midgley has built a thriving research team, secured substantial external funding from both federal and private funders for her innovative and multidisciplinary research projects, and dedicated substantial time to mentoring and outreach. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">“Meghan is a strong and active ambassador for the Center for Tree Science and has contributed significantly to setting its strategy,” noted Murphy Westwood, Ph.D., the Arboretum’s Vice President of Science and Conservation. “She embodies the values of inclusivity, learning and collaboration. Meghan possesses the scientific expertise, leadership skills and strategic thinking abilities necessary to lead the center.”</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Through the Arboretum’s Soil Ecology Laboratory, Midgley studies how environmental changes and human activities impact interactions among plants, microbes and soil. In 2022, Midgley won a Walder Foundation Biota Award, which recognizes promising scientists conducting research that supports real-world applications, for brush pile burn research.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">“Meghan has established a robust soil research program and led collaborative research projects to expand our understanding of trees and how to sustain them,” Cannon said. “Her leadership will enable this esteemed team of scientists, research staff, students and volunteers to meet our scientific, training and outreach goals to help trees and people flourish.”</span></p><p><i>About The Morton Arboretum</i></p><p><i>The Morton Arboretum is a world-renowned leader in tree science and research. Its 1,700 acre site cares for 222,000 tree and plant specimens, representing 4,650 taxa from 40 countries. The Arboretum’s Center for Tree Science collaborates with researchers around the world, contributing scientific knowledge and technical experience to secure the future of trees. The Arboretum’s Global Tree Conservation Program leverages the expertise of the botanical garden community to protect and restore vulnerable and threatened trees. Its new Center for Species Survival: Trees, is the only tree-focused center designated by the Species Survival Commission (SSC) of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the world’s largest conservation organization. Additional information about the Arboretum’s scientific work and how it contributes to a greener, healthier world for future generations can be found at <b><a href="http://mortonarb.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">mortonarb.org</a></b>.</i></p><p><br /></p>Bonnie Kenaz-Marahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05141662039871081535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3413066541124683629.post-69527558194782109482024-01-11T11:21:00.001-06:002024-01-11T11:21:16.735-06:00 Casting Announced for Drury Lane Theatre’s production of Fiddler on the Roof January 24 – March 24, 2024<p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="text-align: left;">ChiIL Mama’s ChiIL Picks List: Family Friendly Shows On Our Radar</span> </span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Casting Announced for Drury Lane Theatre’s production of</span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Fiddler on the Roof</span></b></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><b></b></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrfx1rEfOTiMb0oPIdcCktor0f5XgNBADCMeLSeWenBhGtbN4qhte7_iehZt6DmVyz7FEMfaVGY_TiwHwGrOj3bpm6cr-JlVVYPBGDbxDB5obkOsMze7JBfnyjdUvkG7ZtQoaIHhUbUluWHiUL_Rxu6amxCuubRnUyd-l8nQ3rSmRf4iInQEhjHbGQ_WSO/s4928/Fiddler%20Art%20Main.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4928" data-original-width="3712" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrfx1rEfOTiMb0oPIdcCktor0f5XgNBADCMeLSeWenBhGtbN4qhte7_iehZt6DmVyz7FEMfaVGY_TiwHwGrOj3bpm6cr-JlVVYPBGDbxDB5obkOsMze7JBfnyjdUvkG7ZtQoaIHhUbUluWHiUL_Rxu6amxCuubRnUyd-l8nQ3rSmRf4iInQEhjHbGQ_WSO/w482-h640/Fiddler%20Art%20Main.jpg" width="482" /></a></b></i></div><i><span style="font-size: large;"><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Directed by Elizabeth Margolius</span></i></p></span></i><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">January 24 – March 24, 2024</span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Fiddler on the Roof is rated G.</span></i></b></p><p>I was in Fiddler on the Roof my senior year in high school in Cincinnati. Two states away and 30+ years later, my daughter was in an elementary school Fiddler on the Roof production here in Chicago, with the Jewish sons of the sister of two of my cast mates! We're all still friends today. This musical will always hold a special place in our hearts and I can't wait to see Drury Lane Theatre's take on this classic. As wars over religious and cultural differences continue to rage world wide, even in the Ukrainian/Russian cities where this show is set, this production couldn't be a more timely or timeless reminder of our collective humanity. </p><p>Drury Lane Theatre is pleased to announce casting for its final show of the 2023/2024 season, the beloved Fiddler on the Roof. The cast of Fiddler on the Roof includes Mark David Kaplan (Tevye), Janna Cardia (Golde), Emma Rosenthal (Tzeitel), Yael Chanukov (Hodel), Abby Goldberg (Chava), Lea Grace Biwer (Schprintze), Estella Mccarthy Schultz (Bielke), Michael Kurowski (Motel), Zach Sorrow (Perchik), Grant Kilian (Fyedka), Molly Dibble (Alternate Schprintze/Bielke), Janet Ulrich Brooks (Yenta), Joel Gelman (Lazar Wolf), Jeff Parker (Constable), with Dara Cameron (Fruma-Sarah), Thom Cox (Nachum/Yussel), Bill Mcgough (Rabbi), Karl Hamilton (Mordcha), Susan Hofflander (Grandma Tzeitel), Nathan Kabara (Avram), Sam Shankman (Mendel). Rounding out the ensemble are Mack Alexander, Jenessa Altvater, Jessica Deahr, Daniel Hurst, Dani Johns, Will Leonard, Jordan Radis, Elizabeth Romero, Jacob Simon, Mitzi Smith, and Jodi Snyder.</p><p>"Now more than ever, Fiddler on the Roof speaks to the universal desire to protect our beliefs and traditions while the ground continually shifts beneath us,” comments director Elizabeth Margolius. “This new, evocative approach to Fiddler on the Roof puts the focus on the people in hopes of illuminating this story as never before and inspiring us to question who we are and what we will leave behind for future generations.” </p><p>Fiddler on the Roof is directed by Elizabeth Margolius with music direction by Chris Sargent and choreography by Rommy Sandhu. The creative team also includes Jack McGaw (scenic design), Linda Roethke (costume design), Jason Lynch (lighting design), Ray Nardelli (sound design), Mike Tutaj (projection design), Cassy Schillo (properties design) and Larry Baker (production stage manager). The associate director is Daren Leonard and the associate choreographer is John Michael Coppola.</p><p>The Tony Award-winning musical masterpiece features music by Jerry Bock, book by Joseph Stein, and lyrics by Sheldon Harnick. Fiddler on the Roof was originally produced for the New York stage by Harold Prince and directed and choreographed by Jerome Robbins. Fiddler on the Roof runs January 24 – March 24, 2024, at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace. I'll be out for the press opening February 1st, so check back shortly after for my full review. </p><p>Tickets are available online at <b><a href="http://drurylanetheatre.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">drurylanetheatre.com</a></b> or by phone at (630) 530-0111.</p><p>Music by: Jerry Bock</p><p>Book by: Joseph Stein</p><p>Lyrics by: Sheldon Harnick</p><p>Directed by: Elizabeth Margolius </p><p>Cast: Mark David Kaplan (Tevye), Janna Cardia (Golde), Emma Rosenthal (Tzeitel), Yael Chanukov (Hodel), Abby Goldberg (Chava), Lea Grace Biwer (Schprintze), Estella Mccarthy Schultz (Bielke), Michael Kurowski (Motel), Zach Sorrow (Perchik), Grant Kilian (Fyedka), Molly Dibble (Alternate Schprintze/Bielke), Janet Ulrich Brooks (Yenta), Joel Gelman (Lazar Wolf), Jeff Parker (Constable), with Dara Cameron (Fruma-Sarah), Thom Cox (Nachum/Yussel), Bill Mcgough (Rabbi), Karl Hamilton (Mordcha), Susan Hofflander (Grandma Tzeitel), Nathan Kabara (Avram), Sam Shankman (Mendel). Rounding out the ensemble are Mack Alexander, Jenessa Altvater, Jessica Deahr, Daniel Hurst, Dani Johns, Will Leonard, Jordan Radis, Elizabeth Romero, Jacob Simon, Mitzi Smith, and Jodi Snyder. </p><p>Creative Team: Chris Sargent (music direction), Rommy Sandhu (choreography), Jack McGaw (scenic design), Linda Roethke (costume design), Jason Lynch (lighting design), Ray Nardelli (sound design), Mike Tutaj (projection design), Cassy Schillo (properties design), Larry Baker (production stage manager), Daren Leonard (associate director) and John Michael Coppola (associate choreographer).</p><p> </p><p>Dates: January 24 – March 24, 2024</p><p>Press Opening: Thursday, February 1, 2024 at 7:00 p.m.</p><p> </p><p>Schedule: </p><p>Wednesdays and Thursdays: 1:30 p.m.</p><p>Thursdays: 7:00 p.m.</p><p>Fridays: 7:00 p.m.</p><p>Saturdays: 3:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.</p><p>Sundays: 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.</p><p> </p><p>Location: Drury Lane Theatre at 100 Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace</p><p><br /></p><p>Tickets: Single Tickets: $85.75 – $96.25*</p><p>Wednesday and Thursday matinees: $85.75*</p><p>Fridays, Saturdays, and Sunday matinees: $96.25*</p><p>Thursday and Sunday evenings: $91*</p><p>*Prices include taxes and fees</p><p>$5 discount available for Senior Citizens on Wednesday and Thursday matinees</p><p>Group discounts available to groups of 15 or more</p><p>Dining and show packages available</p><p><br /></p><p>Box Office: 100 Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace; (630) 530-0111</p><p>Monday through Sunday from 10am to 5pm</p><p><b><a href="http://drurylanetheatre.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">drurylanetheatre.com</a></b></p><p>2024/2025 Season and Subscription Information</p><p>Following Fiddler on the Roof, Drury Lane launches its 2024/2025 season - its brightest season yet with stories that will captivate and inspire audiences. The 2024/2025 season includes the professional return of the musical comedy Guys and Dolls (April 10 – June 9, 2024); Ain’t Misbehavin’ (June 26 – August 18, 2024), celebrating the music of Fats Waller; the masterful intimate portrait of Queen Elizabeth II The Audience (August 28 – October 20, 2024); the enchanting and heartwarming Disney’s The Little Mermaid (November 6, 2024 – January 12, 2025); and the inspiring true story Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (January 29, 2025 – March 30, 2025).</p><p>Drury Lane Theatre’s performance schedule for the 2024/2025 season is as follows: Wednesdays at 1:30pm, Thursdays at 1:30pm and 7pm, Fridays at 7 pm, Saturdays at 3 pm and 8 pm, and Sundays at 2pm and 6 pm.</p><p>Lock in your seats for a season of spectacular theatre—subscribe today! Subscriptions are now on sale with packages starting at $224 - over 50% savings compared to single ticket prices. This includes priority theatre seating and great dining discounts at Lucille Restaurant and The Lounge, exclusive presale opportunities, and much more. For more information, visit <b><a href="http://drurylanetheatre.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">drurylanetheatre.com</a></b>.</p><p>Group tickets start at $50.05 and Student group tickets start at just $35.35. To book a group of 15 people or more, call Group Services at 630-570-7272 or email Groups@DruryLane.com.</p><p>Excellence isn’t limited to the stage at Drury Lane! Before or after the show, theatergoers can indulge in delicious onsite dining at Lucille Restaurant featuring seasonal pre-fixe menus and an elevated atmosphere to complete their experience. Exclusive to subscribers is a pre-paid dining subscription at Lucille. Boasting over a century of collective expertise in hospitality, the dedicated team ensures that you will be cared for with freshly prepared meals, handcrafted cocktails, and exceptional service. At Drury Lane, everything is in one place, so you will never be late for your performance.</p><p> </p><p><i>About Drury Lane Theatre </i></p><p><i>Built from scratch. Built in Oakbrook. Built for you. </i></p><p><i>Founded by Anthony DeSantis over 70 years ago, Drury Lane remains a family-run organization under the leadership of President Kyle DeSantis. Drury Lane Theatre continues as a major force in the Chicagoland theatre scene, producing world-class theatre in collaboration with some of the nation’s leading actors, directors, and creative minds. Drury Lane Theatre produces the highest quality theatrical experience that immerses and supports our artists and audiences in the exploration of what it means to be human and to experience the transcending power of the performing and visual arts. Drury Lane strives to create an environment in which every individual or group is welcomed, respected, supported, valued and able to fully experience and participate in this transformative art form. </i></p><p><i>The theatre has staged more than 2,000 productions and has been nominated for over 360 Joseph Jefferson Awards. Drury Lane proudly employs thousands of professional actors, musicians, designers, and crew members to entertain upwards of nine million audience members and counting. </i></p><p><i> </i></p>Bonnie Kenaz-Marahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05141662039871081535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3413066541124683629.post-72608534246528711052024-01-10T18:38:00.000-06:002024-01-10T18:38:10.318-06:00Marriott Theatre Kicks Off 2024 Season With Lin-Manuel Miranda's IN THE HEIGHTS January 24 Through March 17, 2024 <p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="text-align: left;">ChiIL Mama’s ChiIL Picks List: Family Friendly Shows On Our Radar</span> </span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><b>IN THE HEIGHTS</b></span></i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">From the creator of Hamilton! </span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">A story of home, family, and finding where you belong. </span></i><i> </i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4l0wNr-oeZXfUETx4Hqoe-50U8v6KcaMlzMUtueaEyedpNSYvMEd37nVpubuPoHQqec1fKxktCyAS0vqT3T3sdtKbQ3oYE6xQJjZaFMekOKYLzkKGfbhmbyWdHtOOht0YHnCXbdVAL0evXIO7PutY1w-mjuABKBEOfGO9-KQXr7ZWje2Z-Son80Nq19r9/s1640/417168273_760852999411208_2036628354566343260_n.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="924" data-original-width="1640" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4l0wNr-oeZXfUETx4Hqoe-50U8v6KcaMlzMUtueaEyedpNSYvMEd37nVpubuPoHQqec1fKxktCyAS0vqT3T3sdtKbQ3oYE6xQJjZaFMekOKYLzkKGfbhmbyWdHtOOht0YHnCXbdVAL0evXIO7PutY1w-mjuABKBEOfGO9-KQXr7ZWje2Z-Son80Nq19r9/w640-h360/417168273_760852999411208_2036628354566343260_n.png" width="640" /></a></i></div><i><br /> </i><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Peter Blair, Executive Producer </span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Peter Marston Sullivan, Artistic Director </span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i> </i><i><span style="font-size: large;">Presents </span></i><i> </i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><b>IN THE HEIGHTS</b></span></i></span></p><p>I've met Lin-Manuel Miranda in person twice, at press events about a year apart. He's a genuinely nice guy and one crazy gifted writer and performer. How amazing is it that we're on earth in the same lifetime as this genius?! I've seen Hamilton four times, and I've seen In The Heights twice and each has been a thrill. I'll be out for Marriott's opening night too, so check back soon for my full review. Here at ChiIL Mama and ChiIL Live Shows we're huge fans of Lin-Manuel Miranda's work and can't wait to see Marriott Theatre's take on IN THE HEIGHTS.</p><p>Marriott Theatre kicks off its electrifying 2024 season with IN THE HEIGHTS, the 2008 Tony Award-winning Best Musical from the creator of Hamilton, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Quiara Alegría Hudes, directed by James Vásquez (Marriott Theatre: Damn Yankees; Old Globe: HAIR, The Rocky Horror Show; Goodspeed: Cabaret), and choreographed by William Carlos Angulo (Marriott Theatre: The Sound of Music; The MUNY: Legally Blonde; National Tour: May We All) with Music Direction by Jeff Award Winner Ryan T. Nelson. IN THE HEIGHTS explores three days in New York’s Washington Heights, a neighborhood on the brink of change, full of hopes, dreams and pressures, where the biggest struggles can be deciding which traditions you take with you, and which you leave behind. IN THE HEIGHTS previews January 24, opens Wednesday, January 31 at 7:30pm and runs through March 17, 2024. </p><p>Washington Heights - a place where the coffee from the corner bodega is light and sweet, the windows are always open and the breeze carries the rhythm of three generations of music. Through struggles and triumphs, it also shows us that despite the challenges we face, we must hold onto our dreams and traditions as we strive towards a better future. It’s a reminder that even amid change, the human spirit and resilience can shine through. </p><p>“IN THE HEIGHTS is about family - both chosen and not,” said director James Vásquez. “It zooms in on a neighborhood, maybe totally unlike our own, and celebrates the lives of this little community. But by the end, we've been welcomed into that neighborhood - that family - and as theater does so beautifully, it brings us all together and leaves us all feeling a part of something special.” </p><p>IN THE HEIGHTS will star Joseph Morales, who played in the First Broadway National Tour of In the Heights as Usnavi. He also performed as Hamilton in Hamilton with the Original Chicago Company/Original Philip Company. Co-stars include Paola V. Hernández as “Vanessa” (Marriott Theatre debut; Broadway at Music Circus, 20th Anniversary Tour: Rent); Addie Morales as “Nina” (Marriott Theatre: The Sound of Music; Drury Lane Theatre: Evita); Yasir Muhammad as “Benny” (Marriott Theatre: Beautiful: The Carole King Musical; Chicago Shakespeare Theatre: A Midsummer Night’s Dream); Crissy Guerrero as “Abuela” (Marriott Theatre debut; La Mirada Theatre and Dallas Center: In the Heights); Cruz Gonzalez-Cadel as “Camilla” (Chicago Shakespeare Theater: Measure for Measure; Court Theatre: Fen, The Tragedy of Othello, The Moor of Venice and Electra; TV: “Fargo”, “Chicago Med”) and Rudy Martinez as “Kevin” (Oceanside Theatre: Man of La Mancha; The REV Theatre Co.: Anyone Can Whistle), with Jordan Arrendondo, Lillian Castillo, Andres J. DeLeon, Michelle Lauto, Wesley J. Barnes, Bryanna Ciera Colón, Carisa Gonzales, Natalia Nieves-Melchor, Justin Payton Nelson, Isa Ramirez, Alix Rhode, Tommy Rivera-Vega, Arik Vega and Phillip Wood. </p><p>The artistic team features Scenic Designer Arnel Sancianco, Costume Designer Harri Horsley, Lighting Designer Jesse Klug, Sound Designer Michel Daly, Props Designer Sally Zack, Conductor Noah Landis, Associate Choreographer Shani Talmor, Assistant Director Lorenzo Rush, Jr., Stage Manager Richard Strimer, Intimacy Director Katie Johannigman, Fight Choreographer Adrian Aguilar and Dialect Coach Cynthia Santos DeCure. </p><p>IN THE HEIGHTS is scheduled to run Wednesdays at 1 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Sundays at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m., with select Thursday 1:00 p.m. shows. Ticket prices start at $60 (excluding tax and handling fees). Call for student, senior, and military discounts. To make a restaurant reservation, please call 847.634.0100. Reservations are strongly recommended. Free parking is available at all performances. To reserve tickets, please call the Marriott Theatre Box Office at 847.634.0200 or visit <b><a href="http://www.MarriottTheatre.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.MarriottTheatre.com</a></b> for more information. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg_I_i4yhohLdh5rwvsBA6FBIPGRY1A5n2DM27_KlwBUN1N4bKoW5MzV5FcpX2jyhczzTRUTF2b53HfAgpkcRrSMi6aa1eNMgXQB4oiCHT7gjIxqvasaVYOA9RJKlAOyH569fDF3EeCLnCoGytOcl6OA7kD-ptjSjtqjQIOp6Ex1jf86ufktBx08EFcyHO/s320/348226013_909886243569248_4413630789209081996_n.png" imageanchor="1" style="font-style: italic; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="320" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg_I_i4yhohLdh5rwvsBA6FBIPGRY1A5n2DM27_KlwBUN1N4bKoW5MzV5FcpX2jyhczzTRUTF2b53HfAgpkcRrSMi6aa1eNMgXQB4oiCHT7gjIxqvasaVYOA9RJKlAOyH569fDF3EeCLnCoGytOcl6OA7kD-ptjSjtqjQIOp6Ex1jf86ufktBx08EFcyHO/w200-h200/348226013_909886243569248_4413630789209081996_n.png" width="200" /></a></div><p></p>Bonnie Kenaz-Marahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05141662039871081535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3413066541124683629.post-40584982481964571772024-01-10T17:21:00.003-06:002024-01-10T17:21:40.357-06:00Fashion Outlets of Chicago Hosts FREE “Year of the Dragon” Activities and Special Performances Saturday, February 10th <p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">ChiIL Mama’s ChiIL Picks List: </span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">Free Family Friendly Fun</span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Shopping Center Hosts“Year of the Dragon” activities and exclusive offers February 10-25, 2024</span></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl6HuoLove1nG_IDioJ4M3Cp1Q9DzmHSOjpy4tUb6eScuJMwgqdWAEMFY1GavClPucHEXrf8u6zVzvmjtVyhQoH_os_tzvVeNpCvBd4dAzBM122c86RkFNHI6qRaqoMeXE9cxrDfHVcIBe-z8JVvZ8xJIdXM4RK6P5CxeMliuK2ZAQ2LFLjK0MqU1ysdda/s1054/unnamed-4.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="637" data-original-width="1054" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl6HuoLove1nG_IDioJ4M3Cp1Q9DzmHSOjpy4tUb6eScuJMwgqdWAEMFY1GavClPucHEXrf8u6zVzvmjtVyhQoH_os_tzvVeNpCvBd4dAzBM122c86RkFNHI6qRaqoMeXE9cxrDfHVcIBe-z8JVvZ8xJIdXM4RK6P5CxeMliuK2ZAQ2LFLjK0MqU1ysdda/w640-h386/unnamed-4.png" width="640" /></a></i></div><p></p><p>Fashion Outlets of Chicago, located at 5220 Fashion Outlets Way in Rosemont, today announced the return of its Chinese Lunar New Year festivities and offerings. The celebration will kick off with a special event featuring free cultural performances and activities as well as exclusive celebratory shopping offers at participating retailers from Saturday, February 10 through Sunday, February 25.</p><p>Fashion Outlets of Chicago visitors are invited to ring in the Year of the Dragon with a Lunar New Year kickoff event in the shopping center’s Food Court beginning at 1 p.m. on Saturday, February 10. Guests can enjoy a variety of games and activities including lantern crafting, Chinese calligraphy, Chopstick Challenge and more. Special cultural performances presented by Huaxing Arts Group will also take place from 2 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. that will feature Chinese dance, Kung Fu, Chinese yo-yo and a children’s choir.</p><p>Shoppers can also visit Concierge Services, located on Level One of the shopping center from February 10 to February 25 to receive a celebratory red envelope containing special Lunar New Year offers and services from participating retailers as well as a free Savings Pass that will provide up to $800 in store savings from Fashion Outlets’ retailers.</p><p>For Chicago visitors traveling through O’Hare Airport, Fashion Outlets of Chicago is a great destination to pass time during a layover. Fashion Outlets of Chicago’s Concierge Services offers special amenities that allow travelers to check coats, hold luggage and shopping bags and print boarding passes at the shopping center. International travelers can take advantage of foreign currency exchange and translation services.</p><p>For a full list of programming and special offers from participating retailers, please visit <b><a href="http://www.fashionoutletsofchicago.com/Events/LunarNewYear2024" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.fashionoutletsofchicago.com/Events/LunarNewYear2024</a>. </b></p><p><i>About Fashion Outlets of Chicago</i></p><p><i>Macerich’s Fashion Outlets of Chicago is an award-winning 530,000 square-foot, two level indoor shopping center that is home to more than 130 designer outlets, an impressive contemporary art collection and high-end amenities. The one-of-a-kind upscale outlet property that redefines and elevates the outlet shopping experience, is located at 5220 Fashion Outlets Way in Rosemont –minutes from O’Hare International Airport and Chicagoland’s major highways. For more information, visit <b><a href="http://www.fashionoutletsofchicago.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.fashionoutletsofchicago.com</a></b>. </i></p><div><br /></div>Bonnie Kenaz-Marahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05141662039871081535noreply@blogger.com0