As famed escape artist Harry Houdini circles the globe performing one incredible stunt after another, Victor, a young devotee goes through his own rigorous magician’s training – locking himself in closets, holding his breath under water and walking into walls. After a chance encounter with his hero, Victor receives a special box that just might contain the secrets of Houdini’s great success.
Even though his dad is a frog and his mom claims to be a princess, Jack grew up in a house without fairy tales. So when he is thrust into a mysterious forest, threatened by bears and witches and trolls, he must find a way to survive on his own without any knowledge of the “rules” of traditional folktales. Travel with Jack on a madcap quest to rescue a trio of pigs, escape from some extremely gruff billy goats, and help his parents find their Happily Ever After, in a world premiere fractured fairy tale. Based on popular fairy tales and nursery rhymes, from the Brothers Grimm and beyond.
When Pinkalicious Pinkerton eats one too many pink cupcakes, she catches a serious case of “Pinkititis” and turns pink from head to toe! Will her broccoli-eating brother be able to help cure her before it’s too late? Find out in the colorful musical adventure, remounted from Emerald City Theatre’s sold out production at their Chicago home at The Apollo Theater. This heartwarming musical’s Gateway Theme of healthy eating is sure to strike a chord among parents and picky eaters alike. Emerald City’s Gateway Themes are a topic of conversation adults can have with their early-learner. Education and Artistic staff create materials in the playbill to provide support for adults. All performances will include an age appropriate pre-show activity in the lobby and an autograph session with the cast after the performance.
Emerald City revisits its original version of the classic fairy tale of Snow White. After a difficult and lengthy journey from far away lands, TJ Barker’s Troupe of Theatricals have arrived in Chicago a little worse for the wear. But the show must go on! The Troupe tells the story as Snow White finds safety from her wicked Stepmother with the seven dwarfs and some magical talking animals. With her Stepmother scheming and a Prince searching, how long can she live quietly in the enchanted forest?
Some days are just epically horrid. Alexander is having that day-gum in his hair, kissing on TV, railroad pajamas and no one EVEN CARES! In this larger-than-life musical written by the classic picture book's author even the copy machine come alive to conspire against Alexander. And how do you deal with all this frustration? Pack for Australia.
JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT was originally written by Andrew Lloyd Webber for school children in 1968. The Marriott Theatre for Young Audiences is excited to take Joseph “back to its roots” with an amazing ensemble of professional actors, guitars and other instruments in hand, presenting one of the most beloved shows of all time… but with a contemporary musical twist. Kids (and parents) of all ages will celebrate one of musical theatre’s most joyful shows in a whole new way!
CST provides an introduction to William Shakespeare for all audiences on Saturday mornings at 11 a.m. with its annual Short Shakespeare production, presenting a 75-minute abridged production of Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew, telling the tale of the strong-willed Kate and Petruchio, a man willing to marry her if the price is right. These likely foes and unlikely lovers enter into Shakespeare's most famous battle of the sexes, leaving audiences wondering who from this colorful cast of characters tames whom.
Jo's junior year of high school in suburban LaGrange, Illinois started off just fine—not that it's ever easy being queer at 16. Thankfully, a new English teacher assigns Carson McCullers’ famed novel The Heart Is A Lonely Hunter and Jo discovers an unshakable kinship to McCullers’ central character John Singer. Like Singer, Jo is forever the listener, definitively the outsider, perpetually misunderstood and filled with unrequited love. Yet when she is a victim of a gay-bashing incident, her world is turned upside down and she must decide whether to seek revenge or redemption. A story about isolation, fitting in and finding oneself, fml: how Carson McCullers saved my life is a play about surviving high school and how literature still has the power to transform how we see the world.
Weekday matinee performances (Tuesdays - Fridays at 10 am) are available for school groups only
Unlike other naked mole rats, young Wilbur loves to wear clothes. By daring to defy social tradition, Wilbur makes life miserable for himself and his best friend. When the teasing and bullying at school get out of control, the pups take their case before Grand-pah: the greatest, wisest, and most naked naked mole rat ever. Will Grand-pah crush Wilbur’s self-expression, or open the door of acceptance to a misunderstood outsider? A heartwarming lesson on tolerance, in a world premiere musical adaptation for the whole family. Based on the 2009 book by New York Times bestselling author Mo Willems (Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale, Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!).
Jonas lives in a carefully constructed community of “sameness,” where individuality is discouraged and feelings like pain, fear, and love do not exist. When Jonas turns 12 and begins training with The Giver, he discovers the contradictions of his supposedly perfect world and grows determined to regain power over his own destiny. Based on the beloved Newbery Medal-winning novel by Lois Lowry, this remarkable story is recommended for ages 9 and up.
