The Year I Didn't Go to School: A Homemade Circus presented by Chicago Children's Theatre at Ruth Page Center For Arts

Chicago Tribune - Recommended

"...Heidi Stillman, artistic director of the Lookingglass Theatre, has imbued this dramatization of Potter's picture book with an unusually high degree of emotional resonance - it's a story of a very happy year for all concerned and the piece also feels like a celebration of parents who dare to bring along their kids while they pursue something unusual or nontraditional. It also plays out as a reminder of the joy of some family businesses, and of the dedication of circus and theater people."

Chicago Reader - Recommended

"...In typical CCT fashion, the drama is decidedly tame, but the story unfolds with mature wit, and Samantha Jenkins and Audrey Edwards impress as siblings Giselle and Chloe. Sylvia Hernandez-DiStasi of the Actors Gymnasium mounts fresh aerial stunts, adding a nice circuslike dimension to a production that's as wonderfully playful as its title suggests."

Around The Town Chicago - Highly Recommended

"...According to my almost-8-year-old granddaughter, Molly, “The Year I Didn’t Go To School: A Homemade Circus” was really good! I know she liked it because she whispered positive comments to me throughout the show. Molly’s favorite part of the whimsical story were the circus parts. She was especially fascinated by an act involving lots of hula hoops spinning all at the same time. Good show for kids"

Chicago Theatre Review - Highly Recommended

"...This warmhearted, thoroughly enjoyable adaptation is having its world premiere here in Chicago. Any child already familiar with Giselle Potter’s autobiographical picture book will recognize the characters and episodes from her year-long Italian adventure. Children new to this story may want to revisit it by borrowing it from their local library or perhaps purchasing their own copy to take home (for sale in the lobby). The playbill, that comes with every ticket, even features some of the more memorable characters as coloring pages. Audiences may leave the theatre hungering for spaghetti and pizza, but they’ll certainly exit shouting “Fantastico!” and “Che grande, che bello!”"

Third Coast Review - Highly Recommended

"...Stillman's smooth direction and her talented cast make the time fly by for small children. Jenkins and Edwards are adorable as the sisters, doing their lessons every day while enjoying Italy and their circus arts. (Their roles are performed by Emily Zimmerman and Ava Tommasone at some performances.) Whiting and Yee are believable as loving parents who know their family will share lifelong memories from their carefully planned circus adventure. Greenberg and Danzig perform dozens of other roles as the circus travels by truck throughout Italy."