Green Parent Chicago

Celebrate a Local Treasure with Auditorium Theatre Day

The Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University celebrates 125 years this season with a full line-up of performances and special events to commemorate its long legacy as one of the city's oldest cultural treasures.

December 9 has been declared by Mayor Emanuel as Auditorium Theatre Day. On this day in 1889, the Auditorium Theatre was founded as "a theatre of the people and for the people".

To celebrate the Auditorium's 125th anniversary, a special birthday trolley will travel throughout the city on the morning of December 9. Passengers, including members from the “Too Hot to Handel” Chorus, Auditorium Theatre staff and board members and other surprise guests, will distribute birthday treats to commuters in various locations including Union Station, Daley Plaza, State and Lake and Pioneer Court. As a special 125^th birthday gift to Chicagoans, 125 pairs of tickets to one of the Auditorium’s upcoming performances in its 125^th Anniversary Season will be given away throughout the morning.

In the evening, a special gala performance will take place with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Lyric Opera of Chicago, the Joffrey Ballet, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, the Apollo Chorus, and a rock concert composed of legendary Chicago musicians. Tony award winning Broadway star Patti LuPone will also perform. LuPone is the great-grandniece (and namesake) of Adelina Patti, the opera star who performed on the Auditorium Theatre’s stage during the theatre's opening night in 1889.

For more information, to purchase tickets, or to view the full season of events at the Auditorium Theatre visit: http://www.auditoriumtheatre.org/on-our-stage/

 

 

 

 

Review: "The Sleeping Beauty" at Auditorium Theatre

What I love best about living in Chicago is the great number of cultural offerings available. From music to dance to art and theater, not only are there numerous events taking place, but the venues that host these events truly enhance the experience. Auditorium Theatre is no exception.

My youngest has been interested in dance for some time and is still at an age to love fairytales and animal stories. This past weekend, we had the chance to watch Ballet West perform the classic ballet by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. Seated inside the gilded walls of the Auditorium Theatre, my little lady and I were dressed in our fancy clothes excited to see this classic story come to life.

With live orchestral accompaniment by the Chicago Sinfonietta, the staging, costumes, effects, and the brilliant moves of the highly talented dancers of Ballet West, the story took on a new meaning for the many children in attendance, like mine, raised on the Disneyfied version of Sleeping Beauty.

Complete with fairytale character wedding guests like Little Red Riding Hood, the Big Bad Wolf, and Mother Goose, the show was a treat for all ages. My daughter was especially pleased with the adorable White Cat dance with Puss-in-Boots.

The opening night production showcased the Ballet West company featured on the popular CW show, "Breaking Pointe". Led by Artistic Director Adam Sklute, formerly of The Joffrey Ballet, Ballet West's company of 48 dancers include: Principal Artist Christiana Bennett (in the lead role of Aurora), Haley Henderson-Smith (as Carabosse The Fairy of Jealousy), First Soloist Elizabeth McGrath (as Lilac Fairy), and First Soloist Rex Tilton (as Prince Desire).

Auditorium Theatre is well known for hosting dance, and the venue is a perfect setting for experiencing the dynamic art of dance, its size being not too small, nor too large to prevent a feeling of connection between the audience and the stage. The theatre hosts the annual holiday favorite "The Nutcracker" with the Joffrey Ballet each year.

-Christine

 

Review and Ticket Giveaway: Shrek the Musical at Chicago's Shakespeare Theater

Summer Smart as the spunky Princess Fiona discovers that true love is more than skin deep in Chicago Shakespeare Theater’s production of Shrek The Musical, now playing at CST’s Courtyard Theater through September 1, 2013. Photo by Liz Lauren. 

A wonderful time was had by all at "Shrek the Musical" at Chicago’s Shakespeare Theater at Navy Pier. This delightful adaptation of the first "Shrek" movie really was most clever in bringing the story to the stage. The all-ages, very talented, ensemble was perfectly cast into charismatic roles.

The kids and I reveled in the fact that the costumes, the accents and even character sounds imitated the well-known movie so accurately. My children related to similarities in the musical to that of the movie, and it brought them joy to see it live on a stage.

While the screenplay did a phenomenal job in keeping true to the story of Shrek, I felt it went beyond in bringing an important message to its audience members. Clever lyrics were strewn in a few songs relaying how important it is to be true to oneself. Shrek the movie already carries much of this, but in a much more hidden nature.

James Earl Jones II as Donkey and Michael Aaron Lindner as the lovable ogre Shrek become newfound friends on an adventure to rescue the Princess Fiona in Chicago Shakespeare Theater’s production of Shrek The Musical, now playing at CST’s Courtyard Theater through September 1, 2013. Photo by Liz Lauren.

"Shrek the Musical" made a prominent point to create a stronger message (and far less hidden one). Fiona, while locked in a tower and reading fairy tale endings in books, was sure that her fairy tale was on its way, only to realize later in her own story that the love she read about repeatedly in a book was not her story to live.

Fiona brings attention to how the world of fairy tales truly needs to be updated, while the cast of the amazing misfit fairy tale “things,” (as Shrek relates to them as they land in his swamp) sing in wonderful spirit about how we all need to “let our freak flag fly.”

The main messages of the show are: that we are all different and this does not necessarily mean that there is something wrong with us, our differences are not reasons to not be loved by someone. We all deserve to be free to be who we really are, and that we should be loved for that no matter what. It was hard not to get a foot tapping during the fabulous musical delivery of these sentiments.

In addition, the summer is such a wonderful time to visit Navy Pier. To be able to pop into shops, and out on the pier watching the amazing ships sail about, and enjoy the warms smells, the beautiful Chicago skyline, and friendly faces.

We had a lovely matinee time which allowed for some wonderful sun-soaking pier side, but I am certain you’d enjoy this show day or night. It is lively, clever, comical and really just a good time for all ages. And what better than to have children walk away with such a wonderful message with some upbeat, toe-tapping music to boot? Enjoy the show!

-Amy Jarjusey blogs at http://www.nakitababy.com/

Green Parent Chicago wants to know: which of the Shrek series is your child's favorite and why? Comment below for your chance to win a Family Four Pack of tickets to see Shrek the Musical at Chicago Shakespeare Theater. Contest ends Friday August 23.

 

Bellwether fest to showcase "greatest hits" of local Chicago food and culture

Combine food, farm, vintage, collectors, crafters, and artists and what do you get: Bellwether, a new cultural fest and the brainchild of the folks behind local indie favorites The Vintage Bazaar and The Renegade Craft Fair.  

Organizers of the fest, to be held on 2 separate weekends at 2 locations describe Bellwether as "a roving Market + Happening + Feast all in one that brings together the finest purveyors, pickers, makers, and doers, as well as curated films, live performances, killer DJs, and food gatherings." 

Date, locations and hours for the all-day event are:

The Hideout
June 8 and 9
noon to dark
after hours: 8-10 p.m.

Garfield Park Conservatory
September 21 and 22
11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
after hours: Saturday 6 to 9 p.m. 

Review: Lost and Found-A Recycled Circus

The Actors Gymnasium's hit show "Lost & Found" is back for a limited time and playing now until March 11 at the Noyes Cultural Arts Center in Evanston. This family friendly show is a high flying mix of astounding aerial skill, upbeat live and recorded music, slapstick comedy and thrilling circus acts performed by kids, teens and adults.

"Lost & Found" is a collaborative original work by Co-Artistic Directors of the Actors Gymnasium School for Circus and Performing Arts Larry DiStasi and Sylvia Hernandez-DiStasi along with a talented team of designers and performers. The creators describe the show as an exploration of "the world of second-hand treasure. Cast-off junk and cast-off characters are saved in this show and given thrilling, new life." Costumes and elements of the set are recycled from previous performances.

My 7-year-old daughter and I had the pleasure of catching the show on its opening night and were thrilled by the performances of the cast. The show features a tender and sweet storyline throughout with many moments of hilarity and humor. Lots of ideas are at work here, from an innovative reference to our tech-obsessed culture to an old fashioned boy gets girl tale.

While some of the humor may be best understood by the 8 and up crowd, this show is suitable for ages 5 and up and filled with plenty of laughs and thrills for all ages.

Be sure to catch Lost and Found: A Recycled Circus Fridays, Saturdays and Sunday now until March 11.

For more details or to purchase tickets visit:

http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/215778

-Christine

 

Mermaid Theatre Bringing "The Hungry Caterpillar" to The Field Museum

Chicago Children’s Theatre will present Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia’s “The Very Hungry Caterpillar & Other Eric Carle Favorites” at The Field Museum April 8 to May 2.  

The play, performed in a unique style of black light with florescent puppets captures the charm of three favorite Eric Carle stories: “The Very Hungry Caterpillar,” “Little Cloud” and “The Mixed-Up Chameleon.” The 50-minute play is recommended for ages 3 to 6. 

Tickets are $25 for children 12 and under; $35 for adults (service charges may apply). Seating is general admission. Each ticket includes post-show all day access to the museum. Audience members are encouraged to bring select canned and dry goods (chili, cereal, pasta, peanut butter, soup, tuna, canned vegetables and canned fruits) to be donated to the Greater Chicago Food Depository. Soft-packaged foods cannot be accepted.

Those who donate will be entered to win a special “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” themed gift basket.

For tickets or more information, visit: http://www.chicagochildrenstheatre.org/the-very-hungry-caterpillar.html