Chicago Children’s Theatre Announces First Full Season in New Home

Chicago Children’s Theatre Announces First Full Season in New Home

Chicago Children’s Theatre has announced its 2017-18 season. Now in its new home, dubbed “The Station” at 100 S. Racine St. in the West Loop, the company will present all of its family-friendly performances, classes, and camps in the same location starting next fall.

The season opens in The Station’s Pritzker Family Studio Theatre with the Tony-nominated A YEAR WITH FROG AND TOAD. Arnold Lobel’s beloved characters will be brought to the stage by director and choreographer Stuart Carden. Andra Velis Simon is the music director.

Next up is the BEATRIX POTTER HOLIDAY TEA PARTY, an interactive trunk and puppet show. Children of all ages can engage in a tea party, create their own puppets and mini-puppet show, and pose for photographs with the cast. This installment of CCT’s Potter series is directed by Will Bishop and designed by Grace Needlman.

After the new year, three children explore their friendship in MY WONDERFUL BIRTHDAY SUIT!, a world premiere exploration of skin color and outward appearance, written and directed by Gloria Bond Clunie.

In the spring, The Station will transform into an immersive, two-story theatrical environment titled AN EPIC TALE OF SCALE, written and directed by Henry Wishcamper and Jo Cattell, collaboratively designed by CCT Community Programs Artistic Director Frank Maugeri, with original music by Gabriel Ruiz. Billed as THE MAGIC SCHOOL BUS meets SLEEP NO MORE, the experience will incorporate original music, science experiments, games, arts and craft projects and more.

Finally, in a co-commission with Children’s Theatre Company of Minneapolis, CCT will debut LAST STOP ON MARKET STREET, a world premiere musical based on the award-winning book by author Matt de la Peña and illustrator Christian Robinson, winner of the 2016 Newbery Medal, a 2016 Caldecott Honor Book and a 2016 Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Book. Playwright Cheryl L. West is creating this first-ever stage adaptation of the celebrated children’s book. Motown music legend Lamont Dozier and his son Paris Ray Dozier, the duo behind the music in CCT’s 2015 hit MR. CHICKEE’S FUNNY MONEY, come back to Chicago to create the show’s original score. Henry Godinez directs, and Andra Velis Simon is the music director.

“Our 2017-18 season promises to be our most adventurous season yet, and we couldn’t be more thrilled that everything’s happening at our beautiful new home, The Station,” said Jacqueline Russell, Artistic Director, Chicago Children’s Theatre. “Children, parents, teachers and students can look forward to an exciting season of unique and interactive theatrical experiences as we reaffirm our commitment to giving Chicago the very best in family entertainment.”

More info at chicagochildrenstheatre.org.

About author

PerformInk

PerformInk is Chicago's entertainment industry trade publication.