Pictured: Jess McIntosh

Chicago Children’s Theatre is kicking off its thirteenth season with a new staging of its hit 2014 family musical FREDERICK, based on Leo Lionni’s Caldecott Award-winning book about Frederick the mouse. Directing is multiple Jeff-winner Tommy Rapley, making his CCT debut.

Playing the titular role is Tommy Rivera-Vega, and Frederick’s fellow field mice are Joe Dempsey as Ernest, Liz Chidester as Sunny, Nicole Laurenzi as Nellie, Leslie Ann Sheppard as Baby, and multi-instrumentalist Jess McIntosh.

Lionni’s early-reading picture book introduces children to the idea that there is a place for all of us in this world and the importance of artists in our society.

The book was adapted for the stage by Suzanne Miller and features a folk, rock, and blues score by Sarah Durkee and Paul Jacobs. The production team includes Matthew Muñiz (music director), John Musical (scenic design), Izumi Inaba (costume design), Lee Fiskness (lighting design), Kevin O’Donnell (sound design), Eleanor Kahn (properties design) and Jamie Abelson (casting director).

Leo Lionni’s FREDERICK runs October 9-November 11, 2018 at Chicago Children’s Theatre, The Station, 100 S. Racine Avenue in the West Loop. Public performances are Saturday at 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 3 p.m., and Sunday at 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. More information at chicagochildrenstheatre.org or (312) 374-8835.