Photo: The 2011 production of JUNIE B. JONES IN JINGLE BELLS, BATMAN SMELLS will be revisited as part of the upcoming season. 

Emerald City Theatre has announced its upcoming 2016 – 2017 season, which will include adaptations of ‘DIARY OF A WORM, A SPIDER, AND A FLY’, ‘JUNIE B. JONES IN JINGLE BELLS, BATMAN SMELLS’, ‘THE SNOWY DAY AND OTHER STORIES’, and ‘THE WIZ’.

The 2016-2017 season celebrates the company’s 20th anniversary and marks the beginning of new leadership under Artistic Director Jacqueline Stone.

Jacqueline Stone

Stone stated, “I’m thrilled to celebrate Emerald City Theatre’s 20th anniversary with productions based on best-selling books that feature characters in diverse communities and explore the journey of childhood.”

The season kicks off in October with the Chicago premiere of DIARY OF A WORM, A SPIDER, AND A FLY, with book, music, and lyrics by Joan Cushing. The adaptation is based on the series by Doreen Cronin, with illustrations by Harry Bliss. Through genres such as rap, hip-hop, pop, and Broadway standards, this musical comedy humanizes the lifecycles of insects. The show is geared toward ages 3-9 and will be directed by Jen Ellison.

Emerald City will revive its production of JUNIE B. JONES IN JINGLE BELLS, BATMAN SMELLS, opening in October under the direction of Artistic Director Jacqueline Stone. Adapted from the book series by Barbara Park, the holiday production is recommended for ages 4-10.

Opening in February is the Chicago premiere of THE SNOWY DAY AND OTHER STORIES, adapted by Jerome Hairston from the books by children’s author Ezra Jack Keats. Also directed by Jacqueline Stone, SNOWY DAY will follow each stage of childhood through puppetry and movement and is aimed at kids ages 3-9.

Completing the 2016 – 2017 season at the Apollo Theater is the TYA version of THE WIZ, opening in March and intended for children ages 5-12. THE WIZ reimagines L. Frank Baum’s ‘The Wonderful Wizard of Oz’ through the lens of 70’s Soul music. The story was written by William F. Brown, with music and lyrics by Charlie Smalls and additional material by Tina Tippit.

Season subscriptions are on sale and available at EmeraldCityTheatre.com or by phone at 773.529.2690.

Founded in 1996, Emerald City Theatre’s annual programming reaches 80,000 children and their grown-ups. The company creates performances for all ages, including babies and toddlers, at three performance locations: the Apollo Theater in Lincoln Park, the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place, and Emerald City’s Little Theatre in Lakeview.