Chicago Children’s Theatre has postponed its presentation of Manual Cinema’s Leonardo! A Wonderful Show About a Terrible Monster to fall 2022 for the health and safety of its audience, cast, crew and staff.
“We look forward to sharing the production with you when it can be enjoyed safely and to its fullest,” assured the company in an announcement to subscribers and ticket holders. Leonardo! was originally set for in-person performances January 29-February 27, 2022.
Chicago Children's Theatre's presentation of Manual Cinema’s Leonardo! A Wonderful Show about a Terrible Monster has been postponed until the fall.
Ticket holders have already been contacted individually to arrange a credit toward a future CCT program, a tax deductible donation of the ticket value, or a refund. Note: Everyone who selects either the credit or donation option may request to be placed on a waitlist to receive free tickets to a limited-attendance dress rehearsal this fall of Leonardo! A Wonderful Show About A Terrible Monster.
For questions, email boxoffice@chicagochildrenstheatre.org.
Plans still on track for Carmela Full of Wishes, April 23-May 22, 2022
Plans are still on track for Chicago Children’s Theatre’s spring world premiere Carmela Full of Wishes, adapted from the book by Matt de la Peña and Christian Robinson (Last Stop on Market Street). Performances are slated April 23-May 22, 2022 at Chicago Children’s Theatre, 100 S. Racine Ave. in Chicago’s West Loop. Single tickets are on sale now at chicagochildrenstheatre.org.
Virtual season in full swing: This Ability series finale now online
While in-person shows are paused, Chicago Children’s Theatre’s virtual season is in full swing.
Watch episode three of This Ability, which culminates CCT's new web series with the tale of Faith The Healer, played by Holly Connor, a 17-year-old singer, actor and musician from St. Louis. Connor is blind and on the autism spectrum.
Newly posted for free, on-demand viewing is the third and final episode of This Ability, Daniel Carlton and Nambi E. Kelley’s new superhero web series. What sets This Ability apart is its special trio of young lead actors who, in life, are blind, deaf and autistic. Each character leverages their special power to save a French kitty on the lam on the streets of Chicago. Binge This Ability on the CCT’s YouTube channel, CCTV: Virtual Theater and Learning from Chicago Children’s Theatre.
New virtual programs also available 24/7 on CCTV include:
The Relocation of Nokwsi - This virtual puppet production by Robert Hicks Jr. is inspired by the story of his grandfather, who journeyed from his people, the Cherokee, Paiute, Yakama and Shoshone, to live and work in Chicago in the 1950s. Nokwsi confronts homesickness, air pollution and racism, but eventually finds joy in his new community and beauty in the urban concrete. For ages 8 and up.
Exquisite - Inspired by the Coretta Scott King Award-winning book by Suzanne Slade and illustrated by Cozbi A. Cabrera, Exquisite: The Poetry and Life of Gwendolyn Brooks introduces children to one of Chicago’s most treasured poets via music by composer Florence Price, narration by Eve L. Ewing and animation courtesy of CCT’s Liviu Pasare. Produced in association with the Negaunee Music Institute at the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. For all ages.
Maybe Something Beautiful - This video brings together five CSO musicians performing classical works by Latino composers, bilingual English/Spanish narration, and playful puppetry to tell a true story about how even the smallest artists can accomplish something big. It’s inspired by the book by F. Isabel Campoy and Theresa Howell, illustrated by Rafael López and produced in association with the Negaunee Music Institute at the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Free study guide available. For all ages.
Diamond’s Dream - This world premiere short puppet film by Chicago artists Jerell L. Henderson and Caitlin MacLeod tells the story of an African-American boy on a Chicago CTA Red Line car navigating pandemics past and present. Free study guide available. For ages 9 and up.
My Magic Breath - CCT’s first virtual co-production with the CSO, narrated by First Lady of Chicago Amy Eshleman, fuses classical music and modern animation to help children ages 4 through 8—along with their parents, caregivers, and teachers—harness the calming and restorative power of mindful breathing. It’s based on the book by New York Times best selling author Nick Ortner and Alison Taylor. For all ages.
Doll Face Has a Party - This charming, zany, toy theater show is directed by Brian Selznick, writer and illustrator of “The Invention of Hugo Cabaret” and “The Houdini Box,” and the illustrator of the 20th anniversary “Harry Potter” box set. For all ages.
Leo Lionni’s Frederick - Leo Lionni’s Caldecott Award-winning picture book comes to new life as a clever and colorful virtual puppet show gently narrated by Michael Shannon. Free study guide available. For all ages.
Iconic Dance Moves Playlist - Chicago Children’s Theatre teaching artist Emily Daigle has already gone viral with her trio of tutorials teaching kids all the coolest dance movies. Her 80s dance tutorial has surpassed 60,000 views alone! For all ages.
Puppet Making Playlist - It’s a perfect time to make a puppet show for your family. This playlist showcases CCT teaching artists showing kids how to make shadow puppets, finger puppets and talking vegetables out of household materials. For ages 6 and up.
About Chicago Children’s Theatre
“The Chicago theater scene is legendarily vibrant, so naturally a number of companies tailor productions to younger audiences. The cream of the crop is Chicago Children’s Theatre.” – Chicago Tribune
Chicago Children’s Theatre was founded in 2005 with a big idea: Chicago is the greatest theater city in the world, and it deserves a great children’s theater. Today, Chicago Children’s Theatre is the city’s largest professional theater company devoted exclusively to children and young families. CCT has established a national reputation for the production of first-rate children’s theater with professional writing, performing, and directorial talent and high-quality design and production expertise.
In January 2017, the company celebrated the opening of its new, permanent home, Chicago Children’s Theatre, The Station, located at 100 S. Racine Avenue in Chicago’s West Loop community. The building, formerly the Chicago Police Station for the 12th District, was repurposed into a beautiful, LEED Gold-certified, mixed-use performing arts, education and community engagement facility that now welcomes all Chicago families.
CCT provides tens of thousands of free and reduced-price tickets to under-resourced schools each season in partnership with Chicago Public Schools. CCT also continues to grow its performing arts and STEAM education programs, offering classes, workshops, winter and spring break camps, and summer camps for ages 0 to 14.
In 2019, Chicago Children’s Theatre won the National TYA Artistic Innovation Award from Theatre for Young Audiences/USA. In addition, Chicago Children’s Theatre has garnered six NEA Art Works grants, and in 2017, became the first theater for young audiences in the U.S. to win a National Theatre Award from the American Theatre Wing, creators of the Tony Awards.
Chicago Children’s Theatre’s 2021-22 Season of Resilience is supported by Goldman Sachs, Paul M. Angell Family Foundation, The Ralla Klepak Foundation for Education in the Performing Arts, The Shubert Foundation, Polk Bros Foundation, The MacArthur Fund for Culture, Equity and the Arts at Prince, Bayless Family Foundation, The Crown Family, Rea Charitable Trust, ComEd, US Bank, City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE), Illinois Arts Council, Illinois Humanities Council, National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), The Susan M. Venturi Fund in memory of James and Roslyn Marks to Support Theatre Education Accession, and Erin and Jason, Ben, Bici and David Pritzker.
Chicago Children’s Theatre is led by Co-Founders, Artistic Director Jacqueline Russell and Board Chair Todd Leland, with Board President Armando Chacon.
For more, visit chicagochildrenstheatre.org.