Chicago Children’s Theatre invites Chicago families to meet #1 New York Times bestselling author and illustrator Brian Selznick on the Chicago stop of his current national tour celebrating the release of his newest critically acclaimed book, “Big Tree.”
Selznick is the writer and illustrator of “The Houdini Box,” the Caldecott-winning “The Invention of Hugo Cabret,” and illustrator of the 20th anniversary editions of the “Harry Potter” box set.
His newest New York Times bestselling novel, “Big Tree,” is a trailblazing adventure, featuring nearly 300 pages of illustrations, in which the fate of all life on Earth may depend on two little sibling seeds, Louise and Merwin.
Brian Selznick (left) will meet fans and sign copies of his new book "Big Tree"on Saturday, April 29 at 3 p.m. at Chicago Children's Theatre.
On Saturday, April 29 at 3 p.m., Selznick will give a presentation and a talk-back with Chicago Children’s Theatre Artistic Director Jacqueline Russell, to be followed by a book signing presented with Scholastic and The Book Stall of Winnetka in CCT’s lobby.
Chicago Children’s Theatre is located at 100 S. Racine Ave. in the West Loop. This event is free, but space is limited. RSVP at chicagochildrenstheatre.org, where fans can also pre-purchase the book for pick-up at the event. Once capacity has been reached, CCT will keep a waiting list.
Released worldwide on April 4, 2023, “Big Tree” began as an original idea from film legend Steven Spielberg, who said, “the tale of the natural world is the greatest story we have to tell, and Brian delivers a brilliant chapter of that tale through the pages of ‘Big Tree.’” In addition to the book, Meryl Streep narrates the newly released audio book. For more information, visit scholastic.com/bigtree.
“'Big Tree' is about a kind of hope that can be found in nature,” says Selznick. “It’s about surviving by working together to create a community. It’s about moving forward, planning for the future, and growing—even in the face of destruction. The natural world also offers so many beautiful metaphors to help us live.”
Selznick, a longtime friend of Chicago Children’s Theatre, has collaborated with the company twice before. In June 2020, Selznick and Russell co-produced Doll Face Has a Party!, a virtual puppet play based on the 1994 children’s book written by Pam Conrad and illustrated by Selznick. Released three months after the onset of the pandemic, while we were all sheltering in place, children keyed right into the story of a doll who never left her home, threw a party because she was bored, and made friends with the items around her house. In 2012, Chicago Children’s Theatre also presented a critically acclaimed, world premiere stage version of Selznick’s book “The Houdini Box,” directed, set designed and featuring puppets by Blair Thomas.
"Watch Doll Face Has a Party!, created and released by Chicago Children's Theatre and Brian Selznick in the midst of the 2020 summer shelter in place lockdown. Think back to how kids and families felt back, and watch this all the way through with that in mind." -Jay Kelly
Alex Weisman starred in Chicago Children's Theatre's 2012 world premiere of The Houdini Box, based on the book by Brian Selznick. Credit: Michael Brosilow
Director Blair Thomas designed the puppets and the vaudeville-inspired, jewel box set for Chicago Children’s Theatre’s 2012 world premiere musical The Houdini Box, based on the book by Brian Selznick. Pictured from left: Alex Weisman as Victor, Sara Sevigny as Victor’s mother, and Derek Hasenstab as the Barker. Credit: Michael Brosilow
About Chicago Children’s Theatre
Chicago Children's Theatre, 100 S. Racine, at Monroe, in Chicago's West Loop.
“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, following 11 years as an itinerant company, CCT celebrated the opening of its forever home, Chicago Children’s Theatre, The Station, 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.
In addition to presenting professional TYA productions, CCT offers a full roster of education programs year round for ages 0 to 14. Visit chicagochildrenstheatre.org/family-programs for information on performing arts classes, workshops, winter and spring break camps, summer camps, and programs from the company’s Red Kite Project for children with autism and other special needs, celebrating its 15th anniversary in 2023.
For more, visit chicagochildrenstheatre.org, follow the company on Instagram and Facebook, and subscribe to its YouTube channel, CCTv: Virtual Theatre and Learning from Chicago Children’s Theatre.