Chicago Children's Theatre Moves to Ruth Page Center for the Arts

Thursday and Friday nights just got a whole lot more fun for Chicago families, now that Chicago Children's Theatre has moved in to its first-ever permanent home, the Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn Street, Chicago.

Itinerant no longer, Chicago Children's Theatre is expanding its performance schedule and adding new value-added, family-friendly evening show times for the company's inaugural show as a resident company at the Ruth Page, Harold and the Purple Crayon, October 11-November 4, 2012.

To start, Thursday is the new Friday for families too, thanks to the debut of Piece Pizza Party Nights at Harold and the Purple Crayon. Starting at 5:30 pm, Thursday, October 18, October 25 and November 1, families are invited to the Ruth Page to enjoy pre-show pizza courtesy of Piece Pizza, Izze Sparkling Juices, and then see CCT's Chicago premiere of its new live musical based on the beloved children's books by Crockett Johnson at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are only $20.

Friday, October 19, October 26 and November 2 are Pajama Party Nights with Wishcraft at Harold and the Purple Crayon. Families can kick off the weekend at the 6:30 pm show, and enjoy a post-show party with the cast and crafty activities led by Wishcraft Workshop. Tickets are $25. Suggested attire? Pajamas.

Newly added Thursday and Friday evening shows are an expansion of Chicago Children's Theatre's familiar slate of weekend performances for the public and weekday morning shows for school groups. The complete performance schedule for Harold and the Purple Crayon, October 11-November 4, 2012, is: Tuesday at 10 am; Wednesday at 10 am and Noon; Thursday at 10 am and 6:30 pm (including pre-show pizza party at 5:30 pm); Friday at 10 am and 6:30 pm (including post-show PJ Party); Saturday at 11 am and 6 pm; and Sunday at 11 am. Exceptions: No 6:30 pm show on Thursday, October 11. No performances Saturday, October 13. Press opening is Friday, October 12 at 6:30 pm.

More events connected to Harold and the Purple Crayon include a visit from Building Block Toys on Sunday, October 11 at 11 am, back this year to sponsor a post-show party including face painting, glitter tattoos, yummy treats, activities and giveaways.

Neighborhood Parent's Network is back hosting the Sunday, October 21, 11 am performance of Harold and the Purple Crayon. Continuing CCT's tradition of giving back to the community, families are encouraged to bring new or gently used children's books to any performance to donate to Chicago area kids in need via the Open Books donation box in the lobby.

Harold and the Purple Crayon is recommended for ages 3 and up. Running time is approximately one hour. For all performances, the Ruth Page lobby will be plastered with blackboards, butcher paper and buckets of purple chalk so kids can doodle before and after the show, just like Harold.

Single tickets to Harold and the Purple Crayon are $20-$36. Purchase tickets online at chicagochildrenstheatre.org or call Chicago Children's Theatre's new dedicated box office line at the Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 872-222-9555. For discounted school, scout, playgroup and group rates, contact GroupTix at 773.327.3778 or visit GroupTix.net.

Built in 1927, the Ruth Page Center for Arts is an iconic Chicago theater, and former home to such respected local companies as Lookingglass and Chicago Shakespeare Theatre. The Ruth Page is located at 1016 N. Dearborn Street, a lovely tree-lined street in the heart of Chicago's Gold Coast neighborhood, just steps from the Magnificent Mile. Neighborhood street parking is available, or the Ruth Page offers discounted parking with ticket validation at the self-parking deck at the intersection of Division and Dearborn. Via public transit, the Ruth Page is a short walk from the CTA Red Line Clark/Division and Chicago stops, and the Clark, Broadway, Division and Chicago Avenue bus lines.

Nearby family-friendly restaurants include Chicago Q (1160 N. Dearborn), Epic Burger (40 E. Pearson), Lou Malnati's Pizzeria (1120 N. State), Edwardo's Natural Pizza (1212 N. Dearborn), The 3rd Coast Café (1260 N. Deaborn), and for the family looking for a full day of fun, Dave and Busters (1030 N. Clark).

In addition to presenting plays, Chicago Children's Theatre will introduce theater classes for kids at the Ruth Page this fall. Tiny Sparks is a story playtime for ages 3 to 5, Mondays from 10 to 10:45 a.m., and Glee Club is for older kids ages 9 to 13, Mondays, 4 to 5:30 p.m. The fall session runs October 22 through December 10. Register online at chicagochildrenstheatre.org, or call 773.227.0180 x15.

While it's a new resident at the Ruth Page, Chicago Children's Theatre isn't a complete stranger to the venue. CCT's critically acclaimed, world premiere of Jackie and Me about baseball legend Jackie Robinson enjoyed a nearly sold-out run at the Ruth Page in 2011 and became one of the company's biggest hits ever.

Since then, Jackie and Me, written by Steven Dietz and based on the popular children's book by Dan Gutman, received subsequent productions in Seattle, Houston and St. Louis, will be published this year by Dramatists Play Service, and will debut this month at New York's Atlantic Theatre Company and next March at Children's Theatre Company in Minneapolis.

In addition to inviting families to its new home at the Ruth Page Center, Chicago's #1 presenter of top-quality professional children's theater is equally thrilled to open its season with the Chicago premiere of a new musical version of Harold and the Purple Crayon, based on the books by Crockett Johnson.

Meet Harold, a curious four year old boy who, armed with his trusty purple crayon, has the power to create a world of his own simply by drawing it. When Harold wants to go on a walk in the moonlight, he finds there is no moon. So Harold draws one. When he has nowhere to walk, Harold draws his own path. Along the way he encounters dangerous dragons, embarks on a perilous sea voyage in a trim little boat, takes a hot air balloon ride, and enjoys a nine-pie picnic, just a few of his many adventures as Harold tries to draw himself back to his own bedroom. This imaginative musical uses breathtaking animation, inventive puppetry, video projections and live, original music to bring Harold's purple-hued world to life. Perfect for introducing young children to theatre, while simultaneously captivating their older companions, Harold and the Purple Crayon will amaze, delight and entertain, while teaching youngsters that anything is possible with a crayon and a big imagination.

Chicago Children's Theatre's Chicago premiere of Harold and the Purple Crayon stars Nate Lewellyn (Harold), and Alex Goodrich and Bethany Thomas. As always, CCT has assembled a design team for Harold that reads like a who's who of Chicago's top professional theater artists: Sean Graney (director); Nick Davio (music direction); Geoffrey Curley (scenic design); Heather Gilbert (lighting design); Alison Siple (costume design); Tommy Rapley (choreography); Liviu Pasare (animation/video design); and Joanna Iwanicka (puppet and prop design). The script is by Don Darryl Rivera, lyrics by Robert Burgess, and music by Auston James.

Immediately following the run at Ruth Page Center, Harold and the Purple Crayon will transfer to the Beverly Arts Center, 2401 W. 111th St., Chicago, for performances November 7-11. Show times are Wednesday and Thursday at 10 am; Friday at 10 am and Noon; Saturday and Sunday at 11 am and 1 pm. Tickets are $21-$41. For tickets and information, go to chicagochildrenstheatre.org or call the Beverly Arts Center box office, 773.445.3838 x200. For discounted school, scout and group rates, contact GroupTix at 773.327.3778 or visit GroupTix.net.

The next week, Harold and the Purple Crayon will travel to the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie, for performances November 14-18. Show times are Wednesday at 10 am and Noon; Friday at 10 am, Noon, and 6:30 pm; and Sunday at 11 am and 2 pm (no shows Thursday, November 15 or Saturday, November 17). Tickets are $16.50-$42.50. For tickets and information, go to chicagochildrenstheatre.org or call the North Shore Center box office, 847.673.6300. For discounted school, scout and group rates, contact GroupTix at 773.327.3778 or visit GroupTix.net.

Chicago Children's Theatre focuses on the production of first-rate children's theatre in Chicago, with top writing, performing and directorial talent and high-quality design and production expertise. Chicago Children's Theatre aspires to enrich our community through diverse and significant theatrical and educational programming that engages and inspires the child in all of us.

Launched in 2005, Chicago Children's Theatre strives to provide affordable and accessible theatre for families and area school children. To enhance the impact of any given production's themes, Chicago Children's Theatre offers educational materials and programs for families and educators.

In addition to its mainstage programming for families, schools and groups, Chicago Children's Theatre will also continue its Red Kite Project in 2012-2013, creating multi-sensory, interactive theater programming tailored specifically to the needs and interests of children on the autism spectrum. For more information, call 773.227.0180 x15 or visit theredkiteproject.org.

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