Chicago Children's Theatre's FREDERICK Adds Three More Weeks

Chicago Children's Theatre's announced today a three-week extension of its current smash hit musical, Leo Lionni's Frederick.

Originally scheduled to close November 11, families should jump on this new block of tickets now on sale for new performances added through Saturday, December 1 at Chicago Children's Theatre, The Station, 100 S. Racine Ave. in Chicago's West Loop. 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. Frederick is an all-ages show. Single tickets are $39 including fees. For subscriptions, single tickets and information on group rates and weekday student matinees, visit chicagochildrenstheatre.org or call Chicago Children's Theatre Guest Services, (312) 374-8835.

Who doesn't love Frederick the mouse, who appears to be daydreaming the summer away while his fellow field mice work hard gathering food for the winter. But when cold weather arrives, it is Frederick who has a surprise stored up - something special to help his friends survive the long, dreary winter. Based on the Caldecott Award-winning book, Leo Lionni's Frederick is much loved for introducing children to the idea that there is a place for all of us in this world, with a special shout out to the importance of artists in our society.

Ideally timed for families preparing to brave the Chicago winter, Chicago Children's Theatre's Frederick treats the city's newest generation of young theatergoers to a fun-filled, all ages folk musical starring an A-list team of Chicago's top professional theater artists on stage and behind the scenes. At the top is Tommy Rapley, company member with The House Theatre of Chicago and one of this city's most in-demand choreographers, who makes his CCT directing debut with this raucous, fleet footed and playful new take on Leo Lionni's Frederick.

Playing the titular role of Frederick is Tommy Rivera-Vega, acclaimed for his recent work in shows including Goodman's Support Group for Men and Teatro Vista's Parachute Men (Jeff nomination, best supporting actor). Playing Frederick's fellow field mice are Chicago stage veterans Joe Dempsey (Lookingglass' 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Northlight's Faceless; to be replaced in the final weeks by Shawn Pfautsch, the original Ernest in CCT's 2014 world premiere of Frederick); Liz Chidester (Lizzie Borden in Firebrand's rock musical Lizzie, and a Chicago Children's Theater teaching artist) as Sunny; Nicole Laurenzi (Mamma Mia! national tour, also a CCT teaching artist) as Nellie; Leslie Ann Sheppard (CCT's The Hundred Dresses, Northlight's The Legend of Georgia McBride) as Baby; and multi-instrumentalist Jess McIntosh, a composer/performer for The House Theatre.

Leo Lionni's Frederick, a 2014 CCT world premiere, was adapted for the stage by Suzanne Miller and features a spirited folk and rock blues music score by Sarah Durkee and Paul Jacobs. CCT's Frederick production team is Matthew Muñiz (music director), John Musial (scenic design), Izumi Inaba (costume design), Lee Fiskness (lighting design), Kevin O'Donnell (sound design), Eleanor Kahn (properties design) and Jamie Abelson (casting director).

Mama and papa mouse can save by including Leo Lionni's Frederick in a 2018-19 Chicago Children's Theatre subscription package. Soon after Frederick comes Chicago's newest holiday family tradition, The Beatrix Potter Holiday Tea Party, a trunk-style puppet show starring everyone's favorite Beatrix Potter characters, this year with two new stories, coupled with a festive tea and cocoa party. In January, CCT presents the world premiere of X-Marks The Spot, a new, inclusive sensory work conceived by Artistic Director Jacqueline Russell highlighting the experience of blind and low vision audiences. Next, New York's Spellbound Theatre arrives to teach Chicago's youngest theatergoers, kids one to five, about their bodies in the world premiere of The World Inside of Me. CCT's 2018-19 season finale is an all-new, world premiere staging of The Watsons Go to Birmingham - 1963, directed by Wardell Julius Clark, based on the groundbreaking book by Christopher Paul Curtis, adapted by Cheryl L. West, who also adapted CCT's 2018 smash hit, Last Stop on Market Street.

Book early and save on a variety of subscription packages, on sale now at chicagochildrenstheatre.org, or call CCT Guest Services at (312) 374-8835.
Chicago Children's Theatre is centrally located in Chicago's West Loop neighborhood, minutes from I-90 and I-290, as well as downtown and Ashland Avenue. Chicago Children's Theatre offers free onsite parking at The Station on the south side of the building, entering from Racine Ave. Nearby street parking is available, or look for the Impark parking lot at 1301 W. Madison St.

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