Victory Gardens Theatre's THE SNOW QUEEN Ends Run in Chicago 12/27

Hold on tight, because Victory Gardens Theater's smash hit winter musical The Snow Queen - conceived by Chicago folk music legend Michael Smith, Tony Award-winning director Frank Galati, and master puppeteer Blair Thomas & Co - is sledding back into town for her fourth season as Chicago's #1 alternative to traditional holiday fare.

Based on Hans Christian Andersen's beloved winter tale about a boy who is lost in the cold, and the girl who won't give up until she finds him, Victory Gardens' The Snow Queen is the rare family musical that sings to children, and speaks to adults. Eye-popping puppetry, warm storytelling, and a chillingly beautiful score combine for "a terrific holiday show in a great theater" (Chicago Sun-Times) and "the nicest present we've gotten for the holidays" (Time Out Chicago). Anticipating this year's remount, Chicago Magazine just added "any musical rhyming ‘sturgeon' with ‘virgin' deserves a look-see."

Audiences can expect a few new touches in 2009 when director Jim Corti takes over the The Snow Queen's directorial reins, fresh from his wildly acclaimed staging of Cabaret at Drury Lane Oakbrook. Victory Gardens also introduces a new Gerda this season - Leslie Ann Sheppard, who most recently attracted rave reviews as Maddie in Chicago Children's Theater's The Hundred Dresses. Andrew Keltz, who originated the role of Kai in the musical's first two outings, and recently featured in American Theater Company's Yeast Nation, returns as the Snow Queen's young prey. Award-winning actress Cheryl Lynn Bruce also returns for her fourth year as The Storyteller.

Backing Michael Smith live on stage are a who's who of Chicago's top folk musicians - Rob Arendt, Barbara Barrow, Sue Demel, Bob Goins, and Cathy Norden - who also play various fairy tale characters in the show. In addition to directing, Jim Corti also returns as choreographer, along with master puppeteer Blair Thomas, MerEdith Miller (co-puppet designer), Jeff Bauer (sets), Tatjana Radisic (costumes), Jenna McDanold (lights) and Joe Cerqua (sound). Puppeteer/dancers are Genevieve Victoria Garcia, Nicole Pellegrino and Lindsay Noel Whiting. Tina M. Jach is production stage manager.

 Performances run through December 27 at the Victory Gardens Biograph Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Avenue, Chicago. The Snow Queen is recommended for children seven and up. For tickets and information, call the Victory Gardens box office, (773) 871-3000, or visit http://www.victorygardens.org/ .

The Snow Queen is supported in part by Motorola Foundation.

MORE ABOUT THE SNOW QUEEN

Meet Kai and Gerda - the best of childhood friends. But tragedy strikes when Kai's eye and heart are pierced with frozen shards from the Devil's mirror, and the sweet, loving boy Gerda knew vanishes. The evil Snow Queen has put Kai under her trance and spirited him away to her frozen palace of snow and ice. Determined to rescue Kai, Gerda sets off on a journey north, encountering a sly enchantress, singing wooden soldiers, talking reindeer, and knife-wielding robber girls along the way. Will Gerda successfully brave the Snow Queen's icy ire, and bring Kai home to the love that awaits him?

Victory Gardens' live musical version of The Snow Queen debuted in 2006, and quickly became one of the biggest hits in the company's 36-year history. In its second outing, the original production returned with a magical new scenic design by top Chicago designer Jeff Bauer, inventive new choreography by Jim Corti, and the same haunting, hilarious folk music score that charmed young and old alike. The Chicago Tribune called the show's eclectic score a "complex folk opera," praising Smith's wickedly humorous lyrics and moving songs of the heart including "Red Shoes," "Love Letter on a Fish," and "Up in the Clouds." The Chicago Sun-Times hailed the new, improved Snow Queen "Even better the second time around...by far the strangest, funniest and most musically and verbally sophisticated of all the holiday offerings."

THE SNOW QUEEN: TIMES, DATES AND TICKET INFORMATION

Low priced previews are November 27-29: Friday at 7:30 pm; Saturday at 3 pm and 7:30 pm; and Sunday at 3 pm. Previews are $20-$37. Press opening is Monday, November 30 at 7:30 pm. Regular performances are: Wednesday, December 2 at 7:30 pm; Thursday, December 3 at 7:30 pm; Friday, December 4 at 7:30 pm; Saturday, December 5 at 3 pm and 7:30 pm; Sunday, December 6 at 3 pm; Thursday, December 10 at 7:30 pm; Friday, December 11 at 7:30 pm; Saturday, December 12 at 3 pm and 7:30 pm; Sunday, December 13 at 3 pm; Wednesday, December 16 at 7:30 pm; Thursday, December 17 at 7:30 pm; Friday, December 18 at 7:30 pm; Saturday, December 19 at 3 pm and 7:30 pm; Sunday, December 20 at 3 pm; Tuesday, December 22 at 7:30 pm; Wednesday, December 23 at 3 pm and 7:30 pm; Thursday, December 24 (Christmas Eve) at 3 pm; Saturday, December 26 at 3 and 7:30 pm; and Sunday, December 27 at 3 pm. Tickets to regular performances are $20-$48.

For tickets and information, call (773) 871-3000, or go to victorygardens.org. Call (773) 549-5788 ext. 2131 for discounted group rates. Five-play subscriptions including The Snow Queen and four more exciting productions start at only $80, and make wonderful holiday gifts.

 

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