Summer fun with family-friendly shows
If the kids are already complaining they are bored, an outing to the theater may be just the ticket for a different kind of summer fun.
Summer productions for children run the gamut from Disney favorites like “Beauty and the Beast” and “Aladdin” to the upbeat musical “Pinkalicious” and a new twist on an old story with “Rapunzel’s Journey.”
And parents don’t have to worry about a long car ride to get to one of these shows. Families have a choice of kid-friendly theater productions throughout the suburbs, such as the Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire and the Metropolis Theatre in Arlington Heights, in addition to some spectacles downtown.
“Peter Pan”
The high-tech special effects of “Peter Pan” should appeal to everyone from youngsters to teenagers who may think they’re too cool to spend time with the family. This newest production, running through Aug. 21, features more than 15,000 square feet of highresolution video screens and puts a technological spin on the original story by J.M. Barrie about a mischievous boy who can fly and refuses to grow up.
Threesixty Theater, in the Chicago Tribune Freedom Center North, 175 N. State St. Tickets are $25-$75. Call (888) 772-6849 or visit BroadwayInChicago.com or Peterpantheshow.com. Tickets are also available at all Broadway in Chicago box offices and through Ticketmaster. For groups of 15 or more, call (312) 977-1710.#147;Beauty and the Beast#148;
If the kids prefer a love story of magic and monsters, consider #147;Beauty and the Beast#148; at the Ford Oriental Theater through Aug. 7.
Disney#146;s timeless musical tells the story of Belle, a young girl growing up in a village where she doesn#146;t fit in. Through some twists and turns, she discovers a castle filled with talking household items and a mysterious beast.
Ford Oriental Theatre, 24 W. Randolph St., Chicago. Tickets are $18-$85 and can be purchased at Broadway in Chicago box offices, online at BroadwayInChicago.com or at (800) 775-2000. Group rates available. At the MAC
The McAninch Arts Center at College of DuPage will offer two children#146;s productions #8212; #147;Sleeping Beauty#148; on Sunday, July 3; Friday, July 8; Saturday, July 9; and Sunday, July 10, and #147;Rapunzel#146;s Journey#148; on July 3 and 9.
Unlike the beast and his companions, Princes Aurora has all the time in the world to wait for her true love#146;s kiss after she is cast into a deep sleep by evil Maleficent. The new version of #147;Rapunzel#148; will include new and old characters and puts an emphasis on courage and resilience in times of hardship.
Audience participation can be expected at any point in the show.
McAninch Arts Center at College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd. in Glen Ellyn. Adult tickets for both shows $13, seniors and children $11. Call (630) 942-4000 or visit home.cod.edu/atthemac/.#147;Pinkalicious#148;
For something more upbeat, head on over to the musical #147;Pinkalicious,#148; opening Friday, July 8, at the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place.
The musical, about a small girl named Pinkalicious who is obsessed with all things pink, will cover the theater stage from top to bottom in pink through Sept. 3.
Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place, 835 N. Michigan Ave., in Chicago. Tickets are $16-$22 and can be purchased at (800) 775-2000 or broadwayinchicago.com. For groups of 15 or more, call (312) 977-1710.#147;Aladdin#148;
This summer, there#146;s also something for the boys in the family who enjoy the macho displays of wannabe Prince Aladdin at the Marriott Lincolnshire Theatre Thursday, July 14, to Sunday, Aug. 14.
Street urchin Aladdin gets a little help from his genie friend in pursuing the raven-haired princess Jasmine.
Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire. Tickets $15, with group prices available. Call (847) 634-0200 or visit Marriotttheatre.com. #147;The Wizard of Oz#148;
Aladdin and his magic carpet won#146;t be the only ones flying around stage as the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre will be staging #147;The Wizard of Oz#148; Monday, July 18, to Saturday, July 23.
Follow Dorothy and her dog, Toto, as they try to help the Tin Man get a heart, the Lion get courage and the Scarecrow find a brain, all while fighting off evil flying monkeys and the Wicked Witch of the West.
Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, 110 W. Campbell St. in Arlington Heights. Tickets $8. Call (847) 577-2121 or visit MetropolisArts.com. #147;Willy Wonka Jr.#148;
Rounding out the summer is the sweet treat of #147;Willy Wonka Jr.#148; at the Steel Beam Theatre featuring characters from Roald Dahl#146;s popular #147;Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.#148; Oompa Loompas who sing and rivers made of chocolate will grace the Steel Beam stage Thursday, July 21, to Sunday, July 31.
Steel Beam Theatre, 111 W. Main St., in St. Charles. Adult tickets $15 and kids under 16 $10. Tickets may be purchased through SteelBeamTheatre.com or at (630) 587-8521.