Hike through Jackie O's life at Arboretum

The Morton Arboretum's Theatre-Hike through Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis' life is more than just a walk in the park.

For those intrigued by the woman often viewed as America's royalty (or for others who can't forget the images of her stained with blood after her husband's assassination), this satirical take on Jackie O provides a lighthearted look into her life outside the public eye in "Jackie: An American Life."

The arboretum's unique spin on theater - a two-mile hike through the grounds with natural scenery providing the play's settings - begins at 3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays in September at the outdoor museum in Lisle.

Starting in her early childhood in the 1930s and ending with Aristotle Onassis's death in the 1970s, settings vary from her first meeting John F. Kennedy along the campaign trail to her second husband Aristotle Onassis's yacht.

During the stroll through the arboretum's grounds, Director Bradley Baker hopes the audience sees the person who was Jackie Bouvier before she became the first lady.

"Her relationships in general might not be as clear to the general public," he said. "This production is taken more as snapshots of small conversations. There's a great scene with Truman Capote and she just unloads on him and he becomes a close friend and it's great to hear that conversation."

The production is one of five Theatre-Hikes this year.

"It's a really great way to combine a number of people's interests," said Mary Samerdyke, special events coordinator for the arboretum. "For people who are outdoor enthusiasts it's an opportunity to get outside and enjoy the weather. For people who are theater enthusiasts, they get to see a play in a beautiful setting."

Eight actors will play more than 81 characters. Two actors play Jackie and JFK. The other six change characters from scene to scene and have incorporated puppets and music into the production.

"I see it as a great way to learn more about Jackie's life while being entertained at the same time," Baker said. "The show is written perfectly for a Theatre-Hike. We don't have scenery. The actors become the scenery."

Beyond learning more about Jackie's life, Samerdyke said it's a great way to get exercise while breaking up the monotony of the treadmill and the gym.

Theatergoers will hike more than two miles through the course of the two-hour production. The hike isn't so strenuous that people pushing strollers or wheelchairs would have a difficult time, she said.

"It's a really unique experience," Samerdyke said. "They do a great job of finding parts of our grounds that compliment the play."

Tickets are $10 to $25, with discounts for arboretum members.

If you go

What: "Jackie: An American Life" Theatre-Hike

When: 3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays in September

Where: From the Thornhill Shelter at the Morton Arboretum, 4100 Route 53, Lisle

Cost: $10 to $25, with discounts for arboretum members

Info: (630) 968-0074 or mortonarb.org