Elgin children's troupe to stage 'Schoolhouse' musical

More than 80 children ranging from age 7 to 15 years will bring “Schoolhouse Rock Live! Jr. to the Hemmens Cultural Center in Elgin on Friday-Sunday, Oct. 22-24, when the Children's Theatre of Elgin brings its newest production to the stage.

Based on the 1970s television series, “Schoolhouse Rock Live! Jr. tells the story of a new teacher facing his first day at his job and the fear and uncertainty he confronts as he begins his new life. The entire stage becomes a giant television screen as the delightful musical follows Mr. Mizer on his first day of teaching. His thoughts come to life in the form of amazingly catchy songs about math, language, art, science and history.

The cast is drawn from local children who auditioned for the show.

“Schoolhouse Rock' is a wonderful experience for the actors onstage as well as the audience, said Allison Cherry, a second-grade teacher in the Central Unit District 301, who, along with Jaclyn Watt is a co-director of the production. “The kids are having so much fun while performing that it's impossible not to get into it as well.

The show also includes almost a dozen songs that are entertaining and, as in the case of “A Noun is a Person, Place or Thing and “Three is a Magic Number, teach the actors and the audience as well. “Along with being a high-energy, enticing show, Cherry added, “it's educational as well. Facts are easily retained when put to music, and this show gives a lot of information through song.

Performances will be at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 22, and Saturday, Oct. 23, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 24. Tickets are $10 or $8 for students and seniors. Tickets are available through the Hemmens Box Office at (847) 931-5900.

“Schoolhouse Rock Live! Jr. is presented through a special arrangement with Music Theatre International and is sponsored, in part by a generous donation from Jack and Marlene Shales of Shales McNutt Construction.

For information, visit cteelgin.com.