Navy Pier as seen from the window of the
Chicago Shakespeare Theater

LITTLE MERMAID Kicks Off Chicago Shakespeare Theater's
The performance runs through August 17 
"Highly Recommended for Young and Old" OPJ
review by Ed Vincent
 

Melody, the Little Mermaid (center, Johanna McKenzie
Miller) resists the advice given by her sea creature friends
Turtell (left, David Lively) and Bobell (right, Chris Petschler).
Photo credit: Michael Brosilow

Nice acrobatics, dancing, and musical charm brings this tale of
youth and adventure.  Mix in a little magic, song, and a love story
and the kids with their parents are delighted. 
 

Seaweed, the sea witch (right, Lauren Robinson) steals
the voice of Melody, the Little Mermaid (left, Johanna
McKenzie Miller).
Photo credit: Michael Brosilow

There is even a drag queen,  Lady Boxington that will enchant cross
dressers, and bring smiles to all. The Shakespeare theatre is a 
wonderful playhouse and their children's/family presentations are
excellent, not too long for the kids, and a great chance to come
to a show for not much more than the cost of a movie ticket, plus
it's live professional theater !!  There is reduced parking at the
Pier when your ticket is stamped, so come and have a bite to
eat at the Pier while your visiting.  If you have not been to the
Chicago Shakespeare theater this is your chance to see the
theater, bring your kids and enjoy a nice family show with a
great cast.

Melody, the Little Mermaid (Johanna McKenzie Miller)
celebrates her coming-of-age birthday with a gift of a 
tiara from her father, King Poseidon (Michael Lindner).
Photo credit: Michael Brosilow

Melody, the Little Mermaid (right, Johanna McKenzie
Miller) finds her true love, Prince Alexander (left, Beau Davidson).
Photo credit: Michael Brosilow

Chicago-June 11, 2003-Chicago Shakespeare Theater on Navy Pier presents the LaSalle Bank Family Festival of Plays, a theater festival offering two
affordable, music-filled productions geared toward families, running all
summer from June 14 through August 17, 2003. The LaSalle Bank Family
Festival of Plays includes a musical fable told under the sea-"Little
Mermaid," and Shakespeare's magical tale, narrated by a rapping, hip-hop
fairy-Short Shakespeare! "A Midsummer Night's Dream." Weekday and weekend, daytime and evening...summer visitors to Navy Pier can see both
family-friendly stage productions performed in Chicago Shakespeare's
510-seat Courtyard Theater throughout the entire summer, with ticket prices
affordable enough to bring the entire family-all seats are $11-$18, with
discounts available to groups. 

The LaSalle Bank Family Festival of Plays begins June 14 with an original,
musical retelling of "Little Mermaid," staged by noted Chicago actor,
choreographer, and director Marc Robin, who returns to Chicago Shakespeare
after restaging the "The Wizard of Oz" last summer. Robin's adaptation
(original book, music and lyrics) of Little Mermaid tells the tale of
Melody, a young mermaid from the Enchanted Sea, torn between her love for
Prince Alexander and the honor of her father, King Poseidon. "Little
Mermaid" is filled with song, vibrant costumes, and comedic sea creatures.
Danish poet Hans Christian Andersen's fairytale has produced several
incarnations in children's storybooks, television programs, films, and stage
presentations. 

The cast of "Little Mermaid" includes: Johanna McKenzie Miller as Melody,
the Little Mermaid, Beau Davidson as Prince Alexander, Michael Linder as
King Poseidon, Lauren Robinson as Seaweed, David Lively as Turtell, Chris
Petschler as Bobell, Carol Kuykendal as Flutter, Joel Hatch as Fogerty,
Patrick Gagnon as Collier, with David DuMortier; Amy Lyn McDonald, and Scott Alan Jones completing the ensemble. 

The design team includes: Scenic design by Robert Kovach, lighting design by
Marcus Doshi, costume design by Jeff Hendry, and sound design by James
Savage. The musical ensemble, led by Phillip Orem, includes: 
Doug Brush, Bob Garrett, and Val Maze.

"Little Mermaid" will be performed June 14 through August 17, 2003 in
Chicago Shakespeare's Courtyard Theater, with performances scheduled:
Thursday at 11:00 a.m.; Friday at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.; Saturday at
12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.; and Sunday at 12:30 and 2:30 p.m. (Wednesday 11
a.m. and Saturday 10:30 a.m. performances begin in July.) Tickets are $14
for adults and $11 for children, aged 12 and under. (Special rates for
groups of 20 or more: $12 for adults and $9 for children, aged 12 and
under.)

Beginning performances on July 16 is Short Shakespeare! "A Midsummer Night's Dream," directed by the award-winning Chicago Shakespeare Theater Associate Artistic Director Gary Griffin. This fast-paced, vibrant, music-filled
75-minute abridgment, tells the story of four young lovers who set out for
the forest to escape the oppressive tyranny of court. Entering the forest,
they find a lush world populated by fairies, ruled by Titania and Oberon. In
a series of mishaps caused by Oberon's mischievous emissary Puck, mortals
mix with fairies, runaway lovers confuse their affections, and one man is
magically transformed into an ass, until morning dawns and all are
reconciled. 

Short Shakespeare! "A Midsummer Night's Dream" will be performed July 16
through August 16, 2003 in Chicago Shakespeare's Courtyard Theater.
Performances are Wednesday at 2:00 p.m., and Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $18 for adults and $15 for students, aged 18 and under. (Special rates for groups of 20 or more: $15 for adults and $10 for
students, aged 18 and under.)

Navy Pier is easily accessible to the LaSalle Bank Family Festival of Plays
audience: free trolley service; accessible public transportation; ample cab
service and a 40% discount on parking for every performance day excluding
Saturdays, when Navy Pier offers a flat rate.

For further information and to purchase tickets, call the Chicago
Shakespeare Theater Box Office at 312.595.5600 or visit the Theater's 
website at Chicago Shakespeare Theater Website

The performance schedule through August 17 is as follows:
 

Wednesday: 11:00 a.m.*
Thursday: 11:00 a.m.
Friday: 11:00 a.m. & 2:00 p.m.
Saturday: 10:30 a.m.*, 12:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m.
Sunday: 12:30 p.m. & 2:30 p.m.

Tickets: $11 for children aged 12 and under; $14 for adults
*denotes performance times which begin in July
----------
Also, beginning July 16 and running through August 16:

Short Shakespeare! A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM

Wednesday: 2:00 p.m.
Thursday: 7:00 p.m.
Friday: 7:00 p.m.
Saturday: 7:00 p.m.

Tickets: $15 for students, aged 18 and under; $18 for adults.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater Website

DIRECTIONS FROM OAK PARK

Coming from Oak Park by car, go to Lake Shore Drive and
head North from the 290 Expressway.  When you approach
the river you want to be in the far right lane and exit as soon
as you get over the river.  Navy Pier is straight ahead of you.
Drive to the Pier and go to the North side of the building for
parking.  Do not go into the first entrance, the Theater is about
two or more entrances from your first turn.  Bring your ticket
with you and have it stamped at intermission or before you leave
for a 40% reduction in parking. Three and a half hours comes
to a little more than $10.00.