Marriott Theatre for Young Audiences – Chicago Theater and Arts

Arthur perfect for young audiences

Arthur & Friends Make A Musical!

Recommended

—And it is fun for all from young kids to their parents and grands. Because Marriott Theatre for Young Audiences pulls from their regular list of actors for the children’s shows, audiences can expect top notch acting and singing.

“Arthur & Friends Make A Musical,” a new adaptation using the characters from books and TV, basically is built around the theme of “be true to yourself” rather than adopt a personality you think will either be more interesting to others or win a competition. The vehicle used here, explained in the title, is for Arthur’s class to make and perform a musical show.

Older youngsters, say, third or fourth graders in the audience, will probably understand that theme but the little kids who sat near me were simply enjoying the music and wanted to dance to the upbeat songs.

That’s OK. Because they are exposed to Theater.

Directed and choreographed by Tommy Rivera-Vega with musical direction by Otto Vogel, “Arthur,”as with other Marriott Children’s shows, is timed to appeal to young audiences. The performance is an hour followed by a Q and A with the cast that should pull in the middle graders.

The cast: Arthur is played by Winter Olamina. Other characters are Joryhebel Ginorio as “DW,” Garrett Lutz as “Buster,” Danielle A. Davis as “Francine” & “Mom,” Arwen-Vira Marsh as “Muffy,” Andrés Enriquez as “Brain” & “Dad,” and Ron King as “Mr. Ratburn.” Also a shout out to Nicholas Hartman for Costume Design which helps connect the young audience to the characters.

The show is based on “Arthur™” created by Marc Brown with book and lyrics by John Maclay, music and lyrics by Brett Ryback. The original production was developed and presented in 2022 by First Stage, Jeff Frank, Artistic Director.

Details: ‘Arthur & Friends Make A Musical” is at Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire, now through Aug. 10, 2025. Most shows are at 10 a.m. with some at 12:30 p.m., Wednesday-Sunday with an ASL interpreted show Aug. 9 at 10 a.m. For tickets and more information visit www.marriotttheatre.com

Jodie Jacobs

Theatre in Chicago

Charlie Brown stands the test of time

Charlie Brown at Marriott Theatre. (Photo by Liz Lauren)

Highly Recommended

A perfect introduction to children’s theatre, “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown,” is a one-hour production in the Marriott Theatre for Young Audiences series.

It’s amazing how timeless this musical, written in 1967, continues to be as it highlights the anxieties and insecurities of children in every generation.

Based on the characters created by cartoonist Charles M. Schultz in his comic strip, Peanuts, the play remains delightful in its simplicity and poignancy.

Charlie Brown and his rag-tag group of friends create a series of vignettes that explore life’s great questions and their relationships with one another. Through it, they play baseball, struggle with sibling rivalry, sing and celebrate their own happiness.

The production stars Patrick Michael Tierney who is a perfect Charlie Brown. Tafadzwa Diener is Lucy who is not only bossy but delivers wonderful vocals as well. Matthew Bettencourt plays Schroeder. Jackson Evans is Linus and Amanda Walker is Sally.

The star of the show really is Andres Enriquez who, as Snoopy, must convey a variety of “doggie” emotions. Hysterical.

One of the lyrics to the final song, “Happiness,” is “Happiness Is anyone or anything that is loved by you.” Could there be anything sweeter?

This production is directed and choreographed by Linda Fortunato, with musical director/conductor Rick Bertone and musical supervisor Ryan T. Nelson.

The show includes additional music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa and dialogue by Michael Mayer from the Tony Award-winning Broadway revival.

This is the first show in the 2023 Young Audience season. Next up is “Elephant and Piggies: We Are in a Play” from July 14 to August 1.

Details: You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown is at Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire, through April 1. For tickets and more information visit Marriott Theatre Charlie Brown and Marriott Theatre.

Mira Temkin

For more shows visit Theatre in Chicago

‘Shrek is more than a simple tale

RECOMMENDED

Cast of Shrek the Musical at Marriott Theatre

There are many reasons to see “Shrek the Musical,” now playing in Marriott Theatre for Young Audiences’ series.

As has come to be expected of Marriott shows whether for adult, general or young audiences, the singing, choreography and costumes are first rate.

Directed by Scott Weinstein, with musical direction by Matt Deitchman and choreography by William Carlos Angulo, “Shrek” has a cast actors known to Chicago audiences. Shea Coffman is Shrek, Jacquelyn Jones plays Fiona, Jonathan Butler-Duplessis is Donkey and Steven Strafford portrays Farquaad.

Then there is Marriott’s understanding that a show for young audiences shouldn’t be more than an hour and that scary creatures such as dragons should be shown as merely clever representations actually moved by actors they can see yet still ferocious enough to interest older children.

But what these shows really come down to for parents and grandparents of grade-school youngsters are talking points for discussions on the way home.

Adapted by Jeanie Tesori and David Lindsay Abaire form DreamWorks’ Oscar-winning movie, “Shrek the Musical,” the show revolves around fairy-tale characters sent to ogre Shrek’s swamp because they have no place to go after being ousted from Farquaad’s kingdom. Farquaad considers them weird and he wants what he considers to be an ideal realm.

Families who think this theme is similar to what is going on now and in the past across the globe or merely want to ask their youngsters what they think about Farquaad and his ideas have a strong basis for discussion in “Shrek.”

Shea Coffman, Jonathan Butler-Duplessis, and Jacquelyne Jones in Shrek the Musical.

However, the ending also leaves a lot open to discussion. Shrek accedes to Farquaad’s wishes to bring him a princess in order to become a king and have a queen . Shrek does so because his reward is to have total ownership and control of the swamp.

The proposed match doesn’t work out. The ogre and the princess realize they’re in love . Shrek welcomes the princess and fairy tale characters to his swamp and everyone is supposedly happy.

So first, there is the argument that love’s first kiss can reveal one’s true self which is what the princess was told when a spell was cast upon her. In the musical the princess and Shrek find out they are alike. And there is the question of do princesses still need rescuing?

Then, there is the talking point, not made in the show, of why should characters who are unlike those in a kingdom, country or area have to reside outside it even if they are welcome elsewhere, such as the show’s swamp.

DETAILS; “Shrek the Musical” is at Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire, through Dec. 30, 2018. Running time: One hour. For tickets and other information call (847) 634-0200 or visit Marriott Theatre.

Jodie Jacobs

For more shows visit Theatre in Chicago