“In My Granny’s Garden”

**** I truly love going to theater that is written and produced for a child audience. Little kids are very open-minded and their brains are like sponges, grabbing each word and or song as if it were their own. Back when I was a student at Goodman Theater School ( when it was part of the Art Institute), Dr. Bella Itkin did the children’s shows and every Saturday, the main stage was filled with excitement. As I go to Marriott and Drury Lane, and Chicago Shakes, I feel the excitement of the children, as well as the grandparents that are their guests ( for the most part). Today, I went to a Chicago Park (Kilbourn Park) on the Northwest side of Chicago for a presentation of “In My Granny’s Garden” inspired by the book written by Pearl Cleage and Zaron Burnett,Jr. and illustrated by Radcliffe Bailey. The music is by Malkia Stampley and the lyrics are by Cleage and Burnett,Jr..

The show is geared for five-year-old kids and is FREE. The show is about 30 minutes in actuality, and then the families can stay ( at least the first 50 will do so) as they get to plant their own veggies to take home and watch grow.

The story tells us that food doesn’t only come from a grocery store. It is grown in the ground and then Granny and her helpers show the kids why hers tastes so good.

The cast members introduce their characters to the kids who are seated on both sides of the “working area” ( I guess the grass stage). They sing songs to get the kids involved and the kids work into the production. They help pick weeks, they hold worms ( not real, but very good replicas) They tell us that the sun is important as is the rain and that even when we do grow the vegetables, we need water to clean them after they are picked. Some of the sngs might seem familiar as they have rewritten “You are My Sunshine” to be “You Are My Sunset” to make it fit the story.

We learn about the progress, not just by hearing from the four very talented ladies who make this all happen, but the way the kids interact with them and with the people who brought them ( parents, grandparents, nannies et al).

When the patrons arrive, each child ( the first 50) gets a pot. When the performance portion of the show is done, then those pots will be used to plant either basil or green beans. For many, having their own plant is pretty cool and for city dwellers , having a vegetable grow in your own home is unique and something to be proud of.

Locations have performances at 9:30am and 11:30am, each lasting approximately one hour. Admission is free.

Friday, August 4 – Lindblom Park (6054 S. Damen)

Saturday, August 5 – Kosciuszko Park (2732 N. Avers)

Tuesday, August 8 – Ken-Well Park (2945 N. Kenosha)

Wednesday, August 9 – Moore Park (5085 W. Adams)

Thursday, August 10 – Harrison Park (1824 S. Wood)

Friday, August 11 – Williams Park (2850 S. State)

Saturday, August 12 – Valley Forge Park (7001 W. 59th)

Tuesday, August 15 – South Shore Cultural Center (7059 S. South Shore)

Wednesday, August 16 – Austin Town Hall Park (5610 W. Lake)

Thursday, August 17 – Gage Park (2411 W. 55th)

Friday, August 18 – Anderson Park (3748 S. Prairie)

Saturday, August 19 – Abbott Park (49 E. 95^th)

Sunday, August 20 at 10:30am and 12:30pm – Chicago Botanic Garden (1000 Lake Cook Rd., Glencoe)

All locations except Chicago Botanic Garden are part of Chicago’s free “Night Out in the Parks” program. The event is also free at Chicago Botanic Garden, but Garden general admission and parking fees apply for nonmembers: https://www.chicagobotanic.org/calendar/event/my_grannys_garden.

In My Granny’s Garden is presented as part of the Chicago Park District’s Night Out in the Parks series, supported by the Mayor’s Office and Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. The Night Out in the Parks program presents cultural events year-round in neighborhood parks throughout the city. The Chicago Park District in partnership with 100 local artists and organizations, present engaging events and performances that enhance quality of life across Chicago and amplify the artistic and cultural vibrancy in every neighborhood. Through multiple disciplines, which include theater, music, movies, dance, site-specific work, nature programs, and community festivals, the series aims to support Chicago-based artists, facilitate community-based partnerships and programs, cultivate civic engagement, and ensure equity in access to the arts for all Chicagoans.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS AND PRODUCING PARTNERS

To see the complete schedule, visit www.goodmantheatre.org. Once there, find the REGISTER HERE button and the select the date and park you want to see the show at.

Again, this is FREE and the little ones I watched today had a ball.  I suggest you bring a blanket of folding chair. They do have some ground cushions available. This is your opportunity to watch your child or grandchild have a live theater experience that will get them on the road to  enjoying the theater, but also maybe start eating their veggies!