“Little Red Riding Hood”

**** Children’s theater is a very important part of our world. First tastes of theater is where we build the love of theater that makes the “world go round” .Chicago Kids Company has been doing shows for 31 seasons. They do not have their own venue but have been able to offer their productions on the north side ( now at the  Apollo Theater located at 2550 N. Lincoln Ave.) and on the south side at The Beverly Arts Center at 2407 W. 111th Street.

Today, I visited the Apollo for the opening of “Little Red Riding Hood” a 60 minute musical that is immersive inn that the children ( and parents) in the audience are allowed to participate. This was my first visit to one of their productions and I was very impressed. On weekdays, the audience is composed of many school groups, mostly preschoolers today and on week-ends , families. My Junior Reviewer Tommaso and his mother are attending on Saturday and their notes will follow on this page.

The story is simple. Everyone knows the tale of Red Ridinghood ( played to perfection by the ever bubbly Laura Noigebaur) and her visit to “Grandmother’s House”. This starts with a lovely little intro song sung by  The Baker (Rami Halabi ( who also plays Woody and Falsh), Mr. Green (Philip Macaluso who also plays the Wolf) and Mrs. Shine ( deftly handled by Kayeah Wilson) who is a wonderful Mother and even stronger Grandma.

The first time the audience gets involved is when Mother sings her “rules” song- “don’t stray from the path” along with don’t talk to strangers and no stops along the way. The audience is invited to join in and later they will sing again. The kids were very into it and I am sure the cast feels the excitement that these kids generated. There were several instances when the actors ran through the audience and in some cases, even through the rows of seats. Watching the children sitting in my row was a little extra treat for me as it brought me back to the days when my kids and later my grandkids , experienced their first theater- great memories that will last forever.

This is a home-made show written by members of the Chicago Kids Company, directed by them and now that I have learned about them, I will be attending many more of their productions.

“Little Red Riding Hood” will be playing at The Apollo Theater located at 2550 N. Lincoln Avenue through March 8th with performances as follows:

Weekdays at 10:30 a.m.

February 8,14,15,16,19,21,22,23,28 and 29th

March 1,6,7, and 8th

Saturday , March 2nd

Tickets are $18-$22 and are available at 773-205-9600 or online at www.ChicagoKidsCompany.com

Children 2 and under ( lap kids) are no charge

Groups, parties, school groups-special rates.

Running time 60 minutes-  perfect for ages 2-10

Tommaso’s thoughts:

“Don’t Stray From The Path” was the important lesson.

I will remember that song! I loved how the audience got to interact with the characters.

My favorite character was the Wolf. I am still singing!

To see what others are saying, visit www.theatreinchicago.com, go to Review Round-Up and click at “Little Red Riding Hood”.

Currently at Beverly Arts Center- “Beauty and The Beast” thru April 27th.