2007 Gala
For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL, Monday, April 16, 2007 -
Contact
Carol Fox & Associates
(773)327-3830
http://www.chicagochildrenstheatre.org/pr
CHICAGO CHILDREN’S THEATRE CELEBRATES THE CHILD IN ALL OF US WITH THE GO, DOG. GO! GALA APRIL 21
Spirited Gala for the Entire Family Features Special Performance and Post Show Party and Dinner
CHICAGO – The second annual Chicago Children’s Theatre gala embodies the excitement and fun spirit of their upcoming production of Go, Dog. Go! with an array of activities including special performance of the play, reception with entertainment provided by the Wee Hairy Beasties and a family style dinner in under a Millennium Park tent. This family friendly gala invites guests of all ages to don their dancing shoes and party hats on April 21.
The fun filled afternoon kicks with the exuberant performance of Go, Dog. Go! at 2 p.m. in Butler Field, located at Monroe Street and Lake Shore Drive. Following the performance will be refreshments and entertainment atop the Harris Theater in Millennium Park. Kids can snack on an array of fun finger foods while the adults enjoy tasty hors d’oeuvres. Then guests will get the dance-with-ants-in-your-pants feeling as the Wee Hairy Beasties, perform rocking music for the entire family. Led by Jon Langford of the influential punk-rock band The Mekon’s, the Wee Hairy Beasties break the kids music mold by performing an eclectic mix of folk, blues and country. Afterwards, a short stroll will bring guests to the North Promenade in Millennium Park for a family style dinner and make your own ice cream buffet.
Individual tickets are $500 or $1000 for premier tickets which includes acknowledgement in the event program book and a signed poster or photo of Go, Dog. Go!. Tables of 10 are $5,000 or $10,000 for a premiere table which includes the above gifts along with VIP seating.
The Gala Host Committee is chaired by Barbara Leland. Co-Chairs include Calvin and Sharon Butler, Peyton and Jon Callahan, Beth Daley and Scott Ullem, Sonny and Julia Garg, Dedrea and Paul Gray, Victoria Lautman, Todd and Barbara Leland, Gail and Andrew Marks, Lynn and Barrett Murphy, Gigi Pritzker Pucker and Michael Pucker and Jacqueline and Glenn Tilton.
Go, Dog. Go! features dogs of all colors, shapes and sizes who dance, sing, work, play, skate and climb through a magical world where dogs are king. Adapted from P.D. Eastman’s classic children’s book by Steven Dietz and Allison Gregory, Go, Dog, Go! turns Butler Field into a chaotic circus replete with acrobatics, juggling, clowning and live music all housed in a colorful 750-seat circus tent.
An impressive cast of actors with specialties in children’s theatre, clowning and physical comedy includes Molly Brennan, Adrian Danzig, Dean Evans, Alison Halstead and Johanna Miller. Other members of the creative team include Jim Lasko as production designer and Jonathan Mastro as musical director.
Go, Dog. Go! is enjoyed by everyone aged four and older and will run from April 13 through May 20 under the big top in Butler Field in Grant Park at Monroe Street and Lake Shore Drive. Press opening is April 22 at 3 p.m. Ticket prices range from $15-38 and are currently available by calling 312.334.7777 or by visiting www.chicagochildrenstheatre.org. Group tickets are also available. For tickets for groups or birthday parties of 10 or more, call GroupTix: 877-4-GRP-TIX (877-447-7849). On-site concessions will be provided through a partnership by Starbucks Coffee.
Chicago Children’s Theatre has teamed with Target to present the Target Family Matinee Series which offers a limited number of two-for-one tickets on Sunday afternoons. Sunday, April 15 kicks off the Family Matinee Series with a 3 p.m. performance which includes a special performance by Chicago Children’s Choir Pilsen Neighborhood Choir as well as dog related activities lead by theater artists. Gifts, snacks and refreshments will be provided by Target and tickets are available for this performance for only $1 per person.
About Chicago Park District
As one of the nation's largest park and recreation systems, the Chicago Park District is home to more than 7,300 acres of parkland, 552 parks, 32 beaches, nine museums, two world-class conservatories, 16 historic lagoons, 10 bird and wildlife gardens, thousands of special events, sports and entertaining programs. For more information, please visit www.chicagoparkdistrtict.com, or call 312-742-PLAY or 312-747-2001 (TTY).
About Chicago Children’s Theatre
Chicago Children’s Theatre aspires to enrich our community through diverse and significant theatrical programming that engages and inspires the child in all of us. Chicago Children’s Theatre focuses on the production of first-rate children’s theater in Chicago, with top writing, performing and directorial talent and high-quality design and production expertise.
Led by Artistic Director Jacqueline Russell, Executive Director Claude Binder and Board Chair Todd Leland, the company is supported by a dynamic Board of Directors comprised of dedicated individuals from the fields of entertainment, philanthropy and business, and a committed Artistic Council of Chicago-based actors, directors, musicians and designers.
Founded in 2005 with its Inaugural Production, A Year With Frog and Toad, Chicago Children’s Theatre strives to provide affordable and accessible theater for families and area school children. To enhance the impact of any given production’s themes, Chicago Children’s Theatre offers educational materials and programs for families and educators.
For more information about Chicago Children’s Theatre visit www.chicagochildrenstheatre.org or call 773-227-0180.