OPENING: MADAGASCAR – A MUSICAL ADVENTURE at The Marriott Theatre for Young Audiences

Chi, IL LIVE Shows On Our Radar:

February 25 through April 15, 2017

The Marriott Theatre for Young Audiences

Presents

THE CHICAGO PREMIERE OF

Terry James, Executive Producer

Aaron Thielen, Lead Artistic Director

Andy Hite, Artistic Director

Here at ChiIL Mama, my kids adored the Madagascar movies. Even most of the adults I know cheered on the unlikely Alex the Lion and Marty the Zebra in their great escape, buddy movies. Now you can see it LIVE on stage and "move it move it" with the whole family while enjoying your favorite Madagascar tunes. The Marriott Theatre has a stellar reputation for presenting high caliber, world class shows, and their Marriott Theatre for Young Audiences series is no exception.

It’s time to escape the zoo and head to the stage! The musical twist on the blockbuster DreamWorks motion picture, MADAGASCAR – A MUSICAL ADVENTURE, comes to life for children of all ages at The Marriott Theatre for Young Audiences, 10 Marriott Drive in Lincolnshire, from February 25 through April 15, 2017, with a press opening on March 4 at 10 a.m. Audiences will join the familiar zoo escapees and embark on a truly unique and “crack-a-lackin’” adventure as each animal enjoys freedom for the very first time after spending their entire life in captivity. MADAGASCAR – A MUSICAL ADVENTURE, a theatrical interpretation of the 2005 hit film, will be directed and choreographed by Matt Raftery.

“The Marriott Theatre is proud to be producing the Chicago premiere of MADAGASCAR – A MUSICAL ADVENTURE. We are incredibly excited to be able to share this story with our audiences both young and young at heart”, said Marriott Theatre Artistic Director, Aaron Thielen. “It's exciting to be able to bring these familiar characters from the "big screen" to life on our stage.”

Join Alex the Lion, Marty the Zebra, Melman the Giraffe, Gloria the Hippo and, of course, those hilarious, plotting penguins as they bound onto the stage in this musical adventure. MADAGASCAR – A MUSICAL ADVENTURE follows all of your favorite zoo friends as they escape from their home in New York’s Central Park Zoo and find themselves on an unexpected journey to the madcap world of King Julien’s Madagascar. 

This special one-hour presentation for kids (and parents) of all ages is filled with larger-than-life characters, non-stop adventure, and an upbeat score that will make audiences want to “Move It, Move It!” All performances are followed by a Question & Answer session with the cast.

Costume designer (and assistant director) Jesus Perez assures that audiences will be dazzled by the unexpected costumes and innovative puppetry. “Madagascar is already an established idea, but since this is a live production and not a movie, it has opened up a world of creativity for us. This is the perfect vehicle for me as a designer to bring this fantastical world to life,” said Perez.

MADAGASCAR – A MUSICAL ADVENTURE stars James Earl Jones II as “Marty the Zebra,” Russell Mernagh as “Alex the Lion,” Rashada Dawan as “Gloria the Hippo,” Stephen Schellhardt as “Melman the Giraffe”, Jonathan Butler-Duplessis as “King Julien,” Leah Morrow as “Skipper,” Liam Quealy as “Kowalski,” Laura Savage as “Mort and Private,” Elena Romanowski as “Rico,” Samantha Pauly as “Maurice,” and Jed Feder as “Mason.”

MADAGASCAR – A MUSICAL ADVENTURE runs most Tuesdays through Sundays at 10 a.m. with certain performances at 12:30 p.m. Visit MarriottTheatre.com or call 847.634.0200 for exact schedule, as show times and dates may vary. Single ticket prices are $17.23 per person. Groups of 20 or more receive a discount by calling 847.634.5909. Free parking is available at all shows. To reserve tickets, call the Marriott Theatre Box Office at 847.634.0200 or visit www.MarriottTheatre.com.