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3-PLAY SOPHOMORE SEASON
AT THE GREENHOUSE THEATER CENTER
YPT’s joyful inaugural season saw enthusiastic reviews, sold-out performances, and thousands of local students at special school matinees!
And now Chicago’s newest Theatre for Young Audience (TYA) company is back with an exhilarating 3-play sophomore season to delight all ages. The 2023-24 season launches with the fabulously fun Junie B. Jones, the Musical (Oct 7–Nov 5). Then the New Year sees the Chicago premiere of Wendy Kesselman’s new one-act, TYA version of The Diary of Anne Frank (Feb 17–Mar 24). The season concludes with the dazzling hip-hop/soul adaptation of Matt de la Peña’s Newberry Award-winning Last Stop on Market Street (May 11- June 2).
All performances take place at the historic Greenhouse Theater Center (2257 N. Lincoln Ave). Tickets for all shows on sale now. For tickets and more information, visit yptchi.org or call the box office at 773 404 7336.
NEW THIS SEASON - TWEENS & TEENS
YPT inaugurates its Theatre for Tweens and Teens Series with the Chicago premiere of Wendy Kesselman’s vital new one-act TYA version of The Diary of Anne Frank. Updating the original 1955 Pulitzer Prize-winning text, Kesselman draws on more recently available diary entries to create a more complicated, authentic, and fascinating central character. Kesselman’s adaptation also centers the Jewishness of those in hiding. With Antisemitic incidents in the United States at an all-time high, YPT is proud to bring this consequential new family-focused production to our community. The company’s goal is to spark in children a lasting interest in theatre and this riveting and uncompromising new 75-minute Anne Frank will galvanize a less-served young-adult demographic.
Let Me Be Myself: The Life Story of Anne Frank Best enjoyed by everybody 9+.
YPT’s production will be accompanied by an exhibit from the Anne Frank Center designed to help visitors understand Anne’s story in the context of the Holocaust. The exhibit then jumps forward to consider how young people face discrimination and exclusion today. Audience members can experience Let Me Be Myself: The Life Story of Anne Frank free of charge before and/or after each performance.
FOR YOUNGER AUDIENCES
Bookending the affecting new Anne Frank are two extraordinarily engaging musical theatre productions for the younger set.
Junie B. Jones Best enjoyed by everybody 3+.
Adapted from Barbara Parks’ perennially popular early-reader book series, this TYA classic follows the uproarious escapades of a plucky first-grader who discovers that what makes you happy and what makes you blue is part of the same indelible story that is your life.
Featuring a lively score and hilarious book, Junie B. Jones makes a joyous start to the new YPT season!
Last Stop on Market Street Best enjoyed by everybody 4+.
Visiting his grandmother’s unfamiliar neighborhood, 6-year-old CJ discovers friendship, empathy, and joy in unexpected places.
Adapted by Cheryl L. West from Matt de la Peña and Christian Robinson’s Newberry Award-winning picture book, Last Stop on Market Street’s glorious score is by Paris Ray Dozier and his father, Lamont Dozier, writer of Motown hits like How Sweet It Is and Stop! In the Name of Love.
Originally developed by the Chicago Children’s Theatre and the Children’s Theatre Company, YPT is thrilled to bring the second-ever production of Market Street to Chicago.
"Our first year was such a joy," notes artistic director Randy White. “This season we’re focused on expanding programming to all ages. We're proud to introduce Wendy Kesselman’s brilliant new one-act Anne Frank to local tweens, teens, and families. At the same time, Junie is a personal favorite and a fabulously fun way to kick off the new season. And bringing Matt de La Peña's celebrated Last Stop on Market Street back to Chicago is an honor. Our ambitious 2023-24 season promises something for all our kids!”
JUNIE B. JONES, THE MUSICAL OCT 7 – NOV 5, 2023
Fabulously fun adventures with Junie B. and friends!
Press Performance: Saturday, Oct 7 @ 1:30pm
Preview Performance: Saturday, Oct 7 @ 10am
Performance Schedule: Saturdays at 11am & 1:30pm / Sundays at 1:30pm
Book and lyrics by Marcy Heisler
Lyrics by Zina Goodrich
Adapted from the Junie B. Jones Series of books by Barbara Park Directed by Randy White
Tickets: $25 / $19 (under 12)
Best enjoyed by everyone 3+
Young People’s Theatre of Chicago
The Greenhouse Theater Center · 2257 N Lincoln Ave 60614 randy@yptchi.org · 773.404.7336 · 812.272.4511 (m) · www.yptchi.org
THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK (One Act) FEB 16 - MAR, 2024
The Chicago premiere of an essential new One-Act Theatre for Young Audiences version.
Preview Performances: Performance Schedule:
Saturday, Feb 17 @ 7:00pm
Friday, Feb 16 @ 7:00pm and Saturday, Feb 17 @ 1:30pm Fridays @ 7:00pm
Saturdays @ 1:30pm & 4:00pm
Sundays @ 1:30pm
By Frances Goodrich & Albert Hackett Newly adapted by Wendy Kesselman Based on The Diary of Anne Frank
Tickets: $35 / $24 (under 12)
Best enjoyed by everyone 9+
LAST STOP ON MARKET STREET MAY 11 - JUNE 2, 2024
A hip-hoppin’, toe-tappin’, musical joy-ride about finding beauty in everyday city life.
Preview Performances: Performance Schedule:
Saturday, May 11 @ 1:30pm
Saturday, May 11 @ 10am Saturdays @ 11am & 1:30pm Sundays @ 1:30pm
by Matt de la Peña, Illustrated by Christian Robinson Adapted for the stage by Cheryl L. West
Music and lyrics by Lamont Dozier & Paris Ray Dozier
Tickets: $25 / $19 (under 12) Best enjoyed by everyone 4+
@ The Greenhouse Theater Center 2257 N. Lincoln Ave, Chicago
773 404 7336 / www.yptchi.org
Young People’s Theatre of Chicago
The Greenhouse Theater Center · 2257 N Lincoln Ave 60614 randy@yptchi.org · 773.404.7336 · 812.272.4511 (m) · www.yptchi.org
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