Next Up at Emerald City’s Little Theatre: BINGO’S BIRTHDAY: Tickets On Sale Today

The show was written and created by Emerald City’s Artistic Director Ernie Nolan.Bingo’s Birthday comes hot on the heels of his very popular first production for the very young, The Teddy Bears’ Picnic, which was extended twice and ran for over 150 performances at the Little Theatre. This year, Nolan was the recipient of the 2014 Illinois Theatre Association Award for Excellence in Theatre for Young Audiences. He is currently penning a new musical with Grammy-nominated ‘kindie’ star Justin Roberts, Hansel & Gretel: A Wickedly Delicious Musical Treat  which will premiere this November at the Broadway Playhouse.

“You don’t have to worry about little ones getting squirmy,” says Nolan, “because you’re invited to play along!”

Synposis

You are invited to the birthday party of a very special dog, and Bingo is his name-o! Everything is ready, but Farmers Pickle and Tickle can’t find the guest of honor. Is he near or far? Up or down? Over or under? Explore the farm and help find Bingo in this intimate, theatrical celebration.

Bingo’s Birthday is an Emerald City Play With Me Play, which means it is…

• a cultural experience for children 0-4 on their own terms
• a welcoming and safe environment for children and grown-ups share a creative and playful experience together
• gentle sound and lighting effects that create a full sensory experience
• builds a simple story with the audience through repetition and participation
• a shoe-free experience- please bring socks for you and your little one
• about 45 minutes from beginning to end

Tickets

Bingo’s Birthday opens September 20th, 2014 at Emerald City’s Little Theatre in Lakeview (2933 N. Southport Ave.) Performances take place at various times weekends and weekdays. Check our website for complete schedule.

Tickets are $15 for ages one and up, and $8 for children under one. Purchase tickets on www.EmeraldCityTheatre.com or by calling Audience Services at773.529.2690.

The Artists

Bingo’s Birthday is created and directed by Emerald City’s Artistic Director, Ernie Nolan. The costumes were designed by Alarie Hammock (The Teddy Bears’ Picnic, Steppenwolf Theatre, Million Dollar Quartet), lighting by Jeff-nominated Jeff Glass, featuring Alissa Sherwood as Famer Pickle and George Booker as Farmer Tickle.

About The Little Theatre

Emerald City’s Little Theatre at 2933 N. Southport Ave. in Lakeview is the nation’s first facility dedicated to theatre for the very young. The building has been fully gutted and transformed into an intimate, professional performance and educational space. The Little Theatre is designed and furnished, with extensive support from children’s retailer The Land of Nod, to welcome young children and their grown-ups. From an interactive magnet wall to bathrooms designed with the needs of little ones and their grown-ups in mind, to professional lighting and sound systems, Emerald City’s Little Theatre is as unique as the performances it houses, like the twice-extended premiere production, The Teddy Bears’ Picnic. The extensive remodel was made possible lead with funding from MacArthur Foundation through Driehaus Foundation’s PAV Fund for upgrading facilities for PAV license requirements.

Founded in 1996, Emerald City Theatre creates theatre experiences that inspire early learners through play. Emerald City is one of Chicago’s most attended non-profit theatres, with an annual programming reach of 80,000.

Through a rigorous collaboration between innovating artists and leading educators, Emerald City develops new work for young audiences, with over 29 world premieres; produces professional productions at the Apollo Theater in Lincoln Park, The Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place, and regional tour venues; and provides acclaimed educational programming throughout Chicago through Emerald City Theatre School. Emerald City’s Little Theatre, the nation’s first facility dedicated to theatre for the very young (ages 0-4), opened in April 2013.Emerald City was awarded the Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce’s Excellence in Arts and Culture Award in 2013.

Emerald City’s lead funders include the McArthur Fund for the Arts and Culture, the National Endowment for the Arts, Illinois Arts Council, The Land of Nod, KPMG, Beerman Pritikin Mirabelli Swerdlove, and the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events.