How I love it when 2 of my favorite things collide--books and theatre! And with Chicago Children's Theatre's Harold and the Purple Crayon, this collision made for an amazing night!
From their website...
Harold and the Purple Crayon teaches young audiences that anything is possible with a crayon and a big imagination. Meet Harold, a curious four year old boy who, armed with his trusty purple crayon, has the power to create a world of his own simply by drawing it. This imaginative musical uses breathtaking animation, inventive puppetry, and original music to bring Harold’s purple-hued world to life; it is perfect for introducing young children to theatre while simultaneously captivating their older companions.
From the moment you walk into the theatre (Chicago Children's Theatre's new space, Ruth Page Center for the Arts), audience members are encouraged to use their imaginations and create. Everyone is given purple crayons and there is paper lining the lobby walls and inside the theatre. Once seated young, wiggly audience members are kept entertained by great music from the onstage band. The night I was there, the audience sang along, clapped and even danced a little. And this was all before the show even started! Fun!!
Once the show starts, the audience is immediately engaged with Harold's imaginary world. From dragons to puffer fish (such a creatively made prop!) to a moose and porcupine singing about love, the show is a non-stop journey through Harold's imagination! And the 3 person cast, great songs and awesome choreography make the journey so much fun!
My family and I thoroughly enjoyed all 3 actors in Harold and the Purple Crayon, but I have to give special mention to Alex Goodrich. This is the 3rd show we've seen him in and every time we LOVE his performance. Alex is an ideal performer for theatre for young audiences--he's high energy, he's engaging, he's funny, but he's also honest and he never talks down to the kids or acts "cheesy" just because the audience members are little. Mr. Goodrich is a definite fave of ours in the Chicago theatre scene!
Chicago Children's Theatre doesn't just entertain their audiences, they educate them. But they do it in such a way that everyone is having fun and no one realizes that they are (GASP!) learning! Harold and the Purple Crayon's program includes a great activity book with opportunities for families to continue exploring creativity long after the show is over.
Harold and the Purple Crayon is at the Ruth Page Center for the Arts until Nov. 4 and then moves to the Beverly Arts Center Nov. 7 - 11. If you have friends outside of Chicago, let them know it will also spend a few days in Skokie at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts (Nov. 14 - 18).
Mark your calendars (preferably with a purple crayon!) and do NOT miss Harold and the Purple Crayon!
Disclosure: I was given 3 tickets to the show to facilitate this review, but as always all opinions are my own.
