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When I first heard that CORDUROY was going to be performed at The Broadway Playhouse a sense of nostalgia came over me. Don Freeman's classic tales about this lovable bear were a favorite as a child - I recall my parents reading Corduroy, and A Pocket for Corduroy, to me over and over and then the sense of accomplishment when I could read them all by myself!
Emerald City Theatre brings us this sweet adaptation of Don Freeman’s classic book, the story of how a small bear’s quest for a missing button leads to the friendship of a lifetime. After the lights are dimmed and the doors locked, the department store comes to life with circus elements and physical comedy. It’s up to Corduroy to outsmart the Night Watchman as he waits for his new pal Lisa to return with her mother. Along with exciting scenes of clowning and mischief, the story teaches the importance of empathy and unconditional love. Tailored for young imaginations, this playful adventure will delight ages 3 and up!
 | We had the pleasure of seeing Corduroy on December 7th and it did not disappoint! Audience members of all ages were laughing along with the physical and comedic elements of the show, but also hoping and cheering for Corduroy to find his missing button and for Lisa to find him. Macaroni Kid Chicago had the pleasure of interviewing Jamal Howard, Associate Artistic Director, to learn more about him and how Corduroy was brought to life for Chicago audiences. |
Q: I read that you fell in love with theatre at a young age. Can you tell me about your experiences with the stage growing up? As an adult, what are some of the lessons you gained from those early experiences?
I grew up in San Jose, CA and performing with a company called Children’s Musical Theatre San Jose (CMTSJ). I started at age 8 and fell in love right away with musicals, performing, and storytelling. I was in 3 or 4 musicals a year- you could not keep me away from the stage. CMTSJ had a very professional program and theatre was taken seriously there. A large chunk of what I’ve learned about directing, choreography, and clear storytelling came from working with that company. At the time, I didn’t know that I would grow up to be a director and have a career in theatre so this company really set me up to succeed. My high school theatre experience was also very beneficial. My high school theatre director, teacher, and mentor, Tom Alessandri, taught me how to focus a message and to focus on the heart- that it doesn’t matter what you do onstage if your audience doesn’t understand what’s going on and how it connects to the character and the story.
Q: When did you know you wanted to try your skills as a director? Was the shift from performer hard?
Growing up and going to the theatre a lot, I was always thinking of ways I would stage or choreograph something differently or take a critical look at a show and see if the message was clear and if all the choices in design and direction helped to support the story. I should have known then that I was going to end up directing later in life (my mother always said I would make a good director). In college, we all had to take a directing class and direct a scene from a play and I loved the process! Then I got a chance to direct my first full production my senior year and I knew I was hooked. Going from performer to director wasn’t hard for me. I had observed talented directors all my life and it just felt natural to move in that direction. I spent some time pursuing both performing and directing simultaneously but ultimately directing won out. I love being a part of every aspect of the production and directing really allows you to be involved in all sides of the story being told and the production coming together.
Q: Personally, Corduroy was my favorite story as a child - but for those who may not be familiar with the book, what drew you to the story?
I read Corduroy when I was really little, so the story and imagery have stuck with me for almost my whole life. The nostalgia of this classic story and the simple curiosity that Corduroy has were big draws to me. This is a story that’s ultimately about finding a home, a place to belong. Corduroy, a teddy bear in a department store, is searching for his lost button for his green overalls because he believes he needs to have it before a little girl named Lisa (and her Mother) will want to take him home with her. Searching for a place to belong and finding a home through friendship and love are themes I love to explore in theatre. Though this story was first published in 1968, it’s messages still ring true today. Many generations have experienced the book and I’m thrilled to bring it to life for all to enjoy and learn from.
Q: Corduroy is a shorter story as far as the number of words & dialogue in it - does that make it easier or more difficult to translate to the stage?
A little bit of both. Since the book has few words and dialogue, we were able to fill in a lot of characterization on our own and really build the characters in a way that would resonate best with Chicago’s children and families. Both the script and book are very non-verbal by nature so the play has a lot of room for action, clowning, and storytelling that can be accomplished without words. We took full advantage of this with our production- the play is filled with acrobatics, chase sequences, and pratfalls that will entertain all ages. In addition, there are a lot of sweet moments that help tell the story. We’ve incorporated a little bit of American Sign Language into the play- audiences learn how to say “friend”, “button”, and “home” among other words while Corduroy is trying to find each of these things. There’s also a big expansion on the relationship between Lisa and her mother from what is in the book. The play explores this mother-daughter dynamic and how these two characters learn to empathize with each other and understand the love and support they are capable of.
Q: I know that the show recently opened - how has it been received by audiences?
It’s been going really well! Adults and kids alike are raving about the experience. Kids are coming out of the show energized, entertained, and ready to go on an adventure and their grown-ups are always impressed by our production value and wonderfully engaging performances. There’s something for everyone in this show and that’s something we pride ourselves on at Emerald City Theatre.
Q: What do you enjoy most about working on productions for young audiences and their families?
My favorite part of working on these productions is having an audience and seeing them discover the story and characters for the first time. There’s nothing like being at one of our student matinee performances where the audience is filled with hundreds of kids. When you get that many kids together in a theatre and focused on the performance, something really great happens. They are surrounded by their peers and no longer are afraid to react honestly and to fully engage in the performance- they are not worried about how they are “supposed to act” and they are just themselves. It’s really great when you get to see kids recognize themselves in the characters and actors on stage. We cast our shows in a way that allows all of Chicago’s children to see themselves on stage and they can imagine themselves accomplishing large goals and being successful in their own lives.
Q: What do you think Chicago families will enjoy most about this show? Do you have an age recommendation for this production?
There is so much to this story and play that Chicago families will enjoy it’s hard to pick one aspect! A large part of what makes this production so enjoyable is the character of Corduroy and the actor who brings him to life, Jean Claudio. Jean is a professional clown and acrobat from Puerto Rico and expresses himself so well without using words and only using his body and facial expressions. He really is a delight to watch- not only does he flip around the stage and perform many physical tricks, but he does so with the wonder of a small child exploring the world for the first time. He is hilarious and engaging and wins over every child and adult in the audience. I recommend this play for ages 3 and up but really mean the “and up”. Adults, as well as kids of all ages, are coming out of this show thoroughly entertained and ready for the holiday season!
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Corduroy runs at The Broadway Playhouse until January 5th - Don't miss it!
