Millennium Park Theatre Series arrives this summer

Nine Chicago-area theater companies will comprise a series of site-specific performances in the park as part of the Millennium Park Summer Theatre Residencies program it was announced Tuesday.

Starting in July, the free series will feature the works of Aguijón Theater Company, Barrel of Monkeys, CircEsteem, Chicago Dance Crash, Chicago Full Moon Jam Productions, Collaboraction Theatre Company, Emerald City Theatre, eta Creative Arts and Free Street Theater, presenting performances throughout Millennium Park from July to October.

The program, in honor of Chicago’s citywide Year of Chicago Theatre, will feature the following events at Millennium Park, as announced Tuesday by the city’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events:

July 18–20 — “The Adventures of Peter Rabbit,” Emerald City Theatre (on the Great Lawn): Adapted from Beatrix Potter’s classic tale, the interactive theater experience introduces audiences to Peter Rabbit and Jemima Puddle-Duck and more. Recommended for families with kids ages 5 and under.

July 26–27 — “Belly of the Whale,” Chicago Dance Crash (location to be announced at a later date): An excerpt from Dance Crash’s upcoming production “Lil Pine Nut,” this hip-hop dance scene sees Pinocchio saving his father, Geppetto, after being swallowed by a giant whale. Recommended for families.

Courtesy DCASE and CircEsteem

July 26–28 — CircEsteem (Cloud Gate Plaza): The performance youth troupe celebrates circus spectacle with juggling, acrobatics, clown performance and aerial arts on an 18-foot high aerial rig. The show includes collaborations with Chicago’s various circus schools (Aloft Aerial Circus Arts, MSA Circus Arts and Chicago Wheel JAM) as well as performances by professional performers from Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey Circus, Midnight Circus and more. Recommended for families.

Aug. 5–10 — Barrel of Monkeys (South Boeing Gallery & Cloud Gate Plaza): Writers of all ages are invited to work with troupe teachers in a series of one-hour writing workshops. The works will be then be presented by BOM on site. Recommended for families with kids ages 7 to 17.

Aug. 13, 14 and 17 — “La gran tirana: Descarga teatral (The Great Tyrant: A Theatrical Descarga),” Aguijón Theater Company (Wrigley Square): Inspired by the artistry and fascinating life story of Lupe Victoria Yolí Raymond (La Lupe, the Queen of Latin Soul), this performance piece is an exploration of the artist in exile and how music connects her to her homeland.

Sept. 16–21 — “I Protest,” eta Creative Arts Foundation (Chase Promenade South): Composers, designers and directors from from the troupe will work with young artists to bring to life moments from their own lives and find community in advocacy through video production filmed throughout Millennium Park.

Sept 17, 19 and 21 — “The Moonlight Parade,” Chicago Full Moon Jam (Cloud Gate Plaza): In an epic performance featuring fire dancing, circus arts, drumming and multimedia visuals, heroine Luna realizes that the power to overcome great obstacles exists in each of us – and is an unstoppable force when combined with others.

Joel Maisonet

Oct. 4–6 — “The Book of Peace,” Collaboraction Theatre Company (Cloud Gate Plaza): A sampling of “best of” performances from its 2019 Peacebook Festival and more, featuring music, audience interaction and timely conversation.

Oct. 6–12 — “Still/Here: Manifestos for Joy and Survival,” Free Street Theater (Cloud Gate Plaza): An interactive celebration of the city asks audiences to consider what the past tells us about the future of Chicago.

June 24–Aug. 9 — Family Fun Festival and Lookingglass Theater (Family Fun Tent–Chase Promenade North): From 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. daily the festival will offer family performances and hands-on activities. Lookingglass Theater will be a weekly partner from July 22 to July 26 with a variety of workshops including puppet and mask crafts which children will then incorporate in an interactive drama workshop.

For more information on the programming, visit millenniumpark.org.