Jessie Fisher, the Chicago-bred Broadway star, set for lead in Chicago Children’s Theatre show

Jessie Fisher, the actress who began her career in Chicago with productions at Chicago Shakespeare, Steppenwolf, TimeLine, About Face, The Hypocrites and American Theatre Company — and then went on to win plaudits when she took over the lead in “Once,” the hit Broadway musical — is headed “home.” Fisher will star in the Chicago premiere of “The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane,” the 2015-2016 season opener of the Chicago Children’s Theatre (CCT), set to run Oct 20-Nov. 15 at the Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn.

The show, Dwayne Hartford’s new adaptation of the popular children’s book by Newbery Award-winner Kate DiCamillo, will be directed by Stuart Carden (who has spent five seasons at Writers Theatre, and worked with many other Chicago companies). Fisher previously worked with CCT as part of “Red Kite Round-Up,” the company’s 2011 live theater experience created for children on the autism spectrum. Carden returns to CCT on the heels of his production of Leo Lionni’s “Frederick” last fall.

“Edward Tulane,” recommended for ages 7 and up, tells the story of a very dapper china rabbit—a birthday present for Abilene, a sweet little girl who adores him almost as much as Edward loves himself. Edward begins to realize he has a lot to learn when he is caught at the bottom of the sea in a fisherman’s net and subsequently lands in a garbage dump, travel swith a happy hobo, comforts a sick child, and wanders the streets of Memphis. And as he bounces from person to person and decade to decade he discovers a true miracle — the transformative power of love.

Chicago Children’s Theatre will announce the balance of its 2015-2016 season on April 24, the opening night of its upcoming world premiere of “Wonderland, Alice’s Rock & Roll Adventure.” Discounted multi-play 2015-2016 subscriptions, including “The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane,” go on sale April 27. Single tickets ($10-$38) go on sale Aug 3. For tickets and information, visit chicagochildrenstheatre.org or call (872) 222-9555. Email GroupSales@chicagochildrenstheatre.org or call (773) 227-0180 x 13 to learn about deeply discounted group rates for schools, playgroups, birthday parties and scouting groups.

“The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane” received its world premiere in October 2013 at Childsplay in Phoenix, Arizona, where it won Best Overall Production competing against “adult” theater productions in the state’s AriZoni Awards. It has also been produced at South Coast Repertory and Bay Area Children’s Theatre, both in California.