Chicago Children's Theatre to Present THE VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR AND OTHER ERIC CARLE FAVORITES, Begin. 4/25

Chicago Children's Theatre is excited to welcome Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia back to Chicago to introduce a whole new generation of young theater goers to the wonders of live theatre with the internationally acclaimed company's popular production of The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Other Eric Carle Favorites.

Featuring innovative puppetry, evocative music and stunning "how did they do that?" black light visual effects, this delightful Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia production brings to life three of Eric Carle's all-time family favorites - The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Little Cloud and The Mixed-Up Chameleon. The show is for ages 3 and up, and runs 50 minutes with no intermission.

Chicago Children's Theatre is making it easy for north and northwest suburban families and schools to bring kids to meet everyone's favorite caterpillar by kicking off the run one weekend only, April 25 and 26, at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 W. Skokie Blvd. in Skokie. Tickets start at $20, and the North Shore Center boasts free, ample parking. Performances are Friday, April 25 at 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.; and Saturday, April 26 at 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. For tickets and information, call 847.673.6300 or visit northshorecenter.org.

Following its opening weekend in Skokie, The Very Hungry Caterpillar will move to The Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn St., Chicago, for a five-week run at Chicago Children's Theatre's home base. Tickets start at $25. Performances are April 29 through June 1: Tuesday at 10 a.m.; Wednesday at 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.; Thursday and Friday at 10 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.; Saturday at 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.; Sunday at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. For tickets and information, call the Chicago Children's Theatre box office, (872) 222-9555 or visit chicagochildrenstheatre.org.

"Mermaid Theatre's emphasis on imaginative design elements, original music and challenging texts syncs right up with Chicago Children's Theatre's aesthetic," said Jacqueline Russell, Artistic Director, Chicago Children's Theatre. "So we are thrilled to close our 2013-14 season by welcoming The Very Hungry Caterpillar and giving a whole new generation of young Chicago theater goers their very first live theater experience."

The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Other Eric Carle Favorites is a triple-bill of the popular children's author and illustrator's most beloved stories. The Very Hungry Caterpillar follows the adventures of a very tiny and very hungry caterpillar that eats his way through an amazing variety of foods towards his eventual metamorphosis into a beautiful butterfly.

Children will also delight in the antics of Little Cloud. High up in a beautiful sky, Little Cloud slips away from the rest and transforms itself into various shapes of things it sees - a sheep, and airplane, a shark and more.

In The Mixed-Up Chameleon, a little chameleon is bored sitting about predictably changing color all day. So it decides to embark on an adventurous trip to the zoo. Upon seeing the beautiful animals there, the little chameleon tries changing to look like each one of them.

Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia is best known for unique stage adaptations of children's beloved literary classics. The company's innovative puppetry, striking scenic effects, evocative original music and gentle storytelling has been applauded by five million spectators in 15 countries. For more information visit mermaidtheatre.ca.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Other Eric Carle Favorites is a Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia production, presented by Chicago Children's Theatre, based on the beloved children's books by award-winning illustrator and writer Eric Carle. The production is adapted, directed and designed by Jim Morrow, with music by Steven Naylor and narration by Gordon Pinsent.

Eric Carle is the acclaimed and beloved creator of brilliantly illustrated and innovatively designed picture books for very young children. His best known work, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, has eaten its way into the hearts of millions of children all over the world and has been translated into more than 50 languages and sold over 33 million copies. Since Caterpillar was published in 1969, Carle has illustrated more than 70 books, many best sellers, most of which he also wrote, and more than 110 million copies of his books have sold worldwide. Visit Eric Carle online at eric-carle.com.

Photo Courtesy of Mermaid Theatre of Novia Scotia