Chicago Children's Theatre Closes BUD, NOT BUDDY

Chicago Children's Theatre (CCT) will close Bud, Not Buddy today.

Based on the book by Christopher Paul Curtis, Bud, Not Buddy - the first book ever to receive both the Newbery Medal and the Coretta Scott King Author Award - is a favorite with kids 8 and up and, at many schools, required reading for February, Black History Month.

Bud, Not Buddy follows the heartwarming, unforgettable journey of a young African-American orphan as he searches for his father. Clues kept in a suitcase lead him to adventures in Depression-era Michigan, where he finds community among a group of jazz musicians and, ultimately, an unexpected sense of home. Full of laugh-out-loud humor and wonderful characters, Bud, Not Buddy hits the high notes of jazz and sounds the deeper tones of the Great Depression.

CCT's Chicago debut of Bud, Not Buddy is adapted by Reginald Andre Jackson, and won the Distinguished Play Award from The American Alliance for Theater and Education. Bud, Not Buddy is directed by Derrick Sanders, who staged the company's 2010 smash hit world premiere Jackie and Me about baseball legend Jackie Robinson. The Bud, Not Buddy cast features Travis Turner as Bud, with Kamal Angelo Bolden (familiar to CCT audiences in the title role in Jackie and Me), Sean Bolger, MyKele Callicut, Mackenzie Chinn, Cedric May, Malkia Stampley, Andre Teamer, Genevieve Venjohnson and CedRic Young. Designers are Courtney O'Neill (scenic design); William Kirkham (lighting design); Rick Simms (sound design); Christine Pascual (costume design) and Nick Heggestad (prop design).

Born in Flint, Michigan, Christopher Paul Curtis was always a great reader, but as a youth he could not find books "that were about me." He spent his first 13 years after high school on the assembly line of Flint's historic Fisher Body Plant #1, hanging 80-pound car doors on Buicks. He wrote during his breaks to escape the noise of the factory, while attending college at night. Curtis made an outstanding debut in children's literature with The Watsons Go to Birmingham-1963. His second novel, Bud, Not Buddy, is the first book ever to receive both the Newbery Medal and the Coretta Scott King Author Award. Curtis' writing - and his dedication to it - has been greatly influenced by his family members. He modeled characters in Bud, Not Buddy after his two amazing grandfathers - Earl "Lefty" Lewis, a Negro Baseball League pitcher, and 1930s bandleader Herman E. Curtis, Sr., of Herman Curtis and the Dusky Devastators of the Depression.

Award-winning director Derrick Sanders - Founding Artistic Director of Congo Square Theatre Company, a Chicago Tribune Chicagoan of the Year in 2005, and winner of multiple Joseph Jefferson Awards and Black Theater Alliance Awards - has a national reputation, having directed at countless Chicago, regional and New York theaters.

His most recent collaboration with Chicago Children's Theater, the 2011 world premiere of Jackie and Me, written by Steven Dietz, based on the book by Dan Gutman, enjoyed a nearly sold-out run at the Ruth Page. One of CCT's biggest hits ever, Jackie and Me has since received productions in Seattle, Houston, St. Louis and at New York's Atlantic Theatre Company. Children's Theatre Company in Minneapolis will produce Jackie and Me next March, and the script will be published later this year by Dramatists Play Service.

Sanders is also well known for his many collaborations with the legendary August Wilson, including in Chicago his award-winning productions of Joe Turner's Come and Gone and Seven Guitars for Congo Square. His Off-Broadway directorial debut, Wilson's King Hedley II for Signature Theatre, received two Lucille Lortel and Audelco nominations. He was also a part of August Wilson's world premiere productions of Radio Golf and Gem of the Ocean on Broadway and at the Huntington Theatre, Mark Taper Forum and the Goodman.

The complete performance schedule for Bud, Not Buddy, Jan. 12-Feb. 24, 2013, was: Tuesday and Wednesday at 10 a.m.; Thursday at 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. (including pre-show pizza party at 5:30 p.m.); Friday at 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. (including post-show party); Saturday at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.; and Sunday at 11 a.m. Exceptions: Press opening is Friday, January 18 at 7 p.m. No 6:30 p.m. show on Thursday, Jan. 17. No 10 a.m. performance Saturday, Feb. 2.

Single tickets are $26 for children, $36 for adults. Thursday evenings are $20 for dinner and show. Friday evening are $25 for show and party. To purchase, visit chicagochildrenstheatre.org or call (872) 222-9555. For discounted school, scout, playgroup, extended family and other group rates, visit GroupTix.net or call (773) 327-3778.

Itinerant no longer, Chicago Children's Theatre has happily moved in to its first-ever permanent home, the Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn Street, a lovely tree-lined street in the heart of Chicago's Gold Coast neighborhood, just steps from the Magnificent Mile. Built in 1927, the Ruth Page Center for Arts is an iconic Chicago theater, and former home to such respected local companies as Lookingglass and Chicago Shakespeare Theatre.

Neighborhood street parking is available, or the Ruth Page offers discounted parking with ticket validation at the self-parking deck two blocks north at 1250 N. Dearborn. Via public transit, the Ruth Page is a short walk from the CTA Red Line Clark/Division and Chicago stops, and the Clark, Broadway, Division and Chicago Avenue bus lines.

Nearby family-friendly restaurants include Chicago Q (1160 N. Dearborn), Epic Burger (40 E. Pearson), Lou Malnati's Pizzeria (1120 N. State), Edwardo's Enoteca (1212 N. Dearborn), The 3rd Coast Café (1260 N. Dearborn), and for the family looking for a full day of fun, Dave and Busters (1030 N. Clark).

In addition to freeing up time and resources to better focus on continuing to hire the best professional actors, designers and directors for every show, CCT's new home at the Ruth Page allows additional space for the theater to grow its programming. In addition to presenting its entire season at one consistent, convenient location, the Ruth Page is better equipped to host birthday parties and other special events.

CCT has also introduced children's theater classes at the Ruth Page, including Tiny Sparks, a story playtime for ages 3 to 5, Mondays from 10 to 10:45 a.m., and Glee Club for ages 9 to 13, Mondays, 4 to 5:30 p.m. Sign up for the next session at chicagochildrenstheatre.org, or call (773) 227-0180 x15.

Chicago Children's Theatre focuses on the production of first-rate children's theatre in Chicago, with top writing, performing and directorial talent and high-quality design and production expertise. Chicago Children's Theatre aspires to enrich our community through diverse and significant theatrical and educational programming that engages and inspires the child in all of us.

Launched in 2005, Chicago Children's Theatre strives to provide affordable and accessible theatre for families and area school children. To enhance the impact of any given production's themes, Chicago Children's Theatre offers educational materials and programs for families and educators.

In addition to its mainstage programming for families, schools and groups, Chicago Children's Theatre will also continue its Red Kite Project in 2012-2013, creating multi-sensory, interactive theater programming tailored specifically to the needs and interests of children on the autism spectrum. For more information, call (773) 227-0180 x15 or visit theredkiteproject.org.

Led by Artistic Director Jacqueline Russell, and Board Chair Todd Leland, the company is supported by a committed Artistic Council of Chicago-based actors, directors, musicians and designers, and a dynamic Board of Directors comprised of dedicated individuals from the fields of entertainment, philanthropy and business. Officers include David Saltiel, President; J. Scot Pepper and Jacqueline Tilton, Vice Chairs; Lynn Lockwood Murphy, Vice Chair and Secretary; and David Chung, Treasurer.

Photo Credit: Margaret Strickland