Chicago Children's Theatre's Anti-Bullying Musical THE HUNDRED DRESSES is Back

With the New Year comes the return of an all-time favorite, Chicago Children's Theatre's The Hundred Dresses, the smash hit musical about a young girl who struggles with bullying and learns what it takes to stand up to others - even when you're standing alone.

Adapted and created by Ralph "Ralph's World" Covert and G. Riley Mills, the original 2009 world premiere was one of Chicago Children's Theatre's biggest hits ever, prompting the Chicago Tribune to proclaim CCT had "delivered on its promise to elevate the experience of children's theater in this city." Now The Hundred Dresses is back, directed again by Sean Graney, artistic director of The Hypocrites, and it's ready to engage a whole new generation of Chicago children with its funny, touching story, prankster school boy characters, girls in a rainbow of dresses, high-energy rock music, and fun, creative choreography, all tied together with a poignant and timely anti-bullying message.

Meet Wanda Petronski, the new girl in school. Wanda talks with a funny foreign accent and wears the same faded blue dress to school every day. Yet she swears her closet back home is lined with 100 beautiful silk dresses. Still, the "mean girls" at school pick on Wanda relentlessly. And those who stand by silently soon learn that doing nothing can be the worst form of bullying of all. Based on Eleanor Estes' timeless children's novel, Chicago Children's Theatre's smash hit The Hundred Dresses takes audiences of all ages on a fun, funny, heartwarming musical journey that explores the bonds of friendship and the courage to be yourself.

Performances are January 17-February 12, 2017 at the Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn St., Chicago. Show times are Tuesdays through Friday at
10 a.m., Saturdays at 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 6 p.m., and Sundays at 11 a.m. and
2 p.m. Press opening performances are Saturday, January 21 at 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 6 p.m., and Sunday, January 22 at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

The Hundred Dresses runs approximately one hour and is ideal for ages 6 to adult. Single tickets are $10-$39. For tickets and information, visit chicagochildrenstheatre.org or call (872) 222-9555.

Chicago Children's Theatre's performance home, the Ruth Page Center for the Arts, is convenient to public transportation, surrounded by family-friendly restaurants and located just steps from the Magnificent Mile. CCT also offers discounted group rates for schools, playgroups, birthday parties and scouting groups. Email GroupSales@chicagochildrenstheatre.org or call
(773) 227-0180 x 15 to learn more.

Access Weekend for The Hundred Dresses
Access Weekend for The Hundred Dresses is Saturday and Sunday, February 4 and 5, with services for persons with disabilities integrated into public performances. These include: Live open captioning for guests who are deaf or hard of hearing: Saturday, February 4 at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m., Sunday, November 13 at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Sensory friendly performance with quiet room for children on the autism spectrum or with Down Syndrome: Saturday, February 25 at 11 a.m.

For more information about access services, visit chicagochildrensteatre.org/access

Photo Credit: Michael Brosilow