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Skokie's North Shore Center Welcomes Mermaid's THE VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR This Weekend

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Chicago Children's Theatre is making it easy for north and northwest suburban families to introduce tots two years old and up to the wonders of live theater by kicking off the Chicago area run of Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia's The Very Hungry Caterpillar and other Eric Carle Favorites one weekend only, today and tomorrow, April 25 and 26, at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 W. Skokie Blvd. in Skokie.

Featuring innovative puppetry, evocative music and stunning 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.

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. Run time is 50 minutes with no intermission.Tickets start at $20. The North Shore Center has free, ample parking. For tickets and information, call 847.673.6300 or visit northshorecenter.org.

Chicago Children's Theatre has partnered with the Greater Chicago Food Depository to help feed hungry families by launching a food drive, "Feed the Caterpillar. Feed a Child." Collection bins will be stationed in the North Shore Center lobby both days, ready to accept non-perishable foods in cans, cartons or bags.

Chicago Children's Theatre and Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia encourage families to bring food that requires no refrigeration before the show to assist Chicago-area families struggling with hunger.

Chicago Children's Theatre education staff will be offering free Very Hungry Caterpillar art projects for kids on Friday, April 18 at 10:30 a.m. at Kohl's Children's Museum, 2100 Patriot Blvd., Glenview.

Kids will be invited to help color in a huge caterpillar, and create their own to in the painted tissue paper style of author and illustrator Eric Carle. A Pop Up Box Office will also be set up to sell discounted tickets with no ticketing fees to the show's upcoming engagement at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts.

To help make live theater accessible to more families, Chicago Children's Theatre is offering the following discount offers to The Very Hungry Caterpillar:

Senior discount - Seniors 65 and older can always take advantage of a $7 ticket discount. Use promo code SENIOR. (Avoid online ticketing fees by purchasing in-person at the box office.)

Groups - For information on discounted group rates for schools, playgroups, and birthday parties, visit GroupTix.net or call (773) 327-3778.

Theater Fans' Choice Awards
2026 Theater Fans' Choice Awards - Live Stats
Best Revival of a Musical - Top 3
1. Ragtime
38.9% of votes
2. CATS: The Jellicle Ball
22.3% of votes
3. Chess
21.5% of votes

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