Evanston Hears a Who! - Seussical Opens Tonight at Northwestern

Feeling lonely this Valentines’ Day weekend? Want a place to take that special someone? Come see Seussical at the Northwestern Louis Room Presented by the Jewish Theatre Ensemble!

The more I hear people discuss Seussical, the more I start to think that there is quite a stigma associated with the show. With a reputation like no other, Seussical is famous for having flopped on Broadway and for being picked up and loved by high school theatre departments every where. A combination of Dr. Seuss books (including Horton Hears a Who!, The Cat in the Hat, and many more), Seussical has become one of the most popular musical to be performed off of Broadway.

However, this is no Seussical you have ever seen of or heard of before. Character driven and immensely imaginative, this production focuses on the fun and creative aspects of the show. The costumes are modern and bright, the set is simple and clean, and the lights dazzle and brighten up this interpretative world of Seuss.

Director Madeline Scheffler said that she chose the show for many reasons. “As someone invested in theatre for young audiences, I wanted to do a show that was appropriate for all ages,” said Scheffler, her vision highly focused on imagination. She wanted both kids and adults to feel that they themselves could create this world on their own with everyday household items turned into magical Seuss objects. Primarily consisting of ladders, trunks, and a slew of props, the set for the show is unlike any Seussical set before. “Seussical itself is just such a fun show. It makes me want to smile, think, and question, and I wanted to be able to share that with others,” Scheffler said with excitement, and I think that goal has been more than accomplished.

Interactive, bright, and just plain fun, Seussical is a show that you will not want to miss. So come out to the Northwestern Norris University Center, Louis Room to see Seussical this Valentines’ Day weekend!

Thursday – 8:00pm
Friday – 8:00pm and 11:00pm
Saturday – 2:00pm and 9:00pm

Reserve tickets at http://www.jewsonstage.com/ or at the Norris Box Office. Pre-sale tickets are SOLD OUT for Friday at 8:00, so buy or reserve your tickets soon!

-L.A.U.R.E.N.

Mayor's Award for the Arts Winners Honored Feb 13, Tickets $20

Margherita Andreotti and Shorefront have won the 2008 Mayor's Award for the Arts. Both will be honored at the State of the City Luncheon to be held Friday, February 13, from 11:45 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Hotel Orrington, 1710 Orrington Ave., in the Grand Ballroom.

Annually, the Mayor's Award is given to one Evanston artist and one Evanston arts organization for their contributions to the community through excellence in the arts. Recipients are selected from nominations from the public at large.A former member of the Public Art Committee, Ms. Andreotti is being honored for her devoted efforts to document and bring attention to the status of historic art in Evanston schools. She completed a lengthy report of public art in school buildings within Districts 65 and 202. Some of the objects date back to the Works Progress Administration of the 1930s. It is hoped the report will be a springboard for efforts to preserve and protect this art legacy.

Spearheaded by Morris E. (Dino) Robinson, Jr., Shorefront is a historical society whose goal is to provide surrounding communities with information, publications and exhibits of African American history. Shorefront preserves and collects artifacts and stores them so that they can be exhibited. It has presented traveling exhibits throughout the North Shore, including at Family Focus and the Civic Center.

The State of the City Luncheon is sponsored each year by the Evanston Chamber of Commerce. For ticket information, call 847-328-1500.