Theatre News Wire

Chicago Children's Theatre, the city's #1 producer of top-quality, professional theatre for children, is reaching out to a whole new demographic - babies, toddlers, and their parents who crave a fresh, fun new play experience that doubles as time well spent with your child - with the world premiere of Dot & Ziggy, the company's first foray into the groundbreaking new world of Baby and Toddler Theatre.

"That's right, our final presentation of the 2010-2011 season, Dot & Ziggy, is a brand new, highly interactive show created specifically for babies as young as six months old, up to four years," confirmed Chicago Children's Theatre Artistic Director Jacqueline Russell. "Produced in collaboration with Seattle Children's Theatre, Dot & Ziggy marks Chicago Children's Theatre's bold entrance into a unique new body of interactive educational theatrical programming for babies and toddlers in Chicago."

"Theatre for the very young started in Italy around 25 years ago and has been a staple in Europe and Australia for nearly two decades, but sophisticated stage plays targeting children as young as six months are only now starting to gain popularity in the U.S., particularly in Seattle and Minneapolis," added Russell, who earlier in her career helped popularize the Old Town School of Folk Music's early childhood music program Wiggleworms. "Until now, parents here have never had the same opportunity to spend quality time with their little ones in an interactive, live theatre experience that promotes early childhood development, literacy and the importance and power of play. We can't wait to introduce Baby and Toddler Theatre to Chicago and take early childhood arts programming to a whole new level."

A delightful story of a ladybug and a skunk who explore their differences and similarities, Dot & Ziggy will be presented May 8 through June 26, 2011 at the Victory Gardens Biograph Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Avenue, Chicago. Baby, toddler, mommy, daddy, day care and pre-school friendly performance times are 10 a.m., Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday; and 10 a.m. and Noon, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. (Exceptions: There are added performances at 10 a.m. and Noon on Monday, May 9. No shows Tuesday, May 10.)

Tickets to Dot & Ziggy are $16 weekdays; $18 weekends. Tickets include an exclusive discount or offer at a nearby family-friendly partner restaurant including Kim & Scott's Cafe Twist, 2218 N. Lincoln Avenue, or John's Place, 1202 W. Webster Avenue. Tickets can be purchased online at chicagochildrenstheatre.org, by calling (866) 811-4111, or on-site, day of show. Call GroupTix, (773) 327-3778, or visit GroupTix.net for discounted rates for groups of 10 or more - ideal for birthday parties, private performances and pre-school fundraisers.