Mom to Mom: Go and Enjoy the Show!

We're so lucky here in Chicago's far western suburbs to have many options for children's theater. I try to include them all on the Go West Calendar, and I'm always happy to partner with theaters who want to give away tickets to readers. Today, guest contributor Tamara Hickman writes about why she likes taking her daughter to theatrical performances. 

A year ago, I took my oldest daughter to her first musical. She had just turned 3, and when I think about her experience, it warms my heart. 

I had taken her to see "Sleeping Beauty" performed by the Children’s Theatre of Elgin. It was my first experience as well in a children's theater and we had a spectacular time! The singing, dancing, costumes and the humor were incredible.  

But the best part was watching my little girl sit at the edge of her seat in her beautiful dress, with perfect posture, eyes wide open and the biggest smile on her face! She was clapping as hard as she could, and she kept asking me when they were going to start singing again. This really brought tears to my eyes knowing that she's having this theatrical experience and most especially because we were there together. Oh and did I mention sitting at the edge of her seat because if she didn’t the seat would flip up on her? Too cute!

The Children's Theatre of Elgin will be performing 'Seussical Jr.' on April 12-14 at the Hemmens Cultural Center in Elgin. (Photo courtesy of CTE.)

Since then we've been to see shows at the Steel Beam Theatre and the Marquee Youth Stage, both in Saint Charles. I'm looking forward to going back to the Children’s Theatre of Elgin this weekend to see "Seussical Junior" at the Hemmens Cultural Center in downtown Elgin. I’d have to say by far this place has overall been the best experience. I will still return to the other theaters and maybe try some others as well.

I think a lot of people don’t realize that these theatrical performances for children are out there, and they don't cost a lot of money. Depending on the places mentioned, tickets range between $7 and $15. So go and enjoy the show!

Tamara Hickman and her husband live in St. Charles with their two girls. The girls keep mommy busy with arts and crafts and daddy busy playing tag. The family loves to "park hop," checking out parks in neighboring communities. 

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Giveaway: Four Tickets to See 'The Little Engine That Could' at Aurora's Paramount Theatre

Updated on Thursday, March 28, 2013 at 12:01AM by Tara Burghart

We have another great Go West Giveaway for you today, courtesy of the wonderful folks at the Paramount Theatre in Aurora.

"The Little Engine That Could Earns Her Whistle" is coming to the Paramount on Thursday, April 4, for a 9:30 a.m. show. This song-filled production is based on the book "The Little Engine That Could." It tells the timeless tale of the Little Blue Engine that dreamed of one day getting to pull the big cars on the Pine Valley train line. Here's a video preview of the show:

This production is recommended for preschoolers through 2nd grade. It is sure to draw lots of school groups, but the general public is welcome, as well. 

I have four tickets to give away to the show at the Paramount to one lucky Go West reader. Tickets are $8.50 each, so this is a $34 value.

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Giveaway: Four Tickets to see 'Laura Ingalls Wilder' at the Paramount in Aurora

Updated on Tuesday, January 29, 2013 at 11:58AM by Tara Burghart

Ma. Pa. Mary. Half-Pint.  "Little House on the Prairie" fans -- this one is for you!

The musical production 'Laura Ingalls Wilder' will play at the Paramount Theatre in Aurora on Feb. 5.We have another great Go West Giveaway for you today, courtesy of the wonderful folks at the Paramount Theatre in Aurora.

"Laura Ingalls Wilder" is a musical production for children coming to the Paramount on Tuesday, Feb. 5, with performances at both 9:30 a.m. and noon.

The show tells the story of tomboy Laura Ingalls and her pioneering family as they travel across America in search of a place they can call home. The show's description says that while Laura "experiences first-hand the obstacles she and her family face to survive" it's also an "uplifting" show. The production runs 60 minutes long and is recommended for children in grades 2 through 6.

These daytime shows at the Paramount draw lots of school groups, but the general public is welcome, as well. 

I have four tickets to give away to the show at the Paramount to one lucky Go West reader. Tickets are $8.50 each, so this is a $34 value.

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Holiday Guide 2012: Theatrical Performances

We brought you last month a roundup of local productions of "The Nutcracker." And there are still some of those you can catch this weekend and next. But here's a list of holiday-themed theaterical productions. Please follow the links for exact info on dates, times and ticket prices. Enjoy!

The Batavia Fine Arts Centre is bringing the one-man show "Humbug!" to town on Saturday, Dec. 8."A Christmas Carol" turned into a one-man show called "Humbug!" will be playing at the Batavia Fine Arts Centre for one show only on Saturday, Dec. 8, at 7:30 p.m. Alan Safier will play 27 characters in all. (Note: I saw a similar version of this years ago in NYC, and it was really neat!)

The Gallery Theatre in downtown West Chicago is performing "Mr. Beasley's Christmas Party" this Friday and Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon, too. The play is based on an early 20th century Booth Tarkington story about a man named David Beasley, who believes one man's kindness can be the answer to one child's Christmas wish. 

The Albright Theatre Company in Batavia will be performing "The Family Fruitcake" on Dec. 7-8-9 and Dec. 14-15-16 in downtown Batavia. This is a comedy about a family where the mom wants to have a normal dinner "just this once." It's rated PG. 

The Oswego Park District's Limelight Theatre Company will be performing "It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play" on Dec. 6 and 8 at 7 p.m. and Dec. 8 at 2 p.m. Performances are at the Little White School Museum in downtown Oswego. 

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Giveaway: Four Tickets to See 'Annie' at Aurora's Paramount Theatre

Updated on Monday, November 12, 2012 at 8:19PM by Tara Burghart

Leaping Lizards! This is a great Go West Giveaway!

When the Paramount Theatre announced the lineup for its 2012-13 Broadway Series season, I was so excited to see "Annie" on the list. When we were little, my sisters and I would sing the songs from that musical at the top of our lungs, alternating between who got to play Annie, Molly and Pepper -- I don't think any of us ever wanted to play Miss Hannigan.

And now, thanks to the generosity of the Paramount Theatre, I have four tickets to give away to one lucky Go West reader! I'll tell you how you can enter to win those tickets in a minute, but first ... a bit about the show.

"Annie," opens Nov. 21 and runs through Dec. 30, with performances on Wednesdays at 1:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sundays at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. (There are a few exceptions, such as no show on Thanksgiving Day. Check the event calendar for exact details.)

The musical is being directed and choreographed by Rachel Rockwell, who was named "Best Director" in 2010 by Chicago Magazine. Tickets range from $34.90 to $46.90 and they can be purchased via ParamountAurora.com, by calling 630-896-6666 or by visiting the Paramount box office Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and two hours prior to evening performances. 

"Annie," which is rated G, is based on a poplar comic strip that started in the 1920s called "Little Orphan Annie." The original Broadway production opened in 1977 and played for six years. There was also a popular film released in 1982.

Now for that giveaway:

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