JCC theater production introduces Schoolhouse Rock
to both new and old generations...LIVE! 

The cast and crew of the JCC Young Actors Ensemble, too young to have seen the TV series themselves when it aired, are also providing the first look at an old favorite for Orthodox Jews who never would have been able to watch the popular Saturday-morning TV series when it aired, due to observance of Shabbat.

Media Alert

What:
Stage musical performance of the popular, Emmy-award winning educational TV series, Schoolhouse Rock that ran from 1973 to 1985.

Who:
The JCC's Young Actors Ensemble, 40 cast and crew members, ranging in age from 10-18 years old
 
When:
Wed., May 7, at 7:30pm
Sun., May 11, at 12:00pm and 3:30pm
Thurs., May 15, at 7:30pm
Sun., May 18, at 12:00pm and 3:30pm

Where:
Elaine and Zollie FrankTheater at the MKJCC Children's Center
5050 Church St., Skokie, IL60077

How:
Tickets are available at the Mayer Kaplan JCC front desk, or by calling 847.675.2200. 

Quotes

"This has been a fun show for the staff and I to work on. Many of us learned the words to the Preamble and discovered how a bill becomes a law from the original Schoolhouse Rock cartoon series and now the cast and young audience members are learning the same information to the same catchy tunes in this new updated format. There's a sense of passing a Schoolhouse torch."
 
Terri Hilton
Performing Arts Director

Photos

**PHOTOS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST

About the JCC's Young Actors Ensemble

The JCC's Young Actors Ensemble (YAE) is a youth performance group that performs 3-4 plays and musicals per year. Schoolhouse Rock, Live! is a stage musical based on the original TV series, Schoolhouse Rock. The show aired from 1973 to 1985, and was comprised of 41 three-minute cartoons. The show was developed based on the belief that educational information, coupled with exciting animation and catchy music, would help children learn and remember.

This Spring, the YAE production is especially significant for the older generation of Jewish families. The musical is based on a show that aired on Saturday mornings, therefore making it inaccessible to the Orthodox community, who do not use their televisions during Shabbat. Now these songs and skits will be performed for many members of the Orthodox community. With performances on Thursday evenings and two showings on Sundays, the family-oriented productions are accessible to Orthodox theatre-goers.

YAE and the JCC Theater department are unique from so many other children's theaters because of the steps taken to accommodate observant Jewish children. Committed to include the entire Jewish community, the troupe never rehearses or performs on Shabbat or religious holidays. Modern Orthodox children typically comprise one-third to half of the cast and crew, since the JCC Theatre is one the few places where observant young people can explore their theatrical talents.

The cast and crew themselves are too young to have seen the show when it aired, so the YAE production is also bringing Schoolhouse Rock to a completely new generation. This show features the talents of forty cast and crew members ranging in age from 10 to 18 years old, hailing from all over Chicagoland.

About Jewish Community Centers of Chicago

JCC of Chicago has served Chicago and its suburbs for 104 years, offering a wide array of contemporary life-enriching programs and services. JCC brings Jewish values to life every day so that members and program participants can deepen their connection to the joys and responsibilities of Jewish heritage to create a better and more meaningful future. JCC offers cultural, educational, social and recreational programs in full service community centers and other locations including 12 early childhood sites, 8 day camp sites, CampChi, an overnight camp, and Perlstein Resort and Conference Center, both in Wisconsin.

JCC also helps individuals in need at the Dina and Eli Field Multi-Service Center, the Edward and Honora Singer Residence in Uptown, and through JCC's Project Chesed, a program that helps match families in need with community resources.

Media Contact

Rachel Ritter
Jewish Community Centers of Chicago
847.763.3661
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Contact

Terri Hilton
Performing Arts Director
Phone: 847.763.3514
Fax: 847.675.4910
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