Jeremiah, Wentworth Elementary

I really like rocket ships. 

This is me and my cousin getting into a rocket ship.

—Jeremiah, Wentworth Elementary

Glass Slippers Are So Back

Mary and Kate at Cinderella

Kate and Mary, fifth grade sisters who attend Hamilton Elementary, saw the Broadway in Chicago production of Cinderella. Below are their reviews....

Kate:

Last week, on opening night, I saw Cinderella at the Cadillac Palace Theater and I thought it was really good, 

even though it had a few twists. One of the stepsisters, Gabrielle, was actually decent. She was sort of nice to Cinderella 

and she also had a boyfriend named Jean-Michel. Jean-Michel was a guy who wanted to talk to the prince, Topher, 

about peasants losing their homes and about the poor not having enough to eat.This was part of the reason Cinderella went to the ball, to try to talk to the prince for Jean-Michel. Lastly, Cinderella left her shoe on purpose, instead of kicking it off accidentally. With these additions (plus a lot of long songs and dances) the performance was very modernized. All of the actors were perfect for their roles and expressed themselves very dramatically. 

Overall, I thought the play was amazing.

Mary:

The lights turned off and the magic began: the scenery, the music, the dancing; it all turned into a Cinderella wonderland. 

The audiences eyes were fixed on the stage! But this story of Cinderella was a little different, there was a major twist
in the story. Gabrielle, one of the stepsisters, had a crush on a townsman named Jean-Michel. He was interested in politics and focused on the poor. He got Cinderella to talk to Prince Topher and they got to know each other. Because of this, Cinderella and the prince did not marry when they first met, they knew each other a bit. I always thought it was kind of crazy that Cinderella and the prince married, but this made more sense. I really enjoyed the dances, songs and scenery.

The actors were well fit for their roles and the stage crew made the magic look real. This performance was different and enjoyable, and I give it five stars!

Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella plays at The Cadillac Palace Theatre through January 4, 2015

Click here for details

if you would like to be a StudentsXpress blogger/reviewer, please contact rachel@studentsxpress.com

Student Review: A Christmas Carol

Below is a student review of A Christmas Carol, playing at the Goodman Theatre.

The cast of A Christmas Carol at Goodman Theatre (November 15 – December 28, 2014). 

www.goodmantheatre.org/joy

On Sunday, November 23, I saw the play A Christmas Carol at the Goodman Theatre and this is 
what I thought of it. There were sad parts and happy parts. One of the happy parts was when Scrooge, 
a man with no Chrismas spirit, got his Chrismas spirit back. One of the sad parts was when Scrooge saw 
what it would be like in the future when he died. There were exciting parts and scary parts too. 
One of the really exciting and happy parts was when Srooge opened his present, after he had become 
a bit nicer and jolly. The present was from his nephew who had Chrismas spirit unlike his Uncle Scrooge. 
One of the scary parts was when thunder boomed and lightning cracked. I loved the play because there 
were musicians and the settings looked SO real you would think they used real houses and buildings, 
but the people in charge of the settings just built them! There were also great costumes and the actors 
really expressed themselves when saying their lines in the play. Those were the reasons I loved the play 
A Christmas Carol.
By Lucille, 2^nd Grade, Waters Elementary

Lucille interviewed William Burke, who plays Young Scrooge in A Christmas Carol.

William Burke

How long have you been acting? Professionally for 4years, but all my life I have known that I 

loved entertaining people.

Did you choose to be young scrooge or did somebody else? The way that professional acting 

works you don't get to choose who you get cast as but you do audition for certain roles and the 

casting directors decide which character you should be.

How old are you? Do you want to keep acting when you are older? I am 15 years old and I 

will continue to act as an adult.

Have you acted in other theaters?If so, name one of them.I have acted at Steppenwolf, 

Drury Lane and with the Lookingglass Young Ensemble. 

Is anyone else in your family an actor? 

Yes, my little sister is also a professional actress.

How would you describe the overall experience of being in a Christmas Carol at the 

Goodman Theatre? 

My experience at this theatre has been amazing! Everyone is so kind and talented. This production

 is filled with veteran actors that I can learn from and really enjoy working with. The best part is 

that the audience enjoys every second of A Christmas Carol and we can feel that energy from 

the stage.

Thank you so much!

We Are Family!

The Family (Where I'm From) issue will be delivered the week of Dec. 8. 

Here's a sneak peek at some of the wonderful artwork!

Lookingglass Alice is Something to See

Alice: Lindsey Noel Whiting; White Knight and Others: Samuel Taylor
Cheshire Cat and Others: Anthony FlemingIII; Mad Hatter and Others: Kevin Douglas
Red Queen and Others: Molly Brennan

This past weekend my family saw Lookingglass Alice at the Lookingglass Theatre downtown. Adapted from the works of Lewis Carroll, adapted and directed by ensemble member David Catlin, and produced in association with The Actors Gymnasium, this show is a must-see. We happened to be sitting across from Chris Jones, critic for the Chicago Tribune. I couldn't help but wonder what he was thinking during the performance. Even before reading his four-star review in today's paper, we knew we were witnessing something special—and magical.

The whole show was engaging from beginning to end. Each cast member was fantastic, and it looked like they were having so much fun with each other (and with the audience...and with the stagehands). For a real professional review, check out Chris Jones in the Tribune, but here are some short reviews from my kids:

Lookingglass Alice is a new and interesting approach to the classic Alice in Wonderland. If you're in the mood for a silly play, I recommend this one. Characters are hilariously funny and enjoyable to watch. From the main star Alice to the wicked red queen, Alice is guaranteed to bring laughs to the whole family. I do think this play is a feel-good play because it has such a silly nature. The thing that is so great about it is that it also has the strong story to go along with the humor. Not to mention it also has cool acrobatic stunts. Lookingglass Alice is a play to see. —Ethan, age 12

The play "Lookingglass Alice" at the Lookingglass Theatre was magnificent. It includes amazing acting, acrobatic stunts, and a show of their own. They take "Alice in Wonderland" to a new level in their own way. It is so fun to watch. They make it a good show and a funny one. I would love to see this play again!  —Samantha, age 10

For tickets, go to www.lookingglasstheatre.org or call 312-337-0665

If you would like to be a theater blogger for StudentsXpress, please contact rachel@studentsxpress.com

Leo Lionni’s Frederick, A New Musical by Chicago Children’s Theater

Leo Lionni’s Frederick, A New Musical by Chicago Children’s Theater

Reviewd By Parker Cunningham, 7

Nettelhorst School, Room 116, Ms. Levinsky

I gave it 25 stars because the set design and singing was great.  

My favorite character was Frederick because he was funny and the main character.  
It was about teamwork. 

My favorite part was the machine because it was funny and did the boogie dance.

I love musicals. This play was a musical.

I think all kids should go. I mean the book won a Caldecott award. 

If you would like to be a theater blogger for StudentsXpress, please contact rachel@studentsxpress.com

Leo Lionni's Frederick will play through November 16, 2014 

at the Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn St., Chicago. 

While other mice are gathering food for the winter, Frederick daydreams the summer away. When dreary weather comes, it is Frederick who has stored up something special for the long cold winter. The classic, much-loved early reading book celebrates the idea that there is a place for all of us in this world. 

This production is ideal for ages 3 and up. 

Single tickets are on sale now, starting at $28. Or, cost-conscious, theater-loving families should entertain purchasing a Membership Pass to save up to 20 percent on single tickets to Chicago Children's Theatre's 2014-15, three-play season, which also boasts a remount of CCT's 2008 smash hit, The Selfish Giant by Blair Thomas and Michael Smith (January 23-February 22, 2015) and a second world premiere musical, Wonderland, Alice's Rock & Roll Adventure, co-created by Michael Mahler and Rachel Rockwell (April 22-May 24, 2015).

Visit chicagochildrenstheatre.org or call (872) 222-9555 to purchase tickets or CCT membership passes. For information on deeply discounted group rates for schools, playgroups, birthday parties and scouting groups, email GroupSales@chicagochildrenstheatre.org or call (773) 227-0180 x 13.

My Finest Hour.....by Drew Swartz

My Finest Hour.....by Drew Swartz

My Finest Hour.....by Drew Swartz

My Finest Hour.....by Drew Swartz

Drew turned in his next comic a while ago, but I've been slow on posting it....my bad! 

My Finest Hour.....by Drew Swartz

Our first StudentsXpress comic debuts right before summer break. I'm sure many students are excited for the summer and to be far away from homework. I'm looking forward to seeing what "My Finest Hour," by Drew Swartz of Nettelhorst, will have for us during the break. Check back to find out....

StudentsXpress at Printers Row Lit Fest

On June 8, my daughter Sam came with me downtown to lead a workshop with Maura Walsh from Edwards Elementary. Maura is an Art Teacher and Librarian, so mixing books and art is perfect for her. Her project was to create mini book pendants that the kids could take home with them. I was not expecting so many people to be there on a Sunday morning! It was a lot of fun.

Sam having coffee and breakfast at Hotel Blake after checking in.

Talking about StudentsXpress to the attendees.

Maura Walsh helping a family with the craft.

Sam's finished pendant.

The project was fun for all ages.

Sam outside the Trib Nation tent, where our workshop took place.

StudentsXpress SPEAKS!

June 5 was our first StudentsXpress SPEAKS night, and I couldn't be happier. The students who read their pieces on stage were truly amazing. In addition to the students, we were so happy to have Under the Gun Theater perform mini plays based on the writings of CPS students, and Regin Igloria from North Branch Projects was there to teach bookbinding to the students and their families. Thank you to everyone who came out. I hope we are able to do more in the future.

Below is a video shown at the event of student artwork from our Summer "books" issue.

Kate Burns, from Hamilton Elementary, shared her opinion about reading books vs. seeing the movie:

There have been several times when I find that I am completely intrigued in a certain book. Often, I like to share my love of the book with another person. Solving this, I walk around and ask people whether they have read the book or not. The answers pep ole give are quite assorted, but in my opinion the strangest answers are the terrible ones in which the people say that they have seen the movie instead. To my great disappointment, these answers are quite frequent and are from many people. They leave me in total awe at the people that don’t read the book before they watch the move.

    Imagination is a wonderful asset. It gives you the freedom to picture anything in your head as you think it would be, to create a world absolutely different from your won. As you read a book, you can use your imagination to your advantage, making the story’s illustrations up in your mind. However, while watching a movie, you have the whole entire picture right in front of you. With this little to imagine, for me it becomes a boring thing to see. I believe that books exercise one’s brain, and that is very important. To be settled down, reading a book and picturing dozens of people, places and things is a great joy. Books have many wonderful ideas and descriptions to enjoy that movies would never have.  

Jelani Caulton, from Hamilton Elementary, gives his summer reading recommendation:

I have a book recommendation for you this summer. It’s called Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days. I recommend this book because it is funny, interesting and it takes place during the summer. Diary of a Wimpy Kid is about a kid named Greg, who is always having rotten luck, but every once in a while a little good luck comes his way.

My favorite place to read is the Barnes and Noble bookstore. It has all of my favorite books, like Worlds Collide, a series of graphic novels. It also has good snacks, fun toys and tablet games. I like reading books because it sends you on adventures that you will find nowhere else.

Marley Kravitz, from Alcott College Prep, reciting the two poems she submitted to the Books issue:

Books are amazing

Books are like time machines,

They can take you to any place or era,

They can be mysteries,

Or simply be about a girl named Clara,

They can take you to ancient Egypt,

They can teach you about anything you would like to know,

They can explain about science and the eclipse,

They can take you anywhere you would like to go,

They require a skill,

An important skill,

Once you can read them they are a thrill,

Don’t stop reading!

Books are like machines

Books are like machines,

Although they may not have an engine,

Or a touch screen,

They can still take you more places than google earth,

Or give you more information than bing,

And they can also be a magical thing,

They can whisk you off to worlds you may have never imagined,

They may not have a keyboard,

But they are more reliable than any I-phone you will ever have

Waters Elementary student Gavyn Conway gets assistance making her mini book pendant
from Emma Ott, an Edwards Elementary art teacher.

Regin Igloria, from North Branch Projects in Albany Park, teaches attendees the art of bookmaking.

Under the Gun Actors, Kate Parker, Allison Ungar and Phylicia McLeod, get physical as they act out mini plays based on student work (not pictured: Kevin Mullaney directed the sound)

Introducing Drew Swartz, 6th grade student from Nettelhorst Elementary, who designed the StudentsXpress SPEAKS backdrop. I liked Drew's cover for our "Music" issue in March, and thought that same look would be perfect for StudentsXpress SPEAKS, so I commissioned him to come up with a design. Drew will also be starting a regular comic to appear on this blog, which will debut next week. So be sure to check back!

Welcome!

Welcome to StudentsXpress: The Blog, a means to stay connected between issues of StudentsXpress. sXp is printed quarterly, with set topics. StudentsXpress: The Blog will be serve as another venue for students to write about those topics, but it will be much more. It will be a chance for students to write about what they choose. Because it is available instantly, it offers the opportunity for students to write about current events and other things going on around Chicago in a timely fashion.

Here are some ideas of things bloggers might want to contribute to this site:

• Reviews of movies, plays, museums, classes, restaurants, books, games, music, etc.

• Coverage of Chicago sports.

• Kid-friendly recipes

• Ideas about things to do over the weekend

• Short stories or poems

• Original artwork

These are just a few suggestions. Bloggers are welcome to submit anything that is of interest to them. Speaking of bloggers, that's exactly what I need. Anyone involved in sXp can participate—any age. 

If you have something you would like to share on StudentsXpress: The Blog, please contact me at rachel@studentsxpress.com. If you would like to be on a list of potential bloggers, please contact me as well and I will reach out when there is a story that needs covering.

This blog will be whatever the bloggers make it, and I'm looking forward to seeing where it goes....