What Sunshine is Into Now

Right Now, I’m Into The Hunger Games.

The Hunger Games is basically a serious game of last man standing, but instead of getting out, you die. Hunger Games is a trilogy that is really exhilarating. Every move comes on as a surprise. It takes place in a dystopia where most districts are poor. The Capitol is harsh on everyone and the most common consequences are death or a method of receiving a severe scar. But no matter what happens, you can never wait for what comes next. The way the Hunger Games works is each of the 12 districts sends out two 11-18 year old tributes, and they kill each other off until the last child remains. I know that it sounds gross and scary, because that is how I thought of it before I read it. But when I finally got the book, I couldn’t put it back down. Instead of thinking it was gory, I just imagined it as a big football game that takes you emotionally. The death of a loved character is like your team losing. You’re eager for a creative revenge. The books are very intriguing. You always want more to read. Finishing the last book brings joy for knowing all the information but devastation, for there is nothing left to read.

Sunshine S., Alcott

What The Kids Are Into Now

The Spring issue of StudentsXpress is "What I'm Into Now." I've been receiving so many great submissions from the students that there is no way they will all fit into the publication. It's so hard to include some but not others, I've decided to start posting them here....daily. The plan is to post at least one a day, leading up to the publication date in March. Then, I'll continue to post them until I start receiving our Summer submissions.

I'm so happy to have WITS (Working In The Schools) participating this year with StudentsXpress. I'm in the process of inputting their submissions, and I thought I'd start with one I just typed in. It's a great way to kick off "What I'm Into Now." I hope you like it, and I hope you return daily to see what else gets posted. I love reading what these students have to say, and I think you might enjoy it too! 

Jaylan M.

There was a girl named Jayden Elizabeath Olivia Murie. Jayden had recently moved from North Carolina to Chicago because her mother had wanted a better life. Jayden was the 3rd oldest. There were Amelia and Mureil, Jayden and Alieah. Jayden had no friends and often read a book called “Dork Diaries” and watched a show called “A.N.T. Farm." She listened to music by Beyoncé, a successful R&B artist. She liked all of these popular things because she wanted to have a lot in common with the girls at her new school. After all of her effort, the girls still were intimidated by her as she was smart and a very good reader. There was one girl in class, Hellean; Jayden and her had a lot in common. Every day they bonded over their love of Beyoncé, Annie, and Jordans. Jayden was so happy pop culture brought her and Hellean together.

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

The American Revolution as You've Never Imagined it Before

Last weekend I took my kids to see "The American Revolution" at Adventure Stage Chicago in the Vittum Theater. This 50 minute show was devised by Theater Unspeakable and recreates the entire American fight for independence from Lexington to Yorktown. There are seven actors and no props on a 21 square foot platform two feet above the ground. These actors were incredible. They were so in sync with each other, telling the story flawlessly and at some times hilariously. It was like something I've never seen before, and I'd love to see these actors in other shows in the future.

The performance is recommended for children 8 and older. Though some parts were confusing to my 10 and 12 year olds, the way it was put together was incredibly entertaining. It is a perfect show to bring a school class for a field trip—not too long, educational, AND entertaining. The few times I have attended a performance at Vittum, they have always done a great job at engaging the audience before and after the show, so it is always a positive learning experience.

Here's my son Ethan's review:

"The American Revolution” is not only an enjoyable play but fun for all audiences. 7 actors suspended on a small platform act out some of America’s strangest and greatest moments. I guarantee that you will be laughing the whole time. All 7 actors give incredible performances, as they play various characters. It is also quiet informative. I would definitely recommend this play to people who want to have a great time while absorbing some interesting facts about America.

Adventure Stage Chicago 1012 North Noble, Chicago, Illinois 60642 773.342.4141