Press contact: Jay Kelly, L.C. Williams & Associates
or 312.565.4623

WHO’S YOUR HERO?
CHICAGO CHILDREN’S THEATRE ANNOUNCES
HOUDINI BOX ILLUSTRATED ESSAY CONTEST
Please contact Jay Kelly, or 312.565.4623, to request advance images for The Houdini Box.

CHICAGO, Jan. 16, 2011 – Kids, who’s your real-life hero? And what could you learn from him or her?
In Chicago Children’s Theatre’s upcoming world premiere of Brian Selznick’s The Houdini Box, a young boy named Victor has the good fortune to meet his hero, the magician Harry Houdini. They meet entirely by accident, but because of this chance encounter, Victor learns a secret that changes his life.
In order to offer children, families, students and teachers a fantastic chance to engage with this world premiere play and to expand children’s reading, writing, and critical thinking capabilities, Chicago Children’s Theatre is sponsoring a Who’s Your Hero?illustrated essay contest connected to its much anticipated live stage adaptation of The Houdini Box. Performances are Jan.24-Mar. 4, 2012 at Chicago’s Mercury Theatre, 3745 N. Southport Avenue, followed by a suburban run Mar. 14-24 at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie. For tickets and show information, visit chicagochildrenstheatre.org.
Children up to 15 years old are encouraged to write a fictional story of 500 words or less describing what might happen if, like Victor, they were lucky enough to meet their real-life hero. Celebrity judge Brian Selznick, author and illustrator of The Houdini Box, Wonderstruck and The Invention of Hugo Cabret, now the Golden Globe-nominated best picture Hugo, and a team of Chicago Children’s Theatre artists and education staff will be looking for answers to the following questions within each essay:

  • Why is this person your hero?
  • Where do you meet?
  • What does your hero say or give to you?
  • How does this change your life?

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In addition, since much of the attraction of Selznick’s books lies in his beautiful, detailed pencil sketch illustrations, entrants are asked to create and submit a companion illustration that shows the most important moment in your story. Draw, color, sketch, paint, collage - create the picture by hand, digitally, or however you want! The deadline to enter is 5 p.m. (CST) Friday, Feb. 17, 2012. Entries may be submitted in one of three ways:
Online – submit your entry via the Chicago Children’s Theatre website:
chicagochildrenstheatre.org/storycontest

Via email – either embedded (preferred) or as an attachment. Send to:

Or submit via snail mail or delivery to:
Chicago Children’s Theatre
Administrative Offices
1464 N. Milwaukee Avenue, 2nd Floor
Chicago, Il 60622

Entrants to The Houdini BoxWho’s Your Hero?illustrated essay contest must be 15 years or younger as of Feb. 17, 2012. Limit one entry per person. Comprehensive show study guides including complete contest information with rules are already being sent to schools, libraries, book stores and children’s retailers throughout Chicagoland. Or, download a show study guide via The Houdini Box show page on Chicago Children’s Theatre’s website, chicagochildrenstheatre.org/shows/the-houdini-box.
Five winners will be personally notified and announced on Chicago Children’s Theatre’s website the week of Feb. 27, 2012. One Grand Prize winner will receive a prize package including one copy each of The Houdini Box, The Invention of Hugo Cabret and Wonderstruck, all signed by author/illustrator Brian Selznick, one party package of 10 tickets to CCT’s Houdini Birthday Bash at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie, Saturday, Mar. 17 at 2 pm., and one $250 “Box of Magic” from Magic Inc., 5082 N. Lincoln Avenue, Chicago. Four First Prize winners will be awarded one copy of the book The Houdini Box, autographed by Brian Selznick, and four tickets to the Houdini Birthday Bash on Mar. 17 at 2 pm at the North Shore Center in Skokie.
Note: receipt of entries will not be acknowledged. For complete contest rules, visit chicagochildrenstheatre.org/storycontest

JPMorgan Chase, the Official Education Sponsor of Chicago Children’s Theatre, is offering generous support for the Who’s Your Hero?illustrated essay contest.
More about The Houdini Box


Click here to watch a 1:47 online video trailer, Behind the Scenes: The Making of The Houdini Box
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Chicago Children’s Theatre can’t wait to unleashThe Houdini Box, a world premiere musical adventure based on Brian Selznick’s popular first novel about a mischievous boy who receives a special box that just might contain the secrets of Harry Houdini’s success.Master puppeteerBlair Thomasis directing and creating puppetry for CCT'sThe Houdini Box, already a recipient of two prestigious development grants from the National Endowment for the Arts. Book and lyrics are byHannah Kohl, with original music byMark Messing, music director of Chicago’s #1 circus punk marching band MuccaPazza.
As famed escape artist Harry Houdini circles the globe performing one incredible stunt after another, Victor, a young devotee goes through his own rigorous magician’s training – locking himself in closets, holding his breath under water and walking into walls. After a chance encounter with his hero, Victor receives a special box that just might contain the secrets of Houdini’s great success.
Performances are Jan. 24-Mar. 4, 2012 at the Mercury Theater, 3745 N. Southport Avenue, Chicago.Press opening is Friday, Jan. 27 at 7 pm.Tickets are $15-$36. For tickets and information, gotochicagochildrenstheatre.orgor call the Mercury Theater box office,773.325.1700.
CCT’s Chicago run ofThe Houdini Boxwill be followed by a suburban remount, Mar. 14-25, 2012 at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 N. Skokie Blvd. in Skokie. Tickets are $15-$41. For tickets and information, go tochicagochildrenstheatre.orgor call the North Shore Center box office,847.673.6300.
For discounted school, scout and group rates for either venue, contact GroupTix at773.327.3778or visitGroupTix.net.The Houdini Boxis recommended forall ages.
Behind the Scenes of The Houdini Box
Born and raised in New Jersey, Brian Selznick (author) cannot remember a time when he was not drawing and making things. He graduated from the Rhode Island School of Art and Design with the intention of becoming a set designer for the theater, but a job designing window displays at Eeyore’s Children’s Bookstore in New York City changed his mind. Working at the store became a crash course in children’s literature, and his first book was published while he worked there. His first book, The Houdini Box, which he wrote and illustrated, was inspired by a fascination with the famous magician and his secrets. He has illustrated both novels and picture books for other writers, including Frindle by Andrew Clements, the Sibert Honor books, When Marian Sang by Pam Munoz Ryan and Walt Whitman: Words for America by Barbara Kerley. His illustrations for Kerley’sThe Dinosaurs of WaterhouseHawkins won a Caldecott Honor Award in 2002. In 2008, his groundbreaking The Invention of Hugo Cabret was awarded the Caldecott Medal, and is now Martin Scorsese’s first 3D family film, Hugo, recently nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Picture. Selznick’s most recent book is the graphic novel Wonderstruck.
Blair Thomas (director) is the founder of Blair Thomas & Co., which provides magical theatrical experiences and illuminating connections to unique cultural traditions by combining live music, narrative literature and handcrafted objects. In 2008, Thomas and Chicago folk music legend Michael Smith created and performed a memorable, original adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s The Selfish Giant for Chicago Children’s Theatre. Previously, as co-founder of Chicago’s highly successful Redmoon Theater, Thomas spent a decade leading a vision to create large-scale spectacle theater, and was the principal creator behind all of its productions, parades and pageants, including Frankie & Johnny, Moby Dick, Frankenstein, the Winter Pageant and the All Hallow's Eve Halloween Parade.
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Hannah Kohl (Book and Lyrics) is a Composer/Lyricist and Playwright in New York City. Book, music, and lyrics: The Blackbird, Gardenia, Cake!,Tora Bora,The National Archive of Memory (in development). Book and lyrics: The Light and Leonardo da Vinci. Kohl is the Creative Producing Associate on the Broadway-bound musical Rocky, score by Ahrens & Flaherty (Ragtime, Seussical), book by Thomas Meehan (Annie, The Producers). As a consultant and educator, Kohl works with schools and organizations around the world bringing art, music, and theatre to children and new children’s theatre titles to audiences via her company Showbox Theatricals. Her book Great Composers for Kids will be published by Bright Ring Publishing in 2012. Dramatists Guild Musical Theatre Fellow.MFA, Musical Theatre Writing, New York University.MS, International Education, SUNY–Buffalo. hannahkohl.com
Mark Messing (music) is a composer and musical agitator. He is Musical Director of circus punk marching band MuccaPazza and has led the band from coast to coast through concert halls, public parks, neighborhood pubs and a dozen canoes on the Chicago River. He has composed music for numerous independent films including The First Breath of TenganRei (2009) by Junko Kajino and Ed M. Koziarski, and has been musical director for hundreds of theater performances. As Musical Director for Redmoon Theater he composed for 100 tiny radios at the Museum of Contemporary Art, a 35-foot drum tree at Millennium Park and musicians on stilts at Puppetropolis.
The cast for The Houdini Box features Alex Weisman as Victor, Sara Sevigny as Mother and Derek Hasenstab as Barker. Designers for The Houdini Box are Blair Thomas, set and props; Elizabeth Wilsar, costumes; Sarah Hughey, lights; and Rick Sims, sound. Brett Schneider is magic consultant. Stage manager is Dennis J. Conners.

About Chicago Children’s Theatre

Chicago Children’s Theatre focuses on the production of first-rate children’s theatre in Chicago, with top writing, performing and directorial talent and high-quality design and production expertise. Chicago Children’s Theatre aspires to enrich our community through diverse and significant theatrical and educational programming that engages and inspires the child in all of us.
Led by Artistic Director Jacqueline Russell, and Board Chair Todd Leland, the company is supported by a committed Artistic Council of Chicago-based actors, directors, musicians and designers, and a dynamic Board of Directors comprised of dedicated individuals from the fields of entertainment, philanthropy and business. Officers include David Saltiel, President; J. Scot Pepper and Jacqueline Tilton, Vice Chairs; Lynn Lockwood Murphy, Vice Chair and Secretary; and David Chung, Treasurer.
Launched in 2005, Chicago Children’s Theatre strives to provide affordable and accessible theatre for families and area school children. To enhance the impact of any given production’s themes, Chicago Children’s Theatre offers educational materials and programs for families and educators.
Chicago Children’s Theatre’s 2011-2012 season is made possible in part by the generosity of its sponsors:ComEd is the Official Lighting Sponsor.Goldman Sachs Gives is the Official Season Sponsor.JPMorgan Chase is the Official Education Sponsor. Target is the OfficialSchool Field Trip Sponsor. Unitedis the Chicago Premiere Sponsor as well as the Official and Exclusive Airline Sponsor.
For more information about Chicago Children’s Theatre visit chicagochildrenstheatre.org or call 773.227.0180.

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