Goodman Theatre gives away 1,700 tickets to The Jungle Book to community partners on two “Community Day” performances: July 23 and August 13

“‘Community Day’ is a special way to share the joy and magic of live theater with many of Chicago’s family audiences,” said Ruth Ann Gillis, Goodman Theatre Chairman. “The Jungle Book is a once-in-a-lifetime theatrical event. We are thrilled to make more tickets available through these additional performances so that more Chicago viewers can experience this show.”

The July 23 event marked many young attendees’ first visit to the Goodman—and their first live theater experience. Elizabeth McChesney, Director, Children and Young Adult Services for Chicago Public Library (which partners with the Goodman on “Jungle Book Days,” part of Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s STEAM “Summer of Learning”), noted that many children from the various branches arrived at the theater with library copies of The Jungle Book in hand.

“One young girl from the Lawndale community exclaimed to her librarian at the start of the production, ‘they’re real people!’; she had no idea that this form of magic could happen! One little boy from the Budlong Woods community told his mother that it was the best day of his life,” said McChesney. “The connection between the printed page and stage was meaningful and memorable for 348 very appreciative library summer learners—all of whom are excited to see their friends from the theater again at the STEAM program in branch libraries.”

Mary Ellen Caron, Chief Executive Officer of After School Matters, noted, “Very few of our teens have attended a live production outside of school, and The Jungle Book—its performances, sets, lighting and costume design—was sophisticated yet accessible, and absolutely spectacular. The Goodman is a jewel in our city, and ‘Community Day’ was a great way to introduce the Goodman to our students.”

Added Rebecca Chacon, Director of Youth Programs and Services for Hamdard Center for Health and Human Services, “When I asked our students what their favorite part of The Jungle Book was, they replied ‘the whole thing’! This was truly an amazing day for our students, who would not have had the opportunity to experience a show like this otherwise. It was a moment that they will not forget soon!”

The Goodman is grateful to its generous “Community Day” supporters, without whom the events would not be possible. Leadership Sponsor for all education and community engagement programming around The Jungle Book is the Efroymson Family Fund. Sponsors for the July 23 event include Contributing Sponsor Marsh Private Client Services; Event Sponsors AAR Corp. and the Miriyala Family Fund of The DuPage Community Foundation; Community Day Partner Deborah A. Bricker; and Community Day Supporters Harry and Marcy Harczak. PepsiCo is the Lead Community Day Sponsor for the August 13 event.