Friday, July 12, 2013

Enjoy a Theatre Hike with Morton Arboretum


THEATRE-HIKES® SUMMER 2013 LINE-UP AT THE MORTON ARBORETUM 
Hike Along With the Three Musketeers, James and the Giant Peach, An Afternoon with Mark Twain and the Passion of Dracula

LISLE, IL - This summer, follow the action – literally – of some time-honored stage productions during the unique Theatre-Hikes® program at The Morton Arboretum. On weekends from July through October, join the Three Musketeers, James and his giant peach, Mark Twain, Dracula and their cohorts as they share their stories during a beautiful nature hike under the Arboretum’s canopy of trees. As the plays progress, actors and the audience alike will move through the Arboretum’s grounds, using nature as the backdrop.

“Audiences of all ages love experiencing these well-known, well-loved stories in a whole new way, moving through the Arboretum grounds,” says Jenelle Hardtke, special events manager. “Nature becomes part of the story, as the actors incorporate our landscapes and settings into the production.”

The 2013 Theatre-Hikes season includes:
• July:  The Three Musketeers
• August:  James and the Giant Peach
• September:  An Afternoon with Mark Twain
• October:  The Passion of Dracula

Performances are each Saturday and Sunday, July 6-October 27. Shows in July, August and September begin at 1 p.m. Shows in October start at 3 p.m. 
The first Sunday performance of each month will be a low-impact hike (suitable for strollers, walkers and wheelchairs). Each performance lasts approximately three hours, so please wear comfortable shoes, dress for the weather and bring a chair or blanket, water bottle and insect repellent. All performances begin at the Thornhill Shelter (Parking Lot 21).

Tickets are on sale now. Tickets include Arboretum admission, so before or after the action guests can explore our David Rogers’ Big Bugs exhibition or award-winning Children’s Garden. For members, tickets cost $12 for adults and $8 for children. For nonmembers, tickets cost $19 for adults and $13 for children. Season tickets are available and cost $40 for member adults, $25 for member children, $60 for nonmember adults and $45 for nonmember children. To purchase tickets, call 630-725-2066, visit mortonarb.org, or stop by The Morton Arboretum Visitor Center.

The Three Musketeers - Weekends in July
By Ken Ludwig based on the novel by Alexandre Dumas
The famous story of swashbuckling friends comes to life outdoors. It is a tale of heroism, treachery, close-escapes and above all, honor. D'Artagnan sets off for Paris in search of adventure. His sister Sabine, the quintessential tomboy, is sent with to attend a convent school in Paris. Posing as a young man, she quickly becomes entangled in her brother's adventures. Soon after reaching Paris, d'Artagnan joins forces with his heroes, the famous musketeers, to defend the honor of the Queen of France. This show is appropriate for all ages (geared toward young boys and girls who like action, ages 6-14, and adults) and contains some violence (sword fights, deceit and death).

James and the Giant Peach – Weekends in August
Based on the story by Roald Dahl
A boy who was always told he was worth nothing achieves the impossible in this play. Crocodile tongues, horrible aunts, a ravenous rhinoceros: poor James is miserable...until something peculiar happens involving a giant peach and group of talking insects! James and his bug buddies take the most wonderful and extraordinary journey they could ever imagine. Appropriate for all ages (geared for children 6-13 with adult humor, too).

An Afternoon with Mark Twain – Weekends in September
Meet Mark Twain as he shares two of his famous stories: The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County and The Diaries of Adam and Eve. In our first story, Jim Smiley, a man with all the luck in the world, finds his luck has run out when he gambles everything on a giant frog that he figures can’t lose. Then, Twain retells the creation story, with a reclusive Adam who finds himself unprepared for the arrival of Eve, a talkative, emotional female. Will they find a way to get along? Appropriate for all ages.

The Passion of Dracula – Weekends in October
By Bob Hall and David Richmond based on the Bram Stoker novel
This version of the Dracula legend is set in the English countryside in 1911 where several village girls have died under mysterious circumstances. Dr. Seward presides over a nearby mental hospital and the locality has acquired a new resident, Count Dracula! A trio of doctors, a young reporter and a stouthearted English lord battle the Count for possession of the lovely heroine. With a dash of Holmesian sleuthing in this Baskerville Hound country setting, our heroes save the heroine and dispatch the Count in the traditional manner. "A genuine old- fashioned horror thriller." - N.Y. Daily News. Appropriate for all ages (geared toward teens and young adults, but no inappropriate material).

About The Morton Arboretum
The Morton Arboretum is an internationally recognized outdoor tree museum on 1,700 acres. Plant collections, scientific research and education programs support the mission to plant and conserve trees and other plants for a greener, healthier and more beautiful world. Throughout natural landscapes are specialty gardens, 16 miles of trails and nine miles of roads. Other offerings include tree-focused events, activities and services for adults, children, professionals and communities. The Arboretum welcomes more than 800,000 visitors annually and serves 34,000 member households. Located 25 miles west of Chicago in Lisle, Illinois, the Arboretum is open daily 7 a.m. until sunset. Learn more at www.mortonarb.org 

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