NO GROWN-UPS ALLOWED — SORT OF

CCT’s Beatrix Potter party charms kids,
critics, and everyone in between

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“Channel your inner three-year-old, not your adult,” was the advice given to me as I settled into my seat at Chicago Children’s Theatre. To which my immediate unspoken thought was, “How dare you accuse me of being an adult!”

It’s sage advice to be sure. It’s a tricky thing reviewing children’s theatre — my method is to observe the reactions from the children as much as the show itself — but at some level, I’ve always felt that well-produced, intelligent children’s theatre can be appreciated by adults as well, provided they can make the requisite maturity adjustments — easier for some than others.

Or maybe it’s just that Chicago Children’s Theatre is so damn good at what they do.

Felix May and Lily Emerson tell “The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin”

The Beatrix Potter Holiday Party is the second offering from CCT’s 20th anniversary season, following their thoroughly enchanting musical production of Leo Lionni’s Frederick.  Aimed at a slightly younger demographic this time, the show features Beatrix Potter’s classic characters — Peter Rabbit, Squirrel Nutkin, and other furry troublemakers — mounted as a classic trunk-and-puppet show, a theatrical form dating back centuries, where cleverly engineered carrying-cases with puppets and their accoutrements unfold to provide scenic backdrops and accessories to the story-telling process..

CCT’s creative team, led by Will Bishop (who also directs), has shaped four of Potter’s stories — “The Tale of Tom Kitten,” “The Tale of Ginger and Pickles,” “The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin,” and (of course) “The Tale of Peter Rabbit” — into mini plays. The animals are portrayed using simple but charming puppets designed by Grace Needlman.

Felix May and Lily Emerson tell “The Tale of Peter Rabbit”

The puppets are manipulated by performers Lily Emerson and Felix Mayes, who narrate and sing original songs composed by Charlie Malave & Ray Rehburg. Malave, who also accompanies on more than a dozen instruments, is a deft comic as well, nicely bouncing off the other two performers.

It’s tough to pick a favorite, but in terms of pure design, the “Squirrel Nutkin” trunk — which transforms into an old oak tree complete with a large, roosting owl named Old Brown — may take top honors. The most ingenious and witty puppetry, however, arrives in the “Peter Rabbit” sketch, with a cleverly hand-manipulated moving backdrop behind Peter as he runs frantically around the garden and shed dodging Mr. McGregor, who is represented by a giant pair of stomping boot-puppets.

Felix May and Lily Emerson tell “The Tale of Peter Rabbit”

The Tale of Ginger and Pickles is a curious entry from the Potter bibliography. It’s a strange tale that necessitates an explanation of the concept of credit and taxation — heady topics for the under-7 set. I can see the appeal to the puppeteers — the gorgeous shop that emerges from the trunk must have been quite a challenge to operate — but this was the only moment where fidgeting began to spread among the small humans. Fortunately, Emerson and Mayes (doesn’t that sound like a law firm?) are charming enough to reel the kiddos right back in. Still, they may want to swap that one out next year.

Felix May with Tom Kitten

[Aside: Midway through the second story, I finally placed Felix Mayes, and was stunned to realize that they were also partly responsible for the decidedly-not-for-children, spine-tingling Blood and Puppets show in October. Such versatility. I was rather impressed.]

Back to more G-rated entertainment — it’s safe to say Chicago Children’s Theatre can chalk up another success with The Beatrix Potter Holiday Party. At 55 minutes, it doesn’t wear out its welcome; it’s perfectly paced, sweet without being cloying, and altogether adorable. Plus, there are snacks and drinks after the show — it’s a party, after all — so stick around for goodies, chocolate milk, and juice boxes. They’re refreshingly delicious.

I should know. I snagged three of them.

Charlie Malave, musician, Felix May and Lily Emerson

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photos by Charles Osgood

The Beatrix Potter Holiday Party
Chicago Children’s Theatre, 100 S. Racine St., in Chicago’s West Loop
75 minutes, including the post-show reception
Sat and Sun at 9:30am and 11:30am (except Dec. 21 at 11:30am and 2pm);
Tues and Wed at 9:30am and 11:30am (Dec 23 & 24)
ends on December 28, 2025
for tickets ($47.25 including fees), visit Chicago Children’s Theatre

for more shows, visit Theatre in Chicago

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Lily Emerson meets fans after the show