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May 2, 2025
EVANSTON - A lost baby fruit bat struggles to fit in with a bird family, and a toddler’s trip to the laundromat becomes an epic adventure during Imagine U’s 2017/2018 season.
This popular theater series, produced by Northwestern University’s Wirtz Center for the Performing Arts, is geared toward families and includes opportunities for children to interact with the cast and take home a program that includes themed activities, fun facts and games.
Imagine U presents “Stellaluna” Nov. 3 to 19, 2017, and “Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale” March 2 to 18, 2018. Both productions will be presented in the Hal and Martha Hyer Wallis Theater, 1949 Campus Drive on the Evanston campus.
Tickets are available online now, with phone and walk-up box office sales beginning Sept. 19.
The 2017/2018 Imagine U season:
“Stellaluna”
based on the book by Janell Cannon
adapted by Saskia Janse with music by Guus Ponsioen
directed by Catlin Lowans (M.F.A. directing candidate)
Nov. 3 to 19
When baby fruit bat Stellaluna is separated from Mother Bat in the forest, she is adopted by a family of birds who teach her their boisterous, baby bird ways. Young audiences will delight in the music, artistic puppetry and dance and empathize with Stellaluna as she swoops and crashes through the forest trying to be just like her feathered friends. Nocturnal adventure awaits in this luminous adaptation of the acclaimed picture-book about friendship, self-discovery, celebrating differences and trying new things. “Stellaluna” is recommended for children ages three to eight.
Performance times are Fridays at 7 p.m., Saturdays at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m.
Imagine U hosts a sensory friendly/relaxed performance of “Stellaluna” on Saturday, Nov. 4, at 2 p.m. This performance will be adapted to provide a comfortable and safe environment for students with autism, learning differences or other sensory needs, allowing every audience member to engage with the show in a way that works for them. Additional information on modifications for this performance are available on the Imagine U website.
“Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical”
book and lyric by Mo Willems
music by Michael Silversher
directed by Kathryn Walsh
March 2 to 18, 2018
Trixie, her father and her favorite stuffed bunny set off on a trip to the laundromat. The trip brings wonder, excitement and joy to the lively toddler until she realizes that she has left her Knuffle Bunny back at the laundromat. Trixie does everything in her power to make her father understand the emergency, but her father fails to see the issue at hand.
Based on the beloved Caldecott Honor-winning picture book, “Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical” is filled with adventure, songs and dancing laundry! Six-time Emmy Award winner Mo Willems teamed up with Grammy Award-winning composer Michael Silversher to create this heartwarming and hilarious musical. “Knuffle Bunny” is recommended for ages four to eight.
Performance times are Fridays at 7 p.m., Saturdays at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m.
A sensory friendly/relaxed performance of “Knuffle Bunny” will be held on Saturday, March 3, at 2 p.m. This performance will be adapted to provide a relaxed and safe environment for students with autism, learning differences or other sensory needs, allowing every audience member to engage with the show in a way that works for them. Additional information on modifications for this performance are available on the Imagine U website.
Tickets for the Wirtz Center’s Imagine U productions are $12 general admission; $10 students; and $6 advance tickets for Northwestern students.
Tickets are available now on the Wirtz Center website. Box office phone and walk-up orders will begin Sept. 19. The box office is located in the lobby of the Ethel M. Barber Theater, 30 Arts Circle Drive. Box office hours are Tuesdays through Fridays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from noon to 4 p.m.
For more information about the production or to order tickets, call 847-491-7282, visit the Wirtz Center website or email wirtz@northwestern.edu.
The Wirtz Center is a member of the Northwestern Arts Circle, which brings together film, humanities, literary arts, music, theater, dance and visual arts.
