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Anticipated musical adaptation of Mo Willems 'Knuffle Bunny' runs March 2 to 18

February 9, 2018 | By Stephanie Kulke
An illustration of a young child carrying a toy bunny
Imagine U's "Knuffle Bunny" runs March 2 to 18 at the Wirtz Center

EVANSTON - Tickets are in high demand for Imagine U’s upcoming production of “Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical,” which runs March 2 to 18 in the Hal and Martha Hyer Wallis Theater, 1949 Campus Drive on Northwestern University’s Evanston campus.

Most performances are already sold out, but limited seating is available for the performances on March 2, 9 and 16 at 7 p.m.

For the first time, Wirtz Center will host a benefit performance, entitled “Imagine U: Backstage Club,” to support inclusive theater for all ages. The March 11 benefit performance will include hands-on activities and a sneak preview of Imagine U’s future programming.

Founded in 2011, Imagine U’s popular family-friendly productions include opportunities for children to interact with the cast and take home a program book with themed activities, fun facts and games. Imagine U’s productions are produced by Northwestern’s Wirtz Center for the Performing Arts.

Imagine U’s “Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical,” based on the beloved Caldecott Honor-winning picture book, is filled with adventure, songs and even dancing laundry.

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.

Once Trixie finally makes her father understand the emergency, the two heroes set off on an epic adventure to save her beloved Knuffle Bunny from the clutches of the mighty washing machine.

Six-time Emmy Award winner Mo Willems teamed up with Grammy Award-winning composer Michael Silversher to create this heartwarming and hilarious musical. The production is directed by Kathryn Walsh, an adjunct lecturer in the department of theatre at Northwestern.

Single tickets are $12 for the general public; $10 for children and full-time students; and $6 in advance or $10 at the door for Northwestern students.

Tickets are available online at the Wirtz Center website, by phone at 847-491-7282 or in person at the Wirtz Center box office in the Barber Theater lobby, 30 Arts Circle Drive, Evanston.

Box office hours are Tuesdays through Fridays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from noon to 4 p.m. The box office is closed Sundays and Mondays.

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Imagine U: Backstage Club

March 11 at 5 p.m.
Hal & Martha Hyer Wallis Theater 

Proceeds from this special benefit performance of “Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical” will support Imagine U’s inclusive theater for all ages. Following the 5 p.m. performance, guests will be treated to post-show snacks, a free Imagine U t-shirt and a visit from the “Knuffle Bunny” cast. Rounding out the festivities are a sneak peak of a brand-new musical coming to Imagine U next year and a sing-along with storyteller Rives Collins, award-winning Northwestern faculty member and director of such Imagine U classics as “The Hundred Dresses,” “James and the Giant Peach” and “The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane.”

Imagine U: Backstage Club tickets are $50 for adults and $25 for children 12 and under. Tickets include admission to the 5 p.m. performance and post-performance party on March 11.   


Relaxed Performance – SOLD OUT

March 3 at 2 p.m.
Hal & Martha Hyer Wallis Theater

Imagine U is pleased to offer a relaxed performance for “Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical.” This performance has been 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.

Trained teaching artists with a background in sensory-friendly work will be on site. Performance modifications include changes to light and sound cues and access to a separate sensory room if students need a break from the performance. Fidget toys and communication devices are welcome in the theater. Imagine U’s “Knuffle Bunny” Social Story also is available for download before the performance.

 

Creative Drama Workshops

March 10, 17 and 18
Hal & Martha Hyer Wallis Theater

Following the 2 p.m. performances on March 10, 17 and 18, a 45-minute creative drama workshop will be offered with Northwestern teaching artists and members of the cast. Participants will explore themes of the show through a variety of games and creative drama-based activities. The workshop is free and open to any child who attends the show, but it will be most engaging for students who are 3 to 8 years old. Parents and guardians are encouraged to participate. Space is limited and reservations are required. To register, visit the Imagine U page of the Wirtz Center website. 

The Wirtz Center is a member of the Northwestern Arts Circle, which brings together film, humanities, literary arts, music, theater, dance and visual arts. 

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