Turning dreams into reality and overcoming fear

EVANSTON, Ill. --- Imagine U, the nationally recognized producer of theater for young audiences at Northwestern University, kicks off its new season with “Frida Libre,” a story of friendship, culture and celebration. The show runs Oct. 20 through Nov. 5 in the Josephine Louis Theater at the Wirtz Center for Performing Arts on the Evanston campus.

Young audiences and their families will be captivated by the colorful costumes, a vibrant stage, singing and dancing. “Frida Libre” tells the uplifting story of famed Mexican painter Frida Kahlo in her younger years.  She meets a boy named Alex and the pair discovers how true friendship can help you overcome fear and transform your dreams into reality.

“The moment that is really special to me is when we see Frida and Alex's friendship transform,” said director Ismael Lara, Jr., a Chicago-based director and Northwestern alum (MFA in directing ’22). “We see these two young people who started out on almost opposite sides of the world, and we watch them come together in friendship and in support of one another and the dreams that they have.”

“Frida Libre” features music by Deborah Wicks La Puma and book and lyrics by Karen Zacarías. This production is geared for children ages 6 and up. A meet and greet with the cast is planned following each performance. Runtime is approximately one hour.

“This story really celebrates Mexican culture,” Lara said. “It allows someone like me to see myself represented on stage in a way that is full of celebration, joy and laughter.”

Frida Kahlo was a Mexican painter known for her self-portraits, portraits and works inspired by Mexican artifacts and nature. With this in mind, Lara says the creative team imagined the world of the play as a canvas.

“All of the actors start in the audience in order to invite the children into the canvas with them. The actors will step onto a ladder and into the canvas, where they will then paint the picture of the entire world.”

During the run of “Frida Libre,” 800 third-graders will view the performance as part of a partnership between Northwestern and Evanston/Skokie School District 65 schools to bring live theatre to local youth.

Tickets are available online and by phone at 847-491-7282 or in person at the Wirtz Center box office. The box office is located in the Ethel M. Barber Theater lobby, 30 Arts Circle Drive on Northwestern’s Evanston campus. Box office hours are Tuesdays through Fridays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from noon to 4 p.m.