MEDIA CONTACT: Judy Moore at 847-491-4819 or jkm229@northwestern.edu

March 8, 2005

Rives Collins to Direct “Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse” at Northwestern

EVANSTON, Ill. --- Youngsters of all ages, particularly those in kindergarten through fourth grade, will discover the trials and tribulations that face Lilly, a vivacious young mouse who is the key character in Northwestern University’s upcoming Chicago area premiere of “Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse,” a new family play that encourages children to read.

Puppetry, music and surprises will bring the colorful world of Lilly and her friends in this children’s stage production to life at 8 p.m. April 8 and 9; 2 p.m. April 10; 8 p.m. April 13 through 16; and 2 p.m. April 17, at the Josephine Louis Theatre, 20 Arts Circle Drive, Evanston campus.

Playwright Kevin Kling has created this imaginative adaptation from the award-winning picture books of Kevin Henkes.

Rives Collins, associate professor of theatre and director of the Children’s Theatre Program at Northwestern, will direct the production. Collins selected “Lilly” as Northwestern’s spring family production because Henkes is one of his favorite children’s authors and illustrators. Lilly also stars in two other books by Henkes’ -- “Chester’s Way” and “Julius, the Baby of the World.”

“In a culture that is seduced by the mass media, the ability to dream and imagine is at risk,” said Collins. “It’s not so much that we have kids that can’t read, it’s that they don’t read. ‘Lilly’ celebrates reading. It invites children to explore the series of books that the play is based on.”

Collins described the play as whimsical and heartfelt, celebrating the wide-eyed joys of childhood, but also taking children seriously by looking at some of the struggles that youngsters face growing up.

It tackles important issues such as how do you make friends? How do you keep friends? What happens when a new sibling comes into your life? What should you do about bullies? How do you say you are sorry when you have made a mistake? And how do you forgive those who have hurt your feelings and move on?

“Since Lilly is a mouse and her story takes place in the world of mice, we are having fun with the design elements of the show,” said Collins. “The actors will suggest they are mice by donning ears and tails, and our set designer has created a world that illustrates their diminutive size to the audience. The teacher’s desk, for example, is a spool of thread and the baby mouse’s bassinet is a teacup.”

Prior to joining the Northwestern faculty, Collins taught children of all ages and worked as an actor, storyteller and director. He was the artistic director of the Chicago Children’s Theatre for almost a decade. Collins is active in the American Alliance for Theatre and Education and will serve as co-chair for the national conference that will be held in Chicago at the end of July.

Collins said that one of the great perils to today’s children is the atrophy of the imagination. 

“My hope is that we also will provide some young audiences with their first theatre-going experience. That is a responsibility in which we take great pride and joy. At Northwestern we honor children as sensitive, intelligent human beings. Our goal is that a play such as ‘Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse’ will live on in their playing, their drawing and in their dreams,” he added.

In addition to being performed on the Louis Theatre stage, Northwestern’s “Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse” production also will tour Evanston area schools from April 22 through May 27.

Tickets to the Northwestern performances are $20 for the general public; $18 for senior citizens and Northwestern faculty and staff; and $10 for children and students.

For more information or to order single or group tickets by phone, call the Theatre and Interpretation Center box office at (847) 491-7282.