Charming “The Hundred Dresses” Opens in Skokie

“The Hundred Dresses” is the story of Wanda Petronsi, a girl who has recently immigrated from Poland and struggles to adjust to her new American home and her not-so-friendly classmates.

The story takes place in the 1940s, but feels contemporary and fresh—nothing has changed in the struggle to find friends and find your place in the social pecking order.

This musical features bright (and totally non-cloying) tunes by Ralph Covert (yes, the Ralph of Ralph’s World). So for the parents in the audience, it’s an enjoyable hour. For the children in the audience—perfect for ages 6-10, girls as well as boys—the characters are funny, the message on bullying and friendship age appropriate and the whole show engaging.

I love a show where the kids are following the story, cheering for the characters and on the way home, you have something to talk about it. Almost every child has been a bystander, bully and victim. Why do kids pick on someone who is different? What could the other children have done? There’s lots to discuss on the car ride home.

I took my 12-year-old daughter. She was a little old for the play, but she still enjoyed the show.

The Hundred Dresses
Chicago Children’s Theatre performing at North Shore Center for the Performing Arts
9501 Skokie Blvd., Slokie
847-673-6300
northshorecenter.org

The show runs through Dec. 2 with discounted rates for groups. Make it an afternoon and go for a parent/kid lunch at Edwardo’s Natural Pizza or Bagel Country.

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