Introducing Prime Stage Sprouts, a new theater series from Prime Stage for elementary-aged kids and their families

When young kids discover theatre, a whole world of learning, literacy and adventure opens up for them. This summer, they can have their imaginations ignited when Prime Stage Theatre kicks off a new phase of their programming with Prime Stage Sprouts.  Featuring a talented cast of teenage actors, Sprouts shows will foster a love of reading as they introduce children to the joy of live theatre.

The first production, running June 16-19, is “The Amazing Lemonade Girl.”  This play, based on a book written by the parents of Alexandra Flynn Scott, brings Scott’s true story to life in this play about hope. Running about an hour and designed for young audiences and families The Amazing Lemonade Girl is filled with friendship, humor, and inspiration.Alex Scott was a remarkable young girl.

Rather than letting her rare form of cancer derail her, Alex chose to let her illness inspire her to start a front yard lemonade stand to raise funds to help other kids. Her idea inspired donations of over $1 million dollars and a foundation that has raised $200 million and funds over 1,000 medical research projects for children’s health.

The cast of six teenage actors appearing in this Prime Stage Sprouts production met with Alex’s mother, Liz Scott, and they came away inspired after learning about Alex’s journey and her powerful message: No matter your position, resources, or age, you can make a difference

These teens are excited to share her story with younger children who attend the show, hoping everyone in the audience will discover that a single person really can change the world one act — or even one cup — at a time.

“When we think about changing the world, we often believe we must have these big, complicated ideas,” says Allison Weakland, the show’s director. “This play is for audiences of all ages. I laughed and cried the first time I read the script and was completely into the story. The play addresses some tough subjects, but there is also a lot of humor and hope.”

To ensure authenticity in the production and enhance the experience for audiences, “The Amazing Lemonade Girl” is sponsored by Northwestern Mutual with the support of the Alex Lemonade Stand Foundation and Childhood Cancer Initiatives of the American Cancer Society. At the performances, audience members will have the opportunity to make donations toward “Lemon-aid Chemo Care Kits” for kids and local families.

In response to the plans for this production, Laura Eicher, National Director of Childhood Cancer Initiatives wrote this to the Prime Stage Sprouts team: “Thank you for choosing childhood cancer as your focus and allowing us to make an impact with you.”

Tickets for performances running June 16-19 at the New Hazlett Center for Performing Arts on the North Side are available here. To accommodate younger audiences, shows are scheduled at 10:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Thursday and Friday. On Saturday, the performances are at 2:30 (sensory-inclusive performance with special ticket prices) and 7:30 p.m., and on Sunday the show runs at 2:30 p.m.