Publications & Sites 
Family Friendly: Join the Wilmette Children’s Theatre ‘Under the Sea’
The stars of Wilmette Children's Theatre's production of "Little Mermaid Jr." are, from left, Maya Hlava as Flounder, Brice Hartman as Scuttle, Emily Markham as Ariel and Anika Blitzstein as Sebastian.
Robert E. Bierie, theater artistic director for Wilmette Park District’s Center for the Arts, is a huge Disney fan. That’s why he is thrilled that Wilmette Children’s Theatre is the first company on the North Shore to stage “Disney’s The Little Mermaid Jr.” Performances are 7 p.m. Fridays, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturdays, and 2 p.m. Sundays, Oct. 12-21, in the Community Recreation Center Auditorium, 3000 Glenview Road, Wilmette.
Thirty-nine young people, ages 10-16, are cast in the tale of the beautiful mermaid Ariel who longs to live in the world; her father, King Triton; and Prince Eric, the human Ariel loves.
Bierie said the tale offers lessons for young people. “It shows the love of family,” he said, and the importance of loyalty to your friends.
The G-rated musical includes such songs as “Part of Your World,” “She’s in Love” and “Under the Sea,” which won an Oscar.
Tickets are $8.
For details, call (847) 256-9694 or visit www.wilmettepark.org.
COLORFUL CAT
Kids will learn how to name colors in Mandarin Chinese, with the help of Pete the Cat, during a special Language Stars storytime, 10 to 10:45 a.m. Friday, Oct. 12 at the Vernon Area Public Library, 300 Olde Half Day Road, Lincolnshire. They will also sing and take home a coloring sheet.
For details, call (847) 634-3650 or visit www.vapld.info.
IT’S A CIRCUS IN THERE
Chicago-area circus professionals, as well as advanced students from the Actors Gymnasium, will try out new material at Circus in Progress: An Evening of Daring New Work, 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 13, and 3 p.m. Sunday, October 14 at the Actors Gymnasium, 927 Noyes St., Evanston. Tickets are $12.50.
For details, call (847) 328-2795 or visit www.actorsgymnasium.com.
BOY, OH BOY
... will your family have fun when Circus Boy visits the Northfield Branch of the Winnetka-Northfield Library District, 1785 Orchard Lane, 2 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 14. He will take a spin on the world’s smallest bicycle and do other antics that will keep kids and adults in stitches.
For details, call (847) 446-5990 or visit www.winnetkalibrary.org.
SOMETHING’S FISHY
Kids can meet Jon Klassen, author and illustrator of the hilarious tale, “This is Not My Hat,” 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 20 at the Old Orchard Barnes and Noble, 55 Old Orchard Center. They’ll find out what happens when a tiny fish winds up wearing something that belongs to a dozing larger fish.
For details, call (847) 676-2230 or visit www.barnesandnoble.com.
