CheekyChicago

A father’s fashion addiction is ripping his relationship with his daughter apart – stitch by stitch. The Emperor’s spirited daughter’s trip to college is delayed because of her father’s lack of a wardrobe for ‘Emperor’s Day.’ The Emperor’s shop-a-holic tendencies are also taking away from all of the kingdom’s citizens, leaving them in old, tattered clothes. Meanwhile, the Emperor’s daughter Sam suspects something is a little strange about a struggling seamstress and her son – they try to trick the Emperor into believing that absolutely nothing is actually something incredibly magical.  Through her determination (and a little help from the other characters), Sam reveals everyone’s true colors.

The Chicago Shakespeare Theater presents The Emperor’s New Clothes! This classic tale is retold through a wonder of colorful costumes, silly characters and rhyming tunes written by Alan Schmuckler, threaded with the book by David Holstein – it will have your foot tapping the entire time. The songs are never short of relatable themes.  Still stuck in my head: ‘”I’m Always Right” – the duet sung by the Emperor (Don Forston) and Mama Swindler (Anne Gunn) when they realize they are wrong.  C’mon, every parent and child has heard these words.  Afterwards, the Emperor and his daughter Sam (Megan Long) have a heartfelt father/daughter moment as the audience watches the bond grow stronger. Sam is a modern princess with sass and individuality. The family bonds extend outside of the castle with Mama Swindler and her son, Kimberly (Alex Goodrich). Kimberly constantly tries to push his mother into breaking out of her old school ways and see the light of technology. Lord Vince (Jonathan Weir) weasels his way into evil as he humorously attempts to take control of the kingdom. Meanwhile, a fabulous hot pink tights-wearing trio (who serve as the Emperor’s secretaries – Mark David Kaplan, George Andrew Wolff and Jarrod Zimmerman) keep the high energy flowing with their hilarious contributions. The fashion is obviously fun to watch as well (hello, it’s got ‘new clothes’ in the title). Costume designer Debbie Baer created a spectrum of shiny chic to very recycled must have’s!

This show modernizes the classic Hans Christian Andersen fable, adding the spark and flare it needs to be a hit! All of the elements of this wonderfully silly play make it enjoyable for adults and children alike.