The Play Is Really “A-Foot” In The Morton Arboretum Theatre-Hikes

Love, Laughs, Adventure and Fantasy Await in our Woods

LISLE, IL (June 26, 2007) – Venture into a fantasy land to search for Aslan, the lion king of Narnia. Skulk around the woods seeking treasure with a gang of ruthless pirates. Help dazed and confused lovers find their way out of a fairy-filled forest, and watch four young girls blossom into womanhood. You can see all this – and more - in The Morton Arboretum Theatre-Hikes.

Follow the play through the trees - with actors and musicians performing scenes in different locations. It’s a great way to stroll through nature as you enjoy enchanting entertainment.

“We’re featuring classic stories that you may have read or seen on screen, but now you can get a whole different experience as you see these shows outdoors,” said Marilyn Baysek, Manager of Special Events.

Theatre-Hikes continue in July with Shakespeare’s classic comedic tale of mistaken identity about two sets of young lovers, a troupe of dreadful amateur actors, and some mischievous forest fairies they encounter after getting lost in some enchanted woods – all in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”

Revel in the lively action of “Treasure Island” throughout August. With the colorful pirates and scoundrels, follow young Jim Hawkins and Long John Silver on their quest for pirate’s gold!

Delve into the lives of four sisters as they grow into young ladies during the Civil War in September’s Theatre-Hike “Little Women.”

Travel into a land of fantasy among our beautiful fall colors in “The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe” on weekends – and Columbus Day – in October. Will our four young adventurers help break the White Witch’s winter hold on the enchanted land of Narnia, returning nature’s lush greenery?

Regular Theatre-Hikes are from 1 – 3:30 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays; the non-strenuous two-mile hikes cover some hilly ground. A one-half-mile Low-Impact Theatre-Hike is offered on one Sunday each month at 1 p.m. and is suitable for strollers, wheelchairs and walkers. A Dinner Theatre-Hike, featuring a themed buffet dinner with the actors after the play, is held from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. one Sunday each month.

Wear walking shoes, bring a lawn chair or blanket, a water bottle and bug spray.

Tickets for regular and Low-Impact Theatre-Hikes are $15 ($12 in advance for Arboretum members). Dinner Theatre-Hike are $40 for adults ($37 members) and $30 for children under 12 years of age ($27 in advance for members). Tickets required for everyone over the age of two. Order via www.mortonarb.org or call 630-725-2066 (8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Monday-Friday). Or come to the Visitor Center Information Desk any day of the week, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. Online and phone sales end at 5 p.m. the day prior to the performance.

La Salle Bank is the presenting sponsor of the 2007 Theatre-Hike series at The Morton Arboretum, with contributing support from the Sara Lee Corporation.

The Morton Arboretum is an internationally recognized 1,700-acre outdoor museum with collections of 4,057 kinds of trees, shrubs, and other plants from around the world. The Arboretum's beautiful natural landscapes, gardens, research and education programs, and year-round family activities support its mission - the planting and conservation of trees and other plants for a greener, healthier, and more beautiful world. Conveniently located at I-88 and Rte. 53 in Lisle, Illinois, the Arboretum is open 7 days a week, 365 days a year, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. or sunset, whichever is earlier, Central Time. The Children's Garden is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (CDT) and 9:30 to 4 p.m. (CST). Visit www.mortonarb.org or call 630/968-0074 to learn more.

Media Contacts:    Gina Tedesco, 630-725-2103 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Marty Cusack, 630-719-5768 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it