You’re invited! In a Land Beyond the Rainbow, in a room overflowing with beautifully wrapped presents, three children explore their friendship, similarities, and differences at a magical birthday party!

What follows is a story of learning through experience and communication; a story of redemption and forgiveness. My Wonderful Birthday Suit! includes music, puppetry and a visit to the splendiferous Thinking Tree where one is gently inspired to contemplate one’s own words and actions. My Wonderful Birthday Suit! concludes with kindness, generosity and the sharing of a big, amazing present, symbolizing one of the work’s major themes: that we as people are ALL gifts to be treasured and celebrated inside and out. My Wonderful Birthday Suit! advances the conversation from the common but outdated notion of tolerating differences to one of understanding, accepting, and celebrating our diversity.

The audience is encouraged to participate in the party atmosphere throughout, further contributing to the sense of a communal learning process. While this is a story crafted for very young audiences, it confronts the issues of race and use of hurtful language in very stark terms, thereby preparing young children and equipping their families, and educators, to cultivate a community that promotes peace and unity.

Chicago Children’s Theatre’s 15th World Premiere production, My Wonderful Birthday Suit! was spun from a conversation between playwright Gloria Bond Clunie and Chicago Children’s Theatre Artistic Director Jacqueline Russell about Michael Tyler’s children’s book, The Skin You Live In, regarding the need for opportunities to positively and safely educate youth about outward appearances.