A fifth grader’s imaginary journeys through video games take the stage when the Music Institute of Chicago presents Earth to Kenzie on October 24, 2026. The free family performance begins at 3 p.m. at Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago Avenue in Evanston, with reservations required.
The opera, by Frances Pollock and Jessica Murphy Moo, follows Kenzie after she and her mother move into a shelter. Video games offer a refuge, and her avatar Edwin accompanies her on imagined adventures in space. Those journeys connect to the challenges she faces at school: making friends, finding confidence and understanding what home can mean.
The performance is presented through Lyric Opera of Chicago’s Opera in the Neighborhoods program. The series brings youth-focused works by living composers to venues throughout the Chicago area.
According to the announcement, the program is designed for students in grades 3–6, with English-language operas running approximately 45 minutes. The Nichols Concert Hall event welcomes all ages.
The concert is part of the Music Institute and Lyric Opera’s 2026–27 partnership, which connects performance and music education through shared programming, mentorship and opportunities for students and emerging artists. This event gives families a way to encounter contemporary opera in a neighborhood concert setting.
Reserve free admission through Lyric Opera’s Earth to Kenzie page. More information about the venue and its programs is available from the Music Institute of Chicago.
Be First to Comment