Chicago Children’s Theatre and the CSO to debut bilingual short film: Maybe Something Beautiful

Telling the story of a dwindling community transformed by art, Maybe Something Beautiful is a new short film from Chicago Children’s Theatre and the Negaunee Music Institute at the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

Inspired by the award-winning book by F. Isabel Campoy and Theresa Howell, illustrated by Rafael López, the film follows young protagonist Mira who one day decides to paste her drawing of a sun on one of the dark walls of an alley, bringing brightness and smiles to her neighbours. 

Five CSO musicians will perform a selection of Latin American and South American composers throughout the video. The story is told through puppetry, with Jasmin Cardenas narrating in Spanish, English and ‘Spanglish’. 

Behind the scenes on Maybe Something Beautiful

Co-author, F. Isabel Campoy, said: ‘Chicago Children’s Theatre and the CSO have created something beautiful here. The CSO took the magic wand from Rafael López and transformed color into music, art to sound, “oneness” to community.’

‘The script tells the story the way many people in our country express themselves today. I embrace it completely. Chicago Children’s Theatre’s beautiful puppetry and Jasmin Cardenas’ warm voice are charming to follow through the streets of San Diego, or actually, any street now.’

The plot is based upon a true story about social justice pioneers Rafael and Candice López, who bring light to the alleys of San Diego’s East Village with art and colour, starting the Urban Art Trail. 

The 13-minute film will stream on Facebook on 1 April and will subsequently be available for free on two streaming platforms: CCTv: Virtual Theatre & Learning from Chicago Children’s Theatre and CSOtv.

Find out more information here. 

maybesomethingbeautiful.com