Shedd's new aquatic show postponed
The July 2 premiere of Fantasea, Shedd’s new multimedia, multi species aquatic show — is being delayed until later this summer.
Animal care is our first priority, and we want to ensure the show is the best guest experience it can be. After being away from the Oceanarium for nine months during its renovation, the animals are still getting acclimated to their new surroundings. We are giving them more time to make themselves at home. Later this summer we will debut the show our guests have been looking forward to.
Guests can explore a world of wonders in the reimagined Oceanarium, from welcoming home new and familiar faces to the Oceanarium family, and experiencing the new, permanent exhibit Polar Play Zone made just for kids, a first for Shedd.
All my life, I prayed for someone like you. And I thank God that I finally found you.
Posted by: marissa jones | July 03, 2009 at 10:47 AM
went to shedd on july 9th. we got to watch the "fantasea" show as one of the first ones. the show is kinda lame and takes away from the animal experience to turn it into a broadway show with a little girl. VERY VERY disappointing. we came to see animals, not an act. trust me, you'll agree. pretty much everyone around us thought the same thing
Posted by: sott | July 11, 2009 at 01:42 PM
The Shedd is meant to be an educational institution. Yet "Fantasea" was honestly the most vapid, information-free piece of superficial showmanship I have ever encountered. Audience members walk away having learned nothing about the animals. And the animals are mocked, treated with all the respect of dancing bears. At a time when the oceans are truly in crisis, it is shameful that the Shedd would spend so much money on something that, at best, does nothing to further conservation goals. At worst, it teaches children to regard sea creatures as little more than Disney characters whose purpose is solely to entertain.
Posted by: Ryan Pratt | August 24, 2009 at 07:31 PM
Ryan, thanks for your feedback on our new aquatic show Fantasea, which is in rehearsal. We appreciate your feedback and are sorry that your experience at Shedd was not as favorable as we would have hoped.
Our mission is to connect our guests to the living world through our animals, inspiring each of us to make a difference in protecting and preserving our planet, and we strongly believe our new show supports our mission in a new, unique and exciting way. However we are still in the public testing and dress rehearsal stage of the show. Thankfully we’ve heard from many of our guests who have had the rare opportunity to witness a preview of the new show. Because of very favorable reviews, as well as constructive comments like yours, we continue to make adjustments to the show before its official public debut. Stay tuned for more details.
Posted by: Jay Geneske, web editor | August 25, 2009 at 09:15 AM