Displaying items by tag: Joryhebel Ginorio

Chicago's Raven Theatre Company today announced the cast and production team for Dave Malloy's OCTET, directed by Keira Fromm and running April 30 - June 7, 2026 (previews April 30 - May 3). Tickets ($30 - $45) on sale at www.raventheatre.com. 

In an anonymous meeting room, a group of people —always eight—gather to sing. Best known for the Broadway hit NATASHA, PIERRE, & THE GREAT COMET OF 1812, Dave Malloy's  OCTET uses chamber-inspired a cappella music to explore the total impact of life online. Hailed by the New York Times as "the most original and topical musical of the year" for its 2019 Off-Broadway premiere, this inventive and acutely relevant piece reflects the perils of the digital age.

"OCTET is the perfect first musical for Raven," says Executive Artistic Director Sarah Slight. "It tackles the urgent topic of technology addiction in a way that feels right at home on our stage. With an entirely a capella score, OCTET offers something our audience has never experienced here before. It is an extraordinary show to bring to Chicago."

The cast features Joryhebel Ginorio (Velma), Neala Barron (Jessica), Grace Steckler (Karly), Teressa LaGamba (Paula), Elliot Esquivel (Toby), Jordan Golding (Marvin), Sam Shankman (Henry), and Jonah D. Winston (Ed). Understudies are Dani Pike (u/s Jessica), Collin Quinn Rice (u/s Henry), Diana Marilyn Alvarez (u/s Paula), Caitlyn Cerza (u/s Karly), Danny Bennett (u/s Ed), Jonah Cochin (u/s Toby), Joe Giovannetti (u/s Marvin), and Mizha Lee Overn (u/s Velma).

The production team, led by director Keira Fromm, includes JC Widman (Stage Manager),  Nick Sula (Music Director), Laura Savage (Choreographer), Milo Bue (Scenic Designer), Paloma Locsin (Props Coordinator), Maegan Pate (Costume Designer), Maximo Grano de Oro (Lighting Designer), Christopher Kriz (Sound Designer), Ruby Lowe (Master Electrician), Lucy Whipp (Production Manager), Mads Wren (Assistant Director), Faith Locke (Assistant Stage Manager), Hannah Kwak (Assistant Sound Designer), Emmitt Socey (Assistant Master Electrician), Wynn Lee (Associate Scenic Designer), and Catherine Miller (Dramaturg, Casting Director).

Raven Theatre's OCTET runs April 30 - June 7, 2026, with previews April 30 - May 3. Performances are held Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., and Sundays at 3 p.m. on the Johnson Stage at Raven Theatre, 6157 N. Clark St. Tickets are $45, with discounts available for students, military, and industry ($30 previews); to purchase tickets and for more information about Raven Theatre's 43rd season, visit www.raventheatre.com. 

OCTET

Written By: Dave Malloy

Directed By: Keira Fromm

Cast: Joryhebel Ginorio (Velma), Neala Barron (Jessica), Grace Steckler (Karly), Teressa LaGamba (Paula), Elliot Esquivel (Toby), Jordan Golding (Marvin), Sam Shankman (Henry), and Jonah D. Winston (Ed). Understudies are Dani Pike (u/s Jessica), Collin Quinn Rice (u/s Henry), Diana Marilyn Alvarez (u/s Paula), Caitlyn Cerza (u/s Karly), Danny Bennett (u/s Ed), Jonah Cochin (u/s Toby), Joe Giovannetti (u/s Marvin), and Mizha Lee Overn (u/s Velma).

Production Team: JC Widman (Stage Manager),  Nick Sula (Music Director), Laura Savage (Choreographer), Milo Bue (Scenic Designer), Paloma Locsin (Props Coordinator), Maegan Pate (Costume Designer), Maximo Grano de Oro (Lighting Designer), Christopher Kriz (Sound Designer), Ruby Lowe (Master Electrician), Lucy Whipp (Production Manager), Mads Wren (Assistant Director), Faith Locke (Assistant Stage Manager), Hannah Kwak (Assistant Sound Designer), Emmitt Socey (Assistant Master Electrician), Wynn Lee (Associate Scenic Designer), and Catherine Miller (Dramaturg, Casting Director).

Dates: April 30 - June 7, 2026 (Previews TBD)

Schedule: Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.; Sundays at 3 p.m.

Location: Raven Theatre (6157 N. Clark St.)

Tickets: General Admission: $45; Student, Military, and Industry tickets $20. Previews $30.

Box Office: www.raventheatre.com 

Just in time for the season’s first snowfall and the holidays, the Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire serves up a delightful rockin’ adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s The Snow Queen, perfect for the entire family as its finale for the 2023 children’s theatre season.

Billed as the story that inspired the Disney megahit Frozen – indeed, there were many young audience members in full Elsa garb – the story follows the adventures of the brave, young Gerda, who is determined to find and rescue her best friend, Kai, who is trapped forever in the Snow Queen’s winter palace.

The Snow Queen is one of Andersen’s most highly acclaimed fairy tales, with its timeless story of the struggle between good and evil. In this production, Andersen’s beloved tale is transformed into a musical, set to an original pop-rock score that has something for everyone’s musical tastes.

The story itself is a bit complicated. Struck in the eye and heart by the splinters of a mirror stolen from the Snow Queen and cursed by a malevolent troll, Kai forgets his friendship with Gerda and becomes cruel and mean-spirited. Undaunted by her beloved friend’s rejection, the intrepid Gerda begins her journey to reclaim her friend, which takes her into a magical world filled with singing flowers and a zany group of talking crows, a wicked witch, who casts a spell to trick Gerda into becoming her daughter, a kind-hearted prince and princess, a hard-rockin’ punk robber girl and mother, and more!

Whether the Frozen devotees were disappointed that their favorite princess, Anna, Olaf, or Kristoff, were not on stage (there is a talking reindeer!), it didn’t appear to be the case. The mostly under-ten audience paid rapt attention throughout the hour-long production.

While the staging was kept to a minimum, with scene changes accomplished through a well-placed prop (cleverly camouflaged alongside the Marriott Theatre’s signature circular stage) and through two video screens flanking the stage, the talented ensemble kept their young audience engaged through non-stop action onstage and foot-tapping music that ranged from soulful ballads to a dance-party beat to a homage to punk rock.

This was my first time seeing a production at Marriott Theatre as well as my seven-year-old granddaughter’s first live theatre performance. It is the perfect venue for introducing children to live theatre as the sightlines are good and the audience is close to the actors and action. There’s even a question-and-answer session after the performance with the actors to further educate the next generation of theatregoers.

The production comes to life under the sure-handed direction of Landree Fleming with music direction by Michael Mahler and choreography by Katie Johannigman. The ensemble of five actors works hard throughout the show with the majority playing multiple roles through a deft change of costume – a hat, a coat, change of shoes – or a change of accent.

Veteran Chicago actor Caron Buinis (who’s also appearing in Marriott Theatre’s production of the Carole King tribute musical Beautiful) is simply wonderful as Gerda’s grandmother, the wise woman of the North, the witch, and the robber mother. Also returning to Marriott Theatre stage is Jeremiah Alsop, who plays the troubled Kai, as well as the prince and a singing flower.

The ensemble is rounded out with three actors making their debuts at the Marriott. Ryan Stajmiger captivates the audience in his multiple roles as the troll, the reindeer, the rose, and the head crow, Reginald, which he hilariously portrays as a droll, but proper British soldier. Add to that Alanna Chavez, who dazzles as the Snow Queen (my granddaughter’s favorite character), but who also can rock as the lonely, punk-rocker robber girl.

But it is Joryhebel Ginorio, in her debut at Marriott, who shines as the loyal and devoted Gerda. Ginorio brings a sweet soulfulness to her portrayal of Gerda and charms the audience with her vocal versatility and range. She has a beautiful voice, and I, for one, hope that this will not be the last Ginorio will be heard on Chicago’s stages.

As with all proper fairy tales, love, goodness, and friendship triumphs in the end – to the delight of the audience. And who knows? Maybe the young Elsa fans in attendance have found another heroine in the kindness, bravery, and determination of young Gerda.

The Snow Queen provides families with the perfect holiday entertainment with shows on most Fridays through Sundays at 10 am through Dec. 31. There are select 12:30 pm performances and plenty of holiday week performances scheduled.