GreenMan Theatre Troupe brings ‘Spooky Stories and Songs’ to Elmhurst
GreenMan Theatre’s storytellers will offer ghoulish ghost tales and spine-tingling songs during its upcoming annual performances of “Spooky Stories and Songs of the Season,” to be presented Friday, Oct. 10, Saturday, Oct. 11 and Tuesday, October 14. All performances are intended for adults and children 10 and over.
The Oct. 10 and 11 performances will be held at 7:30 p.m. in a new, ADA-compliant location for 2025: St. Peter’s United Church of Christ, 125 W. Church St. in Elmhurst. Admission is $10, payable by cash or check at the door.
It also will be presented at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 14, at the Elmhurst Public Library, 125 S. Prospect Ave. This will be a hybrid presentation, both live and online (by registration through the library). Those seeing the online version must register in advance. Registration for the in-person showing is strongly encouraged — as registration helps determine the size of the room being used. Go to the calendar at elmhurstpubliclibrary.org.
The cast for “Spooky Stories and Songs of the Season” features Cassy Beach, Elliot Brtva, Lily Brtva, Melanie Concklin, Marilyn Connolly, Don Gimbel, Jeff Korenak, Debbie Proska, Victoria Rebeck, Carolyn Thomas-Davidoff and Larry Vietzke. Beach also serves as music director.
“Our 2025 annual production is especially exciting because, in addition to our seasoned storytellers, there are three people who are brand new to storytelling, two of whom were brought into storytelling by family members,” said Thomas-Davidoff, director.
At just 10 years old, Lily Brtva is GreenMan’s youngest-ever storyteller. “I’d seen my dad (fellow storyteller Elliot Brtva) do ‘Spooky Stories’,” she said. “I liked how he did it, and I wanted to do it myself.”
After taking GreenMan’s annual Storytelling Classes this past summer, Lily was intrigued by a story suggestion made by Thomas-Davidoff, the classes’ instructor. “A young girl’s mother has sent her off to bring food to her aunt,” Lily Brtva said. “Along the way, she meets a swamp witch. I can’t give away the story, but the girl turns out to be brave and smart.”
Elliot Brtva said he is thrilled by his daughter’s interest in storytelling. “She’s been working at it very hard, and it’s been an all-around great experience for her — and me.”
Don Gimbel, another storytelling newbie, received encouragement from one of his adult children. “After my daughter took a storytelling class, she told me, ‘Dad, you gotta do it!’”
Gimbel’s story, “Grandfather’s Eyes,” is a Czech folktale of two lonely men — one a blind old man, the other still young. Refusing to be tempted by a trio of beautiful but evil-intentioned witches called Yezinkas, young Yanechek insists they give the old man back the eyes the Yezinkas had stolen from him. Through this harrowing encounter, the men find their way to becoming a family and creating a real home.
In its 22nd season, GreenMan Theatre Troupe is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization whose mission is to provide a source of cultural enrichment and pride for the community by presenting diverse, quality productions and providing opportunities for personal growth in the theatrical arts. GreenMan has been presenting plays in Elmhurst since being founded in 2003. Past productions include “The Odd Couple,” “Dracula,” and “Pride and Prejudice.”
GreenMan also offers classes and workshops for members and the community and welcomes new members and participants in all aspects of theater production. GreenMan programs are partially supported by Explore Elmhurst, as well as other individual and corporate donations.