GreenMan Theatre’s ‘Spooky Stories and Songs’ returns for three performances

GreenMan Theatre has lined up a scarily-impressive gathering of ghouls and goblins for storytelling and singing at its annual performances of “Spooky Stories and Songs of the Season,” to be presented Oct. 16, 18, and 20. All performances are intended for adults and children 10 or older.

The first two performances will be at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 18, at St. Peter’s United Church of Christ, 125 W. Church St., Elmhurst. Tickets are $10, payable by cash or check at the door. Online tickets can be purchased can be purchased via greenmantheatre.org.

It also will be presented at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20, at Elmhurst Public Library, 125 S. Prospect Ave. This will be a hybrid presentation, both live and online via elmhurstpubliclibrary.org. Those seeing the online version must register in advance. Registration for the in-person showing is strongly encouraged as it helps determine the size of the room being used.

The cast for “Spooky Stories and Songs of the Season” features Cassy Beach, Julie Brandon, Elliot Brtva, Melanie Concklin, Marilyn Connolly, Linda Gallagher, Tom Kaiser, Debbie Proska, Carolyn Thomas-Davidoff, and Larry Vietzke. Beach also serves as music director.

A first-time storyteller, Gallagher will regale audiences with “The Vampire of Croglin Grange,” an old English folktale about three siblings, a vicar, and a vampire. “Since grade school I’ve had a fascination with vampires,” she said. “I even made a historical visit to Transylvania.”

Kaiser’s story is titled “The Loup-Garou (The Werewolf),” about a husband who encounters a terrifying obstacle while traveling through the woods to get a doctor for his sick wife. “It will make you think twice about traveling through the woods alone at night,” he said.

Connolly’s story, “Golden Hair,” tells of a young Corsican peasant girl who falls into the hands of the evil Count Renaldo. “It’s a folktale with mystery, defiance, and witchcraft,” she said. “The question is ‘Will help arrive to save her?’”

Songs performed at “Spooky Stories and Songs of the Season” are “Tam Lin,” “Little Orphant Annie” (a popular 1885 poem about misbehaving children snatched away by goblins with an obsolete spelling of orphan), “I Hold Your Hand in Mine,” and the storytellers’ traditional closing song “You’re Always Welcome At Our House” by Shel Silverstein.

Learn more at greenmantheatre.org.

In its 23rd 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 “Dracula,” “Pride and Prejudice” and “Doubtful Abbey.” 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.