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GreenMan Theatre Troupe marks 20th year with 'Eight to the Bar/ista' 10-minute play festival

Posted July 04, 2023 11:00 pm

By Sharon Bopp GreenMan Theatre Troupe

Aida Palma Carpio, left, of Chicago and Caleb Kurowski of Burbank rehearse a scene of "Cenotaph" by Craig Gustafson of Lombard. Courtesy of Ken Beach

In celebration of its 20th year as Elmhurst community theater, GreenMan Theatre Troupe will present "Eight to the Bar/ista," an evening of eight 10-minute plays.

Performances will begin at 7 p.m. Friday to Sunday, July 14-16, at Brewpoint Craft (Coffee) at 617 N. York St. in Elmhurst.

The "Eight to the Bar/ista" third annual festival showcases the works of eight Midwestern playwrights.

Japo Parcero, left, of Chicago and Gabrielle Medovoy of Downers Grove in Ron Burch's "Gary the Bold." Courtesy of Ken Beach

"Some of the plays are comedic, some dramatic and there's definitely mystery in some of them, too," said Becca Easley, festival co-producer and director of the play "Gary the Bold."

Six directors and 20 actors will be featured in "Eight to the Bar/ista."

"We have a variety of talent in GreenMan's acting and directing pool," Easley said. "Some actors are well seasoned; some are brand new to acting. Some directors have years of experience and others are trying it out for the first time."

"Walpurgis Night" by J. Weintraub features Jenny Hogan of Oak Lawn and Carissa Lehning of Elk Grove Village. Courtesy of Ken Beach

Kimberly Brumirski, an actor who will direct the 10-minute play, "Walpurgis Night," is one of those first-time directors.

"This was the perfect way to dip my toe in the water," Brumirski said.

"It's been nice to take a step back and look at the whole picture," she added. "I've enjoyed the challenge of the auditioning process, as well as doing research into the play and coming up with sound cues, music cues and costumes."

The cast of Elmhurst playwright Patricia Motto's "Golden" features, from left, Renata Allelujka of Crest Hill, Octavio Montesza of Northlake, and Howard Raik of Oak Park. Courtesy of Ken Beach

GreenMan selected the Brewpoint Coffee location - and the performance's new coffee-themed name - after the post-COVID closure of its original venue.

"We thought, 'Why not perform in a coffee shop and call the event 'Eight to the Bar/ista'," Easley said.

In addition to a wide variety of coffee drinks, alcoholic beverages and charcuterie boards will be offered.

Cash prizes will be provided for select plays, as determined by audience votes during the run of the show.

Emily Golden's "One Dinner Three Ways" will be performed by Aaron Visser of Lombard and Lisel Neumann of Oak Park. Courtesy of Ken Beach

Tickets are $15 and are available at the door (cash/card), with no reservations or presales.

In its 20th 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.

James Clifton of Forest Park and Jennifer Collins of Evergreen Park will perform "Winifred and Henry Celebrate Their Fifth Wedding Anniversary" by David Lipschutz. Courtesy of Ken Beach

GreenMan has been presenting plays in Elmhurst since being founded in 2003. Past productions include "The Odd Couple," "Dracula," and "Pride and Prejudice."

It 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.

"The Parting Glass" by Cole Hunter Dzubak features the cast, from left, Howard Raik of Oak Park, Sarah Falsetti of Chicago, and Aaron Visser of Lombard. Courtesy of Ken Beach

The festival features:

• "Cenotaph" by Craig Gustafson of Lombard, with director Becca Easley, and a cast featuring Aida Palma Carpio of Chicago, Caleb Kurowski of Burbank, and Duard Mosley of Hinsdale.

• "Gary the Bold" by Ron Burch of Indianapolis, Indiana, with director Becca Easley, and a cast featuring Gabrielle Medovoy of Downers Grove, and Japo Parcero of Chicago.

• "Golden" by Patricia Motto of Elmhurst, with director Gina Palmer, and a cast featuring Renata Allelujka of Crest Hill, Howard Raik of Oak Park, and Octavio Montesza of Northlake.

• "One Dinner Three Ways" by Emily Golden of Ames, Iowa, with director Gail Cannata, and a cast featuring Aaron Visser of Lombard, and Lisel Neumann of Oak Park.

From left, John Sandstrom, Austin Jones and Patricia Lomden rehearse a scene from Mark Harvey Levine's "Take Our Picture." Courtesy of Ken Beach

• "Take Our Picture" by Mark Harvey Levine of Indianapolis, Indiana, with director Gary Murphy, and a cast featuring John Sandstrom of Elmhurst, Patricia Lomden of Chicago, and Austin Jones.

• "The Parting Glass" by Cole Hunter Dzubak of Saline, Michigan, with director G.F. Gallagher, and a cast featuring Sarah Falsetti of Chicago, Aaron Visser of Lombard, and Howard Raik of Oak Park.

• "Walpurgis Night" by J. Weintraub of Chicago, and Nicola Lombardi of Italy, with director Kimberly Brumirski, and a cast featuring Jenny Hogan of Oak Lawn, and Carissa Lehnig of Elk Grove Village.

• "Winifred and Henry Celebrate Their Fifth Wedding Anniversary" by David Lipschutz of Chicago, with director Gina Palmer, and a cast featuring Jen Collins of Evergreen Park and James Clifton of Forest Park.

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