CHICAGO ( November 16, 2018 ) — The Holiday Hootenanny Radio Hour is pleased to announce Nick Thornton's heart warming new radio play CRICKET ON THE MANTLE, with music directed and arranged by Mike Mazzocca, as its inaugural presentation. All proceeds from this pay what you will production will go to benefit the Chicago chapter of American Veterans for Equal Rights ( AVER ). Adapted from the Charles Dickens short story Cricket on the Hearth, Thornton's new play, set in the 1940s, follows one community as it must reimagine what it means to be home for the holidays. CRICKET ON THE MANTLE will play December 10 and December 19, 2018 at The Den Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave in Chicago. Each of the 2 live performance will also be broadcast online at anarchistfolk.wixsite.com/cricket. Donations can be made both at the performances and through the website.
CRICKET ON THE MANTEL will feature Todd Aulwurm, Elleon Dobias, Katherine Duffy, Joey Harbert, Eric Loughlin, Mike Mazzocca, Nicky Mendelsohn, Erik Pearson, Josiah Robinson, Kelan Smith, Sarah Beth Tanner, and Melanie Vitaterna.
Everyone knows that a cricket on the mantle is good luck, and nowhere is that more true than in Anytown, USA. John and Dot are expecting a child, Tim and Mae are getting married, and almost everyone is home for the holidays. All seems calm and bright, until a mysterious drifter wanders into town, changing the course of everyone's Christmas plans.
Equal parts storytelling and folk music, CRICKET ON THE MANTLE is the perfect holiday outing for the young at heart looking for thoughtful, exuberant Christmas entertainment. This production's strong language and mature themes make it inappropriate for children under thirteen.
"The Holiday Hootenanny Radio Hour is our attempt to offer audiences a fun, innovative piece of new holiday entertainment," comments writer/director Nick Thornton. "Throughout the year, audiences engage with our work at other local venues, and we feel it's important to use this project to give back to our community."
DETAILS, CRICKET ON THE MANTLE
Writer/Director: Nick Thornton
Music Director/Arranger: Mike Mazzocca
Ensemble: Todd Aulwurm, Elleon Dobias, Katherine Duffy, Joey Harbert, Eric Loughlin, Mike Mazzocca, Erik Pearson, Josiah Robinson, Kelan Smith, Sarah Beth Tanner, and Melanie Vitaterna.
Location Den Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave , Chicago
Regular run: Monday, December 10th, 2018; and Wednesday, December 19th, 2018
Curtain times: 7:30pm curtain
Information: anarchistfolk.wixsite.com/cricket.