Strawdog Theatre Company’s annual holiday hit Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins returns for the third consecutive year, reimagined in an all-new virtual production performed live December 5 – 20, 2020. The interactive family favorite is based on the award-winning book by Eric Kimmel, with book and adaptation by ensemble member Michael Dailey*, music and lyrics by Jacob Combs, direction by Spencer Ryan Diedrick and music direction by Celia Villacres. Tickets ($25 - $30) go on sale Friday, November 20 at www.strawdog.org. The press opening is Sunday, December 6 at 1 pm.
Hershel will feature Rebecca Keeshin as Hershel with Julia Atkins, Sonia Goldberg and Ian Michael Minh. Understudies: Hannah Antman and Brandon Burns.
Will Hershel of Ostropool outsmart the goblins who haunt the old synagogue so that villagers can celebrate Hanukkah? In this virtual adaptation of the Caldecott Honor-winning book, the story comes to life with music and a little bit of magic for families of all ages to sing along and enjoy.
Performance schedule: Saturdays and Sunday at 1 pm and 4 pm.
The production team includes Aly Amidei* (scenic and costume design), Kyle Hamman* (virtual technical director), Manny Ortiz* (props design), Becca Levy* (dramaturg and Jewish educational consultant) Karissa Murrell Myers* (casting director), Paul Cook* (production manager) and Michelle Altman (assistant director and stage manager).
Following the production, Strawdog will share a portion of ticket sales with The Jewish Council on Urban Affairs, working to transform Chicago into a city free of poverty, racism and antisemitism. For additional information, visit jcua.org.
About the Artists
Eric Kimmel (Author) is the author of over 130 books for children, including Anansi and the Moss-Covered Rock and the classic Hanukkah tale, Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins. He is a five-time winner of the National Jewish Book Award and the Sydney Taylor Award for Lifetime Achievement. Dr. Kimmel and his wife Doris live in Portland, Oregon.
Michael Dailey (Book and Adaptation) has appeared as an actor in 24 mainstage productions with the company since joining Strawdog in 1997. Writing credits include three radio plays presented as part of Radio Theatre 7, co-writer on the late night series The Adventures of Picklebot and Lawfer and script editor for Strawdog’s productions of 1001 Afternoons in Chicago, Julius Caesar and Measure for Measure.
Jacob Combs (Music and Lyrics) is a writer, director and composer based in Los Angeles. In addition to the 2018 premiere production of Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins, his previous musical theater projects include Palin! The Musical (music and lyrics), Unraveling (book, music and lyrics), Falling Apart, Coming Together (music and lyrics) and Legends & Lore (book). He is currently writing the book, music and lyrics for the musical Selling Out, which was workshopped at Chicago’s Strawdog Theatre in June 2018. Jacob’s first short film as writer/director, Without, premiered earlier this year, and is currently on the festival circuit, having played at over 15 U.S. and international festivals so far. His short screenplay Messrs. is being produced through the AfterWORK program at Pixar Animation Studios, where Jacob works in the creative development department.
Spencer Ryan Diedrick (Director) is humbled to reunite with the good folx of Strawdog, where he served as Assistant Director on Cymbeline, Once in a Lifetime and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. Other directing credits include Black Cat Lost (Red Tape), Desire, Desire, Desire (Eclipse), A Song at Night and Future of Helium Uncertain (American Blues), This Random World (Route 66), Touching/Separate ((re)discover theatre), Heel Shoot & Face Work (Dandelion) and Sweet Sixteen Extravaganza!!! (Blue Goose Theatre Ensemble). His work has also been seen at Griffin, Emerald City, Raven, TimeLine, Back Room Shakespeare Project, Collaboraction, the side project, The Neo-Futurists and The Runaways Lab Theater. Spencer is a proud Company Member with Red Tape Theatre, where he also serves as the Audience Engagement Manager.
Celia Villacres (Music Director) is a Chicago-based musician with a bachelor's degree in piano and musical theatre from Ball State University. She now works around the city as a musical director, accompanist and coach. Theaters she has worked with include Music Theater Works, Raue Center for the Performing Arts and Emerald City Theatre. Celia is a member of the American Federation of Musicians, local 10-208.
About Strawdog Theatre Company
Since its founding in 1988, Strawdog Theatre Company has offered Chicagoland the premiere storefront theatre experience and garnered numerous Non-Equity Jeff Awards with its commitment to ensemble acting and an immersive design approach. The celebrated Company develops new work, re-imagines the classics, melds music with theatre, asks provocative questions and delivers their audience the unexpected.
Strawdog Theatre Company is supported in part by The MacArthur Fund for Arts & Culture at the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation, the Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation, the Alphawood Foundation, The Elizabeth F. Cheney Foundation and the Illinois Arts Council Agency.