Akvavit Theatre's THE ORCHESTRA to Begin Performances in December

Chicago's Akvavit Theatre is pleased to present the U.S. premiere of Finnish playwright Okko Leo's dark comedy THE ORCHESTRA directed by Brad Akin, playing December 9, 2015 - January 10, 2016 at Rivendell Theatre, 5779 N. Ridge Ave. in Chicago. Tickets go on sale Monday, October 19 at www.akvavittheatre.org. The press opening is Friday, December 11 at 7:30 pm.

THE ORCHESTRA will feature Bergen Anderson*, Steve Herson, Josiah Kumpost, Jim Poole and Tony St. Clair. Additional casting to be announced.

THE ORCHESTRA follows a group of has-been rockers who've been playing weddings for peanuts. But when a band-mates famous sister visits them at a gig - they see an opportunity for one fimnal push for fame. It's "Fargo meets This Is Spinal Tap" in a performance that has all of Finland abuzz - and that's saying something in a land where extroverted Finns look at your shoes when they talk!

Okko Leo is a Helsinki-based playwright and dramaturg who graduated from the Finnish Theatre Academy in 2011. He has written for both stage and radio, and his plays have been performed in many of Finland's best-known professional theatres including the Finnish National Theatre and KOM Theatre in Helsinki, as well as in theatres abroad. Leo's plays often explore themes of communication, language, identity and social structures.