The Other Theatre Company Presents BARNEY THE ELF, Now thru 12/20

The Other Theatre Company (TOTC) and Artistic Director Carin Silkaitis are proud to present the second show of the company's 2015-2016 season Barney The Elf, by Company Member Bryan Renaud, directed by Artistic Director Carin Silkaitis, and choreographed by Company Member Tommy Rivera-Vega, December 2 - 20. There will be a preview tonight, Dec. 2 at 8 p.m. with opening night Thursday, Dec. 3 at 8 p.m. at The Greenhouse Theatre, 2257 N Lincoln Ave. The regular run schedule is Thursdays, Friday, and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. Tickets are $25 and may be purchased at http://greenhousetheater.org/barney-the-elf/. For more information, please visit theothertheatrecompany.com.

Yando Lopez and Chicago drag queen sensation Dixie Lynn Cartwright star in this musical parody of Elf. After Santa Claus retires, his wicked son begins a not-so-jolly reign as the new head of Christmas. The North Pole begins to crumble under his bigoted rule, and Barney the Elf is forced to leave his home for being different from the others. Soon he embarks on a fabulous journey of self-discovery (or is it elf-discovery?) that lands him in one of Chicago's hottest drag bars. But can he truly leave Christmas behind for a new life in the big city? Barney the Elf brings musical numbers galore and plenty of queer holiday cheer to Chicago's Greenhouse Theatre Center.

The cast for Barney the Elf includes: Jos Banks (Queen 3), Jack Bauer (Queen 2), Maggie Cain (Mrs. Claus), Dixie Lynn Cartwright (Zooey), Charlitha Charleston (Ensemble), Jacob Gilchrist (Queen 1), Yando Lopez (Barney), Cassie Nelson (Ensemble), Lauren Omelson (Ensemble), Lewis Rawlinson (Santa Jr.) Tommy Rivera-Vega (Ensemble), Roy Samra (Ensemble) and Will Wilhelm (Ensemble).

ABOUT BRYAN RENAUD

As an actor, writer and performer, Renaud has has also worked with The Other Theatre Company, American Theater Company, Pride Films & Plays, Provision Theater, Music Theatre Company, Greatworks, Prologue Theatre, Random Acts, Gorilla Tango, Shakespeare on Clark, Oak Park Festival Theatre and North Central College. His plays include Twelfth Night of the Living Dead, All Our Twilight (co-authored by Emily Schmidt), and Ladies Night of the Living Dead.

ABOUT CARIN SILKAITIS

A director and actor, Silkaitis has directed plays at North Central College, Theatre Conservatory at Roosevelt University, XIII Pocket, Stage 773, Music By The Lake, and Echo Theatre Co. Recent Chicago acting credits include: Chloe in Lips Together, Teeth Apart (Eclipse), Doctor Manor/Physician's Assistant/Board Member 1 in Sons of the Prophet (American Theater Company), Dean Wreen in Seven Homeless Mammoths Wander New England (u/s with 2 full weeks of performance, Theater Wit), Clem in Raggedy And (Stage Left Theatre - Leapfest), Queen Margaret in Richard III (Oak Park Festival Theatre), Mama (and other roles) in Distracted (u/s American Theater Company), and Izzy in Rabbit Hole (u/s Goodman Theatre). Her favorite regional credits include: Love Letters, Dangerous Liaisons, and A Comedy of Errors. Silkaitis recently appeared in the SAG Feature Film Unexpected, and has been busy acting in commercials, industrials, and voiceovers. She is the current Department Chair of Art and Theatre at North Central College.

ABOUT THE OTHER THEATRE COMPANY

The Other Theatre Company is a collective of artists dedicated to telling the stories of those who are othered by systems of oppression. Comprised of activists who openly express their opinion on the various issues presented in the media and beyond, The Company engages their audience in a dialogue through performance and educational outreach. The Other Theatre Company believes in and fights for equality and rejects cultural hegemony.

The Other Theatre Company (TOTC) and Artistic Director Carin Silkaitis are proud to present the second show of the company's 2015-2016 season Barney The Elf, by Company Member Bryan Renaud, directed by Artistic Director Carin Silkaitis, and choreographed by Company Member Tommy Rivera-Vega, December 2 - 20. There will be a preview on Wednesday, Dec. 2 at 8 p.m. with opening night Thursday, Dec. 3 at 8 p.m. at The Greenhouse Theatre, 2257 N Lincoln Ave. The regular run schedule is Thursdays, Friday, and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. Tickets are $25 and may be purchased at http://greenhousetheater.org/barney-the-elf/. For more information, please visit theothertheatrecompany.com