HUNGRY by Charalampos Giannou – A North American Premiere "I think that others are in need of a doctor around here - not the boy." ~ Grandmother Mother and Father are worried about their Son. The Son hasn't spoken in quite awhile. And he might be a psychopath. In this dark, absurdist comedy, Greek playwright Charalampos Giannou employs classical dramatic elements to spin a contemporary story of familial dysfunction and deprivation. RC Rep is proud to be presenting the North American Premiere of Hungry. Run Time: Approx. 70 minutes Performances in Varner’s Recital Hall at Oakland University, Rochester Hills, MI Tickets and more information available online at: www.rcrep.org CAST Father: Andy Jones Mother: Kristen Nader Son: Ian Bednarski Grandmother/Doctor/Uncle: Sara Catheryn Wolf CREATIVES Director: David Gram † Scenic Designer: Sam Transleau Lighting Designer: Kerro Knox III Costume Designer: Shelby VanOphem Stage Manager: Chris Brannon † The Director is a Member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society, a national theatrical labor union.
Ages: Ages 13 and up
Hungry by Charalampos Giannou (A North American Premiere) at Varner Recital Hall at Oakland University Schedule
Cast and Creative team for Hungry by Charalampos Giannou (A North American Premiere) at Varner Recital Hall at Oakland University
Cast
Oscar Quiroz
Oedipus
Oscar Quiroz (Oedipus) is a Honduran actor now based in Michigan. Previous professional credits include: Macbeth at Shakespeare Royal Oak, Grand Horizons at Tipping Point Theatre, The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, A Midsummer Night's Dream, The Play that Goes Wrong, Pippin and Distracted, with Summer Circle Theatre. Oscar attended the National School of Dramatic Art of Honduras and later obtained a bachelor's degree in theatre from the University of Guadalajara in Mexico. He recently graduated from Michigan State University's Master of Fine Art in Acting Program. Oscar is a member of the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers, The Voice and Speech Trainers Association, and the Association of Hispanic Classical Theatre. He is excited to be joining RC Rep! @oscarquirozhn
Phil Hughes
Creon
Phil Hughes (Creon) is enjoying his first production with the Renaissance City Repertory Theatre and is excited about the challenge of exploring a piece of classical Greek theatre, with Oedipus The King. In the last several years he has appeared on stages around southeastern Michigan, working with Detroit Theatre Collective, Open Book Theatre Company, Thumbcoast Theatres and The Inspired Acting Company. You may have seen his work in recent productions, playing: John D’Agata in The Lifespan of a Fact, Mitch Albom in Tuesdays with Morrie, Torvald Helmer in A Doll’s House, or Uncle Peck in How I Learned to Drive – which garnered him a Wilde Award.
Kristina Riegle * (AEA)
Jocasta
Kristina Riegle (Jocasta) In addition to performing theatre and opera, Kristina owns Riegle Voice Studio, is the artist behind Mindful Dots Mandalas, and is the Co-Founder/Managing Director of RC Rep. Michigan credits include A Little Night Music (Encore Musical Theatre), Alabaster (Williamston Theatre), Candide (Detroit Opera), A Wrinkle in Time (Flint Rep) and A Christmas Carol (Meadow Brook Theatre). Kristina is a proud member of AEA and AGMA. @kristinariegle
For every production Kristina is in, she makes a donation to a local charity in need of support and awareness. This production’s charity is Covenant House Michigan, which helps youth experiencing homelessness and human trafficking in Michigan.
Byron Keys
Priest/Chorus
Byron Keys is thrilled to be making his Renaissance City Repertory debut. He is a graduate of Shimer College, where he discovered a love for acting and the classics. He just finished Shakespeare Royal Oak’s 2025 production of Macbeth playing the Doctor. Byron played Sid, the security guard, In Detroit Repertory Theatre’s Season 68 opener Alamo Shoes. He would like to thank his loving wife Bridgett, as well as David and everyone else at Renaissance City Rep for the opportunity to help tell this ancient story.
Jimmie Comer III
Tiresias/Chorus
Jimmie Comer III (Tiresias/Chorus) Jimmie Comer III makes his return to the RC Rep stage in Oedipus The King as Tiresias/Chorus. His last show with us was Redbone Coonhound as Jogger 1/Still/Mr. Jimmy/Gerald/Comrade Blackity Black. Jimmie’s theatre credits include ‘Skelton Crew, Intimate Apparel, Sweat, & The Tempest. Film: Different World Summer Heats, Mercy 2 Far Gone, Sweat!, Tomorrow. Jimmie trained at Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit and Western Michigan University, and is represented by Lily’s Talent Agency.
Kori Fay
Messenger 1/Chorus
Kori Fay (Messenger 1/Chorus) Kori Fay is an actor, teaching artist, and cat parent. Having recently been in The Scottish Play at Shakespeare Royal Oak as a Witch, they are simply thrilled to be joining the Greek Chorus in this show. Past credits include: Bottom (Midsummer Nights Dream), Dennis (The Play That Goes Wrong). Thanks and enjoy the show!
Joshua Prim
Shepherd/Chorus
Joshua Prim (Shepherd/Chorus) Joshua is a recent graduate from Wayne State University with a B.A. in Theatre Arts, and is so excited to be a part of this incredible show! Previous credits include Samuel Ratchett (Murder on the Orient Express), Grover (The Lightning Thief Musical), and Bretodeau/Goldfish (Amelie). Everyone has worked incredibly hard to put this amazing show together and he hopes you have a great time!
Kiran-Durae Lambert
Messenger 2/Chorus
Kiran-Durae Lambert (Messenger 2/Chorus) is absolutely thrilled to be onstage (always). Kiran is an actor/designer/producer, and has worked with several theatres across the US. She recently co-founded Theatre Artemisia. Kiran has been active in Michigan's theatre for over 15 years, and is proud to call this community her home. "We need theatre, and theatre needs you."
Olivia Kiefer
Chorus/Movement Choreographer
Olivia Kiefer (Movement Choreographer/Chorus) Olivia (she/her) is a multifaceted artist and is proud to call herself an Oakland University alumna. Her past work with RC Rep was as dramaturg for both the 2023 and 2025 (R)evolutions New Works Festivals. Olivia’s past acting credits include Jordan (In Search of the Mothman, Theatre Nova), Captain/Fabian (Twelfth Night, SRO), and another classical Greek play Lysistrata (Lysistrata, Planet Ant Black Box). She wishes to thank David and Kristina for the opportunity to help bring this story to life!
Alaina Chaudhary
Antigone
Alaina Chaudhary (Antigone) Alaina is 14 and an incoming 9th grader at Cranbrook Kingswood. Previous roles at Next Step Broadway include Pilar (Legally Blonde), the Beast (Beauty and the Beast), and Gingy (Shrek the Musical). Her dream roles are Regina George (Mean Girls), Elphaba (Wicked), and Elsa (Frozen). When she’s not acting or singing, she enjoys swimming and spending time with friends. This is Alaina’s first show with RC Rep, and she’s thrilled to be part of it!
Mia Chaudhary
Ismene
Mia Chaudhary (Ismene) Mia is 14 years old and is an incoming freshman at Cranbrook High School. She has participated in many junior musicals, including The Little Mermaid, Shrek, Beauty and the Beast, Legally Blonde, and High School Musical. She has also been taking voice lessons with Riegle Voice Studio for 4 years. Her favorite role she’s played is Gabriella in High School Musical Junior.
Creative Team
David Gram
Director
Originally from Toronto, Canada, David (he/him) is a Detroit-based theatre and opera director, actor, dramaturg, playwright, teacher and published author. His book, Contemporary Farce on the Global Stage, or Serious Laughter was published by Routledge in April 2024. David is an Associate Professor of Directing and Acting in the Department of Theatre at Oakland University in Rochester Hills, MI, and has directed and produced over 80 productions across the United States and Canada.
A director with a wide range of theatrical interests, David is equally at home working on everything from Shakespeare to Sondheim, from farce to Brecht, from contemporary American dramas to original plays, musicals, and operas.
David is the Producing Artistic Director of Renaissance City Repertory Theatre and a proud member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC). www.david-gram.com
Sam Transleau
Scenic Designer
Kerro Knox 3
Lighting Designer
Kerro Knox 3 feels like he is David Gram's personal lighting designer: Hands on a Hardbody, School for Scandal, that pesky Scottish play that started the pandemic are among their collaborations. Kerro is professor emeritus of theatre at OU and still teaches Theatre History 1 (Greeks et al) and lighting so this project - pandemic and all - is right up his parados. And he has a smattering of ancient Greek from high school and Jeremy says I talk about the ancient Greeks like they're my neighbors.
Eli Cavaliero
Costume Designer
Olivia Kiefer
Movement Choreographer/Chorus
Olivia Kiefer (Movement Choreographer/Chorus) Olivia (she/her) is a multifaceted artist and is proud to call herself an Oakland University alumna. Her past work with RC Rep was as dramaturg for both the 2023 and 2025 (R)evolutions New Works Festivals. Olivia’s past acting credits include Jordan (In Search of the Mothman, Theatre Nova), Captain/Fabian (Twelfth Night, SRO), and another classical Greek play Lysistrata (Lysistrata, Planet Ant Black Box). She wishes to thank David and Kristina for the opportunity to help bring this story to life!
Cassius Merriweather
Stage Manager
Cassius Merriweather (They/Them) (Stage Manager) is beyond grateful to manage the infamous and prophetic tragedy that is Renaissance City Repertory Theatre’s Oedipus, the King. Working with the likes of Henri Franklin, John Sloan III, and Casaundra Freeman they’ve worked on productions throughout the country, whilst finding a home in Poetry Slams and as a Teaching Artist throughout the state.
Follow their future projects on Instagram @ItsMeCassiusIG and @ItsMeCanvasBody
SUBMIT UPDATES
Varner Recital Hall at Oakland University Frequently Asked Questions FAQ
Oedipus The King by Sophocles – translated by Bryan Doerries (8/15/25-8/17/25)
Varner Recital Hall at Oakland University is at 371 Varner Drive, Rochester Hills, MI 48309, Rochester Hills, MI.
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