Cast Announced for the Chicago Premiere Raven Theatre's THE OCTOBER STORM

Raven Theatre, Chicago's newest Equity-affiliated theatre, has announced casting for its Chicago premiere of The October Storm by Joshua Allen, a follow up to Allen's smash-hit The Last Pair of Earlies, directed by Malkia Stampley.

The cast includes Nathaniel Andrew, Jaeda LaVonne, Felisha D. McNeal, Shariba Rivers and Brandon J. Sapp.

Concluding Raven's 40th Anniversary Season, this riveting and edgy new drama set in the 1960s on the South Side of Chicago plays May 11 - June 25, 2023 in Raven's newly-dedicated, 85-seat Johnson Stage, 6157 N. Clark St. (at Granville) in Chicago. Single tickets are now on sale at raventheatre.com or by calling (773) 338-2177. The press opening is Monday, May 15 at 7:30 pm.

It's the fall of 1960 on Chicago's South Side. Rain pounds the city, but the real storm rages in the basement apartment where landlady Mrs. Elkins lives with her teenage granddaughter Gloria. Mrs. Elkins is a widow, and Gloria is essentially an orphan. For better or worse, all they have is each other. But when Louis, a troubled war vet, walks into their already fraught lives looking for shelter, both literal and figurative, the emotional whirlwind he sets off will change all their lives forever.

Comments Director Malkia Stampley, "It is an honor to work with Chicago native playwright, Joshua Allen, on his second Chicago production. Joshua has captured the beauty and complexity of what change - and the resistance to it - looks like in a 3-flat building in 1960, southside Chicago, where a Black grandmother is determined to keep control of the home and protect her granddaughter. Allen's characters are familiar, and I love that no one escapes the October storm of change and growth in the play. I'm thrilled to make my debut at Raven Theatre and to work with this amazing cast and designers."

The production team includes Sotirios Livaditis (Scenic Designer), Alex Rutherford (Costume Designer), Jared Gooding (Lighting Designer), Christopher Kriz (Sound Designer), Megan Pirtle (Wig Designer), Jyreika Guest (Intimacy Director), Catherine Miller (Casting Director), Caitlin McCarthy (Production Manager), Christian Bufford (Assistant Director), Chloe Jackson (Dramaturgical Consultant), Nick Chamernik (Master Electrician) and Isabel Patt (Stage Manager).

COVID-19 safety: Raven Theatre will require patrons to wear a face mask at all times inside the building (when not eating or drinking in the lobby). The theatre will no longer require patrons to provide proof of vaccination to attend a production. If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, please contact the box office to reschedule your tickets free of charge. For all of Raven's current COVID-19 protocols, visit raventheatre.com/covid-19.

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