Raven Theatre Presents THE ODD COUPLE, Opens 5/23

Spend an evening with America's favorite bachelors at The Odd Couple, directed by Michael Menendian. Opening is Sunday, May 23, at 7:00 p.m. at Raven Theatre, 6157 N. Clark, with a reception following in the Raven lobby sponsored by Anteprima. Tickets and information are available at www.raventheatre.com or 773-338-2177.

Best friends: can't live with them, can't realize your life's regrets without them. When Felix's wife kicks him out, his recently divorced best friend, Oscar, opens his home to take him in. Reality sets in when Felix's "Mary Poppins" lifestyle destroys the laid-back vibe of Oscar's ultimate bachelor pad. A fun night with their neighbors, the Pigeon sisters, could help ease the tension or it just might light the fuse on this combustible situation. Can these two learn how to live with each other or will they drive each other berserk?

Menendian states, "In keeping with Raven's mission of exploring the characteristics of what defines the "American Experience", Neil Simon's quintessential comedy classic fits right into this mold, and challenges us to find those human elements that make Simon so Chekhovian in his approach to naturalistic humor without sacrificing honest emotional context."

Neil Simon is a Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winning playwright. Presenting human weaknesses in an honest and uniquely comedic way, Simon mastered the art of making serious issues funny. This style of tension release and use of one-liners became very popular very quickly as his third play, The Odd Couple, brought him his first Tony Award.

Director Michael Menendian is a founding member and the Producing Artistic Director of Raven Theatre, where he has simultaneously directed and set designed many productions, earning multiple Joseph Jefferson and After Dark awards. His productions include Death of a Salesman, Hedda Gabler, Laughter on the 23rd Floor, The Night of the Iguana, The Sea Gull, American Buffalo, A Few Good Men, Dancing at Lughnasa, Golden Boy, Marvin's Room, A Streetcar Named Desire, A View from the Bridge, You Can't Take It with You, Glengarry GLen Ross, and others.

Leading the cast are Eric Roach in the role of Oscar and Jon Steinhagen in the role of Felix. Roach was last seen on the Raven stage in Laughter on the 23rd Floor. He is an ensemble member of Factory Theatre and has worked with companies including Strawdog Theatre, The Hypocrites and Lifeline Theatre. Steinhagen was last seen on the Raven stage in Hedda Gabler. He is a multiple Jeff award winning actor/writer/musical director and is a resident playwright at Chicago Dramatists as well as a company member of Signal Ensemble Theatre. Greg Caldwell (Roy) is an ensemble member of Raven theatre who was recently seen in Death of a Salesman; Greg Kolack (Vinnie) directed Raven Theatre's production of columbinus and recently directed the Drury Lane's 2007 production of The Odd Couple; Larry Carani (Murray) has appeared in numerous Raven productions including Diner Tales, A Clean Well Lighted Place and A Few Good Men; Anthony Tournis (Speed) is an ensemble member of Factory Theatre and was recently seen on the Raven stage in Death of a Salesman; Liz Fletcher (Gwendolyn) is an ensemble member of Raven Theatre where she has been seen in A Streetcar Name Desire (Jeff Citation Leading Actress), Golden Boy (Jeff Citation Supporting Actress) and Dancing at Lughnasa; Brigitte Ditmars (Cecily) is a Jeff Award winning choreographer and ensemble member of Hell in a Handbag productions who has performed with companies including Circle Theatre, Signal Ensemble Theatre and Porchlight Music Theatre.

The design staff includes: Ray Toler (Set Designer); Andrei Onegin (Technical Director); Kelly Dailey (Scenic Artist); Amy Lee (Lighting Designer); JoAnn Montemurro (Costume Designer); Katherine M. Chavez (Sound Designer) and Mary O'Dowd (Props). Cathy Bowren serves as stage manager and Emilie Kuhar serves as Asst. Stage Manager.

The 2009-2010 season is dedicated to the memory of Esther E. McCormick, proud Raven Theatre ensemble member.

Raven Theatre
Founded in 1983, Raven Theatre is dedicated to breathing new life into American classics and exploring other works that illuminate the American experience, with occasional forays into world classics. In addition to its regular season, Raven produces a Workshop Series of new and experimental productions, as well as an Educational Outreach program, including teaching partnerships with various Chicago Public Schools, summer youth classes and original children's shows performed at Raven Theatre.

Raven Theatre Company is funded in part by the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency, Polk Bros. Foundation, Yates-Feldman Foundation, The Lloyd A. Fry Foundation, The Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation, Prince Charitable Trust, The McNeil Foundation, The Field Foundation, The Mayer & Morris Kaplan Family Foundation, The Alphawood Foundation, The Arts Engagement Exchange through The Chicago Community Trust, The MacArthur Fund for Arts and Culture at the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation, S & C Electric Company, The Department of Cultural Affairs, CityArtsII, a city agency, The Arts Work Fund for Organizational Development through The Chicago Community Trust and The Kinder Morgan Foundation.

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