THE MAGIC OFRENDA Runs 10/19-11/10 At The Apollo Theatre

Ofrenda Productions and Producer/Director Ricardo Guiterrez present the return engagement of The Magic Ofrenda, October 19 and 20 and November 2, 9 and 10, 2009, at The Apollo Theatre. Show times are 9:30 and 11am.

Following the sold-out extended run at Theatre Building Chicago in the fall of 2008, this remount will book end a week of performances October 26-31 at the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre in Arlington Heights. As runner-up in the 2009-10 National Children's Theatre Festival, the show will also be part of the May 2010 Festival at the Miami-area Actor's Playhouse/Miracle Theatre.

The Magic Ofrenda, book by Christina Biggs and music and lyrics by Mike Descoteaux, is an hour-long musical appropriate for children grades K-5. Ofrenda Productions is dedicated to providing Chicagolands' students with programming that reflects the diversity of their largest ethnic group, Latinos. The Day of the Dead is an important tradition for Mexican-Americans, and conveys the significance of honoring family and connecting past with present.

As The Magic Ofrenda begins, the pan de muertos is baked, the papel picado is strung and all that is missing is Anjelita's picture of Grandma. But the longer her Grandma is gone, the less Anje remembers, until finally she can't draw anything at all. So Anje and her brother Mateo head to Mexico to celebrate el Dia de los Muertos with Grandpa Juan, who has a plan to shake her memory. A plan that includes Salsa dancing, a parading Dalmatian, luchador wrestling and la grand artista herself, Frida Kahlo. As the holiday passes, the calacas come to life to share the vibrant tales of the family's past and comfort Anje as she deals with her loss.

Direction is by Ricardo Guiterrez, with co-music direction by Jeff Bouthiette and Diana Lawrence. Cast members include Walter Brody, Ryan Castillo, Marie Antoinette Flores, Hannah Gomez and Kaelan Strouse. Costumes by Morgan McCabe. Choreography by Jasmin Cardenas. Stage direction by Cory Howard Garrett.

Complete details can be found online at www.theatrewriter.com.

Where: The Apollo Theatre, 2450 North Lincoln Ave., Chicago.
Tickets: Individual Tickets: $10/per child/$12 per adult - Special Group Pricing: $7.50 per person (Groups of 10 or more)
Box Office/Group Sales: 312.642.2342

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