Chicago’s Griffin Theatre Company today announced a limited five-performance-only run of the company’s most popular touring show for young people, FRINDLE. Based on the novel by Andrew Clements, and adapted and directed by William Massolia, the show will run Sunday March 17, Sunday March 24, and Sunday March 31, 2024 on the Schwartz Stage at the Raven Theatre, 6157 N. Clark St. Tickets ($24.50) go on sale Sunday February 25, 2024 at www.raventheatre.com.
Nicholas Allen has plenty of ideas. When he ends up in Mrs. Granger’s language arts class, he has his best idea ever. He decides to create his own word…FRINDLE! Before long Nick’s word creates a buzz in his school, his town and then to his surprise it spreads all around the country, and a power struggle erupts with the strict Mrs. Granger. Will the word “Frindle” win? Based on the multiple award winning best-selling novel by Andrew Clements this quirky, imaginative tale about creative thought and the power of words will have your young audience inventing their own words.
FRINDLE’s cast includes Joey Walsh (Nick), Lynda Shadrake (Mrs. Granger), Sierra Phan (Janet / Mrs. Chatham / Ensemble), Dakotah Brown (Howie / Dad / Ensemble), Lisa Revis (Mom / Judy Morgan / Ensemble), and Declan Desmond (Chris / Bud / Ensemble).
The production team, led by writer and director William Massolia, includes Alan Donahue (Set Designer), Rachel Sypniewski (Costume Designer), and L.J. Luthringer (Sound Design and Original Music).
About the Cast & Crew
ANDREW CLEMENTS (Author) was the author of the enormously popular Frindle. More than 10 million copies of his books have been sold, and he was nominated for a multitude of state awards, including a Christopher Award and an Edgar Award. His popular works include About Average, Troublemaker, Extra Credit, Lost and Found, No Talking, Room One, Lunch Money, and more. He was also the author of the Benjamin Pratt & the Keepers of the School series. Find out more at AndrewClements.com.
WILLIAM MASSOLIA he/him (Adapted By & Director) is the Artistic Director of the Griffin Theatre Company and the author of over 30 plays and adaptations including, Be More Chill, Little Brother, Stardust, Loving Little Egypt, Shakespeare’s Dog, In to America, and Frindle. His play Letters Home has been seen in more than 100 cities nationwide and his children’s play, Frindle has been presented in 120 US cities since 2009. A graduate of Southern Illinois University, Massolia is a 7-time Joseph Jefferson Award nominee for his work as a playwright, is a past member of the League of Chicago Theatres Board of Directors, the theater advisory panel for the Illinois Arts Council and is a recipient of an IAC Playwriting Fellowship Award. His most recent project was the world premiere stage adaptation of the Emmy Award-winning CBS television show Innovation Nation.
JOEY WALSH he/him (Nicholas Allen) absolutely can’t wait to bring the giant ideas of Frindle to life! He is a Chicago-based artist, and a graduate of The Theatre School at Depaul University. Previous theatre credits include: The Stinky Cheese Man, Letters Home, and The Rover.
LYNDA SHADRAKE she/her (Mrs. Granger) is an ensemble member with Griffin Theatre and has toured extensively with Frindle as well as their acclaimed production, Letters Home. Other Griffin productions include For Services Rendered, Pocatello, and Balm in Gilead. She recently appeared in Paris with Steep Theatre. Other credits include Circle Mirror Transformation (Redtwist); Pygmalion, The Importance Of Being Earnest (Oak Park Festival Theatre); Flanagan’s Wake, Don’t Drink The Water (Noble Fool); and Late Nite Catechism (Royal George). TV/Film/Web credits include Trading Spaces (prank episode), Teenage Ghost Punk, Hunter, and The Dreamers. Lynda is represented by Big Mouth Talent.
SIERRA PHAN (she/they) (Janet/Mrs. Chatham/Ensemble) is an actor/violinist from Louisville, Kentucky. She received her BFA in Acting from The Theatre School at DePaul University. Her recent theatre credits include: The Vanishing Point (Gift Theatre), The Playgrounds (Congo Square), Macbeth (Hoosier Shakespeare Festival). The Theatre School credits include: A View from the Bridge (Alfieri), Polaroid Stories (Eurydice), A Wrinkle in Time (Meg Murry), Long Time Since Yesterday (Babbs Wilkerson), and Dance Nation (Connie). She is represented by Shirley Hamilton.
DAKOTAH BROWN (he/him) (Howie/Dad/Ensemble) previous credits in the Chicagoland area include Light Up the Sky (William Gallagher) and The Book of Will (Ralph Crane) at Edge of the Wood Theatre, A Walk With Joy (Sterling) and The Mama and the Papa Goose (Pied Piper Podcaster) at Inkwell Arts, and The Tempest (Juno/Francisco) at Oak Park Festival Theatre.
LISA REVIS she/her (Mom/Judy Morgan/Ensemble) is thrilled to be performing with Griffin Theatre again! Recent Chicago credits include Evita, A Chorus Line (Drury Lane), Letters Home, Frindle (Griffin Theatre), Moon Shot (Theater Unspeakable), The Adventures of Robin Hood (Filament Theatre) and 20th Anniversary Concert (Innervation Dance Cooperative). Favorite regional credits include 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Marcy), Mamma Mia! (Dance Captain), A Chorus Line (Connie), and The Little Mermaid (Arista). Lisa is also a passionate foodie and creates delicious content under the handle @snacksagas on all social media platforms.
DECLAN DESMOND he/him (Chris/Bud/Ensemble) is thrilled to be working again with the Griffin Theatre having just completed The Stinky Cheese Man winter tour. He graduated from Boston University with a BFA in acting in 2022. Some of his notable credits include Chicago Med (NBC), Trevor the Musical (Writers Theatre), and Rustin (Netflix).
FRINDLE is limited to five performances only, Sunday March 17 and Sunday March 24 at 12 and 2 p.m., and Sunday March 31, 2024 at 2 p.m. on the Schwartz Stage at the Raven Theatre, 6157 N. Clark St. in Chicago’s Edgewater neighborhood. Tickets ($24.50) on sale at www.raventheatre.com.
FACT SHEET:
FRINDLE
Title: FRINDLE
Based on the Novel By: Andrew Clements
Adapted By: William Massolia
Directed By: William Massolia
Cast: Joey Walsh (Nick), Lynda Shadrake (Mrs. Granger), Sierra Phan (Janet / Mrs. Chatham / Ensemble), Dakotah Brown (Howie / Dad / Ensemble), Lisa Revis (Mom / Judy Morgan / Ensemble), Declan Desmond (Chris / Bud / Ensemble)
Production Team: Alan Donahue (Set Designer), Rachel Sypniewski (Costume Designer), and L.J. Luthringer (Sound Design and Original Music)
Dates: Sundays March 17, 24, and 31, 2024
Press Opening: Sunday March 17, 2024 at 2 p.m.
Schedule: Sundays March 17 and 24 at 12 noon and 2 p.m.; Sunday March 31 at 2 p.m.
Run Time: Approximately 50 minutes with no intermission
Location: The Schwartz Stage at The Raven Theatre
6157 N. Clark St.
Tickets: General Admission: $24.50; groups of 10 or more $20
Box Office: www.raventheatre.com
ABOUT GRIFFIN THEATRE COMPANY
The Griffin is a nationally recognized producer of youth touring theatre in the United States. The Griffin’s national audience exceeds 100,000 young people and adults each year. Tours have included such prestigious venues as Cleveland Playhouse Square, Tennessee Center for the Performing Arts in Nashville, and the Cerritos Center for the Arts in Cerritos, California. Touring productions include both youth focused plays, Frindle and The Stinky Cheese Man and the Griffin’s hit adult production of Letters Home—a production that pays tribute to the men and women in the US military, In to America, a play that traces America’s 400 year immigrant history and Ghosts of War. Most recently, the Griffin produced the world premiere production of the Emmy Award-winning children’s television show, Innovation Nation. Overall, Griffin’s touring productions have been performed in 44 of our United States.
Established in 1988. the mission of the Griffin Theatre Company is to create extraordinary and meaningful theatrical experiences for both children and adults by building bridges of understanding between generations that instill in its audience an appreciation of the performing arts. Through artistic collaboration the Griffin Theatre Company produces literary adaptations, original work and classic plays that challenge and inspire, with wit, style and compassion for the audience.
The Griffin Theatre Company is the recipient of 134 Joseph Jefferson Award nominations for theater excellence in Chicago. The Griffin was honored with four 2018 Jeff awards for Ragtime including Best Ensemble, Best Musical, Best Director-Musical and Best Performer in a Supporting Role-Musical. Additionally, the company was the repeat winner of the 2016 Jeff Award for Best Production of a Play for London Wall having won the same award in 2015 for its production of Men Should Weep.