Krampus! isn't done yet!

You still have two more chances to see Krampus! beginning tonight, December 14, at Underground Wonder Bar in River North. But seating is limited at this location and tickets are going fast, so buy in advance and get there early!

Krampus! is a "hilarious" tongue-in-cheek Christmas horror story (that "amassed riotous laughs from the crowd"...but don't take our word for it. Click the link for a review...) about what happens when family bickers too much and holidays too little while a Christmas demon is on the prowl.

The original story, written for the stage by Jaclyn Jensen and Mike Wozniak, follows the the Murray family as they get together for one last Midwestern cabin Christmas before the eldest daughter and her boyfriend move to New York. But it isn't enough they have to deal with the usual drama that comes with Christmas. The Murray family has to do it in the isolation of a cabin in the woods, during a snow storm, with a holiday devil running amok and only some peppermint schnaps to get them through it.

Directed by Maria Burnham, the full cast includes: Jean E. Burr, Justin Fill, Sean Harklerode, Stefanie Johnsen, Allison McCorkle, Christopher Paul Mueller, Paul Tinsley, Michael Wagman and Chad Wise.

Who is Krampus? In European folklore, Krampus is the hell-bound companion of Saint Nicholas. With cloven hooves, a long tongue and goat-like horns, Krampus (also known as Black Peter) punishes the naughty children while Saint Nicholas rewards the good.

Thanks to everyone who attended Krampus! at Mary's Attic last week, and to everyone who came out to Christkindlmarket Chicago earlier this month, as part of the League of Chicago Theatres' Theatre Tag.

The final two performances of Krampus! take place tonight, December 14, and Tuesday, December 15, at Underground Wonder Bar in River North (710 N. Clark St., Chicago 60654). Performances begin at 7:30 p.m. More information is available on our website.

Tickets are $10 in advance via Brown Paper Tickets or $12 at the door.

And a happy opening was had by alll....Merry Krampus! from the Murray Family

Thanks to everyone who came out to opening night for Krampus! last night. We had a packed house and shared many laughs and had fun. Everything that the holidays should be.

Here's the Murray Family Photo from last night's show:

If you missed it, don't worry. We have three more opportunities for you to catch Krampus! starting tonight at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 in advance via Brown Paper Tickets or $12 at the door. 

All performances begin at 7:30 p.m. On Tuesday, December 8, you can find Krampus! at Mary's Attic in Andersonville (5400 N. Clark St., Chicago, 60640). And on Monday, December 14, and Tuesday, December 15, Krampus! will be at Underground Wonder Bar in River North (710 N. Clark St., Chicago 60654). 

Krampus! featured in The Columbia Chronicle

If you've been eager to read more on our production of Krampus! you can find an interview with one of the playwrights, the director and members of the cast in this article in The Columbia Chronicle.

Instead of receiving coal, naughty kids this Christmas season will face being terrorized by the monster Krampus, thanks to a holiday production the Strangeloop Theatre is scheduled to run Dec. 7–8 and Dec. 14–15.

Read the entire article here. 

Krampus!: Cast and Crew Bios

Cast:

Jack/Older Priest                     Paul Tinsley+
Chase/Younger Priest              Michael Wagman*
Anne                                        Allison McCorkle+
Ralph                                       Sean Harklerode
Lauren                                     Jean E. Burr+
Nicole                                      Stefanie Johnsen
Kyle                                         Christopher Paul Mueller
Chet                                         Chad Wise
Krampus                                  Justin Fill+
Radio Newscaster                   Alan Goulding

Production Team:

Playwrights                             Jaclyn Jensen*
                                                Mike Wozniak
Director                                   Maria Burnham*
Stage Manager                       Keith Gatchel*
Props                                      Maria Burnham*, Letitia Guillaud*, Holly Robison*,
                                               Chad Wise
Krampus/Ugly Christmas
  Sweater Costume Design     Stefanie Johnsen
Fight Choreographer               Justin Fill+
Fight Captain                           Christopher Paul Mueller
Sound                                      Maria Burnham*, Mike Wozniak
Graphic Design                       Mike Wozniak
Marketing                                Maria Burnham*, Jean E. Burr+

*Denotes a Strangeloop Company Member
+Denotes a Strangeloop Associate Company Member 

Krampus! Bio: Allison McCorkle

Allison McCorkle (Anne) studied theatre at Texas Wesleyan University and stuck around the Fort Worth/Dallas theatre scene for a years before being lured to Chicago in 2007. Her credits include Piccolo Theatre, Black Ensemble Theatre, Polarity, Red Tape and GreatWorks Theatre, among others. Having just completed her first year as an associate company member, Allison has joined Strangeloop onstage for The Robbers, Loopshop, Nutcracker Nightmare and Christmas Clue-seau.

Krampus! Bio: Sean Harklerode

Sean Harklerode (Ralph) is happy to be working with Strangeloop Theatre for the first time. He most recently appeared in The Artistic Home's The Time of Your Life, and is also currently appearing in their Miracle on 34th Street: A Radio Play. He is a former member of New Millennium Theatre Company, where he most recently appeared as Mario in The Princess Peach Conspiracy, and also wrote and directed Silent Night of the Living Dead and Plans One Through Eight from Outer Space. Favorite roles include Max in Lend Me a Tenor, Asa in Our American Cousin and Elwood P. Dowd in Harvey. Hedy Weiss also once said nice things about his Lumbergh in Cubicle!: An Office Space Musical. So he's got that goin' for him. Which is nice. Merry Christmas, Bedford Falls!

Krampus! Bio: Jean E. Burr

 

Jean E. Burr (Lauren) is very excited to be a part of this wonderful show! She moved to Chicago in the midst of the 2014 Polar Vortex after graduating from the University of North Carolina Wilmington, where she studied Film and Japanese. Since her arrival, she has performed with Nothing Special Productions, Gorilla Tango Burlesque, Vaudezilla Burlesque, Plan 9 Burlesque, Indie Boots Theatre, Open Door Rep, and, of course, Strangeloop Theatre, where she is an Artistic Associate. Love to her friends, family, co-workers, her cat, and the awesome cast & crew! Check out her upcoming projects at www.jeaneburr.com.

Krampus! Bio: Stefanie Johnsen

Stefanie Johnsen (Nicole) Not only does Stefanie believe in Krampus, Krampus believes in her. She is currently interning to be the newest Krampus minion and looks forward to punishing little boys and girls around the world. So so naughty... Stefanie was Queen Aggravain in Once Upon a Mattress this past summer at the Wallace Bowl, has helped with various readings (staged and not) and costumed a few shows and peoples. Be NICE!

Krampus! Bio: Chad Wise

Chad Wise (Chet) is 2 for 3 in playing the mysterious guy that knows what’s really going on in Strangeloop Christmas plays, having previously spouted vague warnings & sported one-eyed looks of dread as Drosselmeyer in 2013’s Nutcracker Nightmare. He also appeared as the Police Chief in 2014’s Christmas Clue-seau and has directed for the occasional Loopshop and worn a toga for the occasional Fight Night entry. Chad founded and ran New Millennium Theatre Company for 12 years bringing the likes of The Texas Chainsaw Musical, MIYAGI! A Karate Kid Musical and Silent Night of the Living Dead to the Chicago stage. When not performing, Chad splits his time between doing the director’s dishes (not a euphemism) and keeping track of all the LEGOs his 6-year-old Boy Wonder can build. Love to Carlos.

Krampus! Bio: Christopher Paul Mueller

Christopher Paul Mueller (Kyle) is honored to working with Strangeloop again after appearing in this summer's Loopshop series. He graduated from Roosevelt's Theater Conservatory and has been seen all over town working with companies like Red Theater, Collaboraction, Red Tape, Red Moon, Scooty and JoJo, and many more. Chris also co-founded the former clown troupe Les Enfants Terribles.

Krampus! Bio: Paul Tinsley

Paul Tinsley (Jack/Older Priest) has been performing on stage since 1963. Some of his favorite roles have been Vladimir in Waiting For Godot, the Cypress Ambassador in An Affair of State for Set Gourmet Theatre, Father Tom in Strangeloop’s Living Quarters, Farnum in Both Your Houses for Remy Bumppo and Joe in The Shadow Box for the Rebekah Theatre Project. He has worked with Steppenwolf, Goodman, Northlight, Organic, Stage Left and many storefront theatres. Paul is extremely proud to be a founding member and co-artistic director of the Rebekah Theatre Project.

Krampus! Bio: Justin Fill

Justin Fill (Krampus/Fight Choreographer) is excited to be possessed/cast as Krampus this Holiday Season. Justin is an Associate Company Member of Strangeloop Theatre and an Actor Combatant in the Society of American Fight Directors. He knows when you've been bad or good, so be good for goodness' sake, and support Chicago Theatre! Justin has worked with Strangeloop Theatre, Theatre-Hikes, Forget-me-not Theatre Co., and the Chicago Swordplay Guild. His Fight Choreography has been featured in Strangeloop's French With Me, and Nothing Special's Fight Night. Enjoy the show!

Krampus! Bio: Michael Wagman

Michael Wagman (Chase/Younger Priest) is very excited to once more act with Strangeloop where he has been a company member since 2010. Previous Strangeloop acting credits include The Millionaire Farmer, The Maid of Orleans, As You Like It and his personal favorite, Bottom in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Other favorite acting credits include Cash on Delivery (Saint Sebastian Players), Some Air (Nothing Without a Company) and The Contract (Janus Theatre Company). In addition to Michael’s acting credits, he has also written Santa Claus vs. the Easter Bunny for both Strangeloop and Donny’s Skybox Theatre (also director), Shadows and Lust for Strangeloop at the 2012 Chicago Fringe Festival, and Crisco vs. Olive Oil for Loopshop3. Big thanks to Maria, Lisa, and all my wonderful Strangeloop peeps.

Krampus! Bio: Jaclyn Jensen

Jaclyn Jensen (Playwright) is originally from Sandy, Utah, and received her BFA in Theatre Performance form the University of Central Missouri. She has been a member of Strangeloop since 2013. Other credits include productions with James Downing Theatre, Consortium Project, Chicago Park District, Saint Sebastian Players and Shapeshifter’s Theatre. Outside of theatre she likes to travel, watch horror movies and volunteer in support of young women at high risk for breast and ovarian cancer.

Krampus! Bio: Mike Wozniak

Mike Wozniak (Playwright). Born and raised in Buffalo, N.Y., Mike is a Chicago-based graphic designer and illustrator. He is a graduate of Mercyhurst College and has thoroughly enjoyed working with Strangeloop this season.

Krampus Bio: Maria Burnham

Maria Burnham (Director) is a director, writer, sometimes stage manager, full-time theater monkey and all around jack-of-all-trades. Storefront theater, ho! She studied creative writing and theater at Louisiana State University and has worked in Chicago with such companies as Appetite Theatre Co., New Millennium Theatre Co., Stockyards Theatre Project, TUTA and Red Theater, where she is also a company member. Maria is thrilled to be a member of Strangeloop. She loves pursuing the undiscovered, though mostly she’s just in it for the chicken. She wishes she could stuff this cast in a basket and keep them with her forever because they make her laugh every day.

Krampus! Bio: Keith Gatchel

Keith Gatchel (Stage Manager) comes to us from Rockford, IL, by way of Southern Illinois University (with a few stops in Florida). Since 2005, Keith has worked tech at a number of theatres, including The Goodman Theatre, Collaboraction, Teatro Vista, Victory Gardens, Pegasus Players and — most recently — Blue Man Group. He was also a writer for Big News at IO and Second City, and contributor to several Loopshop productions, as well as Strangeloop's Our Perfect Holiday 2012 with the cast, and just recently, Thinking Caps. Along with being the co-literary manager for Strangeloop, he is a stage manager for The Kiss Kiss Cabaret, Brass Chuckles Comedy, Uptown Live with James VanOsdol and other shows at the Uptown Underground.

New trailer for Krampus!

Ready to be spooked? Here's a little bit of scary to start your day:

This holiday season Strangeloop Theatre presents Krampus! written by Company Member Jacyln Jensen and Mike Wozniak and directed by Company Member Maria Burnham.

Krampus! is a Christmas horror stage production (with nothing, but the eponymous Christmas demon, in common with the movie of the same name). The plot follows the Murray family as they get together for a final Midwestern cabin Christmas before the eldest daughter and her boyfriend move to New York. But it isn't enough that they have to deal with the usual drama that comes with Christmas. The Murray family has to do it in the isolation of a cabin in the woods, during a snow storm with a holiday devil running amok and only some peppermint schnaps to get them through it. 

The Krampus! schedule is below. All performances begin at 7:30 p.m.:

• Monday, December 7, at Mary's Attic in Andersonville
• Tuesday, December 8, at Mary's Attic in Andersonville 
• Monday, December 14, at Underground Wonder Bar in River North
• Tuesday, December 15, at Underground Wonder Bar in River North

Mary's Attic is located at 5400 N. Clark St. in Chicago. The Underground Wonder Bar is located at 710 N. Clark St. in Chicago.
 
Tickets are $10 in advance via Brown Paper Tickets or $12 at the door. There's also a secret discount code available via WelcomeToTannenWald over on Instagram...if you're brave enough to face Krampus and win.

Danke schön!

Thanks to everyone who came out Tuesday to the Christkindlmarket, as part of the League of Chicago Theatres' Theatre Tag! We loved being there and having you with us!

If you missed our excerpt from Krampus!, you can check out these photos of our audience with Krampus and these from our performance. Catch the real thing beginning Monday at Mary's Attic in Andersonville.

Join Strangeloop at Krampus Fest

Strangeloop will be joining Krampus and a host of local artists, makers and bakers at the third annual Krampus Fest at Martyrs on Saturday, December 5.

The creepy holiday market, featuring everything from handmade, wicked cool holiday cards to delightfully dark figurines and re-purposed art, begins at noon. Krampuslauf begins at 6 p.m. and the celebration will go late, so grab your horns and join us!

You can learn more about our show, Krampus!, chat with the playwrights; get your photo taken with Krampus; do your holiday shopping; fill up on German street food, glühwein and beer; and take part in the Krampuslauf parade.

Click here for more information about Krampus Fest.