Signal Ensemble Theatre Announces 2012/13 Season

Signal Ensemble Theatre Announces 2012/13 Season 1 Signal Ensemble Theatre announces their 2012-2013 10th anniversary season. Founded in 2003, award-winning Signal Ensemble Theatre’s mission is to inspire their audience with a kaleidoscope of compelling theatre, while continuing to challenge and support the distinguished ensemble in their artistic growth. The 2012 – 2013 season opens with the Chicago premiere of Robert Askins’ Princes of Waco, directed by Bries Vannon (August 18 – September 22).  The season continues with the world premiere of Successors by Jon Steinhagen. directed by Ronan Marra (January 26 – March 2, 2013) and concludes with Lascivious Something  by Sheila Callaghan, directed by Ronan Marra (May 4 – June 8, 2013).  Tickets to Signal Ensemble Theatre’s 10th Anniversary Season go on sale July 1. The theatre is located at 1802, W. Berenice Ave. Tickets range from $15 - $20 and may be purchased by calling 773.698.7389 or by visiting www.signalensemble.com.Signal Ensemble Theatre announces their 2012-2013 10th anniversary season. Founded in 2003, award-winning Signal Ensemble Theatre’s mission is to inspire their audience with a kaleidoscope of compelling theatre, while continuing to challenge and support the distinguished ensemble in their artistic growth. The 2012 – 2013 season opens with the Chicago premiere of Robert Askins’ Princes of Waco, directed by Bries Vannon (August 18 – September 22).  The season continues with the world premiere of Successors by Jon Steinhagen. directed by Ronan Marra (January 26 – March 2, 2013) and concludes with Lascivious Something  by Sheila Callaghan, directed by Ronan Marra (May 4 – June 8, 2013).  Tickets to Signal Ensemble Theatre’s 10th Anniversary Season go on sale July 1. The theatre is located at 1802, W. Berenice Ave. Tickets range from $15 – $20 and may be purchased by calling 773.698.7389 or by visiting www.signalensemble.com.

Princes of Waco – Chicago Premiere

By Robert Askins

Directed by Signal Ensemble Member Bries Vannon

August 18 – September 22

Opening/Press Night:  August 18 • 8 p.m.

After his father dies, a young man finds himself under the wing of Fritz, a cowboy, criminal, and all-around bad man. But when the love of a girl enters the picture, motives are questioned, weapons are drawn and all of their lives are changed forever. Called an “inspired story of innocence corrupted and wickedness redeemed” by Time Out New York, Robert Askins’ Princes of Waco is a viciously funny tale of violence and loyalty in deep Texas.

Robert Askins is a member of the Ensemble Studio Theater and his play Princes of Waco was produced and developed in 2010 by Ensemble Studio Theatre’s Obie-winning collective, Youngblood. His play Matthew and the Pastor’s Wife was a part of Marathon 2010 at the Ensemble Studio Theatre and last summer he was a part of the 52nd Streets Heads or Tail: The Chancey Plays.  Askins is also currently working on a sight specific brunch serial, All The Little Fishes,  about the trials and tribulations of working in fine dining in Manhattan with Greeks.

Successors – World Premiere

By Signal Ensemble Member Jon Steinhagen

Directed by Signal Ensemble Member and Co-Artistic Director Ronan Marra

January 26 – March 2, 2013

Opening/Press Night: January 26, 2013 • 8 p.m.

From the author of ACES and Blizzard ’67 comes this fable of a political family thrown for a loop when its patriarch – a third generation mayor of a big city – decides to retire without endorsing any of his politically hungry children as his successor. The tar and feathers fly as the family tries to find a way to stay in power – and united.

JON STEINHAGEN has been a Signal Ensemble member since 2009, where he has appeared in 1776, Six Degrees of Separation, The Real Inspector Hound, and ACES; he recently was the musical director of Hostage Song and authored ACES. Jon is also a Resident Playwright at Chicago Dramatists, a past winner of the Julie Harris Playwriting Award, a finalist for the first Noël Coward Award, and has received four Jeff Awards and five nominations. Recent productions of his plays and musicals include Blizzard ’67 (Chicago Dramatists), Dating Walter Dante (Raven Theatre), The Analytical Engine (Circle Theatre), Something More Comfortable (Syracuse University)and The Teapot Scandals (Porchlight)

Lascivious Something – Chicago Premiere

By Sheila Callaghan

Directed by Signal Ensemble Member and Co-Artistic Director Ronan Marra

May 4 – June 8, 2013

Opening/Press Night: May 4, 2013 • 8 p.m.

On a secluded Greek island, an American ex-pat pursues his passions: winemaking and his breathtaking young wife. Then, on the eve of Ronald Reagan’s presidential inauguration, the first tasting of the new wine is interrupted by the unexpected arrival of August’s former lover. Inspired by Greek tragedy, Lascivious Something combines evocative language with sympathetic yet deeply flawed characters straight out of Euripides.

Sheila Callaghan’s plays have been produced and developed with Soho Rep, Playwright’s Horizons, South Coast Repertory, Clubbed Thumb, The LARK, Actor’s Theatre of Louisville, New Georges, Woolly Mammoth, and Rattlestick Playwright’s Theatre, among others. Her plays include Scab, Crawl Fade to White, Crumble (Lay Me Down, Justin Timberlake), We Are Not These Hands, Dead City, Kate Crackernuts, That Pretty Retty, Roadkill Confidential, among others. In 2010, Callaghan was profiled by Marie Claire as one of “18 Successful Women Who Are Changing the World.” She was also named one of Variety magazine’s “10 Screenwriters to Watch” of 2010.

Signal Ensemble Theatre’s 10th Anniversary Season begins August 18 with Princes of Waco. The Season continues with Successors, January 26 – March 2, 2013 and concludes with Lascivious Something, May 4 – June 8. Tickets to Signal Ensemble Theatre’s 10th Anniversary Season go on sale July 1. The theatre is located at 1802 W. Berenice Ave. Tickets range from $15 – $20 and may be purchased by calling 773.698.7389 or by visiting www.signalensemble.com.

Street parking available on Ravenswood and Berenice (runs one way going west) CTA Brown line EL stops Irving Park and Addison. CTA busses #80-Irving Park, #152-Addison, #50-Damen, #11-Lincoln. The theatre is handicapped accessible.