Signal Ensemble Theatre Presents MOTION, 1/26-3/3

Signal Ensemble Theatre has announced the second production in their 2011-2012 season, the world premiere of Motion Thursday, Jan. 26 – Saturday, March 3, 2012, at Signal Ensemble Theatre. 1802 West Berenice Ave. The production is written by Co-Artistic Director Ronan Marra, who also wrote Signal's hit jukebox musical Aftermath and is directed by Signal Ensemble Member AaRon Snook. The performance schedule for Motion is Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. Previews are January 26 and 27 at 8 p.m. and opening/press night is Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012 at 8 p.m. The production runs 90 minutes with one intermission.  There will also be a Monday night performance on Monday, Feb. 13 at 7:30 p.m. and no show will take place on Sunday, Jan. 29.

Regular ticket prices are $20 for single tickets, $15 for industry/students/seniors/groups and $10 for previews. Tickets may be purchased by calling 773.698.7389 or by visiting www.signalensemble.com. 

NOTE SPECIAL PERFORMANCES: There will be a special Super Bowl Sunday performance on Sunday, Feb. 5 at 2 p.m. (an hour earlier than other Sunday performances). A party, showing the big game, will take place after the performance and go through the end of the game.  Also, the Saturday, Feb. 25 at 8 p.m. is a special benefit performance and $5 from every ticket will be donated to Season of Concern (www.SeasonofConcern.org).

Motion features Drew, a hotshot sports agent hell bent on making his blue chip, but troubled client, the number one pick in the professional football draft. That is until the team that owns the pick hires Drew's ex-wife to rebuild the long-suffering franchise. Obstacles compound the situation as Drew angles to get the best possible deal for his client while questioning if any of it matters when labor discord threatens the very existence of the game.

Signal Ensemble Member and Co-Artistic Director Ronan Marra is a founder of Signal Ensemble Theatre and his directing credits with the company include the most recent critically acclaimed East of Berlin and The Russian Play, his own Aftermath, The Real Inspector Hound, The Ballad of the Sad Cafe, 1776 (Jeff Award -- Best Production, Musical), The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, Six Degrees of Separation, Fool For Love, Hamlet, Closer, The Zoo Story, Seascape (Jeff Award), Waiting for Godot, (Jeff Recommended), his own Landslide(two Jeff Award nominations including New Work), She Stoops to Conquer, Much Ado About Nothing and his own Learning to Fly.  

Motion's Director AaRon Snook has been an ensemble member since Signal's inaugural season, joining after appearing as "Claudio" in Much Ado About Nothing. He has also acted in several other Signal productions including the critically acclaimed Aftermath. As a director, he has worked on The Dumb Waiter and The Birthday Party, as well as assistant directing She Stoops to Conquer. Most recently, he directed Krapp's Last Tape for the Ensemble Project at Signal Ensemble Theatre.

The complete cast and production team for Motion includes: 

CAST

Ensemble members Meredith Alvarez (Diane), Vincent Lonergan (Lyle), Bries Vannon (Scott) and Philip Winston (Michael) and guest artists Stephanie Chavara (Amy), Tim Martin (Casey), Joseph McCauley (Drew) and Glenn Stanton (Raymond)

CREW       

Signal Ensemble members Ronan Marra (playwright), AaRon Snook (director) Stephanie Ingram (stage manager), Melania Lancy (scenic design), Anthony Ingram (sound design) and Artistic Associates Julie Ballard (lighting design), Mary O'Dowd (property design) and guest artist Jenilee Houghton (costumes). 

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 company began their 2011-2012 season with Hannah Moscovitch's East of Berlin andThe Russian Play, which was directed by Ronan Mara and received critical acclaim. The season closes withthe Chicago premiere of the musical Hostage Song, May 5 - June 9, 2012, by Clay McLeod Chapman and Kyle Jarrow, directed by Ronan Marra. 

Motion runs Thursday, Jan 26 – Saturday, March 3, 2012; Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m.* at Signal Ensemble Theatre, 1802 W. Berenice Ave. Previews are January 26 and 27 and opening night is January 28 at 8 p.m. There will also be a Monday night performance on Monday, Feb. 13 at 7:30 p.m. and no show will take place on Sunday, Jan. 29.  Regular ticket prices are $20 for single tickets, $15 for students/industry/seniors/groups and $10 for previews. Tickets may be purchased by calling 773.698.7389or by visiting www.signalensemble.com. 

NOTE SPECIAL PERFORMANCES: There will be a special Super Bowl Sunday* performance on Sunday, Feb. 5 at 2 p.m. (an hour earlier than other Sunday performances). A party, showing the big game, will take place after the performance and go through the end of the game.  Also, the Saturday, Feb. 25 at 8 p.m. is a special benefit performance and $5 from every ticket will be donated to Season of Concern (www.SeasonofConcern.org). 

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.