Six Degrees of Separation by Signal Ensemble starts Nov. 17

Signal Ensemble Theatre Presents John Guare’s

Six Degrees of Separation

Signal Ensemble Theatre continues its sixth season with John Guare’s “Six Degrees of Separation,” directed by co-artistic director Ronan Marra. Ouisa Kittredge read somewhere that "everybody on this planet is separated by only six other people."  When Paul, a young victim of a knife attack, seeks assistance at her family's upper-class New York home, she discovers how true that statement really is. Claiming to be Sidney's Poitier's son, Paul connects to Ouisa and her husband Flan in a way not even their own children have.  But Paul May not be all he says he is, and his aggressive, far-reaching search for meaningful human contact creates a web of confusion and pain that - as Ouisa discovers - didn't start, nor end, within her family's walls.  A comic-tragedy loosely based on a true story, "Six Degrees of Separation," like a revolving Kandinsky, paints multiple sides on what drives and motivates us in the glare of money, greed, fame, lust and, finally, each other.  The production runs 90 minutes with no intermission.   
                               

Chopin Theatre, 1543 W. Division Ave., Chicago, IL 60622-3337
Street parking; Division Blue Line Division stop; #9, #70, and #56 busses
Free parking available at Holy Trinity Church (Division and Noble)

Opens Monday, November 17, 2008, 7 p.m. (reception following)

Closes December 20, 2008
Runs Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., and Sundays at 3 p.m.
Previews on November 15 at 8 p.m., and November 16 at 7 p.m.                  
Added show on Monday, December 8 at 7 p.m. – also a benefit for International Dravet
Syndrome Epilepsy Action League (www.idea-league.org) - $5 from every ticket this
show will be donated to the charity

No performance on Thanksgiving Day, November 27

 

Tickets: 773-347-1350; www.signalensemble.com
$15 on Thursdays and Sundays
$20 on Fridays and Saturdays
$10 for previews on November 15 and 16
$10 for industry members for all shows with resume/headshot/card

Student and senior (with ID) discounts available; also for groups of 15 or more           

 
STAFF:  Signal ensemble members Ronan Marra (Production Director/ Co Artistic Director), Anthony Ingram (Sound Design), and artistic associates Melania Lancy (Scenic Design) and Laura M. Dana (Costume Design); with guest artists Barry Branford (Stage Manager), Mark Hurni (Lighting Design) and Sarah Elizabeth M. (no last name-Properties Design).

 
The Cast includes company members Vincent Lonergan (Geoffrey), Simone Roos
(Elizabeth) and AaRon Snook (Rick), with guest artists John Blick (Doug), Steven Camara (Detective), Tucker Curtis (Doorman/Policeman), Kevin D'Ambrosio (Hustler), Bryson Engelen (Paul), Katie Genualdi (Tess), Susie Griffith (Ouisa), Eric Lindahl (Trent), Joseph Mack (Dr. Fine), Tim Martin (Woody), Nick Mikula (Ben), Jon Steinhagen (Flan), Dan Taube (Larkin), and Heather Townsend (Kitty).

Signal Ensemble Theatre’s sixth season will conclude with “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie” by Jay Presson Allen, based on the novel by Muriel Spark, also directed by Marra (opens April 13, 2009, 7 p.m., and runs through May 16).

Productions Plus is the exclusive sponsor of Signal Ensemble Theatre’s 2008-2009 season.

Signal Ensemble was nominated for seven 2007-2008 non-Equity Jeff Awards – five for their production of “1776” - Production-Musical, Outstanding Director Ronan Marra, Costume Design Laura M. Dana - in addition to Philip Winston (Actor in a Principal Role Musical), and Vincent  Lonergan (Actor in a Supporting Role Musical).  Both Lonergan and Shawn Pfautsch were nominated as Actor in a Principal Role Play for “Old Wicked Songs” as well.  They received the award for Production-Musical.

Founded in 2003 by Ronan Marra, Christopher Prentice and Joseph Stearns, Signal Ensemble Theatre is known for its ensemble acting and producing a diverse slate of plays that range from classics to new works.  Signal uses the actor as the focal point to clearly execute the playwright's vision.