Signal Ensemble Theater to Stage PLAINSONG, Begin. 1/30

Signal Ensemble Theatre presents the second production of their 11th Season with the Chicago premiere of Plainsong, at Signal Ensemble Theatre, 1802 W. Berenice Ave. Founded in 2003, award-winning Signal Ensemble Theatre uses a deeply collaborative method to produce work never-before-seen in Chicago. Plainsong is written by Eric Schmiedl and is directed by Signal Ensemble Theatre Member Bries Vannon. The play is adapted from Kent Haruf's National Book Award finalist novel by the same name. Preview performances are on Thursday, Jan. 30 and Friday, Jan. 31 at 8 p.m., followed by opening/press night on Saturday, Feb. 1 at 8 p.m. Performances will run Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. and 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: There is no Sunday, Feb. 2 matinee performance and an added performance on Monday February 17 at 7:30p

Deep in the plains of eastern Colorado lies a town called Holt. It's not a busy town, but there's a lot going on. Tom Guthrie is raising two young sons as his wife steps deeper into depression. Victoria Roubideaux finds herself seventeen, pregnant and desperate, turning to schoolteacher Maggie Jones for help. And the solitary ranching brothers Harold and Raymond McPheron aren't at all prepared for the ways they'll be involved. Eric Schmiedl's adaptation of Kent Haruf's National Book Award finalist is a sweeping, even-handed treatment of humanity in a small plains town.

Schmeidl's adaptation of Kent Haruf's best-selling novel Plainsong won the 2008 Westword: Best of Denver award for Best Dramatization of a Novel, labeling it "a genuine song of the west." Originally commissioned and produced by Denver Center Theatre Company, the Denver Post dubbed the play a "rural epic [that] flows like [a] river" and "satisfyingly executed in nearly every conceivable way." The play was also nominated for "Outstanding New Play" by the Colorado Theatre Guild's 2008 Henry Awards.

The cast and production team for Plainsong includes:

CAST: Joseph Stearns* (Tom Guthrie), Cale Manning (Ike Guthrie), JaCK Edwards (Bobby Guthrie), Simone Roos* (Ella Guthrie), Katie Worthington* (Maggie Jones), Vincent Lonergan* (Harold McPheron), Jon Steinhagen* (Raymond McPheron), Barbara Harris (Mrs.Stearns/Mama Roubideaux), Philip Winston* (Ensemble), Vincent Mahler (Ensemble), Tom McGrath (Ensemble), Rudy Galvan (Ensemble), Greg Wenz (Ensemble), Sara Gorsky (Ensemble), Mary Jo Bolduc (Ensemble), Ariel Begley (Ensemble), Dennis Newport (Ensemble), and Jordan Scott Johnson (Ensemble). The role of Victoria Roubideaux will be announced at a later date.

CREW: Bries Vannon* (Director), Michelle Carlene Roth* (Stage Manager), Carla Hamilton (Costumes), Julie Ballard^ (Lighting Designer), Buck Blue* (Set Designer), Mary O'Dowd^ (Properties Designer), Anthony Ingram* (Sound) and Tyler Rich (Violence Designer).

*Indicates Signal Ensemble Theatre Member, ^Indicates Signal Ensemble Artistic Associate