WOYZECK Opens in Oracle's Public Access Theatre

Oracle is proud to announce the opening of Georg Buchner's classic WOYZECK, in a new translation by David Steiger and directed by Oracle company member Max Truax. WOYZECK previews March 18, opens March 19, and runs through April 30. Performances are Friday and Saturday nights at 8PM, Sundays at 3PM, and Mondays at 8PM (Oracle is adding Monday night performances due to the overwhelming popularity of Public Access Theatre!). Press are invited to the preview or any performance opening weekend.

WOYZECK is presented to the community in Oracle's Public Access Theatre, which no longer sells tickets. Admission is free, sponsored by the Law Offices of Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard. Reservations are strongly recommended. Visit oracletheatre.org to request seats. Too busy on the weekend? Join Oracle any Monday night at 8PM during the run.

Buchner's tragedy of a young man driven to murder was unfinished at the time of his death in 1837, and has been adapted, reinterpreted, and re-staged numerous times because of its challenge and mystery. This is Oracle's second production of the 2010-2011 season, and they are proud to announce its inclusion in The Woyzeck Project, a theater festival presented by The Hypocrites and About Face in collaboration with Collaboraction and Oracle Productions. More details regarding The Woyzeck Project to come from the festival committee. Oracle Film, a department of Oracle Productions, will also debut a short film adaptation of WOYZECK as part of the The Woyzeck Project.

Max Truax Returns To Direct His Third Production with Oracle
Coming off of the extended run of his critically acclaimed HAMLETMACHINE (Trap Door), the critically acclaimed IN THE JUNGLE OF CITIES (Ka-Tet Theatre), as well as his Jeff Recommended production of THE GHOST SONATA for Oracle, Max Truax has been hailed as "one of the most visually, well, visionary directors in Chicago's storefront scene" (Chicago Tribune). Truax returns to Oracle where he made his Chicago directing debut with 2008's TERMEN VOX MACHNIA. With WOYZECK, Truax will examine the play from the perspective of the title character. There are only two people in Woyzeck's mind - Marie and the other man. As he loses faith in her fidelity and descends into madness, his image of Marie becomes fractured. Oracle's production will reveal the profound tragedy of Woyzeck's action in a new translation by David Steiger. Steiger has performed in Oracle's TERMEN VOX MACHINA and THE CASTLE, and is a company member at Trap Door where he can currently be seen in Truax's staging of HAMLETMACHINE.

Debuts and Welcome Returns
The cast features company members Stephanie Polt and Jamie Bragg. Sean Patrick Ward is making his Oracle debut as Woyzeck. The ensemble also features the Oracle debuts of James Errico, Sarah Shook and Baize Buzan, and the return of Sarah Pretz, who almost walked away with last fall's BLOOD WEDDING in the role of The Mother.

Set design is by new company member James Ogden, whose past work for Oracle includes ZERO and BLOOD WEDDING. Costume Design is by company member Joan Pritchard, whose past work includes THE GHOST SONATA, THE CASTLE, TERMEN VOX MACHINA, among others. Sound design is by New York-based Leon Rothenberg, who was nominated for a 2009 Tony Award for his design work in Belasco Theatre's JOE TURNER'S COME AND GONE. Mr. Rothenberg has also worked extensively with Cirque du Soleil on their productions of KA, LOVE, KOOZA, and several more. Oracle is delighted to welcome Mr. Rothenberg to Chicago!

Public Access Theatre Continues
WOYZECK is the second production in Oracle's 2010-2011 season, which featured Federico Garcia Lorca's BLOOD WEDDING last fall and will feature company member Jamie Bragg's new adaptation of Euripides' THE BACCHAE in the summer. Though these plays are classics, Oracle attempted something very new this season by not charging admission. Every performance for WOYZECK is open to the public, free of charge. Due to the overwhelming success of Public Access during BLOOD WEDDING, Oracle has even added Monday night performances for the entire run. Through the Public Access Theatre model, Oracle provides the community with challenging, ambitious, and free performances so people from every segment of society can participate in the revitalization of American culture. Don't miss it!

WOYZECK previews March 18, opens March 19, and runs through April 30. Performances are Friday and Saturday nights at 8PM, Sundays at 3PM, and Mondays at 8PM. Press are invited to the preview or any performance opening weekend. WOYZECK is presented to the community in Oracle's Public Access Theatre, which no longer sells tickets. Admission is free, sponsored by the Law Offices of Salvi, Schostock and Pritchard. Please contact Brad Jayhan-Little with all questions - brad@oracletheatre.org.