2009/2010 Season

Our Seventh Season has been announced:

The Ballad of the Sad Café

by Edward Albee

based on the novella by Carson McCullers

Directed by Ronan Marra

August 9 – September 12, 2009

Chopin Theatre

Albee's signature piercing dialogue propels this 1963 adaptation that centers on the question: is it better to be the loved, or the beloved? Amelia Evans is the despotic proprietor of The Sad Café, located in a small Georgia towns’ center in the 1930s. Lymon – a strange hunchback that turns out to be a relative Amelia’s never met – becomes the target of her unlikely affection, forming an unusual love triangle when her estranged husband Marvin returns. When Marvin threatens to leave with Lymon if Amelia doesn't acquiesce to his demands, she refuses, and the husband and wife settle the matter violently – and in front of the entire town – with their bare hands.

Featuring Ensemble Members Meredith Bell Alvarez, Vincent Lonergan, Simone Roos, Aaron Snook, Joseph Stearns and Philip Winston with Artistic Associate Bries Vannon and Guest Artists Brigitte Ditmars, Ehren Fournier, Eric Paskey and Charles Schoenherr.

Aftermath

by Ronan Marra

directed by Ronan Marra

Spring 2010

Perhaps most famous for his mysterious death by drowning at age 27, what is less known about Brian Jones is that he was the founder of The Rolling Stones. A master musician, Jones could pick up an instrument he’s never touched before and have it down within the hour. His obsession with non-traditional instrumentation and the musicians of Jajouka would make an unheard of statement on the Stones’ music and beyond. While his fashion, addictions and sexual escapades made the headlines, Jones’ lasting impact on the musical landscape of the world -- not only on rock n’ roll -- is masked behind his high profile relationships, his drug-induced arrests and the two members of the Stones that would become the face of his band. Part bio-play, part musical, “Aftermath” focuses on the dramatic side of rock n’ roll that too often gets ignored: the rock n’ roll.

Featuring Ensemble Members Aaron Snook and Joseph Stearns (remaining cast TBA)

Anniversary

So yeah... this is just about the one-year anniversary of our last blog post. Clearly, we haven't made it much of a priority. In fact, up until last week we had been meaning to delete it.

We've changed our minds, however, as everyone at Signal has agreed to put a new (and necessary) emphasis on our online presence. That will entail a lot of new ventures for the company as a whole, but to start with let's just say that something is frozen over when Aaron starts a Facebook account. And Vince is soon to follow. That's right. Vince.

Oh! And Signal itself is finally represented on the site. Go find us there. We'll "tweet" with you, too, if you are so inclined -- @SignalEnsemble (right?).

All of that is for starters.

Over the next few months we'll be rolling out several additions and changes to the way we look online. So keep an eye out... we're very excited.

What else?

- There are only seven performances left of "The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie." This Thursday, we are offering 2-for-1's with the password "Assassin." Come check it out. Seriously. It's awesome. And did we mention you only have seven chances left?

- Watch for our 09/10 season announcement this week or next. We revisit one of our favorite playwrights (Albee), and take a shot at something you've definitely never heard of before...

- Congrats to all of this year's Jeff nominees, but a special shout out to our friends Jon Steinhagen, Elise Kauzlaric, Don Bender and Paul Holmquist.

That's all for now, but not for long.