Signal Ensemble Theatre Presents PRINCES OF WACO, 8/16-9/22

Signal Ensemble Theatre presents the first production in their 10th Anniversary, 2012-2013 season, the Chicago premiere of Princes of Waco, August 16 – September 22, at Signal Ensemble Theatre, 1802 West Berenice Ave. Princes of Waco is written by Robert Askins and directed by Signal Ensemble Member Bries Vannon.

The performance schedule for Princes of Waco is Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. Previews are Thursday, Aug. 16 and Friday, Aug. 17 at 8 p.m. and opening/press night is Saturday, Aug. 18 at 8 p.m. The production runs 90 minutes with one intermission and please note there is no performance on Sunday August 19. 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 is an added industry night performance on Monday August 27 at 7:30pm.

After his father dies, a young man finds himself under the wing of Fritz, a cowboy, criminal, and all-around bad man. But when the love of a girl enters the picture, motives are questioned, weapons are drawn and all of their lives are changed forever. Called an "inspired story of innocence corrupted and wickedness redeemed" by Time Out New York, Robert Askins' Princes of Waco is a viciously funny tale of violence and loyalty in deep Texas.

The complete cast and production team for Princes of Waco includes:

CAST: Carolyn Braver (Esme), Joseph Stearns* (Fritz), Rob Fenton (Jim) and MerEdith Bell Alvarez* (Toasty). *Indicates Signal Ensemble Theatre Member

CREW: Bries Vannon* (director), Lindsay Bartlett (dialects), Mike Smith (lights), Mary O'Dowd^ (props), Melania Lancy* (set), Anthony Ingram* (sound), Stephanie Ingram* (stage manager) and Vanessa Passini (fight choreographer). *Indicates Signal Ensemble Theatre Member, ^Indicates Signal Ensemble Artistic Associate.

Robert Askins is a member of the Ensemble Studio Theater and his play Princes of Waco was produced and developed in 2010 by Ensemble Studio Theatre's Obie-winning collective, Youngblood. His play Matthew and the Pastor's Wife was a part of Marathon 2010 at the Ensemble Studio Theatre and last summer he was a part of the 52nd Streets Heads or Tail: The Chancey Plays. Askins is also currently working on a sight specific brunch serial, All The Little Fishes, about the trials and tribulations of working in fine dining in Manhattan with Greeks.

Signal Ensemble Member Bries Vannon (director) is in his third year as an ensemble member and second year as literary manager at Signal, where he has previously been seen on stage in Aftermath, Ballad Of The Sad Cafe, Hamlet, She Stoops To Conquer and Motion. He also served as assistant director on Prime of Miss Jean Brodie. Outside of Signal, Vannon is also the creator and director of The Nine, a nine-play project of his devising that focuses on providing free experimental work in limited-run form. Part Two of The Nine took place in May 2011; Part Three is currently in planning. Much of the rest of Vannon's downtime is spent as an actor/director about town, where he has worked with companies such as WNEP (Soiree DADA: Schmuck Die Hallen, also a company member), Mary-Arrchie (Cherrywood), The Right Brain Project (...And They Put Handcuffs on the Flowers, My Filthy Hunt, We Are Not These Hands), the side project (Faster), and The Building Stage (Dracula).

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. Princes of Waco is the first production of Signal's 2012-2013 season. The remaining productions include the world premiere production of Successors written by Signal Ensemble Member Jon Steinhagen (January 26 – March 2, 2013) and the Chicago premiere of Lascivious Something by Sheila Callaghan (May 4 – June 8, 2013).

More Articles by This Author...