Signal Ensemble Theatre

Signal Ensemble Theatre wraps up its fourth season with a grand-scale, classically themed staging of Shakespeare's seminal revenge tragedy, Hamlet, directed by Ronan Marra, running at the Chopin Theatre, 1543 W. Division, April 19 – May 26, 2007.

Following the death of his father, Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, returns home to find his uncle now occupies the throne and the queen’s bed. Spurred by the ghost of his father and surrounded by spies, Hamlet must avenge his father’s murder. An incisive portrait of a thinking man forced to act under chilling circumstances, Shakespeare’s greatest revenge tragedy is perhaps the most widely read play in Western literature.

"This is straightforward Hamlet," said director Ronan Marra, Signal's general artistic director. "Never will our reliance on the words be more apparent than in this production. Any time I hit a staging question, I defer to the text and it always answers. But at the same time, we're putting on a show. Sixteen actors, our most ambitious set, many of the costumes are being built from scratch, a full, cinematic score, some special effects... all charged by a lean but loyal script cutting."

"This production will stand out for its clarity based on simple faithfulness to the text and athletic, heartfelt performances," said Christopher Prentice, Signal's producing artistic director. "While not a specific reaction to recent trends, this production will show a marked contrast to the practice of radical textual changes and post-modern interpretations of Shakespeare."

Known for its ensemble acting and producing a diverse slate of plays that range from classics to new works, Signal Ensemble Theatre uses the actor as focal point to clearly execute the playwright's vision. Founded by its three artistic directors (Ronan Marra, Christopher Prentice, Joseph Stearns), the company began producing in 2003. Signal's production of Seascape won a Jeff Citation and After Dark Award for best costume design. Hamlet follows The Dumb Waiter & The Zoo Story, Closer and The Weir in Signal's fourth season.

Ensemble member Christopher Prentice, seen as Jerry in The Zoo Story and director of The Weir this season, leads the 16-strong cast in the title role of Hamlet. Don Bender, who played Charlie in last season's Seascape, and recently starred in Stage Left's One Fine Day, plays Claudius. Meredith Siemsen, last seen in BackStage's The Ruling Class, makes her Signal debut as Gertrude. Ensemble member Joseph Stearns, who played Brendan in The Weir, Ben in The Dumb Waiter and Peter in The Zoo Story this season, plays Horatio. Ensemble member Aaron Snook, who played Dan in Closer and directed The Dumb Waiter this season, plays Laertes. Erin Myers, who appeared in Love in the Title with Irish Rep, Johnny Tremain at Lifeline and several productions with the Hypocrites, plays Ophelia. Ensemble member Vincent L. Lonergan, seen in Vitalist's Mother Courage and Porchlight's A Wonderful Life this season, plays Polonius. Eric Leonard, who has spent several seasons touring with Montana Shakespeare in Parks, makes his Signal debut as Rosencrantz. Daniel Behrendt, recently seen in Monster Garden at Gorilla Tango, makes his Signal debut as Guildenstern. Michael Pacas, who appeared in BackStage's Jeff-recommended The Skin of Our Teeth and Terra Nova, plays the Ghost. Ronald Kuzava, last seen in BackStage's The Ruling Class, plays the First Player King and Second Gravedigger. New ensemble member Philip Winston, who played Gus in The Dumb Waiter this season, plays Marcellus and the First Gravedigger. Tim Garvey makes his Signal debut as Francisco and Fortinbras. Matt Pearsall makes his Signal debut as Bernardo, Lucianus and Norwegian Captain. Simone Roos, Jeff-nominated for Circle Theatre's Design for Living and recently seen in Noises Off with Buffalo Theatre Ensemble, makes her Signal debut as the Player Queen. Bries Vannon, who appeared in Signal's She Stoops to Conquer last spring, as well as The Crucible with Speaking Ring earlier this season, plays Reynaldo and Osric.

Hamlet will play at the Chopin Theatre, 1543 W. Division, April 19 – May 26, 2007. Previews are April 19 and 20 at 8 p.m. Opening is Saturday, April 21 at 8 p.m. Regular performances will continue through May 26. Preview tickets are only $10 and tickets for the regular run are $15-$20 and may be purchased online at signalensemble.com or reserved at 773-347-1350.