Signal Ensemble Theatre presents the Chicago Premiere of THE CONSULTANT. This show is the final production for Signal Ensemble Theatre. I’m always amused by college students that tell me their career focus is to be a consultant. Being a seasoned professional, I’m baffled to what a twenty-something without job experience can bring into the workplace. Playwright ...
The Fourth Walsh
Theatre with a side of life
Category Signal Ensemble Theatre
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My Top Ten Unforgettable 2015 Plays
It is my great fortune to live in a town that is bursting with so much theatrical talent. About seven years ago, I stumbled into reviewing the Chicago theatre scene. Every show enhances my understanding of theatre and life. I enjoy most every production for some aspect. The stinkers have been a single digit percentage ...
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Review “Butcher” (Signal Ensemble Theatre): Nightmare Inducing
Signal Ensemble Theatre presents the U.S. premiere of BUTCHER. This show went from what-the-heck to what-the-f#ck in about thirty minutes. And the last ten minutes were oh-my-God-oh-my-God-oh-my-God intense. After the curtain, I walked out of Signal a little wobbly from the brutality of what I heard and saw. The play starts out slow with three men at ...
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Review “The Drowning Girls” (Signal Ensemble Theatre): Theatrical Collaboration at its Finest!
Signal Ensemble Theatre presents the Chicago Premiere of THE DROWNING GIRLS. There is nothing amusing about domestic violence. And when the abuse ends in a murder, it can only generate overwhelming sadness for the victim. The true story of three newlywed brides being killed is horrific to imagine. Despair is the inevitable takeaway from a play ...
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Review “Red Bud” (Signal Ensemble Theatre): Playful to Toxic in 70 Minutes!
Signal Ensemble Theatre presents the U.S. Premiere of RED BUD. Playwright Brett Neveu captures perfectly what’s good and awful with annual male rituals. In his ode to the Midwest, Neveu has his guys gather for Red Bud, a championship motorcross race. The show starts off slowly as camp is set up. Each of the men arrives ...
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Review “Devil’s Day Off” (Signal Ensemble): The Key is in the Notes
Signal Ensemble Theatre presents the World Premiere of DEVIL’S DAY OFF. Post show, I read Playwright Jon Steinhagen’s note in the program. It described his vision. He indicates his script has no stage directions, no settings, no names of characters. He invites directors to execute with creativity mixing up genders, races and even language. He even ...
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Review “Plainsong” (Signal Ensemble Theatre): A Story to Savor
The winter continues to plummet us in cold and snow. An attainable escape is within the pages of a good book. And an even better respite is experiencing a good story without reading a word. Signal Ensemble Theatre presents the Chicago Premiere of PLAINSONG. Playwright Eric Schmiedl impressively adapted Kent Haruf’s novel for stage. The heartwarming tale is ...