Signal Ensemble Theatre presents the United States Premiere of Nicolas Billon's Butcher, September 17-October 24

CHICAGO – Signal Ensemble Theatre presents the United States premiere of Butcher by Nicolas Billon and directed by Signal Ensemble Member Bries Vannon at Signal Ensemble Theatre, 1802 W. Berenice Ave., September 17 – October 24. Previews are Thursday, Sept.17 and Friday, Sept. 18 at 8 p.m. Opening/Press night is Saturday, Sept. 19 at 8 p.m. Regular performances are Thursday – Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. Ticket prices are $23 for single tickets, $15 for industry/students/seniors/groups and $12 for previews. Tickets may be purchased by calling 773.698.7389 or by visiting www.signalensemble.com.

NOTE: An Industry Night Performance will be Monday, Oct. 12 at 7:30 p.m. There is no Sunday, Sept. 20 matinee performance.

On Christmas Eve, an old man in a military uniform and a Santa hat is dumped at the front door of a police station. Around his neck hangs a meat hook with a simple note attached: “arrest me.”

As the night progresses, a lawyer, a police officer and a translator find themselves deep in a snare of secrets, lies and sins buried but not forgotten. Fresh off its critically acclaimed premiere at Alberta Theatre Projects, Nicolas Billon’s taut thriller confronts with questions of justice, revenge and humanity’s darkest capacities.

The cast and production team for Butcher includes:

CAST: Todd Frugia (Inspector Lamb), Vincent Lonergan* (Josef Dzibrilovo), Simone Roos* (Elena), Joseph Stearns* (Hamilton Barnes), and Lauren Viteri (Young Girl).

*Indicates Signal Ensemble Theatre Member

CREW: Jon Beal (Violence Coach), Matthwq Chapman (Sound Design), Carla Hamilton* (Costume Design), Stephanie Ingram* (Stage Manager), Elise Kauzlaric (Dialect Coach), Christopher Neville (Props Design), Michael C. Smith (Lighting Design), Bries Vannon* (Director), and Ian Zywica (Scenic Design).

*Indicates Signal Ensemble Theatre Member

ABOUT NICOLAS BILLON, playwright
Nicolas Billon’s work has been produced in Toronto, Stratford, New York and Paris. His triptych Fault Lines garnered the 2013 Governor-General’s Award for Drama. He recently adapted his first play, The Elephant Song, into a feature film starring Bruce Greenwood, Xavier Dolan, Carrie-Anne Moss and Catherine Keener.

ABOUT BRIES VANNON, director
Bries Vannon is in his sixth year as an ensemble member at Signal Ensemble Theatre, where he serves as the company’s literary manager.. Previously, he directed Signal’s Plainsong and Princes of Waco and served as assistant director on Hostage Song and The Prime Of Miss Jean Brodie. As a performer he has been seen in Red Bud, Successors, Motion, Aftermath, Ballad of the Sad Cafe, Hamlet, and She Stoops to Conquer. Vannon is also the creator and director of The Nine, an independent project focusing on free experimental performance. Vannon has also worked as an actor/director with Mary-Arrchie Theatre, The Right Brain Project, the side project, The Building Stage,and WNEP Theater.

Signal Ensemble Theatre presents the United States premiere of Butcher by Nicolas Billon and directed by Signal Ensemble Member Bries Vannon at Signal Ensemble Theatre, 1802 W. Berenice Ave., September 17 – October 24. Previews are Thursday, Sept.17 and Friday, Sept. 18 at 8 p.m. Opening/Press night is Saturday, Sept. 19 at 8 p.m. Regular performances are Thursday – Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. There is no Sunday, Sept. 20 matinee performance. Ticket prices are $23 for single tickets, $15 for industry/students/seniors/groups and $12 for previews. Tickets may be purchased by calling 773.698.7389 or by visiting www.signalensemble.com.

Street parking available on Ravenswood and Berenice (runs one way going west) CTA Brown line EL stops Irving Park and Addison. CTA busses #80-Irving Park, #152-Addison, #50-Damen, #11-Lincoln. The theatre is handicapped accessible.