Oracle to Open 2015 with CIRCLE-MACHINE

Following an award-winning year of free theatre, Oracle Productions eagerly opens Season 5 of Public Access Theatre with CIRCLE-MACHINE, a world premiere adaptation of FULL CIRCLE by Charles Mee, directed by Thom Pasculli. This frenzied new production is adapted by Emma Stanton, Nigel O'Hearn and Thom Pasculli, and features original music by Jeff Award-winning composer, Nicholas Tonozzi. CIRCLE-MACHINE opens January 24, 2015, and runs through March 14, 2015 at Oracle Theatre (3809 N. Broadway in Chicago). Performances are Friday, Saturday and Monday nights at 8PM; Sundays at 7PM. Press are invited to attend on January 24 - or any night during the run.

Admission to CIRCLE-MACHINE is FREE in Public Access Theatre. Seats are sponsored by The Forty 4, a growing population of individuals and local businesses committed to making free art for all. Major donors include: Alphawood Foundation, The Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation, Broadway In Chicago, The Saints, the Illinois Arts Council, Ronald A. Greene Memorial Fund at The Chicago Community Trust, The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation, and The MacArthur Foundation.

Reservations are strongly recommended and can be made at publicaccesstheatre.org.

An American woman abroad is mistakenly left holding the newborn child of the First Secretary of the Community Party as the Berlin Wall comes crashing down. In the confusion of revolution, she decides to escape the chaos and corruption to raise the child in the safe embrace of the West. When the baby's mother returns to challenge the true maternity of the child, CIRCLE-MACHINE paints the conflict as a question of Capitalism's self-proclaimed supremacy in the world. Don't miss this frenetic, World Premiere adaptation that borrows its story from FULL CIRCLE by Charles Mee, which borrows from the 13th century Chinese zaju play, "The Chalk Circle", which also inspired Bertolt Brecht and a host of other artists throughout the ages. After receiving a 2014 Jeff Award nomination for Best New Adaptation (CORE OF THE PUDEL at Trap Door), Thom Pasculli brings his fierce style of physical theatre to Oracle for a ground-shaking look at humanity in collapse.

CIRCLE-MACHINE is also participating in Chicago Theatre Week - February 12-22, 2015. Over 100 productions will be available at reduced prices: some will be free (including CIRCLE-MACHINE) and others will be $15 or $30. Chicago Theatre Week tickets will be released Tuesday, January 6 at ChicagoTheatreWeek.com.

CAST
CIRCLE-MACHINE features Oracle Company Members DeChantel Kosmatka, who stars as Pamela (the American abroad), as well as Jamie Bragg playing the transformable Map Maker. They are joined by Stephanie Shum (Dulle Griet), Simina Contras (Christa), Alexandria Miller (Ursula), Pavi Proczko (Helmut), Kevin V. Smith (Heiner Muller), Martel Manning (Warren), Ryan Heywood (Hermann), and Jeremy Trager (Werner). Live music is provided by Sam Allyn. Understudies are Mark Pontarelli and Katie Dingle.

PRODUCTION TEAM
Director Thom Pasculli leads an outstanding collaboration of artists. He adapted the script with Emma Stanton and Nigel O'Hearn. Oracle is thrilled to showcase more original music by Composer/Music Director Nicholas Tonozzi, who won a 2014 Jeff Award for his work on THE MOTHER. The design team features Company Members Joan Pritchard (Costume Design) and James Ogden (Scenic Design). Oracle is thrilled to welcome Michael Banks (Lighting Design) and Andrew Rovner (Sound Design) to the team. Puppets are designed by Taylor Bibat, who is also the Producer for Oracle Theatre. Deirdre Connelly is Stage Manager. Elyse Dolan is Assistant Director. Company Member Justin Snyder is Technical Director. Evelyn DeHais is Graphic Designer. Lyndsay Kane is Casting Director for Oracle Productions, and will also by Movement Specialist for CIRCLE-MACHINE. Max Truax is Artistic Director. Ben Fuchsen is Executive Producer and Brad Jayhan-Little is Executive Director of Oracle Productions.

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