Silent Theatre Company Presents World Premiere of CARNIVAL NOCTURNE, 11/19

Silent Theatre Company, in association with Chicago DCA Theater, presents the world premiere of Carnival Nocturne. The production, created by the Silent Theatre Company and directed by Artistic Director Tonika Todorova, comes to Chicago DCA Theater's Storefront Theater from November 19 - December 20, 2009.  

Carnival Nocturne welcomes visitors into the mysterious underground world of a traveling carnival. In the midst of fire breathers, fortune tellers, bestial tamers and natural freaks, a somber secret lies - a curse that binds them all together. With a live band and physical acts of carnival performance, this original dark fable combines the styles of Tim Burton and Edward Gorey in a thrilling and enchanting ride through a world of whimsy and the macabre.

Performances are Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday afternoons at 3 p.m. There is no performance on Thursday, November 26, due to the Thanksgiving holiday, but there will be an additional matinee performance on Saturday, December 5, at 3 p.m. A post-show discussion with the cast and crew will follow the performance on Thursday, December 3.

Tickets for Carnival Nocturne are $20 for general admission, $10 for seniors and students. Discounts are available for Chicago Cultural Center Mosaic Members, military personnel, theater industry affiliates, and large groups. All tickets are available by calling 312.742.TIXS (8497), visiting www.dcatheater.org, or stopping by the box office, open Tuesday through Saturday, noon to 6 p.m.; Sundays, noon to 4 p.m.; and one hour prior to each performance.

Directed by Tonika Todorova and conceived by Gillian Hastings, Carnival Nocturne features: Kyla Louise Webb, Marvin Eduardo Quijada, Dan Howard, Blayne Greiner, Lindsey Marks (aka "Lady Jack"), Taylor Bibat, Dean Evans, Molly Plunk, Nathan Paul, Rachel Rizzuto, Tzvetana Dontcheva, Joe Vonderhaar, and Brian Nemtusak.

Silent Theatre Band: Rob Fry, Dave Taylor, Lucas Elenitsky. Sound FX: Collin Warren.
Film/Trailer: Matthew Massaro & Krzsyztof Piotrowski of Oona Productions.

The production team includes scenic design by Bill Anderson and costumes by Barb Staples.

Silent Theatre Company aims to provide accessible entertainment in universal ways. Often, their productions are presented beyond the use of verbal communication, relying on The Common understanding of body language. The company debuted its production LULU: a black and white silent play in 2005 and went on to exhibit this inaugural production 120 times coast-to-coast. Beyond the world of mime and the style of abstract physical histrionics, Silent Theatre had discovered a new genre of performance. It has gone on to debut NOIR: a shot and a chaser, A Charlie Chaplin Christmas, and KANE: a story of a modern American citizen, as well as VAUDEVILLE!, The Wild Party, The Set-Up, and several short silent films. The Wild Party Variety Hour is currently running at the Mary-Arrchie Theater.

Special Events
In association with the production, Silent Theatre and Chicago DCA Theater present:

"Shtick" Physical Theater Workshops
Saturdays, November 21, November 28, December 12 and December 19, 2 - 5 p.m.
Storefront Theater
Reservations encouraged at www.dcatheater.org or (312) 742-TIXS (8497)
Silent Theatre ensemble member & Oona Productions Director, Matt Massaro teaches participants to find action-reaction relationships and hone their improvisational skills.

Freaks film screening with live, original musical accompaniment by the Silent Theatre Band
Wednesday, December 9, at 7 p.m.
Claudia Cassidy Theater in the Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington Street
Casting many actual carnival performers, this 1932 horror film about sideshow "freaks" and "normal" people examines which are the real monsters.

The Storefront Theater and the Studio Theater, its companion theater located in the Chicago Cultural Center at 78 E. Washington Street, comprise Chicago DCA Theater, an anchor of the downtown theater district. Chicago DCA Theater offers downtown audiences an off-Loop theater experience with an exciting look at the vibrant emerging theater companies that call Chicago home.

Discounted parking is available at Wabash Randolph Self Park at 20 E. Randolph. Patrons can receive the $14 rate by validating their ticket at the Storefront Theater box office.

For more information about Silent Theatre Company's Carnival Nocturne and Chicago DCA Theater, call 312.742.TIXS (8497) or visit www.dcatheater.org. The enhanced website features more about DCA Theater performances and programs, including a blog, photo galleries, and visitor information. More information on Silent Theatre Company can be found at www.silenttheatre.com.

Photo credit: John W. Sisson, Jr.

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