Signal Ensemble Theatre presents the United States premiere of Nicolas Billon’s “Butcher”, a thrilling mystery of revenge and dark secrets. Directed by Signal Ensemble Member Bries Vannon, “Butcher” is a gripping nail-biter and will definitely keep you on the edge of your seat.
On a rainy Christmas Eve in Toronto, an old man decked out in a military uniform and a Santa hat is left at the front door of a police station. A meat hook hangs around the man’s neck with a note attached - “Arrest Me”. Christmas Eve seems to last forever, as a lawyer, a police officer, and a translator search for answers.
The Signal Ensemble Theatre has a small stage with limited seating, and a small cast in this production. But that is overshadowed by the brilliant playwright and director, the powerful stage presence, and the intimacy of the play. “Butcher” is electric, dramatic, and horrific. Completely engrossing.
Playwright, Nicolas Billon, wrote an exciting, thrilling script. A script which could easily be filmed and turned into a series on Netflix. The blackouts during the performance were the passing of episodes as the audience binged-watched the entire series in one evening.
Todd Frugia gives the most passionate performance as the energetic inspector– and that is not taking anything away from the rest of this talented cast. The officer cracks lighthearted jokes mixed with playful sarcasm at the beginning of the play, and as the plot thickened, Frugia’s heart spills onto the stage. When he is in pain, the audience is in pain.
Vincent Londergan, who plays the mysterious old man, actually learned Lavinian. This new language was created by Dr. Christina Kramer and Dragana Obradović. Billon had asked Kramer to create a Slavic language to use in his play. He named the new language after Lavinia, a character in Shakespeare’s Titus Andronicus. The cast learned this new language, and training paid off, as their accents are very convincing.
“Butcher”, also starring Joseph Stearns and Simone Roos, is a suspenseful thriller with all the right ingredients – powerful acting performances and an engaging plot with just the right amount of twists and turns.
Where: Signal Ensemble Theatre, 1802 W. Berenice Ave.
When: September 17 - October 24. Performances are Thursday - Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m.
Ticket Sales: Prices are $23 for single tickets, $15 for industry/students/seniors/groups.
Contact Info: Tickets may be purchased by calling 773.698.7389 or by visiting www.signalensemble.com
Travel Info: Street parking is 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.
In "Panther in the Sky," playwright Lani T. Montreal masterfully weaves a tapestry of grief, resilience, and redemption through the…
A collaboration of Chicago dance and Germany lighting sculpture live on stage About the Program: This program, set within an…
Broadway In Chicago is excited to announce the pre-Broadway World Premiere of DEATH BECOMES HER is now playing at the Cadillac Palace Theatre…
I think my favorite thing – well, one of my favorite things – about Wyatt Kent’s take on HAMLET is…
Frolicking season is upon us once again and Joffrey Ballet welcomes summer with the return of Alexander Ekman’s “Midsummer Night’s…
As the audience takes its seats we are greeted by an atmosphere of foreboding, a trestle bridge girder to the…
Director Chuck Smith returns to Goodman with another major August Wilson revival–“Joe Turner’s Come and Gone”. This is the second…
The Gift Theatre is pleased to announce its 2024-25 season featuring Suzan-Lori Parks' masterpiece Topdog/Underdog directed by Shanésia Davis and the world premiere of Cygnus by Susan Soon He…
Broadway In Chicago is excited to announce that individual tickets for the world premiere of the first ever touring production…
Full cast and crew have been announced for BrightSide Theatre's upcoming production of JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, the rock opera that…
Chicago Opera Theater (COT), Chicago’s foremost producer of new and reimagined opera, closes its 50th Anniversary season presenting the final performances of…
Tim Rhoze, Artistic Director of Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre, has announced the company's 2024 season of four productions. The season will open with…
David Williamson, regarded as one of the top magicians in the world today, makes his Rhapsody Theater debut with Ridiculous! Known for his tours…
Curious Theatre Branch is pleased to announce the 35th annual Rhinoceros Theater Festival, May 25 - June 30 at six venues across Chicago. The…
It’s often said that in the workplace you should refrain from talking about politics and religion; too personal, too easy…
BALLET 5:8 is a female - and minority-led ballet company resident at Harris Theatre in Millenium Park. Under the leadership…
When life’s chaos is full of impossible choices, how are we possibly meant to move forward? Brooklyn Laundry is about…
I would absolutely bomb out of jury selection cos I have a very definite bias: I’ve been a fan(atic) of…
You got trouble, my friends, if you’re going to put on Meredith Willson’s The Music Man. If you’re going to…
This year's Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater 65th-anniversary engagement at Chicago's historic Auditorium Theatre held particular importance as it marked…
For the final show of its 30th anniversary season, Trap Door Theatre—the little company that could—has selected a sure-fire hit…
Chicago’s National Landmark Auditorium Theatre (50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive) proudly announces its 2024-25 performance season presenting a vibrant mix of…
Chicago Writers' Bloc has announced the lineup of plays and musicals for its biennial festival of new plays, to be…
If you appreciate classical music and captivating stories about brilliant artists from the past, Hershey Felder’s one-man show, Monsieur Chopin:…
Jackalope Theatre Company continues its 16th season at Edgewater’s Berger Park, 6205 N. Sheridan Rd., with the announcement of the cast…
Born and raised in Mexico City, Dr. Ricardo Rosenkranz, MD, Chicago’s own Physician Magician, will celebrate the festive Cinco de Mayo holiday weekend by…
The Player (Lorenze Rush Jr) has just run into Rosencrantz and Guildenstern with his troupe of players. As he explains…
Those were my first words when I left the performance of COCK to David Zak, producer and resident wizard of…
If you’re a magic enthusiast, Joshua Jay’s captivating new show, Look Closer, is currently enchanting audiences at the Rhapsody Theater. But even…
Sometimes you wanna go where everybody knows your name. Sometimes you want to be surrounded by people to experience the…
Does your theatre company want to connect with Buzz Center Stage or would you like to reach out and say "hello"? Message us through facebook or shoot us an email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
*This disclaimer informs readers that the views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in the text belong solely to the author, and not necessarily to Buzz Center Stage. Buzz Center Stage is a non-profit, volunteer-based platform that enables, and encourages, staff members to post their own honest thoughts on a particular production.