This scathing dark comedy, set on an air base off the coast of Italy in the latter months of World War II, tells the story of Yossarian, an American bombardier who is convinced everyone is out to kill him. Terrified that he will have to fly more missions, he hatches a seemingly bulletproof plan to be discharged: he tells the doctor he is unfit to fly by reason of insanity.

"There was only one catch and that was Catch-22…"

Joseph Heller’s dramatization of his most famous novel retains all the wickedly biting humor, lunacy, and humanity of the original.

Directed by ensemble member Brandon Bruce

featuring ensemble members Meredith Bell, Christopher Prentice, Aaron Snook and Joseph Stearns with Daniel E. Brennan, Ian Crossland, Marcus Kamie, Jason Powers and Aris Tompulis

set: Melania Lancy, costumes: Laura M. Dana, lights: Timothy "Dante" Goodhart, sound: ensemble member Brandon Bruce, props: Lara Maerz, stage manager: ensemble member Anthony Ingram

"Highly Recommended" — Christopher Piatt, Chicago Sun-Times full review

"There's more than enough style, shrewdness, zest and sheer theatrical panache on display in the Signal Ensemble Theatre's hyper-kinetic revival of Joseph Heller's "Catch-22" to suggest this young and emerging theater company has a bright future." — Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune

"The play can be amusing. Especially if the folks performing it are as adept as the Signal Ensemble at switching gracefully from comedy to drama and back again. This nimbleness is all the more impressive given that most of the actors play three or four characters." — Jack Helbig, Chicago Reader full review

"You'll be hard pressed to see a funnier ensemble." — Tom Williams, chicagocritic.com full review

Produced by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc.

» About the company

» Production photos

» Press release