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The Marble Squad? That sounds familiar…

Posted by DCA Theater on August 29, 2008 in July-December 2008 Season, The Adventures of Captain Marbles

Many Chicagoans remember growing up watching the adventures of a Ballerina, an Astronaut, a Witch, and others who love to act and dance and sing, led by
a Captain who perpetually loses his fuzzy red marbles.  It’s been—well—a few years since the Squad last sang “The Actor’s Polka” …“The Banana Song”
…and other favorites. Now, it’s great to be back—at the DCA Storefront Theater.

The Squad’s storied history dates back to Chicago’s Hull House Theater in 1964.  A very creative young man named John Stasey dreamed up the characters and their adventures, and asked a teenager named Alaric “Rokko” Jans to write the songs.  Every few weeks Rokko added new songs and reprised old favorites for each new episode. Fans of the Squad were shocked when John Stasey died tragically in 1966, and shortly afterward, the Marble Squad sadly dissolved.

The Squad took the stage again during the 1970’s, at Chicago’s St. Nicholas Theater. Rokko collaborated with writers William H. Macy and David Kovacs to create new episodes based on the Squad’s production of *The Comedy of the Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet*. The shows ran in repertory at St. Nicholas, on tour, and in the 1980’s in Mayor Byrne’s *Summertime Chicago* series, playing to critical acclaim and sold-out audiences of kids and adults.

Now we’ve reunited and updated *Captain Marbles* at the Storefront, in a co-production with DCA Theater and Chicago’s Provision Theater. The show, premiering November 1, and running Saturdays at 11 and Sundays at noon, is directed by Tim Gregory. Rokko plays the role of—well—Rocko, the Marble Squad’s on-stage pianist. And an off-Broadway production is in the works for early 2009.

It’s great to be back—for a new generation of fans of the Marble Squad, young and old. We’re looking forward to seeing you in November!

—Rokko, David and Tim