Actress finds satisfaction in Stones drama

Glen Ellyn native Simone Roos plays model/actress Anita Pallenberg in Signal Ensemble Theatre's bio-drama about the early years of the Rolling Stones, “Aftermath.” And when Roos talks about Pallenberg — Keith Richards' longtime paramour — you can tell she is in awe.

“Mick Jagger said she was intimidating,” Roos says. “He once said she knew everything, and she could say it in five different languages.”

Jagger exaggerated, but only slightly: Pallenberg spoke four languages. She was born in Rome in 1944, the daughter of an Italian artist and a German secretary. She fell into acting after trying her hand at medicine, picture restoration and graphic design.

In the mid-1960s, she became involved with Rolling Stones' founder Brian Jones and later moved on to Richards. She and Richards had three children together, but never married. They separated in 1980.

“She had this really interesting mishmash accent,” Roos says. “It was very hard getting it right. There aren't a lot of clips of her speaking in English. I rented her films, but most of those are in Italian. But the dialect coach, Elise Kauzlaric, who is wonderful, helped me out. We found film clips of her on YouTube actually speaking English. And she and Mick Jagger put a film together called ‘Performance.'”

Roos has been playing Pallenberg on and off since May, when “Aftermath” opened. The show, which focuses on the tragic story of the brilliant but erratic Brian Jones, was originally scheduled to run five weekends. It was an immediate hit with critics and audiences alike, however.

“It sold out in four days,” Roos says. “We added as many performances as we could ... but due to actor conflicts we had to close it.”

The Signal Ensemble reopened the show Nov. 6 with most of the original cast intact (including Roos). Once again the show has proved to be very popular.

“It really draws,” Roos says. “I think it's because it appeals to regular theater audiences and to Rolling Stones fans. It is not a jukebox musical, but we do sing five Rolling Stones songs. The songs are integral to the story.”

She considers herself lucky that playwright Ronan Marra put so much into the “Aftermath” script.

“I don't think he created the role of Pallenberg with me in mind. But I was very happy when he asked me to play her,” Roos says. “She is a fascinating person.”

Ÿ “Aftermath” runs through Thursday, Jan. 23, at Signal Ensemble Theatre, 1802 W. Berenice Ave, Chicago. For tickets and information go to signalensemble.com.