OPENING: TRAP DOOR THEATRE'S THEY 12/7/17-1/13/18

ChiIL Live Shows On Our Radar:

THEY

Written by Stanislaw I. Witkiewicz

Translated by Daniel Gerould & C.S. Durer

“They are running everything but no one knows who THEY actually are?” Using the text of Stanislaw Witkiewicz, They examines who THEY are and if the secret government really exists.

Adapted and Directed by:

Beata Pilch

Cast Featuring Mary-Kate Arnold, Daniel Chenard, Halie Ecker, Adam Huizenga, and Carl Wisniewski

When:                   
Opens: Thursday, December 7, 2017 at 8PM
Closes: Saturday, January 13, 2018 at 8PM
Runs: Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays at 8PM

Admission: $20 on Thursdays and Fridays;  $25 on Saturdays, with a special Holiday 2-for-1 Admission on Thursdays and Fridays
Where:  TRAP DOOR THEATRE 1655 West Cortland Ave.  Chicago, IL 60622
For Information/Reservations: 773-384-0494 To purchase online www.trapdoortheatre.com

They tragically examines how the beauty in love and art is poisoned by the toxic remedy of normalization and the destruction of freedom and imagination.

Stanislaw I. Witkiewicz (1885-1939) is one the most brilliant figures of the European avant-garde, Witkiewicz was a poet, painter, playwright, an expert on drugs, an early spokesman for a radically non-realistic theatre and an original philosopher and social critic of mass culture, post-industrial society, and the rise of totalitarianism. He was also a pioneer in serious experimentation with narcotics and prophetically recognized the growing importance that they would have on Western civilization. Politics, revolution, and even art were similar “drugs.” Witkiewicz committed suicide shortly after the outbreak of War in September of 1939. He is best known for his plays The Madman and the Nun, The Mother, The Water Hen, The Anonymous Work, and The Shoemakers.


Beata Pilch- (Director) born in the Polish district of Chicago, holds a Bachelor's Degree in Acting from the United States International University in San Diego, California, and a Master's Degree in Acting from the California Institute of the Arts in Valencia, California. Pilch founded Chicago's Trap Door Theatre in 1990 and still presides as its Artistic Director. She cultivated her life-long fascination with the avant-garde and obscure as a graduate student at the California Institute of the Arts.  A Chicago native and frequent European traveler, she felt that a company that combined bold and physical European acting technique with rich European theatrical literature would provide Chicago's entertainment scene with a unique and vibrant voice. Past favorite directing credits include: Madman and the Nun, Nana, Quills, The Bitter Tears of Petra Van Kant, The Fourth Sister, The Unveiling, Vatzlav, The Shoemakers, The Crazy Locomotive. Most recently, Beata directed Blood on the Cat’s Neck in Barcelona, Spain. She is a featured performer in the work of international multi-media visual artist Catherine Sullivan. She has performed in over 60 Trap Door productions and has toured abroad annually with the company to France, Romania, Hungary, and Poland. She will perform in the next touring production Occidental Express at the international theatre festival in The Republic of Moldova next fall, 2018.
             
Assistant Director Sami Ismat/ Sound Designer Danny Rockett/ Lighting Design Richard Norwood /Set Design Stefan Roseen/Costume Design Rachel Sypniewski/Graphic Design Michal Janicki/Video Design David Holcombe/Dramaturge Milan Pribisic/Stage Managers Mihta Garan and Elizabeth Melio




Special Art Event: Trap Door is proud to announce its first art show in rep! Original Artwork will be on display throughout the run, with a special artists reception following the performance on Friday, December 8, beginning at 9:30. Exhibiting artists include Kevin Moeller, Brain Morgan, Marzena Bukowska, Robin Rios, CJ Hungerman, Lovietta Simpkins, George Bowles, Poppy G, Bernadette Zawiesjska, Michael Garvey, ter Arts Zawitkowska, Alex XII- Paintings/artwork.

OPENING: World Premier of SAMMY: THE STORY OF SAMMY DAVIS JR. at BLACK ENSEMBLE THEATER 12/9/17-1/21/18

Chi, IL LIVE Shows On Our Radar:

BLACK ENSEMBLE THEATER CONCLUDES 2017 SEASON WITH

SAMMY: THE STORY OF SAMMY DAVIS JR.

WRITTEN AND DIRECTED BY DARYL D. BROOKS

December 9, 2017 – January 21, 2018

Black Ensemble Theater concludes the 2017 Season (The Dance Theater Season) with Sammy: The Story of Sammy Davis Jr., written and directed by Black Ensemble Theater Associate Director Daryl D. Brooks, with choreography by Rueben D. Echoles. Sammy: The Story of Sammy Davis Jr. will be performed at the Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center, 4450 N. Clark Street in Chicago, December 9, 2017 – January 21, 2018.

ChiIL Live Shows will be out for the press opening December 17th. We can't wait to check out another world premiere musical from acclaimed Chicago favorites, BET! Just in time for holiday gifting... 

Black Ensemble Theater’s “The Dance Theater Season” concludes with Sammy: The Story of Sammy Davis, Jr. Telling the story of the rise of the great entertainment icon and Rat Pack member, this production follows his career from the beginnings in vaudeville to his success in Las Vegas, earning him the nickname greatest entertainers in the world. 

Sammy: The Story of Sammy Davis Jr. features Michael Adkins (Sammy Davis Jr.), Dwight Neal (Sammy Davis Sr.), Rueben D. Echoles (Will Mastin), Rhonda Preston (Rosa Davis), Nathan Cooper (Frank Sinatra), Mark Yacullo (Dean Martin), Emily Hawkins (May Britt), Kylah Williams (Altovis Davis), and Trequon Tate (George Johnson), as well as ensemble members Linnea Norwood and Brian Boler.

As with all Black Ensemble Theater productions, Sammy: The Story of Sammy Davis Jr. features live musicians led by musical director/arranger Robert Reddrick.

The designers are Alexia Rutherford (costumes), Denise Karczewski (set/lights), Aaron Quick (sound/projection design), David Samba (sound). The equity stage manager is Bekki Lambrecht.

Tickets are available at the Black Ensemble Box Office located at 4450 N. Clark St in Chicago, or online at www.blackensemble.org, or by phone at (773) 769-4451. Tickets are $45 for previews (preview dates); $55 (Thursdays and Saturday matinees) and $65 (Fridays, Saturday evenings and Sunday matinees).  There is a 10% discount for students, seniors and groups.

Featuring: Michael Adkins (Sammy Davis Jr.), Dwight Neal (Sammy Davis Sr.), Rueben D. Echoles (Will Mastin), Rhonda Preston (Rosa Davis), Nathan Cooper (Frank Sinatra), Mark Yacullo (Dean Martin), Emily Hawkins (May Britt), Kylah Williams (Altovis Davis), Trequon Tate (George Johnson), and ensemble members Linnea Norwood and Brian Boler

Creative Team: Alexia Rutherford (costumes), Denise Karczewski (set/lights), Aaron Quick (sound/projection design), David Samba (sound), Bekki Lambrecht (equity stage manager)

Dates:                            
December 9, 2017 - January 21, 2018
Previews: December 9, 10, 15 and 16

Schedule:                        
Thursdays: 7:30 pm (except 12/14)
Fridays: 8:00 pm
Saturdays: 3:00 pm (12/23, 12/30, 1/6, 1/13, 1/20 only)
8:00 pm
Sundays: 3:00 pm (except 12/24 and 12/31)
No performances on Christmas Eve (12/24) or New Year’s Eve (12/31)

Location: Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center, 4450 N. Clark Street, Chicago

Valet parking is available.

Ticket prices: $45 Previews
$55 on Thursdays and Saturday matinees;
$65 on Fridays, Saturday evenings and Sunday matinees
A 10% discount is available for students, seniors, and groups.
Box Office: Buy online at www.blackensemble.org or call (773) 769-4451

The Black Ensemble Theater
Founded in 1976, by the phenomenal producer, playwright and actress Jackie Taylor, Black Ensemble Theater is the only African American theater located in the culturally, racially and ethnically diverse north side Uptown community. Through its Five Play Season of Excellence, The Black Ensemble Theater dazzles audiences locally, nationally and internationally with outstanding original musicals that are entertaining, educational and uplifting. The Black Ensemble Theater has produced more than 100 productions and employed over 5,000 artists.

On November 18, 2011, The Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center opened and is able to accommodate larger-scale productions, bigger audiences and a wider range of educational programming. The new facility includes amenities such as a 299-seat main stage theater (double the capacity of the original venue); 14 offices, classroom space, rehearsal hall, dance studio, scene shop, costume shop, and wardrobe rooms; seven dressing rooms; rehearsal room for musicians; front lobby space with concession areas; and an indoor parking garage.  The completion of a 150-seat theater, which will serve as an experimental stage for the work of the Black Playwright Initiative (BPI), with construction by General Contractor Norcon Inc., is expected in 2018.

The mission of the Black Ensemble Theater Company is to eradicate racism and its devastating effects upon society through the theater arts.  For more information on the Black Ensemble Theater Company, please visit www.BlackEnsembleTheater.org or call 773-769-4451.

Chicago Gift Ideas for Theatre Lovers: New Gift Card Option at Steppenwolf

Steppenwolf Announces New Gift Card 

Give the Gift of a Great Night Out 

Steppenwolf Theatre Company announces an exciting new promotional deal in time for the 2017 holiday season. Perfect for both personal and business gifting, it’s easy to warm hearts with the gift of theatre. Spread some holiday cheer with a Night Out Gift Card that includes two flexible ticket credits to any Steppenwolf performance and $25 Front Bar gift card for the low price of $179. The Night Out Gift Card can be purchased through Audience Services (1650 N Halsted St) at 312-335-1650 or steppenwolf.org\holiday. Limited time offer through January 6, 2018.

Upcoming Shows

The Minutes

Written by ensemble member Tracy Letts

Directed by Artistic Director Anna D. Shapiro

November 9 – December 31, 2017 in the Downstairs Theatre

A scathing new comedy about small-town politics and real-world power exposes the ugliness behind some of our most closely-held American narratives.

BLKS

Written by Aziza Barnes

Directed by Nataki Garrett

December 7, 2017 – January 28, 2018

Three friends. One f**ked up night. A whole lot of growing pains.

You Got Older

Written by Clare Barron

Directed by Jonathan Berry

January 25 – March 11, 2018

Mae, brokenhearted and unemployed, returns home to care for her ailing father and escape the loneliness of a life that just can’t seem to get off the ground.

The Doppelgänger (An International Farce)

Written by Matthew-Lee Erlbach

Directed by ensemble member Tina Landau

April 5 – May 27, 2018 

After a British businessman's untimely death, his unwitting American doppelgänger is thrust into background deals that could shape the face of Africa.

Guards at the Taj

Written by Rajiv Joseph

Directed by ensemble member Amy Morton

May 31 – July 22, 2018

As the sun rises for the first time on the newly-constructed Taj Mahal, two hapless imperial guards are charged with an unspeakable task that will shake their faith in God, the empire and their lifelong friendship.

The Roommate

Written by Jen Silverman

Directed by Phylicia Rashad

June 21 – August 5, 2018

A comically mismatched pair of roommates leads to a surprising and touching friendship. Think The Odd Couple meets Breaking Bad.

Front Bar: Coffee and Drinks

Connected to the Downstairs Lobby is Steppenwolf’s own Front Bar: Coffee and Drinks, offering a warm, creative space to grab a drink, have a bite, or meet up with friends and collaborators, day or night. Open Tuesdays – Sundays from 8am to midnight, Front Bar serves artisanal coffee and espresso provided by La Colombe and food prepared by Goddess and Grocer. The menu focuses on fresh, accessible fare, featuring grab-and-go salads and sandwiches for lunch and adding shareable small plates and desserts for evening and post show service. www.front-bar.com

Steppenwolf Theatre Company is the nation’s premier ensemble theater. Formed by a collective of actors in 1976, the ensemble of 49 members represent a remarkable cross-section of actors, directors and playwrights. Thrilling and powerful productions from Balm in Gilead to August: Osage County—and accolades that include the National Medal of Arts and 12 Tony Awards—have made the theater legendary. Steppenwolf produces hundreds of performances and events annually in its three spaces: the 515-seat Downstairs Theatre, the 259-seat Upstairs Theatre and the 80-seat 1700 Theatre. Artistic programing includes a seven-play season; a two-play Steppenwolf for Young Adults season; Visiting Company engagements; and LookOut, a multi-genre performances series. Education initiatives include the nationally recognized work of Steppenwolf for Young Adults, which engages 15,000 participants annually from Chicago’s diverse communities; the esteemed School at Steppenwolf; and Professional Leadership Programs for arts administration training. While firmly grounded in the Chicago community, nearly 40 original Steppenwolf productions have enjoyed success both nationally and internationally, including Broadway, Off-Broadway, London, Sydney, Galway and Dublin. Anna D. Shapiro is the Artistic Director and David Schmitz is the Executive Director. Eric Lefkofsky is Chair of Steppenwolf’s Board of Trustees. 

For additional information, visit steppenwolf.org, facebook.com/steppenwolftheatre, twitter.com/steppenwolfthtr and instagram.com/steppenwolfthtr.

REVIEW: Acclaimed It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago! Now in 16th Year at American Blues Theater

American Blues Theater Presents

16th Annual Production of

It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago!

From Frank Capra’s film

Directed by Artistic Director Gwendolyn Whiteside

Through January 6, 2018 

Photo credit for all: Michael Brosilow

**Holiday Events: Children 12 & under receive keepsakes on December 16 (Hanukkah) and December 24 (Santa visits)**

Review: 
Guest Post by Lori Morrison-Contreras


It’s a Wonderful Life is one of my favorite Christmas movies. It was one of my Grandma’s too and I have so many wonderful memories of watching it with her that it now has much deeper meaning for me. The live radio version of It’s a Wonderful Life by American Blues Theater is a wonderful old fashioned treat to kick off the holiday season! The stage was gorgeously set, in deep red with lots of light and many, fully decorated Christmas trees. As you walk in, the actors are singing your favorite classic holiday songs. 

It is definitely the full 40’s small town Beford Falls experience with the actors greeting everyone as they walk in and passing out cookies and milk as you leave. They even kept the commercials and all references within the theme of old time 40’s language and charm.



As it is a radio play, there is no physical action on stage. Yet, you are able to see each actor change the tone and expression of their voice to truly become so many different characters that it keeps audience members of all ages engaged and entertained. My son and I loved being able to see the sound booth and how ordinary items like glasses and crinkled paper are used to do all the sound effects and add so much to the telling of the story.



In these times of huge special effects, it is a welcome change to go back to a more minimalist, basic approach with this classic. Some of my favorite, more visual scenes (like falling into the pool during the dance contest) are left out of the radio telling, but all the classic elements of George Bailey’s life are there and at the end you will still have a tear in your eye as Clarence earns his wings and George realized that he truly is the richest man in town.

About the Show:
American Blues Theater continues its 2017-2018 Season with its 16th Annual Production of It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago! from Frank Capra’s film and directed by Artistic Director Gwendolyn Whiteside with musical direction by Ensemble Member Michael Mahler. It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago! runs through January 6, 2018 at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago.

Schedule:      
Wednesdays:  7:30pm
Thursdays:  7:30pm
Fridays:  7:30pm
Saturdays:  4:30pm & 7:30pm
Sundays:  2:30pm

Additional performances on November 29 at 2:30pm; December 20 at 2:30pm; and January 2 at 4:30pm and 7:30pm

No performances on December 13 at 7:30pm; December 25 (Christmas Day); or January 6 at 7:30pm

Arrive 10 min early for prizes and audiograms

Ticket prices: $19 - $49

Box Office: Buy online at AmericanBluesTheater.com or by calling 773.327.5252.

For 16 years, the American Blues Ensemble has treated Chicago audiences to a live 1940s radio broadcast of holiday favorite It’s a Wonderful Life. The incredible cast recreates the entire town of Bedford Falls with Foley sound effects, an original score and holiday carols. The Bedford Falls “residents” extend their hospitality after every performance treating audiences to milk and cookies served by the cast.

“This story is a staple of our mission: American Blues Theater explores the American identity through the plays it produces and communities it serves,” notes Artistic Director Gwendolyn Whiteside. “This story reminds us of the fragility of life. Frank Capra’s line – “Each man’s life touches so many other lives. When he isn’t around, he leaves an awful hole, doesn’t he?” – resonates throughout the year. During the holidays, it becomes a poignant reminder as we gather with our loved ones.”

The cast of It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago! includes Blues artists Dara Cameron (Violet), Ian Paul Custer (Harry), Shawn Goudie (Foley), James Joseph (Uncle Billy), Zach Kenney (George Bailey), Michael Mahler (Announcer), John Mohrlein (Clarence/Mr. Potter), Camille Robinson (Mary Bailey – 12/20-1/6) and Gwendolyn Whiteside (Mary Bailey – 11/16-12/17). 

The creative team includes Austin Cook (score composer), Grant Sabin (scenic), Christopher J. Neville (costumes), Katy Peterson (lighting), Elyse Dolan (properties) and Paul Deziel (projection design). The stage manager is Kathryn Lochert.

It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago! has received Joseph Jefferson Award nominations for Best Midsize Production and Best Ensemble. 

About the Artists
GWENDOLYN WHITESIDE (Director, Mary Bailey Nov. 16 – Dec. 17) is a proud Ensemble member of American Blues Theater and has served as Producing Artistic Director since 2010. Under her leadership, American Blues has nearly doubled the size of its Ensemble, added 28 Artistic Affiliates, and diversified its base of artists. She created the nationally-recognized annual Blue Ink Playwriting Award, Blueprint Development for new work, implemented community service into the company’s mission, and adapted the arts education program The Lincoln Project for Chicago Public Schools which serves over 1,500 students annually. She led American Blues through its 2009 rebirth and built the operational budget from zero to $825,000 in six (6) years. Whiteside served numerous panels for the National Endowment for the Arts and sat on the national Board of Directors for Network of Ensemble Theaters. She’s a graduate of Northwestern University (cum laude), The School of the Art Institute of Chicago (MFA), and a Kellogg Executive Scholar in Nonprofit management (Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University). She was nominated for “Chicagoan of the Year” in Chicago Magazine and twice listed in Newcity’s annual Players list. In six years, six American Blues’ productions won or were nominated for best production by the Joseph Jefferson Award committee. She’s received 11 Joseph Jefferson Awards, Citations, and nominations as an actress and Producing Artistic Director. Her favorite performances include Jeff Award for Solo Performance (Grounded), Jeff Award nomination for Solo Performance (the K of D), Mary’s Wedding (Top 5 performances in Indianapolis), Collected Stories (Best Actress Broadway World Chicago Award), and 6 years as “Mary Bailey” (It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago!). She’s the recipient of two (2) After Dark Awards and numerous Broadway World Chicago Awards and nominations.

DARA CAMERON (Violet) is a proud Ensemble member of American Blues Theater. She so happy to be back with her American Blues family for her fifth It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago. Other favorite credits include Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors (American Blues Theater); Jovie in Elf, October Sky, Sister Act, City of Angels, Hero, The Wizard of Oz, Cinderella, Fiddler on the Roof, and Little Women (Marriott Theatre); Old Jews Telling Jokes (Off-Broadway and at the Royal George); Wednesday in The Addams Family (Mercury Theatre); Sunset Boulevard, Seussical, Thoroughly Modern Millie, and Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story (Drury Lane). She is a proud member of Actors’ Equity and a graduate of Northwestern University. As always, she’s delighted to share the stage with her husband, Michael Mahler, and even more delighted that this year they get to share their favorite holiday tradition with their son-to-be, due to arrive in March. 

IAN PAUL CUSTER (Harry) is a proud ensemble member of American Blues Theater.  Recent American Blues credits: The Columnist (David Halberstam, Jeff Nomination for Best Production – Midsize), It’s A Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago! (Jeff Nomination for Best Ensemble and Best Production – Midsize), Little Shop of Horrors (Orin Skrivello, Jeff Nomination for Best Production of a Musical – Midsize), and Yankee Tavern.  Recent Chicago theatrical credits: Bad Jews (Theatre Wit, North Shore Center, Royal George), 33 Variations (TimeLine Theatre, Jeff Award for Best Production – Midsize), Annie Bosh is Missing (Steppenwolf Theatre), High Holidays (Goodman Theatre), To Master the Art (Broadway Playhouse/TimeLine Theatre), Strangers, Babies (Steep Theatre), and Fiddler on the Roof (Paramount Theatre).  Regional theatrical credits: Hero: The Musical (Asolo Rep Theatre), Cymbeline (Notre Dame Shakespeare), Romeo and Juliet (Cardinal Stage), Peter Pan (360 Entertainment - London, England).  Television credits: APB, Empire, Chicago Fire, and Chicago PD.  Love to Shannon, my friends, and my family for all the support.  

SHAWN J. GOUDIE (Foley) is a proud Artistic Affiliate of American Blues Theater. He excited to be returning for his 9th season of It's A Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago. It is a joy for him to share the magic of old time radio with so many wonderful folks year after year. He would like to thank his amazing wife, their endlessly curious children and his loving parents.

ZACH KENNEY (George Bailey) is a proud Artistic Affiliate of American Blues Theater. He is thrilled to return as “George”, and to return to It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago for a third time. Previous work with American Blues also includes Waiting for Lefty, directed by Kimberly Senior. Chicago credits include: Hit the Wall (The Inconvenience); Hair (American Theater Company); The March (u/s, Steppenwolf Theatre); Chicago Boys (Goodman Theatre New Stages); The Gospel According to James (Victory Gardens Theater); and The Farnsworth Invention and Not Enough Air (TimeLine Theatre). Regional: The Great Gatsby, Red, Mary’s Wedding (opposite Gwendolyn Whiteside), and Who Am I This Time? (Indiana Rep); A Little Night Music (u/s) and 1776 (A.C.T.); 1776 (Asolo Rep); and An Immaculate Misconception (Eureka Theatre Co.). Television/film: Chicago Fire, LifeSteps…, and Schizo Cool. A San Francisco native, Zach trained at A.C.T.'s Young Conservatory (originating the title role in Horton Foote's The Actor in 2002) before attending The Theatre School at DePaul University. Zach resides in Los Angeles and thanks Alli, GTG, and this exceptional company.

JAMES JOSEPH (Uncle Billy) is a proud Artistic Affiliate of American Blues Theater. He returns for his eighth season of It’s A Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago!  Also at American Blues he appeared in Tobacco Road, performed voiceovers for Hank Williams: Lost Highway and American Myth, and has written for the Ripped festival.  He has performed on Chicago stages for twenty years, including at Steppenwolf Theatre, Northlight Theatre, Victory Gardens Theater, and TimeLine Theatre.  He is your audio guide for the permanent Chicago Authored exhibition at the Chicago History Museum, and was nominated for a Non-Equity Jeff Award (Supporting Actor) for his role in Faith Healer with UMA Productions.  

MICHAEL MAHLER (Announcer/Pianist) is a proud Ensemble member of American Blues Theater. He happily returns for a seventh season in Bedford Falls. American Blues credits include Little Shop of Horrors, Side Man, and Hank Williams: Lost Highway. Other Chicagoland credits include: Honeymoon in Vegas, City of Angels, and The 25th Annual… Spelling Bee (Marriott Theatre); The March (Steppenwolf Theatre); Working (Broadway in Chicago); and The Fox on the Fairway, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (Jeff nomination), and The Producers (Theatre at the Center). Michael is the Jeff award-winning composer/lyricist of Diary of a Wimpy Kid, October Sky, The Man who Murdered Sherlock Holmes, Wonderland: Alice's Rock & Roll Adventure, and Hero. He also contributed additional lyrics to the new Broadway production of Miss Saigon. Up next, Michael will music direct and appear in Blues’ production of Buddy: the Buddy Holly Story. He is proud to share the stage with his wife, Dara Cameron, who is full of the joy of the season (and also a baby).

JOHN MOHRLEIN (Clarence/Mr. Potter) is a proud Ensemble member of American Blues Theater. 16 years as “Clarence/Mr. Potter”, and he loves getting to revisit and reinvent these characters year after year.  At American Blues, he’s appeared in Half of Plenty, It’s a Wonderful Life, A View from the Bridge, Strictly Dishonorable, American Dead, The Hairy Ape, A Lie of the Mind, Endgame, American Buffalo, The Skin of Our Teeth, The Threepenny Opera, A Stone Carver (Jeff nomination for Best Actor, After Dark Award for Outstanding Performance), and directed Catch-22. Other credits: The Glass House at the Art Institute of Chicago; nine productions at Goodman Theatre; and Cripple of Inishmaan, Heart of a Dog, and Murder of Cardinal Tosca at Northlight Theatre. His extensive television and film work includes Golden Boy, Good Night Sweet Wife, Dillinger, Killing Floor, Early Edition, Crime Story (recurring role), Untouchables, Devil’s Dominoes, Stranger Than Fiction, No Place to be Somebody, Hellcab, Hero, and Cold Justice.  Now he’s developing “Star Crossed Lovers”, “Pope Frank in Venice”, while continuing to install his art works.

CAMILLE ROBINSON (Mary Bailey, Dec. 20 – Jan. 6) is a proud Artistic Affiliate of American Blues Theater. She is thrilled to be returning to this lovely, timeless show! She owes everything to her family for she would be nothing without their love and support. Recent Chicago theater credits include: Lizzie (Firebrand Theatre), Big River (Theatre at the Center), Jesus Christ Superstar (Paramount Theatre), A Wonder in My Soul (Victory Gardens Theater), Wonderful Town (Goodman Theatre), and Little Shop of Horrors (American Blues Theater). Recent TV/Film credits include: Chicago Med and Chicago PD (NBC). Represented by Gray Talent Group.

Community Service
For this production, American Blues Theater will support and partner with the USO and U.S. Dept of Veterans Affairs, and Misericordia. American Blues also continues its “Pink Previews” to donate proceeds from all preview performances to The Lynn Sage Foundation for breast cancer research.

Soldier Spotlight
During each performance, American Blues Theater honors one serviceman or servicewoman with a short personal tribute, a projected photo, and two (2) complimentary tickets. Submissions should be sent to American Blues Theater. There are limited spots available for the 2017 production. Neither you nor the nominee must be present to receive the spotlight.  For more information, contact Elyse Dolan at ElyseD@AmericanBluesTheater.com. 




About American Blues Theater
Winner of the American Theatre Wing’s prestigious 2016 National Theatre Company Award, American Blues Theater is a premier arts organization with an intimate environment that patrons, artists, and all Chicagoans call home.  American Blues Theater explores the American identity through the plays it produces and communities it serves.

The diverse and multi-generational artists have established the second-oldest professional Equity Ensemble theater in Chicago.  The 36-member Ensemble has 530+ combined years of collaboration on stage. As of 2017, the theater and artists received 195 Joseph Jefferson Awards and nominations that celebrate excellence in Chicago theater and over 35 Black Theatre Alliance Awards. The artists are honored with Pulitzer Prize nominations, Academy Awards, Golden Globe Awards, Emmy Awards and numerous other accolades.  

American Blues Theater programs and activities are made possible, in part by funding by The MacArthur Funds for Arts & Culture at Prince, the Shubert Foundation, The Chicago Community Trust, SMART Growth Grant, Gaylord & Dorothy Donnelley Foundation, the Illinois Arts Council Agency, Anixter Foundation, Actors’ Equity Foundation, and the Chip Pringle Fund. ComEd is the Season Lighting Sponsor.

HELP OUT: Steppenwolf Women in the Arts Luncheon to Honor Sarah Paulson, Golden Globe and Emmy Award-Winning Actor

Golden Globe and Emmy Award-Winning Actor

Sarah Paulson

to be Honored at the

Steppenwolf Women in the Arts Luncheon

January 22, 2018

Steppenwolf Theatre Company proudly announces Golden Globe and Emmy Award-winning actor Sarah Paulson as the 2018 honoree at the annual Steppenwolf Women in the Arts fundraising luncheon on Monday, January 22, 2018 at 12noon at the Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel (221 N Columbus Dr). VIP Reception begins at 11:30am. Ms. Paulson joins Steppenwolf Artistic Director Anna D. Shapiro for an exciting conversation about her career both on-stage and on-screen and her impact as a leader in her industry.

Sarah Paulson is acknowledged as one of today’s most critically acclaimed actresses of the screen and stage. She was first introduced to Steppenwolf through her work in ensemble member Tracy Letts’s Killer Joe, and the two appear in Stephen Spielberg’s upcoming film The Post. Paulson’s impressive film career includes features with ensemble members Lois Smith (Griffin & Phoenix), Austin Pendleton (The Notorious Bettie Page) and John Malkovich, whom she joins in the upcoming Netflix film Bird Box. On stage, she has appeared in a wide-range of productions including the title role in Lanford Wilson’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play Talley’s Folly, Cherry Orchard with Alfred Molina and Annette Bening, and Broadway’s The Glass Menagerie alongside Jessica Lange.

On television, Sarah Paulson’s inspired performances have captured the attention of audiences and critics alike. Her portrayal of attorney Marcia Clark in American Crime Story: The People v. O.J. Simpson earned her numerous awards including a Golden Globe Award, a Screen Actors Guild Award and Emmy Award. Sarah also received four consecutive Emmy nominations for her character portrayals in Ryan Murphy’s award-winning television series, American Horror Story. Her upcoming projects include American Crime Story: Katrina, Gary Ross’s Ocean’s 8, the female-driven spinoff of Ocean’s Eleven, M. Night Shyamalan's Glass, and the Netflix series Ratched, based on the character Nurse Ratched from One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, for which she is set to produce and star in the title role.

The ninth annual Women in the Arts luncheon brings together nearly 400 leaders from Chicago’s business and civic communities to honor Ms. Paulson for her indelible contribution to the field. The event raises funds for Steppenwolf’s professional development programs, including Steppenwolf for Young Adults, the nationally recognized education program, the School at Steppenwolf, as well as the Professional Leadership Programs, providing apprenticeships, fellowships and internships for the next generation of arts managers and producers.

Individual tickets start at $250. VIP tickets that include pre-lunch reception begin at $500. Table sponsorships for Women in the Arts are currently available at $5,000, $10,000 and $25,000. To purchase tickets or learn about table sponsorship opportunities, contact Steppenwolf’s Special Events Department at 312-654-5632 or specialevents@steppenwolf.org.

Lead sponsor of the 2018 Women in the Arts luncheon is Helen Zell. United Airlines is the Official and Exclusive Airline Partner of Steppenwolf Theatre Company.

Previous honorees for Steppenwolf Salutes Women in the Arts include ensemble members Joan Allen, Laurie Metcalf and Martha Plimpton, along with Claire Danes, Juliette Lewis, Julianna Margulies, Margo Martindale, Julianne Nicholson, Mary-Louise Parker and Phylicia Rashad.

About the Honoree
Award winning actress Sarah Paulson has built an impressive list of credits in film, television and on stage.

Paulson's Emmy win for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or Movie was earned for her portrayal of attorney Marcia Clark in the critically acclaimed mini-series, The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story on FX. Also for this role, Paulson received a Golden Globe Award in the category of “Best Actress in a Miniseries or Television Film,” a Screen Actors Guild award in the category of “Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Miniseries or Television Movie,” a Critics Choice Award in the category of “Best Actress in A Movie Made For Television Or Limited Series” as well as a Television Critics Association award in the category of Individual Achievement in Drama.

Upcoming, Paulson will be seen in Stephen Spielberg’s film, The Post, which is inspired by The Washington Post’s role in publishing the infamous study about America’s role in the Vietnam War. Paulson will star opposite Tom Hanks, Meryl Streep, Bob Odenkirk, Alison Brie, Carrie Coon, David Cross, Bruce Greenwood, Tracy Letts, Jesse Plemons, Matthew Rhys, Michael Stuhlbarg, Bradley Whitford, and Zach Woods in this ensemble drama which will see a limited release on December 22, 2017 and a wide release on January 12, 2018.

Next year, Paulson has Gary Ross’s Ocean’s 8. The female-driven spinoff of Ocean’s Eleven will also star Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett, Anne Hathaway, Rihanna, Helena Bonham Carter, Mindy Kaling and Awkwafina. Warner Brothers will release the film June 8, 2018.

Paulson is now in production on M. Night Shyamalan's thriller Glass, opposite James McAvoy, Anya Taylor-Joy, Bruce Willis and Samuel L. Jackson. The film is a sequel to the writer-director's 2000 thriller Unbreakable, which centered on a man (Willis) who learns something extraordinary about himself after a devastating accident. Universal is slated to release this on January 18, 2019. After that she will begin lensing Liz Garbus’s narrative-film, Lost Girls. The film was adapted by Michael Werwie from Robert Kolker’s 2013 non-fiction book of the same name. The story focuses on a Long Island mother (Paulson) who, while searching for her missing daughter, discovers the bodies of four murdered girls. She was also recently cast in the Netflix film Bird Box where she will star opposite Sandra Bullock, John Malkovich, Trevante Rhodes, Jacki Weaver, and Danielle Macdonald. The story follows a woman and a pair of children who are blindfolded, and make their way through a post-apocalyptic setting.

On the small screen, Paulson is in the seventh installment of Ryan’s Murphy’s award-winning television series, American Horror Story for FX. The season premiered on September 5, 2017. Paulson has received four consecutive Emmy nominations for her roles in the franchise: Sally in AHS: Hotel; Bette and Dot Tattler, conjoined twins, in AHS: Freak Show; Cordelia Foxx in AHS: Coven; and Lana Winters in AHS: Asylum. She has also earned two additional Critics Choice Awards for her roles in the anthology.

Paulson is also set to produce and star in the upcoming series, Ratched, where she will play the title role. The series, set to be distributed by Netflix, centers on the early life of the villainous nurse from the 1962 Ken Kesey novel, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.

In 2016, Paulson was seen in Alex Leherman’s Blue Jay, opposite Mark Duplass, whom also wrote the screenplay. Distributed by The Orchard, the film follows two former high-school sweethearts who meet by chance when they return to their tiny California hometown. Prior to that, she co-starred in Todd Haynes’s critically acclaimed Carol alongside Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara. In 2013, Paulson was seen in Steve McQueen's 12 Years a Slave, which received an Academy Award® for Best Picture. Paulson appears alongside Michael Fassbender, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Lupita Nyong’o as Mistress Epps. That same year, Paulson was also seen alongside Reese Witherspoon and Matthew McConaughey in Jeff Nichols' film Mud. The cast received the Robert Altman Award at the Film Independent Spirit Awards. She previously starred in the critically acclaimed independent feature Martha Marcy May Marlene alongside Elizabeth Olsen.

Paulson received her first Emmy nomination and second Golden Globe nomination for her role as Nicolle Wallace in HBO's critically acclaimed telefilm Game Change. Directed by Jay Roach, the film follows John McCain's 2008 presidential campaign.

Paulson's additional film credits include Danny Strong’s Rebel in the Rye, in which she stars opposite Kevin Spacey and Nicholas Hoult; Lionsgate's The Spiri”, opposite Samuel L. Jackson, Eva Mendes, and Scarlett Johansson; Marry Harron's The Notorious Bettie Page; Down with Love with Renee Zellweger, Ewan McGregor and David Hyde Pierce; What Women Want opposite Mel Gibson and Helen Hunt; The Other Sister directed by Gary Marshall and starring Diane Keaton and Juliette Lewis; and Diggers alongside Paul Rudd and Ken Marino.

Paulson received her first Golden Globe nomination for her performance in Aaron Sorkin's Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, in which she starred opposite Matthew Perry, Amanda Peet, Bradley Whitford and Steven Weber.

Paulson made her return to the stage in 2013 in the Roundabout Theatre Company’s production of Lanford Wilson’s Pulitzer Prize winning play Talley’s Folly. She previously starred on Broadway in the two-hander Collected Stories opposite Linda Lavin, and as Laura Wingfield in The Glass Menagerie, alongside Jessica Lange. On stage she also appeared opposite Alfred Molina and Annette Bening in Cherry Orchard, as well as in Tracy Letts’ critically acclaimed Killer Joe.

Anna D. Shapiro joined the Steppenwolf ensemble in 2005 and was awarded the 2008 Tony Award for Best Direction of a Play for August: Osage County (Steppenwolf, Broadway, London). She was nominated in 2011 in the same category for The Motherf**ker with the Hat (Public Theatre, Labyrinth Theater). Other directing credits at Steppenwolf include Tracy Letts’s world premiere of The Minutes (opening November 18, 2018), Visiting Edna, Mary Page Marlowe, Three Sisters, A Parallelogram, Up, The Crucible, The Unmentionables (also at Yale Repertory Theatre), The Pain and the Itch (also in New York), I Never Sang for My Father, Man from Nebraska, Purple Heart (also in Galway, Ireland), The Drawer Boy, Side Man (also in Ireland, Australia and Vail, Colorado), Three Days of Rain, The Infidel and This is Our Youth (which transferred to Broadway). Other Broadway credits include Of Mice and Men (with James Franco) and Fish in the Dark (with Larry David). Off-Broadway credits include Domesticated (Lincoln Center). Anna is a graduate of the Yale School of Drama and Columbia. She was appointed Steppenwolf’s Artistic Director in 2015 and is a professor in Northwestern University’s Department of Theatre.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company is the nation’s premier ensemble theater. Formed by a collective of actors in 1976, the ensemble of 49 members represent a remarkable cross-section of actors, directors and playwrights. Thrilling and powerful productions from Balm in Gilead to August: Osage County—and accolades that include the National Medal of Arts and 12 Tony Awards—have made the theater legendary. Steppenwolf produces hundreds of performances and events annually in its three spaces: the 515-seat Downstairs Theatre, the 295-seat Upstairs Theatre and the 80-seat 1700 Theatre. Artistic programing includes a seven-play season; a two-play Steppenwolf for Young Adults season; Visiting Company engagements; and LookOut, a multi-genre performances series. Education initiatives include the nationally recognized work of Steppenwolf for Young Adults, which engages 15,000 participants annually from Chicago’s diverse communities; the esteemed School at Steppenwolf; and Professional Leadership Programs for arts administration training. While firmly grounded in the Chicago community, nearly 40 original Steppenwolf productions have enjoyed success both nationally and internationally, including Broadway, Off-Broadway, London, Sydney, Galway and Dublin. Anna D. Shapiro is the Artistic Director and David Schmitz is the Executive Director. Eric Lefkofsky is Chair of Steppenwolf’s Board of Trustees. 

For additional information, visit steppenwolf.org, facebook.com/steppenwolftheatre, twitter.com/steppenwolfthtr and instagram.com/steppenwolfthtr.

OPENING: World Premiere of ERIC JOHN MEYER’S “MY LITTLE PONY” CULT COMEDY THE ANTELOPE PLAY

Chi, IL LIVE Shows On Our Radar:

THEATER WIT TO PREMIERE ERIC JOHN MEYER’S 

“MY LITTLE PONY” CULT COMEDY 

THE ANTELOPE PLAY 

JAN. 5-FEB. 24, 2018 

Chicago’s Theater Wit is off to the races after the New Year with the world premiere of Eric John Meyer’s The Antelope Play, an amazing and timely new comedy about adult fans of My Little Pony, and the first major theater opening of 2018.

Wit Artistic Director Jeremy Wechsler directs Meyer’s comedic exploration of how the currents of history, normalization and fear can spur the rise of a new social order. Will Allan, Anu Bhatt, Mary Winn Heider, Evan Linder, Edward Mawere and Annie Munch will horse around on stage as fellow members of the Rust Belt Ponies Meet Up Group for Adult Fans of My Little Pony.



It's sometime in the 2010s. The Rust Belt Ponies Meet Up Group has gathered in Brony Ben's Philadelphia apartment, but two of their company have not yet arrived. A new recruit seems unusually shy and curiously paranoid about a local neighborhood watch group. What happened to their pegasister friend, Maggie? Why is Brony Doug so paranoid? What does it all have to do with the 9/11 Truthers and an emerging group of "concerned citizens?"

And that's just the first ten minutes.

In the midst of the rise of a new normal marked by increasing violence and authoritarianism, is it still possible for our heroes to see the magic in Everypony?

Even worse, what if they do? 

Theater Wit is located at 1229 N. Belmont Ave., in the heart of the new Belmont Theatre District in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood. Previews of The Antelope Party are January 5 through 14: Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m.; Sunday at 3 p.m. Preview tickets are $12-$18. Press opening is Tuesday, January 16 at 7 p.m. Regular performances run through February 24: Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m.; Sunday at 3 p.m. Performances are $24-$38.

The best way to secure seats to The Antelope Party is to sign up for a Theater Wit Membership. Wit’s “all the theater you can eat” deal comes with special perks and lets members see as many plays at they want in any of Wit’s three spaces for one low monthly fee of $29/$22 for students. This includes shows presented at Wit by 2017-18 resident companies About Face, Kokandy Productions and Shattered Globe, and other top storefront and visiting companies.

To purchase a Membership, to inquire about Flex Pass options or to purchase single tickets, visit TheaterWit.org or call the Theater Wit box office, (773) 975-8150.



Behind the scenes of The Antelope Play



Eric John Meyer is a playwright and performer/director/producer based in New York City. His work has been developed or presented by Playwrights Horizons, Clubbed Thumb, Vineyard Theatre, Actors Theatre of Louisville, The Flea, Dutch Kills Theater Company and The Edinburgh Fringe Festival, among others. He is a member of the Actor's Studio Playwright/Director Unit and a recipient of a new play commission from Playwrights Horizons. Meyer is a co-founder of Human Head Performance Group and The Truck Project, both of which he established with his partner, Jean Ann Douglass. He received his MFA in Theater from Sarah Lawrence College.

Theater Wit’s The Antelope Party will star (from left) Will Allan, 

Anu Bhatt, Mary Winn Heider, Evan Linder, Edward Mawere and 

Annie Munch.

Wit’s cast for The Antelope Party features Will Allan (Shawn), last seen in Ah, Wilderness! at the Goodman; The Flick, Good People, Animal Farm, The March and A Separate Peace at Steppenwolf; The Seagull and Dartmoor Prison (Goodman); The History Boys (TimeLine) and The Whale (Victory Gardens).

Anu Bhatt (Maggie) is an actor and Indian classical dancer with credits including A Disappearing Number at TimeLine and The Burials at Steppenwolf (u/s).

Mary Winn Heider (Jean) appeared at Theater Wit as Sherry in Tigers Be Still. She has also performed with Strawdog Theater, The Other Theater Company, Redmoon Theater, ATC and The House Theater. She is a company member with Barrel of Monkeys and can be seen in their long-running show, That’s Weird, Grandma. 

Evan Linder (Doug) is a founding member and former artistic director of The New Colony in Chicago. He recently played Stuart in Broken Nose Theatre’s At the Table (2017 Non-Equity Jeff Award for Best Play and Best Ensemble) and Jim in the remount of his play Byhalia, Mississippi, (2016 Non-Equity Jeff Award for New Work).

Edward Mawere’s (Ben) recent credits include the Chicago premieres of You on The Moors Now (The Hypocrites) and BootyCandy (Windy City Playhouse).

Annie Munch (Rachel) was one of the seven actresses who played Mary Page Marlowe at Steppenwolf in 2016, and was featured for two seasons as Nomi Mark’s younger sister Teagen in the popular Netflix series Sense8.



Jeremy Wechsler (director) most recently staged Mitchell Fain’s This Way Outta Santaland, Theater Wit’s Midwest premiere last season of Anne Washburn’s 10 Out of 12, and Wit’s extended Midwest premiere of Mat Smart’s Naperville. Other directing credits at Wit include the company’s election night reading of The Trump Card by Mike Daisey, The New Sincerity by Alena Smith, The (curious case of the) Watson Intelligence by Madeleine George, Bad Jews by Joshua Harmon, Mr. Burns, a post-electric play by Anne Washburn, Madeline George’s Seven Homeless Mammoths Wander New England, and that show’s summer remount at Art Square Theatre in Las Vegas. Wechsler also staged Wit’s acclaimed Completeness and The Four of Us (Itamar Moses), Tigers Be Still (Kim Rosenstock), This (Melissa James Gibson), Spin (Penny Penniston), Feydeau-Si-Deau (Georges Feydeau), Men of Steel (Qui Nguyen), Thom Pain (Based on Nothing) (Will Eno), Two for the Show (James Fitzpatrick and Will Clinger) and The Santaland Diaries. A veteran director in Chicago with over 50 productions, his work has been nominated for and won multiple awards for design, performance, adaptation and best new plays.

Designers for The Antelope Party are Joe Schermoly (set, recently nominated for a Jeff Award for his set design for Theater Wit’s Naperville last season), Karen Krolak (costumes), Diane Fairchild (lights), Jeffrey Levin (sound) and Jesse Gaffney (props).



About Theater Wit

Theater Wit, Chicago’s “smart art” theater, is a major hub of the Chicago neighborhood theater scene, where audiences enjoy a smorgasbord of excellent productions in three, 99-seat spaces, see a parade of talented artists and mingle with audiences from all over Chicago.

In addition to The Antelope Party, Theater Wit’s 2017-18 season opens with Significant Other by Joshua Harmon, author of Wit’s 2015 smash hit Bad Jews, about a gay man in New York whose girlfriends are all getting married, co-produced with About Face Theatre (November 2–December 10, 2017).

Wit also presents America’s premiere monologist, Mike Daisey, three nights only, in three different shows commenting on the current state of the U.S.A.: This is Not Normal, The End of Journalism and The White Man’s Burden, November 16, 17 and 18.

For the holidays, Chicago's favorite seasonal performer, Mitchell J. Fain, returns with a full-blown, mainstage production of his hilarious and touching tell-all, This Way Outta Santaland (and other Xmas miracles), November 24-December 30, 2017.

Soon after The Antelope Party, spring sees Wit’s Chicago debut of Women Laughing Alone with Salad, Sheila Callaghan’s meta-feminist satirical comedy about friendship, salad, sex, bodies, yoga, salad, men, envy, diets, salad, uppers and salad (March 9-April 29, 2018).

“A thrilling addition to Chicago’s roster of theaters” (Chicago Tribune) and “a terrific place to see a show” (New City), Theater Wit is now in its eighth season at its home at 1229 N. Belmont Ave., in the heart of the new Belmont Theatre District in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood. In 2014, Theater Wit was awarded the National Theatre Award by the American Theatre Wing for strengthening the quality, diversity and dynamism of American theater.

The company’s most recent hits include 10 Out of 12 and Mr. Burns, a post-electric play by Anne Washburn, Naperville by Mat Smart, The New Sincerity by Alena Smith, Bad Jews by Joshua Harmon, The (curious case of the) Watson Intelligence and Seven Homeless Mammoths Wander New England by Madeleine George, and Completeness and The Four of Us by Itamar Moses.



To purchase a Membership, inquire about Flex Pass options or to buy single tickets, visit TheaterWit.org or call the Theater Wit box office, 773.975.8150.

To receive an “artisanal selection of consonants and vowels from Theater Wit,” sign up at TheaterWit.org/mailing for exclusive updates, flash deals and behind-the-scenes production scoop every few weeks.

OPENING: World Premiere Production of BLKS at Steppenwolf Theatre 12/7/17-1/28/18

Chi, IL LIVE Shows On Our Radar:

Steppenwolf Theatre Presents the World Premiere Production of
 BLKS

Written by Aziza Barnes

Directed by Nataki Garrett

Featuring Ensemble Member Namir Smallwood

December 7, 2017 – January 28, 2018 

Three friends. One f**ked up night. A whole lot of growing pains.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company presents the world premiere production of BLKS by award-winning poet and playwright Aziza Barnes and directed by Nataki Garrett. An uproarious and frank play, the acclaimed Chicago-based cast features ensemble member Namir Smallwood (Justin /Sosa/Pedro/Dominican Dude) with Leea Ayers (June), Nora Carroll (Octavia), Celeste Cooper (Imani), Danielle Davis (Ry) and Kelly O’Sullivan (That Bitch on the Couch/White Woman).

BLKS begins previews December 7, 2017, opening night is December 18 and the production runs through January 28, 2018 in the Upstairs Theatre, 1650 N Halsted St. Press performances are Monday, December 18 at 6pm and Wednesday, December 20 at 7:30pm; Single tickets ($20-$89) are available at 312-335-1650 or steppenwolf.org.

F**ked up sh*t happens. After an unsavory wake-up call, Octavia decides to put off her troubles and have one last turn up with her friends. In poet Aziza Barnes’s ingenious portrait of a day in the life of four young black women discovering life’s uncomfortable truths in New York City, BLKS explores the joy and anguish of growing up and out. Riotously funny and distinctly rendered, Barnes’s playwriting debut marks the arrival of a truly original contemporary American voice.

“BLKS is a self-portrait of me and my best friends in our cripplingly early 20s. So, a bunch of painful absurdity, that whenever I sit down to edit the latest draft reveals more to me than I can imagine or even am ready for. BLKS for me is emotionally rigorous and delightful because I’m constantly laughing with the person I was and am, and the jokes me and my kin tell each other,” shares Aziza Barnes.

Aziza Barnes is the winner of the 2015 Pamet River Prize for Aziza’s first full length collection i be but i ain’t, from YesYes Books 2016. Barnes is a Cave Canem Fellow and co-host of the popular podcast, The Poetry Gods. Z is a graduate of New York University and participant in the 2016 Ojai Playwrights Conference.

Nataki Garrett was named in American Theatre Magazine’s “One to Watch” and is the Associate Artistic Director of Denver Center for the Performing Arts, a Company Member at Woolly Mammoth and co-Artistic Director of BLANK THE DOG PRODUCTIONS (BTD). Most recently for BTD she directed Carolyn Bryant, which focuses on the decades-long silence of the woman for whom Emmett Till was brutally murdered in Mississippi in 1955. Garrett directed An Octoroon by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins at Woolly Mammoth, which was remounted in July.

The BLKS production team includes Sibyl Wickersheimer (scenic design), Trevor Bowen (costume design), Marcus Doshi (lighting design), Rasean Davonte Johnson (projection design), T. Carlis Roberts (sound design & original music) and Gigi Buffington (Company Vocal Coach). Additional credits include Malcolm Ewen (stage manager), Cassie Calderone (assistant stage manager), JC Clementz (casting director) and Anna D. Shapiro (artistic producer).

Location: Upstairs Theatre, 1650 Halsted St
Dates: December 7, 2017 – January 28, 2018
Previews: December 7 - 17
Press Performances: Monday, December 18 at 6pm and Wednesday, December 20 at 7:30pm
Opening: December 18
Regular Run: December 20, 2017 – January 28, 2018

Accessible Performances:
American Sign Language Interpretation: 
Sunday, January 7 at 7:30pm
Open Captioning: Saturday, January 6 at 3pm
Audio Description and Touch Tour: Sunday, January 14 at 1:30pm touch tour; 3pm audio-described performance

Curtain Times: Tuesday – Friday at 7:30pm, Saturdays and Sundays at 3pm and 7:30pm

Ticket prices and offers:
Previews: $20 – $54, Regular Run: $20 – $89. Prices subject to change
20 for $20: Twenty $20 tickets are available on the day of the performance at 11am (Mon – Sat) and 1pm (Sun) by phone only at 312-335-1650. Limit 2 per person.

Pay Your Age: Available for preview performances December 7-17, 2017

Industry Tuesdays: $20 Industry tickets offered on Tuesdays
Rush Tickets: Half-price rush tickets are available one hour before each show.
Student Discounts: Limited $15 student tickets are available online. (Limit 2 tickets. Must present a valid student ID for each ticket) steppenwolf.org/students.

Group Tickets: All groups of 10 or more receive a discounted rate for any performance.

Black Card Memberships are for audiences interested in extreme flexibility with six tickets for use any time for any production. Credits valid for one year with the option to add additional tickets as needed. Perks include easy and free exchanges, access to seats before the general public, savings on single ticket prices and bar and restaurant discounts for pre- and post-show socializing.
Red Card memberships are available for theatergoers under 30.

Audience Services: To purchase a membership or tickets or for more information, contact Audience Services (1650 N Halsted St) at 312-335-1650 or steppenwolf.org.

Visitor Information & Accessibility

Steppenwolf is located at 1650 N Halsted St near all forms of public transportation and is wheelchair accessible. The parking facility consists of both a covered garage ($12 cash or card) and an open-air lot, located just south of our theater at 1624 N Halsted. Valet parking service ($14 cash) is available directly in front of the main entrance at 1650 N Halsted St starting at 5pm on weeknights, 1pm on weekends and at 12 noon before Wednesday matinees. Street and lot parking are also available. For last minute questions and concerns, patrons can call the Steppenwolf Parking Hotline at (312) 335-1774. Committed to making the Steppenwolf experience accessible to everyone, performances featuring American Sign Language interpretation, open captioning and audio description are offered during the run of each play. Assistive listening devices and large-print programs are available for every performance. With the expertise of Assistive Hearing Systems Ltd., Steppenwolf installed an induction loop on both the main and balcony levels of our Downstairs Theatre in 2015. There is also an induction hearing loop installed in the 1700 Theatre and the Downstairs Theatre.

2017/18 Season
Now playing in Steppenwolf’s 42nd season is The Rembrandt, a Chicago premiere by Jessica Dickey, directed by Hallie Gordon (through Nov 11, 2017); followed by The Minutes, a world premiere by ensemble member Tracy Letts, directed by Artistic Director Anna D. Shapiro (Nov 9 – Dec 31, 2017); BLKS, a world premiere by Aziza Barnes, directed by Nataki Garrett (Dec 7 – Jan 28, 2018); You Got Older, a Chicago premiere by Clare Barron, directed by Artistic Producer Jonathan Berry (Jan 25 – March 11, 2018); The Doppelgänger (an international farce), a world premiere by Matthew-Lee Erlbach, directed by ensemble member Tina Landau (April 5 – May 27, 2018); Guards at the Taj, a Chicago premiere by Rajiv Joseph, directed by ensemble member Amy Morton (May 31 – July 22, 2018); and The Roommate, a Chicago premiere by Jen Silverman, directed by Phylicia Rashad (June 21 – August 5, 2018). 

Front Bar: Coffee and Drinks
Connected to the main lobby is Steppenwolf’s own Front Bar: Coffee and Drinks, offering a warm, creative space to grab a drink, have a bite, or meet up with friends and collaborators, day or night. Open Tuesdays – Sundays from 8am to midnight, Front Bar serves artisanal coffee and espresso is provided by La Colombe and food prepared by Goddess and Grocer. The menu focuses on fresh, accessible fare, featuring grab-and-go salads and sandwiches for lunch and adding shareable small plates and desserts for evening and post show service. www.front-bar.com

Steppenwolf Theatre Company is the nation’s premier ensemble theater. Formed by a collective of actors in 1976, the ensemble of 49 members represent a remarkable cross-section of actors, directors and playwrights. Thrilling and powerful productions from Balm in Gilead to August: Osage County—and accolades that include the National Medal of Arts and 12 Tony Awards—have made the theater legendary. Steppenwolf produces hundreds of performances and events annually in its three spaces: the 515-seat Downstairs Theatre, the 299-seat Upstairs Theatre and the 80-seat 1700 Theatre. Artistic programing includes a seven-play season; a two-play Steppenwolf for Young Adults season; Visiting Company engagements; and LookOut, a multi-genre performances series. Education initiatives include the nationally recognized work of Steppenwolf for Young Adults, which engages 15,000 participants annually from Chicago’s diverse communities; the esteemed School at Steppenwolf; and Professional Leadership Programs for arts administration training. While firmly grounded in the Chicago community, nearly 40 original Steppenwolf productions have enjoyed success both nationally and internationally, including Broadway, Off-Broadway, London, Sydney, Galway and Dublin.

Anna D. Shapiro is the Artistic Director and David Schmitz is the Executive Director. Eric Lefkofsky is Chair of Steppenwolf’s Board of Trustees.

For additional information, visit steppenwolf.org, facebook.com/steppenwolftheatre, twitter.com/steppenwolfthtr and instagram.com/steppenwolfthtr.