Steppenwolf's GRAND CONCOURSE Begins Chicago Premiere Tonight

Steppenwolf Theatre Company presents the Chicago premiere production of Grand Concourse, a play full of both humor and heart by Heidi Schreck. Directed by ensemble member Yasen Peyankov, the cast features ensemble members Francis Guinan and Tim Hopper sharing the role of Frog and Mariann Mayberry as Shelley with Brittany Uomoleale as Emma and Victor Almanzar as Oscar.

Grand Concourse begins previews tonight, July 2, 2015 (Opening night is July 12, 2015; Press performances are July 11 at 3pm and July 14 at 7:30pm) and runs through August 30, 2015 in Steppenwolf's Downstairs Theatre (1650 N Halsted St). Tickets ($20-$89) are on sale now through Audience Services (1650 N Halsted), at 312-335-1650 and steppenwolf.org.

Having dedicated her life to religious service, Shelley runs a Bronx soup kitchen with unsentimental efficiency. Her brisk nature masks an unsettling fear that her efforts are meaningless. When Emma -- a rainbow-haired college dropout -- arrives to volunteer, her volatile mix of generosity and self-involvement pushes Shelley over the edge. With both humor and heart, Grand Concourse asks big questions about the value of compassion and the limits of forgiveness.

Francis Guinan can currently be seen in the Steppenwolf Downstairs Theatre as Ian in The Herd, and has appeared in more than 30 Steppenwolf productions. Tim Hopper joined the ensemble in 1989, and can currently be seen as Louis XVI in Marie Antoinette (through May 10, 2015) in the Upstairs Theatre. Mariann Mayberry returns to the Steppenwolf stage, where she was nominated for a Joseph Jefferson award for Good People and originated the role of Karen in August: Osage County. Victor Almanzar, who was last seen in Between Riverside and Crazy at Second Stage and will star in the soon-to-be-released feature film, 11:55 Holyoke, joins Brittany Uomoleale in making their Steppenwolf debuts.

The design team includes Joey Wade (scenic design), Natasha Dukich (costume design), Scott Zielinski (lighting design) and Rob Milburn and Michael Bodeen (original music and sound design). Additional credits include Erica Daniels (casting), Laura D. Glenn (stage manager) and Cassie Calderone (assistant stage manager).

Grand Concourse rns July 14 - August 30, 2015. Note: There are no 7:30pm performances on August 23 or August 30. Accessible Performances: American Sign Language Interpretation: Sunday, August 9 at 7:30pm; Open Captioning: Saturday, August 22 at 3pm; Audio Description and Touch Tour: Sunday, August 23 at 1:30pm (3pm curtain). Curtain Times: Tuesday through Sunday at 7:30pm; Saturday and Sunday matinees at 3pm; Wednesday matinees at 2pm on August 12, August 19 and August 26.

Previews: $20 - $54; Regular Run: $20 - $89. Prices subject to change. 20 for $20: Twenty $20 tickets are available for subscription shows on the day of the performance at 11am (Mon - Sat) and 1pm (Sun), by phone only at 312-335-1650. Limit 2 per person. 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). For additional student discounts, visit steppenwolf.org/students. Group Tickets: All groups of 10 or more receive a discounted rate for any performance throughout the season. Online ticketing available at steppenwolf.org.

Steppenwolf's 2014/15 season explores the question, How did I get here?, through five stories about losing -- and finding -- your way. Currently playing: Marie Antoinette by David Adjmi, directed by Robert O'Hara (now playing - May 10, 2015) in the Upstairs Theatre; Garage Rep 2015 featuring three Chicago storefront companies playing in rotating rep in the Garage Theater (now playing - April 26, 2015); and The Herd by Rory Kinnear, directed by ensemble member Frank Galati (now playing - June 7, 2015).

Steppenwolf's 2015/16 Subscription Season includes the world premiere adaptation of John Steinbeck's East of Eden, adapted by ensemble member Frank Galati, directed by ensemble member Terry Kinney (September 17 - November 15, 2015); the Chicago premiere of Domesticated written and directed by ensemble member Bruce Norris (December 3, 2015 - February 7, 2016); the Chicago premiere of The Flick by Annie Baker, directed by Dexter Bullard (February 4 - May 8, 2016); the world premiere of Mary Page Marlowe by ensemble member Tracy Letts, director TBA (March 31 - May 29, 2016); and the Chicago premiere of Between Riverside and Crazy by Stephen Adly Guirgis, directed by ensemble member Yasen Peyankov (June 23 - August 21, 2016).

Steppenwolf Theatre Company is America's longest standing, most distinguished ensemble theater, producing nearly 700 performances and events annually in its three Chicago theater spaces -- the 515-seat Downstairs Theatre, the 299-seat Upstairs Theatre and the 80-seat Garage Theatre. Formed in 1976 by a collective of actors, Steppenwolf has grown into an ensemble of 44 actors, writers and directors. Artistic programming at Steppenwolf includes a five-play Subscription Season, a two-play Steppenwolf for Young Adults season and two repertory series: First Look Repertory of New Work, and Garage Rep. While firmly grounded in the Chicago community, nearly 40 original Steppenwolf productions have enjoyed success both nationally and internationally, including Off-Broadway, Broadway, London, Sydney, Galway and Dublin. Steppenwolf has the distinction of being the only theater to receive the National Medal of Arts, in addition to numerous other prestigious honors including an Illinois Arts Legend Award and 12 Tony Awards. Martha Lavey is the Artistic Director and David Schmitz is the Managing Director. Nora Daley is Chair of Steppenwolf's Board of Trustees. For additional information, visit steppenwolf.org, facebook.com/steppenwolftheatre and twitter.com/steppenwolfthtr.

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