Matthew Abraham, Tim Frank & More Join Cast of Steppenwolf's MARIE ANTOINETTE; Robert O'Hara to Direct

Steppenwolf Theatre Company announces the complete cast for the Chicago premiere production of Marie Antoinette, a modern, comic take on the young queen of France by David Adjmi (Elective Affinities, 3C). Directed by Robert O'Hara (Bootycandy, Etiquette of Vigilance), the cast features previously announced ensemble members Alana Arenas as Marie Antoinette, Tim Hopper as her husband Louis XVI, Ora Jones as Yolande de Polignac and Mrs. Sauce and Alan Wilder as Sheep. Joining the cast are Matthew Abraham, Tim Frank, Keith D. Gallagher, Mark Page, Tamberla Perry and Ariel Shafir. Marie Antoinette had its world premiere production at Soho Rep in New York. Marie Antoinette begins previews February 5, 2015 (Opening night is February 15, 2015; Press performances are February 14 at 3pm and February 17 at 7:30pm) and runs through May 10, 2015 in Steppenwolf's Upstairs Theatre (1650 N Halsted St).

Before Britney Spears and Justin Bieber, there was Marie Antoinette. In David Adjmi's contemporary take on the young queen of France, Marie is a confection created by a society that values extravagance and artifice. But France's love affair with the royals sours as revolution brews, and for Marie, the political suddenly becomes very personal. From the light and breezy banter at the palace to the surging chants of "Liberté, égalité, Fraternité!" in the streets, Marie Antoinette holds a mirror up to our contemporary society that might just be entertaining itself to death.

Ensemble member Alana Arenas was recently seen in Steppenwolf's productions of Tribes, Belleville and Head of Passes. Arenas created the role of Pecola Breedlove for the Steppenwolf for Young Adults production of The Bluest Eye, which also played at the New Victory Theater in New York. Tim Hopper, who joined the Steppenwolf ensemble in 1989, can currently be seen as Doc in The Night Alive (through November 16, 2014). Hopper is also slated to perform in Steppenwolf's 2015 production of Grand Concourse. Ora Jones joined the ensemble in 2007 with recent Steppenwolf credits including The Wheel and Three Sisters. Alan Wilder has been a Steppenwolf ensemble member since 1976 and has appeared in more than 60 Steppenwolf productions in Chicago, Dublin, London, Melbourne, New York, Toronto and Washington, D.C.

The design team includes Clint Ramos (scenic design), Dede Ayite (costume design), Charles LaPointe (hair and wig design), Japhy Weideman (lighting design), Lindsay Jones (sound and composition) and Jeff Sugg (projection design). Deb Styer is the stage manager and Cassie Calderone is the Assistant Stage Manager.

Ameriprise Financial is the Corporate Production Sponsor of Marie Antoinette.

Steppenwolf's 2014/15 season explores the question, How did I get here?, through five stories about losing-and finding-your way. Do you ever catch yourself in the rearview mirror and think: How did I get here? A jolt of fear. A flash of inspiration. The past may be a mystery, but the future is up for grabs. Are you completely lost? Or are you exactly where you are supposed to be?

To post a comment, you must register and login.