Photo Flash: First Look at Steppenwolf for Young Adults' LEVELING UP

When the game turns deadly, how will you play? Steppenwolf for Young Adults' 2013/14 season explores that question in Deborah Zoe Laufer's Millennial coming-of-age drama, Leveling Up. Hallie Gordon helms the production in Steppenwolf's Downstairs Theatre, featuring Carolyn Braver, Jerry MacKinnon, Clancy McCartney and JJ Phillips. Leveling Up runs February 26 - March 15, 2014; the press performance is on March 1 at 11am. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Three twenty-something roommates are glued to their video games. They are masters of the virtual worlds behind the computer screens in their Las Vegas basement. When one of them uses his gaming skills to land a job with the National Security Agency launching actual drones and missiles, online battles begin to have real consequences. Leveling Up is a fresh, contemporary look at how we navigate the blurry line between worlds both virtual and real and learn to live with the choices that we make.

The cast of Leveling Up features Carolyn Braver as Jeannie; Jerry MacKinnon as Chuck; Clancy McCartney as Ian; and JJ Phillips as Zander.

The production team for Leveling Up includes: Brian Sidney Bembridge (scenic and costume design), JR Lederle (lighting design), Rick Sims(sound design) and Anna Henson (projection design). Additional credits include: Erica Daniels (casting) Ryan Bourque (fight coordinator) andJonathan Nook (stage manager).

Performances at 10am are reserved for school groups only; public performances are scheduled March 1 at 11am and March 7, 8, 14 and 15 at 7:30pm. Single tickets ($20) are on sale now through Audience Services (1650 N Halsted St), 312-335-1650 and steppenwolf.org. School group tickets are available through Education and Community Programs Coordinator Lauren Sivak at 312-654-5643. Tickets to public performances of Leveling Up ($20) are on sale now through Audience Services (1650 N Halsted St), 312-335-1650 online. Tickets to the performances on Saturday, March 1 and Friday, March 7 are 2-for-1.

Photo Credit: Emily Schwartz