Photo Flash: First Look at Steppenwolf for Young Adults' LORD OF THE FLIES

When the game turns deadly, how will you play? Steppenwolf for Young Adults' 2013/14 season asks this question with Nigel Williams's adaptation of William Golding's classic, Lord of the Flies. The Hypocrites Artistic Director Halena Kays stages the production in Steppenwolf's Upstairs Theatre, featuring William Burke, Spencer Curnutt, Lane Flores, Rudy Galvan, Ryan Heindl, Cale Manning, Brendan Meyer, Lance Newton, Ty Olwin, Kevin Quinn, Adam Shalzi and Dan Smeriglio. Lord of the Flies runs now through November 15, 2013; the press performance is on October 19 at 3pm. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

A plane wreck strands a group of English boys on a deserted island during wartime. As they slowly explore their newfound freedom, what starts out as fun and games turns into a vicious battle for power when the boys split into two opposing tribes: one that strives for civility and another that delights in savage violence. The competition escalates into a dangerous, frightening climax, as this thrilling classic looks into the darker parts of human nature where it's civilization vs. savagery and the mob vs. morality.

"This season we investigate one new and one classic play in which young people navigate tricky moral landscapes in games both virtual and real," comments Artistic and Educational Director of Steppenwolf for Young Adults Hallie Gordon. "Through Lord of the Flies this fall and Leveling Up in the spring, we examine what it means to grow up and take responsibility for our actions and their sometimes devastating consequences. Building on the themes of last year's Now Is The Time initiative, aimed at empowering youth to take action against violence and intolerance in their communities, we ask the question: when the game turns deadly, how will you play?"

The cast of Lord of the Flies features William Burke as Bill, Spencer Curnutt as Ralph, Lane Flores as Simon, Rudy Galvan as Roger, Ryan Heindl as Sam, Cale Manning as Perceval, Brendan Meyer as Henry, Lance Newton as Maurice, Ty Olwin as Jack, Kevin Quinn as Johnny, Adam Shalzi as Eric, and Dan Smeriglio as Piggy.

The production team for Lord of the Flies includes: Lizzie Bracken (scenic design), Alison Siple (costume design), JR Lederle (lighting design) and Mike Tutaj (sound and projection design). Additional credits include: Erica Daniels (casting), Frances Limoncelli (dramaturg), Ryan Bourque (fight coordinator),Leah Urzendowski (movement), Eva Breneman (dialect) and Laura D. Glenn (stage manager).

Tickets to public performances of Lord of the Flies ($20) are on sale now through Audience Services (1650 N Halsted St), 312-335-1650 and steppenwolf.org. Tickets to the performances on Sunday, October 20 and 27 are 2-for-1.

Photo Credit: Michael Brosilow

The young boys celebrate at the top of mountain after crash landing on the island.

Ralph (Spencer Curnutt) and Piggy (Dan Smeriglio) try blowing into the conch shell theyâ€ve found on the beach.

Simon (Lane Flores)

Twins Eric (Adam Shalzi) and Sam (Ryan Heindl) are frightened when they see the beast.

Jack (Ty Olwin, center) with one of his followers, Maurice (Lance Newton, left) and their captives, Eric (Adam Shalzi) and Sam (Ryan Heindl).

Ralph (Spencer Curnutt) comforts young Perceval (Cale Manning).

Jack (Ty Olwin) prepares to “blood� his tribe after they kill their first pig, including Henry (Brendan Meyer), Bill (William Burke), Maurice (Lance Newton), Johnny (Kevin Quinn) and Roger (Rudy Galvan).

Roger (Rudy Galvan)

Jack (Ty Olwin, center) and his followers celebrate around the fire.

Jack (Ty Olwin) speaks with followers Henry (Brendan Meyer) and Johnny (Kevin Quinn).

Ralph (Spencer Curnutt, left) watches as Jack (Ty Olwin, center) and his hunters dance around the fire.

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