Photo Flash: First Look at Steppenwolf for Young Adults' MONSTER World Premiere

Steppenwolf for Young Adults (SYA) brings a gripping world premiere adaptation of Walter Dean Myers' award-winning novel, Monster to the Steppenwolf stage. Adapted by Aaron Carter and directed by SYA Artistic Director Hallie Gordon, the show tells the story of Steve Harmon, an African American teenager and aspiring filmmaker who is on trial for felony murder. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

This New York Times bestselling novel and National Book Award nominee tells the story of Steve Harmon, a 16-year-old aspiring filmmaker in juvenile detention. His life has been turned upside down by his alleged participation in a robbery gone awry and now he might spend the rest of his life behind bars. As the prosecution makes its case, Steve writes his story as a screenplay, trying to understand if he's really the 'monster' they say he is.

The eight-person cast features ensemble member Alana Arenas as Actor 3 with Cheryl Graeff as Actor 5, Kenn E. Head as Actor 4, Daniel Kyri as Steve Harmon, Tevion Devin Lanier as Actor 1, Chris Rickett as Actor 7, Namir Smallwood as Actor 2 and Ginneh Thomas as Actor 6.

Following its four-week run at Steppenwolf and working in collaboration with Storycatchers Theatre, Steppenwolf for Young Adults will tour its production of Monster for a week to three Juvenile Justice Facilities in Illinois. Storycatchers Theatre, winner of the 2013 National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award, is a youth development arts organization that prepares court-involved and otherwise marginalized young people to make thoughtful life choices through the process of writing, producing and performing original theatre inspired by personal stories.

Building on the success of the 2013 tour of How Long Will I Cry: voices of youth violence, during which Steppenwolf for Young Adults brought its sold-out production to eight Chicago Public Library sites, this tour will provide detained and incarcerated youth a chance to see the production and share their stories with professional artists involved with the play. A series of workshops for youth who have read the book and seen the production will be hosted to further explore the play's themes.

In addition to the tour, Steppenwolf will host Storycatchers alumni, who participated in Storycatchers programs while incarcerated or detained, on the Steppenwolf stage for a series of special events featuring these incredible young people and their stories.

The production team of Monster includes Joanna Iwanicka (scenic design), Samantha Jones (costume design), JR Lederle (lighting design), and Christopher Kriz (sound design). Additional credits include Brian Maschka (stage manager), JC Clementz (casting director) and Jonathan Berry (artistic producer).

The press performance is tomorrow, February 18 at 3pm. Tickets to public performances ($20; $15 with student I.D.) are available through Audience Services at 312-335-1650 and steppenwolf.org.

Photo Credit: Michael Brosilow

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