Now playing in Steppenwolf's Downstairs Theatre is the widely acclaimed comedy, Familiar written by Danai Gurira, star of "The Walking Dead", Marvel Studios' Black Panther and playwright of Eclipsed and The Convert. This Chicago premiere production is directed by Danya Taymor, who helmed Steppenwolf's powerful 2017 production of Pass Over. Set in Minnesota, a Zimbabwean-American family prepares for the wedding of their eldest daughter in this engaging comedy featuring one of the newest Steppenwolf ensemble members Celeste M. Cooper (Nyasha) alongside veteran ensemble member Ora Jones (Marvelous Chinyaramwira) as mother and daughter. Joining them are Chicago favorites and Steppenwolf regulars Cheryl Lynn Bruce (Anne), Erik Hellman (Chris), Lanise Antoine Shelley, (Tendikayi), Luigi Sottile (Brad), Jacqueline Williams (Margaret Munyewa) and Cedric Young(Donald Chinyaramwira).
Familiar runs through January 13, 2019 in the Downstairs Theatre, 1650 N Halsted St. Single tickets ($20-$109) are now on sale through Audience Services at 312-335-1650 or steppenwolf.org.
It's winter in Minnesota, and a Zimbabwean-American family is preparing for the wedding of their eldest daughter. When an unexpected guest arrives and the bride surprises the family by insisting on a traditional African ceremony, pre-wedding stress explodes into a full-on family feud. Funny, fast-paced and filled with love, Familiar is a brilliant portrayal of a tight-knit family searching to preserve their past while building a new future.
Photo Credit: Michael Brosilow
CedRic Young (Donald Chinyaramwira), Celeste M. Cooper (Nyasha), Ora Jones (Marvelous Chinyaramwira), Lanise Antoine Shelley (Tendikayi) and Jacqueline Williams (Margaret Munyewa)
Ora Jones (Marvelous Chinyaramwira) and Lanise Antoine Shelley (Tendikayi)
Cheryl Lynn Bruce (Anne)
Celeste M. Cooper (Nyasha) and Luigi Sottile (Brad)
Cheryl Lynn Bruce (Anne) and Jacqueline Williams (Margaret Munyewa)
Lanise Antoine Shelley (Tendikayi), Celeste M. Cooper (Nyasha) and Ora Jones (Marvelous Chinyaramwira)
Cheryl Lynn Bruce (Anne), Jacqueline Williams (Margaret Munyewa) and Luigi Sottile (Brad)
CedRic Young (Donald Chinyaramwira) and Jacqueline Williams (Margaret Munyewa)
Cheryl Lynn Bruce (Anne) and Jacqueline Williams (Margaret Munyewa)
Ora Jones (Marvelous Chinyaramwira), Jacqueline Williams (Margaret Munyewa) and Lanise Antoine Shelley (Tendikayi)
Cheryl Lynn Bruce (Anne)
Cheryl Lynn Bruce (Anne), CedRic Young (Donald Chinyaramwira) and Celeste M. Cooper (Nyasha) and Ora Jones (Marvelous Chinyaramwira)
Lanise Antoine Shelley (Tendikayi) and Erik Hellman (Chris)
CedRic Young (Donald Chinyaramwira)
Cheryl Lynn Bruce (Anne), Erik Hellman (Chris), Lanise Antoine Shelley (Tendikayi) and Ora Jones (Marvelous Chinyaramwira)
Jacqueline Williams (Margaret Munyewa), Cheryl Lynn Bruce (Anne), Ora Jones (Marvelous Chinyaramwira), CedRic Young (Donald Chinyaramwira), Lanise Antoine Shelley (Tendikayi) and Celeste M. Cooper (Nyasha)
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