Photo Flash: First Look at Steppenwolf's THE WHEEL

Steppenwolf Theatre Company presents the American premiere of The Wheel by Zinnie Harris. Ensemble member Tina Landau directs Harris's epic, a work of magic realism chronicling the trials of Beatriz as she attempts to reunite a young girl with her father in nineteenth-century Spain. Landau's cast of 17 features ensemble members Joan Allen (in her first appearance on stage at Steppenwolf since 1991), Robert Breuler, Tim Hopper, Ora Jones and Yasen Peyankov. The National Theatre of Scotland commissioned and produced the world premiere of The Wheel in 2011. The Wheel began previews September 12, 2013 (Opening night is September 22; Press performances are September 21 at 3pm and September 24 at 7:30pm) and runs through November 10 in Steppenwolf's Downstairs Theatre (1650 N Halsted St). BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

On a nineteenth-century Spanish farm, Beatriz (Allen) is happily preparing for her sister's wedding when the house is overrun by soldiers. In the chaos, she becomes the unintentional guardian of a young girl. Her determination to reunite the child with her father sweeps Beatriz along on a journey across war zones and through time. But what began as a simple act of kindness takes on a strange twist when the girl seems to acquire curious powers. The Wheel is a spellbinding story of what happens to hope and human nature in times of war.

The cast of The Wheel features ensemble members Joan Allen as Beatriz; Robert Breuler as Clement; Tim Hopper as Colline; Jaques and Glennister;Ora Jones as Madame and Hanna; and Yasen Peyankov as Sargento and Jozka; with Kareem Bandealy as Moreno and Farshad; La Shawn Banks as Pedro and Hancock; Chaon Cross as Rosa; Emma Gordon as The Girl; Mark L. Montgomery as Rossignol; Erin Oechsel as Ensemble; Stephenie Parkas Thi and Blandine; Daniel Pass as The Boy; Edgar Miguel Sanchez as Ensemble; Scott Stangland as Juan and Pierre; Demetrios Troy as Tomas and Xuan; and Matthew Yee as Ensemble.

The production team for The Wheel includes: Blythe R.D. Quinlan (scenic design), Ana Kuzmanic (costume design), Scott Zielinski (lighting design),Kevin O'Donnell (sound design), Stephan Mazurek (projection design), Matt Hawkins (fight choreography) and Dennis Watkins (magic consultant). Additional credits include: Erica Daniels (casting), Deb Styer (stage manager), Kathleen Petroziello (assistant stage manager, September 12 - September 16) and Cassie Calderone (assistant stage manager, September 17 - November 10).

Tickets to The Wheel ($20 - $82) are on sale through Audience Services (1650 N Halsted St), 312-335-1650 and steppenwolf.org.

Photo Credit: Michael Brosilow