Photo Flash: First Look at THE QUALMS at Steppenwolf Theatre

Steppenwolf Theatre Company's world-premiere production of The Qualms by ensemble member Bruce Norris is currently in previews, and BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below! Tony Award-winner Pam MacKinnon (Steppenwolf's Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?) directs a cast of nine featuring ensemble member Kate Arrington with Owais Ahmed, Karen Aldridge, Diane Davis, Kirsten Fitzgerald, Keith Kupferer, David Pasquesi, Paul Oakley Stovall and Greg Stuhr. This sexy comedy marks Steppenwolf's eighth production and seventh world premiere by the Pulitzer Prize- and Tony Award-winning author of Clybourne Park. The Qualms runs through August 31, 2014 in Steppenwolf's Downstairs Theatre (1650 N Halsted St).

At a beachside apartment complex, a group of friends gathers for their regular evening of food, drink, drugs and partner-swapping. When Chris (Stuhr) and Kristy (Davis) attempt to become the newest members, the evening does not go as planned. The artichoke dip grows cold as the party devolves into a territorial battle over mating privileges. Does sex ruin everything? And what is the purpose of monogamy? Bruce Norris's comedy explores the eternal struggle for power, status and getting laid.

The production team for The Qualms includes: Todd Rosenthal (scenic design), Janice Pytel (costume design), Russell H. Champa (lighting design) and Rick Sims (sound design). Additional credits include: Erica Daniels (casting), Laura D. Glenn (stage manager) and Christine D. Freeburg (assistant stage manager).

Previews: July 3 - 12, 2014. Press Performances: July 12 at 3pm and July 15 at 7:30pm. Opening: July 13 at 6pm. Regular Run: July 15 - August 31, 2014. Accessible Performances - American Sign Language Interpretation: August 5 and August 10 at 7:30pm; Open Captioning: August 5 at 7:30 pm and August 16 at 3pm; Audio Description and Touch Tour: August 5 at 6pm (7:30pm performance) and August 24 at 1:30pm(3pm performance). Curtain Times: Tuesday through Sunday at 7:30pm; Saturday and Sunday matinees at 3pm; Wednesday matinees at 2pm on August 13, 20 and 27. Note: There are no 7:30pm performances on July 4, 8, August 24 and 31. There is no 3pm performance on July 13 and the evening performance that day is at 6pm and is by invitation only. Previews: $20 - $54; Regular Run: $20 - $86. Tickets are on sale now at steppenwolf.org.

Photo Credit: Michael Brosilow