Photo Flash: First Look at Tom Irwin and More in THE CHRISTIANS at Steppenwolf Theatre Company
By: BWW News Desk Dec. 06, 2016
Steppenwolf continues its 41st season with the Chicago premiere of Lucas Hnath's The Christians directed by ensemble member K. Todd Freeman. Previews began on December 1, 2016 (press performances are Saturday, December 10 at 3pm and Tuesday, December 13 at 7:30pm; opening night is Sunday, December 11) and the production runs through January 29, 2017 in the Downstairs Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!
The cast features ensemble member Tom Irwin as Pastor Paul and ensemble member Robert Breuler as Elder Jay with Shannon Cochran as the Pastor's wife, Elizabeth, Glenn Davis as Joshua and Jacqueline Williams as Congregant. Set designer Walt Spangler transforms The Downstairs Theatre into a church where a live choir performs onstage. Under the musical direction of Jaret Landon, the choir features Faith Howard, Yando Lopez, Leonard Maddox Jr., Jazelle Morriss, Mary-Margaret Roberts, and Charlie Strater.
Pastor Paul has spent 20 years successfully growing his church from a small storefront to a gleaming church, but now he fears that there may be a crack in the theological foundation. As he shares his new belief in the nature of salvation, the message is met with surprise and then growing trepidation from his closest confidantes in the congregation, threatening to create a schism within the church. Hnath's fascinating new play looks with great complexity and compassion at the relationship between belief and behavior-and its evenhanded, unbiased take on faith in modern America can be appreciated no matter what you believe.
The production team of The Christians includes Walt Spangler (scenic design), Nan Cibula-Jenkins (costume design), Scott Zielinski (lighting design), Rob Milburn and Michael Bodeen (sound design), Joseph A. Burke (projections design), Gigi Buffington (dialect coach) and Jaret Landon (music director). Additional credits include Malcolm Ewen (stage manager), Cassie Calderone (assistant stage manager), JC Clementz (casting director) and Hallie Gordon (artistic producer).
Tickets ($20 - $89) are available through Audience Services at 312-335-1650 or steppenwolf.org.
Photo Credit: Michael Brosilow
Ensemble member Tom Irwin (Pastor Paul)
Jacqueline Williams (Congregant), Mary-Margaret Roberts (Choir), ensemble member Tom Irwin (Pastor Paul), Jazelle Morriss (Choir) and Faith Howard (Choir)
Charlie Strater (Choir), Jaret Landon (Music Director), Jacqueline Williams (Congregant), Mary-Margaret Roberts (Choir), Faith Howards (Choir), Jazelle Morriss (Choir), Yando Lopez (Choir) and ensemble member Robert Breuler (Elder Jay)
Jacqueline Williams (Congregant), ensemble member Tom Irwin (Pastor Paul), Jazelle Morriss (Choir), Glenn Davis (Associate Pastor Joshua), Faith Howard (Choir) and Yando Lopez (Choir)
Charlie Strater (Choir), Jacqueline Williams (Congregant), Mary-Margaret Roberts (Choir), ensemble member Tom Irwin (Pastor Paul) and Faith Howard (Choir)
Jacqueline Williams (Congregant), ensemble member Tom Irwin (Pastor Paul), Mary-Margaret Roberts (Choir), Glenn Davis (Associate Pastor Joshua) and Faith Howard (Choir)
Ensemble member Tom Irwin (Pastor Paul)
Ensemble member Tom Irwin (Pastor Paul) and Shannon Cochran (Elizabeth)
Ensemble member Tom Irwin (Pastor Paul, Shannon Cochran (Elizabeth) and ensemble member Robert Breuler (Elder Jay)
Glenn Davis (Associate Pastor Joshua)
Jacqueline Williams (Congregant), Mary-Margaret Roberts (Choir) and Jazelle Morriss (Choir)
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