Rehearsals are underway for Steppenwolf Theatre Company's highly anticipated world premiere production of MARY PAGE MARLOWE, written by Pulitzer- and Tony Award-winning playwright and ensemble member Tracy Letts. Artistic Director Anna D. Shapiro, who directed Letts's internationally acclaimed August: Osage County, teams up with him again for this intimate and moving production in Steppenwolf's 40th anniversary season. Previews begin March 31 (opening night is April 10; press performances are Saturday, April 9 at 3pm and Tuesday, April 12 at 7:30pm) and runs through May 29, 2016 in Steppenwolf's Downstairs Theatre (1650 N Halsted St). BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at the company in rehearsal below!
MARY PAGE MARLOWE is an accountant from Ohio. She's led an ordinary life, making the difficult decisions we all face as we try to figure out who we really are and what we really want. As Tracy Letts brings us moments-both pivotal and mundane-from Mary's life, a portrait of a surprisingly complicated woman emerges. Intimate and moving, MARY PAGE MARLOWE shows us how circumstance, impulse and time can combine to make us mysteries...even to ourselves.
Featuring a 21-member cast, seven different actors will portray MARY PAGE MARLOWE over the span of her lifetime. The seven actors sharing the title role are: Blair Brown (Mary at ages 59, 63 and 69); Carrie Coon (Mary at ages 27 and 36);Laura T. Fisher (Mary at age 50); Caroline Heffernan (Mary at age 12); Annie Munch (Mary at age 19); Rebecca Spence (Mary at ages 40 and 44) with the final Mary to be played by three infants who will rotate in the role: Benicio Calderone, Charlotte Freund and Sebastian White.
Completing the cast are ensemble members Ian Barford (Ray) and Alan Wilder (Andy) with Stephen Cefalu, Jr. (Ed Marlowe), Amanda Drinkall (Roberta Marlowe), Jack Edwards (Louis Gilbert), Kirsten Fitzgerald (Shrink), Tess Frazer (Lorna), Keith Gallagher (Ben), Sandra Marquez (Nurse), Ariana Venturi (Connie), Madeline Weinstein (Wendy Gilbert) and Gary Wilmes (Dan).
Tickets ($20 - $89) are available through Audience Services (1650 N Halsted St), 312-335-1650 and steppenwolf.org. Note: There will be a limited number of pit seats ($30) available for audiences interested in a truly up-close and intimate theater experience.
Photo Credit: Joel Moorman
Director Anna D. Shapiro
Madeline Weinstein (Wendy Gilbert), Jack Edwards (Louis Gilbert) and Rebecca Spence (MARY PAGE MARLOWE, age 40)
Carrie Coon (MARY PAGE MARLOWE, age 36)
Madeline Weinstein (Wendy Gilbert)
Playwright Tracy Letts, Artistic Producer Jonathan Berry and Dramaturg Ed Sobel
Blair Brown (MARY PAGE MARLOWE, age 63) and ensemble member Alan Wilder (Andy)
Stephen Cefalu, Jr. (Ed Marlowe) and Amanda Drinkall (Roberta Marlowe)
Ariana Venturi (Connie)
Blair Brown (MARY PAGE MARLOWE, age 63) and ensemble member Alan Wilder (Andy)
Tess Frazer (Lorna) and Annie Munch (MARY PAGE MARLOWE, age 19)
Playwright Tracy Letts
Rebecca Spence (MARY PAGE MARLOWE, age 40)
Kirsten Fitzgerald (Shrink) and Carrie Coon (MARY PAGE MARLOWE, age 36)
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