Rehearsals are underway for Steppenwolf Theatre Company's Chicago premiere of Stephen Adly Guirgis's 2015 Pulitzer Prize-winning drama, Between Riverside and Crazy, directed by ensemble member Yasen Peyankov, who also directed last season's critically acclaimed Grand Concourse. The rowdy dark comedy stars acclaimed London-born actor Eamonn Walker as ex-cop Pops and ensemble member James Vincent Meredith as his ex-con son Junior. Previews begin June 23 (opening night is July 10; press performances are Saturday, July 9 at 3pm and Tuesday, July 12 at 7:30pm) and runs through August 21, 2016 in Steppenwolf's Downstairs Theatre (1650 N Halsted St). Tickets ($20 - $89) are available through Audience Services (1650 N Halsted), 312-335-1650 andsteppenwolf.org.
Ex-cop "Pops" Washington and his ex-con son Junior are barely holding on to one of the last great rent stabilized apartments in Manhattan. Pops has his hands (not to mention his apartment) full as he navigates a steady stream of sketchy houseguests and sweats out the impending verdict on his law suit against the police department. From the wildly original author of The Motherf**ker with the Hat, Between Riverside and Crazy is a celebration of the glorious contradictions that make up human nature while looking at the slippery nature of justice, and the grit it takes to finally move on.
"Stephen has always been the champion of the little guy who all the odds in the world are stacked against," shares director Yasen Peyankov. "His characters are heartbreaking in their fragility, hidden under a veneer of toughness. He captures the language and emotions of those people so well that watching or reading his plays you have the feeling you are eavesdropping."
The complete cast features London-born actor Eamonn Walker as ex-cop Pops and ensemble member James Vincent Meredith as his son, Junior, with ensemble member Tim Hopper as Lieutenant Caro, Victor Almanzar as Oswaldo, Elena Flores as Lulu, Audrey Francis as Detective O'Connor and Lily Mojekwu as Church Lady.
Photos by Joel Moorman
Director Yasen Peyankov with Victor Almanzar and ensemble member James Vincent Meredith
Ensemble member James Vincent Meredith and director Yasen Peyankov
Director Yasen Peyankov
Ensemble member Tim Hopper
Lily Mojewku
Elena Flores and ensemble members James Vincent Meredith and Tim Hopper
Director Yasen Peyankov with actors Eamonn Walker and Elena Flores
Elena Flores and Eamonn Walker
Lily Mojekwu and ensemble memberJames Vincent Meredith
Director Yasen Peyankov with actors Victor Almanzar, ensemble member James Vincent Meredith, Elena Flores and stage manager Laura D. Glenn
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