Photo Flash: Steppenwolf Presents A PARALLELOGRAM

Steppenwolf Theatre Company concludes its 2009-2010 season, an exploration of the theme of belief, with A Parallelogram a new play by Bruce Norris, directed by ensemble member Anne D. Shapiro. A Parallelogram features ensemble members Kate Arrington and Tom Irwin with Tim Bickel and Marylouise Burke. A Parallelogram plays July 1 - August 29, 2010 in Steppenwolf's Downstairs Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted St. The press performances are Saturday, July 10 at 3:00 p.m. and Tuesday, July 13 at 7:30 p.m.

Bee is a young woman who believes she has the uncanny ability to see the future, and maybe even alter it. With the click of a television remote, we loop through time in this dark, funny world premiere about a woman bent on reinventing her own destiny-and possibly the world's.

Bruce Norris returns to Steppenwolf with a sharp, new play following his critically acclaimed off-Broadway hit Clybourne Park. He joins forces once again with Tony® Award-winning ensemble member and director Anna D. Shapiro - the team that brought Steppenwolf audiences powerful hits including The Unmentionable, The Pain and the Itch, Purple Heart and The Infidel. Shapiro won a 2008 Tony® Award for her direction of Steppenwolf's critically-acclaimed production of August: Osage County. Other Steppenwolf directing credits include last season's production of Up as well as The Crucible, Three Days of Rain, Drawer Boy, I Never Sang for My Father and Man from Nebraska.

The design team for A Parallelogram includes: Todd Rosenthal (sets), Mara Blumenfeld (costumes), James F. Ingalls (lights), Rob Milburn & Michael Bodeen (sound). Polly Carl is the Dramaturg, Cecilie O'Reilly is the Dialect Coach, Laura D. Glenn is the Stage Manager and Christine D. Freeburg is the Assistant Stage Manager.

Ticket prices: Previews: $20-$48
Regular Run: $20-$70
Twenty $20 tickets are available at Audience Services beginning at 11:00 a.m. on the day of each performance (1:00 p.m. for Sunday performances). Half-price rush tickets are available one hour before each show. Student discounts available.

Audience Services: 1650 N. Halsted St., 312-335-1650
Online ticketing available at www.steppenwolf.org

The A Parallelogram MaTEENée performance for high school students will be held on Saturday, July 17 at 3:00 p.m. Tickets cost $15 and include: a ticket to the performance, food and a post-show discussion with actors featured in the production - hosted by Steppenwolf's Young Adults Council (use source code: 6679).

A Parallelogram Wine Tasting Night: Enjoy wine and food pairings from Vinci Restaurant with live musical entertainment in our balcony lobby: Wednesday, July 21 at 6:00 p.m. Tasting and performance cost $60 per person. For tickets and additional information, contact Audience Services.

Explore: The World of A Parallelogram - Saturday, August 7 at 5:30 p.m. A free event in a new series celebrating the themes and ideas in our shows. Explore involves an innovative artistic presentation reflecting show themes, participation from a Chicago community partner and a relaxed atmosphere with food, drink and live music.

Accessible Performances:
Sign language interpreted performance: Wednesday, July 28 at 7:30 p.m.
Audio described performance: Thursday, July 29 at 7:30 p.m.

Free post-show discussions, sponsored by AT&T, are offered after every performance.

Corporate support for A Parallelogram is provided by Delta Dental and PEAK6 Investments LLP.

Additional support for A Parallelogram is provided by the National Endowment for the Arts.

Steppenwolf is located near all forms of public transportation and is wheelchair accessible. Street and lot parking are available. Assistive listening devices and large print programs are available for every performance.

A Parallelogram was developed as part of Steppenwolf's New Plays Initiative. Steppenwolf is recognized as a national leader in the development and production of new work for the American canon. Through this initiative, the company maintains ongoing relationships with writers of international prominence and rigorously discovers and supports the work of early and mid-career playwrights.

Steppenwolf's New Plays Initiative is generously sponsored by The Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust, the Zell Family Foundation, the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and members of the Directors Circle.

Committed to the principle of ensemble performance through the collaboration of a company of actors, directors and playwrights, Steppenwolf Theatre Company's mission is to advance the vitality and diversity of American theater by nurturing artists, encouraging repeatable creative relationships and contributing new works to the national canon. The company, formed in 1976 by a collective of actors, is dedicated to perpetuating an ethic of mutual respect and the development of artists through on-going group work. Steppenwolf has grown into an internationally renowned company of 43 artists whose talents include acting, directing, playwriting and textual adaptation. For additional information, visit www.steppenwolf.org, www.facebook.com/SteppenwolfTheatre and www.twitter.com/SteppenwolfThtr.

Photo by Callie Lipkin

Kate Arrington