Photo Flash: Steppenwolf Theatre Presents DETROIT

Steppenwolf Theatre Company kicks off its 2010-2011 season with Detroit, a new play by Lisa D'Amour, directed by ensemble member Austin Pendleton. Detroit features an all-ensemble cast including Kevin Anderson, Kate Arrington, Ian Barford, Robert Breuler and Laurie Metcalf. Detroit plays September 9 - November 7, 2010 in Steppenwolf's Downstairs Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted St. The press performances are: Saturday, September 18 at 3:00 p.m. and Tuesday, September 21 at 7:30 p.m. Steppenwolf's 2010-2011 season explores the theme of public/private self-how the public and private aspects of our lives unfold in an increasingly complex world.

Picture-perfect couple Ben and Mary fire up the grill to welcome the new neighbors who've moved into the long-empty house next door. Three barbeques later, the fledgling friendship veers out of control, shattering Ben and Mary's carefully maintained semblance of success-with comic, unexpected consequences. Detroit is a fresh, off-beat look at what happens when we dare to open ourselves up to something new.

Lisa D'Amour is a playwright and interdisciplinary artist whose works have been presented in New York and other major U.S. cities. D'Amour has been commissioned to write two new plays for Steppenwolf over the next two years through support from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. An actor, director and playwright, ensemble member Austin Pendleton began his artistic relationship with Steppenwolf directing the 1979 production of Say Goodnight, Gracie. His award-winning plays include Booth, Uncle Bob and Orson's Shadow, which received its world premiere in the Steppenwolf's Merle Reskin Garage.

The design team for Detroit includes: Kevin Depinet (sets), Rachel Healy (costumes), Kevin Rigdon (lights) and Josh Schmidt (sound). Polly Carl is the Dramaturg, Michelle Medvin is the Stage Manager and Rose Marie Packer is the Assistant Stage Manager.

Title: Detroit
Playwright: Lisa D'Amour
Director: ensemble member Austin Pendleton
Featuring: ensemble members Kevin Anderson (Kenny), Kate Arrington (Sharon), Ian Barford (Ben), Robert Breuler (Frank) and Laurie Metcalf (Mary).
Location: Steppenwolf Downstairs Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted St.

Dates: Previews: September 9 - 18, 2010.
Press performances: Saturday, September 18 at 3:00 p.m. and Tuesday, September 21 at 7:30 p.m.
Opening: Sunday, September 19 at 6:00 p.m.
Regular Run: September 21 - November 7, 2010.

Curtain Times: Tuesdays through Sundays at 7:30 p.m.
(Sunday evening performances through October 17 only)
Saturday and Sunday matinees at 3:00 p.m.
Wednesday matinees on October 20, 27 and November 3 at 2:00 p.m.
Note: There is no 3 p.m. or 7:30 p.m. performance on Sunday, September 19.

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

Detroit Wine Tasting Night: Enjoy wine and food pairings from Vinci Restaurant with live musical entertainment in our balcony lobby: Wednesday, September 29 at 6:00 p.m. Tasting and performance cost $60 per person. For tickets and additional information, contact Audience Services.

Accessible Performances:
Sign language interpreted performance: Sunday, October 17 at 7:30 p.m.
Audio described performance: Thursday, October 7 at 7:30 p.m.
Audio described performance with touch tour: Sunday, October 31 - 1:30 p.m. touch tour/3:00 p.m. curtain

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

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.

Detroit 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 Saverio Truglia.

Laurie Metcalf