Steppenwolf Announces 2nd Annual NEXT UP Line-up

This June Steppenwolf Theatre Company continues its commitment to Chicago's next generation of theater artists with the second annual NEXT UP: three productions presented in rotating repertory June 5 – 24, 2012 in The Steppenwolf Garage (1624 N. Halsted St.). 

NEXT UP is presented in collaboration with Northwestern University's MFA programs in Direction and Design, and features the work of graduates of those programs with casts of professional Chicago actors: Life and Limbby Keith Reddin, directed by Emily Campbell; South of Settling by Emily Schwend, directed by Adam Goldstein; and The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams, directed by Laley Lippard. The directors and designers make their Steppenwolf debut under the mentorship of Steppenwolf staff and artists, including ensemble member Anna D. Shapiro and scenic designer Todd Rosenthal-both members of the Northwestern faculty-as well as Steppenwolf Associate Artistic Director Erica Daniels.

"It's thrilling to have the Steppenwolf/Northwestern collaboration continue for a second year, building on the success and lessons learned from our inaugural NEXT UP," comments ensemble member Anna D. Shapiro, head of Northwestern University's MFA Directing Program. "Steppenwolf has made a commitment to the development of emerging artists; this multi-year mentor/mentee experience is vital to the careers of these very talented theater-makers."

Steppenwolf Theatre Company's Second Annual NEXT UP 

Life and Limb by Keith Reddin

directed by Emily Campbell

June 5 – 24, 2012 in The Steppenwolf Garage (1624 N. Halsted St.)

 

Life and Limb features Grace Rex as Effie; Jürgen Hooper as Franklin; Audrey Francis as Doina; Chris Froseth as Tod; Tom Hickey as Sam, Eric and Jerry; Roman Harris-MacDonald as Chris; and Leonard J. Kraft as Grandfather. The creative team includes Scenic Designer Courtney O'Neill, Costume Designer Sally Dolembo and Lighting Designer Will Kirkham.

Wounded in Korea, Franklin returns home minus an arm and a future. With zero prospects for work and a faltering marriage, he struggles to regain his life. When he finally lands a job, Franklin finds himself working for a sadistic manufacturer of artificial limbs. Deadpan, cold-blooded and comic, Life and Limb is not your typical veteran's story.

 

South of Settling by Emily Schwend

directed by Adam Goldstein
June 6 – 23, 2012 in The Steppenwolf Garage (1624 N. Halsted St.)

 

South of Settling features Janet Ulrich Brooks as Kate Deckhouse; Keith Kupferer as Irwin Deckhouse; Nicole Wiesner as Amy; Jeff Trainor as Randall; and Joey deBettencourt as Paulie Wheaton. The creative team includes Scenic Designer Sarah Watkins, Costume Designer Kelsey Ettman and Lighting Designer Rebecca Jeffords.

 

Kate and Irwin Deckhouse's quiet, orderly life turns topsy-turvy with the surprise arrival of Kate's long estranged cousin Amy and her brand new husband Randall. Deckhouse hospitality is put to the test as family secrets are unlocked and hard truths confronted. South of Settling explores how much our dreams and desires are shaped by others, for better or worse.

 

The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams

directed by Laley Lippard

June 7 – 24, 2012 in The Steppenwolf Garage (1624 N. Halsted St.)

The Glass Menagerie features Leah Karpel as Laura Wingfield; Kathy Scambiatterra as Amanda Wingfield; Brett Schneider as Jim O'Connor; and Aaron Roman Weiner as Tom Wingfield. The creative team includes Scenic Designer William Boles, Costume Designer Sally Dolembo and Lighting Designer Rebecca Jeffords.

In Tennessee Williams' classic autobiographical play, poet and dreamer Tom Wingfield weaves truth and imagination to conjure up his younger self and the family he escaped long ago. Life in the Wingfield household chafes: his overbearing mother Amanda yearns for the glamour of her past; his fragile, shy sister, Laura believes happiness is out of reach; and a young Tom fights to realize his dreamed-for future.

 

Performance Schedule

NEXT UP plays Tuesdays through Fridays at 8pm; Saturdays at 1pm, 5pm and 9pm; and Sundays at 4pm and 8pm. The complete schedule is as follows:

 

Life and Limb                                             South of Settling                                     The Glass Menagerie      

Tuesday, 6/5 at 8pm*                                   Wednesday, 6/6 at 8pm*                           Thursday, 6/7 at 8pm*

Friday, 6/8 at 8pm                                       Saturday, 6/9 at 5pm**                              Saturday, 6/9 at 9pm**

Saturday, 6/9 at 1pm**                                 Sunday, 6/10 at 8pm                                Sunday, 6/10 at 4pm

Wednesday, 6/13 at 8pm                             Thursday, 6/14 at 8pm                              Tuesday, 6/12 at 8pm

Saturday, 6/16 at 5pm                                 Saturday, 6/16 at 9pm                              Friday, 6/15 at 8pm

Sunday, 6/17 at 8pm                                   Sunday, 6/17 at 4pm                                Saturday, 6/16 at 1pm

Thursday, 6/21 at 8pm                                 Tuesday, 6/19 at 8pm                               Wednesday, 6/20 at 8pm

Saturday, 6/23 at 9pm                                 Friday, 6/22 at 8pm                                  Saturday 6/23 at 5pm

Sunday, 6/24 at 4pm                                   Saturday, 6/23 at 1pm                              Sunday, 6/24 at 8pm

 

*   Preview performance

** Press performance

 

Tickets to NEXT UP ($15 – $20) go on sale Friday, March 23, 2012. Passes to all three plays are available for $45. Tickets will be available at www.steppenwolf.org, 1650 N. Halsted St. or at 312-335-1650. Steppenwolf is located near all forms of public transportation and is wheelchair accessible. Street and lot parking are available.

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