Steppenwolf Announces Casting for First Half of 2019/20 Season

Steppenwolf Theatre Company announces casting for the first four productions of the 2019/20 season featuring previously announced ensemble members Audrey Francis, Tim Hopper, Caroline Neff, Yasen Peyankov and Karen Rodriguez, and the return of Steppenwolf regulars including Michael Patrick Thornton, Cedric Young and Keith Kupferer, along with dozens of Chicago-based actors and an exciting debut by South African stage and screen star Nondumiso Tembe.

Lindiwe features the five-time GRAMMY-winning Ladysmith Black Mambazo and marks the third collaboration between Steppenwolf and Ladysmith. The legendary a cappella group and Steppenwolf first partnered in 1992 for The Song of Jacob Zulu, which was also directed by ensemble member Eric Simonson and transferred to Broadway receiving six Tony nominations. Actor Cedric Young who will be featured inLindiwe was part of the original Zulu cast. Then in 1996, Simonson, Steppenwolf and Ladysmith teamed up again for the "beautiful and deeply moving" (Chicago Tribune) production of Nomathemba, which went on to The Kennedy Center. Simonson received an Oscar nomination for his 2000 documentary On Tiptoe: The Music of Ladysmith Black Mambazo about the group's global impact and message of love and peace.

Productions include: The Great Leap by Lauren Yee (September 5 - October 20, 2019); Steppenwolf for Young Adults' production of The Brothers Size by ensemble member Tarell Alvin McCraney (October 2 - 19, 2019); Lindiwe by ensemble member Eric Simonson (November 7, 2019 - January 5, 2020); and Dance Nation by Clare Barron (December 12, 2019 - February 2, 2020).

Single tickets to The Great Leap go on sale this Friday, July 26 at 11am. Classic and Flex Memberships are currently available for the 2019/20 Season. To purchase a Membership and secure a seat now, contact Audience Services at 312-335-1650 or steppenwolf.org/memberships. Member pre-sale for additional single tickets to The Great Leap go on sale today, July 23 at 11am through Audience Services.

The Great Leap

The cast features Glenn Obrero (Manford), Deanna Myers (Connie), Keith Kupferer (Saul) and James Seol (Wen Chang).

When an American basketball team travels to Beijing amidst tensions in the late 80s, past relationships collide with present day revelations. Witty and weighty, this Chicago premiere explores cultural barriers, political risks and personal sacrifice. Lauren Yee's The Great Leap is sure to be compelling to basketball fans, history buffs and everyone who has ever had a dream.

The Brothers Size

The cast features Patrick Agada (Oshoosi Size), Manny Buckley (Ogun Size) and Rashaad Hall (Elegba)

Returning to our stage for the first time since its celebrated Chicago premiere, Steppenwolf for Young Adults presents Tarell Alvin McCraney's The Brothers Size. Ogun Size is hardworking and heartbroken. Oshoosi Size is recently returned home from prison and trying to be anywhere but. In this fierce and honest look at the complex bonds of brotherhood, McCraney weaves together poetry, music and Yoruba mythology to magnify the tug-of-war between freedom and the need to belong somewhere, to something, to someone.

Lindiwe

The cast features Nondumiso Tembe (Lindiwe), ensemble member Yasen Peyankov (Keeper), Cedric Young(Mkhulu), Buddy Fambro (guitarist), Frank Russell (bassist), Erik Hellman (Adam) and Ladysmith Black Mambazo.

The evocative live music of Ladysmith Black Mambazo forms the foundation of this Steppenwolf world premiere production written and co-directed by ensemble member Eric Simonson. As the story travels from Chicago's Kingston Mines to South Africa and beyond, Lindiwe's love story challenges us to define the boundaries between this world and the next, all the while exploring the sacrifices we make for love.

Dance Nation

The cast features previously announced ensemble members Audrey Francis (The Moms/Vanessa), Caroline Neff(Zuzu), Tim Hopper (Dance Teacher Pat) and Karen Rodriguez (Amina) with Ariana N. Burks (Sofia), Ellen Maddow (Maeve), Michael Patrick Thornton (Luke), Shanésia Davis (Ashlee) and Adithi Chandrashekar (Connie).

A pre-teen dance troupe navigates ambition, friendship and desire as they claw their way to Nationals in Tampa Bay. Featuring a multigenerational cast of women playing our pre-teen heroines, this Chicago premiere is fiercely funny, theatrically inventive and full of heart.

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