Steppenwolf to Host Fashion Show and Party Inspired by MARIE ANTOINETTE, 4/9

In celebration of one of civilization's most famous fashionistas, Steppenwolf Theatre Company hosts EXPLORE: The World of Marie Antoinette, an exclusive fashion show and party, Thursday, April 9 at 5:30pm.

Emerging Chicago fashion designers Elena Bobysheva, Sandra Leonard, Satoko Mizuno, Kate Pankoke and Kat Anderson have submitted their high fashion creations, inspired by the over-the-top pageantry seen in Steppenwolf's current hit production of Marie Antoinette, to be critiqued by a panel of local fashion experts. The fashion show will be hosted by local diva Carolyn Hoerdemann and feature a special presentation by international performance artist Joseph Ravens.

Guests will also enjoy delicious authentic cuisine from the French kitchens of Chicago's own Chez Moi and DJ Maxime Bonnard spinning house and French pop tunes. Hailed as "a truly Fashion-Week worthy production" (Time Out Chicago), David Adjmi's Marie Antoinette runs through May 10, 2015 in the Downstairs Theatre.

EXPLORE: The World of Marie Antoinette will take place Thursday, April 9 at 5:30pm in Steppenwolf's Rehearsal Hall, 758 W North Ave. EXPLORE events are free, but space is limited. Please RSVP to reserve your spot by calling Audience Services at 312-335-1650. Round out the experience and purchase a ticket to Marie Antoinette on Thursday, April 9 at 7:30pm following EXPLORE. Tickets ($20 - $86) to Marie Antoinette must be purchased separately through Audience Services or steppenwolf.org. Steppenwolf also offers a special EXPLORE 2-for-1 ticket offer valid only for the April 9 performance at 7:30pm (use code 19959 when ordering).

EXPLORE events invite audiences to celebrate the ideas and themes of the play through a fun, social setting. Each EXPLORE event is a unique experience tailored to create an immersive environment that reflects the world of that play.

This event is produced by Steppenwolf Theatre Company in collaboration with the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, Fashion Focus Chicago and the Mayor's Fashion Council. EXPLORE's event partners are the League of Chicago Theatres and the Alliance Francaise.

Ameriprise Financial is the Corporate Production Sponsor of Marie Antoinette. Marie Antoinette is supported in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts.

Before Britney Spears and Justin Bieber, there was Marie Antoinette. In David Adjmi's contemporary take on the young queen of France, Marie is a confection created by a society that values extravagance and artifice. But France's love affair with the royals sours as revolution brews, and for Marie, the political suddenly becomes very personal. From the light and breezy banter at the palace to the surging chants of "Liberté! égalité! Fraternité!" in the streets, Marie Antoinette holds a mirror up to our contemporary society that might just be entertaining itself to death.

Tickets to Marie Antoinette ($20 - $86) are available through Audience Services (1650 N Halsted St), 312-335-1650 and steppenwolf.org. Prices subject to change. 20 for $20: twenty $20 tickets are available through Audience Services beginning at 11am on the day of each performance (1pm for Sunday performances by phone only). Rush Tickets: half-price rush tickets are available one hour before each show. Student Discounts: a limited number of $15 student tickets are available online. Limit 2 tickets per student; must present a valid student ID for each ticket; visit steppenwolf.org/students. Group Tickets: all groups of 10 or more receive a discounted rate for any performance throughout the season; visit steppenwolf.org/groups.

Steppenwolf's 2014/15 season explores the question, How did I get here?, through five stories about losing-and finding-your way. Do you ever catch yourself in the rearview mirror and think: How did I get here? A jolt of fear. A flash of inspiration. The past may be a mystery, but the future is up for grabs. Are you completely lost? Or are you exactly where you are supposed to be?

Currently playing: Garage Rep 2015 featuring three Chicago storefront companies playing in rotating rep in the Garage Theatre (now playing - April 26, 2015). The Herd by Rory Kinnear, directed by ensemble member Frank Galati (April 2 - June 7, 2015) will have its U.S. premiere in the Downstairs Theatre. Concluding the 2014/15 Subscription Season is the Chicago premiere of Grand Concourse by Heidi Schreck, directed by ensemble member Yasen Peyankov (July 2 - August 30, 2015) in the Downstairs Theatre.

Steppenwolf's 2015/16 Subscription Season includes the world premiere adaptation of John Steinbeck's East of Eden, adapted by ensemble member Frank Galati, directed by ensemble member Terry Kinney (September 17 - November 15, 2015); the Chicago premiere of Domesticated written and directed by ensemble member Bruce Norris (December 3, 2015 - February 7, 2016); the Chicago premiere of The Flick by Annie Baker, directed by Dexter Bullard (February 4 - May 8, 2016); the world premiere of Mary Page Marlowe by ensemble member Tracy Letts, director TBA (March 31 - May 29, 2016); and the Chicago premiere of Between Riverside and Crazy by Stephen Adly Guirgis, directed by ensemble member Yasen Peyankov (June 23 - August 21, 2016).

Steppenwolf Theatre Company is America's longest standing, most distinguished ensemble theater, producing nearly 700 performances and events annually in its three Chicago theater spaces-the 515-seat Downstairs Theatre, the 299-seat Upstairs Theatre and the 80-seat Garage Theatre. Formed in 1976 by a collective of actors, Steppenwolf has grown into an ensemble of 44 actors, writers and directors. Artistic programming at Steppenwolf includes a five-play Subscription Season, a two-play Steppenwolf for Young Adults season and two repertory series: First Look Repertory of New Work, and Garage Rep. While firmly grounded in the Chicago community, nearly 40 original Steppenwolf productions have enjoyed success both nationally and internationally, including Off-Broadway, Broadway, London, Sydney, Galway and Dublin. Steppenwolf has the distinction of being the only theater to receive the National Medal of Arts, in addition to numerous other prestigious honors including an Illinois Arts Legend Award and 12 Tony Awards. Martha Lavey is the Artistic Director and David Schmitz is the Managing Director. Nora Daley is Chair of Steppenwolf's Board of Trustees. For additional information, visit steppenwolf.org, facebook.com/steppenwolftheatre and twitter.com/steppenwolfthtr.

Pictured: Ericka Ratcliff, Tamberla Perry and ensemble member Alana Arenas. Photo by Michael Brosilow.

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