Steppenwolf Presents Amy Herzog's BELLEVILLE, Now thru 8/25

Performances of Steppenwolf Theatre Company's season-concluding, Chicago-premiere production of Belleville by Amy Herzog begin June 27. Obie Award-winning director Anne Kauffman-who staged the play's acclaimed world premiere at Yale Repertory Theatre in 2011 and earlier this season Off-Broadway at New York Theatre Workshop-makes her Steppenwolf debut directing ensemble members Alana Arenas and Kate Arrington with Chris Boykin andCliff Chamberlain. Belleville begins previews tonight, June 27, 2013 (Opening night is July 7 and runs through August 25 in Steppenwolf's Downstairs Theatre (1650 N Halsted St). Tickets ($20 - $78) are on sale now.

Newly married American expats Zack (Chamberlain) and Abby (Arrington) live an enviably hip existence in the colorful, multi-ethnic neighborhood of Belleville, Paris, renting an apartment from their Senegalese landlords, Alioune (Boykin) and Amina (Arenas). But when a series of small, unexpected encounters escalates the tension between them, some surprising cracks in the foundation of their isolated yet idyllic life begin to show. Belleville is a taut, edgy psychological thriller that asks: does anyone really know who they're with?

"The play is asking us to keep two things in view: the nature of the relationship between Zack and Abby, and the difference between the two couples in the play. I think Amy is extremely skilled in maintaining that dual focus. The deeply psychological inquiry into the relationship of Abby and Zack opens up onto a cultural question. How is it that Americans comport themselves on the world stage? Is there, finally, a difference in our sense of maturity and responsibility?" notes Artistic Director Martha Lavey. "The play is an engrossing and suspenseful mystery. It's a great theatrical ride-funny, scary, insightful and surprising. We are delighted to bring this powerful voice to Steppenwolf."

The cast of Belleville features ensemble members Alana Arenas as Amina, and Kate Arrington as Abby, with Chris Boykin as Alioune, and Cliff Chamberlain as Zack.

The production team for Belleville includes: James Schuette (scenic design), Janice Pytel (costume design), Matt Frey (lighting design) and Richard Woodbury(sound design and original music). Additional credits include: Erica Daniels (casting), Deb Styer (stage manager) and Christine D. Freeburg (assistant stage manager).

Tickets to Belleville ($20 - $78) are currently on sale through Audience Services (1650 N Halsted St), 312-335-1650 and steppenwolf.org. 20 for $20: twenty $20 tickets are available through Audience Services beginning at 11am on the day of each performance (1pm for Sunday performances). 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 using promo code "BELLEVILLE15". Limit 2 tickets per student; must present a valid student ID for each ticket. For additional student discounts, visit steppenwolf.org/students. Group Tickets: all groups of 10 or more receive a discounted rate for any performance throughout the season. For additional information, visit steppenwolf.org/groups.

OptionsHouse is the Corporate Production Sponsor of Belleville.

Free post-show discussions are offered after every performance in the Subscription Season. 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.

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 43 actors, writers and directors. Artistic programming at Steppenwolf includes a five-play Subscription Season, a two-play Steppenwolf for Young Adults season and three repertory series: First Look Repertory of New Work, Garage Rep and Next Up. 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 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 nine Tony Awards. Martha Lavey is the Artistic Director and David Hawkanson is the Executive Director. Nora Daley is Chair of Steppenwolf's Board of Trustees. For additional information, visit steppenwolf.org, facebook.com/steppenwolftheatre and twitter.com/steppenwolfthtr.

Currently on stage is Next Up, featuring The Drunken City by Adam Bock, directed by John Michael DiResta; Fat Pig by Neil LaBute, directed by David Prete; andThe Internationalist by Anne Washburn, directed by Erin Murray (May 28 - June 16, 2013) in the Garage Theatre (1624 N Halsted Ave). Upcoming productions at Steppenwolf include: Slowgirl by Greg Pierce, directed by ensemble member Randall Arney (July 18 - August 25, 2013) in the Upstairs Theatre (1650 N Halsted St); and First Look Repertory of New Work, featuring Annie Bosh is Missing by Janine Nabers, directed by Shade Murray; Buena Vista by Edith Freni, directed by ensemble member Tim Hopper; and The Gospel of Franklin by Aaron Carter, directed by Robert O'Hara (July 29 - August 25, 2013) in the Garage Theatre (1624 N Halsted St).

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