UP Closes Steppenwolf Theater Company's 2008-2009 Season 6/18-8/23

Steppenwolf Theatre Company concludes its 2008-2009 season, an exploration of the imagination, with Up by Bridget Carpenter, directed by ensemble member Anna D. Shapiro and featuring ensemble members Ian Barford and Martha Lavey with Rachel Brosnahan, Jake Cohen, Tony Hernandez and Lauren Katz. Up plays June 18 - August 23, 2009 in Steppenwolf's Downstairs Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted. The press performance is Saturday, June 27 at 3:00 p.m.

On the best day of his life, Walter Griffin built a flying machine that reached the clouds. Ever since, he's tried to recapture that authentic moment of feeling completely free. His son Mikey dreams of a different path to freedom: getting rich. And his wife Helen just dreams of a husband who will keep his feet on the ground. Up is a quirky, bittersweet tale about an American family trying to escape the boundaries of the everyday by harnessing the power of the imagination.

Bridget Carpenter is an award-winning playwright whose works have been produced at theaters across the country including Arena Stage, Lincoln Center and the Humana Festival at Actors Theatre of Louisville. Anna D. Shapiro won a 2008 Tony® Award for her direction of Steppenwolf's critically-acclaimed play August: Osage County, which transferred to Broadway and London after a sold-out run in Chicago.

The design team for Up includes: Dan Ostling (sets), Mara Blumenfeld (costumes), Ann G. Wrightson (lights) Richard Woodbury (sound) and David Singer (composition). Edward Sobel is the Dramaturg, Laura D. Glenn is the Stage Manager and Deb Styer is the Assistant Stage Manager.

Playwright: Bridget Carpenter

Director: ensemble member Anna D. Shapiro

Featuring: ensemble members Ian Barford (Walter) and Martha Lavey (Aunt Chris) with Rachel Brosnahan (Maria), Jake Cohen (Mikey Griffin), Tony Hernandez (Philippe Petit) and Lauren Katz (Helen Griffin).

Steppenwolf Downstairs Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted St.

Dates: Previews: June 18 - June 27, 2009

Opening: Sunday, June 28 at 6:00 p.m.

Regular Run: June 30 - August 23, 2009

Curtain Times: Tuesdays through Sundays at 7:30 p.m.

(Sunday evening performances through July 26 only)

Saturday and Sunday matinees at 3:00 p.m.

Wednesday matinees on July 29, August 5, 12 & 19 at 2:00 p.m.

Note: there is not a 7:30 p.m. performance on Tuesday, June 23; there are no performances on Saturday, July 4.

Ticket prices: Previews: $20-$45

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, 312-335-1650

Online ticketing available at www.steppenwolf.org

The Up Wine Tasting Night: Enjoy wine and food pairings from Vinci Restaurant while our DJ spins tunes in our newly-renovated lobby: Wednesday, July 8 at 6:00 p.m. Tasting and performance cost $60 per person. For tickets and additional information, contact Audience Services.

The Up MaTEENée performance for high school students will be held on Saturday, June 20 at 3:00 p.m. Tickets cost $15 and include: a ticket to the performance, lunch and a post-show discussion with actors featured in the production - hosted by Steppenwolf's Young Adults Council.

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 are available for every performance.

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 42 artists whose talents include acting, directing, playwriting, filmmaking and textual adaptation. For additional information, visit www.steppenwolf.org.

 

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