Theatre News Wire

Steppenwolf Theatre Artistic Director Martha Lavey announced today the 2013/14 Subscription Season, including two world premieres, an American premiere and two Chicago premieres. The season begins in Steppenwolf's Downstairs Theatre with Zinnie Harris's The Wheel, directed by ensemble member Tina Landau. Up next, ensemble member Austin Pendleton directs Tribes by Nina Raine. In the Upstairs Theatre, ensemble member Yasen Peyankov directs Russian Transport by Erika Sheffer. In April 2014, ensemble member Amy Morton directs the world premiere of The Way West by Mona Mansour. And in July 2014, the season concludes with the world premiere of The Qualms by Bruce Norris, directed by Pam MacKinnon.

"We are so proud to bring these stories to you, animated by some of the most exciting theater artists working today. It is a season of five plays that will move you, make you laugh out loud, and think deeply about how we live and love," comments Artistic Director Martha Lavey.

Steppenwolf ensemble members currently confirmed for the 2013/14 Season include: Joan Allen, Alana Arenas, Francis Guinan, Tim Hopper, Ora Jones, Tina Landau, Mariann Mayberry, Amy Morton, Austin Pendleton Yasen Peyankov and Alan Wilder. Additional casting to be announced.

Season subscriptions are currently on-sale. Packages start at $150. Student, educator and access discount subscriptions available. To purchase a 2013/14 subscription, visit Audience Services at 1650 N Halsted St, call 312-335-1650 or visit steppenwolf.org.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company's 2013/14 Subscription Season

American Premiere
The Wheel
By Zinnie Harris
Directed by ensemble member Tina Landau
Featuring ensemble members Joan Allen, Tim Hopper, Ora Jones and Yasen Peyankov
September 12 - November 10, 2013 in the Downstairs Theatre

On a 19th century Spanish farm, Beatriz is happily preparing for her sister's wedding when the house is overrun by soldiers. In the chaos, she becomes the unintentional guardian of a young girl. Her determination to reunite the child with her father sweeps Beatriz along on a journey across war zones and through time. But what began as a simple act of kindness takes on a strange twist when the girl acquires curious powers. The Wheel is a spellbinding story of what happens to hope and human nature in times of war.

The Wheel premiered at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival by the National Theatre of Scotland in 2011. Playwright Zinnie Harris has also written Midwinter, Further than the Furthest Thing and Solstice. Ensemble member Tina Landau's recent credits include the world premiere of Head of Passes by ensemble member Tarell Alvin McCraney at Steppenwolf, in addition to The Brother/Sister Plays, Superior Donuts (also Broadway) and The Tempest.

Chicago Premiere
Tribes
By Nina Raine
Directed by ensemble member Austin Pendleton
Featuring ensemble members Alana Arenas and Francis Guinan
December 5, 2013 - February 9, 2014 in the Downstairs Theatre

Billy's intellectual and proudly eccentric English family is its own tiny empire: private languages, in jokes and fiery arguments. Billy, deaf since birth, is the only one who truly listens. When he meets his girlfriend Sylvia, he is introduced to a larger Deaf community, which sparks a struggle for self-identity and rebellion against his family. Tribes is a sharp, witty story about finding the place where you can be heard-and the family where you belong.

Tribes premiered at London's Royal Court in 2010; in 2012 it was produced Off-Broadway at Barrow Street Theater, and featured ensemble member Jeff Perry. Playwright Nina Raine's other work includes Rabbit and Tiger Country. Ensemble member Austin Pendleton recently directed The Birthday Party at Steppenwolf, in addition to Time Stands Still and Detroit.

Chicago Premiere
Russian Transport
By Erika Sheffer
Directed by ensemble member Yasen Peyankov
Featuring ensemble members Tim Hopper, Mariann Mayberry and Alan Wilder
February 6 - May 11, 2014 in the Upstairs Theatre

A rowdy Russian family in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn is on a daily hustle to achieve the American Dream. When Uncle Boris arrives from the old country, his mysterious business ventures force the family to decide just how far they are willing to go to come out on top. A funny, passionate family drama that slyly transforms into a heart-pounding thriller, Russian Transport is a fascinating look at the contemporary American immigrant experience.

Russian Transport premiered Off-Broadway in 2012, presented by the New Group. Erika Sheffer is a playwright and actor from Brooklyn, New York; Russian Transport is her first play. Ensemble member Yasen Peyankov most recently appeared in Three Sisters and Penelope during the 2011/12 season, and directed the Steppenwolf for Young Adults production of The Glass Menagerie.

World Premiere
The Way West
By Mona Mansour
Directed by ensemble member Amy Morton
April 3 - June 8, 2014 in the Downstairs Theatre

In a modern-day California town that's seen better days, Mom shares death-defying tales of pioneer crossings with her two squabbling adult daughters as she waits for her bankruptcy to come through. Peppered with original prairie songs, this hilarious and heartbreaking play about today's American family explores the mixed blessing of our great frontier spirit, which has fueled both self-delusion and survival.

Steppenwolf's production marks the world premiere of The Way West, following a workshop presented by the Lark Play Development Center in November 2012. Other plays by Mona Mansour include Hour of Feeling, Urge for Going, Across the Water, Girl Scouts of America and Broadcast Yourself. Ensemble member Amy Morton returns to Steppenwolf following her critically acclaimed performance as Martha in Steppenwolf's production of Edward Albee's Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? on Broadway. Recent Steppenwolf directing credits include Clybourne Park, American Buffalo and Dublin Carol.

World Premiere
The Qualms
By Bruce Norris
Directed by Pam MacKinnon
July 3 - August 31, 2014 in the Downstairs Theatre

At a beachside apartment complex, a group of friends gathers for their regular evening of food, drink, drugs and partner-swapping. When Chris and Kristy attempt to become the newest members, the evening does not go as planned. The artichoke dip grows cold as the party devolves into a territorial battle over mating privileges. Does sex ruin everything? And what is the purpose of monogamy? Pulitzer Prize-winning author Bruce Norris's comedy explores the eternal struggle for power, status and getting laid.

Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright and actor Bruce Norris returns to Steppenwolf for the world premiere of The Qualms following the hit Clybourne Park in 2011 and the world premieres of A Parallelogram, The Unmentionables, The Pain and the Itch, Purple Heart and The Infidel. Director Pam MacKinnon, who staged Clybourne Park last season on Broadway, returns to Steppenwolf following her production of Edward Albee's Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, which recently closed on Broadway.