Theatre News Wire

The Steppenwolf Theatre proudly ushers in its 48th season with the Chicago premiere of Sanctuary City. This poignant work is from the esteemed Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Martyna Majok, known for her impactful plays like Cost of Living and Ironbound. Steph Paul takes the director's chair for this deeply moving story of immigration and youthful romance. The production will grace the stage of the Ensemble Theater in Honor of Helen Zell at 1646 N. Halsted St., Chicago, from September 14 to November 18, 2023.

Taking center stage in Sanctuary City are the talents of Grant Kennedy Lewis, Brandon Rivera, and Jocelyn Zamudio.

Sanctuary City at Steppenwolf Theatre

Set in Newark, NJ, in the aftermath of 9/11, this narrative follows two teenagers. Having come to the US as kids, they now grapple with the complexities of love that is unreturned. While one craves more than just friendship, both find their adopted homeland indifferent to their dreams and struggles. Through Sanctuary City, Martyna Majok poignantly highlights the sacrifices and challenges faced by DREAMers, soulmates, and steadfast friends. This touching tale delves deep, pushing past borders both literal and figurative, in a quest for a genuine sense of belonging.

Martyna Majok reflects on her creation: "At its core, Sanctuary City is about a great love and deep friendship - a personal, human story of connection tested by something political. The characters are composites of people I know, combinations of aspects of people I grew up with or people I've been. Sanctuary City invites an audience into that world at that specific time in history - which I think more and more feels like the time we're living in now."

Steppenwolf Theatre

Nestled in Chicago, the Steppenwolf Theatre Company stands as a beacon for American ensemble theater. Its humble origins trace back to the mid-1970s, starting in a Highland Park, IL church basement. Today, Steppenwolf stands as a pinnacle of ensemble theater in the nation, boasting 49 members who are luminaries in acting, playwriting, and directing. Embodying a deep commitment to its ensemble roots, Steppenwolf champions values of equity, diversity, and inclusion, ensuring theater remains accessible to everyone. With landmark productions ranging from Balm in Gilead and August: Osage County to Downstate and Pass Over, and laurels that encompass the National Medal of Arts and 12 Tony Awards, Steppenwolf's legacy is undeniably legendary.