lela_program.pdf 1 6/20/17 6:21 PM

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K STEEP THEATRE COMPANY COMPANY MEMBERS James Allen Jonathan Edwards Jim Poole Kendra Thulin Jonathan Berry Alex Gillmor Egan Reich Robin Witt Lucy Carapetyan Nick Horst Joel Reitsma Brendan Melanson George Cederquist Ashleigh LaThrop Melissa Riemer in memoriam Brad DeFabo Akin Cynthia Marker Michael Salinas Patricia Donegan Peter Moore Joanie Schultz Peter Dully Caroline Neff Julia Siple ARTISTIC ASSOCIATES Matthew Chapman Lauren Lassus Alison Siple Dan Stratton Maria DeFabo Akin Kristin Leahey Simon Stephens Brandon Wardell Thomas Dixon Emily McConnell Assoc. Playwright Chelsea M. Warren

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Jessica Schrey David Bock Doug Passmore Sonya Dekhtyar President Vice President Secretary Treasurer Dave Bartusek Ian Galleher Ted Lowitz Shawn Sackett Kelly Carpenter Molly Johnson Anne Marie Mitchell Kelly Fitzgerald Stu Kiesow Elizabeth Moore

STAFF Peter Moore Staci Weigum Egan Reich Stu Kiesow Artistic Director House Manager Literary Manager Graphic Designer Kate Piatt-Eckert Caroline Neff Lee Miller Imani Davis Executive Director Casting Director Photographer Mgmt. Intern Julia Siple Lucy Carapetyan Gregg Gilman Maelen Kloskey Managing Director Casting Associate Photographer Operations Intern

FRIENDS OF STEEP Heidi Brock Sara Foster Katie Kett Christine Rousseau Reid & Jennifer Diane Galleher Jennifer Collins Craig Steadman Quinn Broda Barry Grant Moore John C. White John Dunnigan Neil Jain Jon Putnam

Steep Theatre Company is supported in part by a CityArts Grant from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs & Special Events, the MacArthur Fund for Arts & Culture at the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation, the Gaylord & Dorothy Donnelley Foundation, the Illinois Arts Council Agency, the Sol R. Kaufman Family Foundation, and the Rothman Family Foundation. Steep Theatre is a member of the League of Chicago Theatres and Theatre Communications Group.

STEEP THEATRE COMPANY 1115 West Berwyn, Chicago, IL 60640 www.steeptheatre.com [email protected] (773) 649-3186 Steep Theatre Company proudly presents Lela & Co. by Cordelia Lynn

CAST (in speaking order) Lela ...... Cruz Gonzalez-Cadel Man ...... Chris Chmelik

UNDERSTUDIES Lela U/S ...... LaNora Terraé Hayden Man U/S ...... Christopher Acevedo

PRODUCTION STAFF Director...... Robin Witt* Stage Manager ...... Lauren Lassus** Scenic Designer...... Joe Schermoly Lighting Designer...... Brandon Wardell** Costume Designer...... Jessica Kuehnau Wardell Sound Designer...... Thomas Dixon** Props Designer...... Maria DeFabo Akin** Fight Choreographer...... Christina Gorman Dramaturg...... Carina Abbaticchio Assistant Director ...... Isabel Perry Assistant Director ...... Michael Rogerson Production Manager...... Julia Siple* Technical Director...... Joe Schermoly Directing Intern ...... Curtis Smith Stage Management Intern...... Ngan Le Scenic Design Intern...... Charlotte Lastra Sound Design Intern...... Shelly Liu *Denotes Steep Theatre Company Member ** Denotes Steep Theatre Company Artistic Associate Steep salutes the sponsors of this production of Lela & Co.: Ken Burlington, Lani Mesa Ellis & William Blair & Co, and Lisa & Randy White

Lela & Co. was first presented at the Royal Court Jerwood Theatre Upstairs, Sloane Square, on 3 September 2015. The videotaping or making of electronic or other audio and/or visual recordings of this production is strictly prohibited.

Lela & Co. will be presented without intermission. Summer is Here! Relax at the beach and rest assured that your home sale or purchase is in expert hands!

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Susan Ringel Segal Gary Segal Broker, GRI, SRES Broker Associate 847.542.5747 847.624.1956 [email protected] [email protected] Over 20+ years as a broker and a Seniors Real Estate Specialist. Over 20+ yearsSelling as a frombroker the and North a Seniors Shore to Real the Estatecity. Specialist. Selling from the North Shore to the city.

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View my listings at www.atproperties.com/agents/2665/susan-ringel-segal DIRECTOR’S NOTE “It is the story that we tell in my family. We tell it again and again, we pray it at night so we don’t have to tell the other story. The true story.” -Lela from Lela & Co

The day I was born, baseball Hall of Famer Early Wynn was pitching for the Chicago White Sox who were hosting the Kansas City Athletics. In Edgewater Hospital, my mother, who had only just begun to go into labor, stepped from the delivery room into the waiting room where my father was sitting with the other expectant fathers, and she smoked a cigarette. The ball game was on a radio and my mom, half in jest and half in seriousness, suggested to my dad that if I was born a boy they should name me Early Wynn Witt. I narrowly escaped being called “Early” because, alas, Mr. Wynn was not to be the winning pitcher that day and to my great good fortune I was born a girl. And it was in this way, according to my mom, my lifelong love of baseball began.

This is but one story of many in the treasure chest of my family lore (the harsher ones I’ll spare you). I come from a theatrical family, and our penchant for retelling and embellishing family mythology is almost a competitive sport. We tell these stories whenever we are together, over late night drinks after holiday dinners, or whispering in bathrooms at cousins’ weddings, sometimes with rage or solemnity and sometimes while laughing ourselves into tears.

Lela & Co is a play about a woman who finds the courage to tell her own true story so she may obliterate the crushing, false narrative that has been forced upon her by the men in her life. She asks of us only to be witnesses to the truth.

I am so grateful to play a small part in the telling of Cordelia Lynn’s story of Lela & Co.

And this is for all the Lelas.

Robin Witt June 2017 In memory of Howard Witt, Actor

For more information from Dramaturg Carina Abbaticchio on the world of Lela & Co visit: steeptheatre.com/dramaturgy CAST Cruz Gonzalez-Cadel (Lela) LaNora Terraé Hayden Cruz is thrilled to be making (Lela Understudy) LaNora is her Steep Theatre debut. excited to join Steep Born and raised in Buenos Theatre, as an understudy, Aires, Argentina, Cruz for this production of Lela & received her degree in acting Co. She was recently seen in from the Universidad del Salvador. Chicago Force Continuum with Eclipse Theatre credits include: La Havana Madrid and i put Company. She holds an MFA in Acting from the fear of Mexico in ‘em (Teatro Vista), The Theatre School at DePaul University. She Electra (Court Theatre), You on the Moors Now is represented by Gray Talent Group. Special (The Hypocrites), The Compass (Steppenwolf thanks for her family and friends their Theatre- SYA), The Grown Up (Shattered Globe continued love and support. Theatre), The Life and Death of Madam Barker (Red Tape Theater), Your Problem With Christopher Acevedo Men (Teatro Luna), The Clean House (Man Understudy) (Something Marvelous) and Corazon de Christopher is thrilled to be Manzana (Mortar Theatre). Film Credits working with Steep on this include: Batman v Superman: Dawn of incredible play! Other Justice. Cruz is a graduate of the Improv Chicago credits include Six Training Program at iO Theatre and an Stories Tall (Adventure Stage Chicago), ensemble member at Teatro Vista. She is Winterset (Griffin Theatre), You On The Moors proudly represented by Stewart Talent. Thanks Now (The Hypocrites), Richard III (The Gift), to Tomas and Simona for their unending and work with Court, Teatro Vista, Chicago support. www.cruzgonzalezcadel.com Dramatists, Lifeline, Tympanic, Mary-Arrchie, Strawdog and others. He is represented by Chris Chmelik (Man) Grossman & Jack Talent, and is a graduate of Chris is a founding member The School at Steppenwolf (Class of 2015). of The Inconvenience, a Thanks to Robin, Lucy, the amazing team on multidisciplinary arts group this production, and Amanda Jane! here in Chicago. As an actor and performer, Chris has appeared in The Inconveniences’ productions of The Earl, Chicagoland, Our House, Strapped and The Fly Honey Show. Some of his other Chicago credits include The Merry Wives of Windsor and Short Shakespeare! The Comedy of Errors, King Lear (Chicago Shakespeare Theater); Motortown, The Hollow Lands (Steep Theater); Reverb (Redtwist Theater); Coriolanus (The Hypocrites); Letters Home, On The Shore Of The Wide World, The Hostage (Griffin Theater); The Sea (Theater Mir); Wuthering Heights (Lifeline Theater). Television Credits include; Sirens (USA); Double Cross (ID); Chicago Fire (NBC); and the upcoming feature filmDeath Wish. Chris received his BFA in Acting from The Theatre School at DePaul. He is represented by Paonessa Talent PRODUCTION STAFF Robin Witt (Director) Robin Witt is an Ugly One (Sideshow); The Seafarer, Lay Me ensemble member at Steep Theatre where Down Softly (Irish Theatre of Chicago). Joe she directed Wastwater, Brilliant Adventures, studied set design at Northwestern University Motortown, Pornography, Harper Regan, Love and has received two After Dark Awards and and Money, Parlour Song, and Breathing three Jeff Nominations. Corpses. She is also an Ensemble member at www.joeschermoly.com Griffin Theatre Company. A graduate of Northwestern’s MFA program, Robin is Brandon Wardell (Lighting Designer) Brandon currently an associate professor at the is a designer based out of Chicago and an University of North Carolina at Charlotte Artistic Associate of Steep. Recent projects include Earthquakes In London, Wastwater, Cordelia Lynn (Playwright) Cordelia Lynn‘s and Brilliant Adventures (Steep); Men On debut play After the War has been performed Boats (ATC); Bat Boy, London Wall, Men in venues around the UK and abroad. Her Should Weep, and Titanic (Griffin); Heathers second, Believers Anonymous, was staged at and Assassins (Kokandy); and Six Stories Tall the Rosemary Branch Theatre in 2012 (ASC). (TimeOut Critic’s Choice). She has taken part in the Royal Court Young Writers Programme Jessica Kuehnau Wardell (Costume Designer) (2012) and is a member of the Soho Theatre Jessica is a freelance scenic/costume Young Writers Company. Her play Lela & Co designer, teacher and artist in Chicago. She is was performed at the Royal Court to great happy to be collaborating again with director critical acclaim. Ms. Lynn was the recipient of Robin Witt, last designing costumes for the Royal Court‘s 2017 Pinter Commission, an Brilliant Adventures at Steep. Her Chicago annual award to support the creation of a design credits include Hypocrites, Lifeline new work. Theatre, Griffin Theatre, Rivendell Theatre, A Red Orchid, 16th Street Theatre, Pegasus Lauren Lassus (Stage Manager) Lauren is a Players, Circle Theatre and Metropolis Perform- proud Steep Artistic Associate. Previous Steep ing Arts Center. Jessica is a founding ensemble credits include: Hookman; Bobbie Clearly; member of Adventure Stage Chicago and an Brilliant Adventures; The Few; Martyr; artistic associate with MPAACT. Earning her strangers, babies; Motortown; Fallow; Luther; MFA from Northwestern University, Jessica is Making Noise Quietly; Love and Money; and currently the Director of Theatre Design at Lakeboat. She has worked throughout the city University of Chicago. Check out her designs and is currently stage managing theatre for at jesskdesign.com. the wee ones at Emerald City Theatre Company. She is thrilled to be working with Thomas Dixon (Sound Designer) Thomas is Robin again! an artistic associate at Steep and has previously designed Wastwater, Brilliant Joe Schermoly (Scenic Designer & Technical Adventures, Martyr, A Brief History of Helen of Director) Joe is so happy to return to Steep Troy, and many more. His work has been seen with Robin, working on this exciting production, in Chicago and regionally at Victory Gardens after designing Wastwater last year. Joe is a Theater, Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Griffin ensemble member, where his credits Kansas City Repertory Theatre, Cleveland Play include Pocatello, Titanic, Spelling Bee, Flare House, Jackalope Theatre, First Floor Theater, Path, Punk Rock, Port, Constant Wife and Silk Road Rising, Windy City Playhouse, and more. Other credits include: Constellations others. Thomas is on the faculty at DePaul (Steppenwolf), Hand to God, Samsara (Victory University and Columbia College Chicago, and Gardens); The Watson Intelligence, Mr Burns, he is a member of the Theatrical Sound Seven Homeless Mammoths, Completeness Designers and Composers Association. (Theatre Wit); Pirandello’s Henry IV, Travesties www.thomasdixonsound.com (Remy Bumppo); American Idiot (The Hypo- crites); Stupid Fucking Bird, Idomeneus, The PRODUCTION STAFF, continued Maria DeFabo Akin (Props Designer) Maria is excited to do another show with Steep. With Steep she has done The Few, Brilliant Adventures, The Life and Sort of Death of Eric Argyle, strangers, babies, Moment, Pornog- Being raphy, 2000 Feet Away, and Making Noise Quietly. Maria works on opera props and paint by day at Lyric Opera. there Before that she was the props design- er at Lookingglass Theatre, and also designed props for over 60 Chicago storefront productions. Maria is a is why member of S.P.A.M., the Society of Prop Artisans and Masters, and is a proud artistic associate of Steep Theatre. I’m here. Christina Gorman (Fight Choreogra- pher) Christina is an actor and fight Total average choreographer, originally from the savings of Hudson Valley region of upstate New York. Fight credits include: Visiting Edna (Steppenwolf), The Nether (A $827* Red Orchid), Wastwater, Posh, when you Brilliant Adventures, and The Cheats combine here at Steep Theatre, The Commons home and auto. of Pensacola (Northlight Theatre), Ragtime (Griffin Theatre),The Orches- Call my tra (Akvavit Theatre), Miles Away (The office for a Side Project), and In the Heat of the Night, The Rose Tattoo, Mill Fire, Our quote 24/7. Country’s Good, Happy Now and The Whaleship Essex for Shattered Globe David Frederickson Agcy Inc Theatre where she is an ensemble Dave Frederickson, Agent member. Thanks to Mahm and F.B. 6263 N Clark Street for their support. www.davidfred.com Bus: 773-761-4242 Fax: Carina Abbaticchio (Dramaturg) Carina is a freelance director and dramaturg with a focus in new play development. Recent credits include The Room (A Red Orchid/Assistant Director), The Wayward Bunny (Victory Gardens Ignition Festival/ Dramaturg), and The Art of Losing *Average annual per household savings based on a 2016 (The Den Theatre/Director). She has national survey of new policyholders who reported savings also worked with Griffin Theatre, by switching to State Farm. Rivendell Theatre, First Floor Theater, State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company, State Farm Commission Theatre Company, Indemnity Company, State Farm Fire and Casualty Company, State Farm General Insurance Company, Bloomington, IL Chicago Fringe and Pivot Arts. She is P097186.1 thrilled to be back at Steep! PRODUCTION STAFF, continued Isabel Perry (Assistant Director) Isabel makes year he was a production assistant for Albany her Steep Theatre debut with Lela & Co. Most Park Theatre Project and Third Rail Projects’ recently, she was the Assistant Director for Learning Curve. As a sound designer he has Scott Weinstein’s production of Urinetown at assisted projects at Victory Gardens and Northwestern University. This fall, she will be Timeline Theatre. He is a recent graduate of directing Ugly Lies the Bone by Lindsey Northwestern University, where he received a Ferrentino at Northwestern, where she has dual degree in Theatre and English Literature. also directed NSFW by Lucy Kirkwood. In the past, she has worked with New York City Julia Siple (Production Manager) Julia is Center, Westport Country Playhouse, Ensem- please to be production managing at Steep ble Studio Theatre, and Bret Adams, Ltd in again. She most recently appeared as Susie in various capacities. Isabel will graduate from Steep’s The Cheats and Jessica in The Life the School of Communications at Northwest- and Sort of Death of Eric Argyle. Prior Steep ern in 2019, majoring in Theatre. shows include A Small Fire , Motortown , Moment, Love and Money, Under the Blue Michael Rogerson (Assistant Director) Sky, 2000 Feet Away, Festen and Harper Michael is thrilled to be back working at Regan. She is a holds a BFA in Theatre Steep, where he interned during the summer Performance from the University of Michigan. of 2014. Directing credits include Pledge of Julia is the managing director here at Steep Allegiance (The History of America), The and she is so glad you have joined us tonight. Maids, and Mercury Fur (Northwestern Deep love and gratitude to Carp and Olive for University). Assistant directing credits include helping make it possible to work on this show. American Dead (S.I.T.E. Festival). Earlier this

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PRODUCTIONLINGER IN THE STAFF LOBBY, continued MenWe hope Should you’ll Weep join and us Titanicin the lobby(Griffin), after this performanceTheatre of Louisville), for a casual The reception. Magic Play Enjoy (Olney Heatherslight refreshments the Musical while and youAssassins chat with (Kokan- the cast,Theatre). get to know Alison the is peoplea community sitting member around withyou, dy),and Thejoin Game the Steep of Love family and forChance a rousing (APT), conversation. The Hypocrites, an artistic associate with Yankee Tavern (ABT), Spark and Six Stories Lookingglass Theatre Company and an artistic Post-show receptions during Lela & Co are being generously hosted in memory of Shirlee Tall (ASC), and Bad Jews (Theatre Wit). associate with Steep Theatre. She is a BrandonJo Black, earned the loving his MFAmother from of Northwestern Dana Black. graduate of Northwestern University. and“Work is professorhard, play of hard.” Lighting That Design was ather NIU. motto. alisonsiple.com www.brandonwardelldesign.com Matt Chapman (Sound Designer & Composer) Alison Siple (Costume Designer) Recent Steep credits include The Few, Posh, The projectsACCESSIBLE include: Cinderella atPERFORMANCES the Theater of Cheats, The Life and Sort of Death of Eric PotatoesAudio Description (Hypocrites), and The Open Magic Captioning Play for LelaArgyle, & Co Motortown,were made If possible There Is byI Haven’t the Chicago Found (Goodman),Cultural Accessibility The Royale Loan (Milwaukee Program. Rep), The The CCAC ItAccessible Yet, The Knowledge, Equipment 2000 Loan Feet Program Away, and 39is administered Steps (Actors Theatreby Steppenwolf of Louisville), Theatre The Company Harper with Regan major. Otherfunding recent provided work includesby the SignMichael in Sidney and Mona Brustein’s Heath Window Fund. (Goodman Give It All Back (Sideshow), The Burials Theatre), The Yeomen of the Guard (Oregon (Steppenwolf SYA), Prowess (Jackalope), Amer- ShakespeareAudio Described Festival), Performance: The Flick (Steppen- Saturday, Augustican 5 Beauty at 8:00 Shop (Chicago Dramatists), Kill wolf),Open TheCaptioned Jungle Book Performance: (Children’s Sunday, Theatre AugustFloor 13 at(ATC), 3:00 Ten 2016 (The Gift), The Orchestra Company);For more information, All Our Tragic, please HMS Pinafore,contact us The at [email protected](Akvavit) Henry IV Parts 1 or & 773-649-3186.2 (Backroom Mikado, Pirates of Penzance (The Hypocrites), Shakespeare), Butcher (Signal), Body and Angels in America (Kansas City Rep); Our Blood (Gift), and Balm in Gilead (Griffin). He is Town (Almeida Theatre London, Kansas City the Technical Coordinator for Steppenwolf’s Rep, Huntington Theatre, Broad Stage, Barrow 1700 Theatre. Street). Upcoming projects: Airness (Actors

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773 502-6383 www.prairiehomebuilders.com STEEP’S SEASON 16 & 17 MEMBERS John Bistolfo Vincent DiFruscio & Stephen H. Johnson Amanda & Doug Matthew Bonaccorso Neil Averick Stu Kiesow Passmore Susan Burland & Lisa Donovan & Thad King Dr. Edward O. Riley George Plumb Bradford Smith H. B. Lottero Karen & Frank Ken Burlington Joseph Frank Shana Lowitz & Schneider Karen Callaway Fred Frankel William Swaim, M.D. Dr. Michael Schnur & Judge Tom Chiola Gloria Friedman Ted Lowitz Dr. Jack Bulmash (Retired) Sarah & Matthew Frigo Lani Mesa Ellis Jessica & Chistoph Kassie Davis & Gregg Gilman Andrea Mitchel Schrey Bruce Beatus Nancy & Bob Goldin Betsy Moore Kate Welborn Suzanne Deveney & Leigh & John James O’Neill Anna Wermuth & Bob Isaac Hourihane Alex Gillmor

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Care for Real is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit serving the Greater Edgewater community. We provide free programs and services to more than 78,000 annually, including: on-site food distribution five times a week deliveries to the homebound and a clothing closet a pet pantry and case management referrals and an Employment Resource Center to help our clients self-stabilize Contributions are essential to maintaining our operations. Please consider supporting Care for Real by making a donation today! 5341 N Sheridan Rd, Chicago IL 60640| 773.769.6182 | www.careforreal.org JOIN STEEP’S 17TH SEASON Steep Theatre’s upcoming fifteenth season will feature a slate of four plays directed by a lineup of Chicago’s hottest directors. Steep Company Members Brad Akin, Jonathan Berry, and Robin Witt have brought us some of Steep’s most notable productions, including Book of Days, Posh, and Motortown, and they will be joined this season by Steppenwolf Ensemble Member Audrey Francis.

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Subscribe to Steep’s 2017/18 Season with a Season 17 Steep Pass - your year-round ticket to all things Steep. A Steep Pass allows you to see all four productions in our 17th Season for one low price. As a subscriber you’ll enjoy reserved seats at every performance, no-fee ticket exchange, tickets for friends and family at a 10% discount, and the knowledge that you’ll never miss a sold out show. Steep subscriptions are completely flexible - whether you pick your dates now or later, changing your reservations is always free and easy.

Season 17 Memberships

Join the Steep family by becoming a member. As a loyal Steeper, you’ll be able to see each show in our season as many times as you want. Watch as each play develops over the course of the run, and never have to choose between the opening night party and the closing night party! Members also enjoy concierge service (access by telephone or email to Steep’s Executive Director for assistance with ticketing and seating requests), recognition in Steep’s program book, invitations to VIP events and private readings, advance notice of all extensions and special events, 10% discounts on tickets for friends and family, and a host of other benefits throughout the season. Plus, a portion of your membership is tax deductible. Become a Supporting Member of Steep Theatre for $250 per person and help to support the work we put on stage all year long. Become a Sustaining Member of Steep Theatre for $500 per person and help Steep continue to grow and take bold artistic risks now and in the future.

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UP NEXT AT STEEP...

The Invisible Hand by Ayad Akhtar, directed by Audrey Francis October 5 - November 11, 2017

An American banker has been taken hostage by an isolated militant group in Pakistan. When his ransom goes unpaid, his only hope is to trade on his expertise in international finance to earn his way to freedom, whatever the cost. The Invisible Hand is a geo-political thriller from the Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Ayad Akhtar. Steep Theatre is profoundly grateful to the following supporters for their generous DONORS contributions. This list reflects gifts received between June 21, 2016 and June 22, 2017. Production Sponsors The Jordan & Jean Debra & Alan Betsy Moore Ken Burlington Nerenberg Family Rosenberg Erika Napoletano Lani Mesa Ellis & Fund Karen & Frank Frank Newell William Blair & Co, James O’Neill Schneider The Quinn Pasins Lisa & Randy White Pepsico Foundation Dr. Michael Schnur & Mary Beth & Jack The Rothman Family Dr. Jack Bulmash Reich Reception Sponsor Foundation Cathy & Bill Siple RHW Media, Inc. Dana Black, in memory United Airlines Sylvia & Joseph Stone Ted Ries of Shirlee Jo Black Jessica & Christoph Rick Stoneham, Dr. Edward O. Riley Steep Benefactor Schrey in honor of Jeannette & Reid Schar ($1000 and up) Timothy Sherck Kassie Davis Holly & Tony Storck Julie & Roger Baskes Barbara & Randy Kendra Thulin & Steep Circle Dana Black, in memory Thomas Jeremy Kazan (up to $249) of Shirlee Jo Black Anna Wermuth & Margaret & Joseph Anonymous Reid & Jennifer Quinn Alex Gillmor Tilson George Abbott Broda Lisa & Randy White Kate Welborn Ace Charitable Susan Burland & Norman Woodel William Blair & Co. Foundation George Plumb Steep Patron Steep Contributor James Adduci Ken Burlington ($500 to $999) ($250 to $499) Nancy Akin, The City of Chicago Bank of America Anonymous in honor of Marlys & Department of Peggy Bagley & Rabbi Jennifer Beachell & Brad Akin Cultural Affairs & Douglas Goldhamer Deryle House Rita Allison Special Events Elaine Glusac & Dennis & Dodie Berry B. Appugliese Holly & David Collins Dave Bartusek David Bock Anne Marie & Joseph The Robert D. Collins John Bistolfo Matthew Bonaccorso Arden Fund Stacy Bosma & Arch Bryant Jim Atwood Kassie Davis & James Allen Karen Callaway Andy & Linda Baker Bruce Beatus Lani Mesa & Pete Ellis Judge Tom Chiola Japhet, Chris, Bryce Sonya Dekhtyar Lisa Donovan & (Retired) & Effie Suzanne Deveney & Bradford Smith Lawrence DelPilar Jeff Baldassarra Bob Isaac Kelly Fitzgerald Vincent DiFruscio & Kathleen Bandolik The Gaylord & Sara Foster & Neil Averick Steve Barber Dorothy Donnelley Adam Levy Jennifer & William Martha Moore Battles Foundation Fred Frankel Dugan James Baumhardt The MacArthur Fund Sarah & Matthew Frigo Daniel Feeney Jan & Tim Bell for Arts and Culture Diane & Ian Galleher Joseph Frank Stephen Benner at the Richard Nancy & Bob Goldin Gloria Friedman Cathy & Trip Blair, H. Driehaus Joe Hartness & Jenny Goltz in honor of Kelly Foundation Troy Baresel Carol & Alan Greene Fitzgerald Gregg Gilman Dorothy Harza Cynthia & Mark Henry Bliss Leigh & John The Illinois Tool Works Greenwood Andrew Bourgoin Hourihane Foundation Adam Greetis Andrea Brands The Illinois Arts Council Kazan McClain Mr. & Mrs. John B. Maggie & Barry Cain Agency Partners’ Hoffmann Lenore & Dan Caldwell Stephen H. Johnson Foundation Bonnie Kepplinger Andrew Campbell The Sol R. Kaufman Stu Kiesow Thad King Christopher Carani Family Foundation Carolyn & Gordon Kirk Mary & Jim King Paul Carapetyan Rita & Jim Knox Ricki & Joshua Lowitz Rosalie & David Melanie & Robert Cody Fran & Chuck Licht Timothy Lyman Lauerman Rebecca Collins Shana Lowitz & Susie & Tom MacLean H. B. Lottero Kimberly Corrigan William Swaim, M.D. Andrea Mitchel Gregory Mancuso & Stephany Creamer Ted Lowitz Kate L. Moore Laurie Breitkopf Janet Creevy Avery Anne & Richard Moore Amanda & Doug Dr. Norman E. Nancy Cunniff & Jen & Peter Moore Passmore Masters, Jr. Al Zunamon Peter & Margaret Anne Marie Mitchell Morris DONORS, continued James Kirby Tamara & Neil Jain Cecelia & Thomas Meg Kennedy Shaw & Cunningham Stasha Jain Murphy Jack Cederquist Patricia Curtis Thomas Jansson Susan & Patrick Nash Denise & Mike Shearer Christine De Groote Molly Moore Johnson Chad Newman Peggy & Don Shearn Pat Dean & Phil Eckert Nicole Juppe & Juanita & Toby Julia Siple & Dianne Doherty Bill Stranberg Nicholson Kelly Carpenter Scott Drummond Pamela Kaul & Susan Noel Mary Solt Deanna Dunagan Andrew Berman Maureen Noonan Gail & Bob Spiel Kevin Dutton Charlotte & David Jack Olin Susie Stephenson Sylvia Dybiec Kempner Gay Byrne Olk Jason Strongin Kenneth East & Katie Kett Linda Packer & James Swanson Timothy Thurlow William Kinnear Stuart Rathje Linda Swift Ruthann & Richard Blair Kipnis Kaye & Bob Passmore Natalie Swinnea Edwards Gregory Knapp Arline Paul Rochele Therrien Aaron Einhorn Scott Koch Lauren Peddinghaus Max Thomas Joyce & Jim Elmes Jean Marie & Rob Alice Perlin & Tanja & Kevin Jennifer & Craig Koon Ray Bacon Thompson Erdmann Peg Kritzler Rachel Perlman & The Tomlinsons Edith I. Farrar Mary & Christopher Steven Grossman Megan Trippel Elizabeth Fashingbauer Krueger Kate Piatt-Eckert & Mary Twomey Donna Fulks Michael Kucala Tony St. Clair Joseph Tyler Karen Furnweger Judson Laipply Angela & Charles Platt Lana & Roy Voigt Cindy & Stu Garbutt Beth Lampson Anton Pujol Lisa Wainwright & Debbie Garrison Alexander Lavelle Rhonda Purwin Bruce Doblin Cecilia Germaine Grace & Richard Nadia & Ed Rausch Kenneth Wanlass Heather Gilbert Lehner Elizabeth Raymond & Deborah & Neil Warner Michael Glusac Joyce & Jules Lerner Paul Hybel Kenneth Warren Ethel & Bill Gofen Joanne Leslie Marilyn Reid Alice & Jerome Jane Goldfayn Louella & Mark Levey Chris Renton & Wermuth Estefania Gonzalez Diane & Michael Levy Cortney Ahern Mary Wermuth, in Solveyra Collin Lindgren Deirdre Rice honor of Alex Gillmor Valerie Gorman Daniel Lunney & Melissa & Jeff Riemer Merle Weston Deborah Granite Marco Espinoza Eugene Rinaldi Lauren Emily Whalen Cathie Gray Matthew Lunt Courtney Rioux India Whiteside Tougne Thomas Greene Andy Luther Brandon Rivera Marilyn & Robert Martha H. Greenwood Morgan Maher Pete Roccaforte Willett Alex Gudding Richard Mallette Miriam Rosenbush Katherine Willhoite & Chris Hainsworth Charlie Mann Christopher Ross Rodd Zolkos Kenya Hall Craig Mauri & Jake Rubinstein Jennifer Williams Susan Harden Gianna Ricci Wesley Sadek Sarah Wolff & Sharon Hart Nancy & John Metzger Hunter Sanders Joel Handelman James Heneghan Jack Meyer Hope Sandwisch Mark Woodward Margaret Heyl Barbara & Ed Mills Sharon Seeder Roxanne Yahner James & Lois Hobart David Miller Laurie Shaman & Joseph Zambrano Justin Holt Dorothy Milne Ed Hinkley Michael Ziri Mary Alice Hope Heather Mitchell Jennifer Shanahan Gary Houston Joseph Moore Carol Borden & Joel Melissa Hubbert James Munson Shapiro Amy Colleen Jacob Jen & Jim Murphy Elisabeth Rose & Owen Mia Jacob Lorry & John Murphy Shapiro

Join this illustrious group by making a gift to Steep Theatre today. Donate online at steeptheatre.com or ask our box office about the many ways to support Steep. La Fonda Latino Grill

5350 North Broadway Just a block north of Steep Theatre Tuesday Nights - Half-off Bottles of Wine Wednesday Nights - Half-off Sangria Thursday Nights - Any House Margaritas $5 SPECIAL THANKS Jason Akemann Rainee Denham Lee Miller The School at Charlotte Berry Ian Galleher Alderman Harry Steppenwolf The Blackstone Hotel Elaine Glusac Osterman Alderman Mary Ann Mary Brennan Jerry Goodman Kelly Parker Smith Ally Brisbin Jane Hollinger John Paulun Patrick Shanahan Broadway in Chicago Kosmo Music Leah Raidt Ben Thielm Elana Boulos Deirdre Kinahan Meaghan Schneider The University of North Amber Calderon Kurt Kolar Adrienne Smith Carolina at Charlotte Deb Clapp Eileen LaCario David Raino-Ogden Bart Vivian Columbia College LillStreet Art Center David Reed Jack Wallace Chicago Leo Mendoza Jeff Riemer Ernst Walter Kimberly Corrigan Liz McGarry Beth Rohlmeier Erica Daniels Elisa Miller

STEEPING AROUND TOWN Steep’s Company Members and Artistic Associates are busy making theatre around Chicago and across the country. Here’s what they have going on now: Lucy Carapetyan will appear in nonprofit that supports our JR Edwards is a writer on Alan the Theater on the Lake city’s playwrights in telling the Ball’s upcoming HBO series remount of the Hypocrites’ You story of Chicago. This spring, he Here, Now. It premieres in 2018 On The Moors Now. was lucky enough to marry Lauren Lassus is stage Properties Designer and Steep This summer George managing Emerald City Artistic Associate Maria DeFabo Cederquist returns to the Bay Theatre’s Little Theatre show Akin. View Music Festival in Michigan Mother Goose’s Garden. This to direct Pippin and Carmen. He Pete Dully is the Production interactive show for young continues to host Opera Box Manager and Set Designer for audiences is geared toward Score, America’s talk radio Lakeside Shakespeare children aged 0-5. show about opera, on WNUR Theatre’s 2017 Season - The Brandon Wardell is designing 89.3 FM. Merchant of Venice and Becky Shaw at Windy City Coriolanus. LST is a company of Brad DeFabo Akin serves as Playhouse and The Vibrator Play Chicago artists who produce the Executive Director of Step at Timeline. two shows each summer in Up Chicago Playwrights, a new Frankfort MI. IN-HOUSE FULL COLOR DIGITAL OFFSET PRESS!

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allied print & copy FREE DESIGN | PRINT | SIGN LET US PICK-UP 5640 N. BROADWAY QUOTE CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60660. YOUR NEXT & DELIVERY JOB Call: 773.334.5200 / 773.334.5488 Fax: 773.334.5757 • [email protected] www.alliedprintandcopy.com Hours: Monday - Friday: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm Saturday: 10:00 am - 4:00 pm Steep Theatre Company was founded in 2000 by artists with a desire to work in an open, ensemble atmosphere and a shoestring budget. Over the years, the company has become a dedicated, close-knit group of thirty-four actors, directors, designers, and writers driven by a shared commitment to the organizations’s mission: To bring out the everyday truths in the stories we tell through ensemble work and to reach out to non-traditional theater goers by seeking out stories and creating experiences relevant to them. We believe theater should stoke conversations about the issues and conditions that are a part of all of our lives; conversations that take place among our artists and audiences in the theater, in the lobby, or long after everyone has gone home. Steep’s goal is more than just creating these conversations. Our goal is to add more voices to these conversations. We strive to reach people who may have abandoned theater as a relevant art form by telling stories that touch their lives in real and palpable ways and by creating an environment that is welcoming to everyone. By bringing these voices back to the theater, we hope to reinvigorate our conversations and ensure that theater is a viable, vital, and productive art form. PRODUCTIONS Hookman by Lauren Yee . . . . . April 2017 In Arabia We’d All Be Kings Earthquakes in London by . . . . .Jan 2009 by Mike Bartlett ...... Jan 2017 Seven Days by Egan Reich . . . . Oct 2008 Bobbie Clearly by Alex Lubischer . Sept 2016 Greensboro: A Requiem Wastwater by Simon Stephens . . .July 2016 by Emily Mann ...... May 2008 The Few by Samuel D. Hunter . . . April 2016 Breathing Corpses by Laura Wade . Feb 2008 Posh by Laura Wade ...... Jan 2016 Coronado by Dennis Lehane . . . Sept 2007 The Cheats by Hamish Linklater . . Oct 2015 Insignificance by Terry Johnson . . July 2007 Brilliant Adventures The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui by Alistair McDowall ...... July 2015 by Bertolt Brecht ...... May 2007 Martyr by Marius von Mayenburg . April 2015 Otherwise Engaged by Simon Gray . Feb 2007 The Life and Sort of Death of Eric Argyle The Last Days of Judas Iscariot by Ross Dungan ...... Jan 2015 by Stephen Adly Guirgis . . . . Sept 2006 The Vandal by Hamish Linklater . . Oct 2014 Bang the Drum Slowly by Mark Harris, A Small Fire by Adam Bock . . . . July 2014 adapted by Eric Simonson . . . June 2006 If There Is I Haven’t Found It Yet Of Mice and Men by Nick Payne ...... May 2014 by John Steinbeck ...... March 2006 strangers, babies by Linda McLean .Jan 2014 The Night Heron Motortown by Simon Stephens . . Sept 2013 by Jez Butterworth ...... March 2006 Fallow by Kenneth Lin ...... July 2013 Catch-22 by Joseph Heller . . . . .Oct 2005 The Knowledge by John Donnelly . April 2013 Book of Days by . .June 2005 Luther by Ethan Lipton ...... Jan 2013 Incident at Vichy by Arthur Miller .March 2005 Making Noise Quietly Howie the Rookie by Mark O’Rowe . Oct 2004 by Robert Holman ...... Oct 2012 Dealer’s Choice by Patrick Marber . Aug 2004 Moment by Dierdre Kinahan . . . .July 2012 The Time Trial by Jack Gilhooley . . May 2004 The Receptionist by Adam Bock . . April 2012 The Hothouse by . . .Aug 2003 Love and Money by Dennis Kelly . .Jan 2012 Below the Belt by Richard Dresser . Aug 2003 Under the Blue Sky My Donkey Lady by John Wilson . . Aug 2003 by David Eldridge ...... Oct 2011 The Job by Shem Bitterman . . . May 2003 Pornography by Simon Stephens . .July 2011 The Aspidistra Code Festen by David Eldridge, Thomas Vinterberg, by Mark O’Rowe ...... Oct 2002 Morgan Rukov, Bo Hr. Hansen . . May 2011 Geography of a Horse Dreamer Lakeboat by . . . . .Jan 2011 by ...... June 2002 A Brief History of Helen of Troy These Flowers are for My Mother by Mark Shultz ...... Sept 2010 by Michael McGuire . . . . . March 2002 2,000 Feet Away by Anthony Weigh .May 2010 Pvt. Wars by James McLure . . . .Sept 2001 Harper Regan by Simon Stephens . Jan 2010 Search and Destroy Kill the Old Torture Their Young by Howard Korder ...... Aug 2001 by David Harrower ...... Oct 2009 Life During Wartime The Hollow Lands by Howard Korder June 2009 by Keith Reddin ...... March 2001 Parlour Song by Jez Butterworth . March 2009 SEASON 17 PACKAGES ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT OUR BOX OFFICE AND AT STEEPTHEATRE.COM October/November 2017 CHICAGO PREMIERE THE INVISIBLE HAND BY AYAD AKHTAR DIRECTED BY AUDREY FRANCIS An American banker has been taken hostage by an isolated militant group in Pakistan. When his ransom goes unpaid, his only hope is to trade on his expertise in international finance to earn his way to freedom, whatever the cost. The Invisible Hand is a geo-political thriller from the Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Ayad Akhtar.

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018 WORLD PREMIERE HINTER BY CALAMITY WEST DIRECTED BY BRAD AKIN A gruesome murder scene has been discovered at the Gruber family’s small farmstead, Hinterkaifeck. Set in 1922 Germany and inspired by real events, Hinter is a chilling tale about a family, a community, and the post- World War I socio-political climate by one of Chicago’s most exciting new playwrights.

APRIL/MAY 2018 U.S. PREMIERE BIRDLAND BY SIMON STEPHENS DIRECTED BY JONATHAN BERRY Paul has attained rock stardom and all the spoils that go with it. As his world tour winds its way home, the rewards of his fame are quickly diminishing. Birdland is a sexy, searing exploration of empathy by Olivier and Tony Award winner Simon Stephens.

JULY/AUGUST 2018 MIDWEST PREMIERE LINDA BY PENELOPE SKINNER DIRECTED BY ROBIN WITT Linda Wilde is a titan – an award-winning executive of a beauty corporation with a brilliant new campaign up her sleeve. She’s also a wife, a mother, and a woman of “a certain age.” Olivier Award nominee Penelope Skinner’s Linda looks at the reality of being an “invisible woman” in an industry focused on everlasting youth.