Photo Flash: Jeff Garlin's CLOSER THAN I APPEAR at Steppenwolf

Steppenwolf Theatre Company welcomes back Second City alum and star of HBO's hit comedy Curb Your Enthusiasm, Jeff Garlinin Closer Than I Appear, December 4 – 16, 2012. Jeff returns to Steppenwolf following his popular, sold-out run of No Sugar Tonight in 2011. Join him for a hilarious and ever-changing night of stand-up comedy in Steppenwolf's intimate Upstairs Theatre (1650 N Halsted St). Jeff will be "up there doing his thing" for at least one hour 15 minutes. Check out photos of Garlin onstage below!

Jeff Garlin's talent encompasses writing, producing, directing, acting and performing stand-up comedy. Garlin is co-star and Executive Producer of the HBO series Curb Your Enthusiasm. Raised in Chicago and then South Florida, Garlin studied filmmaking and began performing stand-up comedy while at the University of Miami. He has toured the country as a stand-up comedian, is an alumnus of Chicago's Second City Theatre, and has written and starred in three critically acclaimed solo shows (I Want Someone to Eat Cheese With, Uncomplicated and Concentrated). In 2007, Garlin adapted his solo show I Want Someone to Eat Cheese With into an independent film. It premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival to critical acclaim. Garlin has also directed Curb Your Enthusiasm and both Jon Stewart (Unleavened) and Denis Leary (Lock-n-Load) in their HBO specials. Garlin has extensive feature and television acting credits. Garlin also has voiced for the Captain in Disney-Pixar's WALL-E and Buttercup in Toy Story 3. Jeff also released his book, Curbing It (Simon & Schuster) where Garlin shares his hysterical and eye-opening journey to reduce his waistline and his carbon footprint during the production of the seventh season of HBO's Curb Your Enthusiasm.

Currently, Garlin is on a fall comedy tour and has a local show based in Los Angeles at Largo called By the Way - Conversations With (soon to be released). Guests have included Michael Moore, Larry David, Conan O'Brian, Zach Galifianakis, J.J. Abrams, Lena Dunham and Jeff Tweedy to name a few. Jeff works with Michael Moore as co-founder of the Traverse City Comedy Arts Festival, occurring annually in Michigan. In Summer 2012, Jeff directed his second feature film, which he wrote and stars in. The film, dealin' with idiots, will be released in Spring 2013. Garlin lives in Los Angeles and Chicago with his wife and two sons. His hobbies include napping.

Performances of Closer Than I Appear are Tuesday through Sunday at 8pm, now through December 16, 2012 in Steppenwolf's Upstairs Theatre (1650 N Halsted St). The performance on December 14 features American Sign Language interpretation. Tickets ($25) are on sale through Audience Services (1650 N Halsted St), 312-335-1650 and steppenwolf.org. A limited number of $15 student tickets are available online using promo code "GARLIN15". Limit 2 tickets per student; must present a valid student ID for each ticket.

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.

Photo Credit: Michael Brosilow

Jeff Garlin

Jeff Garlin