Conor McPherson's 'The Seafarer' Sets to Open December 4th

Steppenwolf Theatre Company continues its 2008-2009 season, an exploration of the imagination, with The Seafarer by Conor McPherson, directed by ensemble member Randall Arney. The production, featuring ensemble members Francis Guinan, Tom Irwin, John Mahoney and Alan Wilder, runs December 4, 2008 - February 8, 2009 in Steppenwolf's Downstairs Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted St. Additional casting will be announced shortly. Single tickets for The Seafarer go on sale Thursday, September 25 at 11 a.m. The press performance is Saturday, December 13 at 3 p.m.

It's Christmas Eve in Dublin. In the rundown house where Sharky cares for his blind brother, Old Acquaintances gather for a card game-joined by an ominous stranger. As the booze flows and the game intensifies, Sharky discovers he is playing for his soul. In this eerie, darkly humorous tale, celebrated playwright Conor McPherson examines how we face the demons of our past as we struggle to find redemption.

The Seafarer is the second of two plays by Conor McPherson premiering in Chicago at Steppenwolf this season. McPherson's Dublin Carol plays November 6 - December 21, 2008 in Steppenwolf's Upstairs Theatre. The Seafarer makes its Chicago premiere following a critically-acclaimed Broadway run.

Born in Dublin, playwright Conor McPherson won London's prestigious Olivier Award for The Weir and received a Tony nomination for Shining City.

Ensemble member Randall Arney has directed Conor McPherson's The Weir at L.A.'s Geffen Playhouse, where he serves as Artistic Director. Other directing credits include Atlanta, Speed the Plow, All My Sons, Take Me Out, I Just Stopped by to See the Man, Boy Gets Girl and God's Man In Texas. Steppenwolf Broadway transfers under his leadership include The Rise and Fall of Little Voice, The Song of Jacob Zulu (six Tony Award nominations) and The Grapes of Wrath (Tony Award winner).

The design team for The Seafarer includes: Takeski Kata (sets), Janice Pytel (costumes), Daniel Ionazzi (lights) and Richard Woodbury (sound). Christine D. Freeburg is the Stage Manager and Rose Marie Packer is the Assistant Stage Manager.

Title: The Seafarer
Playwright: Conor McPherson
Director: ensemble member Randall Arney
Featuring: ensemble members Francis Guinan, Tom Irwin, John Mahoney and Alan Wilder. Additional casting will be announced shortly.

Location: Steppenwolf Downstairs Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted St.

Dates: Previews: December 4 - 12, 2008
Press preview: Saturday, December 13 at 3:00 p.m.
Opening: Sunday, December 14 at 6:00 p.m.
Regular Run: December 16, 2008 - February 8, 2009
There are no performances on December 25, 2007 (Christmas Day) and January 1, 2009 (New Years Day).

Curtain Times: Tuesdays through Sundays at 7:30 p.m.
(Sunday eve. performances through January 11 only)
Saturday and Sunday matinees at 3:00 p.m.
Wednesday matinees on January 14, 21, 28 and February 4 at 2:00 p.m.

Ticket prices: Previews: $20-$48
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 Seafarer Wine Tasting Night: Enjoy wine and food pairings from Vinci Restaurant while our DJ spins tunes in our newly-renovated lobby: Wednesday, December 17 at 6:00 p.m. Tasting and performance cost $60 per person. For tickets and additional information, contact Audience Services.

Foley & Lardner LLP and Harris Bank are the Production Sponsors of The Seafarer.

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

Photo Credit Sara De Boer/.Retna Ltd.