Joan Allen to Lead THE WHEEL at Steppenwolf this Fall; Full Cast Announced!

Casting is complete for Steppenwolf Theatre Company's American-premiere production of The Wheel by Zinnie Harris. Ensemble member Tina Landau directs a cast of 17 featuring ensemble members Joan Allen (in her first appearance on stage at Steppenwolf since 1991), Robert Breuler,Tim Hopper, Ora Jones and Yasen Peyankov with Kareem Bandealy, La Shawn Banks, Chaon Cross, Emma Gordon, Mark L. Montgomery, Erin Oechsel,Stephanie Park, Daniel Pass, Edgar Sanchez, Scott Stangland, Demetrios Troy and Matthew Yee. The National Theatre of Scotland commissioned and produced the world premiere of The Wheel in 2011. The Wheel begins previews September 12, 2013 (Opening Night is September 22; Press Performances are September 21 at 3pm and September 24 at 7:30pm) and runs through November 10, 2013 in Steppenwolf's Downstairs Theatre (1650 N Halsted St). Group tickets are on sale now at 312-932-2422. Individual tickets (starting at $20) go on sale August 9 at 11am.

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 production team for The Wheel includes: Blythe Quinlan (scenic design), Ana Kuzmanic (costume design), Scott Zielinski (lighting design), Stephan Mazurek(projection design), Matt Hawkins (fight choreography) and Dennis Watkins (magic consultant). Additional credits include: Erica Daniels (casting), Deb Styer (stage manager), Kathleen Petroziello (assistant stage manager) and Cassie Wolgamott (assistant stage manager).

United Airlines is the Official and Exclusive Airline of Steppenwolf Theatre Company.

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 12 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 by Walter McBride