Photo Preview of John Mahoney in 'The Seafarer' at Steppenwolf

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 with Randall Newsome, runs December 4, 2008 – February 8, 2009 in Steppenwolf's Downstairs Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted St.  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.

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.