STAGE TUBE: Sneak Peek at Steppenwolf's GRAND CONCOURSE

Steppenwolf Theatre Company presents the Chicago premiere production of Grand Concourse, a play full of both humor and heart by Heidi Schreck. Directed by ensemble member Yasen Peyankov, the cast features ensemble members Francis Guinan and Tim Hopper sharing the role of Frog and Mariann Mayberry as Shelley with Brittany Uomoleale as Emma and Victor Almanzar as Oscar. Check out a sneak peek below!

Grand Concourse runs through August 30, 2015 in Steppenwolf's Downstairs Theatre (1650 N Halsted St). Tickets ($20-$89) are on sale now through Audience Services (1650 N Halsted), at 312-335-1650 and steppenwolf.org.

Having dedicated her life to religious service, Shelley runs a Bronx soup kitchen with unsentimental efficiency. Her brisk nature masks an unsettling fear that her efforts are meaningless. When Emma -- a rainbow-haired college dropout -- arrives to volunteer, her volatile mix of generosity and self-involvement pushes Shelley over the edge. With both humor and heart, Grand Concourse asks big questions about the value of compassion and the limits of forgiveness.

Francis Guinan can currently be seen in the Steppenwolf Downstairs Theatre as Ian in The Herd, and has appeared in more than 30 Steppenwolf productions. Tim Hopper joined the ensemble in 1989, and can currently be seen as Louis XVI in Marie Antoinette (through May 10, 2015) in the Upstairs Theatre. Mariann Mayberry returns to the Steppenwolf stage, where she was nominated for a Joseph Jefferson award for Good People and originated the role of Karen in August: Osage County. Victor Almanzar, who was last seen in Between Riverside and Crazy at Second Stage and will star in the soon-to-be-released feature film, 11:55 Holyoke, joins Brittany Uomoleale in making their Steppenwolf debuts.

The design team includes Joey Wade (scenic design), Natasha Dukich (costume design), Scott Zielinski (lighting design) and Rob Milburn and Michael Bodeen (original music and sound design). Additional credits include Erica Daniels (casting), Laura D. Glenn (stage manager) and Cassie Calderone (assistant stage manager).

Previews: $20 - $54; Regular Run: $20 - $89. Prices subject to change. 20 for $20: Twenty $20 tickets are available for subscription shows on the day of the performance at 11am (Mon - Sat) and 1pm (Sun), by phone only at 312-335-1650. Limit 2 per person. Rush Tickets: Half-price rush tickets are available one hour before each show. Student Discounts: Limited $15 student tickets are available online. (Limit 2 tickets. Must present a valid student ID for each ticket). For additional student discounts, visit steppenwolf.org/students. Group Tickets: All groups of 10 or more receive a discounted rate for any performance throughout the season. Online ticketing available at steppenwolf.org.

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 44 actors, writers and directors. Artistic programming at Steppenwolf includes a five-play Subscription Season, a two-play Steppenwolf for Young Adults season and two repertory series: First Look Repertory of New Work, and Garage Rep. 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, Galway 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 Schmitz is the Managing Director. Nora Daley is Chair of Steppenwolf's Board of Trustees. For additional information, visit steppenwolf.org, facebook.com/steppenwolftheatreand twitter.com/steppenwolfthtr.