Steppenwolf Theatre Presents The March April 4/5-6/10

Steppenwolf Theatre Company continues its 2011/12 season with The March, based on the novel by E. L. Doctorow, adapted and directed by ensemble member Frank Galati, playing April 5 – June 10, 2012 in Steppenwolf's Downstairs Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted St.

The March features ensemble members Alana Arenas, Ian Barford, Martha Lavey, Mariann Mayberry, James Vincent Meredith and Alan Wilder with Will Allan, Phillip James Brannon, Cliff Chamberlain, Patrick Clear, Carrie Coon, Alex Goldklang, Harry Groener, Stephen Louis Grush, Anthony Kayer, Michael Mahler, Shannon Matesky, Luce Metrius, Andy Monson, John Mossman, Alex Newkirk, Alex Ring, Joe Sinopoli, Philip R. Smith and Alex Stage. Single tickets for The March go on sale Friday, January 27 at 11 am. The press performances are Saturday, April 14 at 3 pm and Tuesday, April 17 at 7:30 pm.

General William Tecumseh Sherman, Uncle Billy to his men, marches 62,000 Union soldiers through lush Georgia countryside. Bearing along both black and white refugees, the march destroys everything in its path, turning home into exile and exile into home. Its epic force forever changes the lives of those caught up in its sweep: a liberated slave, a sheltered daughter of a Southern judge, a pair of Confederate deserters and Uncle Billy himself. The March is a story of momentous upheaval and the limits of courage and love.

E.L. Doctorow is perhaps best known for his novel Ragtime, which was adapted into a feature film and a Tony®-nominated Broadway musical (also directed by Frank Galati). Doctorow was a Pulitzer finalist for both The March and Billy Bathgate. Tony® Award-winner Frank Galati's many directing credits at Steppenwolf include Endgame, Homebody/Kabul, The Grapes of Wrath and You Can't Take It With You. Other Steppenwolf adaptations include after the quake and Kafka on the Shore.

Steppenwolf's 2011/12 season explores how everyday lives are touched by war. In each of the five plays, war exerts a pressure-sometimes centrally, sometimes obliquely-on the lives of the characters-a purpose, a deep need that moves them into action.

The production team for The March includes: James Schuette (scenic design), VirGil Johnson (costume design), James F. Ingalls (lighting design) and Josh Schmidt (sound design and original music). Additional credits include: Erica Daniels (casting), Malcolm Ewen (stage manager) and Christine D. Freeburg (assistant stage manager).

Title: The March
Based on the novel by: E.L. Doctorow
Adapted and directed by: Ensemble member Frank Galati
Featuring: Ensemble members Alana Arenas, Ian Barford, Martha Lavey, Mariann Mayberry, James Vincent Meredith and Alan Wilder with Will Allan, Phillip James Brannon, Cliff Chamberlain, Patrick Clear, Carrie Coon, Alex Goldklang, Harry Groener, Stephen Louis Grush, Anthony Kayer, Michael Mahler, Shannon Matesky, Luce Metrius, Andy Monson, John Mossman, Alex Newkirk, Alex Ring, Joe Sinopoli, Philip R. Smith and Alex Stage
Location: Steppenwolf Downstairs Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted St.

Dates: Previews: April 5 – 14, 2012.
Press Performances: Saturday, April 14 at 3 pm and Tuesday, April 17 at 7:30 pm.
Opening: Sunday, April 15 at 6 pm
Regular Run: April 17 – June 10, 2012.

Curtain Times: Tuesdays through Sundays at 7:30 pm
(Sunday evening performances through May 13 only)
Saturday and Sunday matinees at 3 pm
Wednesday matinees on May 16, 23 & 30 at 2 pm.
Note: There is no 7:30 pm performance on Tuesday, April 10 or Saturday, May 5; there is no 3 pm performance on Sunday, April 15 or Saturday, May 5; the evening performance on Sunday April 15 begins at 6 pm.

Ticket prices: Previews: $20-$56
Regular Run: $20-$78
20 for $20: Twenty $20 tickets are available at Audience Services beginning at 11 am on the day of each performance (1 pm for Sunday performances).
Rush Tickets: Half-price rush tickets are available one hour before each show. Student Discounts: Limited $15 student tickets are available online using promo code: "MARCH15" beginning January 27, 2012. (Limit 2 tickets. Must present a valid student ID for each ticket). For additional student discounts, visit www.steppenwolf.org/students.

Audience Services: 1650 N. Halsted St., 312-335-1650
Online ticketing available at www.steppenwolf.org.

Accessible Performances:
Open captioned performance: Saturday, May 26 at 3 pm
Sign-language interpreted performance: Sunday, May 13 at 7:30 pm
Audio-described performance plus touch tour: Sunday, May 27 at 1:30 pm (3 pm performance)

Free post-show discussions are offered after every performance.

The March is a co-commission with Oregon Shakespeare Festival as part of their American Revolutions: the United States History Cycle.

PNC is the Corporate Production Sponsor of The March. ComEd is the 2011-2012 Season Lighting Sponsor. The March is a recipient of an Edgerton Foundation New American Plays Award. Partial support for open captioning provided by Theatre Development Fund.

Steppenwolf is located near all forms of public transportation and is wheelchair accessible. Street and lot parking are available. Assistive listening devices and large print programs are available for every performance.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Chicago, IL (Martha Lavey, Artistic Director; David Hawkanson, Executive Director) is where great acting meets big ideas. Our passion is to tell stories about how we live now. Our mission is to engage audiences in an exchange of ideas that makes us think harder, laugh longer, feel more. The company was formed in 1976 by a collective of actors and is dedicated to an ethic of mutual respect and the development of artists through ongoing group work. Steppenwolf has grown into an internationally renowned ensemble of 43 artists who represent a remarkable generation of actors, directors and playwrights. For additional information, visit www.steppenwolf.org, www.facebook.com/SteppenwolfTheatre and www.twitter.com/SteppenwolfThtr.