BWW Q&A: Michael Potts Talks WINDFALL at Steppenwolf Theatre Company
The acclaimed stage and screen actor makes his Steppenwolf Theatre Company debut in Tarell Alvin McCraney's world premiere, running April 9 through May 31, 2026
Steppenwolf Theatre Company continues its 50th Anniversary Season with WINDFALL, a gripping world premiere from Academy Award-winning ensemble member Tarell Alvin McCraney. Directed by Awoye Timpo and performed in the round, the production runs April 9 through May 31, 2026 in Steppenwolf's Ensemble Theater.
Joining the cast in his Steppenwolf debut is Michael Potts, whose four decades on stage and screen include his Outer Critics Circle nominated turn in Broadway's THE PIANO LESSON, a role he reprised opposite Samuel L. Jackson in the Netflix adaptation. Potts is also widely recognized for his television work in THE WIRE, TRUE DETECTIVE, and the upcoming FOX medical drama BEST MEDICINE.
In WINDFALL, Potts plays Henri 'Mr. Mano' Tamaño, a grieving father visited by three strangers after losing his child in a clash with the police. The lyrical new work examines the spirit of activism set against the indifference of the almighty dollar, reuniting PURPOSE stars Alana Arenas, Glenn Davis, and Jon Michael Hill alongside ensemble member Namir Smallwood and fellow debut artist Esco Jouléy.
BroadwayWorld spoke with Potts about stepping into the world of Mr. Mano, making his long-awaited Steppenwolf debut, and what draws him back to the immediacy of live theatre.
Tell us about your character 'Mr. Mano' and his journey in Windfall.
Mr Tamano or 'Mano' for short, is a decent man who has firmly believed in the ethos of hardwork and sacrifice his whole life. And ethos he is now beginning to question,. His children are the most important in his life. We meet him as a grieving father. He's haunted by the loss of one child and tortured with uncertainty over the possible death of his other child who's been leading a protest rally and been missing for 6 months. During the course of the play, he's visited by 3 different representatives of "the state" who try to convince him to take a settlement on the life of said child. He also carries guilt that he may have pushed his child away when they came out as non binary.
This is your Steppenwolf Theatre debut. What has the experience been like?
This has been a wonderful experience. I've always hoped to work here someday. Everyone to a fault, has been welcoming and generous of spirit. The creative culture is very passionate about the theater they present. They're very inclusive and community orientated, as well..
Windfall is performed in the round - what is that dynamic like?
It has been a minute since I last performed in the round. It was a bit disorienting after moving from the rehearsal room. But, once we finished tech, I was more surefooted. It's a very different vibe and energy when you know you're surrounded on all sides. But, it works for the themes of the play. People gathered together en mass, able to look into one another's faces. It's simultaneously scary and powerful.
You've also done a lot of television work in your career - what do you love most about performing live theatre?
I love the immediacy and communal nature of live theater. The response from the audience is instant and quite palpable...good or bad!
What do you hope audiences take away from Windfall?
I always hope from every show touches our shared humanity. I think this play in particular, is about what we value as or what value we place on being human. How we deal with the SYSTEM or systems that shape and challenge what we value. I think the play wants to remind us that the power of "we" is more powerful and valuable than the system and that we ultimately make the choice of how we confront or acquiesce it. Or, as Tarell says, it's about "money".
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