Eclipse Presents THE DARK AT THE TOP OF THE STAIRS

Eclipse Theatre Company, the only Midwest theatre company to feature one playwright in one season, will continue its 2018 William Inge Season with the moving family drama The Dark at the Top of the Stairs, directed by guest artist Jerrell L. Henderson.

In a small Oklahoma town in the early 1920s, at the home of the Flood family, is Rubin, a traveling salesman for a harness firm; Cora, his sensitive and lovely wife; Sonny, their little boy; and Reenie, their teenage daughter.

A series of short stories unfolds, including a fight between husband and wife; the fear of an overly shy young girl going to a dance; the problems of an introverted little boy who feels that the whole world is against him; the corroding marriage of Cora's rowdy sister; and the tragedy of a military school cadet who suffers from the stigma of being a Jew in an alien community. There is dark at the top of everyone's stairs, but it can be dissipated by understanding, tolerance and compassion.

The Dark at the Top of the Stairs runs approximately two hours with one ten-minute intermission. Post-show discussions with the cast and crew will be held following all Sunday matinees except opening and closing weekends (free with paid ticket).

Athenaeum Theatre, 2936 N. Southport Ave., Chicago, IL 60657

Some street parking; Wellington El stop (Brown).

Pay and Display parking at Saint Alphonsus Catholic Church lots on Southport and on Oakdale. Disability accessible.

For tickets: 773-935-6875, Athenaeum Box Office (open noon to curtain, Wednesday-Sunday)

Online tickets at www.eclipsetheatre.com

CAST: Eclipse ensemble member Zachary Alexander (Sammy), with guest artists Sarah-Lucy Hill (Lottie), Aneisa Hicks (Cora), Chris Daley (Ruben), Destini Huston (Reenie), John Arthur Lewis (Morris), Hilary Schwartz (Flirt), Tony Rossi (Punky), Davu Smith and James Leonardi (Sonny), Jake Drummond (U/S Ruben and Punky), Anna Civik (U/S Reenie & Flirt), Jalyn Greene (U/S Cora), Sarah Rachel Schol (U/S Lottie), Justin Tsatsa (U/S Morris), and Cari Meixner (U/S Sammy).