Kate Arrington & Owais Ahmed to Lead Steppenwolf's THE QUALMS; Pam MacKinnon to Direct

Casting is complete for Steppenwolf Theatre Company's world-premiere production of The Qualms by ensemble member Bruce Norris. Tony Award-winner Pam MacKinnon (Steppenwolf's Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?) directs a cast of nine featuring ensemble member Kate Arrington with Owais Ahmed, Karen Aldridge, Diane Davis, Kirsten Fitzgerald, Keith Kupferer, David Pasquesi, Paul Oakley Stovall and Greg Stuhr. This sexy comedy marks Steppenwolf's eighth production and seventh world premiere by the Pulitzer Prize- and Tony Award-winning author of Clybourne Park. The Qualms begins previews July 3, 2014 (opening night is July 13; press performances are July 12 at 3pm and July 15 at 7:30pm) and runs through August 31, 2014 in Steppenwolf's Downstairs Theatre (1650 N Halsted St). Tickets ($20 - 86) are on sale now at steppenwolf.org.

At a beachside apartment complex, a group of friends gathers for their regular evening of food, drink, drugs and partner-swapping. When Chris (Stuhr) and Kristy (Davis) attempt to become the newest members, the evening does not go as planned. The artichoke dip grows cold as the party devolves into a territorial battle over mating privileges. Does sex ruin everything? And what is the purpose of monogamy? Bruce Norris's comedy explores the eternal struggle for power, status and getting laid.

The production team for The Qualms includes: Todd Rosenthal (scenic design), Janice Pytel (costume design), Russell H. Champa (lighting design) and Rick Sims (sound design). Additional credits include: Erica Daniels (casting), Laura D. Glenn (stage manager) and Christine D. Freeburg (assistant stage manager).