Photos: First Look at Steppenwolf Theatre's MARIE ANTOINETTE

Steppenwolf Theatre Company continues its 2014/15 Subscription Season with the Chicago premiere production of Marie Antoinette, a modern, witty portrayal of the young queen of France by David Adjmi and directed by Robert O'Hara. The cast features ensemble members Alana Arenas as Marie Antoinette, Tim Hopper as her husband Louis XVI and Alan Wilder as Sheep. Ericka Ratcliff takes on the role of Yolande de Polignac and Mrs. Sauce replacing previously announced ensemble member Ora Jones who had an artistic scheduling conflict. Marie Antoinette begins previews February 5, 2015 (Opening night is February 15, 2015; Press performances are February 14 at 3pm and February 17 at 7:30pm) and runs through May 10, 2015 in Steppenwolf's Upstairs Theatre (1650 N Halsted St). Tickets ($20 - $82) are available through Audience Services (1650 N Halsted St), 312-335-1650 and steppenwolf.org.

Before Britney Spears and Justin Bieber, there was Marie Antoinette. In David Adjmi's contemporary take on the young queen of France, Marie is a confection created by a society that values extravagance and artifice. But France's love affair with the royals sours as revolution brews, and for Marie, the political suddenly becomes very personal. From the light and breezy banter at the palace to the surging chants of "Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité!" in the streets, Marie Antoinette holds a mirror up to our contemporary society that might just be entertaining itself to death.

Tickets to Marie Antoinette ($20 - $82) are available through Audience Services (1650 N Halsted St), 312-335-1650 and steppenwolf.org. 20 for $20: twenty $20 tickets are available through Audience Services beginning at 11am on the day of each performance (1pm for Sunday performances). Rush Tickets: half-price rush tickets are available one hour before each show. Student Discounts: a limited number of $15 student tickets are available online. Limit 2 tickets per student; 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. For additional information, visitsteppenwolf.org/groups. For subscription packages and flexible pass options available, call 312-335-1650.

Photo Credit: Michael Brosilow

Ericka Ratcliff, Tamberla Perry, Alana Arenas

Tim Hopper, Alana Arenas

Alan Wilder, Alana Arenas

Alana Arenas, Ariel Shafir

Ariel Shafir, Alana Arenas

Alana Arenas, Ericka Ratcliff

Tim Hopper, Alana Arenas