Photo Flash: Steppenwolf Presents SEX WITH STRANGERS

Steppenwolf Theatre Company continues its 2010-2011 season with Sex with Strangers by Laura Eason directed by associate artist Jessica Thebus. The production features ensemble member Sally Murphy with Stephen Louis Grush. Sex with Strangers plays January 20 - May 15, 2011 in Steppenwolf's Upstairs Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted St. The press performances are Saturday, January 29 at 3 pm and Tuesday, February 1 at 7:30 pm.

Ethan is a hot young writer whose online journals of "sexcapades" are the buzz of the blogosphere. Olivia is an attractive 30-something whose own writing career never took off. They hook up, sex turns into dating and dating into something more complicated. A break-out hit at Steppenwolf's 2009 First Look Repertory of New Work, Sex with Strangers explores what happens when our online and offline identities intersect.

Laura Eason, a longtime member of the Lookingglass Theatre ensemble, is the author of more than 15 plays, both original works and adaptations. Previous productions at Steppenwolf include When the Messenger is Hot, A Tale of Two Cities and Huck Finn. Jessica Thebus directed Sex with Strangers during Steppenwolf's 2009 First Look Repertory of New Work. Other Steppenwolf directing credits include Intimate Apparel, Dead Man's Cell Phone, No Place Like Home, When the Messenger is Hot (also 59E59 Theaters, NYC) and Sonia Flew.

Steppenwolf's 2010-2011 season explores the theme of public/private self-five stories that examine how the public and private aspects of our lives unfold in an increasingly complex world.

The production team for Sex with Strangers includes: Todd Rosenthal (sets), Ana Kuzmanic (costumes), J.R. Lederle (lights) and Andre Pluess and Kevin O'Donnell (sound and original music). Additional credits include Erica Daniels (casting), Polly Carl (dramaturg), Christine D. Freeburg (stage manager) and Kathleen E. Petroziello (assistant stage manager).

Title: Sex with Strangers
Playwright: Laura Eason
Director: Associate artist Jessica Thebus
Featuring: Ensemble member Sally Murphy (Olivia) with Stephen Louis Grush (Ethan)
Location: Steppenwolf Upstairs Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted St.

Dates: Previews: January 20 - 29, 2011
Press performances: Saturday, January 29 at 3 pm and Tuesday, February 1 at 7:30 pm
Opening: Sunday, January 30 at 6 pm
Regular Run: February 1- May 15, 2011

Curtain Times: Tuesdays through Sundays at 7:30 pm
(Sunday evening performances through April 10 only)
Saturday and Sunday matinees at 3 pm
Wednesday matinees on April 13, 20, 27 and May 4, 11 at 2 pm
Note: There is no 7:30 pm performance on Saturday, May 7. The matinee performance on Sunday, January 30 begins at 2 pm.

Ticket prices: Previews: $20-$50
Regular Run: $20-$73
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: $15 student tickets are available online using promo code: "STRANGERS15" (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:
Sign language-interpreted performance: Sunday, March 27 at 7:30 pm
Audio described performance: Thursday, March 17 at 7:30 pm
Open captioned performance: Sunday, April 3 at 3 pm
Audio described performance with touch tour: Sunday, May 8: 1:30 pm touch tour / 3 pm curtain

Wine Tasting
Wednesday, February 23 at 6 pm in the Balcony Lobby.
Join us for hilarious, true stories, inspired by Sex with Strangers from 2nd Story storytellers with DJ White Russian, delicious wine, food and a ticket to the performance. Tickets cost $55 and are available by contacting Audience Services at (312) 335-1650 (use code 7451).

Free post-show discussions, sponsored by AT&T, are offered after every performance.

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 one of the nation's leading ensemble theatres, producing up to 16 productions each year in its three Chicago theater spaces - including programming dedicated to the development of new plays and theatre for young adults. Steppenwolf's productions have enjoyed success both nationally and internationally, including off-Broadway, Broadway, London, Sydney and Dublin. Formed in 1976 by a collective of actors, Steppenwolf has grown into an ensemble of 43 actors, writers and directors. For additional information, visit www.steppenwolf.org, www.facebook.com/SteppenwolfTheatre and www.twitter.com/SteppenwolfThtr.

Photo by Michael Brosilow

Sally Murphy and Stephen Louis Grush

Stephen Louis Grush and Sally Murphy

Stephen Louis Grush and Sally Murphy