Photo Flash: Steppenwolf for Young Adults Presents A SEPARATE PEACE

Steppenwolf for Young Adults continues its 2009-2010 season with John Knowles' A Separate Peace, adapted by Nancy Gilsenan and directed by Jonathan Berry. The production, featuring ensemble member Alan Wilder with Will Allan, Chance Bone, Jake Cohen, Curtis M. Jackson, Damir Konjicija and Govind Kumar, runs February 23 - March 19, 2010 in Steppenwolf's Upstairs Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted St. Weekday matinees (Tuesdays - Fridays) are reserved for school groups, with Saturday and Sunday performances available to the public.

Set at an all-boys boarding school in New England during World War II, A Separate Peace is a fascinating look into the dark side of adolescence. The complex bonds of friendship between shy, studious Gene and his athletic, daredevil roommate Finny are tested-with shocking consequences. Based on the best-selling novel, A Separate Peace is a quintessential American classic about trust and betrayal, war and peace.

A Separate Peace is the first published novel and most widely-known work by award-winning American writer John Knowles. Other notable works include Morning in Antibes, Double Vision: American Thoughts Abroad, Indian Summer, The Paragon and Peace Breaks Out. Nancy Gilsenan has written Beloved Friend, Blindspot and Tender Lies as well as adapting Judith Guest's Ordinary People. Jonathan Berry previously directed Melinda Lopez's Gary for Steppenwolf's 3rd Annual First Look Repertory of New Work. He is a Griffin Company artistic associate whose recent productions include Picnic, Time and the Conways, Dead End, Be More Chill, the North American premiere of Simon Stephens' On the Shore of the Wide World, Brendan Behan's The Hostage and the critically-acclaimed Journey's End.

A Separate Peace design team includes: Chelsea Warren (sets), Alison Siple (costumes), Heather Gilbert (lights) and Rick Sims (sound). Leslie Kniskern is the Stage Manager.

Location: Steppenwolf Upstairs Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted

Dates: February 23 - March 19, 2010
Press Preview: Saturday, February 27 at 11 a.m.
Public Performances: Saturdays and Sundays at 11 a.m.
Weekday matinee performances are available for school groups only (Tuesdays- Fridays at 10 a.m.)
There is no performance on Sunday, February 28.
Public Ticket Price: $20 ($15 student tickets available via phone/box office)
Audience Services: 1650 N. Halsted, (312) 335-1650
Online ticketing available at www.steppenwolf.org

For information on Steppenwolf for Young Adult weekday school performances, contact the SYA Education Associate at (312) 654-5639.

Steppenwolf for Young Adults' unique approach combines play production with educational components to enhance arts education for young audiences, as well as their teachers and families. SYA creates two full-scale professional productions each season specifically for teens. Working closely with the Chicago Public and metropolitan area schools and other community partners, SYA annually ensures access to the theater for more than 15,000 participants from Chicago's diverse communities. The initiative also includes post-show discussions with artists; classroom residencies led by Steppenwolf-trained teaching artists in more than 30 classrooms in 14 public high schools; professional development workshops for educators; and the Young Adult Council, an innovative year-round after school initiative that uniquely engages high school students in all areas of the theater's operations.

Photo credit: Peter Coombs

Damir Konjicija and Jake Cohen

Will Allen, Govind Kumar, Curtis M. Jackson, Damir Konjicija and Jake Cohen