Steppenwolf 2008-09 Season incl. 'The Seafarer' with Mahoney

Steppenwolf Theatre Company is pleased to announce its 2008-2009 Subscription Season, exploring the theme of the imagination. 

The season opens with Kafka on the Shore, adapted for the stage and directed by ensemble member Frank Galati, based on the work by Haruki Murakami and featuring ensemble members Francis Guinan and Jon Hill.  The season continues with The Seafarer by Conor McPherson, featuring ensemble member John Mahoney.  Following is Art by Yasmina Reza, translated by Christopher Hampton. The fourth play is The Tempest by William Shakespeare, directed by ensemble member Tina Landau and featuring ensemble member Frank Galati.  Closing the season is Up by Bridget Carpenter, directed by ensemble member Anna D. Shapiro.

Season Subscriptions go on sale to the public Friday, March 7, 2008.

In addition to the Subscription Season, Steppenwolf will present a special engagement of Dublin Carol by critically-acclaimed playwright Conor McPherson, directed by Amy Morton and featuring William Petersen.  Dublin Carol makes its Chicago premiere alongside McPherson's The Seafarer.  Tickets to Dublin Carol are currently available exclusively to Steppenwolf subscribers.

Steppenwolf ensemble members currently confirmed for the 2008-2009 Season include:  Frank Galati, Francis Guinan, Jon Hill, Tina Landau, John Mahoney, Amy Morton and Anna D. Shapiro.

The Steppenwolf Theatre Company 2008-2009 Subscription Season includes:

Kafka on the Shore
Adapted for the stage and directed by ensemble member Frank Galati
Based on the work by Haruki Murakami
September 18 – November 16, 2008

Featuring ensemble members Francis Guinan and Jon Hill with Gerson Dacanay, Aiko Nakasone, Andrew Pang, David Rhee and Lisa Tejero
In the Steppenwolf Downstairs Theatre

"A young boy's coming of age parallels an old man's search for destiny in a modern day Japan where the borders between everyday reality, dreams and imagination are constantly crossed.  In this world premiere adaptation of the popular novel, encounter talking cats on the streets of Tokyo, World War II soldiers trapped in time, Colonel Sanders and Johnnie Walker. Experience the unexpected in this fantastical tale about waking up to your own life," describe press notes.

Tony Award-winner Frank Galati adapted and directed Haruki Murakami's after the quake during Steppenwolf's 2005-2006 Season.  This critically-acclaimed production went on to successful runs at Long Wharf Theatre, La Jolla Playhouse and Berkeley Rep.  Haruki Murakami, author of "The Wind-Up Bird Chronicles" and other novels, is an award-winning writer whose work has been translated into 34 languages.

The Seafarer
By Conor McPherson
December 4, 2008 – February 8, 2009

Featuring ensemble member John Mahoney
In the Steppenwolf Downstairs Theatre

"It's Christmas Eve in Dublin. In the rundown house where Sharky cares for his blind brother, old acquaintances gather for a card game—joined by an ominous stranger.  As the booze flows and the game intensifies, Sharky discovers he is playing for his soul.  In this eerie, darkly humorous tale, celebrated playwright Conor McPherson examines how we face the demons of our past as we struggle to find redemption," describe press notes.

Born in Dublin, playwright Conor McPherson won London's prestigious Olivier Award for The Weir and received a Tony nomination for Shining City.  The Seafarer makes its Chicago premiere following a critically-acclaimed Broadway run.

Art
By Yasmina Reza
Translated by Christopher Hampton
February 5 – June 7, 2009

In the Steppenwolf Upstairs Theatre

"Art explores the intricacies of a long-term friendship between three men. When one of them drops a fortune on a piece of modern art, his friends' surprising reactions touch off a series of personal confrontations. This witty, intelligent and often funny play explores the power of art to engage the imagination and the enduring bonds of friendship," describe press notes.

French playwright Yasmina Reza won the 1997 Olivier Award and the 1998 Tony Award for Art, which has been produced worldwide and translated into over 30 languages.  British playwright Christopher Hampton won an Academy Award for the screen adaptation of his play Dangerous Liaisons and was nominated for his adaptation of Atonement.

The Tempest
By William Shakespeare
Directed by ensemble member Tina Landau
March 26 – May 24, 2009

Featuring ensemble member Frank Galati
In the Steppenwolf Downstairs Theatre

"In Shakespeare's final work, Prospero is exiled to an enchanted island where he harnesses the powers of magic and masters the spirits that dwell there.  His desire for revenge drives him to conjure a mighty storm trapping his enemies on the island.  In our first Shakespeare production, Steppenwolf ensemble member Tina Landau re-imagines this magical tale of art, freedom and the transformative power of forgiveness," describe press notes.

Ensemble member Frank Galati returns to the stage as Prospero, his first performance at Steppenwolf since The Drawer Boy with John Mahoney in 2001.  Tina Landau has been an ensemble member since 1997 and has staged such inspiring Steppenwolf productions as The Time of Your Life, Cherry Orchard and The Diary of Anne Frank.

Up
By Bridget Carpenter
Directed by ensemble member Anna D. Shapiro
June 18 – August 23, 2009
In the Steppenwolf Downstairs Theatre

"On the best day of his life, Walter built a flying machine that reached the clouds. Ever since, he's tried to invent new ways to fly while his wife keeps the family afloat. Up is a quirky, bittersweet tale about escaping the boundaries of the everyday and how we dream ourselves into a future," describe press notes.

Bridget Carpenter is an award-winning playwright whose works have been produced at theaters across the country including Arena Stage, Lincoln Center and the Humana Festival at Actors Theatre of Louisville.  Anna D. Shapiro directed Steppenwolf's critically acclaimed production of August: Osage County, currently playing on Broadway.

Subscription Series packages start at $130.  To purchase a Subscription Season package, contact Audience Services at 1650 N. Halsted, (312) 335-1650 or visit www.steppenwolf.org.  

In addition to the Subscription Season, Steppenwolf will also present a special engagement of:

Dublin Carol
By Conor McPherson
Directed by ensemble member Amy Morton
November 13 – December 21, 2008

Featuring William Petersen
In the Steppenwolf Upstairs Theatre

Tickets:  $50 - $70 - currently available exclusively to Steppenwolf subscribers. Single tickets will go on sale at a later date.

Free post-show discussions are offered after every performance in the subscription season.

John Mahoney

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