Steppenwolf Presents 'Carter's Way' by Eric Simonson

Steppenwolf Theatre Company continues its 2007-2008 Season with Carter's Way, written and directed by Oscar-winning ensemble member Eric Simonson, with original jazz music by Darrell Leonard.  The production, featuring ensemble members Robert Breuler, K. Todd Freeman, Ora Jones and James Vincent Meredith, with Anne Adams, Calvin Dutton, Curtis M. Jackson, Keith Kupferer, Danny McCarthy and Michael Pogue, runs February 28 - April 27, 2008 in the Steppenwolf Downstairs Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted.  

"It's 1935. In America, it's the middle of the Great Depression. In Kansas City, it's the peak of the city's legendary jazz era. The scene is hopping with recording deals and jam-packed clubs like Planet Mars, where life revolves around Oriole Carter, a brilliant black saxophonist who leads the house band. Oriole is falling head over heels for the white girlfriend of a local mobster just as a brand new invention called radio is threatening to make him a star," states a press release. Carter's Way was originally written for production at Kansas City Rep, where it enjoyed a successful run in 2005.  It has been significantly re-written for this Steppenwolf production, with the support of Steppenwolf's New Plays Initiative.

Ensemble member Eric Simonson was Tony-nominated for his direction of Steppenwolf's The Song of Jacob Zulu with Ladysmith Black Mambazo.  Eric subsequently directed an Oscar-nominated documentary about the acclaimed South African singing group.  He received an Oscar for Best Documentary Short for his film A Note of Triumph: The Golden Age of Norman Corwin in 2006.  He has directed and adapted Steppenwolf's Slaughterhouse-Five as well as the plays Lombardi/The Only Thing, Work Song: Three Views of Frank Lloyd Wright, Moby Dick and the new opera version of The Grapes of Wrath.

Carter's Way is written and directed by Eric Simonson with music by Darrell Leonard.  The design team includes:  Neil Patel (sets), Karin Kopischke (costumes), Keith Parham (lights) and Barry Funderburg (sound).  Edward Sobel is the dramaturg and Megan Shuchman is the assistant director.  Malcolm Ewen is the stage manager and Lauren V. Hickman is the assistant stage manager.

Ensemble members Robert Breuler (Boss Jack Thorpe), K. Todd Freeman (Peewee Abernathy), Ora Jones (Marilyn Stokes) and James Vincent Meredith (Oriole Carter), with Anne Adams (Eunice Fey), Calvin Dutton (Ensemble), Curtis M. Jackson (Ensemble), Keith Kupferer (Johnny Cozollo), Danny McCarthy (Corky, Henry, Billings & Andy) and Michael Pogue (Ensemble).

 
The Steppenwolf Downstairs Theatre is located at 1650 N. Halsted.  Previews run  February 28 - March 8 with an opening night on  March 9 at 6:00 p.m with a regular run beginning March 11 - April 27. Showtimes are: Tuesday through Sunday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday matinees at 3:00 p.m. and Wednesday matinees on April 9, 16 and 23 at 2:00 p.m. There will be no Sunday evening performances after April 6.

Tickets for previews range from $20 - $45, for the regular run: $20 - $68.

Twenty $20 tickets are available at Audience Services beginning at 11:00 a.m. on the day of each performance.  Half-price rush tickets are available one hour before each show.  Student discounts available. Please call 312-335-1650 for tickets and info or log onto www.steppenwolf.org

l-r: Robert Breuler, Anne Adams and James Vincent Meredith.  Photo by Sandro.

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