Steppenwolf Theater to Present ART Starting 2/5

Steppenwolf Theatre Company continues its 2008-2009 season, an exploration of the imagination, with Art by Yasmina Reza, translated by Christopher Hampton and directed by ensemble member Rick Snyder.  Art will feature two casts over the run of the production including ensemble members Ian Barford, K. Todd Freeman and Francis Guinan with Joe Dempsey and John Procaccino.  Art runs February 5 – June 7, 2009 in Steppenwolf’s Upstairs Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted St.  The press performance is Saturday, February 14 at 3 p.m.

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. 

French playwright Yasmina Reza won the 1997 Olivier Award and the 1998 Tony Award for Art, which has been produced worldwide and translated into more than 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.

Rick Snyder’s directing credits at Steppenwolf include Betrayal, Last of the Boys, The Fall to Earth, Orange Flower Water (also at the Galway Arts Festival, Ireland), Things Being What They Are and Tavern Story.  He’s been a member of the Steppenwolf ensemble since 1983.

The design team for Art includes:  Antje Ellermann (sets), Ana Kuzmanic (costumes), Bob Christen (lights) and Kevin O’Donnell (sound).  Michelle Medvin is the Stage Manager and Jonathan Templeton is the Assistant Stage Manager.

$20 tickets are available at Audience Services beginning at 11:00 a.m. on the day of each performance (1:00 p.m. for Sunday performances).  Half-price rush tickets are available one hour before each show.  Student discounts available. Online ticketing available at www.steppenwolf.org

Art Wine Tasting Night:  Enjoy wine and food pairings from Vinci Restaurant while our DJ spins tunes in our newly-renovated lobby:  Wednesday, March 11 at 6:00 p.m.  Tasting and performance cost $60 per person.  For tickets and additional information, contact Audience Services.

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 are available for every performance.

Committed to the principle of ensemble performance through the collaboration of a company of actors, directors and playwrights, Steppenwolf Theatre Company's mission is to advance the vitality and diversity of American theater by nurturing artists, encouraging repeatable creative relationships and contributing new works to the national canon.  The company, formed in 1976 by a collective of actors, is dedicated to perpetuating an ethic of mutual respect and the development of artists through on-going group work.  Steppenwolf has grown into an internationally renowned company of forty-one artists whose talents include acting, directing, playwriting, filmmaking and textual adaptation.  For additional information, visit www.steppenwolf.org.

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