Steppenwolf Theatre Presents MIDDLETOWN 6/16-8/14

Steppenwolf Theatre Company concludes its 2010/2011 season with Middletown by Will Eno, directed by Les Waters, playing June 16 - August 14, 2011 in Steppenwolf's Downstairs Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted St. The production features ensemble members Alana Arenas, Francis Guinan, Tim Hopper, Ora Jones, Martha Lavey and Tracy Letts with Brenda Barrie, Molly Glynn, Keith Kupferer and Michael Patrick Thornton. The press performances are Saturday, June 25 at 3 pm and Tuesday, June 28 at 7:30 pm.

Mary Swanson just moved to Middletown. About to have her first child, she is eager to enjoy the neighborly bonds a small town promises. But life in Middletown is complicated: neighbors are near strangers and moments of connection are fleeting. Middletown is a playful, poignant portrait of a town with two lives, one ordinary and visible, the other epic and mysterious.

Will Eno's frequently produced play THOM PAIN (based on nothing) was a finalist for the 2005 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. His other works include The Flu Season, TRAGEDY: a tragedy and OH, THE HUMANITY and other exclamations. Les Waters serves as Associate Artistic Director of Berkeley Repertory Theatre. He returns to Steppenwolf, having previously directed The Designated Mourner and The Memory of Water.

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 Middletown includes: Antje Ellermann (scenic design), Janice Pytel (costume design), Matt Frey (lighting design) and Richard Woodbury (sound design). Additional credits include: Erica Daniels (casting), Laura D. Glenn (Stage Manager) and Michelle Medvin (assistant stage manager).

Title: Middletown
Playwright: Will Eno
Director: Les Waters
Featuring: Ensemble members Alana Arenas (Tour Guide, Sweetheart, Attendant #2, Intercom), Francis Guinan (Cop), Tim Hopper (Public Speaker, Male Tourist, Greg, Freelancer, Male Doctor, Radio Science Show Host), Ora Jones (Aunt, Female Doctor, Classical Music Show Host), Martha Lavey (Librarian) and Tracy Letts (John Dodge) with Brenda Barrie (Mrs. Swanson), Molly Glynn (Female Tourist, Woman on Date, Attendant), Keith Kupferer (Man on Date, Landscaper, Janitor, Ground Control) and Michael Patrick Thornton (Mechanic).

Location: Steppenwolf Downstairs Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted St.

Dates: Previews: June 16 - June 25, 2011
Press performances: Saturday, June 25 at 3 pm and Tuesday, June 28 at
7:30 pm
Opening: Sunday, June 26 at 6 pm
Regular Run: June 28- August 14, 2011

Curtain Times: Tuesdays through Sundays at 7:30 pm
(Sunday evening performances through July 24 only)
Saturday and Sunday matinees at 3 pm
Wednesday matinees on July 27, August 3 &10 at 2 pm
Note: There is no 7:30 pm performance on Tuesday, June 21; there is no 3 pm performance on Sunday, June 26; the evening performance on Sunday June 26 begins at 6 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: "TOWN15" (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:
Open captioned performance: Sunday, August 14 at 3 pm
Sign-interpreted performance: Sunday, July 24 at 7:30 pm
Audio-described performance: Thursday, July 14 at 7:30 pm
Audio-described performance with touch tour: Sunday, August 7 1:30 pm touch tour/3 pm curtain

Wine Tasting
Wednesday, July 6 at 6 pm in the Balcony Lobby.
Join us for hilarious, true stories, inspired by Middletown 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 7453).

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

United Airlines is the Exclusive Corporate Production Sponsor of Middletown. Major Foundation Production Support for Middletown is provided by The Chicago Community Trust.

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 where great acting meets big ideas. Our passion is to tell stories about how we live now. Our mission is to engage audiences in an exchange of ideas that makes us think harder, laugh longer, feel more. The company was formed in 1976 by a collective of actors and is dedicated to an ethic of mutual respect and the development of artists through ongoing group work. Steppenwolf has grown into an internationally renowned ensemble of 43 artists who represent a remarkable generation of actors, directors and playwrights. For additional information, visit www.steppenwolf.org, www.facebook.com/SteppenwolfTheatre and www.twitter.com/SteppenwolfThtr.

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