Highlights Include The Gift Theatre’s Now Playing Production of Doubt, the
Q Brothers’s Dress the Part, Eighth Blackbird’s Dissolve, Melissa DuPrey’s SEXomedy 2.0: The Second Coming, PREACH!’s We Have Nothing Left to Lose but Our Chains and so much more!
Steppenwolf’s LookOut Series is thrilled to share their dynamic Spring 2019 Lineup. From comedy to poetry, one-person plays to music groups, familiar faces and new—there’s something for everyone this spring in the 1700 Theatre. Spring 2019 highlights include The Gift Theatre’s now playing production of Doubt, the Q Brothers’s Dress the Part, Eighth Blackbird’s Dissolve, Melissa DuPrey’s SEXomedy 2.0: The Second Coming, PREACH!’s We Have Nothing Left to Lose but Our Chains and more. Full lineup below.
Tickets to Spring LookOut programming are now on sale through Audiences Services (1650 N Halsted), 312-335-1650 and steppenwolf.org. Steppenwolf Red and Black Card Members may use credits towards shows in the 1700 Theatre. Lineup below; prices vary. For information, visit steppenwolf.org/lookout.
LookOut is Steppenwolf’s performance series that presents the work of artists and companies across genre and form, emerging artists and performance legends, quintessential Chicago companies and young aspiring ensembles, familiar Steppenwolf faces and new friends.
Steppenwolf’s 1700 Theatre is an 80-seat, flexible, interdisciplinary performance space connected to Steppenwolf’s own Front Bar: Coffee and Drinks at 1700 N Halsted St., an inviting space to grab a drink, have a bite, or meet up with friends and collaborators, day or night. Guests can take drinks into the theater.
LookOut Spring 2019 Lineup
Listed in date order. All artists, dates and prices subject to change.
*Doors open 30 minutes before performance time
The Gift Theatre presents:
Doubt: A Parable
by John Patrick Shanley
Directed by John Gawlik
February 27 through March 31
Thursdays-Saturdays at 8pm
Saturdays at 4pm
Sundays at 3:30pm
$15-$55
In this brilliant and powerful drama, Sister Aloysius, a Bronx school principal, takes matters into her own hands when she suspects the young Father Flynn of improper relations with one of the male students. Winner of the 2005 Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award for Best Play. Featuring Gift Ensemble Members Cyd Blakewell, Jennifer Glasse, MaryAnn Thebus and Michael Patrick Thornton.
Let’s Talk with Sylvia Ewing
Sunday, April 7 at 4pm
$15
Sylvia Ewing returns to Steppenwolf with a new concept in conversation to bring people together. Through her Let’s Talk series, Sylvia gathers a multigenerational group of Chicagoans for conversation and reflection, offering warmth, wit, and inspiration on how to make a positive impact and find fulfillment at different stages of life.
Talk Stories: An Asian American / Asian Diaspora Storytelling Show
Hosted by Ada Cheng and Archy Jamjun
Thursday, April 11 at 8pm
$10
In Talk Stories, storytellers of diverse identities and backgrounds critically examine what it means to be Asian American in this country and in diaspora. While celebrating their own cultural traditions, storytellers, musicians, dancers and comedians tell personal stories to highlight and critically reflect on the structural conditions within Asian American communities. A platform for expert performers and first-time storytellers alike, Talk Stories seeks to bridge the gap between community and performance, and it works to bring the art of storytelling to diverse Asian American communities (and encourage them to participate as well!).
Dave Maher Coma Show
Created and Performed by Dave Maher
Friday, April 12 and Saturday April 13 at 8pm
$17
During his monthlong coma, standup comedian Dave Maher’s family almost unplugged him from life support. His friends eulogized him on Facebook. And then he woke up. After appearing on This American Life and at the Edinburgh Fringe, Dave brings his one-man show about his coma to the city where he fell into it.
The MoonSharks Present: A PLAY!
Wednesday, April 17 and Thursday, April 18 at 8pm
$10
The MoonSharks Present: An Improvised Play! is an exclusive two-night performance, not wholly comedy or drama, but rather a hybrid of the two. This ensemble of veteran Chicago performers take to the stage to improvise a full-length play. Using a suggestion from the audience, The MoonSharks create a story with rich characters, complex relationships, and powerful themes, while crafting a live score and soundtrack by blending popular music styles from throughout history.
Maggie Kubley Presents:
Come Over
An Evening of Music and Stories
Friday, April 19 and Saturday, April 20 at 8pm
$12
Come Over is a multimedia musical storytelling event presented by Chicago pop artist Maggie Kubley celebrating the release her new EP, Come Over. Kubley will present songs from the EP and never-before-heard works of music and storytelling.
SEXomedy 2.0: The Second Coming
Created and Performed by Melissa DuPrey
Thursday, April 25 – Saturday, April 27 at 8pm
$20
Back by popular demand, comedian, storyteller and actress Melissa DuPrey’s solo show brings the sexually liberated body back to the stage for another night of wet and wild hilarity. In this edition, DuPrey unveils her many tales of frustration, surprises, and pleasures in the bedroom. From preparing to do the deed to the hassles of dating, from shaving to Abuela’s consejitos, Melissa goes further into what turns us on, more word-on-the-streets, and prioritizing pleasure.
La Osa Menor: Poesía original hecha en canción
Created by Isabel Quintero and Gonzalo Córdova
Thursday, May 2 and Friday, May 3 at 8pm
$25
A daughter transforms her father’s forgotten poetry into a Latin American music album. Performed in both English and Spanish, local actor and Chicago native Isabel Quintero, singer-guitarist Gonzalo Córdova and their musical guests, share the original music and the touching story behind the album.
BAPS Comedy Spring Showcase
Produced by Adrienne Brandyburg, Adrienne Brown, and Jillian Ebanks
Saturday, May 4 at 8pm
$12
BAPS: A Comedy Variety Showcase is based out of Chicago, IL and showcases women of color in comedy. BAPS was created to fill a void in Chicago: providing a platform for talented women of color in a typically male-dominated industry. BAPS includes everything from stand-up and solo sketches to music and storytelling.
Ensemble Dal Niente Presents:
Undersea
featuring the Ensemble Dal Niente Wind Trio
Sunday, May 5 at 3:30pm
$20 Full Price, $15 Student Price
Ensemble Dal Niente performs new and experimental chamber music with dedication, virtuosity, and an exploratory spirit. This May, the Dal Niente Woodwind Trio presents the world premiere of Victoria Cheah’s luminous Undersea, along with a wide-ranging program featuring the full array of sounds available to contemporary woodwind players: from kaleidoscopic quarter tones, to ethereal trills, to jazzy pizzicatos.
The Q Brothers present:
Dress the Part
Written, directed and performed by GQ & JQ
Wednesday, May 8 – Friday, May 10
$20
From the creators of Othello: The Remix and Q Brothers Christmas Carol, Dress the Part is a two-person hip hop musical retelling of Shakespeare’s Two Gentlemen of Verona. A hilarious and frenetic ode to high school in the 80’s, it is a stripped down, fast paced, theatrical and physical feat.
Our Perspective: Asian American Play Readings present:
A Reading of Lucy and Charlie’s Honeymoon
by Mathew C. Yee, directed by Karissa Murrell Myers
Monday,
May 13 at 6:30pm
$8
In an act of rebellion against their perceived cultural identity, two Chinese-American newlyweds improvise a reckless plot to commit armed robbery to afford a modest honeymoon. A comedic, full length play with live singing and musicians inspired by classic country western and folk.
Eighth Blackbird: Dissolve
Friday, May 17 and Saturday, May 18 at 8pm
$35 Full Price, $15 Student Price
Chicago’s own Eighth Blackbird is hailed as “one of the smartest, most dynamic contemporary classical ensembles on the planet” (Chicago Tribune). Join them for Dissolve, an evening of performance featuring the six ensemble members in smaller subsets showcasing their playful, intimate and spirited versatility. The evening’s program will include works by Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s Mead Composer-in-Residence Missy Mazzoli, Blackbird Creative Lab alumna Gemma Peacocke, Angélica Negrón and more.
Methtacular!
Written and performed by Steven Strafford, Directed by Adam Fitzgerald
Monday, May 20 at 7pm; and Tuesday, May 21 at 8:30pm
$20
Steven Strafford’s hilarious and harrowing autobiographical account of his three years as a crystal meth addict in Chicago. Through comedy, songs, and plenty of honest storytelling, Strafford brings audiences on a journey through the chemical highs, devastating lows, and ultimately, redemption from his drug addled, sex crazed life.
Steppenwolf Education and Drama Students at Lane Tech College Prep High School Present
WHAT IF: An Originally Devised Student Play
Tuesday, May 21 and Wednesday, May 22 at 6pm
Free
Steppenwolf Education and Drama Students at Lane Technical College Prep High School are proud to present a student-devised performance exploring the themes of racial prejudice and the erasure of communities of color, as brought to light through the Steppenwolf for Young Adults’ production of We Are Proud to Present a Presentation….
Fixed Abode IV: Mercy Won’t Be Rationed
Friday, May 24 at 8pm
$35
Fixed Abode is a recurring variety show hosted by Tyler Thompson featuring local musicians, writers, comedians, poets and artists dedicated to raising awareness and financial support for vulnerable populations in the city of Chicago. What began as a small cabaret to raise money for refugees in Chicago has expanded to a series of events benefiting organizations across the city. We’re all in this together. Net proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to Cabrini Green Legal Aid.
PREACH! Presents:
We Have Nothing Left to Lose but Our Chains
Friday, May 31 at 8pm
$15
PREACH! Is a fiery collective of ten poets / comedians that spit the truth to liberate the youth. Together, the ten members of PREACH! lift each other up with the gospel of spoken word and sketch comedy, while seeking truth and raging against the machine.
LookOut is Steppenwolf’s performance series that presents the work of artists and companies across genre and form, emerging artists and performance legends, quintessential Chicago companies and young aspiring ensembles, familiar Steppenwolf faces and new friends. Greta Honold and Patrick Zakem are the producers for LookOut. For more information, visit steppenwolf.org/lookout.
Accessibility
The 1700 Theatre features wheelchair-accessible seating, an Induction Hearing Loop, and assistive listening devices. Front Bar features a push-button entrance, all-gender accessible restrooms and accessible counter and table spaces.
Front Bar: Coffee and Drinks
Connected to the main lobby is Steppenwolf’s own Front Bar: Coffee and Drinks, offering a warm, creative space to grab a drink, have a bite, or meet up with friends and collaborators, day or night. Open Tuesdays – Sundays from 8am to midnight, Front Bar serves artisanal coffee and espresso is provided by La Colombe and food prepared by Goddess and Grocer. The menu focuses on fresh, accessible fare, featuring grab-and-go salads and sandwiches for lunch and adding shareable small plates and desserts for evening and post show service. www.front-bar.com
Steppenwolf Theatre Company is proud to be part of the 2019 Year of Chicago Theatre, presented by the City of Chicago and the League of Chicago Theatres. To truly fall in love with Chicago, you must go to our theatres. This is where the city bares its fearless soul. Home to a community of creators, risk-takers, and big hearts, Chicago theatre is a hotbed for exciting new work and hundreds of world premieres every year. From Broadway musicals to storefront plays and improv, there’s always a seat waiting for you at one of our 200+ theatres. Book your next show today at ChicagoPlays.com.
Steppenwolf Theatre Company is the nation’s premier ensemble theater. Formed by a collective of actors in 1976, the ensemble members represents a remarkable cross-section of actors, directors and playwrights. Thrilling and powerful productions from Balm in Gilead and August: Osage County to Pass Over and Downstate—and accolades that include the National Medal of Arts and 12 Tony Awards—have made the theater legendary. Steppenwolf produces hundreds of performances and events annually in its three spaces: the 515-seat Downstairs Theatre, the 299-seat Upstairs Theatre and the 80-seat 1700 Theatre. Artistic programing includes a seven-play season; a two-play Steppenwolf for Young Adults season; Visiting Company engagements; and LookOut, a multi-genre performances series. Education initiatives include the nationally recognized work of Steppenwolf for Young Adults, which engages 15,000 participants annually from Chicago’s diverse communities; the esteemed School at Steppenwolf; and Professional Leadership Programs for arts administration training. While firmly grounded in the Chicago community, nearly 40 original Steppenwolf productions have enjoyed success both nationally and internationally, including Broadway, Off-Broadway, London, Sydney, Galway and Dublin. Anna D. Shapiro is the Artistic Director and David Schmitz is the Executive Director. Eric Lefkofsky is Chair of Steppenwolf’s Board of Trustees. For additional information, visit steppenwolf.org, facebook.com/steppenwolftheatre, twitter.com/steppenwolfthtr and instagram.com/steppenwolfthtr.
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