STEPPENWOLF THEATRE COMPANY ANNOUNCES CASTING FOR CHICAGO-PREMIERE PRODUCTION OF RUSSIAN TRANSPORT

downloadCasting is complete for Steppenwolf Theatre Company’s Chicago-premiere production of Russian Transport by Erika Sheffer. Ensemble member Yasen Peyankov directs a cast of five featuring ensemble members Tim Hopper, Mariann Mayberry and Alan Wilder with Aaron Himelstein and Melanie Neilan. This “thoughtful, well-written domestic drama with something original to say about immigrant families living by old world values in a new world culture” (Variety) received its world-premiere production Off-Broadway at The New Group in 2012.Russian Transport begins previews February 6, 2014 (opening night is February 16; press performances are February 15 at 3pm and February 18 at 7:30pm) and runs through May 11, 2014 in Steppenwolf’s Upstairs Theatre (1650 N Halsted St). Tickets ($20 – 78) are on sale now at steppenwolf.org.

A rowdy Russian family in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn is on a daily hustle to achieve the American Dream. When Uncle Boris arrives from the old country, his mysterious business ventures force the family to decide just how far they are willing to go to come out on top. A funny, passionate family drama that slyly transforms into a heart-pounding thriller, Russian Transport is a fascinating look at the contemporary American immigrant experience.

The production team for Russian Transport includes: Joey Wade (scenic design), Ana Kuzmanic (costume design), Scott Zielinski (lighting design),Rob Milburn and Michael Bodeen (sound design and original music), and Stephan Mazurek (projection design). Additional credits include: Erica Daniels (casting), Scott Weinstein (assistant director), Dassia Posner (dramaturgy), Eva Breneman (dialect coach), Malcolm Ewen (stage manager) and Cassie Calderone (assistant stage manager).

Title                                         Russian Transport

Author                                      Erika Sheffer

Director                                    Ensemble member Yasen Peyankov

Featuring                                 Ensemble members Tim Hopper, Mariann Mayberry and Alan Wilder

with Aaron Himelstein and Melanie Neilan

Location                                   Steppenwolf Upstairs Theatre, 1650 N Halsted St

Dates                                        Previews: February 6 – 15, 2014

Press Performances: February 15 at 3pm and February 18 at 7:30pm

 Opening: February 16 at 6pm

Regular Run: February 18 – May 11, 2014

Accessible Performances         American Sign Language Interpretation: April 13 at 7:30pm

Open Captioning: April 19 at 3pm

Audio Description and Touch Tour: April 27 at 1:30pm (3pm performance 

Curtain Times                         

Tuesdays through Sundays at 7:30pm.

Saturday and Sunday matinees at 3pm.

Wednesday matinees at 2pm on April 23 and 30, and May 7.

Note: There are no 7:30pm performances on February 11, 16, May 3, 4 or 11. There is no 3pm performance onFebruary 16 and the evening performance that day is at 6pm and is by invitation only. There are no performances onMay 3. 

Ticket prices                  Previews: $20 – $54                   Regular Run: $20 – $78

20 for $20: Twenty $20 tickets are available for subscription shows on the day of the performance at 11am (Mon – Sat) and 1pm (Sun), by phone only at 312-335-1650. Limit 2 per person.

Rush Tickets: Half-price rush tickets are available one hour before each show.

Student Discounts: Limited $15 student tickets are available online. (Limit 2 tickets. Must present a valid student ID for each ticket). For additional student discounts, visit steppenwolf.org/students.

Group Tickets: All groups of 10 or more receive a discounted rate for any performance throughout the season.

Audience Services                   1650 N Halsted St, 312-335-1650

Online ticketing available at steppenwolf.org

OptionsHouse is the Corporate Production Sponsor of Russian Transport.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company is America’s longest standing, most distinguished ensemble theater, producing nearly 700 performances and events annually in its three Chicago theater spaces—the 515-seat Downstairs Theatre, the 299-seat Upstairs Theatre and the 80-seat Garage Theatre. Formed in 1976 by a collective of actors, Steppenwolf has grown into an ensemble of 43 actors, writers and directors. Artistic programming at Steppenwolf includes a five-play Subscription Season, a two-play Steppenwolf for Young Adults season and two repertory series: First Look Repertory of New Work, and Garage Rep. While firmly grounded in the Chicago community, nearly 40 original Steppenwolf productions have enjoyed success both nationally and internationally, including Off-Broadway, Broadway, London, Sydney and Dublin. Steppenwolf has the distinction of being the only theater to receive the National Medal of Arts, in addition to numerous other prestigious honors including an Illinois Arts Legend Award and 12 Tony Awards. Martha Lavey is the Artistic Director and David Hawkanson is the Executive Director. Nora Daley is Chair of Steppenwolf’s Board of Trustees. For additional information, visit steppenwolf.orgfacebook.com/steppenwolftheatre and twitter.com/steppenwolfthtr.

Currently on stage is Tribes by Nina Raine, directed by ensemble member Austin Pendleton (through February 9, 2014) in the Downstairs Theatre.

The 2013/14 Subscription Season also includes The Way West by Mona Mansour, directed by ensemble member Amy Morton (April 3 – June 8, 2014) in the Downstairs Theatre; and The Qualms by Bruce Norris, directed by Pam MacKinnon (July 3 – August 31, 2014) in the Downstairs Theatre.

 

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