STEPPENWOLF THEATRE COMPANY ENSEMBLE MEMBERS TINA LANDAU AND TARELL ALVIN McCRANEY REUNITE FOR HEAD OF PASSES WORLD PREMIERE PERFORMANCES IN THE DOWNSTAIRS THEATRE, APRIL 4 – JUNE 9, 2013

HeadOfPassesSteppenwolf Theatre Company continues the 2012/13 subscription season with the world premiere of Head of Passes by ensemble member Tarell Alvin McCraney, directed by ensemble member Tina LandauHead of Passes features ensemble members Alana Arenas and Tim Hopper with James T. AlfredKyle BeltranChris BokinCheryl Lynn BruceGlenn Davis and Jacqueline Williams (one actor is still to be announced). Head of Passes begins previews April 4  and runs through July 9 in Steppenwolf’s Downstairs Theatre (1650 N Halsted St). Tickets ($20 – $78) go on sale February 1 at 11am (prices are subject to change).

The distant present, at the Mississippi River’s mouth. Shelah’s family and friends plan a surprise birthday party, but the festivities are overshadowed by revelations that point to a dark family secret. Ensemble members Tarell Alvin McCraney and Tina Landau—writer and director of Steppenwolf’s laudedThe Brother/Sister Plays—team up again for this world premiere drama, told in McCraney’s sweeping, signature style.

Steppenwolf’s 2012/13 season, The Reckoning, explores the moment when we are called to account. Will our deeds be repaid? Will our secrets be revealed? Will we get what we deserve? Head of Passes is one of five stories about what happens when the past comes knocking.

The production team for Head of Passes includes: David Gallo (scenic design), Toni Leslie James(costume design), Scott Zielinski (lighting design) and Rob Milburn and Michael Bodeen (sound design and original music). Additional credits include: Erica Daniels (casting), Jacob Padrón(dramaturg), Laura Glenn (stage manager) and Cassie Wolgamott (assistant stage manager).

Title                                         Head of Passes

Author                                      Ensemble member Tarell Alvin McCraney

Director                                    Ensemble member Tina Landau

Featuring                                 Ensemble members Alana Arenas and Tim Hopper with James T. AlfredKyle Beltran,Chris BokinCheryl Lynn BruceGlenn Davis andJacqueline Williams

 

Location                                   Steppenwolf Downstairs Theatre, 1650 N Halsted St

Dates                                        Previews: April 4 – 13 Opening: April 14 at 6pm

Regular Run: April 14 – July 9, 2013

Accessible Performances         Sign language-interpreted: May 12 at 7:30pm

Open-captioned: May 18 at 3pm

Audio-described and touch tour: May 26 at 1:30pm (3pm performance)

 

Curtain Times                         Tuesdays through Sundays at 7:30pm.

Saturday and Sunday matinees at 3pm.

Wednesday matinees at 2pm on May 22, 29; and June 5.

Note: There are no 7:30pm performances on April 14; May 26; and June 2. There are no performances on May 4. There is no 3pm performance on April 14 and the evening performance that day is at 6pm and is by invitation on

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

20 for $20: Twenty $20 tickets are available for subscription shows for $20 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, visitsteppenwolf.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

Free post-show discussions are offered after every performance in the Subscription Season. Steppenwolf is located near all forms of public transportation and is wheelchair accessible. Street and lot parking are available. Performances featuring American Sign Language interpretation, open captioning and audio description are offered during the run of each play. Assistive listening devices and large-print programs are available for every performance.

Head of Passes is the recipient of a Joyce Award. Support provided by the National Endowment for the Arts. Allstate Insurance Company is Corporate Production Sponsor for Head of Passes.

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 three repertory series: First Look Repertory of New Work, Garage Rep and Next Up. 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 nine 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 The Motherf**ker with the Hat by Stephen Adly Guirgis, directed by ensemble member Anna D. Shapiro (through March 3, 2013) in the Downstairs Theatre (1650 N Halsted St).

The 2012/13 Subscription Season also includes; The Birthday Party by Harold Pinter, directed by ensemble member Austin Pendleton (January 24 – April 28, 2013) in the Upstairs Theatre (1650 N Halsted St); and Belleville by Amy Herzog, directed by Anne Kauffmann (June 27 – August 25, 2013) in the Downstairs Theatre.