Final Casting Announced for BELLEVILLE at Steppenwolf

Casting is complete for Steppenwolf Theatre Company's season-closing production of Belleville by Amy Herzog, directed by Anne Kauffman. Chris Boykin and Cliff Chamberlain
join the previously announced cast, ensemble members Alana Arenas and Kate Arrington. Belleville begins previews June 27, 2013 (Opening Night is July 7; Press Performances are July 6 at 3pm and July 9 at 7:30pm) and runs through August 25 in Steppenwolf's Downstairs Theatre (1650 N Halsted St). Tickets ($20 – $73) go on sale April 26, 2013 at 11am (prices are subject to change).

Newly married American expats Zack (Chamberlain) and Abby (Arrington) live an enviably hip, do-gooder existence in the up-and-coming neighborhood of Belleville, Paris. But a single encounter one morning in the apartment they rent from their Senegalese landlords Alioune (Boykin) and Amina (Arenas) tips the scales of their relationship, revealing that the bubble they've built abroad is much closer to bursting than it appears. Dubbed a "thrillingly good" drama with elements of a "nail-biting psychological thriller" by The New York Times, Amy Herzog's play asks unsettling questions about upheaval and the power of a lie.

The production team for Belleville includes: James Schuette (scenic design), Janice Pytel (costume design), Matt Frey (lighting design) and Richard Woodbury (sound design). Additional credits include: Erica Daniels (casting), Deb Styer (stage manager) and Christine D. Freeburg (assistant stage manager).

OptionsHouse is the Corporate Production Sponsor of Belleville.

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.org, facebook.com/steppenwolftheatre and twitter.com/steppenwolfthtr.

More Articles by This Author...