Steppenwolf Theatre Presents The March April 4/5-6/10

Steppenwolf Theatre Company continues its 2011/12 season with The March, based on the novel by E. L. Doctorow, adapted and directed by ensemble member Frank Galati, playing April 5 – June 10, 2012 in Steppenwolf's Downstairs Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted St.

The March features ensemble members Alana Arenas, Ian Barford, Martha Lavey, Mariann Mayberry, James Vincent Meredith and Alan Wilder with Will Allan, Phillip James Brannon, Cliff Chamberlain, Patrick Clear, Carrie Coon, Alex Goldklang, Harry Groener, Stephen Louis Grush, Anthony Kayer, Michael Mahler, Shannon Matesky, Luce Metrius, Andy Monson, John Mossman, Alex Newkirk, Alex Ring, Joe Sinopoli, Philip R. Smith and Alex Stage. Single tickets for The March go on sale Friday, January 27 at 11 am. The press performances are Saturday, April 14 at 3 pm and Tuesday, April 17 at 7:30 pm.

General William Tecumseh Sherman, Uncle Billy to his men, marches 62,000 Union soldiers through lush Georgia countryside. Bearing along both black and white refugees, the march destroys everything in its path, turning home into exile and exile into home. Its epic force forever changes the lives of those caught up in its sweep: a liberated slave, a sheltered daughter of a Southern judge, a pair of Confederate deserters and Uncle Billy himself. The March is a story of momentous upheaval and the limits of courage and love.

E.L. Doctorow is perhaps best known for his novel Ragtime, which was adapted into a feature film and a Tony®-nominated Broadway musical (also directed by Frank Galati). Doctorow was a Pulitzer finalist for both The March and Billy Bathgate. Tony® Award-winner Frank Galati's many directing credits at Steppenwolf include Endgame, Homebody/Kabul, The Grapes of Wrath and You Can't Take It With You. Other Steppenwolf adaptations include after the quake and Kafka on the Shore.

Steppenwolf's 2011/12 season explores how everyday lives are touched by war. In each of the five plays, war exerts a pressure-sometimes centrally, sometimes obliquely-on the lives of the characters-a purpose, a deep need that moves them into action.

The production team for The March includes: James Schuette (scenic design), VirGil Johnson (costume design), James F. Ingalls (lighting design) and Josh Schmidt (sound design and original music). Additional credits include: Erica Daniels (casting), Malcolm Ewen (stage manager) and Christine D. Freeburg (assistant stage manager).

Title: The March
Based on the novel by: E.L. Doctorow
Adapted and directed by: Ensemble member Frank Galati
Featuring: Ensemble members Alana Arenas, Ian Barford, Martha Lavey, Mariann Mayberry, James Vincent Meredith and Alan Wilder with Will Allan, Phillip James Brannon, Cliff Chamberlain, Patrick Clear, Carrie Coon, Alex Goldklang, Harry Groener, Stephen Louis Grush, Anthony Kayer, Michael Mahler, Shannon Matesky, Luce Metrius, Andy Monson, John Mossman, Alex Newkirk, Alex Ring, Joe Sinopoli, Philip R. Smith and Alex Stage
Location: Steppenwolf Downstairs Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted St.

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