Steppenwolf Theatre Company today announced complete casting for a pair of Chicago premieres this winter. Lucas Hnath’s The Christians, running December 1–January 29 in the Downstairs Theatre and directed by ensemble member K. Todd Freeman, and Young Jean Lee’s Straight White Men, running February 2–March 19 in the Upstairs Theatre and directed by Lee herself, will mark both rising playwrights’ Steppenwolf debuts as part of artistic director Anna D. Shapiro’s first season of programming.
The Christians, set in an evangelical megachurch, will feature ensemble members Tom Irwin as Pastor Paul and Robert Breuler as Elder Jay, with Shannon Cochran (Elizabeth), Glenn Davis (Joshua) and Jacqueline Williams (Congregant). The church choir, referred to in the play as “The Praise Team,” will consist of Faith Howard, Yando Lopez, Jazelle Morriss, Mary-Margaret Roberts and Charlie Strater.
The cast of Straight White Men will feature ensemble members Alan Wilder (Ed) and Tim Hopper (Matt) with Madison Dirks (Jake), Ryan Hallahan (Drew) and Elliott Jenetopulos (Stagehand-in-charge).
Steppenwolf’s season opener, the world premiere of David Rabe’s Visiting Edna, opens this weekend.
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