Theater News

Stephen Louis Grush, Martin McClendon, and More Set for Steppenwolf’s First Look Repertory

Stephen Louis Grush
Stephen Louis Grush

Steppenwolf Theatre Company has announced casting for its First Look Repertory of New Work 2009, the 5th annual program featuring three developmental productions of new plays presented in rotation, July 22-August 9. The series will also feature other readings, lectures, and events focused on the development of new work.

Martin McClendon, Katherine Cunningham, Erik Hellman, Lucas Neff and Kelly O’Sullivan will star in Honest, written and directed by Eric Simonson, beginning July 22, about the author of a best-selling memoir and his downward spiral into drug addiction and homelessness.

Laura Eason’s Sex with Strangers, beginning July 23 and directed by Jessica Thebus, centers on Ethan Strange, whose online journal of sex-capades have turned him into the “it” boy of the blogosphere. Amy Carle and Stephen Louis Grush will star.

Cliff Chamberlain, Hillary Clemens, Jennifer Coombs, James Vincent Meredith, Sadieh Rifai, and Rani Waterman will be featured in Ski Dubai by Laura Jacqmin with Lisa Portes at the helm, beginning July 24. The play is about Rachel, a young Environmental Friendliness Consultant, who moves from New York to Dubai to work on a man-made island of skyscrapers and luxury hotels.

The designers for First Look 2009 will include Kevin Depinet (sets), Myron Elliott (costumes), J.R. Lederle (lights), and Joseph Fosco (sound).

For more information, visit www.steppenwolf.org.