Harry Groener, Ian Barford, Martha Lavey Among Frank Galati's March Troops in Steppenwolf World Premiere

By Kenneth Jones
10 Jan 2012

Ian Barford
Ian Barford
Photo by Sandro

Casting has been announced for Tony Award-winning director-adapter Frank Galati's The March, based on the Civil War-set novel by E.L. Doctorow, getting its world premiere by Steppenwolf Theatre Company April 5-June 10 in Chicago.

Galati famously crafted a stage version of John Steinbeck's "The Grapes of Wrath" for Steppenwolf. Its 1990 Broadway engagement earned the artist two Tony Awards — for Direction of a Play and Best Play.

The March will play Steppenwolf's Downstairs Theatre at 1650 N. Halsted St.

The company will include Steppenwolf 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, three-time Tony Award nominee 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.

Here's how The March is billed by the Tony Award-honored Steppenwolf: "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."

Novelist E.L. Doctorow wrote "Ragtime," which became a Broadway musical that Galati directed. Doctorow was a Pulitzer finalist for both "The March" and "Billy Bathgate."

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), Erica Daniels (casting), Malcolm Ewen (stage manager) and Christine D. Freeburg (assistant stage manager).

Opening is April 15. For more information, visit www.steppenwolf.org.