The world premiere of Downstate, a new play from Tony- and Pulitzer Prize-winning Clybourne Park playwright Bruce Norris, opens the season at Steppenwolf Theatre September 20.
Tony winner Pam MacKinnon, who also directed Norris’ Clybourne Park, helms the premiere about four men convicted of sex crimes against minors, who are living out their lives in an Illinois group home. The play is a co-production with London’s National Theatre, where it will arrive in 2019.
A company of American and U.K. actors are cast in the piece, including Glenn Davis, K. Todd Freeman, Francis Guinan, Tim Hopper, Elyakeem Avraham, Maura Kidwell, Cecilia Noble, Eddie Torres, Nate Whelden, Aimee Lou Wood, and Matilda Ziegler.
According to Steppenwolf, “In downstate Illinois, four men convicted of sex crimes against minors share a group home where they live out their lives in the shadow of the crimes they committed. A man shows up to confront his childhood abuser—but does he want closure or retribution? This fiery, provocative new play zeroes in on the limits of our compassion as it questions what happens when society deems anyone beyond forgiveness.”
The creative team includes Todd Rosenthal (scenic design), Clint Ramos (costume design), Adam Silverman (lighting design), Carolyn Downing (sound design), Gigi Buffington (company vocal coach), Christine D. Freeburg (asst. stage manager), JC Clementz (casting director and artistic producer), and Patrick Zakem (artistic producer).
Visit steppenwolf.org.