Downstate, the latest play from Tony- and Pulitzer Prize-winning Clybourne Park playwright Bruce Norris, which takes on the controversial and uncomfortable subject of pedophilia, opened at the Steppenwolf Theatre in Chicago October 3.
Directed by Tony Award winner Pam MacKinnon, the play is a co-production with London’s National Theatre, where it will arrive in 2019.
Norris examines the ways in which Americans deal with those convicted of sex crimes against minors through the lives of four men who perpetrated the abuse and are now living in an Illinois group home. According to Steppenwolf, Downstate "questions what happens when society deems anyone beyond forgiveness."
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.
Read reviews below. Check back for updates.
The Chicago Tribune (Chris Jones)
The Daily Herald (Barbara Vitello)
The New York Times (Jesse Green)
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.
