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The Steppenwolf Upstairs Theatre is a 299-seat proscenium theater located on the third floor of 1650 N. Halsted. Each season, one subscription series play is produced in the Upstairs Theatre. Formerly the Steppenwolf Studio, the Upstairs Theatre was inaugurated in 1993 with Steve Martin's Picasso at the Lapin Agile, an unqualified success. Some of the notable productions in the Upstairs space i … Morenclude ensemble member Austin Pendleton's Uncle Bob, David Mamet's The Cryptogram, Bruce Norris' The Infidel, Richard Greenberg's The Dazzle and Joel Drake Johnson's The Fall to Earth. The intimate confines of the Upstairs Theatre also provided an appropriate venue for acclaimed solo performers Karen Finley, Ricky Jay and Heather Woodbury. In 2004, author and radio personality David Sedaris performed a sold-out solo performance in the Upstairs Theatre.
If you haven't yet been to the lobby of the Upstairs Theatre, it's one of the most exciting spaces in the entire Steppenwolf building. The room is decorated with comfortable, modern furniture. The walls are adorned with striking images and artwork displayed for the given production. The Upstairs Bar is well stocked with a variety of snacks and pours everything from cappuccino to champagne, from Pilsner to Pepsi. Less
Steppenwolf presents a breakthrough theatrical event: three interconnected plays by a brilliant new American voice. Grand in scope, yet intimate and heartfelt, Tarell McCraney's plays are daring, funny and genuine. Steppenwolf will present The Brother/Sister Plays in repertory, with In the Red and Brown Water on one evening, in rotation with The Brothers Size/Marcus; Or the Secret of Sweet on another. Learn more...
Unique performance group 500 Clown bring their latest stunt-filled drama for adults to Steppenwolf. Backed by a rocking three-piece band, the Brecht-inspired 500 Clown follows a performing company that has everything they need for a night of theater -- except a story. But find one they do, and it's filled with improvisation, dangerous stunts and circus arts. Learn more...
Art is a heady and hilarious look at the bonds of male friendship, viewed through the prism of modern art. Three old friends square off over the merits of a recently purchased painting. Their friendship is put to the test as the arguments quickly go from theoretical, to personal, to confrontational. Learn more...
Jean is sleepwalking through her life until she answers a dead man's cell phone. It turns out to be a wake-up call that sends her on a date with the dead man's brother, a drinking binge with his wife, and a mysterious rendezvous with his mistress--leading Jean to rediscover herself. Learn more...
The House Theatre of Chicago's completely re-imagined version of The Nutcracker weaves together riveting dialogue, astonishing puppetry, beautiful song, and a thrilling eight-piece string orchestra to tell a darkly moving story of a young girl trying to comprehend the loss of her brother. She retreats into a nightmarish world, where she and her army of toys fight for victory. The Nutcracker is a fresh and startling take on a Christmas classic. Learn more...
In 500 Clown Frankenstein, three clowns arrive onstage to tell the story of Frankenstein through physical action and improvisation. Challenging costumes, poor lighting, difficult language and an ornery table prevent them from properly telling Mary Shelley's classic tale. The result is the creation of an unexpected horror. Learn more...
In 500 Clown MacBeth, three clowns descend upon a stage to perform Shakespeare's Scottish Play. Infected by ambition, they compete for the role of Macbeth. In the process, the clowns destroy the text, the set and eventually each other. This wildly physical, comical and powerful re-imagining of Macbeth plays at Steppenwolf's Upstairs Theatre. Learn more...
Over the course of seven years, Emma (Amy Morton) and Jerry (Ian Barford) hide a love affair from Robert (Tracy Letts), Emma's husband and Jerry's best friend. This classic play of marriage and infidelity from a Nobel Prize-winning author reveals all of the doubts, worries, jealousies and ecstasies of relationships. Learn more...
In this homage to his Midwestern childhood, Ray Bradbury brings to life one unforgettable summer full of skinned knees, the smell of freshly cut grass, squishy new sneakers, time machines and a fortune-telling tarot witch. Bradbury's magical story is a sensory explosion that reminds audiences to cherish the simple pleasures of youth. Learn more...
About Face Theatre presents the world premiere of Mary Zimmerman's M. Proust, based on the writings of Marcel Proust and Celeste Albaret. M. Proust chronicles the unlikely relationship between one of the world's most revered novelists and the unlettered country girl who fell under his spell, becoming his closest companion and his steadfast defender against persistent rumors of his "secret life." Learn more...
After the Quake is the adventure of a lifetime and a bittersweet love story mesmerizingly intertwined in this fresh, funny collaboration between two master storytellers: Haruki Murakami, one of Japan's most highly regarded novelists, and the Tony Award-winning Steppenwolf ensemble member, Frank Galati. Learn more...
On Valentine's Day, join the Steppenwolf Theatre Company for complimentary pre-show sushi and a romantic theater evening. The adventure of a lifetime and a bittersweet love story are mesmerizingly intertwined in this fresh, funny collaboration between two master storytellers: Haruki Murakami, one of Japan's most highly regarded novelists, and the Tony Award-winning Steppenwolf ensemble member, Frank Galati. Learn more...
Getting to the Upstairs Theatre is easy. Simply walk into the Steppenwolf Lobby and proceed to the elevators on the left or south side, near the main floor restrooms. Once you've arrived up at the third floor, there is a counter to your immediate right handling all of your ticketing needs. If you need additional assistance finding your way up to the Upstairs Theatre, please ask the Front of House staff.
Handicap Information
Handicap seating may be available.
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