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"Birdland" by Simon Stephens at the Royal Court Theatre. (Photo by Richard Hubert Smith)

Steep Theatre’s 2017-18 Season Includes New Simon Stephens Play

‘Birdland’ will make its American premiere at the Chicago storefront company.

CHICAGO: Steep Theatre Company has announced its 2017-18 season, its 17th. The season will include a world premiere from Calamity West and the American premiere of a new play by Tony-winning playwright Simon Stephens.

“I don‘t know what excites me more: the lineup of playwrights or the lineup of directors. It‘s a lovely problem to have,“ said artistic director Peter Moore in a statement. “They are some of the essential voices of right here and right now, and we’re honored to provide a home for them this coming season.”

The season will kick off with The Invisible Hand by Ayad Akhtar (Oct. 5-Nov. 11), about an American banker taken hostage by a military group in Pakistan. Audrey Francis will direct.

Next will be the world premiere of Hinter by Calamity West (Jan. 25-March 3, 2018). The play takes place in 1922 Germany and is about the post-World War I sociopolitical climate. Brad DeFabo Akin will direct.

Following that will be the American premiere of Birdland by Simon Stephens (April 5-May 12, 2018), about a rock star who returns home. Jonathan Berry will direct.

The season will close with Linda by Penelope Skinner (July 12-Aug. 18, 2018). The titular character is the executive of a beauty corporation struggling with aging in a youth-obsessed world. Robin Witt will direct.

The Steep Theatre is a storefront theatre led by an ensemble of 34 artists.

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