This play begins with a deceptively simple premise: what happens when the seemingly impossible comes to fruition? Our playwright, ensemble member Rajiv Joseph, has likened Mr. Wolf to a fervent conversation between a zealot and a non-believer—interrupted by the abrupt entrance of a messiah.
Where do you go from there? When an unreconcilable debate is suddenly, well, reconciled, how do we rebuild our lives around a center of gravity that has dramatically shifted?
As individuals, our belief systems are more likely to be calcified than revised. For those who would doubt a miracle that they, instead, bear witness to: how must they adjust to a worldview wholly upended? And for those true believers whose faith was never shaken: what if their miracle isn’t exactly what they had in mind?
The ensuing drama is quintessentially Steppenwolf: thorny, raw and morally ambiguous. We are blessed to have an intergenerational cross section of this company, led by director and ensemble member K. Todd Freeman, bringing this play to life. Kate Arrington, Tim Hopper, Caroline Neff, Namir Smallwood: what a boon to have these ensemble members home at the beginning of this anniversary season.
In many ways, Steppenwolf is synonymous with family drama. Through our 50-year history, many of our greatest triumphs have been plays that focus, mercilessly, on the interpersonal dynamics of families: children and parents; intimate confidantes and seeming strangers.
But sometimes overlooked in this identity is the fact that, at our core, Steppenwolf itself is a family of sorts. We have shared bonds, mutual disagreements, great joys and painful disappointments. As artists we pray for the impossible; we hold onto faith that it’s within reach, yet recognize that the odds are stacked against us. And through it all, we hold tight to our belief that the privilege to come together as a family to make art—to live truthfully onstage without inhibition—is a miracle in its own right.
That this theater still stands, 50 years after a band of high schoolers got together with nothing but a dream, that’s a miracle too.
And so, what better way to launch Steppenwolf’s 50th Anniversary Season than this remarkable family drama, reimagined by and for our ensemble? Thank you for being here.
Welcome to Steppenwolf. Welcome to the 50th Anniversary Season. Welcome to Mr. Wolf: a nightmare and a miracle, all wrapped in one.
Glenn Davis and Audrey Francis
Artistic Directors
STEPPENWOLF PRESENTS
MR. WOLF
Written by Rajiv Joseph†
Directed by K. Todd Freeman†
FEATURING
Kate Arrington†*, Emilie Maureen Hanson, Tim Hopper †*, Caroline Neff†*, Namir Smallwood†*
CREATIVE TEAM
Walt Spangler+ Scenic Design
Dede Ayite+ Costume Design
Keith Parham+ Lighting Design
Josh Schmidt+ Sound Design
Rasean Davonté Johnson Projection Design
Kate DeVore Vocal Coach
Jonathan L. Green Dramaturg
Patrick Zakem Creative Producer
Elise Hausken Production Manager
JC Clementz, CSA Casting
Michelle Medvin* Production Stage Manager
Kathleen Barrett* Assistant Stage Manager
Commissioned and first produced by South Coast Repertory with support from the Elizabeth George Foundation
† member of the Steppenwolf Theatre Company ensemble.
* member of Actors’ Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers.
+ member of United Scenic Artists, Local 829 of the IATSE.
‡ member of Stage Directors and Choreographers Society, a national theatrical labor union.
This Theatre operates under an agreement between the League of Resident Theatres and Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.
CAST
Kate Arrington†* Hana
Emilie Maureen Hanson Theresa
Tim Hopper†* Mr. Wolf
Caroline Neff†* Julie
Namir Smallwood†* Michael
UNDERSTUDIES
Sarah Charipar* Hanah
Leah Karpel* Julie
Paul Murray Mr. Wolf
Reese Parrish Theresa
Terence Sims* Michael
ADDITIONAL STAFF
Makari Robinson-McNeese Assistant Director
Kristin Johnson Assistant Costume Design
Josiah Croegaert Assistant Lighting Design
Caroline Michelle Uy Production Assistant
Molly Rosen Script Supervisor
Rowan Wilkerson Sound Technician
Maegan Pate, Taylor Pfenning Costume Assistants
Brenna Kaplan-Keshguerian Stitcher
Josh Derby, Billy Earnisse, Kenny Faust, John McTaggart, Austin Olive, Brandon Orozco Additional Carpenters
Marcus Klein Additional Properties
Zhanna Albertini, Jessica Wardell, Abby West Additional Paint
Mr. Wolf will be presented in one act with no intermission.
As a courtesy to the actors and your fellow patrons, please turn off your cell phones before the performance. The taking of photographs and the use of any type of recording device are not allowed in the theater during performances and is a violation of state and federal copyright laws; digital media will be deleted, and tape or film will be confiscated.
Entry and re-entry into the theater after the performance begins is not guaranteed.
The theater reserves the right to limit admission of children younger than the age of six.