Motortown

A North American Premiere
By Simon Stephens, directed by Robin Witt

The story of Danny, a young "squaddie," who returns to the UK from a tour in Basra determined to win back his girlfriend. But what greets him on his homecoming batters Danny's already fragile pysche and sends him on a downward spiral of violence and anguish.

October - November 2013

CAST: 
Julia Siple*
Peter Moore*
Alex Gillmor*
Kendra Thulin*
Chris Chmelik
Joel Reitsma
Eddie Reynolds
Ashleigh LaThrop

PRODUCTION TEAM:
Director – Robin Witt**
Production Manager – Julia Siple*
Stage Manager – Lauren Lassus** 
Scenic Design – Dan Stratton**
Lighting Design – Sarah Hughey
Costume Design – Alison Siple**
Sound Design – Matthew Chapman**
Props Design – Catherine Campbell
Make-up and Wig Design – Samantha Umstead
Dramaturg – Kristin Leahey**
Fight Choreography – Matt Hawkins
Asst. Director – Mary Rose O'Connor
Technical Director – Julie Allen
Asst. Sound Design – Heather Piatt
Asst. Dramaturg – Brandy Reichenberger

*Denotes Steep Company Member
**Denotes Steep Artistic Associate

In the press

Jeff Recommended
 
Three and a half stars!
"Steep Theatre is a Chicago company increasingly known for its uncompromising acting, and Lord knows this particular production, directed by Robin Witt, more than enhances that reputation...[Playwright Simon Stephens] is a phenomenally talented writer, a formative risk-taker." 
 
"Take, for example, the current Steep Theatre production of "Motortown"...when it comes to the quality of the acting in Robin Witt's production, there's no better work currently on view anywhere in Chicago."
- Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune
 
Three and a half stars!
"The hallmark of a Steep production is its ability to fuse the audience to emotion....There is a visceral response. Motortown is Steep's signature move kicked up a notch. The anticipated tension is there but super-charged. It's like walking through a field of land mines holding a grenade...It's an unforgettable trip worth taking." 
- Katy Walsh, Chicago Theatre Beat
 
Four Stars!
"It is devastating theater, a concisely and potently fashioned play."
- Chicago on the Aisle
 
Recommended
"...raises powerful questions about the crises of masculinity and the horrors of war....speaks in the harsh eloquence of tragedy."
- Chicago Reader
 
"Director Robin Witt fashions Motortown into a chilling and gripping show, and her amazing acting ensemble is given plenty of flashy moments to show off not only their technical skills, but their complex motivations as well." 
- Scott Morgan, Windy City Times