The Hollow Lands

A Midwest Premiere
By Howard Korder, directed by Jonathan Berry

In 1815, America seemed ripe for the taking: boundless freedom, unseen kingdoms, and unimaginable profits. Pioneers, profiteers, and out-and-out criminals scoured the country for their share. Jim Newman's share was not what he had dreamed.

June 2009

In the press

"an immensely engrossing epic...that could not have been realized on a higher level at any other theater in the city."
- Hedy Weiss, The Sun Times, July 6, 2009
 
"For a mere 18 bucks at Steep, you get 30 weird characters, 14 intensely committed Chicago actors, 3 hours of entertainment and enough heady contemplation of issues of nascent American identity to last you until July 4, 2109. If not well beyond."
 
"Director Jonathan Berry and his Steep colleagues approach this epic...with such visual imagination, unbridled enthusiasm, appealing verve...that The Hollow Lands turns out to be quite a distinctive evening of Chicago theater."
- Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, July 1, 2009
 
The Hollow Lands is the Chicago Reader's "Critic's Choice"!
 
"[Korder's] vision of the continent as a violent landscape filled with zealots, con men, thugs, and dupes both capitivates and convinces. Jonathan Berry's scrappy production is distinguished chiefly by the intensity and immediacy of the acting... gripping from start to finish."
- Zac Thompson, Chicago Reader
 
"time flies with the necessary weight and pace given to each moment and scene. Berry moves the cast of 14 through the intimate space with grace and ease, creating beautiful and detailed stage pictures...The Hollow Lands is a fine display of Steep Theatre's signature ensemble acting"
- Chris Arnold, chicagocritic.com
 
"Steep Theatre usually mounts terrific ensemble works–this one is an example of how ensemble theatre should work...Steep's new digs are a treat. Storefront theatre shines here."
- Tom Williams, chicagocritic.com

Artistic Team

CAST:
Jonathan Edwards
Cynthia Marker
Brendan Melanson
Peter Moore
Rom Barkhordar
Sean Bolger
Lucy Carapetyan
Chris Chmelik
Kiplan Dooley
Jeremy Fisher
Boyd Harris
Yosh Hayashi
Faizan Hasnain
Michael Salinas

PRODUCTION TEAM:
Director: Jonathan Berry
Stage Manager: Ellen Willett
Scenic Design: Chelsea Warren
Lighting Design: Brandon Wardell
Costume Design: Emily McConnell
Sound Design: Rick Sims
Fight Choreographer: Matt Hawkins
Make-up Artist: Mieka van der Ploeg
Dramaturg: Anastasia Barron
Assistant Director: Eric Hoff