(left to right) ensemble member John Mahoney (Richard), ensemble member Alan Wilder (Ivan), ensemble member Francis Guinan (Sharky), Randall Newsome (Nicky) and ensemble member Tom Irwin (Lockhart) in The Seafarer  by
Conor McPherson, directed by ensemble member Randall Arney. 
Photo by Michael Brosilow

Steppenwolf’s Critically-Acclaimed

The Seafarer

reviewed by Ed Vincent

Turbo charged drama fueled with alcohol and humanity.  A modern version of the Devil and Daniel Webster morphed into the Devil and Jack Daniels.  John Mahoney, Oak Park's
favorite son, finds verbal victories pummeled with pathos and
alcohol.  There's plenty of local gubernatorial  dialect on the stage as the male cast uses the Honorable Rod Blagojevich's
best loved four lettered terms.

The play begins with a background of retro cartoons set in
the time of Christmas, the television is playing the dramas
of yesteryear as your gaze notes the disheveled setting of
a stage leaning toward the audience with clothes strewn all
about the dusty floor.  The dark setting with subdued lighting
is brilliant for the job of introducing us into a living hell of
stupor, alcohol, and lost promises. 

This existential wild ride starts to ignite when the noise from
upstairs shines the morning's light onto the stage, and soon
rockets of exploding dialogue bring life to the setting of the mundane.  John Mahoney, in the role of Richard is rousted
and soon declares: "I have so little to live for", and how wrong
he will be.

Richard (Mahoney), blind, dehydrated with infected opinions,
and finding three bottles of whisky a good start to getting
one and all in a more social context demands a lot from the
Christmas eve. 

The cast of characters, each with their own inebriated valor
and shield from reality, drink their way into the truth of
the moment.  The writing is pointed and witty with some
fun thoughts on heaven and hell.  Nice accents are given
from the performers and all develop their roles well into
people we have met and wished the best for.

Francis Guinan, as Sharky is the heart and soul for tomorrow
and a bright star in this drama of the devil's dance.  Tom Irwin,
as Lockhart, is a gleaming car salesman from Hell.  Alan Wilder, as Ivan, is lovable, lost, and longing for another sip of booze and life.  Randall Newsome, as Nicky, plays a great side kick to the fallen angel.

Our own dear John Mahoney, along with Sharky help us see
the frailty of life, the power of living, and the gift of choice.
John is wonderful, loud, and direct in his portrayal of the blind,
Christmas-loving drinker who from time to time sees clearly
through the spirits.

"A great show in the finest realm of acting." 

Title:                                       The Seafarer

Playwright:                              Conor McPherson

Director:                                   ensemble member Randall Arney

Featuring:                                ensemble members Francis Guinan (Sharky through 2/1), Tom Irwin (Mr. Lockhart through 2/8), John Mahoney (Richard) and Alan Wilder (Ivan) with Bradley Armacost (Sharky 2/3 – 2/22)
and Randall Newsome (Nicky).

Steppenwolf’s Critically-Acclaimed

The Seafarer

Announces Two-Week Extension

New Block of Tickets Goes On-Sale Friday, January 2

CHICAGO (December 30, 2008) – Due to popular demand, Steppenwolf Theatre Company is adding two additional weeks of performances to its critically-acclaimed production of The Seafarer, by Conor McPherson, directed by ensemble member Randall Arney.  A new block of tickets for performances February 9 - 22, 2009 will go on sale Friday, January 2 at 11:00 a.m.

The Seafarer, featuring ensemble members Francis Guinan (through 2/1), Tom Irwin (through 2/8), John Mahoney and Alan Wilder with Bradley Armacost (2/3 – 2/22) and Randall Newsome, runs December 4, 2008 – February 22, 2009 in Steppenwolf’s Downstairs Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted St.

It’s Christmas Eve in Dublin. In the rundown house where Sharky cares for his blind brother, old acquaintances gather for a card game—joined by an ominous stranger.  As the booze flows and the game intensifies, Sharky discovers he is playing for his soul.  In this eerie, darkly humorous tale, celebrated playwright Conor McPherson examines how we face the demons of our past as we struggle to find redemption.

The Seafarer is the second of two plays by Conor McPherson premiering in Chicago at Steppenwolf this season. McPherson’s Dublin Carol plays November 6, 2008 – January 4, 2009 in Steppenwolf’s Upstairs Theatre. The Seafarer makes its Chicago premiere following a critically-acclaimed Broadway run.

Born in Dublin, playwright Conor McPherson’s plays include include The Seafarer (premiered on Broadway in 2007), Poor Beast in the Rain, Port Authority, Dublin Carol (premiered on Broadway in 2002), The Weir (premiered on Broadway in 1999), St Nicholas and This Lime Tree Bower. Mr. McPherson won London’s prestigious Olivier Award for The Weir and received a Tony nomination for Shining City.  

Ensemble member Randall Arney has directed Conor McPherson’s The Weir at L.A.’s Geffen Playhouse, where he serves as Artistic Director.  Other directing credits include Atlanta, Speed the Plow, All My Sons, Take Me Out, I Just Stopped by to See the Man, Boy Gets Girl and God’s Man In Texas.  Steppenwolf Broadway transfers under his leadership include The Rise and Fall of Little Voice, The Song of Jacob Zulu (six Tony Award nominations) and The Grapes of Wrath (Tony Award winner).

The design team for The Seafarer includes: Takeshi Kata (sets), Janice Pytel (costumes), Daniel Ionazzi (lights) and Richard Woodbury (sound).  Christine D. Freeburg is the Stage Manager and Rose Marie Packer is the Assistant Stage Manager.

(left to right) ensemble members Tom Irwin (Lockhart) and Francis Guinan (Sharky) in The Seafarer by Conor McPherson, directed by ensemble member Randall Arney. 
Photo by Michael Brosilow

Title:                                       The Seafarer

Playwright:                              Conor McPherson

Director:                                   ensemble member Randall Arney

Featuring:                                ensemble members Francis Guinan (Sharky through 2/1), Tom Irwin (Mr. Lockhart through 2/8), John Mahoney (Richard) and Alan Wilder (Ivan) with Bradley Armacost (Sharky 2/3 – 2/22) and Randall Newsome (Nicky).

Location:         Steppenwolf Downstairs Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted St.

Curtain Times:                         Tuesdays through Sundays* at 7:30 p.m.

                                    *Sunday eve. performances through January 11 only

Saturday and Sunday matinees at 3:00 p.m.

Wednesday matinees on January 14, 21, 28 and February 4 at 2:00 p.m. 

Please note: There is no 7:30 p.m. performance on Sunday, January 4.  There are no performances on Wednesday, December 24, Thursday, December 25, and Thursday, January 1.  There is a 7:30 p.m. performance on Sunday, February 15.

Ticket prices:                           Previews: $20-$48

                                                Regular run: $20-$70

Twenty $20 tickets are available at Audience Services beginning at 11:00 a.m. on the day of each performance (1:00 p.m. for Sunday performances).  Half-price rush tickets are available one hour before each show.  Student discounts available.

Audience Services:                  1650 N. Halsted, 312-335-1650

Online ticketing available at www.steppenwolf.org

The Seafarer MaTEENée performance for high school students will be held on Saturday, January 24 at 3:00 p.m.  Tickets cost $15 and include: a ticket to the performance, lunch and a post-show discussion with actors featured in the production – hosted by Steppenwolf’s Young Adults Council

Foley & Lardner LLP and Harris Bank are the Production Sponsors of The Seafarer.

Free post-show discussions, sponsored by AT&T, are offered after every performance.

Steppenwolf is located near all forms of public transportation and is wheelchair accessible.  Street and lot parking are available.  Assistive listening devices are available for every performance.

Committed to the principle of ensemble performance through the collaboration of a company of actors, directors and playwrights, Steppenwolf Theatre Company's mission is to advance the vitality and diversity of American theater by nurturing artists, encouraging repeatable creative relationships and contributing new works to the national canon.  The company, formed in 1976 by a collective of actors, is dedicated
to perpetuating an ethic of mutual respect and the development of artists through on-going group work.  Steppenwolf has grown into an internationally renowned company of 42 artists whose talents include acting, directing, playwriting, filmmaking and textual adaptation.  For additional information, visit www.steppenwolf.org.