Currently playing its first return to the stage since its celebrated Chicago premiere, Steppenwolf for Young Adults (SYA) presents The Brothers Size by ensemble member Tarell Alvin McCraney (Academy Award Moonlight, co-creator of MS. BLAKK FOR PRESIDENT) and directed by acclaimed Chicago director Monty Cole. Both shows in SYA’s 2019/20 Season explore the question, “How do you navigate family history while trying to write your own?”
Ogun Size is hardworking and heartbroken. Oshoosi Size is recently returned home from prison and trying to be anywhere but. In this fierce and honest look at the complex bonds of brotherhood, McCraney weaves together poetry, music and Yoruba mythology to magnify the tug-of-war between freedom and the need to belong somewhere, to something, to someone.
Public performances of The Brothers Size are now playing through Saturday, October 19, 2019 in the Downstairs Theatre (1650 N Halsted St); Single tickets ($20-$30) are now on sale through Audience Services at 312-335-1650 or steppenwolf.org. Weekday performances are reserved for school groups; more than 15,000 Chicago Public School students will experience Steppenwolf Education programming during the 2019/2020 season. Interested in bringing a school group? More info at steppenwolf.org/education.
Director Monty Cole shares, “The Brothers Size has always been one of my favorite plays. I’m in love with its vulnerable language about one’s duty to their family, culture, nation — and their own freedom. When I was in high school, I remember being so excited to go to SYA productions. It’s an honor to bring this play back to the Steppenwolf stage for young adults to see themselves reflected.”
Relaxed/Sensory-Friendly Performance
Steppenwolf is pleased to present a Relaxed/Sensory-Friendly performance for The Brothers Size on Saturday, October 19, at 3 p.m. Relaxed/Sensory-Friendly performances feature a relaxed performance environment and minor adjustments to sensory effects such as lighting and sound cues. House lights will be left up at a low level, and it’s okay for audience members to make noise, move, and leave the theater. Social narratives and character guides will be shared in advance of the guests’ visit, and a quiet area will be designated in a section of the lobby. For more information, please email [email protected].
About the Playwright
Tarell Alvin McCraney is an acclaimed playwright and screenwriter and has been a Steppenwolf ensemble member since 2010. His script In Moonlight Black Boys Look Blue is the basis for the Oscar-winning film Moonlight directed by Barry Jenkins, for which McCraney and Jenkins won an Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay. He also wrote the film High Flying Bird which recently premiered on Netflix directed by Steven Soderbergh. McCraney’s plays include The Brother/Sister Plays trilogy, Choir Boy, Head of Passes, MS. BLAKK FOR PRESIDENT and WIG OUT!. McCraney is the recipient of a MacArthur “Genius” Grant, the Whiting Award, Steinberg Playwright Award, the Evening Standard Award, the New York Times Outstanding Playwright Award, the Paula Vogel Playwriting Award, the Windham Campbell Award, and a Doris Duke Artist Award. He is currently Chair of Playwriting at Yale School of Drama; an ensemble member at Steppenwolf Theatre Chicago; and a member of Teo Castellanos/D-Projects. McCraney is currently working on an original scripted TV series, David Makes Man, for Oprah Winfrey’s OWN Network, produced by Michael B. Jordan and Page Fright Productions.
About the Director
Monty Cole recently directed Kiss by Guillermo Calderon at the Haven Theatre Company, and has directed productions, readings and workshops for Goodman Theatre, Center Theatre Group, The Alley Theatre, The Court Theatre, Victory Gardens, American Theatre Company, The Gift Theatre, The House Theatre of Chicago, Cape Cod Theatre Project, Oracle Productions, California Institute of the Arts and others. Cole directed the critically acclaimed and Jeff Award-winning production of The Hairy Ape for Oracle Productions and Hamlet at The Gift Theatre. Monty is currently adapting John Howard Griffin’s classic memoir Black Like Me for the stage and collaborating with choreographer Breon Arzell at the Center for New Performance on a new iteration of In Dahomey, the first Black Broadway musical.
Performance & Ticket Info
There are 10 public performances of The Brothers Size: Friday, October 4 at 7:30 p.m; Saturday, October 5 at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, October 6 at 3 p.m.; Friday, October 11, at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, October 12, at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; Friday, October 18, at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, October 19, at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. *The October 19 at 3 p.m. performance will be a Relaxed/Sensory-Friendly performance. Weekday performances are reserved for school groups. To bring a school group or learn more about Steppenwolf’s robust education offerings visit steppenwolf.org/education.
The Scene
Curated by Steppenwolf’s own Young Adult Council, this is an exclusive opportunity for teens to score a cheap ticket to a Steppenwolf production, meet the artists involved with the play and connect with like-minded teens. The Council’s fall scene event around The Brothers Size is upcoming on Saturday, October 12, at 3 p.m. Teens can purchase a $5 ticket by calling (312) 335-1650 and using code YACSCENE.
Plan Your Visit
Steppenwolf is located at 1650 N. Halsted St. near all forms of public transportation, bike racks and Divvy bike stands. The parking facility ($15 or $17, cash or card) is located just south of our theater at 1624 N. Halsted St. Valet parking service ($15 cash) is available directly in front of the main entrance starting at 5 p.m. on weeknights, 1 p.m. on weekends and at 12 noon before Wednesday matinees. Limited street and lot parking are also available. For last minute questions and concerns, patrons can call the Steppenwolf Parking Hotline at 312.335.1774.
Watch a video of Tarell Alvin McCraney discussing The Brothers Size >> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TjJBFx-Rivk
