‘Mr. Wolf’ Is A Suspenseful Thriller With Family At The Center
‘Mr. Wolf’ Is A Suspenseful Thriller With Family At The Center
By Tia Carol Jones
K. Todd Freeman has been an ensemble member of the Steppenwolf Theatre Company since 1993. His first play with the theatre company was “The Song of Jacob Zulu.” That play went to Broadway and Freeman was asked to join the company.
Freeman is directing “Mr. Wolf,” which he described as a mystery about a family that gets unexpectedly reunited after many years of separation, with the family redefining itself after someone has re-emerged to the group. Mr. Wolf was written by Steppenwolf ensemble member Ranjiv Joseph and will feature ensemble members Kate Arrington, Tim Hopper, Caroline Neff and Namir Smallwood, with Emilie Maureen Hanson. The play will run through Sunday, Nov. 2nd.
“We are elated to launch Steppenwolf’s 50th Season with “Mr. Wolf”, a truly daring play that showcases the kind of acting this company is known for: unflinching, honest and gutsy. And what a team! Between the cast and director, there are over 110 collective years of Steppenwolf ensemble membership ready to get to work. We’re honored that K. Todd Freeman is back directing at Steppenwolf, and we can’t wait to see what he, and this stellar cast, have in store for Ranjiv’s thrilling play that takes us deep into nightmarish circumstances and asks uncomfortable questions about the bonds of family. Killer actors and juicy family drama: there’s no better way to kick off this landmark season than by doubling down on what makes Steppenwolf singular,” said Steppenwolf Artistic Directors Glenn Davis and Audrey Francis in a press release.
Freeman said the play has elements of people being careful what they wish for, because it might not always be the wonderful thing they think it is. He said it is about suffering and getting through the suffering by finding hope through the suffering.
“For me, it’s just a wonderful play about these interpersonal relationships people are having, and yet, it is something that Steppenwolf does a lot of, family dramas,” Freeman said. He added that as far as his directing of the play and the acting, he is keeping it very simple and naturalistic.
Freeman said it is also a play that kind of lives in magic, so he is trying to let the technical aspects of the play blend with the acting to make it a special evening for the audience. He said that the play’s writer Ranjiv Joseph always wanted a play that was mystery, suspense, with a touch of horror and to blend all those elements into one. That is what Freeman is trying to do with his directing of the play.
Freeman said early responses were great from audiences who have seen the play, which he said made him very happy. He said the audiences seemed very attentive and laughed in the appropriate places and were caught up in the debates and arguments of the play. He said it was an overall great experience.
“I hope they like it, I hope they feel the tension in the play, and I hope their hearts are warmed by the end of it,” he said. “It seems that people are connecting to the play on a personal level and I hope it touches people.”
The Steppenwolf Theatre is located at 1650 N. Halsted. Single tickets starting at $20 are now on sale at steppenwolf.org or the Box Office at 312 -335-1650.
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