Timely And Lyrical ‘Windfall’ On Steppenwolf Stage

Michael Potts and Glenn Davis in Steppenwolf Theatre’s “Windfall.” Photo by Michael Brosilow.
Michael Potts and Glenn Davis in Steppenwolf Theatre’s “Windfall.” Photo by Michael Brosilow.

Timely And Lyrical ‘Windfall’ On Steppenwolf Stage

By Tia Carol Jones

Glenn Davis says that Windfall, written by Tarell Alvin McCraney, is the play that McCraney was afraid to write. It asks the question: How much is someone’s life worth. Davis and Audrey Francis, artistic directors of the Steppenwolf Theatre, commissioned McCraney to write the play, which explores themes of capitalism, morality, and ethics around money. Davis said it has been exhilarating to watch McCraney create a play that is highly theatrical, deeply moving, lyrical and very funny.

“Tarell always infuses a lot of humor into his work. So, while it’s dealing with some pretty profound notions and ideas about how we see ourselves in the world, he also makes you laugh the entire time,” Davis said.

 “Windfall” will be on stage at the Steppenwolf Theatre, located at 1646 N. Halsted, through Sunday, May 31st. The play is directed by Awoye Timpo, who Davis has described as brilliant.

Davis said that he is proud to have commissioned, produced and to act in “Windfall.” Davis plays Marcus, who exists outside the confines of reality, as a ghost of sorts. He is in conversation with his father, who has seemingly lost a child. Davis said his character interweaves in and out of the play, sometimes being on the perimeter of the play —emotionally and psychologically – then, jumping into the action of the play.

Davis is being reunited with Alana Arenas and Jon Michael Hill, who he performed with in “Purpose.” He said the three of them have formed a bond over the years, and have developed a creative shorthand when they are on stage together. Namir Smallwood, who was recently on Broadway in “Bug,” is in the play. He said that the four of them – Arenas, Hill, Smallwood and himself – being on stage together and saying McCraney’s words has just been a dream. Michael Potts and Esco Jouléy, who Davis said are both wonderful, are also in the cast of “Windfall.”

He said that he has been intimately involved in the creation of the play during the last couple of years. He said the play is hugely revealing when it comes to the characters who may or may not be dealing with trauma. But, he said, it is not a trauma play, he said that while audiences might think the play will go one way, it goes another. In that, Davis said that McCraney really surprises the audience with the turns in the play. He said it has been a dream scenario with the play, what they’ve been able to do and who is involved in it.

“I want audiences to really have that conversation with themselves about what is a life worth. We’re asking some really hard questions. When a child is lost to city or state violence, what should actually be done; is giving that family money always the answer … is that the best we can come up with,” he said. He said those questions are at the center of the play and what he wants people who see it to ask themselves after they see it.

Tickets for Windfall cost between $20 – $148.50. To purchase tickets, visit steppenwolf.org, or call the box office at 312-335-1650

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