Photo Flash: In Rehearsal with Debra Monk and More for VISITING EDNA at Steppenwolf Theatre

Steppenwolf Theatre Company launches its 41st season, the first curated by Artistic Director Anna D. Shapiro, with the moving and enthralling world premiere of Visiting Edna by renowned American playwright David Rabe (Streamers, Good for Otto). Previews begin September 15 (opening night is Sunday, September 25; press performances are Saturday, September 24 at 3pm and Tuesday, September 27 at 7:30pm) and runs through November 6, 2015 in the Downstairs Theatre (1650 N Halsted St). BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at the cast in action below!

Tony Award winner Anna D. Shapiro (Mary Page Marlowe, August: Osage County) directs this powerful play about the enduring connection between a mother and her son. The cast features Tony and Emmy Award winner Debra Monk as Edna and ensemble member Ian Barford as her son, Andrew. Ensemble members K. Todd Freeman and Sally Murphy form a supporting trio with Michael Rabe.

Edna has suffered a number of losses as she has aged, and now faces the stealthy advance of cancer embodied by an intimate figure that she could do without. Home for a visit, Edna's son Andrew tries to bridge the gulf between the childhood love they shared and the aggressively polite but baffling relationship they now live with. Mother and son stumble toward honesty as they wrestle with the distractions--both mundane and profound-that keep us from real connection.

The Visiting Edna production team includes David Zinn (scenic design), Linda Roethke (costume design), Marcus Doshi (lighting design), Rob Milburn and Michael Bodeen (original music and sound design). Additional credits include Jonathan Berry (artistic producer), JC Clementz and Tam Dickson (casting) and Christine D. Freeburg (stage manager) and Brian Maschka (assistant stage manager).

Tickets ($20 - $89) are on sale now through Audience Services at 312-335-1650 and steppenwolf.org.

Photo Credit: Michael Brosilow