About this show

A modern American family uses a summer barbecue as a pretext to ambush sister Barbara with an intervention. If you think “all families are crazy” is just a cliche, you’ve not spent time under the influence of the O'Mallerys. An afternoon in the park with these raucous siblings and you'll be challenging your own assumptions about family, race, and reality. The Chicago premiere of Barbecue by Obie and Helen Hayes Award winner Robert O’Hara will have you laughing out loud and questioning how it’s true that in America, you sometimes taze the ones you love.

Stay for a conversation with the cast after the matinee performances on September 3, 10, 17, and 24. Talk-backs will be moderated by Dramaturg Taylor Barfield and Assistant Director Michael Burke.

Cast & Artists

The Artists

  • Author Robert O'Hara
  • Director Damon Kiely
  • Assistant Director Michael Burke
  • Costume Design Aly Greaves Amidei
  • Lighting Design Jared Gooding
  • Sound Design Heath Hays
  • Props Design Leah Hummel
  • Dramaturg Taylor Barfield

The Cast

Content Advisory

Steppenwolf does not offer advisories about subject matter, as sensitivities vary from person to person. If you have any questions about content, age-appropriateness or stage effects (such as strobe lights or theatrical fog) that might have a bearing on patron comfort, please contact the box office at 312-335-1650.

Rush Tickets

Looking for a discount? Four half price rush tickets will be available for each performance of Barbecue.

Are you a student? $15 rush student tickets are offered, subject to availability.

Additional Information

LookOut is Steppenwolf’s performance series that presents the work of artists and companies across genre and form. Emerging artists and performance legends, quintessential Chicago companies and young aspiring ensembles, familiar Steppenwolf faces and new friends.

In our 1700 Theatre, a casual, intimate and flexible 80-seat theater located behind Front Bar: Coffee and Drinks - Steppenwolf's new destination for coffee, drinks and food.

1700 Seating

The 1700 Theatre is general admission, with an assortment of cabaret-style seating options, including high stools and low chairs clustered around tables. We do not reserve seating unless you have a mobile disability. If you have particular seating preferences, we recommend arriving a half hour before show time to reserve the seat of your choice.

Content Advisory

Steppenwolf does not offer advisories about subject matter, as sensitivities vary from person to person. If you have any questions about content, age-appropriateness or stage effects (such as strobe lights or theatrical fog) that might have a bearing on patron comfort, please contact the box office at 312-335-1650.

Rush Tickets

Looking for a discount? Four half price rush tickets will be available for each performance of Barbecue.

Are you a student? $15 rush student tickets are offered, subject to availability.

Additional Information

LookOut is Steppenwolf’s performance series that presents the work of artists and companies across genre and form. Emerging artists and performance legends, quintessential Chicago companies and young aspiring ensembles, familiar Steppenwolf faces and new friends.

In our 1700 Theatre, a casual, intimate and flexible 80-seat theater located behind Front Bar: Coffee and Drinks - Steppenwolf's new destination for coffee, drinks and food.

1700 Seating

The 1700 Theatre is general admission, with an assortment of cabaret-style seating options, including high stools and low chairs clustered around tables. We do not reserve seating unless you have a mobile disability. If you have particular seating preferences, we recommend arriving a half hour before show time to reserve the seat of your choice.